Discussion, analysis and conversation from OptaPro on data analysis and analytics within professional football.
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Three at the Back offers all the latest news and insights into the world of football, from the Premier League to non-league, from the Champions League to the internationals and beyond.
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A podcast where three unemployed graduates chat about football, dodging in-jokes, poor impressions and ludicrous suggestions along the way. Find us on twitter: @ThreeAtDaBack @Chaz_morgan @Khan_Bread @SWM95
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The lads take a look at Liverpool's disasterclass against Napoli, the struggles defensively and how it can all be undone, as well as Napoli's part in making it happen. We chat about Thomas Tuchel's surprise sacking at Chelsea and Graham Potter's move there and how Brighton might fill the gap left behind. We also chat Richarlison's Champions League …
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This week, Kevin is joined by Simon Kelly (@simonkelly93) and Declan Harte (@CheesyHartePun) to discuss Liverpool's last minute win against Newcastle and how Darwin Nunez could be the Joker in the pack heading into the Merseyside Derby. Also, why Arthur Melo doesn't make a whole pile of sense as Liverpool makes a rare Deadline Day panic buy. We cha…
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There's a busy weekend of Premier League action to unpack - the lads talk about Liverpool's struggles to find a win, Man Utd's struggles to do anything right, what they should do at the goalkeeper position and the state of online fandom following the abuse of Crystal Palace defender Joachim Anderson. We also discuss if Arsenal were slept on heading…
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Kevin is joined by Oisin Doherty and Rudi Kinsella to flick through the opening Premier League weekend talking points, including Erling Haaland's instant domination and his cartoonish demeanor, Liverpool's ageing struggles, Aleksander Mitrovic and the latest goings on at Manchester Utd off the back of their opening day defeat to Brighton. We also c…
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The gang are back for a new season and kick things off by looking at the impact Euro 2022 has had on the women's game, both worldwide and here at home in Ireland. We take a look at Liverpool and Manchester City heading into this season, including Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland's English football adjustment, why City might be got at and why Spurs c…
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Ep 68: Ireland 1-1 Sweden, Champions League madness
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The lads cover the Ireland Women's fantastic 1-1 draw away in Sweden, the fantastic stories throughout the team and how that puts us in great stead for World Cup qualification in 2023. Elsewhere, we chat about the European barnstormer between Real Madrid and Chelsea, Unai Emery's incredible knockout football record, Erik Ten Hag's appointment at Ma…
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This week, the lads are joined by James Grimes from The Big Step initiative which aims to raise awareness around the issues with gambling ads in football. As gambling brands and advertising becomes more and more prevalent on TV and around the grounds, James speaks about his own history with addiction and the efforts The Big Step are going to curb t…
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The lads recap the international break as Ireland draw 2-2 with Belgium and beat Lithuania thanks to a last gasp winner from Troy Parrott. We talk about the system, the lads whose stock has risen after the two games, why Seamus Coleman's days as a starter may be numbered and why Caoimhin Kelleher may not have closed the gap on Gavin Bazunu. Also, w…
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Ep 65: Shaping the future of Irish Football
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This week the lads discuss the future of Irish football across a number of fronts, as the FAI announce their part in hosting the Euro 2028 tournament alongside Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and where the association's priorities may be better applied. We also take a look at the young players parting the nest for ventures further afi…
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This week we're joined by Martin Calladine (@uglygame) to get our heads around cryptocurrency and NFTs in football - what are fan tokens, why are fans buying them, why are the likes of Manchester City getting duped by fake companies and where is the regulation? Plus, why this could lead to club ownership takeovers funded by NFTs and why John Terry …
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As COVID-19 postponements rampage through the Premier League, Charlie Eccleshare joins us to make sense of the league's willingness to include injuries and AFCON departures in their numbers, why they haven't aligned with other big European leagues in forcing through academy talent, why the rules mightn't change anytime soon, plus the sporting integ…
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The gang are back and where better to pick up than the FA Cup Third Round. We chat about Newcastle and Arsenal getting slayed, Caoimhin Kelleher's rise as Liverpool's #2 and why recent television exposure has put him on a bigger pedestal than ever, Evan Ferguson's remarkable rise at just 17 as he sees some Brighton action and why Aaron Connolly nee…
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Ep 61: Div delivers, Ralf's revolution & Serie A with Emmet Gates
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Ralf Rangnick is in town and has turned United around overnight... or has he? We talk about United's win against Palace and how the Rangnick blueprint could look beyond this season. Divock Origi continues his cult hero status with aplomb against Wolves, Everton live to fight another day as Rafa seeks more power and the Bundesliga is just hotting up…
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Ep 60: Ole out, Klopp's 4D chess, FAI Cup frenzy & a big week for Ireland Womens
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally met his end, we talk about United's lack of planning that has left them with no interim manager, pipe dreams of Pochettino and the problems the next guy will have to face to start turning things around at Old Trafford. Also, there's talk on Liverpool's big win over Arsenal, Steven Gerrard's early new manager bounce …
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Ep 59: Xavi returns, Liverpool lose & Moyes' Hammers Time
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There's no stopping West Ham, not even Liverpool - we discuss what's so fragile about this Liverpool side and why David Moyes has West Ham ticking. We talk about the Manchester Derby as another week goes by with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future up in the air. And we take a look at Dean Smith's sacking at Aston Villa and if Steven Gerrard is really the…
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Ep 58: Rovers champions, Nuno sacked & Ole lives to fight another day
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Ole goes from dead man walking to manager killer as Nuno Espirito Santo gets the bullet at Spurs. We discuss the past week at Manchester Utd, why Conte to Spurs makes more sense, Liverpool's midfield problems and why Graham Potter looks the real deal at an exciting Brighton. We also discuss Aaron Ramsdale proving us all wrong, Paddy Vieira's mighty…
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Ep 57: Super Salah, Ole on the clock & Barca's fall from grace
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Liverpool and City played out a (second half) game for the ages, with Mo Salah confirming his status as Liverpool's greatest in the modern era. We discussed that, Rodri's brilliance, James Milner counting his lucky stars and why City's move for Grealish over Kane may become a recurring theme. Also, there's chat about Solskjaer's future and his team…
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Ep 56: Salah #100, Ronaldo's return & Paddy's Palace
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The gang unpack another big weekend of Premier League action, as a top four emerges amongst Manchester Utd after Cristiano Ronaldo's return and their big win against Newcastle, Liverpool as Mo Salah hits his 100th Premier League goal, City as they nick a win over hapless Leicester, and Chelsea as Romelu Lukaku resumes his role as flat-track bully. …
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Ep 55: Ronaldo the heartbreaker as Kenny's Kids begin to come of age
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Well, it was all going so well until Cristiano Ronaldo decided to show up and break Irish hearts with two awesome headers to snatch the win. Until then, there were plenty of positives to take as Gavin Bazunu denied Ronaldo from the spot, Andrew Omobamidele looked the part in an unexpected debut, Josh Cullen and Matt Doherty delivered fine performan…
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Ep 54: Ronaldo returns as Liverpool lack in attack & Ireland announce Equal Pay
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The lads unpack a manic few days in the football and transfer front, with Cristiano Ronaldo's seismic return to Manchester Utd the headliner. We're joined by Daniel Harris to see what the transfer means for the club, our moral compasses and the expectations for the club this season with his impactful return (from 51mins). On the Premier League fron…
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Ep 53: Arteta in trouble as Antonio terrorizes & Serie A is in session
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The lads round up the Premier League's weekend action, as Harvey Elliott catches the eye for Liverpool while Mane and Salah's relationship looks on ice. United struggle against Southampton, Ings scores a belter for Villa as offside saves Martinez from red, Moyes' West Ham are flying as Michail Antonio continues to terrorize defences, and Arsenal lo…
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The Premier League is back with a bang and Kevin, Phil and Enda unpack all the madness from the opening weekend, including Brentford's superb win over Arsenal and how Mikel Arteta's side seemed so unprepared for the Bee's pressing onslaught. There's good things at Man Utd and Liverpool, how much stock to take from Aston Villa's defeat against Watfo…
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Ep 51: Football is back and Messi moves on
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After 21 years, Leo Messi departs Barcelona amidst a financial black hole that leaves Barcelona in a precarious position. To discuss this and what it means for Spanish football as a whole, we're joined by Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) to discuss what led to this moment, the future of Barcelona and how the La Liga landscape looks for everyone else f…
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And then there were two...Kevin, Enda and Phil unpack everything from the two semi-finals, including Spain's super performance, incredible Chiesa, Chiellini's psychological warfare and the sports psychologist's dream that is Alvaro Morata.On the other side, we pay tribute to Denmark and their tournament run after the trauma of Finland, enjoy Mikkel…
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Ep 49: Final Four & Football's Coming Home
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Is it coming home? We'll see, as Mark Critchley (@mjcritchley) joins to talk about their tournament run that has them on the brink of the final. We talk about Southgate's superb man management, Raheem Sterling's remarkable turnaround, the system that has Rice and Phillips purring, Jordan Pickford's renewed image, why Rice and Grealish have well and…
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Ep 48: Last 16 madness & Danish Dynamos
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It's a Euro 2020 Last 16 recap, as we flick through each of the games and all the major talking points after a mental week - including Spain's new found scoring touch, the French madness on and off the field, Czech Republic's downing of disappointing Dutch, poor Portugal, unconvincing Belgium and unpack everything as England cast off the nightmares…
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Ep 47: Euro 2020 so far & suave Azzurri
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In our first recap of Euro 2020, the lads take a look at all of the big hitters and big disappointments so far - including England's team selection head scratchers, the Netherlands' gung-ho march into the Last 16, the Group F insanity between France, Germany and Portugal, Belgium's class when de Bruyne is on the field and Spain's inability to recre…
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Ep 46: Euro 2020 preview & Ireland finally win!
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We preview the upcoming Euro 2020, looking at all the runners and riders and our favourites and dark horses for the tournament, paying special attention to Scotland with Padraig Whelan (@pwhelan88) and their chances at their first tournament since France '98, with two games on home turf and a trip to Wembley to face old rivals England(55min).We're …
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Ep 45: Europa recap, manager merry-go-round & Champions League final preview
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To preview the Champions League final this weekend, we get the fan view from Ger Deegan (@gerradeegan) and Sean O'Connor (@seanocsport) - recapping Man City and Chelsea's seasons, what it feels like to be in the final, the manager mind-games, the key players involved and how the final could hinge on two homegrown products (46m). Before all tha…
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Ep 44: Kane's future, Juve on the edge & the latest in Spain
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With one gameweek left around Europe, there's a title still up for grabs in Spain - Alan Feehely joins to talk about Atletico Madrid's season as they head towards the title, but Real Madrid are still in contention ahead of a summer of change with Zinedine Zidane's future uncertain. We'll also take a look at the mad house in Barcelona where Ronald K…
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Ep 43: Rookie managers, the cult of Wes & the top four race
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The lads are joined by Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) to debate the rise of rookie managers at high profile jobs - why teams are willing to hire them, the risk of becoming damaged goods, the pressure on them to take big jobs now rather than later, what the future holds for the likes of Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta, the 'elite' coaching bracket …
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Ep 42: Euro Trip & Portugal with Tom Kundert
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It's a European football bonanza this week - as talking about the Super League disaster and top four race in England, take a look at Julian Nagelsmann's immanent move to Bayern Munich in the German manager merry-go-round, talk about the top four race that is too close to call in Italy, the French title race that has Lille ahead of the powerful PSG …
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Ep 41: Super League & Jose Sacked
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It's a Super League special this week - going through the fallout of this weekend's major announcement that sees a breakaway competition attempt to carve their own way in a bubble of greed and exclusivity. The backlash, the logo, what "fans of the future" might look like, the player implications and the likelihood of it all actually happening.There…
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Ep 40: PSG, Neymar & Champions League Final Four
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It's a Champions League recap as we look at Liverpool's knockout at the hands of a solid Real Madrid side - talking about the selection, Nat Phillips and whether Firmino would be better suited to midfield. There's also chat on Chelsea's lack of goals and whether Man City can finally end their European duck.From 36 minutes we're joined by Jeremy Smi…
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Ep 39: German football & Champions League recap
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This week we're joined by Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) to run the rule over everything in German football, including Dortmund's dismal league form and the future of Erling Haaland, Marco Rose's imminent move and how Borussia Mönchengladbach's form as nose-dived as a result. We also take a look at Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick's likely move to the …
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How quickly things change... last week we were speculating a possible change in Ireland's fortunes, this week we lament the hole John Delaney's FAI has left Irish football in on an international stage, wonder if Stephen Kenny is the right man to take things forward and hope that a post-Covid world could see a bright future for an Irish team that ha…
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Ep 37: Human Rights and the Qatar World Cup
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With Norwegian clubs taking a stand against Qatar's hosting of the World Cup amidst serious human rights issues, the national side took that one step further this week with their protest. Nicholas McGeehan from FairSquare, a human rights advocacy group, joins us to talk about the wretched conditions workers are living in, the Guardian report that f…
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Ep 36: Ireland kick off World Cup 2022 campaign
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We're onto another international break and it's a fresh start for Stephen Kenny's charges - we preview the upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifiers against Serbia and Luxembourg with Oisin McQueirns (@McQueirns), including who's best fit to lead the line, figuring out the midfield three to go with and how Josh Cullen could be the future in the #6 role, a…
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The League of Ireland season kicks off this weekend and we're joined by David Wilson (@thedavidwilson) from ExtraTime.com to run through all the goings on for 2021 - including Shamrock Rovers' bid to stay on top and replace some big departures, Dundalk's hopes to challenge them amidst confusion over their coaching structure, some of the best of the…
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Ep 34: The story in Spain as Gerrard rules Scotland
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It's a bumper show this week, starting with the latest in La Liga - Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) is on to discuss Joan Laporta's return as Barcelona president, Atletico Madrid's title charge and Luis Suarez's rejuvenation - as well as if Spanish is football is suffering a downturn amongst the elite leagues and if Zinedine Zidane is feeling the press…
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Ep 33: Ole on top as Frank gets the boot
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The podcast is back for 2021 and a lot has happened since we left off before Christmas. Firstly, it's the little matter of Frank Lampard getting the boot from Chelsea - we discuss what went wrong, the timing and how Thomas Tuchel fits into the club as Roman Abramovich's next plaything.We unpack what's gone wrong at Liverpool over a winter slump tha…
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Ep 32: Arsenal, Kelleher & Klopp v Kelly
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We're joined by Art de Roche (@ArtDeRoche) of The Athletic to talk Arsenal this week - including what Mikel Arteta has got right so far and what he's gone wrong after starting the new season off less than impressively than they finished the previous one. We discuss their new-found defensive solidity, the midfield shape and Thomas Partey's role, whe…
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We look at Chelsea this week with Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) from Football.London, discussing their start to the season and Frank Lampard’s journey so far. We look at their summer signings and the ideal system to get the best out of them, where Callum Hudson-Odoi’s situation lies, the superstar potential of Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy and fan…
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We glance across the Irish Sea this week to get a feel for England ahead of the friendly against Ireland this week - Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) from the Evening Standard joins us for a full lowdown on the England squad, Gareth Southgate's future beyond Euro 2021, the best attacking options, where Jack Grealish fits into the equation, Declan Rice's pl…
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Ep 29: Zlatan's World and Ancelotti's Everton
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It's a double header line-up on this week's podcast - first up, Conor Clancy (@ConJClancy) from Forza Italian Football talks us through the opening few weeks of the Serie A season, the ageless wonder of Zlatan, why Andrea Pirlo may not be the right choice at Juventus, Gattuso's Napoli and why Sassuolo and Atalanta are a whole pile of fun to watch. …
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Ep 28: Cork's demise and Leeds' rise
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We're joined by Oisin McQueirns (@McQueirns) this week to discuss Leeds' rise back to the Premier League under the eccentric genius of Marcelo Bielsa. We touch on what he's changed at the club, the roles of Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips and why he should hopefully stick around for another few years (from 24m).With the League of Ireland windin…
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We're joined on this week's podcast by Omar from the Villa Talks podcast (@VillaPodcast) to talk about Villa's fantastic start to the season - we chat about their transfer business, the arrival of Ross Barkley, why Jack Grealish is their best Premier League since Dwight Yorke, moving on from Tony Xia and why the extremely likeable Dean Smith is doi…
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Ep 26: The week that was for Irish Football
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What a busy week of Irish football - a play-off defeat, COVID-19 chaos, airplane seat controversy, Bossman Steo, some decent performances, a marked improvement in the style of play and a goalless drought that is sure to leave people firmly on the fence when it comes to Stephen Kenny's new look Ireland.Kevin, Enda and Phil discuss the mostly good, s…
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Ep 25: Manchester City in Pep's Year 5
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We chat to Ger Deegan (@GerraDeegan) this week about everything Manchester City, including fan's frustrations, the defensive frailties after millions spent, the Pep exhaustion theory as we enter year five of his reign, life after Mikel Arteta, the Rodri Role, Joe Hodge, the lack of a Plan B or a #9 and much more. (from 40:00)Before all that, Kevin …
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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 chatting to Seville-based Corkman Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) about everything going on in La Liga this year including Real Madrid's business, or lackthereof, and how they're set up to defend their title, all the while chaos consumes Barcelona with Leo Messi staying but turnover aplenty including in the dugout. We also …
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