Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke. They look back at the weeks European fixtures, have things turned around for Manchester United and two of their players in particular Onana and Maguire? Was it a reality check for Newcastle and is Jesus the main man for Arsenal?
Gregor went to watch Birmingham, and reflects on Wayne Rooney’s start at St Andrews. The team look at new owners setting unrealistic targets, getting rid of unfashionable managers and how Rooney might react. Finally Martin and Jonny remember Bill Kenwright a toffee through and through.
Timeline:
Man Utd – a win but has anything changed.
2’ Onana the hero…is he coming good? Does one good game change things?
5’ needs to be proved over a period of games. overall performance still not great.
7’ what is United’s identity.
10’ These were once assumed wins, now they are celebrated. Relying on players who they were trying to sell a month ago.
12’ Parts don’t fit. Sweeper keeper but with slow centre backs. Creativity or industry, not both.
19’ character and self-belief in players. Perspective, they’re doing the very basics. Lets see how they do against better teams.
Newcastle
25’ not quite a reality check, Dortmund are a good side. Hard to play two games a week of such high intensity.
27’ Perhaps lacking a little in player experience. Slightly affected by injuries, at that level. There is a reason it took Man City so long to succeed at that level.
30’ need to play differently in Europe.
31’ Now looking thin – Tonali long ban, Isak, Botman, Murphy and Barnes all injured. Will they be able to sign anyone given FFP??
34’ Jesus injury. Is he the main man for Arsenal, or do they need another striker?
Rooney and Birmingham.
44’ Rooney’s tough start at St Andrews. Fans not happy, previous manager sacked too early and the team not played well in either of his first two games.
46’ the players are not comfortable playing the kind of football he wants to play. Too much too soon. Rooney thinks that might be the case.
52’ Rooney not bothered by criticism. But will the fans turn round.
54’ far to soon to be turning on him.
55’ Are the owners – DC – well equipped to bring success to Birmingham or are they half hearted? They have done a lot of good things, but are they running before they can walk on the football side?
58’ Carrying the weight of being a player from ‘the golden generation.’ He has to prove himself.
Bill Kenwright
1;03 a fan who ended up at the top of the club. Tried really hard to find a credible buyer. Had a rough time but loved Everton wanted the best for them and tried his hardest.
1;05 Nice guy, and true fan. But became a lightening conductor for a fan base who had been let down. But Kenwright didn’t have the money himself, tried to find it with other investors.
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Gunners fire, Liverpool stall. United hope, Chelsea despair
Defying expectations: Luton, Eze, Tevez and Bradley
Liverpool’s next manager, Maidstone’s current manager and the Rashford mystery
League Cup repeat, transfer troubles and Beyonce make Spurs rich
Toney is back, Arsenal bounce back, VAR back again and Liverpool back to the front.
Points deductions, Toney's point to prove and what's the point of José Mourinho?
Ratcliffe's game plan, Reading's misery and unnerving pressbox encounters
Poch pressure and what next for Mbappe, Werner and Sancho
Gunners misfire, replay rows and free pints
Rooney blues and the winners and losers of Christmas
Christmas crackers and end of year awards
And so this is Christmas... power to the people right on!
Sh**housery, idiots and control freaks
Both United's out with a whimper and Wally Downes – founder of the ‘Crazy Gang’
Jeff Stelling joins us to discuss wins for Villa, Spurs, and Fulham; and defeats for Chelsea and Man Utd.
Villa rockin’, Arsenal not stoppin’, Forest and Palace shockin’
City cracks, Trent whacks and Heckingbottom sacked
Champions League and jeez, referees!
Tactics at the top, belief at the bottom and adios El Tel
Crime and Punishment
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