THIS IS THE SEASON
Welcome to THIS IS THE SEASON – the football podcast where rivalry meets reality.
Join lifelong Manchester United fan Joel Ross and die-hard Manchester City supporter Nigel Clucas as they go head-to-head on the biggest stories in football.
Every week, expect honest opinions, lively debate, transfer news, breaking stories, predictions, quizzes, laughs, and plenty of Manchester rivalry. From Old Trafford to the Etihad, the Premier League to Europe, no topic is off limits.
Whether you’re red, blue or simply football mad, THIS IS THE SEASON is your home for passionate discussion, expert insight and entertainment.
New episodes every week. Subscribe now and join the debate!
Find you on YouTube too in vision
Get us on insta @theseasonpod
@joelrossradio
@nigewingmanclucas
THIS IS THE SEASON
Transfer deadline day and weekend review
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Joel and Nige are back with all things Manchester United and Manchester City
It is deadline day
and wins for both clubs at the weekend
Fantasy football code - 61a566
Follow us -
Insta and X
@joelrossradio
@nigewingmanclucas
@Theseasonpod
So shall we get it over with then, Nig? Um top of the league, top of the league, top of the league.
SPEAKER_00Yep. Amazing. What a great start to the season. Two out of two for City. Well, I got the champagne in.
SPEAKER_01Now, many people, many don't move it. Yeah. It's actually just cover the wires that I've not drilled through the uh through the wall yet. So um hi, welcome to this is the season podcast. I'm Joel. Here is my friend Nigge. I'm a United fan. He is a City fan, and as I said to you, it's gonna go downhill from here. How downhill has it gone for you?
SPEAKER_00It's been a great start from a rescue. I don't think he could have had a better start. Obviously, we got a little bit lucky with the first game, but we we got the win, which was important. And uh obviously the second fixture, uh a great win against Palace. So yeah, you can't argue with City's uh start to the season. I'm really happy with it. I think a lot of players are uh starting to find the groove. Um Anderson was brilliant against Palace, absolutely fantastic. He's only going to get better as the weeks go on. Obviously, we're recording this today on transfer deadline day. So it looks like Fernandez is done. Not only then will we have taken their manager, but also their best player.
SPEAKER_01On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you with the start of the season?
SPEAKER_00Ten out of ten, to be honest with you, because we've played two, we've won two, new signings coming in. Um, we've got rid of a few of the players that wanted to go because they weren't getting the game time. Gonzalez!
SPEAKER_01Nico Gonzalez, that that shocked me. Because I I never saw it. I didn't see it. I saw you had a big release clause when he was in Spain, and you said that's how how much they thought of him.
SPEAKER_00I I wouldn't say he's been a flop at City. I think that when he was there, when Rodri couldn't play, he was he, you know, he was great last season. Um, but again, if you can get an Enzo Fernandez in, get an Anderson in, you know, uh as we have done, and also Boadi as well, I think we're in a a much stronger position. Although I do think he'll be a great signing for Newcastle.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, is Monger gonna play? Because you've got him boys at 10 mil from Leicester.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it looks like he's going to I think I think I read Swansea on loan, uh, but not with a view to buy. He's just gonna get some some game time this season, uh, which will be good for him because I don't think again he'll get the minutes, but hopefully he has a good season there and comes back wanting to get back into the squad next season.
SPEAKER_01There'll be another episode regarding fantasy football because it's gone down really well. The problem being is, and we'll get on to United in a minute, is that um if you look at how many people are in our fantasy football league, it's pretty much half United fans, half City fans. And uh a lot of people, because I captain Bruno Fernandez with three goals and an assist at the weekend. I looked, and pretty much every Man United fan has done the same. However, the other side of Manchester, Haaland, two goals, Cherkey two goals, yeah, and pretty much everybody's captain Haaland and got Cherky in there. Talk to me about Cherokee.
SPEAKER_00This guy's an amazing talent. I think he's gonna be um, I think he's gonna have an even better season this year. I mean, last year he got so many assists and goals as well. Um, but yeah, he's so creative. He's a joy to watch, isn't he? I mean, that you know, his first goal was just pure magic. He tore the defence in two uh and then just a little towed in into the into the corner. But yeah, what a player he's gonna be. I'm just buzzing he's at City. Um, I love how he is, I love that he's just an exciting player. You don't know what he's gonna do next. Um, you know, I I just think he's gonna be fantastic this year at City, and that second season, he already was performing last year, but this year he's really at the ground running. So I'm I'm buzzing that he's at the club.
SPEAKER_01Did you like his interview? Um now there'll be many people, old school football fans, will be looking at this going, um, what was it? He was gonna the manager was gonna take me off. Give me five minutes, because I was playing shit. Essentially, is what he said, uh, which which is great. But would you have dared do that to Pep or a Sir Alex or a Klopp or the you know, the the big old school managers, you know, if Fergie said, Right, you're off, you're off.
SPEAKER_00I think I think Pep would definitely make that the decision, as would Fergie, but Pep would usually say, Right, you you know, I reckon at half time he'd say, Come on, you're better than this. We need to see something from you in the first 10 minutes of this half, otherwise, you're coming off. And that's exactly what he did. Two goals, and uh, you know, he was he's just an amazing player.
SPEAKER_01Uh Jack Grealish off to Eberton again on on loan. I thought he was gonna be part of your your squad this season because he's you know he's been a bit part player, hasn't he? I mean, what it is is that now career's over? Well, not career's over, the city part of his career is is done. And it's only alone, and and it's so he goes on a free next season anyway.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it looks like it's done. Um I'll be honest with you, there were there were moments last season where he was playing for Everton where you thought, well, if Pep goes and Enzo comes in, then there could be uh an opportunity for him to stay at City. I don't think you could read too much into his performance in the community shield because he literally had no minutes for months. You could tell he was rusty. Obviously, we all know how good he is. There's a player there, and I think uh I think he'll do well at Everton. I mean, there's part I mean that wanted Jack to stay, to be honest with you. But looking at the players that are coming in, again, I don't know if he's gonna get that game time at City. So, you know, if he goes to Everton, good luck to him.
SPEAKER_01Another one of the uh the old city lads that I never saw anything in was Gabriel Jesus, and he went to Arsenal and it was the rebuilding phase, and um manager had obviously been Pep's assistant. So he's gone over there and it's great and injured, never really got a look in, and they were looking for a class striker, and he's not really a striker. He's gone to Barcelona on a three-year deal. Who's won the world?
SPEAKER_00Oh, it's amazing. A great deal for Gabriel Jesus. I mean, listen, he he he had moments at Manchester City. Uh, you know, one of the standout moments for me was obviously when he scored the goal to make it 100 goals, 100 points. It was just a magical end to the season a good few years ago. Uh, and you know, he definitely had some great years at City, won a lot of trophies, went to Arsenal, uh, started off really well, and then you know, didn't really get a look in. He's also suffered with a few injuries, but to get that move to Barcelona, he must just be thinking, This is this is incredible.
SPEAKER_01Two things that I didn't think would happen Spurs spending all that money and looking absolutely horrendous. Yeah, Newcastle losing all the players and looking half decent.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think I think the difference is they've lost a few players Newcastle and they've replaced a few, so they've not had a complete rebuild. Uh, whereas Tottenham have uh, I mean, it's just a it's a brand new team, it's gonna take time. Uh, they just need to be patient. The worst thing they can do now is sack the manager and then have someone else start all over again. They need to give him time, a few weeks, and uh I reckon at the other side of the international break, you'll start to see Tottenham come into their own a bit.
SPEAKER_01Let's talk about Manchester United. Now it is transfer deadline day. Uh, we are waiting for a left back, a striker, uh, maybe a defender. Um, in fact, we're waiting for six players. However, this morning, I think the spoil tip, the reporter on Sky, was like, I have been told there's probably not going to be much business today. And you're going, oh no, it's gonna be a sneaky backdoor thing. It's a Burbatov, it's uh Ronaldo, uh, who else do we sign at no Anthony on transfer deadline day? Yeah. Martiel. Or, you know, they always used to get somebody on deadline day, you know, a marquee signing, and we've mentioned before, they're doing the Amazon documentary this time as well. But the vibes that I'm getting, I've no inside, but the vibes that I'm getting is no, when the uh transfer window slams shut at 11 o'clock tonight, we're gonna get absolutely not just F all F all Squared.
SPEAKER_00I would be gutted if I was a United fan. I'd literally be pulling my hair out because you need players, you're now in the Champions League. Um, and you know, you you've not got a bad start in 11, to be honest with you. You're getting, you know, the the the second game was a lot better than the first. At least you got a victory. But um, yeah, I think you need you need some some big players, but time's running out, and uh, I'm very surprised at the lack of business that United have done.
SPEAKER_01No, I I I am as well, and I and I don't want to be like negative Nelly or whatever. I always I'm I'm sitting back and going, they'll do what's right. And you know, I'm not a massive Glazer fan or an Ineos fan or whatever. Just support Man United. I want them to do what's right. And you know, alright, we've got Baleba. Um after a really poor season last season.
SPEAKER_00Do you reckon that's a that's good business?
SPEAKER_01I'm glad we bought him this season and not last season or the season before when he won the 120 million for him because he was he was so ropey last season. So ropey.
SPEAKER_00How much did you get him for in the end then? 70, was it? Yeah, okay. And it could they were talking about over 100 million at one point, weren't they?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah, yeah. 120, I think they wanted at uh at some point. So if we go to United, massive win against the mighty Ipswich.
SPEAKER_00Yep.
SPEAKER_01Uh 5-2. Um, I'll tell you my thoughts, and then you go with your thoughts. I'm sure we're going to speak about a specific situation that happened in there with an old school defender. First of all, first half, just not good. I thought they looked good going forward. Uh Dallo had an opportunity, thought their keeper was half decent. And it was like old school Fergie, where hair dry treatment at half time, and suddenly they came out, and it was a completely different team. And people will go, oh, it's only Ipswich or whatever. But everybody does say it's really hard to play these teams who just gone up.
SPEAKER_00Well, that's what happened with the whole first game. That thank you very much, Nice.
SPEAKER_01That was the mighty hull.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. And they they've won two now as well. They're up at the top with City and Arsenal.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I know, brilliant.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely amazing.
SPEAKER_01But that has happened before. We mentioned this before. Do you remember when we were talking about Phil Brown? Yeah, and they were top, and he was thinking about Champions League, and then it all falls off. Um, so yeah, fair play. Hat trick for Bruno.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um I I'm just trying to fill for time until we get to the handball situation.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Now I think we're gonna agree, but you know, there's no point me sitting here going, it's not a handball. Harry Maguire handles the ball, he goes to shoot, he shoots wide, and their player knocks it in, it's an own goal, so it stands. I don't Nigel, make this make sense to me.
SPEAKER_00Well, the weird thing is, I I mean, I've seen a lot of ex-refs talking about this on different uh stations and stuff, and uh by the letter of the law, it's right stands, but it is a stupid law. So it's a massively handball, it's crazy.
SPEAKER_01So you you just try and explain, right, to me, because I I watched the the refs talking about it, and I've I I've heard people talking about it, and old players are going, when did this rule come in? Yeah, yeah. So he's he's essentially doing the the the cross against him. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It hits his arm, it's it's it's a handball. Yeah, right? Then he has a shot, hits it wide, but it comes off a player and it's a known goal. Yeah. If that had been a shot on target, that would have been a handball. The non-shot on target cancels the handball. So if that situation happened around the centre circle, that's not a handball anymore, then is it? Uh yeah, I've got a headache thinking about it. Unless you have a shot from the halfway line. Yeah, yeah. I mean, exactly. But surely that's got surely that's gotta be changed.
SPEAKER_00Oh well, I I think it will be. It's one of them where until it happens and it's just it highlights what how ridiculous the rule is, they can't change it now, can they? Uh so but I think that'll be changed next season.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, this is this is coming from a United fan. But if that was a 1-1 against, you know, the Derby or against a Derby, it was the Derby or it's against Arsenal or it's against, you know, whoever it's against, and you needed that goal, yeah, I think more would have been made of it.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely, yeah, yeah, massively. I mean, if it happened at the end of last season to Arsenal or City and it meant that one or the other went on to win the league and caused absolute controversy, but it by the letter of the law it stands, the other team would be absolutely devastated.
SPEAKER_01But a lot of people will say, and I don't think it is the case anymore, I genuinely think it was back in the day when Fergie would go, you don't get those at Old Trafford. Yeah, you know, and a lot of people are coming in going, if that was somewhere else, that would have been if it if it was uh at Ipswich, it would it would have been ruled out. Yeah. But at Old Trafford it wasn't. But it was it was I don't think there was one person in that stadium that went that's not a handpull.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, everybody, everybody's agreed that it's just uh a ridiculous rule. Do you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, absolutely ridiculous.
SPEAKER_00Some people call him Endai, some people call him Endia, I think it's Endai, uh, from uh the I mean he's Everton's best player at the minute. So uh it looks like that's happening, and he's come into City, and I think that's gonna be a good one. There were the I mean we were linked with uh with with Gakpo for a while when he's not been able to get a replacement.
SPEAKER_01Can we talk about again? I I've watched so much football, yeah, never managed a team, never played at more than uh you know one-legged level, right? I was never any good, but I love my football. Cody Gakpo had a good World Cup four years ago.
SPEAKER_00I mean, listen, he's ready but the thing, I know what you're gonna say.
SPEAKER_01But but why would why are people he was he was at Liverpool and I was really pleased, not pleased that he'd gone to Liverpool, but I thought he was a good player. But he's been there four years, yeah, and he showed pretty much nothing.
SPEAKER_00And he was up there, weren't Nunez as being like But if you look at him much better than Nunez, like his his he's uh you know his stats are pretty good, he gets a lot of assists and he scores goals as well. So I think But where would he fit where would he fit into your I don't get this? I think he'd be cover, he wouldn't be coming to start, he'd be cover. I think he's well, you know, he's pretty much the same at Liverpool. Uh, but when he gets his opportunities, he does take them. He's not, you know, he'd be I think he would have been a good addition to the squad. However, I think Hendai is going to be uh a a good alternative, and um there's not much between the two of them. I think Hendai's a little bit more exciting. Uh, I think he was only second to um to Doku for his for taking on and dribbling past players. Um, so he's he's ridiculously skillful. Um I think he'll be a a good addition to City. Uh I I wouldn't have been um too bothered which one of the two we took. I was quite happy that when the Gakpole situation happened because 85 million is a lot to pay for him. But uh Liverpool pretty much accepted the offer, and then it was like, well, we can't get a replacement in time, so we're gonna have to call that that off. And I think they were probably waiting for City to maybe knock an extra 10 or 20 in, but then they've gone back and got Endai for even cheaper. So I think it's good business. City do very well in the transfer window. And don't forget, we've currently got over 300 million pounds burning a hole in our pockets because of players that have gone out. So let's go spending.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I mean, this is this is this is outrageous, isn't it? Really, when you're talking about how much, you know, uh City have spent. I think it's insane. We could sit here and talk about charges and all this backhanders and all this sort of stuff. But if you take this this transfer window, the amount of players that you have got rid of, you know, uh was it uh the old reindeer, baby reindeer, off to Saudi. Yeah, after Saudi, you got a profit on him. Nikos Gonzalez didn't lose any money really on him. No, um we've made money on most of them. You have you have this is the thing. Is this Moreska? Is this Moreska going, this is my team? Because remember, it didn't work in the second season for slot.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think I think there is potentially a little bit of that. I also think though, that a lot of these players that have left, it's nothing to do with Moresca or Pep. I think it's to do with game time and knowing that City's starting 11 has been pretty solid. Obviously, we've lost Bernardo, which is someone that we needed to replace. You could look at Anderson for that, Rodri, you've got Fernandez coming in. So there's still going to be fringe players, these players. So they've moved on to get first team football, and I completely understand it. But they've moved on at a premium. The business has been amazing. You know that the headlines, especially from you lot, are gonna be how much City have spent on players over the last few years, but it's not gonna be how much have they recouped from the players. And I think if you look at the net spend, it's gonna be pretty spectacular. The business City have done.
SPEAKER_01So why why are you not going out and getting a marquee striker then? Well, we've got one, we've got Haaland. Yeah, but you've got you've got Haaland, but you've got four competitions. Uh I don't get this. And you want to go deep in them all, don't you? Yeah. Right. Well, this is the Marmoush. I understand why Marmoouche is gone. Gakpo was going to be the replacement for Marmoush. But you're telling me Gakpo would have been sorry, I don't get this.
SPEAKER_00I think if you look at how many goals Gakpo scored last season compared and compared it to Marmoouche, you're looking at pretty much an identical player. So come on off the bench and do the business in the cups, do the business when God forbid Arlen gets injured.
SPEAKER_01So what so what happens now though? What happens now? And we mention his name all the time, and he's you know one of my one of my favourites. And I know what's gonna happen because my lad's just got an Atletico Madrid shirt. Uh that lovely away kit that looks at this, looks like the city one, the black and the uh the luminous green. He's he's got that. Would you not go in? Would you not gone in for him? Transfer deadline day today, and you probably want 150, 200 million for him. Yeah, he is, I think he's a phenomenal player, but is he gonna go back to the same thing of we we just need a backup because Erling is our man? But we mentioned before, if he gets injured, is you're telling me at Man City, Cody Gakpo would be your number one striker.
SPEAKER_00And Alvarez moves this time. If he gets his move, he's gonna be first choice at Barca or he's gonna be first choice at Arsenal. Even if City paid double the wages, he's not going to City. He could go for double the wages to the to the Middle East. It's not about the cash. He wants game time at this stage in his career at a big team. Um, I just hope it's not Arsenal because I think if he goes to Arsenal, that's the missing piece, isn't it? That's the cherry on top for Arsenal. If they get a striker of his ability, then they will potentially that you know they'll rival Madrid and Barcelona and City for the Champions League.
SPEAKER_01Here we go. Here we go. Right, who's who's impressed you? Because uh essentially it's it's it's you know City United. But we've got to look around and you know, have Chelsea impressed you so far?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, they have definitely. Chelsea have you you think about what the Enzo Fernandez factor would make on Chelsea so far, um they're not missing him, are they? Um and they're still gonna sign a replacement, obviously, hopefully, for them, so that the deal happens before uh deadline day ends tonight.
SPEAKER_01What I really like though is like you know, everybody's been saying this uh at Chelsea. Do you remember when they went and just bought everybody? It was like people have said, if it moves, we'll sign them, right? It was one of those things, and the comedy buses going through the triple deckers and all this of the Chelsea team. But everybody said they missed out on the keeper, nobody thought about getting a keeper. That Sanchez ain't very good. Yeah, instantly gone. Emi Martinez, what are the payments seven million for amazing business? A guy who's played in the World Cup final twice, um, and he's got a bit about him as well, and they need that in the dressing room. I genuinely think that is phenomenal. I hate saying it, it's phenomenal business, and then then Sanchez off to um is off to Italy, isn't he?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and then you've also got the bromance that is Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as well, which is already hitting the ground running. If you you know what, there's a lot to be said about a happy dressing room, happy players. Even if you're the best footballer in the world and you're not happy, then you ain't playing your best football. And this is why um that that they've got a big decision to make with Alvarez as well, because they're gonna be keeping a player who, yes, is a professional, he's gonna perform. He, you know, hopefully a couple of games in, if he does stay at Athletico Madrid, he'll uh you know, he'll win the fans back. All it takes is a few good goals and away you go. A bit like Rashford United.
SPEAKER_01I was just gonna say Rashford, he had a couple of chances yesterday. Yeah, he he looks like he's trying, he looks like he's up for he should be on the money is on.
SPEAKER_00If Rashford's attitude was different, uh I I I would have taken him to City, me, definitely. Gone in for a bid for Rashford, brought him to Man City. I think he would have been good cover for if the big man ever did get injured, Harland up top, but also he obviously, you know, he he provides, he's got great pace, he's still a very good player, as we saw at Barcel last year, but he wouldn't be happy sitting on the bench. Uh, and I think it'd cause a bit of tension. You know, the thing is now, if he's at United, he'll be wanting to start. Otherwise, you've got that moody dressing room again.
SPEAKER_01All right. Um, shut up. Uh, Newcastle.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01I had them down as probably relegation fodder. Yeah. They look good. The manager, what's he called? Frizzle Jizzle or something? We've got no idea no idea who he was. He won two Champions Leagues in Asia or whatever it was, and he'd been in the Middle East. Whatever. Anyway, it turns out we're watching the first game of the season for Newcastle, and I've got the family round, and every single female of part of his family were going, Who's who's who's that? Oh, hello, he's the rock star. But he's done, he's done well, he speaks well. And I think I'm a bit embarrassed to to say like I didn't know who it was, but everybody's everybody said this, and they're gonna fall off a cliff.
SPEAKER_00They look good. They again they uh they've got a a decent start in 11, but they've not got any any squad depth. So if they get a few injuries, I think they'll be in serious trouble. But they're doing all right, and I'd like I said before, I think that they've made a great addition from City there in the centre of the park.
SPEAKER_01Villa, I think he'll do all right. Again, I had them down for possible relegation fodder.
SPEAKER_00They've lost so many players.
SPEAKER_01Well, he's he's the most experienced manager in the league, will he not be?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think so. So they were unlucky last night against Arsenal. Um the keeper's distribution is outstanding as well. It's like Edison Mart II.
SPEAKER_01Because I looked at him and I went, so he's called Suzuki, doesn't he? And he's got he's got something else written on the back of his shirt. And I'm I'm watching him, he's all right. So so so you know Unayemo knows what he's doing. Yeah. And and I think if it if it'd have been a Jose, he'd have thrown his toys out of the pram and would have and would have left, wouldn't he? Yeah. 100% left. So I think I think they'll do all right. Liverpool on paper, I genuinely think have got the best squad. I think it used to be Arsenal, but Liverpool on paper.
SPEAKER_00I don't think Liverpool's squad is as good as Arsenal.
SPEAKER_01No, I think I think it is. No. If you looked at player ratings from you know, Florian Verts from two years ago or all these.
SPEAKER_00He needs a big season Verts. He just looks too lightweight for this league. Yeah. And there's moments where you see his, I mean, he's obviously a brilliant player. When he plays for international football, he's just another level. Yeah. But the Premier League is pretty physical, and at the minute he's a few. But Cherky's not saying this. Yeah, but Cherky bosses people about, mate. Honestly, he's he's he's uh different, completely different player.
SPEAKER_01I so I so want to hate him. I so want to hate him because he's been plays for you and he plays with both feet and he glides past players and he's got the attitude problem, it's not maybe not a problem, and he's got a bit about him, and he's he's good, and you can tell that Harden likes him as well. And and and and like I say, it breaks my heart. Yeah, but I I I like him. I think it may go one of two ways. I think he, you know, if Barça or Real Madrid comes sniffing around in two seasons time, I think he might, you know, down tools. I think it's one of those ones that's probably in there, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_00We'll see, we'll see how he gets on. I mean, if if City have success, then there's no reason for him to leave, but we'll see. It's early early stages. This is the thing. Uh we I we we said at the end of the transfer window, we'll do another prediction of what we who we think's gonna finish where. For me, uh it's it's all going well at the minute. There was a a bit of panic a couple of weeks ago because there wasn't much getting done. Uh, but I think City have done some good business. Uh, we've not mentioned Alan as well, the new winger. Sabinho's replaced.
SPEAKER_01So it's uh the Brazilian. Yeah. So it's called is it Alan or is it Alan? Is it's definitely Alan. In my head, it's Alan. It's Alan. Big Al. It's Alan. Right. So so Al's gotta Al's gotta come in.
SPEAKER_00I I mean it's just it's so Sunday league from the 80s, isn't it? Get Alan on! You are top of the league. Yeah, but we've we've played two games.
SPEAKER_01We've we've yeah. You were lucky in the first game. We've played Bournemouth.
SPEAKER_00You still need you still need you still need a keeper. And we've played Bournemouth. I'm happy with the keeper. We've played Bournemouth, um, and then we've had a great win uh away at Palace. Um we've got Coventry next, uh, and then we've got the Derby.
SPEAKER_01It can go anyway. The Derby is. Are you gonna rest all your players against Coventry then?
SPEAKER_00No. Oh, yeah, no, we we need to find our groove as a team. The players need to play minutes together, they need to get to know each other, they need to get to know Moreska's system. Um, and already um the difference between the first game and the second game, you can see what he's trying to do. It is different than Pep. He loves his wingers, he absolutely loves his wingers. Don't forget, we've not had we've not had Doku start one game this season yet because he's been injured.
SPEAKER_01Is he injured or does he not fancy?
SPEAKER_00He's almost back, which is great news for us. I do think he's an outstanding talent. And last year he backed that up with goals as well, which we we were really as city fans getting quite frustrated about because you had him and Savinio that could take on people for fun, but there was just no end product. Last year we saw that with Doku. Uh so yeah, I'm I'm really excited for his return. Semenya's been brilliant as well at the start of the season. You know, it's it is good, it's very exciting, and everybody, you were dying for it just to all go wrong at City and just you know, already Moresca has made changes, he's been involved in those changes. He clearly wanted Fernandez, it's not been done yet, it hasn't been done yet, but hopefully that one gets over the line. Um, you know, and that will be the biggest transfer of this transfer window, I think.
SPEAKER_01Um, you know, I said about Solis again, it's a touch of touch of death. You saw the Arsenal game, yeah, against uh against Villa. Uh Solis comes in, he's been keeping what, Saka and uh Madwakey out of the team. Um, and I I thought he was brilliant. He was absolute dog shit last night. Yeah, I know. He looked like, you know, we talk about the Belgian League being rubbish and everything like that, and we're saying the 20-odd goals and the 29 assists and everything in one season. Why didn't somebody go and get him? And he he he was brilliant pre-season, he was brilliant in the the first game, and I'm going this lad, and and pretty much everyone's got him a fantasy team, and he looked so shit yesterday.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, the thing is I don't think we're gonna have a bad game, but yeah, exactly. It might just be a bad game. May it be that players didn't have no, didn't know what he was capable of, and now they've seen him play a couple of times and they've worked out how to play against him. I don't know. I I mean it's too early to call it. I mean, last time we were talking about him, you were saying he's gonna be the signing of the season.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, I know, but but I told you, everything I say turns to shit. You know, you know, whatever. Well, uh hopefully, Ryan Cherkey. I've I've said this now. I really like Ryan Cherkey. You know what's going to happen now.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um, if you've not got involved with fantasy football, um feel free, get in touch. The code is on the screen now. There we go. Uh yeah, get in touch with fantasy football. We'll do a little um five-minute fantasy football roundup as well. I mean, loads of people play it. It's good fun. At the top of our league, have you seen it at the top of our league?
SPEAKER_00No, we'll have a look.
SPEAKER_01Okay, we'll have a look now because everybody who's joined our league uh has got in touch and gone, is that the real dot dot dot?
SPEAKER_00This is the season.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, this is the season.
SPEAKER_00So, top of the league is Paul Scholes. Paul Scholes. Amazing.
SPEAKER_01Paul's is top of this is the season podcast league. Now, uh, just just go down. Where about some high night?
SPEAKER_00So let's have a look. Where is Joe? Oh, there you are, seventh, mate, in the league with 104 points, which is good. That was just this week, baby. Oh no, so right, okay. So you've got yeah, 147 points. Amazing. I've had a bad, bad week, to be honest with you. I need to sort myself out. I'm down in 20th with 126. To be honest with you, there's not much in it, so there's no no need to panic just yet. I might need to have a bit of a reshuffle with my team. And uh, shout out to Francis Reyes, who's uh at the bottom of the league in 32 position.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and of course, you've got your points deduction coming off that as well. So uh any city fans that are in the uh fantasy football league, yeah, you instantly get 80 points knocked off.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, brilliant. Uh, if you want to get involved, there's the code, and uh yeah, you know, it's not too late to do it. If you've uh you just joined the league, uh the winner will get a choice of next year's home Man City kit or next year's home united kit. Yeah, and surprise.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and also throughout it, um Man United sent me some stuff, by the way. I'm just gonna I'm just gonna go and get it and I'm gonna send it out to a few of the people who are in there. Okay. Right, please do do not judge me on the quality of stuff I got sent from Manchester United as a free giveaway. I'm going over here now to go and get it.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Here he goes. Right, this is great. So watch your eyes, Nigel. You're gonna give these out, are you? Is this official is this official merchandise?
SPEAKER_01This is officially from Manchester United, right? Keep your eyes closed. Okay, keep your eyes closed, Nigel. Why would I ruin this surprise? Yeah. Okay. I mean, this is there's Timu, and there is there you go, Nigel.
SPEAKER_00The glory, glory, man United.
SPEAKER_01These are official, and I have got a shed load in my box, which I'm trying to get rid of. Right, okay. Anyway, I quite like sitting here like this. This is great. Awful. Uh thanks for watching. Make sure you subscribe. Yeah. And um and go on YouTube, do all of the stuff and everything. Um, Nig? There you go.
SPEAKER_00Getting them off in dirty.
