- 19 hours ago
On this week’s show, the latest international break seems the ideal time to assess the story so far for Leeds United on their return to the Premier League and whether dropped points in three of their last four games will come back to haunt them at the business end of the season
It was another week for important Yorkshire derbies with Hull City getting the better of Sheffield United to pile on the Blades’ Championship misery, while there were signs of encouragement for Rotherham United following their 2-2 draw at home to Bradford City.
They may have seen their two-goal lead disappear against the Bantams, but the Millers bounced back by recovering from 2-0 down to beat Oldham Athletic in the EFL Trophy in midweek.
We also take a closer look at our sole representative in League Two Harrogate Town, who had the TV cameras down at the Exercise Stadium on Monday night for the visit of Crewe Alexandra.
It may have resulted in a 2-1 loss, but could this be the season that sees the Sulphurites build on their promise by putting together the kind of consistent form needed to make themselves a genuine play-off contender.
This week, Leon singles out his Team of the Week, while Stuart runs the rule over several candidates for our Yorkshire-based Player of the Week.
It was another week for important Yorkshire derbies with Hull City getting the better of Sheffield United to pile on the Blades’ Championship misery, while there were signs of encouragement for Rotherham United following their 2-2 draw at home to Bradford City.
They may have seen their two-goal lead disappear against the Bantams, but the Millers bounced back by recovering from 2-0 down to beat Oldham Athletic in the EFL Trophy in midweek.
We also take a closer look at our sole representative in League Two Harrogate Town, who had the TV cameras down at the Exercise Stadium on Monday night for the visit of Crewe Alexandra.
It may have resulted in a 2-1 loss, but could this be the season that sees the Sulphurites build on their promise by putting together the kind of consistent form needed to make themselves a genuine play-off contender.
This week, Leon singles out his Team of the Week, while Stuart runs the rule over several candidates for our Yorkshire-based Player of the Week.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome to Football Talk from the Yorkshire Post.
00:14I'm your host Phil Harrison and as ever I'll be joined by the Yorkshire Post football writing team of Stuart Rayner and Liam Walshaw.
00:20On this week's show, as we find ourselves in the midst of the latest international break,
00:25we assess the story so far for Leeds United on their return to the Premier League
00:29and where they've dropped points in three of their last four games will come back to haunt them at the business end of the season.
00:35It was another week for important Yorkshire derbies, are there any other kind,
00:39with Hull City getting the better of Sheffield United and Rotherham United and Bradford City locking horns at the New York Stadium.
00:46We're going to look at both those games and the implications for all the teams involved
00:49and we're also going to take an overdue look at our sole representative in League Two, Harrogate Town,
00:54who had the TV cameras down at the Exercise Stadium on Monday night for the visit of Cruel Alexandra.
00:59You're listening to Football Talk from the Yorkshire Post.
01:02YorkshirePost.co.uk
01:04As is often the case, we're joined by the YP's football writers Stuart Rayner and Liam Walshaw.
01:10We're going to cast an eye back over the last few days of action for Yorkshire's clubs ahead of the latest international break,
01:15which we now obviously find ourselves in the middle of.
01:18We're going to start in the Premier League and the aforementioned break gives an idle opportunity to assess
01:23how Leeds United have adapted on their return to the top flight.
01:26We've discussed it as it's been going along, but the latest outing has saw them welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Ellen Road
01:33for a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, a game in which they again gave a good count of themselves,
01:38according to our man Stuart Rayner, who was there, against some quality and obviously more fancied opposition.
01:44But they ended up losing 2-1, the third game in four, where they dropped points when they probably actually deserved a bit more.
01:52Seven games in, they lie 50th in the table, eight points, decent return.
01:57That's four better than Burnley, three less than Sunderland, the other two teams who were promoted alongside the Whites early this year.
02:04Stuart, you were, as I mentioned, at Ellen Road on Saturday.
02:06Was it justified frustration for Daniel Fark and his players and then we'll move on to how you assess their campaign so far?
02:15Yeah, it was justified frustration because they played well and it's not the first time we've said it that they've played well
02:23and they've failed to get what they deserve.
02:27As you pointed out, it's happened three times really in the last four games.
02:33And it really was the same issues again in terms of lack of cutting edge, failure to take the chances.
02:41I think the biggest dilemma they've got, and I'd be interested to hear Leon's view having been at the Bournemouth game,
02:49but just looking at the highlights of that one, it looked to sort of fit into the pattern of other games
02:54where Dominic Calvert-Lewin played a really important part in how Leeds United played
02:59and was a really sort of focal part of the team, but at the same time, missed some critical chances.
03:07And I say it's certainly not cause for panic.
03:12It's certainly not cause for a rethink or starting again, but if you can just get some more ruthlessness out of Calvert-Lewin,
03:21you've scored against Wolves, but a bit more consistency in terms of his finishing,
03:26I think that will take Leeds up another level because he's certainly contributing in lots of other ways to the team.
03:31So it's not that he's not worth his place in the team.
03:35He's just one of and probably the most noticeable culprits when it comes to them not making the most of their chances.
03:45So I think that's something they need to work on.
03:47Hopefully, as he gets sharper in terms of matches, that will improve.
03:52But I think that's one area where Leeds do need to get better to cut out these frustrations.
03:57Yeah, it's funny. I was speaking to some Leeds supporters before the two home games,
04:03and I sort of said that if you can get a couple of points from both of them, it'd probably be a decent return.
04:09And one or two of them actually said, well, I'd probably take even one point in a couple of decent performances.
04:16And it's funny how it's turned out because that's exactly what's happened.
04:21I saw Stuart Seas more of Leeds than me, but I saw a look at Leeds and they've ticked a few boxes for me this season.
04:30They've won a home game and kept a clean sheet.
04:33Obviously, the Everton game, we've spoken before about how difficult it is.
04:38It's certainly historically last season for promoted teams to get away wins at this level.
04:43I think there were only five last year and one or two of them were between the teams who were actually promoted.
04:49Leeds have ticked that off at Wolves and they've had a really good performance at home.
04:54They really should have beaten Bournemouth, but for that silly switch off at the end,
05:00that would have been a win accompanied by three points.
05:05Yeah, I text Stuart's point about Calvert-Lewin, but I sort of look at Leeds' next two games,
05:13and they're sort of bellwether games in the season.
05:14They're big games in this season. They've got to go to Burnley and then a relatively short turnaround.
05:22They've got West Ham at home.
05:25It reminds me a little bit of when they went to Wolves.
05:28They're the sort of fixes that you're going to sort of judge Leeds on.
05:31And Leeds went to Wolves, scored three goals.
05:34Calvert-Lewin scored in open play.
05:35So, I think if Calvert-Lewin can get an important goal in one of these next two games,
05:39then the sort of misses against Bournemouth and Spurs will be sort of pushed to the sort of back of people's minds.
05:49I think these are the big games that Leeds will be judged in.
05:53And I think all the way through the season, really, you could probably look at the fixtures and pick them out,
06:00you know, when they've probably got, dare I say, a couple of games against Sunderland, Burnley at home, Wolves at home.
06:06There's probably plenty of others as well.
06:08For me, they're the ones that will really matter and define what Leeds are going to do.
06:12And if they can get a decent set of results in those fixtures, I think they'll be fine.
06:17Because I think they've ticked a fair few boxes in this early part of the season so far.
06:24And really, as Farker said, a little bit more of, you know, rub the gleam, one or two things went against them.
06:31The first free kick for Bournemouth, for instance, they could have been sat on a healthier run of points.
06:38But still at the minute, was it eight points from seven games, that would be enough.
06:43But, yeah, I take Stuart's point.
06:45You don't want to get into too much of a habit with Calvert-Lewin with his conversion rate.
06:50But I think if he can get an important goal in the next two games, you know, that would be significant for Leeds.
06:58Yeah, I totally agree with that.
07:00You know, when you're bringing a striker in on a free transfer, you've got to be realistic in what you ask of him.
07:05He's not going to be challenging for the golden boot this season.
07:08But if he is chipping in with those goals, then as I said, he brings a lot to the all-round game.
07:15And, of course, it's not just on him.
07:16You know, other people have to contribute too.
07:19You know, other people have missed chances too from different areas of the field.
07:23But I think it's, you know, they're generally on a good course.
07:27I agree with Leon.
07:28These next two, to my mind, you know, from a while back, have looked much more important than the previous two.
07:36Yeah.
07:37Possibly in a row, isn't it?
07:38Yeah.
07:38Exactly.
07:39You know, if in a couple of weeks' time we're still talking about them outplaying teams and not getting their just desserts, then it becomes more of an issue.
07:50Obviously, the longer it goes on, the more it does.
07:52But I think, speaking to Farker afterwards, you know, he was saying he felt Leeds were basically owed six points this season in terms of points they deserved but hadn't got.
08:02And he was pretty optimistic that they will get that back over the course of the season and there'll be a game where they win 1-0 where they don't deserve to or, you know, they equalise in the last minute with a deflected goal.
08:15The sort of things that have happened to them happen for them.
08:18And I think that's fair enough.
08:20I think they're in a position where they can look at it that way.
08:24So, there's definitely things to improve, as there are for every team.
08:29But I don't think there's anything to be panicking about at this stage of the campaign.
08:34Forrest and Leeds are just round the corner as well, aren't they?
08:37Sorry, Forrest and Villa are just round the corner as well, I think, for them.
08:40So, important month.
08:42I think the thing as well is that you sort of, obviously, last season it was, the sort of picture was skewed a little bit with how badly the promoted teams, you know, did and went back down.
08:53But, you know, it does look, it is early days, obviously, but I think sort of looking at the early sort of mix of the table, there's a chance of one or two teams sort of adding to the mix in terms of, you know, potentially being in, you know, relegation trouble.
09:08Obviously, Brentford have got one or two results, but they've got a rookie manager.
09:13Forrest haven't started off well and the mood music, you know, it's not particularly good there at the minute.
09:19And, you know, I'm never a fan of it, you know, who's to say what's going to happen with Posta Coglu.
09:26But I tend to think that if the teams who have three managers in a season are going to be down there for most of it.
09:33So if there's a change there, that one could be interesting.
09:39And, you know, sometimes you get teams who have had a really good season then drop down for no unfathomable reason.
09:46And maybe Forrest are one of those.
09:47West Ham are struggling.
09:48Wolves haven't got a win yet in seven games.
09:51So, you know, that should, you know, help the promoted clubs.
09:57There's going to be a few other teams who are, you know, in the lifeboat sort of trying to swim, desperately swim for the shore.
10:05But, yeah, for me, Leeds have done plenty of good work.
10:07And I think if you sort of look at it pragmatically, that most of the supporters would have taken this position heading into the second break.
10:15Yeah, you know, we talk about bad luck stories for Leeds.
10:17It's probably no bad thing to be catching West Ham at this stage.
10:21Better still to have caught them under Gray and Potter.
10:23But you feel that the longer Nuno's got West Ham, the more solid they'll become.
10:28So to be playing them relatively early in his time is no bad thing.
10:33And say good luck and bad luck, you know, always comes your way in terms of when games fall and all this sort of thing.
10:39It's just about making the most of them.
10:41I think the interesting thing in the two games will be if, I think there's a fair chance, potentially for both of them,
10:48certainly the Burnley one, that if it's nil-nil after 70 minutes, who's going to be brave?
10:52Who's going to stick?
10:53Who's going to twist?
10:54Obviously, last season, Leeds played at Burnley for different reasons, wasn't it?
10:58And they were basically holding hands for the last 20 minutes, weren't they?
11:02And certainly none.
11:03So will that happen again?
11:05Or will one of them manage?
11:06It could be one substitution.
11:09Who's going to be bold?
11:10You know, that could get a win.
11:12You know, Leeds could do that, get a win.
11:14Fuller beans going into the West Ham game.
11:16So there'll be an interesting little bit of psychology in the Burnley game,
11:21potentially the West Ham game in terms of, you know, who's going to be brave with substitutions.
11:25That could come into it.
11:27And I think that's why, you know, the Everton and the Wolves win have been important for Leeds.
11:33If Leeds were in the position that the promoted teams were in last season,
11:37it'd be very difficult to be brave, wouldn't it?
11:39But all of a sudden, you've got that little bit more freedom, that little bit more confidence.
11:43So hopefully, say if it does come to that, Leeds are feeling brave on the day.
11:48Well, it's like Sunderland, isn't it?
11:49I mean, they've done tremendously well.
11:51They've got a lot of young players on proven.
11:54They're really having a go, aren't they?
11:55They're enjoying it.
11:56And they've got a bit of credit in the bank.
11:58And one thing's for sure, looking at the teams at the bottom, I don't think Sunderland are going to be too cagey.
12:04They're going to have a go, certainly.
12:06Yeah.
12:06But it just allows you to look at things more positively, to shrug off setbacks more easily, to be more brave.
12:13You know, a good start to the season just changes the whole mindset of a football player.
12:16So just having just before we move on to the championships, 38 points, is that still the target in every coach manage his mind these days?
12:25I think that's probably the target.
12:27I think recent history would tell you that that's probably more than you need more often than not.
12:31Well, I said on a previous podcast that Sam Allardyce's ethos was always equal number of points to games.
12:40I think that's the way you've got to go into it in whatever division you're in, really, at this stage of the season.
12:45And then, obviously, as the end gets nearer, you can sort of have a clearer number in your idea, clearer number in your mind.
12:54But I think that's the way to do it.
12:55I think it's grown into the psyche a bit, hasn't it, with the Premier League?
12:57Is this a magic number? It's a little bit like 50, isn't it?
13:02It's a little bit the same with 50, isn't it? You play 46 games, get a few more, get a handful more points and you're OK.
13:10So it's just sort of part of the narrative, isn't it?
13:12Yeah, I mean, it used to be 40, didn't it, in the Premier League, and now it's been slightly downgraded by the last few years.
13:18Seems a long way off, doesn't it, at the minute?
13:19It does.
13:21Right, let's move into the championship.
13:25Two of our teams went toe-to-toe last weekend.
13:27Denhall City, Sheffield United, Tigers 1-1-0, thanks to a 30th-minute David Akintola strike.
13:34It's a result which lifted Sergei Jakirovic's team, easy for me to say, to 15th in the table with 12 points.
13:43Not a bad return, you might say, but he left the blades, obviously, cast a drift at the bottom of just those three points to their name.
13:49With that winner, Chris Wilder's former club, Oxford, and he's searching for answers during the international break.
13:55So, Leon, you were the man there at the MKM.
13:58I think you suggested in one of your pieces it was exactly the kind of ugly win that Hall needed, particularly at home.
14:03For the Blades, obviously, they're experiencing the opposite to last season.
14:08They were winning a lot of games by the old goal on a regular basis in 24-25.
14:13The opposite seems to be going against them this time around.
14:17If you just look at Hall first, because I don't think we've covered them too much yet so far this season on the podcast,
14:24but just look at Hall's season first, the impact of Jakirovic, and then look at what Chris Wilder's priorities are perhaps during the break.
14:30Yeah, I mean, we all know about Hall on the day that they have a licence to entertain.
14:39They've got some eye-catching players, but in terms of the championship, you need more than that, don't you?
14:44Especially in these three-game weeks.
14:48I do think as well, in the last game of the three, especially when you're relatively short tournaments,
14:54they can really test you, can't they, really, sort of mentally, and it was a derby as well, and it tests you physically as well.
15:01And it's, like it or loathe it, Akin Ily Kali, you should have learned by now that the championship is about,
15:10it is about obviously playing well, showcasing your talents, but there's games where you just have to find a way,
15:16and I think, you know, especially the ones at the end of international breaks.
15:19And, yeah, I just felt Hall needed that sort of ugly win.
15:25He spoke about it, Jakirovic, the previous game, funnily enough, they did it pretty well too.
15:30They were 2-0 down to Preston and at half-time, and they were lousy in the first half.
15:34And they've certainly taken a point and turned it around in the second half.
15:40And he just felt, for Hall's sort of well-being and their development as a team, almost,
15:46they needed that sort of afternoon on Saturday.
15:50They weren't particularly scintillating to watch.
15:53The goal had a bit of an element of look about it.
15:58It took a deflection off Benny's shoulder.
16:00I think it had probably gone over, apart from that.
16:03But, yeah, just doing enough, keeping a clean cheer.
16:07Yeah, I think psychologically that's big for Hall, only the second in 26 games.
16:14I think they've only won, I think I've put somewhere, they'd only, since April 2014,
16:19in the sort of final knockings of the Resenia regime,
16:23they'd only won one game at home and kept a clean sheet,
16:25which sort of tells its own story, really.
16:29So, yeah, important for Hall to tick that off.
16:32I thought there were some good performances in the spine of the team.
16:36Apparently, Stuart seemed probably more than me.
16:39But Charlie Hughes, he got a lot of slaps, back slaps last year.
16:43He'd not been playing particularly well this season, by all accounts.
16:46But I thought he was very good on Saturday, alongside Egan.
16:49They looked a decent duo.
16:53But Bernie didn't score.
16:54I mean, he'd been scoring goals for fun, didn't he?
16:56But he did everything else.
16:57He was leading the line.
16:57And he was, you know, he was battling with the centre-halves.
17:01You know, that's what you want from a centre-forward.
17:02You can't score every week, but you can do your job.
17:05And you can fight and win your duels.
17:07Same in midfield.
17:08So, yeah, that was good to see from Hall.
17:11And the home form is pretty decent.
17:13They've won three out of five.
17:15It took them until March last season to win a third game at home.
17:19So, they're ticking boxes.
17:23They're ticking a few boxes at home.
17:25The next one will be, hopefully, to get an away win.
17:28But it's, yeah, it's important to show two different strings to your bow.
17:34They were very good against Southampton, by all accounts.
17:36Took them on at football.
17:38And, you know, chances galore.
17:40Looked really good and pleasing on the eye.
17:42The Sheffield United game was different.
17:44And it's finding different ways to win all championship,
17:50successful championship teams do that.
17:53And, funnily enough, I think they've got the same amount of points
17:55they got last year under Tim Walter.
17:58But the music seems totally different, really.
18:01You know, you can see that it looks like they're building something at Hall.
18:06I mean, I'm not going to put my neck on the chopping block
18:08to say how well they'll do.
18:09But, you know, there's reasons to be infused, I think.
18:14I mean, Sheffield United, I don't know what Stuart thinks.
18:17But I just think these, three points out of, three points from 27,
18:23three goals in nine games.
18:26These net, and they've got this time in an international break,
18:29and there's going to be, well, they said Wilder,
18:31there's going to be a lot of soul searching at Shirecliff.
18:34This next six games is massive for me, for Sheffield United.
18:38Yeah.
18:39If they don't get two or three wins in this next block,
18:41then you're talking, they could potentially still be in single-digit numbers
18:48in terms of points going into the final international break of the season.
18:53I mean, let's hope for their sake that they're not.
18:55You're talking a third of the season, aren't you?
18:56You're talking 15 games, and if you've got seven, eight, nine points,
19:01what's your aim going to be then?
19:03You've got a 30-game season.
19:05You know, we're going back to 50 points again,
19:07but that's going to be the thing, isn't it?
19:11You know, this is the period, this next, for me anyway,
19:14this is when league tables start to sort of take shape,
19:19take importance, and, you know, almost, it doesn't really,
19:23in some respects, it doesn't really matter how these sort of,
19:26how these points come, really.
19:29He's going to rely on his senior players.
19:31He spoke about it afterwards at Hull.
19:32Well, he was right to say, I thought, Danny Ings came on,
19:36and it was a decent cameo from him.
19:37He was clever for the penalty and won it.
19:39It was clumsy from Ajayi.
19:41But that little bit of smartness, he was talking about that.
19:43He was talking about the mentality of players,
19:46having that coolness and ability to make the right decision under pressure.
19:51Ings showed that.
19:52He's spoken a few times about Tom Davies, how important he'll be.
19:57He spoke about Ben Mears as well.
19:59So, looking forward, I think he knows he's going to rely on those senior players.
20:05And I think especially in this next season,
20:07they've just got to get two or three wins for me.
20:11The tone and narrative of the season will all be about 50 points.
20:15You'll have all the noise that you're hearing on social media.
20:18It'll get, you know, 10 times worse.
20:20And so, yeah, I just think it's going to be a critical spell
20:25for Sheffield United in this next little block of games before the November break.
20:31Yeah, it really is.
20:32I mean, I think some of us, I would put myself in this category,
20:36were sort of naively thinking that this last block when Chris Wilder came in
20:40would just break the switch and things would take off.
20:43And, you know, I mean, to listen to him speak,
20:47it seems like maybe he was a bit more, you know, of that mindset as well.
20:52I think what was slightly worrying, so I did Wilder's first press conference
20:57and he was talking about, I've got a great squad here.
21:01You know, we won't need to do much in January.
21:04And then when we spoke to him after the game, the whole game,
21:07that movie music has already changed to, you know, January.
21:09So I think he's sort of realising the scale of task ahead of him
21:16is bigger than he thought.
21:17But another thing that strikes me, I mean,
21:19Leon talked about those three key players and I banged on about it last week,
21:23but none of them had a proper pre-season.
21:26And it just, it does make such a big difference.
21:30And the other issue that Sheffield United have got, I think,
21:33is that the other people who ought to be key players,
21:36is Hamer has not hit the heights of last season.
21:39Cooper has had quite a few shaky moments.
21:43You know, there's been good saves in there as well,
21:45but he's not been the reliable presence he was last season.
21:49It's not just about the changes that have taken place.
21:52It's about getting more out of those individuals who were so good last season.
21:55And I don't quite know where it's come from,
21:59if they're just, if they're a bit demoralised by what's happened this season,
22:04if they're just playing out of form, you know,
22:06if they're unsettled or whatever, but whatever it is,
22:09they need to get those players right.
22:11They need to get Tyrese Campbell firing, scoring goals,
22:14because unfortunately, because of the timings of the signings
22:18and those sort of things,
22:19those are the people that should be dragging through
22:22the Ben Ries and the Danny Ings while they get up to full fitness,
22:26dragging through the new players who are assimilating to the club.
22:32And it's just not happening.
22:33It's a real collective failing.
22:35And what should have been a promotion season,
22:39or at least a season of competing for promotion,
22:42it feels as though that's quickly going out of the window.
22:45And it's about what Leon says, get to 50 points and then,
22:49and then, you know, take it from there sort of thing.
22:53But again, as Leon said, if they don't make the most of this block,
22:57they will properly be in a relegation battle.
22:59And there's no point pretending about it and deluding themselves.
23:03You know, they're right in it.
23:05Whereas, whereas Hull, you know, as Leon says,
23:10it's just been, it's just been positive.
23:12I mean, Burnie's goals, whenever you've got a striker scoring goals,
23:16it just gives so much to the team.
23:18He's already scored more than any Hull player scored last season, I think.
23:23And yeah, whilst they're not setting the place alight,
23:28you do feel there's that solidity.
23:30I think it was, I think you made the point in that match report, Leon,
23:34that in a 46-game season, you don't play at your best in many of those.
23:39Yeah.
23:39And so it's about those players Leon talked about, that spine,
23:43that solidity to get you the points when you don't hit those heights.
23:48And Hull look to have that about themselves now.
23:51Sheffield United don't.
23:52Whether they feel sorry for themselves,
23:55whether they don't know what they're doing,
23:56changing managers and changing formation or whatever,
23:59they don't look in the right headspace.
24:00And if they don't get there,
24:01it doesn't matter what talent they've got in the squad,
24:04they will be in a relegation battle.
24:05But it's huge.
24:06And I mean,
24:07I look at some of the fixes Sheffield,
24:08you know,
24:08the next ones at home,
24:10Watford at home,
24:11they've just got a new manager.
24:12You'd sort of,
24:13with respect to Watford,
24:14you'd probably take that as a first home game after the international break.
24:19But they've lost four,
24:19haven't they?
24:20They've lost all the sort of,
24:21all the home games so far.
24:24And,
24:24you know,
24:25look on paper,
24:26the home games in this next block,
24:28they look,
24:28they look with respect.
24:30They look,
24:30they look,
24:31they don't look too.
24:35They've got QPR.
24:36No,
24:37I mean,
24:37that one.
24:37Okay.
24:41I knew where I was coming then.
24:42Well,
24:42the will is up anyway,
24:43isn't it really?
24:44Well,
24:44yeah,
24:45I mean,
24:46okay,
24:47QPR from this side and Derby could nick something,
24:50but they're not,
24:50they're not.
24:51but it's about them though,
24:52isn't it,
24:53Leon?
24:53It's not about,
24:54oh,
24:55this opposition or that.
24:56They,
24:56if they get back to their best.
24:58Yeah.
24:58They're going to be in anyone in that division,
25:00but they're so far off at the moment.
25:02They need to really concentrate on getting the most out of themselves.
25:05I think.
25:06They've just got to find wins,
25:08haven't they?
25:08Yeah.
25:08I mean,
25:09you just have been,
25:10you want to see that sort of,
25:11we spoke about it before about the successful Sheffield United teams.
25:17There's been a great deal of talent there,
25:18but they've had that sort of single mind,
25:21there's that winning mentality in the dressing room,
25:23that group of players who are tight,
25:24who,
25:25who the senior players go out for a coffee on Eccles Hall Road together to
25:28chew the fat,
25:29that sort of thing,
25:30that tightness and that togetherness.
25:34You know,
25:34I think that's going to be as important as anything really.
25:36And if they can just dig out a couple,
25:38a couple of wins,
25:39you know,
25:39and get the crowd behind them,
25:41not to play particularly brilliantly,
25:42but just,
25:42just to get over,
25:44get over the line.
25:44I think that's an important to see as,
25:46as much,
25:47as much as anything costs,
25:48you know,
25:48to quote Paul Merson,
25:50you worry about,
25:51you start to worry,
25:52don't you,
25:53you worry about Sheffield United.
25:54I mean,
25:55they've got a lot of ingredients there.
25:57I know it's only early season that you'd,
25:58that you'd sort of associate with a team who are going to really,
26:01really sort of,
26:03really sort of struggle.
26:04So huge,
26:05huge period for them.
26:07Yeah.
26:07Sorry,
26:07just to go back to Hull,
26:08because as you say,
26:09we haven't really bigged them up this season.
26:12When you,
26:12when you look at the problems they had over the summer,
26:15you know,
26:15the transfer embargoes,
26:16the fact they've only been able to sign free transfers.
26:18And I personally have been quite critical of their recruitment in,
26:22in the past,
26:23but they seem to have got a really good,
26:26they've made some really good signings.
26:29You know,
26:30Leon mentioned Charlie Hughes and,
26:31and Egan,
26:33a good partnership,
26:34both signed in the last year or so.
26:35But I think despite his sloppy penalty concession,
26:39I think Ajayi,
26:40when he gets fit again,
26:40will be a big player for them as well.
26:43They,
26:44they look to have,
26:45they look to have quite a sensible,
26:47well-balanced squad and it's,
26:48you know,
26:49it's not,
26:50it's not sort of,
26:51um,
26:52overflowing with star players because they've had to rely on free transfers,
26:56but it,
26:56it looks,
26:57it looks a really good squad and a,
26:59and a squad with it,
27:00with a,
27:01a good manager that's,
27:03you know,
27:03maybe not,
27:04maybe not going to be challenging for promotion,
27:06but capable of having a much better season,
27:09certainly than they had last season.
27:11Yeah.
27:11The spine looks okay.
27:12Doesn't mean you look at,
27:13you look at Egan and Hughes,
27:15you look at Lundsburn.
27:16And I thought Slater came in and,
27:17um,
27:18he's been around a block a bit at championship level.
27:20He was decent.
27:21McBurnie as well.
27:22And then there's a few more,
27:23a bit more exciting players.
27:24The trimmings on,
27:25on the wings,
27:25if you like,
27:25obviously Miller and getting back up to,
27:28up to speed.
27:29He's a,
27:29he's a good operator at,
27:30um,
27:31at this level.
27:32Obviously good,
27:32good,
27:33um,
27:33from their perspective to see,
27:35you know,
27:36Pandia had a,
27:36have a,
27:37it was very good last year.
27:38He had,
27:39he didn't have a lot to do,
27:40but he obviously made a massive penalty,
27:42um,
27:43save it,
27:43uh,
27:44at the end.
27:45And,
27:45um,
27:45you know,
27:45all the players as well,
27:46big players,
27:47well,
27:47big play in every way,
27:48isn't he?
27:48Crooks as well.
27:49He's,
27:49he,
27:49he knows,
27:50he knows the level and he's been,
27:51uh,
27:52you know,
27:53he's,
27:53he's a sort of reasonably proven championship operator as well.
27:57So,
27:57yeah,
27:57I think the signs look,
27:58um,
28:00look,
28:00Joe Gildart as well.
28:01He's a young,
28:02young enough lad,
28:03but he knows a lot about this division.
28:04There's enough sort of wherewithal know-how,
28:08uh,
28:09for me to keep out of,
28:10um,
28:11keep out of,
28:12um,
28:12certainly trouble if it just keeps you the right habits as well.
28:16Yeah.
28:16And then Lundgren,
28:18Egan,
28:18Bernie,
28:20three players that Chris Waddle...
28:21Well,
28:22yeah,
28:22exactly.
28:23I agree with Stater.
28:25Yeah.
28:26Yeah.
28:27They're just exactly the sort of players for me that Sheffield United need,
28:30aren't they?
28:31But there you go.
28:32Might be interesting in January,
28:33you never know.
28:34Um,
28:35okay,
28:35uh,
28:36let's move on.
28:36Uh,
28:37League One.
28:38Um,
28:38I mean,
28:39we're almost a week on,
28:40uh,
28:40since,
28:41uh,
28:41Rotherham and Bradford shared the scores at the New York Stadium.
28:43Uh,
28:44Miller's have been 2-0 up,
28:45looking for a much overdue win,
28:47and he's pegged back by an impressive,
28:49uh,
28:50come back by the Bantam.
28:51Stuart,
28:51you were obviously there on that Thursday night.
28:54Um,
28:54Matt Anshaw was quoted afterwards as saying he was proud and hugely disappointed in equal
28:58measure,
28:59uh,
29:00after that game.
29:00Um,
29:01given the point was enough to lift him up out of the bottom three,
29:04um,
29:04presumably it was the disappointment for the feeling of disappointment that was perhaps,
29:09uh,
29:09you know,
29:09the overriding one for the Miller's boss.
29:11Is that fair to say?
29:12Well,
29:13probably,
29:14but I think they've got to cling to the other part of the equation,
29:17really,
29:17in,
29:17in the situation they're in.
29:19I mean,
29:19they,
29:19they followed it up with a EFL trophy game where they went 2-0 down on 1-3-2 and,
29:25you know,
29:25all the usual caveats,
29:26we can team only the EFL trophy,
29:28blah,
29:28blah,
29:28blah,
29:29blah.
29:29But you've,
29:29you've got to grab everything,
29:31everything going.
29:31And I thought when I was quite impressed with when Rotherham had the ball,
29:38they attacked like a team that had a lot of confidence about them.
29:41And quite frankly,
29:42there wasn't much basis for them to play with that,
29:45that confidence.
29:46They,
29:46you know,
29:47you worried about them defensively all the time.
29:50They had a,
29:50they had a,
29:50they had a really poor night in that,
29:52in that respect,
29:53but there looks like there's something there and,
29:55uh,
29:56going forward and,
29:57and having,
29:58uh,
29:59Martin Sharif fit again,
30:00you know,
30:00scored very quickly after coming on at halftime,
30:04he's going to make a difference to them.
30:05But I just thought,
30:06you know,
30:07with the way Denzel Hall and Martha and Benson played behind the striker,
30:12there was,
30:12there was some really good passing moves and some really good creativity about
30:16them.
30:17So it was only half the equation,
30:19certainly.
30:20Um,
30:20and,
30:21you know,
30:22even before Rotherham scored,
30:24they should have been 2-0 down.
30:25Will Swan missed a couple of uncharacteristic chances for him.
30:28So you certainly can't,
30:29you certainly can't paper over the cracks,
30:31but,
30:32you know,
30:33the way the season started,
30:34you're just looking desperately for positives,
30:37really for,
30:37for Rotherham.
30:38And I think,
30:39I think there was some there,
30:40you know,
30:40I think there's some,
30:41some basis for some good attack in play.
30:43They just need to get all the things that Leon's just been talking about,
30:47that,
30:47that defensive solidity sorted out.
30:50And,
30:50you know,
30:51you feel for them in the sense that,
30:53let's say it was Baptiste and,
30:55uh,
30:55Lennie Aubert who were the sort of two centre-backs who were most at
30:59fault out of the three.
31:00One of them's 20,
31:01one of them's 21.
31:02You know,
31:03certainly in the case of Baptiste,
31:05who's on loan from,
31:06from Sheffield United,
31:08he's gone there to make his mistakes for someone else and to,
31:11uh,
31:12to,
31:12to learn his lessons,
31:13sort of thing.
31:14So you do have to cut them a bit of slack,
31:17but they,
31:17they do just need to find a way as,
31:20as a group,
31:20not just those two players,
31:22but just as a,
31:23as a whole unit to,
31:24to defend a bit more solidly.
31:26But if they can do that,
31:28um,
31:29you know,
31:29they can pose a real threat at the other end.
31:31And that's,
31:31that's the,
31:32um,
31:33that's the positive bit that they've,
31:34they've really got to keep in their mind over this international break.
31:37I just think the other of them just need a catalyst.
31:40Yeah.
31:41They need some big moment.
31:43Yeah.
31:43They're away at Northampton on Saturday,
31:4582nd minute winner,
31:47keep a clean sheet,
31:48something like that to get that new group of players together and to give them confidence.
31:55Cause they're lacking.
31:56You can see they're just lacking,
31:58uh,
31:58lacking.
31:59I think it just do so much for them.
32:01That group,
32:02Matt Hampshire as well,
32:03he's had some rotten luck with injuries,
32:04hasn't he?
32:05Let's,
32:05let's be honest.
32:05They just really need one of those wins.
32:08I mean,
32:08you look at the second half,
32:09I think that the numbers are about,
32:11they're among the worst in the,
32:12in,
32:12in the division.
32:13They're actually decent from what I've seen of them.
32:15They,
32:15they,
32:16they,
32:16they're decent enough in the first half.
32:19The case in point,
32:20I did the cup game at Barnsley a bit back five or six weeks ago.
32:23They were,
32:23they were really good in the first half rather than that.
32:26You could see what they were about as a team.
32:28Um,
32:29Stewart's mentioned Hall.
32:30He was good.
32:31Um,
32:31uh,
32:32the winger,
32:32Martha,
32:32who he was a real boxer tricks on Thursday as well.
32:35He played well,
32:36but it's just piecing it together.
32:37Yeah.
32:38In that sort of 90 minute,
32:39you know,
32:41match span.
32:42And I think psychologically second half as well,
32:44they've got issues there.
32:46You know,
32:46I think they've scored three goals in the second half.
32:48They've conceded 11.
32:49So that becomes psychological.
32:52They're away for them.
32:52There's obviously a historic issues there.
32:55You just think for their,
32:57for their season to sort of,
32:59you know,
33:00have a really big moment in this season.
33:03Then he,
33:04preferably away from home,
33:05go away from home,
33:06keep a clean sheet and nick a one nil.
33:09Yeah.
33:09And then things will hopefully lift them and they can,
33:13they can build things on there.
33:14They'll hopefully,
33:15you know,
33:16having to be a little bit careful with Norm Bay,
33:18but he's sort of back in training and get a good result.
33:21That can hopefully dovetail with him being,
33:23you know,
33:24back in,
33:24back in the fray and potentially available.
33:26They might have to wheeze him in a little bit,
33:28but they just need,
33:29they just need a moment for me rather than.
33:31Yeah.
33:31I mean,
33:31you know,
33:32if Alex Patterson and just fluffed his chance at the end,
33:36you know,
33:36the,
33:37the whole picture would have been different.
33:39I mean,
33:39Bradford didn't deserve to lose.
33:41As I say,
33:41they should have scored a couple early on.
33:43They should,
33:43from their point of view,
33:44they show good spirit to get a point in a game where they weren't playing well.
33:48But if,
33:49as Leon says,
33:50if other men just got that lucky two win,
33:52one win at home in front of the TV cameras,
33:54the whole mood of the place just,
33:55just changes.
33:56And suddenly you've got a manager who's where the census just stops with,
34:00I'm proud,
34:01you know,
34:01and that disappointment doesn't come into it.
34:04You look at the,
34:05it's only the trophy.
34:06The trophy gets a load of people,
34:08knock it.
34:08But when you're in Rotherham position,
34:10this sort of thing's important.
34:11They played a decent enough side there in midweek.
34:14They were 2-0 down at half time.
34:17I think there was one man and his dog there or whatever.
34:19There wasn't,
34:20you know,
34:20it wasn't full of spectators,
34:22but it was,
34:22they still had to,
34:24in the circumstances,
34:24they had to play a half decent side.
34:26They played a couple of kids,
34:27brought them off,
34:28brought one or two of the senior players on,
34:30and they dug out a 3-2,
34:31and they scored twice near the end.
34:33Okay.
34:33It wasn't a clean sheet,
34:34but it's a little bit of something,
34:35isn't it?
34:36You know,
34:36it means they can go,
34:38you know,
34:38they didn't lose it.
34:39They can go to Northampton.
34:40At least they've got that.
34:41The events in midweek,
34:43you know,
34:43they're fortified a little bit by it,
34:45but they just need to do it in the league.
34:47You know,
34:47they're desperate for that.
34:48Definitely.
34:50Yeah.
34:51Okay.
34:52Monday night,
34:53brought the TV cameras down to Harrogate's exercise stadium,
34:57as well as our own Leon.
34:59Wabshaw,
35:00more importantly,
35:01and as the Southwark's took on the League Two rivals crew.
35:04Unfortunately,
35:05they lost out 2-1.
35:06It's perhaps another example of the kind of inconsistency,
35:09which has dogged their season so far,
35:11which I think you made reference to,
35:13Leon,
35:13in a piece a day or so after.
35:17That lack of a sustained run,
35:18which has sort of dogged them not just this season,
35:20but previously,
35:22really,
35:22since they sort of came into the league.
35:24They're only four points off the playoffs,
35:26though.
35:27Yeah.
35:27Saturday's trip to Fleetwood,
35:29and they were sat up two places and one point above them.
35:33How do they find that consistency,
35:34Leon?
35:35Oh,
35:35gosh,
35:36there's $64,000 questions,
35:38really,
35:38isn't it?
35:39Answers on a postcard to Simon Wins.
35:40Yes,
35:41indeed.
35:41It's the job interview for the Harrogate Town Managers team.
35:44Yeah,
35:44it is.
35:45It's just so frustrating.
35:46You do look at the sixth season at this level,
35:49and they've had these moments so many times,
35:51they'll win two or three,
35:52you think,
35:52oh,
35:53you know,
35:53Harrogate's starting to make a move.
35:55Then they'll,
35:55it wasn't the case of them throwing one in.
35:57Crew played well on the night,
35:58to be fair,
35:59and they deserve to win,
36:00but just managing to just keep that level up,
36:04keep that sort of,
36:05that run going,
36:08and it's just all elusive for them at the minute.
36:11They've got some good players there.
36:12I mean,
36:13I was hopeful before the game.
36:15I mean,
36:15you look at Harrogate's records,
36:17pretty good under the lights,
36:18when the cameras are in town.
36:21You know,
36:21I've done a few of those games.
36:23I did the Rex and Cook game last year.
36:25Terrific.
36:27Doncaster as well.
36:28So,
36:29that sort of stage,
36:30it sort of sits,
36:31it sits,
36:32sits well with them.
36:33But,
36:34yeah,
36:34I mean,
36:34the start,
36:35I think the game plan was really good.
36:36They were,
36:37you know,
36:38they look a good counter-attacking side,
36:40players who,
36:41who sort of knew the jobs.
36:43There were,
36:43there were a lot of possession crew,
36:46but Harrogate was sort of pounced on them in the final third,
36:49and then,
36:49you know,
36:50springing into attack.
36:51And,
36:51yeah,
36:52the game plan looked good,
36:53but they,
36:53they did for me,
36:55they lost,
36:55lost away.
36:56I mean,
36:57when,
36:57obviously,
36:58a nice equaliser from a crew perspective,
37:00but,
37:00with a very well-worked corner,
37:03but Simon Weaver wasn't particularly happy with it.
37:06He,
37:06he felt there was a block,
37:08a block in there before the lads scored.
37:11But it was,
37:11for me,
37:12I'd be more concerned about the,
37:13about the bad,
37:14bad defending,
37:15and certainly more,
37:17more concerned about the way that,
37:18that they sort of,
37:19they reacted.
37:22They just,
37:22for me,
37:22they couldn't,
37:23they couldn't get going.
37:24Crew started to get a stranglehold on the game,
37:27and they had a few chances second half,
37:30and they scored the winner.
37:32And,
37:32yeah,
37:34it was,
37:35it was,
37:36it wasn't a terrible performance from,
37:38from Harrogate,
37:38but they can certainly,
37:39certainly play better.
37:41I mean,
37:41crew,
37:42crew won.
37:42I think they were 12th going into the game,
37:44or 12th,
37:4513th,
37:45something like that.
37:46Yeah.
37:47They'd gone up to fifth.
37:49So it just showed,
37:50that was a huge three points for them.
37:51There's,
37:51looking at that,
37:54league two sort of picture,
37:56it's been,
37:56it was the same last year,
37:57and I'm pretty sure it was the same the year,
37:59the year before.
38:00Obviously,
38:01there's three teams automatically,
38:02you get four in the playoffs.
38:03There's going to be a couple of spots there open.
38:06Yeah.
38:06I think for most of the season.
38:08And it's,
38:09which team,
38:09when you get sort of January,
38:11February,
38:11who can get that run,
38:13that we're speaking about,
38:14that Harrogate needed,
38:15who can,
38:15who can do that,
38:17and nicking the playoffs.
38:18I mean,
38:19and that's,
38:21that's,
38:21obviously,
38:22that's what everyone,
38:23Simon Weehm is desperate to sort of change the narrative from,
38:26plucky,
38:26plucky old Harrogate,
38:27and ruffling,
38:29ruffling the feathers of a few big guns,
38:31to be that side that are really taken seriously.
38:34And,
38:34yeah,
38:35that's just why it's,
38:36why it's frustrating,
38:37because they've got some decent,
38:39you've got some decent personnel in the ranks.
38:42I mean,
38:42O'Connor's,
38:42O'Connor's a very good,
38:44centre-half.
38:47Bobby Fulton actually played well alongside him,
38:49and by all accounts,
38:51he's,
38:51he's been stepping up of,
38:53of late.
38:54Duke McKenna,
38:55he's shown he can be a match winner at this level.
38:58Obviously,
38:58Muldoon's,
38:59Muldoon's been around the block,
39:01McElhinney has as well,
39:02but they,
39:02they can score goals at this level.
39:05They've got decent operators in the middle,
39:07the likes of Morris.
39:08So they've got some,
39:09you know,
39:09a decent nucleus of players there,
39:12who you think could be capable of getting on this sort of run,
39:15but it's,
39:16it's a difference between,
39:18sort of,
39:20talking the talk,
39:21and,
39:21and,
39:22and walking the walk,
39:24isn't it really?
39:24And,
39:24it must be self-fustrating for Simon Weider,
39:27because,
39:28you know,
39:28it was a great win against,
39:29Gillingham,
39:31they've not lost for 20-odd games,
39:33and,
39:33obviously,
39:34beating Shrewsby at home.
39:36Good result in the cup as well against Huddersfield,
39:38you thought,
39:38right,
39:39then let's kick on,
39:39televised game under the lights,
39:41and,
39:41and it never quite happened for them.
39:44But,
39:44they've just been like that,
39:47haven't they?
39:47Haven't they?
39:48It's just weird.
39:49Yeah,
39:50I think,
39:50to some extent,
39:52it's,
39:52it's the,
39:53the brutal reality of League Two.
39:55I mean,
39:55there are,
39:55you know,
39:55there are good players down there,
39:57I saw them against Barrow,
39:58Duke McKenna was great that day,
39:59Ellis Taylor was great that day,
40:01but,
40:02if they were more consistent,
40:03they wouldn't be in League Two,
40:04is the harsh reality of it.
40:06And that's why,
40:07I mean,
40:07you know,
40:09battle for the playoffs,
40:11almost on a weekly basis,
40:12all the contenders were losing,
40:14and,
40:14you know,
40:14let's be brutally honest,
40:15they've kicked on since,
40:16but,
40:16even Bradford had a bit of a wobbly finish to the season,
40:19and still got over the line.
40:20So,
40:21consistency is,
40:22is like the,
40:23the real silver bullet,
40:24if you can find it in,
40:25in that division.
40:26And as Leon says,
40:28anyone who puts a run together,
40:30it's there for them.
40:31But,
40:32you know,
40:32I think one of the,
40:33one of the things Harrogate are always battling against,
40:36is,
40:36is the size of the squad.
40:37I mean,
40:38the other night,
40:38they've got one full-back injured with Lewis Cass,
40:41they've got another one on international duty with Jake Slater,
40:44and,
40:44and they're down to play in a midfielder at left back.
40:47You know,
40:47and,
40:48he was good,
40:49he was good actually.
40:50Yeah,
40:50absolutely.
40:51They were the best players.
40:53Yeah,
40:53you know,
40:54whereas,
40:54whereas Warren Burrell,
40:55who's been such a reliable player.
40:57Struggled,
40:58didn't he?
40:58Yeah,
40:59he had a difficult night,
41:00because sometimes you do,
41:01but,
41:02yeah,
41:02they,
41:02they maybe,
41:03they,
41:03they did have McElhaney,
41:05who,
41:05who Leon mentioned,
41:08but they maybe just didn't have enough from the bench to sort of turn the tide,
41:11because you felt after that equalising goal,
41:13you could feel,
41:14Chris,
41:15taking the grip of the game,
41:16couldn't you?
41:17I think they had a bit of bad luck.
41:18The lad got injured in the warm-up,
41:20didn't he?
41:20Yeah.
41:22Mikulski,
41:22and,
41:22obviously,
41:24Bennett got,
41:24Bennett came on and got injured as,
41:26as well,
41:27so,
41:27yeah.
41:27Yeah.
41:28You're right what you're saying,
41:29Stuart,
41:29but a little bit,
41:30a little bit of bad luck in that regard.
41:32Yeah,
41:32definitely,
41:33definitely.
41:34But,
41:34I say that,
41:35you know,
41:36every team gets that bad luck.
41:37They don't quite have the resources to shrug it off as easily as,
41:41as,
41:41as clubs,
41:42clubs with the bigger squad,
41:43perhaps.
41:43But,
41:43yeah,
41:43I mean,
41:44it was disappointing because,
41:47as Leon says,
41:48they've got a history of performing in big games,
41:50they've got a history of performing on the television,
41:53and I'm sat on the sofa switching on thinking,
41:55oh,
41:55I'm looking forward to seeing Duke McKenna and Ellis Taylor and players like this.
42:00And they,
42:00they just didn't really,
42:02well,
42:02they just didn't perform their best,
42:04which,
42:05which happens all the time.
42:06To go back to Leon's comment about you don't play well in 46 games,
42:09it happens all the time.
42:10But,
42:10yeah,
42:11Harrogate is such a streaky team where they'll have three or four good performances followed by three or four bad performances.
42:17And they,
42:17they've just got to find a way of getting around that and getting those more resilient qualities we talk about regards to Hulls.
42:24Sorry,
42:25Dan.
42:25I just still think that,
42:26you know,
42:28you look at League,
42:29you sort of look at League two,
42:31and they're sort of,
42:32at the minute,
42:32the team that you probably expect at the start of the season to be up at the top probably are,
42:36aren't they really?
42:37You know,
42:37Walsall,
42:38Grimsby have been building a little bit.
42:40Swindon,
42:40they've finished the season quite,
42:42but there's going to be two,
42:44there's going to be a couple of places there for the rest of the pack.
42:48Yeah.
42:48Who are pretty,
42:49I think they're pretty similar,
42:51aren't they?
42:51You know,
42:51there's probably a dozen clubs who are pretty similar.
42:54They're probably one or two might have bigger squads,
42:56but similar in terms of ability.
42:58And it's which one of those,
42:59isn't it?
43:00And Harrogate are definitely in that sort of,
43:02that sort of group,
43:03aren't they really?
43:04They should have enough to keep out of trouble,
43:06but it's just,
43:07you know,
43:07who can make the sort of leap really.
43:11Came close a couple of years ago,
43:12didn't they?
43:13Wasn't it?
43:13They had a late run,
43:15didn't they?
43:15A couple of seasons ago,
43:16weren't it,
43:16Harrogate?
43:17They did.
43:17They just had the playoffs,
43:18weren't it,
43:19I think.
43:19Yeah,
43:20yeah.
43:20I say they've got it within them.
43:22It's just,
43:22it's just,
43:24it's just finding that consistency.
43:25And it's not even like they're one of these teams,
43:28you know,
43:29again,
43:30to go back to what Leon was saying,
43:31it's not like they don't have that solid foundation.
43:33As Leon rightly says,
43:34Anthony O'Connor is,
43:36has consistently,
43:37been a top player in that division for Bradford and for Harrogate.
43:40Bobby Faulkner's very,
43:41you know,
43:41very talented.
43:42As I say,
43:43Warren Burrell had an offback,
43:44but he's a very good player at that level.
43:46Belshaw,
43:46they were bigging up before the match,
43:48you know,
43:49for the,
43:49for the form he's,
43:51he's been in.
43:51Bryn Morris is a very solid midfielder.
43:53It's not like they're wide open.
43:55And one of those teams you expect to be inconsistent because of the way they play.
44:00It's,
44:01it's just the challenges of squeezing the lemon when you haven't got that many players to work with.
44:06They seem to always have,
44:07you know,
44:08a couple of,
44:08a couple of players like Thompson,
44:09who's a key player for them and seems to have a lot of injury,
44:12injury problems.
44:14And they,
44:14yeah,
44:15they just,
44:16they just need to find a way to get results on those nights when they don't play well.
44:20I think that's,
44:21that's the key thing for them.
44:22Well,
44:22it is.
44:23I mean,
44:23they can do it though,
44:23can't they?
44:24They can go to Bristol Rovers and they can win.
44:25They can go to,
44:26they can go to Gillingham and they can win.
44:28I think they,
44:29did they draw,
44:30drew three all against Grimsby,
44:32who for me,
44:34one of the,
44:34really are one of the better sides at that level.
44:36And they can compete against those top teams at this division,
44:39but it's,
44:40as Stuart said,
44:41it's just about that,
44:42that consistency.
44:43Doing it in over extended periods of time.
44:46They just seem to sort of throw one in,
44:48don't they?
44:48A little bit.
44:49They do.
44:49And then that sends to lead to two or three in the same way that good performances do.
44:54Yeah.
44:55Definitely.
44:56Okay.
44:57Time for team of the week and player of the week.
44:59I think,
45:00if I put it right,
45:02Stuart,
45:02you're going to be picking the player of the week this time around.
45:05And Leon will come to you shortly after for the team of the week.
45:09Feel free to disagree with each other's choices,
45:11obviously,
45:11and have a massive argument about it.
45:13It's entirely up to you,
45:14yourselves.
45:15Stuart?
45:17Well,
45:17we touched on some of the Rotherham players who stood out for me,
45:22you know,
45:22in terms of those,
45:23in terms of those attacking players,
45:25whole Martha and Benson,
45:26I thought they were,
45:27they were very good against Bradford the other week,
45:29but,
45:29you know,
45:29a player with,
45:30I think it's very fair to say divides opinion amongst Rotherham fans.
45:34Probably not helped by the fact he used to play for Sheffield Wednesdays.
45:37The goalkeeper,
45:37Dawson,
45:38who'd had a couple of ropey moments in the previous games.
45:41He made some,
45:41some really good saves in that game.
45:43And again,
45:44he's,
45:44he's another one,
45:45you know,
45:46if,
45:46if he had a bit more consistency,
45:48maybe he'd be playing at a higher level,
45:49but he's got it within him to,
45:52to have good nights.
45:53And that,
45:53and that was a good night.
45:54And I say it was important in the end,
45:55because although,
45:57although they wanted more that it,
45:58you know,
45:59he was the reason they came away with,
46:00with a point.
46:02Similarly,
46:03Leon mentioned earlier about Evo Pandor's performance for,
46:06for Hull,
46:07obviously a big,
46:08big moment when you make a penalty save,
46:11as he did at the end.
46:14Good to see Sean Green,
46:16who's sort of been made to wait a bit at Doncaster Rovers.
46:19So coming in and making an impact there,
46:23they're kind of at a phase of their season where you're kind of looking
46:25for new players to,
46:26to step forward and really,
46:28you know,
46:29grab hold of it.
46:30Leon mentioned Ben Close in last week's podcast.
46:32I think it's kind of there for somebody to,
46:34to step up and claim a,
46:36claim a more regular place for them.
46:38But as I was at LN Road on Saturday,
46:41I'm going to go for Joe Rodon,
46:43who I thought was,
46:44was really for Leeds.
46:47I mean,
46:48there was Daniel Farquhar was actually asked before the game about,
46:52you know,
46:52did he expect Rodon to be sort of more up for this game as an,
46:55experts player and,
46:56you know,
46:56to find that extra percentage.
46:58And he sort of very rightly said,
47:00well,
47:00sometimes,
47:02sometimes players can be too up for it.
47:03You know,
47:04we've all seen a player,
47:05you know,
47:06lunge into a tackle and,
47:07and get sent off in a,
47:09in a game like that.
47:10Cause they're,
47:10they're too pumped up,
47:11but Rodon just struck a really good balance and was just,
47:15just a,
47:16you know,
47:16just a reminder that with all these new players,
47:18Leeds have brought in in the summer,
47:20you know,
47:20there's still a part for the,
47:22the stalwarts of last season to play.
47:24Yeah.
47:24The need in the shooting,
47:25Leeds.
47:26Yeah,
47:26exactly.
47:27Exactly.
47:28You know,
47:28defensive solidity has already been so important for them.
47:31It's going to continue to be.
47:33So,
47:33yeah,
47:34I'm going to make him my player of the week.
47:36Leon.
47:37Team of the week.
47:39Yeah.
47:40Yeah.
47:40Grim pickings really,
47:41Phil.
47:41There's not much in the,
47:42in the,
47:42in the lard.
47:43I mean,
47:44obviously Middlesbrough lost their,
47:45um,
47:47unbeaten record.
47:48They,
47:48um,
47:49probably a little bit,
47:50one or two worries,
47:51a little bit goal shy at the minute,
47:52aren't they?
47:53They got beats at,
47:53um,
47:54Portsmouth.
47:55Desperately tough for Sheffield Wednesday,
47:57as I think most,
47:58most people probably feared a little bit.
48:01It's,
48:01you know,
48:01we've spoken about it last week.
48:03I think it's just that,
48:04um,
48:04ability to go Saturday,
48:07Tuesday,
48:08Saturday with a totally threadbare squad is,
48:11you know,
48:11against,
48:12um,
48:12a team in Coventry who were just scoring goals left,
48:15right and centre.
48:16Yeah.
48:16It was a,
48:17it was a tough day.
48:18Took the,
48:19tough day at the,
48:20um,
48:20office.
48:21Um,
48:22yeah,
48:22there wasn't too much else really,
48:24was there?
48:24I mean,
48:25Barnsley were looking good for a two and a look at Wickham and then their habit of letting in late goals has sort of surfaced.
48:32I think you've got to,
48:32only really a couple of candidates really.
48:34I think you've got a big,
48:36in a way,
48:36you've got a big up Bradford,
48:37haven't you?
48:37They,
48:37they were two and a down at Rotherham,
48:39obviously,
48:40even accounting for the problems that Rotherham have had.
48:42you know,
48:43for Bradford to go away at the start of the season,
48:45to go away at Rotherham and be disappointed to get a point in some respects shows how far they've come.
48:50And it was,
48:51it was,
48:52it was a,
48:52a pretty good fight back,
48:54wasn't it?
48:54And you've got to factor in at Bradford as well.
48:57You know,
48:57they've,
48:57they've had some issues as well.
48:58You're talking about selection,
49:00you know,
49:00the players at the back,
49:01especially,
49:01they've had to sort of,
49:03they've not had a settled back three.
49:05He tilts out,
49:06he was a big player at the start of the season.
49:08Baldwin was out as well,
49:09he'd been doing well.
49:10So,
49:11you know,
49:12they've had to,
49:12had to mix it around Bradford at the back.
49:16And they're still,
49:17they're still up there,
49:19aren't they?
49:19And they're still consistent and getting results.
49:22And that was a good result.
49:23But I think that,
49:24I think the only,
49:25the only real strong contender is probably Hull,
49:28isn't it really?
49:28We've,
49:29we sort of,
49:31you know,
49:31I've outlined earlier the problems they've had in,
49:34in terms of keeping,
49:35keeping clean sheets at home.
49:37And,
49:37and in terms of the home,
49:38home form per se as well,
49:40it was,
49:40it was a,
49:42it was a problem last season.
49:43And,
49:44you know,
49:45they've won three out of five.
49:46Different ways to win,
49:48which is important as we,
49:49as we outlined earlier.
49:50And yeah,
49:51I think if you'd have said to Sheff,
49:53to,
49:53sorry,
49:54to Hull support at the start of the,
49:55of the season,
49:56you know,
49:57three home wins out of five and,
49:58and two of the teams you'll have beaten in there would have been,
50:01Salampton,
50:03which is the big promotion favourites with one or two others at the start of the season.
50:07And the Sheffield United side,
50:08who before a ball was kicked,
50:09everyone was thinking they were going to be up there.
50:12Yeah.
50:12You know,
50:13that has sort of snapped your hand off.
50:14And so,
50:16yeah,
50:16it's like they look like they're sort of turning things around at home,
50:20Hull.
50:20And yeah,
50:21they're the,
50:22they're the team of the week for me.
50:24Yeah.
50:25Just add on,
50:26on Sheffield Wednesday.
50:27I mean,
50:27as Leon says,
50:28it's,
50:28it's not even just the physical demands of Saturday,
50:30Tuesday.
50:31It's all the emotion that's around it.
50:33So,
50:33so draining on a small squad and a young squad.
50:37So definitely hope something can be,
50:39can be resolved with that.
50:41One sort of glimmer of light is,
50:44I've interviewed the new football regulator for the auction post this week.
50:48And that is very high on his,
50:51on his list of priorities to,
50:52to address matters at Sheffield Wednesday.
50:55So,
50:55you know,
50:55I think we,
50:56we all hope a,
50:57that it can get resolved before he even needs to step in,
51:01but be one way or another,
51:03that things can change there.
51:05Cause they say there's some young lads giving the role,
51:07but it's,
51:07it's very difficult to,
51:08to keep empty in the tank in,
51:10in that way on,
51:11on such a regular basis.
51:12So it's no surprise,
51:14unfortunately to anybody to see,
51:17you know,
51:17results like Sheffield Wednesday and El Coventry five.
51:21Yeah.
51:21Just,
51:21just quickly on Hall before we go,
51:23Sergei Jakirovic,
51:25it's obviously his first taste of,
51:26of English football,
51:28Leon.
51:28Yeah.
51:29Are you impressed?
51:30Obviously they're doing okay,
51:31mid table,
51:32potential for,
51:34you know,
51:34possibly a playoff push at some point.
51:36Are you impressed,
51:37both of you,
51:38I've come to you on that,
51:39obviously,
51:39on,
51:39on,
51:39on,
51:40on the way that he,
51:41that he has sort of carried himself,
51:42so far.
51:43It seems to be having a positive impact,
51:45on and off the pitch,
51:46doesn't it?
51:47Which,
51:48as we know,
51:48with the whole city manager,
51:49is vital.
51:50Yeah.
51:50Yeah,
51:51absolutely.
51:51He's got a bit of,
51:53bit of,
51:53something about him.
51:55He's,
51:55he's an engaging fellow.
51:56He's clearly a very serious,
51:58football man.
52:00And,
52:00he seems to be,
52:01he's got a,
52:02got a sharp mind.
52:03I mean,
52:03he was,
52:03obviously I did,
52:04I did the two,
52:05whole home games and,
52:07they were in real problems at half time against,
52:09against Preston.
52:10It was,
52:11he could have brought,
52:12he could have brought seven,
52:12or eight of them off,
52:13to be quite honest.
52:14And it's like,
52:15what do you do?
52:15You know,
52:16it's a,
52:16it's a three game championship week.
52:18You're two down to a good side.
52:20How do you change it?
52:21And he didn't panic.
52:22He made a couple of,
52:23a couple of big changes,
52:24turned it around.
52:25And,
52:25yeah,
52:26I think he's somebody,
52:27he really does his,
52:29in a short space of time,
52:31he's,
52:31he's got to grips with the championship.
52:32And he,
52:32and he started,
52:33you think he sort of knows,
52:35knows what it's,
52:36what it's about.
52:37He's a coach who's managed in a few countries.
52:39He's had,
52:40you know,
52:42varying degrees of success as well.
52:44And,
52:44yeah,
52:45he strikes me as a,
52:46as a serious coach and,
52:48speaks well.
52:50He speaks with a fair bit of,
52:52common sense.
52:53He's got that sort of,
52:54he wants to entertain,
52:55but he realises that the championship is pragmatic as well.
52:58And,
52:58yeah,
52:59I like the cut of his chip.
53:01Yeah,
53:01serious.
53:02And I would add,
53:03always seems to have a smile on his face.
53:05And,
53:05you know,
53:06to go back to what we said about Rotherham,
53:08that is important.
53:09You know,
53:09when you,
53:10when you have a difficult summer,
53:11like Sheffield Wednesday had,
53:13like Rotherham in different ways had,
53:14and like Hull had,
53:15you know,
53:16it's important that the manager's positive and,
53:19and,
53:19and puts it,
53:20puts across that,
53:21that sort of,
53:22hopeful,
53:23positive,
53:24positive demeanour.
53:25You know,
53:25I think,
53:25I think you've got to be a very strong character to manage upwards at Hull City.
53:30But,
53:30I do think he's got a lot of good qualities and it's,
53:34it's been impressive as,
53:35as Leon says,
53:36how quickly he has come to grips with the championship and,
53:39and,
53:39you know,
53:41and,
53:41and brought a sensible style of play to them,
53:44I would say.
53:45Yeah.
53:45I mean,
53:45he's positive,
53:46but he's positive,
53:47sensibly positive as well.
53:48Yeah,
53:48exactly.
53:49He's not,
53:50he's not running,
53:51he's not deluded running around with,
53:53telling jokes and stuff like that and being a,
53:55a funny man,
53:56but he,
53:56he just sense that the players are,
53:58are sort of buying into him.
54:00I think he seems to be,
54:01he's got the balance right,
54:02I think.
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