England Go Toe-to-Toe With The World Champions & Man City’s Charges

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It'll help soothe muscles and joints while you sleep, supporting overnight recovery, setting you up for a stronger comeback the next day. After a painful day, make ICHOT part of your nighttime recovery ritual. ICHOT. You're so back. Welcome to the Bestie's football with Alan Scheer, a former Premier League winner, Michael Richards, and me, Gary Linica. England have played their first game since crashing out of the World Cup semi-final versus Argentina and all. We've lost again, chaps to the World Champions Spain. There were lots of positives to Thomas too, could take. We'll come to that shortly. But how's your weekend been, Michael? I knew you was going to start with this. Nothing has changed. Can we see? There's been nothing from the Premier League. Manchester East Dancers is still the same statement that they released in 2023. And until then. You still a Premier League winner. Exactly. So I told my judgement until everything is announced. What a mess. Incredible. Obviously we're just on here, but it has serious implications and ramifications this whole thing. It's not official yet, like you said, Michael. So I don't think it's something that we'll go into in depth now. But as soon as it is official and it does appear that that would be very likely that they've lost pretty much all of the cases. All of the cases of the 115. So we'll cover that in due course. But more important things. Alan. Another wedding yesterday. Another daughter gone. Yeah. How was it? Slightly blurred this morning, guys. Bit of a hangover. Yeah, it was an amazing day. I loved it. We all had a great day. And obviously very happy that the new couple. So yeah, it all went really well. The weather was great. Everything was, um, was brilliant, but amazing there. Now it's quite unusual to have two daughters married. It was just over a month apart. Yeah. Did they get a bit competitive over the way who had the best wedding? Did you? No, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, they're very different girls. It's all obviously one we had. Last month was in France and province. And this one here is in North York, where I'm still here. So the celebrations are still ongoing. And we'll be until that until tonight. God, I'm looking forward to a holiday. They're on the bank balance this summer's taking. What can I just kind of pull you up on some? One got one and wedded in provolce. Yeah, I was in Yorkshire. How does that work out? Your neck in the woods. Are you seeing provolences better than Yorkshire? That's what you're seeing. I did it. I didn't say that just saying that. The reason I've intonated it. The reason I've intonated it, Michael. The difference is we're seeing provolce. And you put on the silly actor and then you say Yorkshire. So I'm guessing there's a difference. There were very different weddings. Yeah, obviously you saw the pictures of the ones in France. Yeah, very different. But I have to say the weather yesterday was amazing. Blue sky. So the pictures are cheerful. Will it be great? Yeah. What about your speech? Did you do both speeches? Did you get emotional? Did you do the same? I mean, I got emotional before you even said a word. Yesterday, I just looked up my door. I had my speech ready to go. I just looked and I could feel myself welling up. So yeah, very emotional. Really, really is. I suppose I've got emotional with the first one. If you had it with a second, you didn't talk. Yeah. Very serious. You don't care. You don't care. You're the first one who's came back to say about me. Anyway, congratulations to all concerned. Let's turn our attention to the England game. It defeat against a very, very good side. Mike. Oh, I mean, Spain. Excellent. I just love you know, in the first 10 minutes of the game. Yeah. I was looking at tactics. What they do. Because I know we all know the brilliant players, but what they do differently. So the center of the raft go really deep to get the ball. I wanted time. I saw Simon rolling the ball just to draw England out a little bit. Then they will go pop to the left, pop to the middle, right. And everyone is so comfortable on the ball. It was a joy to watch. And even if it didn't happen, where it would have got cut out with England's press, they would try it again. And they would try it again. And there was you can see the coaching and how they've been drilled all the way from youth to now. And it was just great to see them constantly do the same things even when it wasn't working. But then they believe in that ability that would happen. And if they constantly try it, they could get out at some point. And then you've got obviously Williams and then your Mal and then you've got Torres. I just think they were joy to watch. But I actually think England were very good too. I agree. They really were. I thought they played really good for after 10 minutes. I thought, oh, crank it. This could be embarrassing. Yeah. And then we kicked into gear. I thought the midfield did really well. We played some really good football ourselves at times. Penn them in on numerous occasions. Create chances. Lots of shots. I thought it was a much more encouraging performance. Obviously doesn't have quite the pressure of their previous game. Well, actually, one before the third place player. Obviously, I'm talking about Argentina. But England played some really good football. Sometimes on the counter attack. Sometimes keeping them in there. And star of the show for me again. Jude Bellinger, I mean, there were some really great performances, I thought. But I thought he was such a good footballer. Yeah, it was it was pretty concerning. I thought what I saw in terms of how many chances England were given that we're in the first 10 or 15 minutes. But then after that, I thought they played really well. Obviously defensively. They were punished for the mistakes. See, I told you you should have played Louis Hall. Then we've been all right. Well, I'll go. All right. I got an assist. Actually. If you were watching the high end, it's correctly. Great cross as well. Yeah. Great cross. But I thought Anderson, you know what I talked about the World Cup. And you're talking about when you're supposed to jump, when you're supposed to stay. I thought it dictated the game so well. It was dropping into the center back positions. He's playing short passes, but then playing long passes. But then. Because Jude, like you said, guys, that's such a good game. Anderson had to actually be more disciplined. And when he's watching the game. Yes, you're looking at the star players. You want to see. Lemmean the dream. You want to see Bellingham. You want to see Gordon who started really well for Barcelona to see if he can replicate that. And then he gets his goal. But actually, I was looking at the discipline of Anderson. And I thought he was amazing. He was so controlled in what he was doing. And he was reading when to go. When to press. When to jump. But then getting back into position. And like, he's way of his passing was so good yesterday as well. In there with Louis Kelly, who I thought was doing really well. His energy in the midfield was good. I was, I come away from that game thinking. If England play like that, we've confidence. But when are yours? Well, I mean, let's not too far. You know what I mean? Let's not too far. But it was so enjoyable to watch. And if Harry came with a score, that to make it free one. We're talking about a different game. We're talking about England. We're even better than when we give it a credit for now. I know he played in midfield last season, but his rise like this season to go into the arsenal. Into England into the midfield has been remarkable, isn't it? It has really, isn't it? Especially. It's funny, isn't it? Because you got Nico Riley who's really a midfield player turned left back. And then you got Skelly who's a fallback. Seems to have turned into a midfield player. Obviously when they grow up nowadays, they kind of play everywhere. All these positions. So which is really good for them. But two exceptional footballer. I think he's done really well in that midfield role, filling the boots of Declan Rice, big responsibility against Spain, especially when you've got obviously one of the midfielders due to just primarily in forward position. So I thought both Mars Lewis, Skelly and Anderson in there were, I thought, exceptional. As you said, Anderson was all over it. Really, really, really impressive. Yeah. To see his growth from when he was at Newcastle. And I have a little bit of laugh about it. I said, I see them at Newcastle. It's really good and all that sort of stuff. But the development first, you've got to go to from Newcastle. Then you've got to go to Forrest. And then prove that he can be. it week in week out in a team which he's got good players but can you be consistent? Then it goes from forest to to to man city and then now it's a step above. Do you remember the most a step above until it goes to the championship? Sorry Mike but on a serious point there I wonder what Elliott Anderson is thinking I mean you have to be concerned I mean there are three city players right in the starting line up last night and I wonder you know what it does it affect your mind the doubt are we going to be relegated or I mean no one knows at the moment. They must have known that though guys there must have been that element of to the new signings that city you've had they must have known that this is a possibility that this could happen I mean whatever they get thrown at them they must have known other agents must have spoken about this scenario. I mean when it's the legal process they once they announced their findings they don't tend to leak them earlier on I suppose this is very last minute so maybe it wasn't you know maybe they've said to the club what's going to happen are these charges going to be a thing and the club may have said well as far as we're concerned we think we're going to win or you don't know do you what's actually been said because it's hard to imagine if you knew this was coming the potential you know a massive point reduction that would ensure relegation or whatever might have you've got to bear that in mind even if it's not the players themselves their advisors you would have it's almost like doing kind of due diligence in some ways I'm sure it's purely coincidental that the two big mistakes for two of the goals who both from obviously one was Mark Gay and the other was Nico Arreilly but I don't I'm not suggestive one minute affected their play but there must be stuff going through their minds there must be worried yeah maybe as players there's uncertainty of course you're going to be worried but going back to the point that you said with the players signing if Carl Dune says the letter that he wrote in 2023 he's pleading their innocence so as a player you know all you can do is concentrate on your football that's up to your representatives and if they're giving their information that everything's going to be all right what what more can they do you know what more can they do whatever's going to be thrown out and whether they appear or what I don't know but it's huge isn't it I mean the ramifications for the football club for who works at the football club for the arm I mean the sponsors everything it could I mean it could it's huge news that is what what and I mean everyone is we're all start waiting to see what's going to be given to them as a punishment and I would guess they would appeal I don't know well it's just it's massive it's so huge isn't it it's not just for Manchester City it's also the room of occasions for other clubs when they if they feel like they've been robbed of a tournament win or a Premier League or anyways as we said let's wait until it's absolutely official before we go into it in in more depth anyway before was rudely interrupted sorry Michael that was my back and his growth to then go from forest to man city and then remember the community shield where Arsenal absolutely battered them and it looked like he was out of his depth yeah and then to go and the start is add for man city and then take that into his England performances it just shows me that he's adaptable that he he's willing to learn and he's a top quality player that can only get better he's confident as well isn't he's confident on the ball he wants the ball a lot and you know I know that sounds deaf that your most players but you know when the pressure's on as well you need players that you know that want it and we'll keep we'll keep making themselves available right now no you're right I mean it's easy to play if you're two three four and a lot want you but it's it's when it gets a bit sticky you see your good players who still want to get on the ball and he without doubt always does that yeah let's take a break there and discuss more of the game when we come back this episode is brought to you by hotels.com booking your next hotel for a work trip or a weekend away to see your team play with hotels.com each day brings you closer to rewards introducing the all new 10 for 100 from hotels.com is exactly what it sounds like stay 10 nights get back 100 pounds in hotels.com cash to use on your next getaway it's a simple and flexible way to get more value from the trips you are already taking whether it's a quick trip or something you've been planning for a while 10 for 100 with hotels.com rewards it's all in the name members 18 plus average cost per night in a booking must be 75 pounds or more to count excluding taxes fees and hotels.com cash. Somewhere out there is a Chevy truck and the person who drives it well that's a Chevy person you probably know one your buddy your sister once who always show up to the first rise the last to leave they always have that little extra something and maybe you've got it too. Chevrolet together let's drive visit Chevy.com/trucks to explore the lineup. Before this there's this as you celebrate the game take a deeper look at its roots the people grow in the grass they've in the lots weld in the goalposts inspecting every football the hardworking people to make every Sunday possible car hardest proud to outfit the crews behind the game. Visit carhard.com/jointhetrades to learn more. Welcome back to the rest of his football with Michael Richards Alan Shear and now a roving reporter from the World Cup Rob Jones joins us all right Rob how are you? Good thank you yeah it was nice to be in a stadium not sweating profusely last night watching England competitive all those trips in America because there was a lot a lot cooler but a good game nonetheless I thought you saw a couple of players after the game he gives a little insight into the loss but I think there was a lot to be encouraged by before he goes the insight before he goes the insight guys are we loud sponsors on the end now for how many years he's rocked and we've added that side is that allowed and there's your what does that say on your cap Michael exactly what does that say he can't see that's a whole point apparently there are different roles for roving reporters slightly yeah no I just you know I need to deal I need to need as many deals as Michael's got so I'm trying my best for this jacket well I've got to be George on now just to get you know of course I can send it to that's the price anyway sorry I interrupted you Rob yeah you're you're most welcome Michael no to to sort of reference something that Thomas Tuckle said in the build up to the game it was something that I asked both Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon about last night and Tuckle said the vibe in the camp is different and let's not pretend that that it's the same as the World Cup where there was a lot of hope and a lot of expectation and I think what he was referring to which Anthony Gordon basically admitted straight after the game was that what happened took a lot of getting over it and maybe that some of the players are still yet to get over that Anthony do you feel that the manager spoke about it being a different mood since the World Cup have you had to rise yourself again because of the disappointment of the semi-final and get yourself going for this set of games a little bit because it feels a bit weird being back here so fast I still like to say it took me weeks so then about everyone else took me took me a good few weeks to get over that trauma in a way of losing the way we did so felt weird being back obviously it's a new team with a lot of new players a lot of the lads who are at the World Cup aren't you so it's been a bit of a mixed bag but I don't think you've seen it out there I think you've seen a competitive team a hungry team and I think to play like that in a first game back after that crazy summer I think probably is a testament to our goal for both Alan and Gary you would have been there you're in 96 would have been like that and probably the World Cup too Alan and I'm sure Italian 90 so for both of you how long did it take before you felt that such a disappointment was totally out of your system yeah I think for me you couldn't wait to get back into the squad I think because of the pain and the hurt what went on particularly yeah 96 where we we generally thought that we were going to win it but it was just getting back straight onto the pitch getting back into into the team again and trying to erase those I mean they're never ever going to go with completely we're trying to it's like when you've been beaten on a Saturday you want to play on a Tuesday again so it's just a matter of getting into the into these games as quick as possible I think they're also slightly different to this England squad this England team were going really well obviously in the tournament they got to a semi-final they got to a lead in a game and then they sort of capitulated I think they all know that they sat back way too deep they let Messi have loads and they kind of botched it as my sons would always say botched it whereas I think you in 96 certainly didn't you're a whisker away you kept going you're the better team in that game probably should have won I think obviously with us in 86 there was the hand of God and the brilliance of Maradona so it didn't feel like we'd caved in and likewise in Italian I see we gave a good account ourselves in the semi-final I thought was marginally the better side against Germany and ultimately we just lost on it on a penalty shootout so I think I think they're disappointed disappointment is different. I think, you know, people say, what's your biggest regret in football? I think regrets the wrong word, but I think my biggest disappointment was Italian 90 semi-final. I'm sure it's same with you. It's because she's that close from football in mortality. But at the same time, we didn't let ourselves down. I think England albeit some brilliant performances in the World Cup. That's why it will stay with them, perhaps a little bit longer because of the way they sort of capitulated in the last half of an hour against Argentina. Rob, just another question for you is because of that, what Gaz has said, was there questioning from the media and from the press both before the game and probably after? Was there any aggressive questions towards Thomas Tuchel? Yeah, I think he's been asked so much about that. In a way, it was really interesting listening to Michael on Friday's episode, talking about perhaps one of one of the issues and it's maybe not as issue an issue as much for a reporter as it might be for the guys who've played and do play the game about him being too honest. The one point where I'm wondering, are you being honest? Is when he says in the buildup to the game, 99% of people are asking me about the Mexico game, what we're talking about, and that can't be the reality. The reality is surely that maybe people are too worried to go up to Thomas Tuchel and say to him, what did you do in the Argentina game? That was the other interesting thing about Harry Kane said last night about the Spain game and said, that's the perfect game for us because we're playing the World Champions and I imagine that if you strolled into that and weren't quite at it, you could have got absolutely hammered four or five nil last night, whereas had you turned up to a qualifier against Faroe Islands or San Marino, there's a concern that you just sort of coast your way through that game a little bit and you still feel a little bit flat. The way we were without a board of pressure we put on them, they made a lot of mistakes and it doesn't matter who you are, what do you know you've got, if you press with intensity and win the jaws and come out with a ball, you're going to create chances and that's exactly what happened. Yeah, I think that period, like I said, from probably 20 minutes to 60 minutes, it's what we need to take from it. I spoke about it before the game about in the World Cup, we didn't quite put a 90 minutes together, we still haven't quite put a 90 minutes together, it would be a very good side tonight. But yeah, when we're in that moment, it's just being able to take the big moments and that's probably a difference right now. I actually thought England were outstanding yesterday. You know, you was at the game Rob, anyone stand out for you and what was the feeling in the camp after the game? I don't think they were outstanding. I mean, you saw the game live, Mike, I think parts of the game were brilliant. I mean, they couldn't have been outstanding and then could see you. It's weird, it's weird to say and know it sounds weird, but they were aggressive. You know, all the things that we wanted them to be at the World Cup, there was aggressive, they were brave. Even when it looked like Spain could have been free or for or not, they kept going and then they started playing through the lines, then they started pressing a lot higher, forcing Spain into mistakes and then Bellingham grew into the game and then Gordon was fearless and then Louis Skelly was up and down, Anderson was getting on the ball. So all the things that we wanted to see in the World Cup, which we got in spells, I think, out of all the games we've seen England play, apart from the Azteca, Azteca in terms of their great determination, all the things that we wanted to see were in this game against the World Champions and that's why I said they were outstanding. I guess the penalty miss was a big thing in the game change as well. Correct. The one thing you would say, call it a performance it's outstanding is that there were a couple of very bad individual errors. Yes. So, you have to say that aside, they were outstanding. That aside, but if you look at it, because I always, when I look at a game, I don't just look at the results, I look at there's so many factors within a game that can give you confidence going forward and how many times when I was accused in the World Cup of being negative, you know, I'll be negative about what there was things in the games I didn't like and when I come to the moment, all the things I talked about came to fruition. In this game, yesterday, all the things that they didn't do in the World Cup, they did against Spain, which gave me so much confidence and that's what I mean by that. Well, yeah, they are a cool. Anyway, Rob, how was the camp? How was the mood after the game? I think that Harry Kane totally agree with the point that all three of you sort of just touched on that they've not knitted 90 minutes together, particularly against one of the elite teams. That's what Harry Kane said afterwards. And I think that was the point last night that I think you probably could use the word outstanding for the 20 minutes after half time where they could have gone three one up if Harry Kane doesn't slip the pressing is great. It's when you asked about which place stood out. It's not razor sharp analysis, but Jude Bellingham is some footballer isn't it? I mean, he just had that game on the scruff of the net for a little spell after half time. But I think that aggression, whether it be Anderson or Lewis Kelly stepping on to Spain in midfield and trying to stop them play and the feeling I had walking away from it was, I'd rather lose like that than everyone camped on the edge of your own penalty area, just waiting for Lionel Messi to do something special. And again, Kane said afterwards, you can have a game where Mark Gahe doesn't make that error. Nick O'Reilly doesn't give the ball away. And suddenly Harry Kane doesn't slip. And you win that game rather than lose it. And they're the margins. You guys know when you play against the proper elite, it's very tight. Well, one thing you have to say is England have now considered 13 in the last six games. And the back fours moved around a bit different individuals. It's the one part of the pitch really, isn't it? Where you go? What is England's best back for? I think by and large now, from midfield forwards, we're more or less there. But at the back, there are certainly issues. And obviously the goalkeeper has changed as well. I thought Trafford did well. He made a couple of good saves. He wasn't at fault for any of the goals. And he looked confident with the ball at his feet as well. I thought he did really well. That was a big calling pick in Trafford instead of pick. It wasn't it after what Jordan's doing and the number of caps and all of that. I didn't tell you. I didn't tell you how. I didn't think not. No, I didn't tell you. I don't think this is the end for Pickford. I just think Trafford, you know, looking forward. You always want to give someone an opportunity don't you to see how they fare at the highest level under pressure. How impressed have you been with James Trafford so far? Because for all the big England games you'd have played, it would have been Jordan Pickford in goal. What have you made of him in around training in Big Nightford tonight? Yeah, he's been great in training. Obviously to serve these chance out there tonight. And for me it's done really well. It's some big saves for us. They obviously had some big chances themselves as well. We've got a way of it. He's good with his feet. He plays out well. Yeah, and it's never easy coming into a game at this magnitude as one of your first games. So, yeah, credit to him. I thought he handled it really well. Obviously Cole Palmer pulled out the squad and Thomas Tuckle, I thought he does tend to say what's on his mind and what he thinks. And I just wonder what benefit that would serve. I think Tuckle wanted to make it clear to everyone. And he did it not in a sneaky way, but he basically said he doesn't feel that he really, really wants to play for England. I want players there that are completely dedicated and and and then he said, well, he's been injured, but obviously that's not, you know, something, but there's certainly something between there. And I think because he got so much stick for not taking Cole Palmer, I think this was his way of telling us why, but I'm not sure that I don't like it when coaches or managers do that to players. Particularly if he's I mean, I'm sure he's genuinely be carrying an injury for the whole most of last season. So I thought that was a little bit unfair. I think I get it from the manager's point of view, because as you said, there's a lot of discussion of shouldn't you've been in the squad. Yeah, he's had a good start to this season. The manager's put him in. And for whatever reason, whatever injury, clearly he wanted to get a point across to say I'm not 100% certain that you're perhaps want it enough. I want players that are massively committed and will run through a brick wall for me. And I think that was his way of saying I'm not sure about him. Can't you pick up a telephone and tell him that the role that he's on conversation already? Maybe he's said that after and why you put him in the squad? I don't know. I think there might have been a feeling from England's perspective that because it's this longer break and you play, there's almost two and a half weeks between the games. If you've if you've if you've got a slight nickel, you can come and you can still get your treatment at St George's Park or at Spurs when they're training for part of this. And then maybe Cole Palmer could have played in that final game against Czechia on on the 6th of October, which is still what 10 days away. So there was an option to be in and around the camp and you look to the world cup, Jordan Henderson gets injured. There was no way he was ever going to go home and not be part of the rest of the tournament. So I think there was maybe if there's no doubt that he is managing a groin injury. And I think Cole Palmer doesn't want to be where he was last year where he played a couple, Mr Fue, played another few. But I think there is possibly a feeling that he could have been in and around the camp had he been totally desperate to? I think I'd have understood it, stood it slightly more if Cole Palmer would have actually come out and said anything negative in any way or said publicly that he was so pissed off, he wasn't in the World Cup that I didn't want to be part of this squad, so I didn't think it was entirely necessary. What did I say too cool at times? Is he honest, isn't he? And he gives us all something to speak about which is great but he doesn't need to. I would be on Cole Palmer's side on this occasion probably because he's been injured, hasn't he? And he's not being up to scratch, he started the season well and he got an international break. Let's be honest, yes, we're building up to the euros, but it's not right. He's not 100% right and Chelsea have been trying to manage his minutes. Remember last season when he was getting taken off after like 60 minutes and all that sort of stuff. So Robbie Wright is obviously nursing still is drawing. I don't think it needs to be that big of a story because they've got so much players in that position. How many times in a match were you started in a match you were 100% fit? That's a very good point, but I think I think it's different now. I think the players are playing more games. I think the games are more high intense. So when you've got a chance to de-load, then if I was a player of Cole Palmer, Declan Rice has done it. And by the way, he was still there watching last night, Declan Rice, which I think tells you the sort of commitment to the camp. I just wonder though, Michael, whether you've been left out of the squad, would your attitude as a player not be what I want to show you? I want to show you and show everyone that you were totally wrong to leave me out of that squad by being the best player for two or three nations league games. So in 2012, when we won the league, and I always talk down about my career because that's the way I like to self-deplicate. That's the way I am. We know you don't mean it though when you say it. In that season, I performed really well and five or six from Fallback. I was strong as a nox. Got important goals. The season before won the FA Cup. I was consistent throughout the whole season. That's one of the least self-deprecating statements I've ever had. No. I'm building myself up now. And then I got Cole from Hodson and says, "Well, I didn't even get a call from Hodson. I got a call from Stuart Pierce, who was a manager at Man City." And he said, "Oh, you're not going to be in the squad." Bear in mind, the Fallback got injured. I think it was Glenn Johnson or Cowwalk or injured or whatever. So there's only one Fallback going to the tournament at a time. So he asked me to go on standby. At the same conversation with Stuart Pierce, he said, "I'm going to the Olympics. Would you go on to the Olympics?" And then I got trashed through the media saying, "I've turned it back on the country, turn it back on the country." I wanted to go play where it was, where it was luft in the Olympics. And it was the best experience of my life. So I'm with Cole Palmer on this. If you're not 100% fit and you've got a manager who doesn't believe in you, then take the rest. I wouldn't disagree. Before we go, let's talk Spain. Unbeaten 39 games now. World Cup, European champions. Is it as good as the Spain team of 8, 10, 12? Oh, I'm not sure. I mean, they have, I mean, the last couple of decades. I mean, the teams they've produced. What was that? The bus gets savvy. Bus gets in, yes. Oh, my god. Says Fabrikas. He can't beat that midfield. Stradiculous thought. At that level, to go on beaten that many games against the quality of the goal, it's remarkable. The other thing I liked about last night is we've talked about all the flair plays, Lamarl and Williams and Petrie. They've got a little bit of devil in them as well, Mark Malkukareo, even though now he's a club teammate with Jude Bellinger. I mean, once he left him on the floor and they were chuntering at each other as Jude ran back across the pitch and I think you guys would know that to have a successful team, you can't just have the flair and the quality on the ball. You need the horrible side of the game and they've got a little bit of that about them as well. You're totally right. And I think Al was right to raise a point defensively. So when you say outstanding, okay, outstanding moments within the game, what I like to see, but Spain could have four or five or six. You know, the way they move the ball, the timing of the pass, the weight of the pass, the timing of the runs from Torres and then I asked about that. It's finished. He's that sausage dad. And Spain, what they're producing, it's not normal. Then Patrick comes on and flicks the ball around the corner. Then we've got Fabio Narezo goes off. Yeah, no problem at all. Just win the Champions League last two years. It's there. Their squad is incredible. Since 2008, that's five major trophies. They've now won prior to that. They're the only one won in 1964. And I think that the European Championship, where there are only about four teams in it. So I mean, Spanish football has come a long way. Even when I played in my time, and obviously I spent three years in Spain, and that wasn't their way of playing back then, right? It wasn't. That's kind of been reinvented because of probably the improvement of playing surfaces and stuff over the years. But you know, it all came in around probably a Dutchman started it in many ways at Barcelona. And then this has become their way of playing. But I mean, I could watch them all day. And I mean, L'Aminio Mal, I know he didn't know his best shooting boots on. But boy, boy, a couple of the bits that he did. A couple of the passes through, and the little finish through his first goal. And that little kind of backheely thing that he did. Oh, it was tasty. That was tasty. This is dropping his shoulder in it. I wanted to see five replays of that. Your gets frustrates me. You know, you get in nowadays, and there's not much directors, and it's they do a brilliant job generally. But you know, they do a brilliant job, but he's about to slaughter them. No, not slaughter them at all. But this is right across the board, right? So every single free kick, every foul, however soft gets a replay. A little bit of skill on the halfway line never gets a replay. And I want to see that again. I want to see that again. I don't want to see a foul again. It's just one of the things that's crept into the coverage of our football, which irritates me a little bit. But they all do it. Everyone, it's right across the board. So maybe there's a little message out there. If you see a breath taking a little bit of magic from someone like L'Aminio Mal, we want to see it three or four times. Are we letting him get away with that, man? So he needs to play for Barcelona again, Michael. Well, I mean, I didn't want to be with him slowly, but he couldn't wait to get it in. He couldn't wait to get it in. I'd almost forgotten, actually, because I was, I mean, look how young that team is as well as Spanish team. I mean, they are going to be the side to be over the next 10 years, probably. At all, you're absolutely right. Yeah. You forget him. The other player, though, Ferman Lopez. Yesterday, what a player he is. You got a hoisin or a house, he might be pronouncing. Even David Ray doesn't play. Yeah, Pedri comes on at 17 minutes. Baina comes on. It's not fair, is it? It's not fair. Well, in England, I've not got a bad squad as well. I've got lots of talent coming through, but I think Spain definitely going to be the side to me. Just one question before we go for you, Rob. You know, at the end, when you're obviously in the, in what the mix zone, mix zone of players, do you also, is that just for England, or do you get to chance to speak to any, only the opposition to pose in place? No, the Spanish players came through as well last night. So I was, I think I was one of those who stopped and out of the Spanish media were there on, on mass. We were sort of tucked in and waiting for the England players. And if you move to get a Spanish play, you probably lose, lose your seat and miss out on a Harry Kane or an Anthony Gordon. But no, it's a, it's a big older area in English. Yeah. German's one end and then all the Spanish at the other. And is everyone shouting questions out? Is that I'm just not sure I can't remember from, it wasn't long ago. Yeah, it's a little bit, when I played Barcelona. It's a little bit more structured than it used to be. I have to say there was, there was one time in, in Kansas City during the World Cup, where the Argentinians had an off day. So all their journalists came on mass to ask questions to, think it was Bacchia, Sacka and Nico, a Riley that day, is in England with a pair of the quarter final against Norway. Argentine hadn't even got through their own quarter final yet. And they're already asking them questions about a potential semi-final and poor Nico, a Riley is quite young, quite shy. And I think, look, bless him like a bit of a rabbit in the headlights. But the Argentinians didn't mind they were there and they were playing with their elbows out as they did on the pitch for most of that World Cup, actually. While we're on that, though, first interviews, I've seen an interview of you the other day, Alan. I don't know if it was AI or not, but it was hilarious. Wait, just because I had a bit of hair. Wow, that was funny too, but you were so softly spoken back then. Are you saying that's changed all the years? Yeah, he was less angry, I would say. He's spoken so articulate, so shy, but he gained it. And now he's just a melon. (laughing) - Yeah, definitely. (laughing) - It was to be an AI, dear. - Do you remember your first interview, guys, before we go? I remember mine, obviously mine was when I swore, wasn't it? Everyone remembers that. - Yeah, I was, I sound a bit squeaky, a bit posh. - Did you? - I don't know why I had spoke, I spoke a little bit. Like that too. - So, I listened to them now, I go, oh my God. It's so different. - It's so different. - With a bit of less traction, as well a lot of less traction, which has drifted away over the years. Okay, let's call it a day there. That's it for this episode of the Restless Football, goodbye from me. - Goodbye from me? - Goodbye from me, have a great week, everyone. - Goodbye from me. - Hold on, you're not supposed to do that. That's not how it goes. Well, there's four of us. Robby's the one to say, have a great week, everyone. Come on, should we go ahead, please? - Let's do it again, let's do it again. - Let's do it again. - Then an Alan can go last and do his trademark. - Oh, all right, okay. - I've got to work on how I say goodbye from me that it's not the same. It's sort of, I get it up for Alan to finish. 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