Ramble Reacts: A Beckham-esque stunner
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Well, well, well, Jim Campbell. I was a little bit concerned for most of that game, despite it

it's slightly chaotic and hectic nature that we were going to be starved of a goal or two. But my goodness, what an end to that game. Bournemouth 1, West Ham 1, come on. It's Mr. Monday Night, mate. If you get Julian Lopetegui on a Monday night, there's going to be Barclays.

And it was, it was like there was a real little sprinkling of Barclays right at the end because we'd been good and because we'd been patient. That's how it felt. Do you think that's what it was? Do you think that the Christmas elves turn up and went, all right, everyone's behaved themselves. Come on, have a bit of this. Give them a penalty. Here's a controversial penalty. And here's a stunningly good free kick for you.

Yeah, perfect. Absolutely perfect. Yes, I was worried that Krampus was going to turn up and say, no, you're not having any goals. Despite the amount of shots that have been on show this evening, I am going to make sure that every defender manages to block every single shot. Because at some point I thought the keepers were making sense, there was blocks and all this. I thought, this is good, I'm enjoying this, but...

But as a famous man once said, a game without a goal is like an afternoon without sunshine. And we got them. We got the two goals. What did you make of the game, Jim? Obviously, the end was quite spectacular, but what did you make of the whole game in general? I enjoyed it in general. I, too, started to lose hope that we were going to actually see some goals, which is obviously the best bit. Can't stress that enough. But actually, I thought it was two very interesting performances from teams

two very different teams at the moment. I think we sort of, we kind of saw three different versions of each team and I'll kind of walk through that a little bit. Now, I think it looks to me like West Ham are starting to click a little bit and they are starting to turn a corner under Lopetegui. They looked a lot slicker in the first half than we've seen them, seen them be recently. Kudus Pakatar and Jared Bowen had some nice interplay. Wan-Bissaka's looked good again and really impressed with how he can play, um,

as either a left fullback or a right fullback and it not seemed to diminish the quality. So I thought they looked a lot better than they have done recently and it was quite fun. Bournemouth also looked dangerous, also looked tidy. So it felt like a quite evenly matched first half where I thought West Ham probably shaded it a little bit on the balance of play. I agree with that, yeah. And then the second half...

It was like they both just went a bit Sunday League for about half an hour. It was brilliant. It was brilliant. It was better for it. The quality of the football was worse. The quality of the entertainment was much higher because no one could shrink. They couldn't really get any moves going and everyone was misplacing passes. As you say, that's when all the blocks started happening. People are sliding all over the place. We hear about greasy pitches a lot.

And you don't really see a greasy surface or hear about a greasy surface anywhere other than a football pitch. And, you know, whack that lard on if this is what happens because that was really fun, really enjoyable. And then obviously when the car...

When Bournemouth... Sorry, when West Ham get the penalty, like, they both woke up. Like, Bournemouth properly came to life. Like, hang on. You've seen all the late goal stats popping up on your screens. We're having some of this. Yeah. And it was great. It felt like Bournemouth thought, no, no, no, no, no. We're not losing to you lot here. I'm intrigued by the idea of a greasy service. Because, I mean, yeah, what...

A little bit of goose fat or something, do you know what I mean? But really, I think... Oh, very Christmassy. Yes, indeed, indeed. Certain parts of the world, you know, goose is a big thing for Christmas, certainly in some Central and Eastern European countries. So I don't think the goose community would complain. I think they would be honoured, in fact, if we were to use that. But any, some sort of lard, as you say, could certainly make the Premier League a little bit more interesting, perhaps. But bollocks aside, it was... I do want to go to that last...

sort of few minutes of the game although of course there was eight minutes injury time I was thrilled I was thrilled when I saw eight come up I don't know where it came from but I was absolutely delighted I know what you mean I thought we were going to get a winner and I thought it was going to go to Bournemouth but we didn't but I think we have to be happy with the game and the way it finished and

And the game really changed in that moment where Wan-Bissaka plays the ball and of course Fulcrooge has a chance, should do better really. Right, at Kepa, isn't it? It was a good save. It was one of those ones where it looked better live than it did on the replay. Yes, I know what you mean. And then it went to VAR and Tyler Adams was deemed to have handballed it. And it's funny, isn't it? Because...

It's a bit like speeding, doing 31 miles an hour on a 30 limit. You've broken the law. You have broken the law. But you've only just broken the law. Yeah, and you didn't mean to. Look, it's not going to make anybody's... It's not going to make a difference to anything. In fact, you could even argue that the ball was maybe ever so slightly helped

into full Krug's path more and of course he puts that away then that's the end of discussion and I understand that if you do start saying well how heavy was the touch you know did it stop a goal scoring opportunity well actually it aided one

in a sense so if you get into the weeds of that then we'll be there all night and I think for the sake of sanity did it touch the guy's hand did it not it did but it was just a flick really yeah it was weirdly in the initial replay when they were looking at the Fulcrum header I was like oh did that touch Adams' arm but then the two angles that we repeatedly saw that supposedly VAR was showing the referee um

It was really, really difficult to tell. The angles were bad, so it was difficult to be clear either way. But it probably has hit his arm. It's one of the letter of the law ones, as we've just discussed. And it's an absolute sickness for Bournemouth, really. He didn't complain either, you could see. No. I think the argument, I mean, old Smudger Smith on commentary on co-coms was very clear that he felt the arms were in a pretty natural position because you throw your body in like that, it's hard to keep the arms down.

But they are quite high. And so I think for the referee, if the referee said, well, they were high, but they weren't, again, it's a minefield. And the referees, they are only carrying out

what they're kind of told to I know sometimes referees can make interesting decisions but I thought by and large you kind of go yeah you've got to take that speeding ticket because you were doing 31 in a 30 mile an hour zone the referee is surely thinking that the whole time he's looking at the screen just go for God's sake why has this had to happen oh I guess it's a penalty I'm going to have to give it what it says in the rules yeah

Oh dear, so it was given and Lucas Pacquita stepped up and coolly converted. He did that kind of stuttery run up for a penalty which, let's be honest, should be outlawed. I know it's been around for ages. Do you remember though back in the day, Jim, penalties never used to happen like that and if anybody stopped for a second...

you would think, hang on, hang on. There was one in, this will test you, there was one in the penalty shootout between England and Spain in Euro 96. And I think it was Amor who took the penalty. I forget his first name. You are an absolute deviant. Well, it is an England penalty shootout. That we want, to be fair to you. Indeed. So perhaps it's not that deviant. I remember he ran up, took a big old step,

and then sort of passed the ball in the corner. I'm not sure if David Seaman even moved. And everyone's a bit like, hang about, that's not... So there was always this understanding that, oh, you don't stop, you know, you run up during a penalty shooter. Anyway, I'm sounding like an old codger. It's been around for ages. It should be outlawed. How long do you get? Like, do you do a little dummy, then sit down for 20 seconds, and then stand up and kick it? You could really waste time doing it, couldn't you? You really could. I mean, it's...

It's a skill in itself, though, isn't it? I guess that's why it hasn't been outlawed. I know, I know. Well, he scored. And interesting with Pakitar. We'll get to the free kick in a moment, but I just want to unpack some Pakitar stuff. Ran over to Julian Wopatek and gave him a hug after scoring. So a little vote of confidence for the manager there. Yeah, that was interesting. Did you see the disdain on the faces of the three West Ham substitutes in the background? Did they think they were going to get a hug?

They all looked just so blank. So, so blank. They looked completely unmoved by anything that was going on. It was really weird. Are they thinking, oh, he's after a start for the next game? Because he hasn't been starting of late, Pakatasa. Who knows? I can only speculate. Yeah, true. He also made a big old point of smooching the badge, didn't he? Declan Rice style, which was interesting. But this is from a man who tweeted...

minutes before the kickoff. I'm not from here. I will return home. He comes to get me and with him I will go. Followed by a praying emoji, a hands up celebration emoji and the musical notes emoji. So is he

that he'll get to leave West Ham via Twitter. It's an evening of mixed messages from Lucas Pacatari if you're a West Ham fan, isn't it? It is an interesting one. Is he kissing the badge goodbye?

Was that a hug goodbye to Lopetegui? Maybe. Cheers, old boy. I mean, there is talk, isn't there, that he's angling for a move back to Brazil in January. And obviously, he's with all of the stuff hanging over him. Clearly, he's been affected by it on the pitch. He's kind of, until fairly recently, looked a shadow of himself. So maybe...

Maybe that's looking likely and it's kind of, you know, lifted a weight from his shoulders because he was good tonight. He wasn't at his best, but he was, you know, better than he's been recently. Well, I mean, the stuff that's hanging over him, I mean, if...

He does, if he is found guilty. He could face a hefty ban worldwide. Yeah, exactly. Imagine getting yourself to a position where you're a professional footballer, play for your country. It's a lifestyle that you can only really have doing that thing. And then to have the possibility of that being taken away from you, it must be very, very stressful. It must be. Yes, but as you say, there are a couple of clubs in Brazil that are looking...

But it is odd. I mean, it's quite a cryptic tweet. Some were suggesting that they are song lyrics because of the musical notes emoji. I thought it might have been a Bible verse. I don't know. Whatever it is, it is quite strange. But then kissing the badge and hugging the coach, it's almost as if he's saying, don't listen to that, I'm really keen to be staying here. But anyway, he tucked the penalty away with some style. It's just as well, actually, I think, what is that, only his third goal this season? He's not produced that many penalties.

goals and assists so far not having the best of seasons as you say there is something hanging over him you have to say he dodged a bullet not going to Man City in the summer Jim something we can all agree on but he got a goal tonight and I did wonder if it was going to be the winning goal

My, was it not the winning goal. You know better, don't you? We all know better now. Jim, I'll be honest with you. There's sometimes when players get a free kick and they line it up and you think, mate, that is quite far out. You could maybe swinging the ball in, dinking it over. I remember...

It probably would have been he who hasn't been mentioned for good reason for a long time, Ron Atkinson doing co-coms on ITV with Clive Tilsley. A Champions League night at Old Trafford, Manchester United versus Barcelona, one of the 3-3s. And David Beckham had a free kick about 30 yards out. And I think the... What would it have been? There was...

there was a competition I think flashed up on the screen or something like that and Ron Atkinson said well I think Beckham's got more chance of winning that raffle or whatever than scoring from here and of course he scores one of the best free kicks he's ever scored that flashed through my mind if I'm honest with you when O'Neill stepped up and

my goodness as soon as it left his boot Beckham-esque absolute peach and one of those ones that's even better on the replay oh isn't it just so perfect perfect execution just brilliant that free kick was not dead central but it was fairly central

So to beat the goalkeeper from there, I think sometimes a free kick that is central is sometimes a little bit harder because the goalkeeper's positioning might not be right in one corner, if you see what I mean.

So to get it over the wall, the dip on it was something else. And the swerve just takes it away from Fabianski. You had a brilliant game, by the way. Yeah, well, absolutely. That's what I was going to say as well. Fabianski made some really, really big saves, like kind of quite serious goal-saving saves on a couple of occasions. So, you know, there is that sense that, you know, he's having one of those days and he's not going to be beaten.

Not the case.

at goal a record for them in the Premier League which is you know again shows you their attacking intent Fabianski made 8 saves and at the age of 39 doesn't look like he's slowing up any time no he really doesn't I mean the save in the first half from Dango Watarra with his legs I know Watarra kind of missed it a little bit I think he might have been deliberately trying to hit it into the ground but it was a

He used every minute of his experience there, Fabianski. It was really, really good. Can I also, I would like to give someone else his flowers. Edson Alvarez picked up his fourth booking of the season. He's gearing up for Christmas. I mean, it's exquisite execution from a master of the form. If you want Christmas off, he is the benchmark so far. He is the pace setter on looking like he's going to do it.

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Together, we grow. All investments involve risk, including loss of principle. Information on the fund's investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses can be found in the fund's prospectus at xtrackers.com. Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. Had Bournemouth had won this game, they'd be a point off Forrest in 4th.

Wow. They didn't win the game, of course, but I still think it's worth saying these words. We are now 16 games into the season. Okay, Liverpool and Everton have only played 15, of course, because that game was postponed. But we are very, very close to halfway in the season. Forrest are fourth and Bournemouth are sixth. There's three points between them. Nobody would have predicted that. It really is quite something. And

Once again, the job Iriola's doing at Bournemouth is fantastic. They are very much in that pack of sides. Same points as Villa, point above Fulham and Brighton, couple above Spurs, Brentford, Newcastle. They're in that pack where, I mean, I...

It still seems to be unlikely that anyone from that pack, other than maybe Villa and perhaps Spurs, if they can turn around, would really push for a Champions League place. But as we know, it's five places this year in the Premier League. And funnily enough, West Ham, their ambition now is to try and get into that pack, of course. And a couple of wins would do it. Yeah.

I'm not sure they would be able to keep pace with how they've been playing. But you said you saw something from West Ham tonight and maybe after that win against Wolves as well. Are they perhaps turning a corner under old Lopetegui? They are. And it's interesting you mention Wolves because if there are any Wolves fans watching, this is proof of what you can achieve if you sack Gary O'Neill. So that's worth keeping in mind as well. That's harsh on gag, Jim.

look I mean when else am I going to get an opportunity to say that but yeah like I say Bournemouth coming into this game and I'm going to come back to Lopetegui don't worry they'd won their last three and only Chelsea could match that who'd won their last five so they were in a really impressive moment in terms of form so

So I thought, you know, it's a pretty good result for West Ham. And I think they just look a little bit slicker and a bit more cohesive. It feels like there's a bit more of a plan. They also look like they've been sort of empowered with essentially permission to enjoy themselves and to try things. You know, we're players kind of trying little flicks here and there and just being a little bit creative in a way that we haven't

perhaps seen from them so much lately and it makes me think that they are starting to essentially get those ideas into practice. Be a bit more expressive maybe. Interesting what Thomas Suchek said about Lopetegui

And he said Lopetegui spoke with us about being told he could be sacked if things don't improve. He said to us that he loves the pressure because it's always the way in football, which is a message that Lopetegui has been pretty consistent with in the last couple of months. And I think actually they look like they're playing with a bit less pressure, which is an interesting use of reverse psychology, really. Well, it is. Yeah, because Suchik went on to say he told us we should enjoy the pressure because one day we won't play football anymore.

quite threatening on one hand from Lopetegui but you get what he means and perhaps that's it really I think that

There is expectation on West Ham this season. We know that they wanted to kick on from the Moisera, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You get bored of saying that, but that is the facts of the matter. They've been looking over their shoulders more than looking up the table so far this season. I think now, you know, it'd be disappointed to be pegged back. But I mean, I think on balance, a point was probably fair. Maybe Bournemouth shaded it, but you get the drift.

It's a tough place to go though, isn't it? We're seeing them beat Arsenal and Man City there this season. It absolutely is. So I think you're right. I get the sense that things are just beginning to change there at West Ham and I think that they might start to pick it up a bit. I don't think they're going to go on a fantastic run or anything. I don't think that they're going to be challenging for like a Europa spot or something like that, a Europa League spot. But

But you never know. They could just ease that pressure on Lopetegui and then start to enjoy it a bit more. And if that is the case, well, you never know, as I say, because there's a pretty tight pack in there. There were reports that West Ham were considering Max Allegri as a successor to Lopetegui, but apparently the cost involved is quite substantial. It's a funny one, Allegri, isn't he? Sort of floating around like that as this potentially really, really high-profile coach that no one seems to need. Yeah.

I still can't get that image of him out of my head where he kind of ripped his shirt on the bench at Juventus because I always thought he was a fairly calm head and then I saw that and I thought, get him in the Premier League. Absolutely. A manager ripping his shirt off to reveal a bit of his torso. Yes, please. We don't have any of that in the Premier League, I don't think. Not yet. Not until Pereira turns up. Oh, no.

come on yeah let's make that happen but anyway now something else involving West Ham is sounding quite positive I think they are being linked to Randall Colomawane the PSG forward for a potential move in January possibly on loan but I think

that would be a good signing if they could get him over the loan line. Definitely something they need as well, isn't it? I mean, obviously, they're without Mikel Antonio for very, very sad reasons. And Nicholas Falkrug is still really kind of, you know, finding his feet as a West Ham player. It's been a bit of a strange move, that one, isn't it, for him to make that move at 31. And obviously, he's been...

He's had injuries, so he hasn't been able to get on the pitch that much. So the jury's out on whether or not that one's going to work. But it's definitely a position where they felt like today, didn't they? Yes. And Fulcru, I know he scored against Leicester. It was just a consolation. But that chance he had, I understand they get the penalty and they score from it. But those are the moments. That is food and drink to him. We know that option he brings is a kind of more archetypal situation.

You know, at times, old-fashioned centre-forward. We saw him do that for Germany in the Euros. That's what you want him to do. That's food and drink to him. He's got to be gobbling those chances up. I know it's only one chance, but still. So you wonder if there's a confidence issue there. But Moani, Colin Moani would be a very different option. I mean, people have often likened him to Thierry Henry.

That style of play, and it was high praise indeed, but the style of play. I mean, he was brilliant at Eintracht Frankfurt. It's not quite worked out with him at PSG. Luis Enrique seems to not want him there. They're often a bit of a basket case of a club anyway at PSG for various reasons. I wouldn't judge him on that. The expectation there is very, very high. But he's a good player. To be quite frank, and I disrespect...

I'd have thought he could go to a bigger club than West Ham, actually. Well, if they can get him on loan, you know, they've got the opportunity to make him feel really at home. Yeah. Yeah, it's a type of forward that, you know, come the summer, if Manchester United do decide to try and sell Marcus Rashford and maybe one or two others and all the rest of it, type of forward you think,

Can't get him, you know, that type of player. But it remains to be seen. But if West Ham could get him in, and they seem to be the only ones linked to him at the moment, that would be quite the signing. The aforementioned Manchester United have provided us with a little bit of a lull since that victory at the Etihad, of course, on Sunday.

At least two Manchester United players were questioned by the club after Amarim's line-up appeared on social media the night before the 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

United reportedly asked some of their players if they or anyone close to them were responsible for leaking the starting 11. Amarim said, you have a lot of people in the club. Players talk with agents and friends. It's hard to know. It is not a good thing. But let's move on to the next match and see if they find the next starting 11. It's like a little Christmas quiz. It is, isn't it? Is it leaking out of the roof maybe?

Yeah, I quite like Amarim's approach at the moment. It does feel to me like it's almost like, you know, he's almost like the sort of Tim slash Jim character from The Office at the moment, isn't he? Just like giving knowing looks and comments to the camera. It's like, yeah, I understand how ridiculous this is. This is what I'm working with here. News just in, Jim. Turns out it was Rebecca Vardy. Hey! I love a bit of that. And I love...

I love the fact that he's kind of saying, oh, well, he's laid down the gauntlet. All right, let's see if he can get the next start at 11 then. I love that there's a rat. They've got a rat in the dressing room. What is this? What are they doing?

There's a rat in mid-dressing room. Surely you know. Surely you know as a footballer that cannot be good for your team. What do you get out of that? Yeah, but I think clearly they've said it to him. I mean, do you remember the famous one? Matt Letizia told his brother the tactics against Italy and he said it on Italian radio ahead of the England-Italy game.

well-qualified. Amazing, really. They've always seemed like a likeable bunch, the Letizias. But, yeah, it's something for Ruben to find out, Detective Amarim. Now, a man who was linked with the Manchester United job before Ruben Amarim took it, of course, was Gareth Southgate. Yes. And Gareth Southgate is set to receive a knighthood in the New Year honours list. I'm bloody made up about that. Some people will hate it. Up yours. I love it. What do you reckon, Jim? Well,

I guess it's mostly a ceremonial position now, isn't it? There aren't any dragons around to slay. There's not much kind of knighting to be done. So, yeah, I just, you know... I mean, slaying dragons, though, is...

You know, St. George, of course, the patron saint of England. Yes, he's from, I think, modern-day Turkey, isn't he? And obviously Georgia, they have, you know, named after the man, for crying out loud. They have, you know, him slaying a dragon on their football crest. So really, the idea of being a knight of the realm...

I think it is still relevant. Yeah, I mean, it's something that will be very important to him, isn't it? Yeah, I think so. So Gareth, come on. I think if you put any stock in such things, he absolutely deserves it. You know, he's taken England to two finals. But he's changed the culture totally. Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, all this stuff we've said so, so many times before, England's second most successful manager ever. I'm sure there will be people that have a problem with it who care about that sort of thing. But I don't think you're going to find many of them around here. If...

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a knighthood. Come on. Good point. Yeah. Then we should all have one. Now, did you see that Southgate's former assistant at England, Steve Holland, is set to land a managerial gig in Japan? Seems to be the case that he will take charge of Yokohama F. Marinos when the J1 League starts in February. So he's off to Japan.

That's not a bad job for old Stevie Holland. Great change of scenery. Ben White will be thrilled. It's about as far as he's realistically going to be away from him, isn't it? You can go to the Robot Restaurant. There's one in Tokyo. There's a place called Nara where there's hundreds of tamed deer that bow. He'll have a great time and maybe manage some football as well. Robot Restaurant? You're served by robots?

Well, actually, it's a sort of tourist trappy thing where they just put on this weird display of, I think, people in robot suits. It's all very, like, over the top and confusing. That sounds shit. Yeah, well, I mean, it wasn't great. There's better things to do there. It was just the first thing that came to mind. Steve, if you're listening, don't go there. All right? And where else should he not go, Jim? You know? Don't go to North Korea. That's nearby as well. You know what I mean?

He won't be allowed to. He won't get a list of options. He won't be allowed to. I'm sure you could have a little look around Pyongyang. Just, you know... Wait a minute. You'll very much be directed as to what you're looking at. True. All right, we'll let you in, but you've got to tell us, what's Sir Gareth Southgate really like?

Oh, dear. Thank you very much for listening to the Football Ramble, part of the ACAST Creator Network. I shall be back with Andy and Pete for the Ramble on Wednesday. So do join us then. Follow us on XBlueSky, TikTok and Instagram at FootballRamble in the meantime and subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. There we are. Thanks, Jim. Thank you. And thank you, Lucas Pacquitar and Enes Unal for that glorious...

The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creative Network. Shape your tomorrow. X-Trackers offers innovative opportunities to enable you to take your financial future into your own hands. With ETFs that make access easy, transparent, and cost-effective. Start your investment for the future at xtrackers.com.

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