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FA Cup weekend brings a Hollywood tie to the Racecourse Ground, as Wrexham host Chelsea. Can the Championship club upset the odds again?
Elsewhere in fifth round action is yet another Newcastle and Manchester City matchup, Arsenal head to Mansfield, Port Vale host Sunderland, and more...
Host: Matt Davies-Adams
Guests: Adrian Clarke & Richard Sutcliffe
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers
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The Athletic FC
Welcome to the preview from the Athletic FC where this week,
we're getting you set for the weekend's FA Cup action,
not least Chelsea's trip to High Flying Rexon.
Now rotation always do your good for the cups and in that vein,
we bring you a couple of preview debutants.
Richard Sutcliffe is the Athletics expert in all things Rexon.
Hi Richard.
Anna.
And also we've got my EFL sparring partner handbrake off
and totally show regular Adrian Clark on board.
Adrian Clarkie.
Yeah, hello Matt.
Yeah, this is exciting, isn't it?
Yeah, new show.
Love it.
Yeah, particularly with what we're going to start with,
before we get to the FA Cup action,
we're going to talk Tudor's Tottenham turbulence.
So Spurs lost 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday evening
and they had their captain sent off for good measure.
Two, Adrian Eagle Tudor's lost his first three games in charge.
No wins in 2026.
More in discipline from a senior pro,
one point above the relegation zone.
As an arstile man, you must be full of sympathy.
It's going swimmingly, isn't it?
Down at Spurs.
I mean, it must be seriously alarming for Tottenham hot spur fans
on the moon.
We saw the images of some of the supporters last night
and you get a flavoured in you of the mood.
What a disastrous start.
It's been for Eagle Tudor wild fluctuations
in terms of the tactics and the formations
and also the personnel, some of the defending has been abysmal.
So they're banging trouble.
It's as simple as that and they've got some pretty tricky
fixtures to come.
Yeah, they've got Champions League in midweek away.
That's kind of a dread then.
Liverpool away forest at home in the Premier League.
What do you reckon, Richard?
Could they actually go down?
I'd never thought so.
You know, I know we have a lot of Tottenham fans
on the firm as they say at work and the kid been telling me
for weeks, oh, yeah, we're definitely going down,
definitely going down.
And I'm just like, I don't know for you are.
You know, I'm saying this is a lead spot as well.
And we haven't been mentioned in the last few weeks
in terms of who might go down.
It's always been West Ham, Forest or Tottenham.
I'm thinking, I think it's leads or forests.
And I've thought that for ages.
And then last night happens, you know, I was watching it.
I thought pallets were going in front.
Great, happy days.
And obviously Tottenham do.
And you're like, oh, yeah, this is where they start moving out of trouble.
Actually, great, you know, great work for the goal.
And then they absolutely collapsed.
I still think they'll get out because
like West Ham, they've got players who can win
two or three games on their own.
And that's sometimes all you need at this stage of a season,
you know, just win something, you know,
like Jared Bowen will keep West Ham up.
I'm certain of that.
Absolutely certain.
But longer this goes on.
And obviously the fans are having the manager
and don't look like the players are.
So, you know, fingers crossed.
Might have a big boy down in the championship next season,
which, you know, I've so I've not got the
the, the dog in the fire.
That's the Adrian us, but it's not lead.
I'm happy.
I don't want them to go down.
I, you know, this is, this is a guaranteed six points
every single season.
So, you know, it'd be really disappointing.
Well, if you stay up, you set six points off of us anyway.
So it's just a straight one.
Sorry to any spurs fans listening.
If you're looking for a measured tape,
you've got an Arsenal fan, a lead fan and a forest fan.
So yeah, unlucky head to the athletic
to read Jay Harris's post match day section instead, maybe.
All right, we'll park the Premier League there
and next we'll get up for the cup.
So, Ryan Reynolds and the artist formerly known as Rob McElhenney's
Rexon. Welcome Chelsea on Saturday evening.
McElhenney now known formally and informally as Rob Mc.
Richard was the mood in North Wales ahead of this one then.
Presumably at least one of their Hollywood stars
will be in attendance on Saturday,
possibly with another A-lister at their side to
maximise visibility.
Yeah, I'd imagine both of them will be there.
We'll never really find out until the day.
You know, this is the hottest to keep going.
You know, everyone wants to be there.
And the owners will be no different.
The FA cups in the DNA really, you know,
I've thought for a while a few weeks that it could harm the promotion.
You know, I've been admissible also and could harm the promotion push.
But he speaks to anyone in Rexon.
And the cups been so important some in the past.
Until Rob and Ryan came along,
it was the only time anyone paid Rexon any attention.
You know, when the beat, sorry, Adrian Arsenal,
or the beat, you know, Middlesbrough with Gazzar and Janinio,
or West Ham and Harry Reynolds.
Harry Reynolds.
Harry Rednut was in charge.
It was the only time people paid any attention
before then, the spotlight moved on.
So the cup's massively important.
Obviously, the league is as well.
And if you go into the Premier League,
it's the land of milk and honey financially.
But, you know, this is it.
This is huge.
You know, the first, first genuine big tie,
big glamour tie of the of the Mac and Reynolds era.
And everyone's very very excited.
So you've written about how it's not just
Phil Parkinson and his team getting ready for this tie.
So it's a big night too.
For the welcome to Rex and documentary.
So big that they've decided to shadow a certain
Rex and Correspondent for this one.
Indeed, yeah.
So, you know, although it's March and what's the end of the season now
and the run out of people to speak to, I'm not sure.
But yes, I'll be I'll have an accompaniment of a couple
of the crew tomorrow.
Just for a short time, join the day.
And getting an insight into what the life of a reporter is like,
which I think people think is a lot more glamorous than it really is.
But people will possibly find out when the show comes out.
And I'm, well, I might be on the cutting room floor, who knows.
And, Clark, this is a decent time for this tie to comfort for Rex and,
isn't it?
They come to it in decent form in the playoff places.
And they've had a free week, which their opponents did not.
Yeah, and they're not used to having free weeks,
although in the championship.
Yeah, look, I've been really, really impressed by Rex and,
especially since Christmas,
they were nine of their 13 matches.
They're average in more than two goals a game.
You know, they've walloped.
So, she offered United five to the EEP switch five.
You know, they're free scoring.
Very, very exciting team.
And I think what's also helping Rex and at the moment,
is that they've got a large squad.
They've got a lot of depth on the bench.
And they've been able to rest and rotate and keep players fresh,
which a lot of the sort of championship promotion rivals maybe haven't.
It probably will help them in this game as well.
Because they've got a huge match,
haven't they against a whole city on Tuesday.
Now, I know that this is big.
And I know that they absolutely will give it their give it their raw.
That match also looms on the horizon.
So, he'll be looking at picking two different teams.
And trust me, it won't be much in it between the strength of those teams.
Because to my eyes anyway, the players on the bench
are very close in quality to the guys that are in the first choice, 11.
Adrian mentions that big game on Tuesday night, Richard.
Back to back to back promotions for them.
How likely do you think they are to repeat the trick
and make the final step this season?
If you'd have asked me, well, before Christmas,
I'd have said no chance really.
You know, that's settled in nicely.
I think there were 15th on going into Christmas.
Just got beaten by Swansea in a complete nothing game really.
But sort of, you know, the last minute goes.
Everyone's a little bit down.
That highest ever position is 15th.
So, I thought, well, if they've matched this for the rest of the season,
maybe go up a couple of rungs.
Great stuff, you know, they've set a new club high.
Something to build on for the next season.
But then from boxing day, you know, they've played
Sheffin Ityd, there were three two down.
But they've switched to this formation, which is basically it's a 3-4-2-1.
With two number 10s behind the loan from them now, which
it's not a massive tweak, but it's made them more attacking.
And it's played dividends, you know, they've looked great.
You know, they're off days, obviously, since then.
But they've looked a really good top 16.
Whether they could actually go up after that, I'm not sure.
You know, again, it depends who comes down at the commentary.
You think of it away, I'm gone now again.
And I did, you know, I know they lost at the race cost.
You know, they look very good going forward.
Middlesbrough been transformed since the change of manager.
Again, I saw them early season.
Didn't think much on them at all in a one-old draw against Rexam
with the river side.
But I saw them at Sheffield Night at the other way.
Come the Monday night game and what, what a transformation.
They were superb that night.
But likewise, Ipswich, even though Ipswich,
will wall up to recently at the race cost and all over the place defensively.
They've still got so many good players, you know, people like Jack Clarke
has been on the bench a lot of the season.
You know, I'm remembering from Leeds is fantastic talent.
You know, one of the best in the championship.
And sometimes he can't get in.
So I'm making that final step might be difficult,
but just get into the top six.
It's got to be the aim at the moment and then take it from there.
What about Chelsea-wise, then, Adrian?
Back-to-back draws against Burnley and Leeds,
followed by Defeat against Arsenal.
But they bounced back nicely in midweek
with that four-one win at Villa Park.
And it felt like a massive result, right?
Because not only did it give their own hopes of boost,
they damaged Villas and they saw many United and Liverpool lose in the same week.
Yeah, they're looking good.
Yeah, look, I was impressed with them.
Even though they lost two Arsenal,
I thought that they, you know, put on a decent show in.
Also, are the only team that's beaten Liam Rossignia so far.
So I think he's doing a great job.
They've obviously got a striker in form,
but in general, I think the players have really bought in.
And they're in with a great shout now.
If you look around, you know, Liverpool struggling.
You know, how would they react to that loss?
The only downside for Chelsea at the moment is that lack of clean sheets.
They haven't had very many of them.
I think seven now, where they're in a row with a conceded goal.
So they've got to sort that out.
They can't keep relying on JRP drone,
cold parmetre to bail them out every single week.
But yet, they're in good nick.
And if you're to ask me in the here and now,
where I think they'll finish, I think maybe fourth.
All right, but they're going to rotate for this game.
Right? How big of an advantage is that going to be for the par keep?
I'll see given that Chelsea goes to Paris next week.
And you just assume that the Champions League is a bigger priority for them than the FA Cup.
Yeah, of course, they're going to retain.
And obviously that you would like to think that some of their bench players
will be stronger.
They did put out a very, a very good team against Hall City.
Sort of swatted them to one side.
What I would say is that I think Rexham will put up a better fight than Halded.
I think Phil Parkinson will play a stronger team.
Rexham have more attacking threats.
But I would fear for Rexham a little bit at the back.
Even in that forest game where they where they prevailed in the end,
was on penalties.
And they conceded 31 shots and forests.
You're a forest fan.
You know, you will say that the forest didn't really play very well in that game.
They still had 31 shots against Rexham.
So Chelsea will get a lot of opportunities to score in the game.
No matter who's playing, I'd imagine Cook Morello will be tuned up.
He's been out for a while.
He'll come in.
Maybe this is a time for the lack, I guess, to give you our Pedro.
A breather.
Pedro Netto will probably be back from suspension one in.
And he could be the difference maker.
He was in the last round against Hald because the big difference
between Premier League players and championship players is at often speed.
And Netto, as we know, it's absolutely rapid.
Obviously, Rexham wants to win the game, Richard.
But in terms of the occasion, how big of an opportunity is this for the brand?
They made a really big deal out of playing Chelsea and Friendly,
something they in the USA a couple of years ago.
But this is an opportunity to really promote themselves in front of a much bigger audience.
It is, yeah, it's, you know, using the old marketing.
It's eyes on the product, isn't it, which is what it's about.
Is it?
Because I also think one of the biggest pushes that the club has had
on its upwards trajectory was the Sheffield United FA Cup game,
which was actually the live BBC game on the Sunday afternoon.
So I had, you know, the main Gary Linnaker, Mark Hughes, Alan Shira.
It was the main match on BBC One.
It created a stir after that initial wave of interest
when, you know, these two completely left-field investors came in and bought the club.
They then, obviously, they'd have their playoffs and they'd lost to Grimsby and all that.
But it hadn't really taken off because the, you know,
the first series, it only, they'd just then come out for the show.
But I think the actual, in real time, people could see what was going on both in here,
but more importantly for it in terms of their marketing America.
And it would be the same with this one because, you know,
people who might only follow Rexham through the documentary.
So that's from sort of start, I made it mid-June.
They might not even follow the results.
Might not even know where in the hour in the league.
But because the playing Chelsea, all of a sudden they'd be like,
oh, Rexham, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that sure will be on again soon,
on it. It's that drip, drip, drip,
playing the World Club Champions, who won the trophy in America.
That's a big, big thing.
And that overseas market already, even 23, 24,
it was worth 52% of the club's annual turnover.
That percentage will go up, you know, that was as a league two club.
That will have gone up when we're getting the next account in two or three weeks time.
So that is the all-important marketing.
If you just get more and more eyes on it and show people, you know,
this is why people are talking about the club.
All right. Well, next today we're going to get back to matters
on the pitch. We'll look at personnel and where each team may look to hurt the other.
We'll get back to the podcast in just a minute.
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Now, Phil Parkinson has shown an incredible adaptability to meet challenges during his time in charge
of Rexham. Richard, the challenge in front of him, or one of them, at least on Saturday,
is going to be coping with a multitude of midfield injuries. How's he going to do that?
Yeah, it's going to be difficult. Ben Sheef is out for the season. He signed back in the
summer. I think everything's had a great season. Him and Mattie James are the best two for me.
Because they're definitely probably the two holding role to provide the base for them, the two,
number 10s, playing off either Keeper, Morris, Sam Smith. They just keep the ball. The fine
space of each other, the little triangles. It makes such a difference because that's having
dealt the pitch. When one or both of them are missing, it's not so easy. Even though Rexham won three
out of three in the last week, they didn't have the control of a game that I think they have with
those two. George Dobson, who played in all three of those games. He's suffered a broken wrist
out, Charlton. They're going to debate today whether he plays or not with a cast on. If he does,
he'll start. I would have fought with Louis O'Brien. I'd quite like to see Zach Viner brought in
personally with a sign in January from Bristol City. He's a centre-half, but he's played a lot of
his minutes this season in defensive midfield, including when Bristol City were at Rexham in November.
Because he's just got a little bit more control on the ball. You can't keep giving Chelsea the ball
back. You can get away with that against Paul Smith, even Ipswich in that five-three game,
but if you give Chelsea the ball, I was at Stanford Bridge the other way when they played Leeds,
and we got a good 2-2 draw, but we're quite defensive in the first half, and we're just
giving them the ball. It was ridiculous. It was just a wave after wave of attack. Rexham can't afford
that, so they need to be able to keep the ball. I personally would go for Viner and Louis O'Brien.
I think it's a cracking championship player, and then play Oli Graffton further forward,
because Graffton's a big goal scorer, come back in November. I think his goals per minutes
is below one every 90 at the moment, which for a midfield is superb.
So you mentioned earlier, Clarke. They score a lot of goals at home, but maybe they're a bit
iffy at the back. They've got issues in midfield for this game as well. So how does Parkinson
approach it then? Is he going to set them up to attack? As he says, he often likes to do,
or will there be a bit more cautious giving the quality of opposition?
I'd like to think he'll go for it. For me, attack is the best form of defence for Rexham. That's my
sort of takeaway when I've seen the team in the flesh. They play better football than I imagined.
Better football, I think, than they did on route to all of those promotions. They can knock the ball
around. They can look after it. That is a big blow, because those midfielders that Richard was
talking about are quality. That has put a lot on the shoulders of somebody like Lewis O'Brien.
I think if they sit deep and soak it up, they'll get undone. It is my honest assessment.
At times they'll have to, because Chelsea will push them back. He can't go gun hoe and have a
shootout with a Premier League team for 90 minutes. But when there's an opportunity to attack,
they'll get bodies forward. Sometimes the wide centre back joins in in midfield and pushes on.
The wing backs will play high. I really like the two in behind the main striker, whether it's
Broadhead, Rathbone, Windass. These guys are all decent. They've got two good striking options.
Whenever Rexham put the ball in the box, they are a threat. Obviously, because of key for more,
but also Sam Smith is a really good player that's having a terrific season. What I like about Rexham
is that they don't faff around. Richard knows this. When they want to attack, they'll attack in
three, four, five passes. They won't take, they won't take 50 to get it into the final third.
They'll get it forward. They'll put it in the box and they'll test you. I think that they will
cause some nervy moments for Chelsea in this game. I'm excited about it. It should be a cracker.
Lots of firepower for Chelsea, not Lee Schwerpedra, who we mentioned got that hat trick against
Villa and an assistical parmer as well. Do you think Adrian is the most informed player in the
Premier League right now? Presumably, there's absolutely no chance of him featuring in this game.
He probably is, isn't he? It was a great hat trick. I think he's been playing well in general,
isn't he? He's got five goals across his last five in the Premier League. I like him because
he can play as a ten. He can hold the ball. He can score headers. We saw the other day. He's got
a little deaf finish in his locker as well. He's established himself as the undisputed number one
has knee at Chelsea, which probably means he's safe for PSG, doesn't it? It opens the door for
the lap and maybe for Neto, Neto played up top to near against Hall City. One of those two will
probably lead the line. Chelsea will put out a strong team, trust me, because Lee and Rossignia
is effectively still on trial. I think he's settling into his gig very nicely,
but he's not going to want to be on the receiving end of an upset here. He'll put out strong enough
11, I'm sure. Makes him a bit awkward for Phil Parkinson, potentially, Richard, because he doesn't
know exactly who he's going to be coming up against, but I guess what he does know is that whoever
it is is likely to cause his team some issues. Absolutely. Adrian, I touched on Nondalapin. I've
seen quite a bit of him at championship level, and he's very, very good at that level,
you know, very, very good. That's obviously where Rexham's defence is. As you say, it's not a
watertight defence. Certainly after the Ipswich game, I might have changed sins, but I looked at
the stats, and on the Sheffield Wednesday, I'd conceded more goals at home this season in the
championship than Rexham. But then again, only commentary had scored more, which shows the sort of
always a gumball, but certainly attack minded approach that have operated on. There's also been
a couple of three three draws in the cup as well against Forrest and against Hull in the lead
cup right at the start back in August. So there will be an attacking approach. I actually covered
Phil Phil's breath at City at Chelsea back in 2015, which was a much bigger upset than this will
be, even if Rexham won tomorrow night, that will be on the marina. There were top of the league that
played 15 games, so fan and drawn one and won the other 14. Top of the preem by five points.
I've done a piece today with James Hanson who played for that side because he moved James
Hanson to a left winger. It was a battering ram over striker, but for the first time he moved him
across because this young kid called Andreas Christensen was going to be playing now, obviously
close to Barcelona, but battenham was a scorn a little teenage kid. Basically Phil said to James
says, I need I need to play out wide. This kid's not filled out yet. So we need to lodge the ball to
you and we're moving up the pitch by you. You know, that's going to be our tactics. And that's how
it was went 2-0 down, bending up winning 4-2. So one of these where you come off the pitch tomorrow
night thinking, I wish we're giving it more of a go. I think there will be a go. Just the
edge you mentioned there, the talent that could be playing even though it could be a second 11.
Damn good players there, you know, it's going to be it's going to be such a huge test for him,
but the well, you know, I don't expect rex from to win. I really don't, but I think the
will go down fighting. Yeah, that 2015 side Chelsea started with the likes of Czech K-Hill as
Pillar Quetta, Didier Drogber, Mohammed Suller. Yeah, it wasn't bad. Big balls as Jose
Maurinho said about Bradford after the game. Back in 2026, Clark, you want to issue for Liam
Rossini and it's an issue, I mean, not totally of his own making, but it comes in goal. He bought
in Philip Jorgensen for the game in midweek after Sanchez had a few issues at the Emirates last weekend.
Presumably Jorgensen starts here, but if you're chopping and changing your goalkeepers,
Rossini says well, it's because they're both good. Normally, it's a case of the fact that manager
doesn't totally believe in either of them, isn't it? It's not because they're both good, because
they're both a bit iffy. It's just not sure. He's just got to decide Liam Rossini, who's the least
iffy keeper? And at the moment, it has to be Jorgensen. It has to be, if I was a Chelsea fan,
I would struggle to forgive Robert Sanchez for that dive against Arsenal. You know, a big moment
in the season. You know, I'm not saying he would have got to the ball, but he's fained, he's fained
an injury that just wasn't there. It was a phantom, phantom foul. And that for me is really weak
goalkeeping. It's goalkeeping that's a bit desperate because he was so nervous about balls coming
into his box. And that hasn't just been the case against Arsenal. It's all season. Chelsea had
been vulnerable to corners, to set pieces, to cross his in the box. He's also very, very unsure
with the ball at his feet. And Rossini wants Chelsea to play out from the back. And yeah, I feel
that Sanchez is a bit of a liability there. So I would definitely give Jorgensen a bit of a run
in the team now and hope that he's not not a shakier Sanchez has been. Jorgensen did well at
Chalton in round three. And what was Rossini's first gaming charge, Richard, but he also had an
absolute stinker at Lee one Lincoln in the carabalca in September. They just rain crosses in on him
and he couldn't deal with it. So I guess that'll be something that that will be in Phil Parking
since mind out of this one. Yeah. And and and Rexham's style of playing has been as evolved as
they've come to the ladies across the house, but it is still very much about getting the ball wide
where you two wing backs, bombed down the flank. The prime only been wingers rather than fullbacks
of the wing backs of prospered under Parking, which is all about getting down the line and
pinging it across Cabore on loan from Man City. Not sure he's going to be fit for this one.
Even without him, you know, Ryan Lombon comes in and he's a lovely cross with the ball. He really
is for me, the flank. As Jorgensen and another one who has proved the depth of the squad because
he came in as a central midfielder, but since Krakatchi, the first choice left back,
get a left wing back got injured and then Jay's McClean was allowed to go back to Ireland.
He stepped in and he's not a coincidence that city came in for that boxing day game again,
sheffy knighted and they've looked so so good down that flank within there. So they they will be
the usual instructions pin your ears back and and ping it in. All right, let's wrap this one
up then and get some predictions. What's the score going to be, Clarke? Oh, I think both teams will score.
I think that Rexham can cause problems for whoever plays in goal for Chelsea, but ultimately,
I think Chelsea probably outscore Rexham in this particular game. I'm going to go for Rexham
one, Chelsea three. Wow, later in the show, you'll hear a similar prediction. You go with the same
Richard? Yeah, I think so. I think so. All right, we shall see it. So 545 sat at a T-time in the UK.
This is the athletic FC podcast probably sponsored by Beck there.
So this is the part of the show where with the help of our partners, Beck Fair, we show you how you
can play in a differently get this season. James Mackey's back with us. We're going to do things a
bit differently this week. James and have a look at some of the games taking place in the FA Cup
5th round this weekend, starting with the one that we've been talking about on the pod Rexham
against Chelsea. How's this one looking? Yeah, for the first time since 96 97, Matt Rexham are
into the FA Cup 5th round, but are the big outsiders at 11 to 2? Chelsea, they're the big
favourites as you'd expect. They have a Premier League team at 1 to 3 to head into the quarter finals,
and the Blues have progressed from their last 24 FA Cup ties against the sides from a lower division,
and the draw is priced at 3 to 1 in the 90 minutes. So very, very much odds on favourites,
All right, we're going to do score predictions for these games as we go. I'm the host, so I'm going
to guess first this time. Rexham Chelsea, I reckon it's going to be 3-1 to Chelsea, how about you?
Oh, I'll tell you what, you must have read my notes. 3-1 Chelsea as well, Matt. All right,
Wolves Liverpool, this is going to be a painful one for you, James, as a Liverpool fan. You are
there on Tuesday night. You'll be there for this one as well tonight as we record. How's that
victory for Wolves on Tuesday changed the odds here at all? Yes, it's likely, Matt. I'm not sure
if I want to go tonight after Tuesday, to be honest, but look, Wolves were 9 to 2 and just
cutting slightly to 4 to 1, and they've actually met Liverpool in 8 previous FA Cup ties and have
a positive record against them going through in 5 of them. So that was really interesting. Liverpool
looked at a short price as many think there will be. They're 4 to 9 looking to bounce back from
the shock to feet in the week. The draw in normal time is priced at 11 to 4, Matt, so I'll let you
start again. What do you reckon? All right, I'm going to say 0-2 in Liverpool's favour. How about you?
Oh, I'm going to go Liverpool 2-1 just to sneak it. Okay, all right, but Liverpool progressing,
nonetheless. Mansfield be asked, I mean, this is the romance tie of the round, isn't it? League 1
against the team top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League League face table 2.
Nigel Cliff reckons that they could get battered if Arsenal show up. I'm presuming that the odds
reflect that. Yeah, very much so. Very much so, Matt. Mansfield looking to cause another
cup set after beating Premier League side-burnly in the last round in the day, but this would be one of
the shocks of the this year's FA Cup if they could do it, and there is Bigger's 25 to 1, Matt,
Arsenal have progressed from each of their last 15 FA Cup ties against sides from the third tier
or below, and they're a really short price to do. So again, at 1 to 16, for Mansfield to take
Arsenal to extra time, that is priced as Bigger's 8 to 1 for the draw in the 90 minutes.
All right, well, I was born in Mansfield, and they were the first club I ever reported on,
so because of that, I'm going to give them a goal, but I'm going to say that it will be Mansfield 1
Arsenal 4. Yeah, I've got no sentiment towards Mansfield at all, unfortunately, so 4-0
Arsenal for me. All right, bless them. Finally, then, Newcastle versus Manchester City.
Usually, it's a home banker if it's at the edge, yeah, maybe slightly different with Newcastle
being the home side here. What are the odds, same for this one? Yeah, the game of the round,
isn't it? Newcastle take on Mansfield City, and then the host looking to beat both Manchester
clubs inside a few days. So Newcastle 2 to 1 to get the better of the citizens on Saturday,
City of 1, 18 of their last 20 matches in the FA Cup across the last four seasons,
their odds on at 10 to 11, Matt to do so again in 90 minutes, with the draw in the match priced
at 11 to 5, I think 1-1 in the 90 minutes and Mansfield City will win on penalties.
Okay, I like that. Yeah, I don't mind the draw. I'm going to say that Newcastle will win
there, let's say 2-1 Newcastle. James, thank you so much for your time today. Next, we're going
to talk about that Newcastle versus City game in more detail. This is the Athletic FC podcast,
proudly sponsored by Betfair. Now, the Manchester City travel to Newcastle for their Cup
tie on Saturday night off the back of drop-in points. Two, the two-time European Champions,
Nottingham Forest in the league on Wednesdays. The 300th time these clubs have met this season,
actually, it's the fit, but it feels like they play each other every week. It's the fourth game
between them in 2026 alone. Adrian, that asked the win at Brighton, combined with City drop-in
points, meant it was a great night for the gunners. Did you see Forest getting a draw at the
Eddie Adam? Would you like me to pass on my thanks to my friends and colleagues at the club?
Please do. Yeah, we're very, very grateful down in North London for the efforts that the Eddie
had. I didn't expect it. Of course, I didn't. Nottingham Forest have good players. We know that,
but Manchester City have been dropping most of their points away from home, haven't they, rather than
rather than in front of their own supporters. That was a real bonus. I think the reaction
from the supporters from Arsenal at the AMX was a nice sight to see, and I think that will have
given the players a lot of confidence. Obviously, the big fall out, but turn it back to Arsenal a
little bit, but all this wave of criticism about Arsenal, I just think it's going to strengthen
the squad's resolve. I really do. It's been a good week. It's a big week coming up, Richard,
for City, isn't it, because they go to Real Madrid following this game, and then they're at the
London stadium to face in form West Ham. It's a proper test of character for Guardiola's side.
Absolutely. Another fixture that we've seen far too many times lately, and it Real Madrid
being in Manchester yet. It is. It's been a strange old season for Manchester City. I keep
expecting them to come through, and I think we're going to get within two points at one stage,
but I still see them coming again. Personally, I hope they're done. You know, nobody wants to see
the same teams winning the league, you know, and I'm not just saying this because Clarke's
aides. I've been asked, I'm running for such a long time, so why not? It breaks things up,
and it keeps things fresh as well. But I can see City coming again, but like you said, it's a
huge week. Speaking of my league tonight, it hats on. I put every effort into the first two,
and they didn't go even harder again for West Ham at the weekend, because they're winning mid-wakers,
as thrown everything up again as well. No, that's situational, so strong. I wouldn't be surprised
if there were all three of these to be fair, because they're just such a good side.
When Newcastle got back to Indian Ways in the Premier League on Wednesday, the Beat Man United
2-1, thanks to a wonder goal from winner of the 2014 Manchester United Soccer Schools World
Skills Final, William Asula. Clarke, before Wednesday, they'd lost six of their previous seven
in the league, so I'm much needed to win for ready-how. I wonder if Cups are going to be Newcastle's
primary focus for the rest of the season, because they're sort of middling in the league, aren't they?
Bit of chatter about his job, if he puts another trophy in the cabinet, that'll all quite
end up. For sure, yeah, this is a massive game for Eddie Howe. If he can win the FA Cup,
it could save Eddie Howe's job. That's how big it is, because if they miss out on European
football, I think he's gone. I really do, and that would pain me, because I still think he's
the best man for the job. I would give him much longer, personally, but I don't think that the
ownership will. We'll even seventh place. You know, they'll probably be looking the most they
could get to is there where Brentford sit at the moment, probably conference league football. I
don't think that would suffice, really. So, yeah, winning a trophy, and this is the trophy that they
can win, can save him. So, yeah, it's a huge game. They've, of course, got Barcelona as well. So,
there's not a lot of wiggle room, is there, in terms of rotation, and really when you look at
his squad compared to cities, I think that he won't be able to rotate anywhere near anywhere near
as much. So, yeah, this is a big game. I expect him to go strong, and there'll be buzzing when
after that, that win against Manchester United. Unfortunately, the scars of that sort of no show,
really, against city in the league cup are still quite fresh, and you do wonder whether, you know,
they will feel psychologically that this is, this is maybe a beyond, I think, city will,
we desperate to bounce back, you know, after that disappointment, the overnight.
All right, that's the late game in the FA Cup on Saturday. The early fixture, and it isn't,
early on 1215 kickoff season Arsenal, go to Mansfield, town. Brighton away, the start of six matches
in 18 days for the Premier League leaders. This is your specialist subject, obviously,
Clarky, an opportunity for Arsenal to employ some much-needed rotation, and they got leather cues
and coming up in the week. Do you think they might even change the whole 11 from that, which started
at Brighton for this game on Saturday? Could be close to it, could be close to the whole 11,
depends on who's coming back from injury. I mean, there's not that many options in defense,
actually, at the moment, obviously, with Celeba missing the game the other day. So, what we might
see is maybe mascara will get, will get, will play again, put potentially at right back, maybe Hinky
might play at centre-back again. You'll see Caterfury come back in, Mars Lewis,
Skeleel play, Kepa, Christian Norguard will play. I'm excited to see Max Downman. I think he,
well, he's missed four months, so you'll remember him sort of bursting onto the scene in pre-season,
and he's got, I think he's played five times this season, and he's looked a million dollars.
You know, every time he's played, he's lit up the game, even off the bench for short periods.
I'd love to see him start in a really attacking midfield. Surely Arsenal will go with
maybe just Norguard sitting there and two attacking midfielders either side.
Maybe Downman and Havards, both players need games. I would probably put Havards in midfield here
because Gabriel Jesus has been an unused sub in recent weeks, and he'll probably, he'll probably
play, and you've got Manoeco who needs a game on the right as well. There'll be a lot of changes,
but I've got this sort of dummy team sat in front of me. It's still a pretty strong 11. I've
got to say, and a very attacking one as well. About Man's field, Richard, you will have seen
them briefly last season as Rexham were ascending through League 1. There are only five points above
the relegation zone. Nigel Cleff, not exactly bullish when previewing this game about his
sides chances, but they just got to put everything into it, right? They've already knocked out
Premier League opposition. No one's expecting them to win here. Do you give them any chances at all?
I've given Arsenal a bloody nose. Going to be a struggle. I think it's one of these that
shows up why I wish replays were still a thing because that would still be a great
triumph of Man's field. If they could get to 90 minutes and it's still a level, I know when you say
where Arsenal have six games in 18 days, then I'll say why it's not happening, but that will be
such a big thing for a club like Man's field because a replay at the Emirates would be
financially, which is what the Cups about for a lot of the lower teams along with that
bit of glory that will come from hosting Arsenal and Saturday. But I think regardless of what team
Arsenal put out, I can see them progressing whether that's after extra time or not because it
won't be easy on a pitch like that as well because it's not the greatest field mill. And don't
forget as well, obviously winning at Berlin was great, but they'll also be Chef United,
Brammer Lane and Chef United being in great form since Chris Wilder came back. They're right
up there in the top six of the championship teams I would say. So I've had a great run so far,
but I think it will be a step too far, but I just wish they had the carrot of if they could get a
one all or something like that and go back to the Emirates, but not to be in modern football on
the parade. Arsenal's first ever visit to field mill, the one domestic trophy that eluded Nigel's
dad, magic of the cup, et cetera, but might be a step too far for the stags we shall see.
All right, next today we'll get into the rest of the FA Cup action.
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Walls host Liverpool on Friday night. They did that on Tuesday as well on Drays 94th
Minute winner sinking slot side in that one. It's been a really impressive improvement right
Richard and Robert Woods over the last month or so and kind of emphasizes how competitive
the Premier League is this season. Yeah, definitely. If I'm looking at an absolute basket case
when he came in and you thought when he left, you thought, why are you doing that?
You're just swapping with good swap leagues the following season but
they were always coming down but they're going to come down in a good state now because
there's that bit of buoyancy about them and what a cap of it to be if they could now
progressing the cup. You certainly want back against it. Not after the couple of results
have had this past week really looking in good shape and Liverpool are far less than
happy shape with the manager not even enjoying Premier League games these days if we believe
the comments that came out last week. So I'm going wall for this one. I can see it again and
I'm fair play to Edwards for that because it's been an amazing transfer immersion.
Liverpool had one for on the spin agent before that defeat midweek but generally I mean it's been
a really disappointing season obviously as defending champions. If you've got a theory as to why
they've tailed off so badly. Yeah I have. I mean we've all seen Liverpool. My take is that
and it's not really a tactical take it's that they've just lost some fire. In their bellies
they're not playing with passion they're not playing with intensity. They climbed the mountain
last year. They just don't seem to have the energy or the real desire that you need to push
themselves just as hard this time around. I mean you can see it in this style of playing part of
that's on slot because he's he's definitely made them more patient. He slowed them down and
I don't think Liverpool are a team that you want to slow down that you know the strength still
alive for me you know his quick direct attacks. Obviously as well the Salafax. I mean Salah
carried them didn't he. They weren't a one-man team they were better than that of course they were
but he produced the season of all seasons and and and basically hasn't turned up for this one
and that was always going to make a difference especially when they sold loose Diaz on the other
side as well. So yeah a lot of factors at play here but but the drop has been quite alarming and
I think slot is on a sticky wicket with with so many very very good managers potentially on the
market this summer. He needs a strong end to the season to sort of prevent the Liverpool board
casting their eyes elsewhere. So the FA Cup might provide some salvation. I personally think
they'll win this one. Wolves can they get really go again? The Arsenal performance was spirited
and Villa you know Liverpool can they really go again? When they get aggressive and when they're
hostile and the crowd are revved up Wolves aren't bad you know they really aren't I like a Rocadare
the big man up front he's a threat. Manay we know he's a talented kid. There's a fair bit to
like about them at the moment but I just think Liverpool will maybe have too much this time but
but the issue for slot is that the bench isn't strong at the moment he can't. He hasn't got much
wiggle room. I was looking at the other day Kieza somebody can bring in Engamoa obviously really
exciting player. Forward-wise it's kind of it. I think you have to go strong. Maybe Virts will start
and because I think he's back from injury so that could be the difference maker at Modern New.
All right we shall see. Let's get rapid fire through the rest of the game's first up
Fulham House Southampton in the early kickoff on Sunday. Richard Southampton the team just behind
rexing in the championship so probably this not their top priority but you can't say the same
for Fulham can you they've never won a major trophy and they'll be heavy favorites to make it
through to the quarterfinals with the second season in a row. Yeah definitely. I really like
Marco Silva you know when I was at the Orchbos for Hall City a half a season and it was really
really good. Communicare it turned you know they actually went down that season but he gave them
hope where there was absolutely no money came in in the January and now I love to see you know
I take my Fulham like Palace last season where he will actually lift the cup who it means something
to I'd love something like that because you know winning trophies should be what it's all about
so yeah I Southampton are one of those teams in the championship on a hot streak at the moment
and a big threat for rex and you know there's four points between them and you're slightly apprehensive
because you know that they've got so much firepower in them but I don't think they've got enough to
trouble Fulham no. Well straight after that one it's Port Vale hosting Sunderland Port Vale the
lowest ranked team left in the competition they're bottom of Lee one no excuses for Sunderland
then Clark in that and that midweek win for them just means maybe that they don't need to
retake so much for this game they've hit the magical 40 point mark they can go all out for the cup.
Well they should shouldn't they let they've watched Newcastle get going win a major trophy
in after a long drought and yeah why not go for it obviously that it's been a brilliant
couple of years for Sunderland I'll tell you what though I don't know whether this is a give me
I don't know because have you seen the pitch at Port Vale I mean you said the man's for
pitch isn't great Port Vale is really bad at the moment not 1970s bad but it's bad
and that will be a leveller John Brady the new manager has definitely improved them
I see this has been a really ugly game you know a proper sort of grind but if there's one team
that that probably equips to handle the aerial balls and and that sort of directness of Port Vale
probably a Sunderland you know I've got a lot of big centerbacks you know big dam bell arden
and co they don't mind sort of sticking their head on things so yeah I think they'll scrap it out
but I don't I don't think it's going to be a walk in the park. At the late game on Sunday
he's Daniel Farker host his old side Norwich at Ellen Road Farker's not going to be on the
touch line for this one though band after getting sent off against Manchester City Richard I've got
this down as the most likely upset at the weekend Norwich not much to play for in the league so they
can go strong and they come into this on the back of five wins in six I hope I haven't offended you
there but leads have other priorities. Most likely upset you mean a home win. I love you you cast in
Lee's United's FA Cup record down for years we are horrendous in the FA Cup I went to a semi-final
in 1987 I think we've had one quarter final since then maybe two we're at a truce in this competition
it's it's a pleasure to be this far on great to have a home draw I saw Norwich the other way you
catch Lee at Rexham and they were they were transformed from the early season mess that there were
under under Liam Manning at Carroll Road if the season had another month in it you might even
look at them I think they're going to chance with a playoff so they'll be a real threat for Lee's
I'm in the cop on Saturday and I can't say I'm confident I'm not a fan of Daniel Farker we won't
go into that we'll get we'll get an hour for my problems with him it's just what Amy picks if we
go for the thrill we're a good side if we don't then we have a lot to make to look very on we
have Sunderland showed on on choosing right so if Lee's do get through he's not going to be easy
probably going to need extra time but I'll take your upset and we go through nice and nice
instead of last of all Monday night Brentford go west to east across the capital to take on west
town becoming a bit of a theme for the second half of the pod clocky but Brentford another side
should give this they're all right like follow them they've never won a domestic cup it's an
alternative route into Europe if you win this as well you've got the crystal palace inspiration
why not look yeah if Keith Andrews retains knowing 10 players then I will be fuming if I was a
bees fan he got to go strong here he has to this is a great opportunity to west ham okay they're in
good form but but really they've given themselves a shot here at saving themselves and I don't think
they need an FA Cup quarter final and semi final on the horizon particularly not saying they
throw the game west ham but I do think that Nuno will switch a lot of players around which opens
the door for Brentford to get themselves into the quarter final and and and possibly you know go
all the way and he hasn't exactly got the deepest squad as he I looked at the bench for the other day
they had Ia and Pinnock the two defenders had Yamolio and Keem Potter and the only senior players
that that didn't start the other night they can play but then surely the rest is is the first
choice 11 as for west ham I wonder if Hermanson will keep his place in the west ham starting 11 I
say this because he's got four clean sheets now in nine starts this season including I think three
in the last four or five games Ariola who was the number one until recently no clean sheets all season
20 starts in the Premier League hasn't shot anybody out yet so I think Hermanson is a bit of a
lucky charm at the minute so maybe he'll keep his place all right Ariola's been DJing in various
bars across East London so maybe good records there but not a good clean sheet record etc for
the west ham occasional custodian right that's all we got time for today loads a great FA Cup
action to come this weekend really looking forward to it thanks to Richard to Adrian and to
producers Jay and John and to you for listening of course enjoy the games catch up with you see
you've been listening to the athletic FC podcast the producers were Jay Beale and John Rodgers
and the presenter was Matt Davis Adams the executive producer is AD Morehead to listen to other great
athletic podcasts for free including our dedicated club shows such for the athletic in all the
usual places the athletic FC podcast is an athletic media company production and proudly sponsored by Betfair
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