Kane Shines, Mexico Will Be Tough & Who Stops France? | Stick to Football 139

The England game was a watch, wasn't it?

England?

Yeah.Got Declan Rice playing in Trent's position now to whip balls in.

Do you know, I was really calm in the second half.I kept saying we're winning this 2 -1.Righty was a little bit nervous.I just knew we were going to...We were creating chances.I didn't think...

I didn't like the performance, but I actually, to be fair, thought we were going to get through it because we were actually...I think Cain and Bellingham.

Do you think the hydration break helped?A lot.Through.That's all that matters, isn't it?All that matters.

Gary, is there a fork anywhere?

There is, yeah.There is, yeah.In here.In here.

Thank you.

Erm, do you like them?

Very nice.

Very nice.Suits the evening as well, though, doesn't it?Yeah.Do you know what I like?I like coleslaw.So do I, actually.

I'm a fan.

By the way, that wasn't a penalty on the Belgium -Senegal game.Do you not think?No, that wasn't a penalty.I thought Cain's was a penalty.Did you think that was a penalty?No.

No?No, I didn't.I thought it was.No.No.No, I didn't think it was.

I thought they did it right.Is that butter?Is that butter?Just stuck on the end there.I don't know.You can't stick butter on the end.

It's performing as cheese.Been a long day, right, yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah.Tough one, that.

Is the air con not working in here?Is it on?Is the air modeller in there?You got a modeller?

I've got this for you.

Brilliant.Even better.I don't want a big one.I want a...I love it, yeah.

There you go.

Oh, no straw.

Straw's here, straw's here.

How you doing, bro?

Ian Senegal.

Yeah.

Feel sorry for him.You know something, I think...Before he comes in and says it's top -level sport and...

You know, the thing is, is that what he said, it kind of...Makes sense to a certain extent.If you're 2 -0, they're not an inexperienced side, they've got experienced players.You know, you're two minutes with five minutes to go.You've got to be looking to shut up shot there.Even though they brought on, I think it was Lukaku, Moriera.

and the other one, Luke, I can't remember the third guy, the left side they took Doku off for.But like, they brought that on themselves, because that can happen.

But like, you feel sorry for them.

You do feel sorry for them, but again, it's a tough one to take for them, because they should be more experienced than that.Even when Lukaku scored, I thought, well, yeah, they'll shut up now.But it wasn't a penalty.

You didn't think it was?

No.I thought it was.

Do you not think there was contact on it?

That's the thing, because we watch the Premier League, we're just taking any kind of contact.

When a ball gets whipped into the near post and you've got a defender that's sliding in for it with an attacker, that to me basically is who owns that ground.Like, you know what I mean?It's like, who owns that ground in front of the defender?The defender's got to go for that.If the attacker gets a touch, and then the defender comes through him, it's a penalty.If the attacker doesn't play the ball, and he's not really going to play the ball, it's just both of them going for it.

To me, it's not a drill.It took two minutes or three minutes, the VAR.

No, I couldn't believe we were watching it.I was watching it on my phone, about 15 replays.

You know what the thing with it is, is that Telemans was going for exactly that.

Yeah.

because he never tried, he wasn't trying to go for the near post to flick it in with his left foot or the ball even came past on his right foot even if he opened it up he might have been able to flick it in.He didn't actually try to make a move to score, it's just that he went there and just initiated the contact and it felt like cheating.

They've been so sharp on VAR during this tournament to getin and out on decisions and make sure that they don't re -referee the game.He must have watched it, as you say, Jill.Once you've watched it past three, four, five times, you've told yourself, actually, I'm not sure.And then the referee goes over, he spends another two minutes looking at it, so he's not sure either.And I think when you're looking at it that much in the last minute of a World Cup knockout game, I'm not sure that's a penalty at all.

Did youse all agree that it wasn't a penalty during the game?Yeah, we said it wasn't a penalty.

you know, something.We didn't think the cane was more than either, did we?

No, we didn't think that.Do you think it's because he put his foot down and kind of dove?But do you not think they caught his foot, though?

But he's going already and he touches it and he's already fallen before.

I suppose the one thing you can say is whether they are or they aren't, it's a consistency, isn't it?

The thing is that for them to not even look at concert, but then they're looking at that for that amount of time.

Yeah, yeah.

is creeping in because they were doing it pretty well up to this point.It felt like they were doing it...Like even the referee in the England game, in his real time, he just went, nope.And then when you watched it back, at first you think, what?He's not even looking.Then you watch it back and you think, it's not a bad shot, to be honest.

This referee for this one, I think once they've looked at it once, they could see, you know something, he's not even making a genuine attempt to try and score a goal here.

I don't think the VAR that did that decision on Belgium sending goals getting into the game.

Why do you think that's so?He's going home with Senegal.

They've been quite strong around re -refereeing and they've been quite good with it and they've been quite quick on decisions and you might think okay they've got things right or wrong at certain points but they've been really sharp on it and they've thought right we're not re -referring games, we're not interfering and he's gone and interfered there in the 119th, 20th minute of a game.

I don't think the referees have been too bad if you think about the Atlanta game.there hasn't been that much controversy.

You know with it as well, Jill, when you look at that, where, because I'm thinking, they've looked at it so many times, I should say, they've looked at it so many times, I'm thinking, well the game's over now anyway.It could easily just say, listen, that's not a penalty, play the game out, it would have went to penalties.

Yeah.

It would have been fair.I think that's very unfair on Senegal.If I'm Senegalese, I'm absolutely fuming with that.

They deserve to win as well, don't they?

I feel cheated there.Absolutely feel cheated there.You can't excuse them for not shutting up shop and managing the game better, but I feel a bit cheated there because it's not a pen for me.

The Belgian manager also, he'd taken De Bruyne off, he'd taken Doku off, almost a little bit like Bielsa did, almost like I'm going to go down.I'm just going down fighting.I'm going down in flames, you know what I mean?Literally, I'm going.I'm taking everything with me.

You know what, it really works out for a manager when they do that, because now you're seeing at the end, you see...You see Darko and you see De Bruyne are getting amongst people like, you know, saying, well done, this and that, because now all they've got to think, oh, we've got another chance here.I'm going to have to play better in the next game or whatever they're thinking, they had to liven themselves up there because.If they lose that game, which they thought they were going to, with five minutes to go, they're probably thinking, right, I fucking manage, I'm going to say something.But then now, you can't do anything.

Yeah, they're all celebrating and everything.Because didn't Chossard have a bit of a thing with Taylor -Mansfield?They made that up.But then afterwards, a hug.But you don't mind that, do you?I think a high -performance level score, you're going to have, yeah.

The Belgian side, and they're two quality players in the Belgian side.And I can't remember what it was.It's something to do with him not being on the back post or something.I don't know what it was.

There was like an implosion happening though, wasn't there?Yeah, yeah, yeah.Strawberry milkshake from Shake Shack.

Yeah, because I had a very big lunch.What did you have?I had chicken curry.Chicken curry.Chicken curry I had with rice.And I had a lot.

This is not the weather for a chicken curry with rice.How hot has it been today?We walked the Brooklyn Bridge.

The air con stopped working in there as well.We were up in the studio up there and the sun was beating down on our backs, no way to lie.Oh, my God.

God.

It was tough.It was a tough half hour.

What's Earth?

Oh, yeah.Oh, what's the Earth?The sun was right on our backs, and this air con wasn't working, which was absurd.

This is my treat.I haven't been having any treats, really.You have.

You've eaten a lot of treats.

I haven't had a lot of treats, girl.You know, even in the studio, I'm not eating a lot of this stuff to the point.Was it two custard creams I had today?

Me and Roy shared a full dairy milk.

How can you just eat two biscuits if I open a pack of biscuits, they're gone?

Because I had to be disciplined, because I knew I was having this due, and I can't have another one of these for a while.

Roy opened a pack of biscuits, and I flipped the table, and all of his tea went all over his biscuits.He put his feet on the table, and the table flipped.And literally soaked his entire biscuit.

Was he fuming?

Yeah.He wasn't happy.

He did say he's not going to come up because he's not speaking to you.And I've just seen him in the loo.Because he's got soggy biscuits.You know what?He's just walked into the hotel.He had sliders on, shorts, his bag.

I said, have you just played or did you...He looked like, you know, when you put your sliders on.

He's got the retro Adidas bag.He looks like something from the 1960s.This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.They're joining us all tournament long and we're delighted to have them along with us for the ride.We've got plenty more episodes on the way so hit subscribe, get your comments in and stick with us all summer.

I said I'd just seen you in the lift.Gary was telling us that he'd give you soggy biscuits.

Flipped the table.

Did you not expect Belgium to come back then?

Oh, no.When you texted and said, come over.They were done, weren't they?They were really bad.They started badly.They were flat.

It's never over.It's never over.

I know, but that game was over, Roy, to be fair.That game was over.I mean, they should not have let that up Senegal.That was like the most comfortable...Last 32 performances in France for any team, and they've lost.

They're going to be absolutely devastated.They're going to have a World Cup.

They're going to have a World Cup with two and a half months to go.That would be a hard one for them now.Imagine them now.

I went to the France -Sweden game.Oh my God, watching France live.

Were they quick?It's quick, innit?

At least, yeah.I just, I can't even explain watching them.It's movement.Like, I know obviously all the talks about Mbappé and he's doing absolutely brilliant, but they're just, yeah, to watch them live, yeah.

It was a different level.That was scary, that.

And it was so hot as well at the stadium.Yeah.

I saw a stat about their running and what they've done to this point in respects of the exertion of their team.And they're like, out of all the teams, they're like 18th, 19th in the running.They're not even exerting themselves.Distance or speed.Distance and speed.They're not exerting themselves.

They haven't even clicked into another gear yet.They don't have to do that.

Right, yeah, I came away yesterday and I said they didn't even get out of second gear that game.It was literally like a training game.The first, I think it was 25 minutes.They probably had about five...They could have been about 4 -0 up.

If they don't win it, they're letting themselves down.Honestly, as a squad, they'd just be like...It's going to take something.

It's going to take an Argentinian.

Roy thinks Argentina.

The warrior nature of Argentina.It's not going to be...To be fair, Patrick was in the studio.

do you think could stop them?Yeah, that's what Patrick, we did the thing after he said, Argentina, the mentality, the horribleness, the experience, Messi...Messi and Alvarez up front could score one or two goals, and you've got that Martinez and Romero, you know, tough, nasty experience.

A lot of huge support.

I just think this is France's one.For Argentina, we're a little bit fortunate in the ending guitar.This, to me, is just a team that looks a different level.Was it Moana?

Moana, yes.I think you should have scored.In the death.

In the bench, though, for France, you've got four or five players that can come on and replace the three or four that are on.

Yeah, like Chirky's coming on.

Did you see Chirky, how he reacted to...Did you see it, Roy?What did he do?

To Deschamps.But is it all real, Roy?I never know what's real.

This is what I'm saying.Is it AI or is it not?I saw something, because I was saying, I thought, is that real?It's like Deschamps went over to say, you know what I mean, probably say, listen, don't worry.And you know something, he just moved him away and then he moved away from him and I'm thinking to myself, why would you do that when your team is probably going to get to the final, you're going to at some stage probably be called on and you've got the ump.A manager who's come back from seeing his mum, burying his mum and you haven't got the decency to be able to give him that.

If it's real...

You know the last few weeks, I've been reading quotes, what I'm supposed to have said and people can be...

The false quotes are unbelievable.Yeah, it's on Twitter, but it's like you in the stick to football, but it's like reactions straight after the game, but it's not even your quotes.But they look verified accounts.It's dangerous, really.It is dangerous.I knew it wasn't real because it said that you were, that you liked me. I'm suing him.

But it is bad.

Patrick was saying yesterday about the French, that theythings were complacency, which I don't see at all after what happened last night, because they won it desperately.The other thing is probably egos.I can't see that either, because they look like they're all together, don't they?

They look together, because you could see, even if there was going to be... it would probably be Mbappé and Dembélé.They look so tight.You know when you see a player who the manager obviously said, when he wants it, give it to him.Wherever he goes, you just see them, look, give it to him.Mbappé just gives it to him.It's together.

They know exactly what they want to do.

But that's where the manager comes into it, isn't it?Managing the group.So whatever about tactics, you've got brilliant players.You know Deschamps will be on top.I think he'll be on top.He's an experienced manager.

You know, and they've got a reasonable...He's involved as a player and as a manager.This could be the third final in a row.

He's got an idea what he's doing.And Roy, you hear the players, I think it was...Jermaine is saying about the manager and what he's been through.This is his last tournament.We know it's his last tournament.We want to make sure that we do it for him.

They're focused.They've got everything.Maybe Zidane taking over.Is that confirmed?Yeah, it will be Zidane.That's what they say.

That would be amazing.It's not been confirmed, but that's what they're saying.The rumour is that Zidane takes over.Zidane would be happy if they win the World Cup, wouldn't he, George?He's got to take over that team.

They've got so much freedom, though, in how they play.They don't even stick to the positions.They're just moving all the time.Mbappé will drop into the 10, then he'll pop out onto the wing.how do you mark against that?It's like, whereas I think sometimes when you watch some teams, we just stick to our positions, don't we?

There's not a lot of movement.

We didn't get a chance to say it at the end of the game yesterday, but they're not talking about low blocks, are they?

No.

How do you break down a low block?

No.

You know what I mean?Sweden's sat there literally at the edge of the box 4 -4 -2, and they're just literally ripping through them.

But then what happens is, is that when you look where Mbappe picked the ball up, that doesn't get any lower than that.But then his individual brilliance, wasn't it?Just a shimmy, yeah, a little shimmy to go.It was just like, you just think to yourself, because afterwards you say, well, how do you stop him?What are you going to do?Are you going to put a man -marker on Alissa?

Are you going to double up on Dembele or Dewey?

The best team's right.It's like the Manchester City over the last 10 years, or Barcelona with Pep or the United team, or great teams.they don't have excuses around low blocks, or we were playing against a team that were physical, or we were playing against a team that were counter.They just beat them.Can we say they're sitting deep instead of low blocks?Well yeah, sitting deep, you know what I mean?

Does he not like it?You know what I mean?So what I'm saying to you, a team that sits deep, that is against every top team.Every top team has to face that 20, 30 times a season.And you've got to beat that 20, 30 times a season.But I think you should enjoy that.

I think if a team...Sit deep?I nearly said low block there.Sit deep, that's a challenge.You're going, help me.We've got him, we've got him, we've got...

We'll sort it out one way.Even though the French goal with Mbappé, that was from a corner.Just a little movement wrong.I think it was from a corner.I can't remember.And he's coming around the back of somebody, then there's a shot.

You go, listen, we'll find a way.The top players find a way.

I think when I was watching them sitting deep, they believed so much in their one -on -one.All right, great, we'll go and attack you, nearer to your goal.That's what I think their mentality is.If you all sit in...

And what they do, Joe, and when they try it and they...And just so they do lose it, with a pass or a dribble, they're cool as a breeze because we're going to get a lot of average.

We're going to eventually go past somebody and then the whole picture changes.So they're doing pretty well.How long was it before they actually scored?

Oh, you know what?I took a picture of the scoreboard, it was on 44 minutes, and I was about to put on my thing, I can't believe this is nil -nil, and he scores, and it was about 44 minutes.

So Sweden will be thinking, they'll be looking and thinking, right, we're going in at half -time, nil -nil, exactly what we want, and then he just comes out with that.And then what happens is...

I'm not the right person to demonstrate this, right?I love Gary Sturridge.Honestly, that's what I feel like.Do you know what you're reminding me of?Do you know the Brazilian Ronaldo?He once ran at me for Inter Milan in the San Siro in the quarter final of the Champions League game, do you remember?

I don't remember that incident, I don't remember it again.You just do that, and honestly, no word of a lie, and you went past me, and I went, what was that?Honestly, I think I was a decent defender.He just went past me, I went, what was that?And it was the power, the speed off the mark.

It's this little thing, it's like, what the fuck?

You know something, it was like, again, they'd be thinking, we've done really well, we've held them out.And then they score a goal like that, and then you're thinking, going at halftime, you're thinking, oh, gosh.Then they come out and bam, they're just, bam, bam, bam, it's over.It's like, so demoralising.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.

England's path to winning the World Cup.

Mexico in Mexico City.Brazil in Miami.Argentina in where?Atlanta.And then France in New York.

You're making them games sound like...Obviously Bayern Mexico went like, oh they're away from home in all of them.No, no, no, I'm just saying.The other teams are away from home as well.Yeah, no, I'm just saying that's where they're playing at.

Four tough away games there.But Miami's a factor with the 32 degrees, with the humidity.Where are we at with England?We've just seen England say, Joe, come to you first.We said I think the other day that we're sort of at the moment, you're half praise in England because they're getting through games and they're sort of showing that resilience, and there's part of you thinking they're going to need to really step up a level at later games in the tournament.

Yeah.

Do you want a strawberry milkshake before we start?No, it's too late now.

I'm looking at it now as well.

You said we'd get to the final the other day, where are you at with that?

No, you know what?I'm all in favour of hydration breaks after today.I thought up until the hydration break we weren't good enough at all.I was actually impressed by Congo.I thought they were going to sit in, but I thought they had some great attack and play.The two wingers were really, really good.

But you know what?I think we found a way to win.And you look at teams like Germany, Holland, Sweden, they're not here.And the fact that we're still here, I think that's a massive positive.But yeah, there's bits where we need to be better.

Roy, where were you with that?I mean, obviously, we've just discussed it out there then in terms of just the general why they're sort of thinking about the tournament and where England are at.

Well, what we said the other day, we think it'd be qualifying the semi -final best.Isn't that what we said?That's what we...And I think that's the same...

How do you change that?What would you have to do, Roy, to change your thinking around beating Brazil and beating Argentina?No, I think we'd...And Mexico, for that matter.

No, I think they're better than Mexico.I think we'd beat Mexico.I know there's challenges there.Obviously, Mexico, our home.Momentum and they'll be quick on it, but the usual stuff.But when we were watching England today, truthfully, we knew they were going to win.

Sounds bizarre, didn't we?Great chance, you got Kane on the pitch.So that's my reason for going, why do you think I think they'll beat Mexico?I think they've got a few world -class players that can get them out of trouble.And then that's when, to me then, that's when the real trouble starts, regarding maybe, if we're thinking it's going to be Brazil, or certainly is it Argentina in the semi -final?That's where I think that comment stuck.

I think it'll just be a couple of games too many.I think the Again, I go back to what I said from the start, whether it be France or Argentina, I think we'll just have a bit too much room.

That's it.How do we change that?How do we get to a point whereby in this tournament we grow and we step up from a thinking now that we're all thinking...

Individuals go.But I don't think they've got too much to go.That's why I'm saying they'll get to quarters or semis.You don't think they can...We've just spoke about...But I think a couple of individuals that are world -class have kicked in, but they can only get you so far as well.

I know you can say Argentina and Messi can get you over the line, but I still think England...little issues aren't about defensively, I think they'll be caught out.We were on about France, they've got more gear, I don't think England have too many gears to go.I think they can get a bit better and they can tidy up a few bits, but I don't think there's, they've got another 20, 30 % to go, whereas I think the French team, I still think they're like, we're at it, but if we have to go up a few more gears, we will do.And maybe the same with Brazil, and certainly I think Argentina.I think they can rise to occasion a bit more maybe than England.

I think the back line is a big one.I think we just need some organisation and you'll know better than me but I don't know like putting the stones in there, maybe concert right back.I just feel like there's no organisation at the minute.We're seeing all over the place and you've even got forwards coming back to defend which you admire the work rate but that for me shows that we're just not set.

And there's also that worry but for me also the goalkeeper.I don't know if the goalkeeper's going to get in and out of jail on a bar deal when he makes three or four work.If he's got anything about himself, he'd be saying, I should have saved that.And I'm not one of these, a keeper shouldn't be beaten at the near post.A keeper obviously can be beaten at the near post.But if you get a good hand to it, I think he'd be disappointed with that.

I genuinely think, and I've thought this before, I see talented defenders who I think one -on -one, if I think about, compare it to myself, one -on -one, I think they're better than me defending because they're sharp, they're quick, they're rapid, all four of them really, Konza, Gay, Spenson, they're really quick but I don't see a unit, I don't see a back four, I see four defenders not a back four and so if you've got four defenders that are talented what you've then got to do is have a unit in front of them that protects them and what I see in front of them are two quite talented central midfield players who can get about the pitch but then I see wide players who You've got to attach your wide players defensively to your two central midfield players.We talked about United, didn't we, with Casemiro.He was in midfield for United last time.It was Casemiro and Bruno when Amrin was the manager.And they just had these massive gaps alongside them.Even the goal that Jed Spence makes the mistake on at the back post, Madhweki's like 15, 20 yards further up the pitch maybe than he should be.

If he just narrows round and he gets tight...

Do you think that's a huge mistake from Spence?That's what I'm saying, I feel it's hard on Spence.

No, no, I don't think so.

Because he's got to come across.No, to be fair, righty...Because you said the two centre arms came across because of Wan -Bissaka.Look, righty...He had to come across.

Do you think that's a mistake?So, righty, if that's me at right back...Right?There's no way around it.It's a tough one for him because I think he's blocked in terms of vision because I don't think he can see because of four players in front of him.

But Gary, the guy who went, he had to go with him.

You can't leave him.He's got a guy there.I think he's gone in late.And when he's gone in late, the guy's blocking his view for the ball.And I think what's happened then is he's a bit like that, so he can't see it coming around.It's a tough one, but you do have to class it as a mistake, as a right back.

Look, you can't not do it.It's a little bit like Jordan Pickford.It's a tough one, but it is a mistake that that's gone in there, you know what I mean?

If Jed Spence goes half and half with it, the way that ball came over, that guy's got to...The reason why it went over Jed to go to the other fella, because Jed was there.Otherwise, that would have been free.The guy would have been free to get that on his own.I think Jed has to come back.

Nonny has to come back.You know, in your decision -making, just say it's a tough one where you go, it's just football, it's not a big mistake, but he'd be disappointed with a bit more experience.But that's where you go, I could have done better.Your keeper's got to help you.How many times has your keeper got you on a J and you go, thanks for saving me?Well their keeper did.

We haven't got a ball, we haven't got a ball.

He was incredible.He was shocking for the ball.

Yeah he was, but he's up for that.Roy, there's two ways that you can stop that goal, right?I reckon in the biggest games that we would have played, if I'd have come in there and made that mistake, I think Becks would have been close enough to get back in there and effect that shot.So Noni should have been a little bit narrower and tighter and to attach himself to his full back and to his central midfield player.

But that's not his game as you said, does it?

And then you've got Marcus on that side, who again, he's not going to narrow himself and tighten himself.So my view is that if you've got a back four that are just not a unit and they're going to get pulled apart a little bit and some...

And then you're like you're saying, Madweki and Rashford are not linked.Then you've got a real issue.And what was the big moment in the game?

They've got to be tuning it down.

They've got to be tuning it down right now.Of course it is.They're going to miss that in training.Are you concentrating?Are you messing around in training?

Honestly, if you miss that in training, people are taking the piss.Because it was a terrible miss.When you miss that kind of chance, you cannot win a football match missing chances like that.You just can't.You cannot.It's the easiest chance because it actually came deflected off of the defence.

It slowed the ball down even more for him.

Do you remember what Gareth did in the last tournament?I think he actually in a certain game, I think did he play Jude just off the left?I mean, we can't do this by the way.But Jude off the left a little bit to narrow everything to make us a little bit more compact.Do you remember when he did that?

It was a struggling one because did they have Foden?

They had Foden there and I think what he did in the end, he put sort of like, I think he put sort of like, he just narrowed the midfield.I just wonder now that we're going to Mexico, we've got Jude and we've got Harry and they're gonna, they're unbelievable, we'll come on to them in a minute.I just wonder whether he's got to put...I know we've got three in midfield with the two, with Anderson, Rice and Bellingham.I'm wondering whether he's got to put three, almost like one wide player and be a little bit lopsided.Maybe Nico O 'Reilly can put...

Maybe he will do that.So maybe he tucks someone in off the left.I don't know who that is.Maybe it's...I can't even think of who it would be.But then you've got maybe like...

So where's Declan going to play?

No, you've got Declan and Anderson in there, but maybe somebody tucks in off... this side so that Nick O 'Reilly can be the left foot that goes round, but maybe you've got a wide play just on one side.Maybe it's Rodgers just tucked in narrower, I don't know.It'd be Gibbs White probably.If you said that you had Gibbs White, you'd narrow him in and you'd play him there.can't say that, because we haven't.No, I know.

But my point is, if you had him, you'd tuck him in off that left alongside Declan and Anderson, and then you'd have Jude in front with Harry.But he used to be a bit lopsided, and you'd just narrow that midfield a bit.

I do think the wingers sometimes, because I think...I've liked Anderson this tournament, but I think sometimes when the winger is out of position, he's then thinking, I'll go and do it, and then he's getting exposed, but only because he's trying to fix the problems on his own.I do think he's been very isolated sometimes in those positions.

But could England manager be thinking also that the way he's looked at it is, I'm just going to go and try and win the game and give up some chances.And I've got players up front.It looks too open.

I don't know, but maybe that's his attitude.

He's got the job to say...Was he saying we're going to score more than them?No, but that might be his mindset going, when you've got Kane and Bellingham, you think, listen, we'll obviously give up a few chances, which they have done.They gave up two goals against Croatia.Ghana had a couple of chances, could have had a penalty or whatever.OK, Panama were poor.

I think you accept it with the Croatia one when it's 4 -2, but then Ghana, you're like...Do you know what I mean?

What was the exact two against Croatia?

No, but I'm saying when we score four and you concede two, you're like, if that's the way we're going to play, then fair enough.But I think in some of the games, I just, I don't know.

Well, it was four against Croatia, but it should have been seven or eight.

Yeah.

Lots of chances.I mean, Anthony Barry's coming in at half time during these interviews.He's getting more nervous by the game, the poor lad.He keeps getting sent out by Thomas.The big chance was at Kane.Was that against Ghana?

Yeah.

So if he scores that, then you go, hey, this is a little...

Yeah.

Again, the bottom line, no matter how many you concede, if you score more than the opposition, It's not bad, is it?

No.

The likelihood is that he's going to probably stay with his two wide players, his two in midfield, Declan and Anderson, and he's going to play two...What do you mean?So what, Saka and Gordon?No, no, no, Madhwekia or Saka with probably Rashford, I think, again, maybe.I think probably Rashford.Do you think...

I thought Gordon...I'm just saying, I thought Gordon...

Yeah, he came on, he did OK.

But do you think...But again, for Gordon, sorry, but maybe coming off the bench...He might be better, but...It's a different role for a player.He's not getting that responsibility if you're starting the game.

With Marcus starting, it just feels like, as much as we feel like something's going to happen, it doesn't happen enough for the amount of time he's on.I know, but isn't it interesting?

Because Rashford...Rashford, we kept saying, Rashford's still a handful isn't he?Of course, question marks and then again a couple of times concentration and product but when you're talking about other countries where players are making mistakes and giving away They're giving the benefit up, because you go, all he needs to do is get one right.Whereas an England player loses a few times, he's like, oh, get him off.Whereas sometimes you have to go, no, you're going to get the good and the bad with these players.Rashford, Gordon.

Today you're on about assists, like they're assists.Like his first ball, he's just lofted into a dangerous area.And the second one to Kane, Kane has to do a little bit of work.So sometimes the attacking players, you have to take the good and the bad with them.Do we think he'll interfere and do something different for these next...

Like what?

What can he do?If you think about in the 1990 World Cup for instance...They changed the whole...They went to five at the back.Now, look, I don't see this with Thomas Tuchel, but do you think the players went out of me and they said, look, it's just not right.We're getting through, but it's just not right.

Do we need to do something to interfere with this?

I can't see them doing that with Thomas Tuchel.

Not in a five, but maybe something in midfield.A four, maybe a narrow in midfield.Do you think he'll change?I think he'll stick the two wide still with Harry up front and then obviously the two and the one in midfield.

I think he'll stick with what he's doing.Madweki today though, I thought he put some decent balls in.

I think Madweki's, at the moment, a lot better than Saka in terms of starting.He's the best out of the wingers at the moment.

But he can put strike in already, can't he?Exactly, but I think we're settling for something that we need more of.Because he's the best at the moment, out of the four of them.He's the best one out of the four of them.And it's not like he's pulling...He's just doing what he should be doing.

And that's what we need from a couple of them.They need to be going to that next level of what they're doing.

I think Madhwekar, to be fair, I do think I agree with, I think he has to start on the right, I think he's the one.I think on the left maybe, you know, does he stick with Marcus Rashford or does he pull in someone a little bit narrow, I don't know who that player is by the way, Rodgers, that just plays a little bit narrow on that left, tucks in alongside sort of what would be the two midfield players.

I've seen that, Neb, but when somebody or what's worked a little bit, when they have the wide players, that Bellingham, there's not even room for him to start.Yeah, to run into those holes.

Yeah, so does he stick with Marcus Rashford then, do you think, and just go in the two wide players?

You know what, I'll go with Roy, with Rashford, because I think Gordon might be That guy that comes on for 25, 30 minutes and he's more comfortable.

And if Mexico are having some decent possession, De Marcos, if he's had it and he wants to run him behind, he is a handful.

Do you make this game, Matt, Mexico, England, if you were putting a percentage on it now, 55 to England, 45 to Mexico, 60, 40, England?No, Gary, it's...

What do you think in terms of confidence?

How much confidence do you need?Confidence?Ian, today, if you remember in the second half when we were 1 -0 down, I'm usually the panicker.I was so confident we were winning today.I was like, as sure as eggs is eggs, we're going to get one.I said, we'll score in the 85th, 86th, or 89th minute, and we did.

I'd put it 50 -50.

50 -50 Mexico?

50 -50, simply because we know we've got a couple of match winners, and I think what balances it out is the atmosphere, the fact they're at home.

Yeah, that levels it out.

That will level it out, but I just think that it's got to be a game where The guys go into it, like I remember Gary said today, yeah, nice words.But you've got to go into a game like that, the Azteca Stadium for England to beat the home nation in it to get through, that kind of takes you somewhere else.And every game we've seen in the playoffs so far, again we go back to, the top players turn up.

They turn up, yeah.So you'll still be looking towards Kane and Bellingham.These boys, you saw it with France, you saw it yesterday live, Gilles.You see it today, it's even worse.Today, Lukaku scores today.He's played seven games all year, but he's got a gold record, 90 -odd goals.

Let's know how to score and put in big games.

You know something as well Roy, you see like Declan had to move from midfield, go to the right back and put in a performance.We just need people to put in a performance to kind of like galvanise Jude and Harry to go and win the game for us.That's what we need now.We need them to fucking come to the park.

But I do think they have that mindset.I do think they look at these players and go, they will get us over the line.

Yeah.

How far they can get them were obviously the flying speed.

And we've got two of them, you know what I mean?We know they've got mess, like France have got on them.And we know that Argentina's got mess.We've got two.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.OK, let's do the top English football players of all time.Top three.Because it's been said today by, I think it was...Top three?We should be doing top five.

Like, in position?No, the top three...Was it Declan Rice then?No, was it Declan Rice said it today?Yeah, Declan Rice, I think he's the greatest English football player, Harry Kane, of all time.So, greatest English football player of all time, the top three.

So, we're throwing Bobby Charlton out there.We've got to go Bobby Moore in there.I'll throw Kevin Keegan in there.I'll throw Wayne Rooney in there.

Do you have a back on?

David Beckham, Steven Gerrard will go.Peter Shilton maybe, 125 caps.Frank Lampard.Going back in time, it's obviously Stanley Matthews.

Stolz has got to be in the conversation.

I don't think you think of it as...Because of his England career, I don't think you're going to put him in there.You mean England players?Yeah, I think just England players.He is an England player.Yeah, he is.

But my point is, I just don't think he'd get in the top three.I love him to bits, by the way.I just think that certain people's names have to be mentioned.Okay, let's keep mentioning them.Gaza?Are we throwing Gaza's name in there?

100 %?We love Gazza.Gary Lineker was top scorer for a long time.Jimmy Greaves.Stuart Pearce.Stuart Pearce.

What about goalkeepers?

I said Peter Shilton.

Did you mention Brian Robson?

Brian Robson, yeah.

It's so hard to pick three from that.

Yeah, but Bobby Charlton's one.Bobby Charlton's definitely in it.I think Bobby Charlton's 100 % in it.He's definitely in it.So that leaves two.

I think 80 goals in 115 games.He's obliterated the goalscoring.

Alan Shearer needs to go there.What I'm saying is that Bobby Charlton, Harry Kane, For a shot.For sure.

Peter Shilton's appearances for a goalkeeper, I always think it's so hard to get.Like, has he got 120 appearances or something?125, yeah.That is incredible.

How many did Bobby Moore play?How many games did he play for England?I don't think he played 100.

106 or something.Oh, did he?Oh, he might have just played... 100?Can you check?Bobby Moore, I think he's 100.

He played more than 100 games for England.108.Wow.108.Bobby Moore's gonna have to get you.He lifted the World Cup.

Yeah.

I think Kane's just saved us so many times that I think he...Get into that bracket.

Do you think Bobby Charlton, number one?I think Bobby Charlton's number one.I can't take Bobby Charlton off number one from the point of view of the greatest English player.He's won the Champions League.He's won the World Cup.He's like...

He won the league as well with United, didn't he?Did he win the league with United?I'm a cool guy.

Number two, are we going Harry Kane or Bobby Moore?Probably have to go with Bobby Moore.Bobby Moore?

Harry number three.You've got a good mixture.

You've got a defender, a midfielder and a striker.

And maybe put a goalkeeper top four?Or Peter Shilton four?Peter Shilton can't make a goalkeeper over Gordon Banks for me.Oh, Gordon Banks!yeah.I'm sorry, the Gordon Banks save alone from Pele is..

.No way is Shilton making a save like that.So Harry Kane, I mean, Roy, you were sort of like, what did you all expect?What did you all expect?Is Harry Kane what you all expected?

No, no, it's not, and I mean that in a kind of, not in a smart way, but people go, I can't believe he scored again, but he does it all the time.You know what we did initially?We were watching it, obviously you're all, we were watching it together and when he scored, everyone, I'm like, I was sitting there, of course he's going to score.Can we mention Jimmy Cruise as well, please?Jimmy Cruise, of course, the great Jimmy Cruise, yeah.Honestly, and that's not in an argument, but that's what he does.

He's our Wonderwall.

How does he see it?He loves the Wonderwall.He loves the Wonderwall, yeah.They're all looking at the Wonderwall.Stop it.This is an impression of Harry Kane.

Stop it.Stop it.

Doing Wonderwall.Yeah, but it's nice to have that moment.It's beautiful.It's amazing.

What's amazing, I've got a fan singing an Oasis song.Electric, that.

She's electric.Maybe you're going to be the one that's here today.

No, but Cain, again, there's that 70 -odd goals he got this season for Bayern.

How many did he get?If a player's getting 70 -odd, 80...71.No, this season.How many goals has he got this season, Harry?

With the England goals, with the England goals.It's off the scale, yeah.

It's like 78 or something.

So who did you think was going to score it today?Did you wake up this morning and go, you know...I think Spence is going to get us fucking two today.It's going to be Harry Kane, isn't it?Of course it is.He's the man, he's brilliant.

And his shot for the...We've discussed, we talk about people in football, anyone who's worked with Harry Kane will tell you, the power of shots, and this is goalkeepers, they'll go...Kane's level of power is like, above Vlad, you were really good at like, about power.His technique is a great technique.

But even his head and ability as well, because there was a couple of great saves, but I think there was one of them where I was like, if that's Harry, that's going in.His head and ability, yes.

And that's where his level is, where you go, again, I'm watching him, you know.We've walked with some brilliant strikers here, I'm going, I fully expect him to score a knock -off.I think Mexico next week, I think he'll score.

I think Harry's now the sixth highest goal scorer in World Cup history.Right.Is he sixth highest goal scorer in World Cup history?Is he just...I think he's just gone in...How many goals has he got this season?

Was it 70 -odd, am I wrong?72 goals this season, I mean, seriously.You've been right, he never got that.

You were amazing.Seriously, you're a great striker in Premier League history.What's your top ever goals in a season?34.And he's 72.72!

Is that penalty though?

Is that when you got that boot, that golden...That's cool.There you are, pal.

But like, you know something, when you...

Imagine if you played for United.Who would you pick?

You know when you've got Elise Hazel supplying you, when I was watching it yesterday, I'm not saying any striker would get that many goals, but it helps having someone like Elise.

You know, I used to watch her in the corner.I'm still amazed I had a second goal today.We didn't get a chance today, but if you look at some of the defenders, They're giving him space.What about the goalie, the chance he got last week against, it was a Croatian, remember he was on his own.And he just let him go, he's got 70 -odd goals, and we're going to give him a free run.

That was insane.You see what'll happen, Roy?Those defenders now, when they're going about their business, they're sitting around the altar, when they're talking, they'll be talking about, did you see how sharp he was?When he got the ball, I was thinking, I'll let him shoot because...And bam, it's in the roof of the net.The defender would have been thinking...

Bam, he's in front of him.

But right as he turned, I actually thought he was going to score.You know what I thought?

He's not missing the target.

I think the defenders knew that, so I don't think there's no point in trying to block the shot.If you look at the left back, when he turns...I was going to do a demo like you.Go on, do it then.You've got your kit on.Go on, do it then.

Kane's turned there, and the goal's behind my back.And the left back kind of went...I Want you to score against us so we can tell our grandkids just go to the ball And there was nobody near that's what happens when you're playing with a running somewhere When Matt and Ali scored, where are you running to?You've got Kane, the ball's there, just go and close them down.

Would you choose Harry Kane right now over Erling Haaland, or would you rather have Haaland?Tough question.

If I had a milkshake, I'd answer it.A very tough question.

Who are you picking?Right now?Who are you picking?

Haaland's amazing, and Kane's amazing.I'd take Harry Kane.

I'd take Kane.I'd take Harry Kane, yeah.

Just as a finisher.

Yeah.

And you know what, over the time, listen, Erling Haaland scored goals and it looks like he's going to continue to work.At the moment, where Harry's been and what he's doing, Harry, you know, I'd put my marker on him.I know it's going to happen.

You know when you were saying about like Mbappé, the way he moves the ball to get half a yard, like Harry Kane's very deceiving in that, isn't he?In that movement.In the box, he's good.It's not the same type of movement.

No, that's why when he misses the target, Jill, you're surprised.Yeah.That's when you know he's dealing with the touch.Keep us in a bit of good shape, but you were saying, You were all sitting there in shock, going, he should have been in the bottom corner.Absolutely, yeah.

Who was that against, right?Was that Panama?

It would have been Panama.And it wasn't an easy chance, but we're looking like we can't be dismissed it.What I'm saying is that defenders don't, they think that they'll, oh it's half a yard, it's going to be okay, bam, when you're playing against the best...

You watch the defenders when he gets his first touch today from De Gordon, and the defender...

It's like, it's like the goal what we saw, what Sarr scored today.The ball's come from so far, what happens is, is that...Those defenders, the Belgian defenders say, oh, once he's got a little touch, if he has his bad touch up, when he's got a top strike, bam, control, bam, no one gets near you because they're expecting a bad touch.It's not going to be bad because we're playing with the top boys.It's brilliant to watch.

This episode of Stick To Football is brought to you by Skybet.

really bad.

It's because men complain more I think.

No it just affects people in different ways.

He says the altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it.To quicken up.This is too cool.It just takes too much time.We only have three days in between these matches.It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.

This is a huge advantage that Mexico have.

It's crazy that that can be an eventuality then?

No, I don't think it is.To win a World Cup, no I don't believe that writing.

Yeah, but how can you have three days to adapt to altitude?But that's the World Cup.Yeah, but it should be fair for everybody, everybody should have the same...

No, but the World Cup every four or five cities, that's what you're saying, you have it in the Middle East, you have it in...South Africa, you have it in Europe.No, my point is that to win the World Cup you have to adapt to everything that comes your way.

Yeah, but you can't because there's not enough days for them to adapt, so it's not right.I think they'll have been doing work on that.

I think with the FA, no way have they not prepared for that.

So what, you think they've got chambers or something?

We got put in heat chambers on bikes and everything.I remember after training we were in there.Liberally for like an hour and we're like, what are we doing?No way have the FA not prepared the players for that.

They would have done the preparation and of course, but it's still...No, it is going to be difficult.It's different when the game starts and there's different challenges and recovery runs or whatever.And that nervous energy with everything with the fans and everything else.again, you'd be looking at them and they'd be kind of coasting on, you're like catching your breath.We played Mexico in 94 and we were looking at the Mexicans and they were like, what's your problem?

I was in the warm -up.So yeah, of course it is, of course it's advantage.Well, the record at home suggests...Portugal came out a few months ago in a friendly game, I know it's a friendly in Drew with them, so it's...

What do we think the scores are?Let's put our neck on the line on scores and then we'll do the England ratings for the game of the players today.I'll go first.I think the game on Sunday morning.

It's like one o 'clock in the morning kick -off because I'm home then.

But we're eight here.I think it's 2 -2.I'm actually going 3 -2.I think it's 2 -2 and I think England win on penalties.

No, I think 3 -2 would be...

I'm going 2 -1 England.

3 -2 England.2 -1 England.2 -2 England win on penalties?

I think we'll win in extra time.So I'll go 1 -1 and then 2 -1 England extra time.

And you're good at betting, didn't you?Did you win?

Yeah, I had 3 -0 France.

I told you that.Did I say 3 -0?

No, you didn't.

I did?I said 3 -0 France.

OK. I don't know if I said it to you.The skin looks great.

Let's rate the...You're not.Let's rate the England players today.Your skin looks great, Joe.

Thanks, Whitey.

Let's rate the England players today.Jordan Pickford.I like your beard, Roy.Jordan Pickford.Gary, you look great.

Thank you.

Jordan Pickford.

You always look good.

Jordan Pickford today.Yeah, let's construct these marks on a 10.You're all a bit...Six.He'd be disappointed.Oh, being kind.

I think we can go 5 .5.Why?It's 0 .5.If you want to make it 5...I'm happy to go 5 .5 for Jordan today.

He'll be disappointed.He'll be disappointed with that goal.Well, he was.

Do you see it?If he would go all the way, you're in the fives, Ian, I'm sorry.And to be fair, he'll think he should have saved that.Ian, we showed it on telly.

Oh, here we go.

We showed it on telly.didn't we?I completely understand, I'm not a goalkeeping coach, but he's just made that little movement there.He's had to put his weight back that way, hasn't he?

You know when you hear people say things like, you've got to go across the keeper.In a keeper's head, when the ball's on that side, you're trying to get an advantage because if it does go across there, you want to be able to move.So yes, you see that little move, but then it has put him off balance.He's got a hand to it, doesn't he?Yeah, he's got a hand to it, but I'm thinking, could the hand be stronger?

I hate goalkeepers, ex -goalkeepers who don't want to criticise current goalkeepers.It's just like, as if I don't ever criticise a midfielder.Why do goalkeepers all like, oh he was unlucky, he was uncertain?He should have saved it!

He wasn't, he was trying, he's hedging his bets on going across him, he didn't.

You're right Roy, because the relative it is, you can see Jordan Pickford's face after it goes in, and he knows himself he should have saved it.Of course he does!

He would be the first to see it as well.By the way, he'd be the first to say it, he's honest.

So, what are we giving him?What are we giving him?I'll give him, we'll give him six, will we?Six.Are you giving him six righty?

I'll give him 5 .5 then.OK, 5 .5.

I went 6.OK, we give him 6 or 5 .5, right?6.OK, Jed Spence.I said 6 in the first place.Jed Spence, I'll go with a 6 on Jed Spence.

I think Spence will be doing all right.I think he's been targeted.

And he's new to international football.And I'm defrosted.I'm giving him a 6.6, right?I'll give him a bit more.6 .5.

But he was up against a very good player as well.I think a lot of full -backs.

He's going to be up against their best player for Mexico.

But, Neve, you just mentioned here about people at Inter Milan past yet?Good players can't go past yet.It does happen.

I don't think he beat anyone past him today, just on the goal.I think he's disappointed with it.I'm happy to go 6 .5.6 .5?OK.Konza?

I think he's been 7 this tournament.

I think they were OK.What's that, 7?Six and a half, seven?No, seven.Can we have boards?Gary, we need some boards.

I'm happy we're giving Nico O 'Reilly a seven.I'm happy we're giving Nico O 'Reilly a seven.I think he was quite solid.Solid is good for a defender, yeah.He's having a calm, He's getting better, you know.He chased them back a couple of times.

I'm sorry, but he's new to international football.

He's young, but he's learning.And this is tournament football.For him to be doing what he's doing in that Carabao Cup final for City and then doing this, I'm telling you now, he is absolutely fucking tearing it up doing that.So he's getting a 7, maybe a 7 .5.7 .5 maybe.

Do you hear you've got to give him the same as concert?7 .5.

Seven and a half.Seven and a half, we'll go a bit higher.Gay, seven with Conzer, similar?Yeah.Yeah?

OK, Declan Rice?I'll give Declan a...Seven and a half?Easily seven and a half.

And then he went to right back and created.

He did well at right back.

But right, it's interesting, because I was calling for him to go to right back.

Yeah, you did, yeah.

Yeah, but what minute did he go right back?It was about 72 minutes.Right, truthfully, honestly, if you're a midfielder and you're dominating a game, which they were at the time, and you have to go right back, If you have half a brain, you would be okay.

He's still got forward and creative.

Oh, that's what I'm saying, because you're dominating the game.Put it this way, you wouldn't be playing right back against Mexico, would you?No, no.But he's obviously smart enough to go, I can do a job right back.He needed to go there.And he made a couple of runs.

No, of course, but again, you shouldn't be looking at going, he's done amazing.A good player, midfielder, would be okay right back.And carrying injuries.He's going through, he's going through.I'm giving him an 8, I'm giving him an 8.All the Arsenal players use for copper carrying injuries, aren't they?

It's amazing.

Right, just to touch on that, they've actually let go 3 or 4 of their medical department in the last few days, Arsenal.

I think that's saying a lot, because I read someone sent it through to me the other day, I can't remember the name of the guys, but the doctor,Iqbal, whatever his name, someone, Alan, so...But, like, they've got rid of three people, which is telling.

Yeah.

Especially the length of time.You look at someone like Tim missing the World Cup.Ben White.Ben White.Saka.Saka.

Rice.You know, Rice.

All the diving they were doing.

You know, it's a worry, but it seems like they're addressing something.Declan Rice, too.

Yeah, I thought he was a seven.I thought Anderson was probably more involved, I would have said.

Do you?

I'd go answer the higher.

Don't try it.Seven and a half.

I think Anderson made some good passes.

Seven and a half answer.Yeah, but that's because you're from your neck of the woods.It is.Did he go to your school?

Yeah, but I thought you would like the way he played.

Yeah, but he added us.

He went to your school.

He didn't go to my school.

So, hang on.Declan Rice, seven, and Anderson, seven and a half.Where's he from?

He is from the North -East, but that's not why I like him.I do like him.What are you giving Rice?

Seven for Rice, seven and a half for Anderson.OK, we've got Madueke on the...

I like Madueke.

Right.And Marcus on the left.What are we going for them?Seven each?

No, Madueke more than that.A little bit more for Madueke, I think.

Maybe.

I think you've got more deliveries.

I'm going to go seven for Madueke.

Seven for Madueke, and then what for Rashford?Six and a half.OK, Jude, seven today, seven and a half?Seven and a half.

You know, he could have scored two as well.Seven and a half today, really.Yeah, seven and a half.

Seven and a half.And then Harry, nine?Ten.Nine?Giving nine today?Yeah, we have to give him...

That second goal, especially.

Well, without him, we don't go through.

What about Gordon?Gordon's got to get marked.He came on in two assists.

Yeah, yeah, seven and a half for Gordon.No, he's got to get more.He's got two assists.Eight?Is that an assist?

I'm giving him an eight.Anthony Gordon...How many assists would he have got then, just from passing the ball to somebody?

There'd be nine men.You know what I like about Antony Gordon's one?He was coming into the middle of play, then he cut it back.He saw something.And then Harry done the rest.And the same with the ball in.

It's amazing a player can pass the ball.I'm almost embarrassed to play for 80 million.That's what you need.You need somebody with a little bit more...A cute pass.We praised him today.

But what I'm saying is, even the cross for Harry gave Harry time to be able to get in.

Again, full backs.What's annoying me in this World Cup, even that goal and the one with Belgium, full backs not wanting to stop crosses.

What is that?

Why does most people want to stop crosses?Do you know something?But they go out and then they stop.You go, why's he going out of two or three yards?

The problem for fullbacks now is that I don't think they understand, particularly in a back four, I don't think they understand the art of, you're literally on an elastic band, right?You've got to get out there as quickly as you can, and then you've got to pull back in.Yeah, boom, boom.It's like, honestly, you've literally got to be out there and they don't get out quickly enough because they don't get back in quickly enough.And by the way, it's hard on your legs when you're doing that, when you're getting worked.So be clear.

Oh my goodness.

You're killing me, man.

Oh my goodness.

Oh my God.I'll tell you what I'll do.You know what Gary makes a point.Can I tell you?He says, you said that as well, it's hard on your legs.Oh my God.

But it's supposed to be hard on your legs.Play me, feel it's hard on your legs.My point is if you go to the white player and you've gone most of the way like we saw today in these clips I've always got another two yards.

Do you understand?Because that's the danger.Do you understand the idea of different energy systems and different sort of what would be physical demands by playing in different positions?Do you understand that?

No, I've got to explain that.So you think a midfielder does more than a goalkeeper?Wow.

Most of your work...

Is long work.

No, no.My point is, you might have to get up to somebody, but my point is..

.Are you telling me now...So you're telling me what a full back has to go through, but you're not telling me what a midfielder...No, you're telling me what a midfielder has to go through.How many times in the game...Are you telling me what a midfielder has to go through?

Let me do this, right?I didn't want this to turn into a big debate, I just think people should stop crosses.I get that, but my point is right.The great Brian Clough, he used to say to Viv Anderson, Stuart Pearce, stop the crosses.I think he had an idea.

I grew up on that mantra, stop the crosses.My point is right, as a defender, when you're having to get out there, you're having to get into a squat position there to defend and you're being dribbled at Roy, dribbled at.So you're having to constantly do this.

Not when the guy's putting his leg back that he's got to cross it.

I get you don't go and sell yourself.No, my point is that you're having to get down low, you're working your legs.As a midfield player you never have to go like that, you're never in this position where you're having to go and get in there and get in there.How do you know?

You're telling me what a fullback has to go through and you're telling me what a midfielder has to do.So what does a midfielder have to do then?Sometimes more than that.

Oh my goodness, no way.You have to hit people from different angles.I know, but you don't have to get down low and people don't dribble at you in midfield.Very rarely would someone dribble straight at you.Ever.I get dribbled at six times a half, seven times a half, eight times a half.

I get it.So I've got that little bit.So I'm working my legs all the time.I get it.

I get it.

But you still have to stop crosses.

I get that, but when you said that, you just said that.But the examples I'm talking about today, the examples I'm talking about today, I'm sure there's loads of instances where people are running, you've got to backtrack.I get all that.But there's a time when you've got a guy who's pulling Gordon to there one per second.You know Gordon's pulling his leg back to cross it.He's not going under control but he's running at you.

You said that as if I'm the only player that works like that.

I hit my legs differently than you hit your legs in a game.

Sometimes in midfield you have to get up and back but I understand the running at and the direct play.No, it's not that Gill.

It's the fact of having someone running at you.You have to be low in like a box in the crouch position.You're having to literally...And if someone's running at you four or five times in quick succession and then you're having to get back in and then you're having to get back out again.

Well then we have to run a box -to -box to make the box.

I don't know about that, Sal.I think he could have got out of Gordon's kitchen.Simply because he was one of those ones.

He should absolutely have.I get it.It's an art that's gone out of the game.I do agree.I think the way the game has changed, you're talking about...We were brought up on that.

I'm sure at United, you team managed to stop the crosses.

And people go, oh, let's go away from that.No, no, that's really important because everyone talks about now a full back.

Obviously, what are they like?We're talking about England.Why Rice went back?Because he'd give you a good quality in possession.But again, don't forget when you're under costs.

stop crosses the great managers would tell you that who's a good fullback would you say maybe premier league who does stop crosses who would you say is one of one of the best i think timber does it well because i actually like lewis hall but i don't like him just something who used to be very good at it so he used to be very good at it till he lost his legs in this last couple of years Robertson was very good at Liverpool at getting out to people quickly.

I tell you who was brilliant at it, by the way, the two arsehole fullbacks in the day, Winterburn and Dixon, they would get out to people quickly.Have you ever just drilled into them?

I'm serious.

Oh, absolutely.Don Howe.Don Howe was their sort of mentor in the back four.He would say, get out there quickly, get back in, get out there quickly, get back in.That's how we were trained.I don't think they get the exact same sort of training now, to be fair.

Probably not.

No, because again, the obsession is what you're like in possession.And we see fullbacks going from 40, 50, 60 million.The first thing you say about the modern fullback now is, People like Trent and all this, brilliant going forward.But I still think you've got to at least try and stop the crosses.I understand people going past you, one -twos, you've got to be able to get down low.But if you see the guy pulling his leg back and you go, well it's definitely going in.

And you're out there, just go the extra two yards because these are big moments.Same for Belgium today, we were criticising going, he's got to stop, at least do your best to stop the cross.Especially if you're already out there.

Do you think they do repetition of that as much now?Because I'm thinking back to when I played, which wasn't too long ago, but the winger against a full -back, they'd stay out and they'd do like 20 dribbles going up.Were you against Giggs?Do they do that now as much?

Obviously a lot of the wingers now would be right foot and the left foot are cutting in down.way.It's like they're too cool.Do I need to stop crosses?We've seen so many goals at this World Cup from crosses.It's nice if people are going through the middle, like the brilliant Barcelona or Man City going, we'll pick you off.

Even some of Brazil's goals, we saw Germany's goals, it's from crosses.

Do you know the only caveat to that is that if I was...So let's say Argentina play against France at some point in this World Cup.and you're playing against a team that's not particularly great in the air, but they're amazing one -on -one, you might just stay narrow, both midfield, and you might say, actually, let him have it, let him rush it.It sounds crazy, because if you're Romero, and you're Martinez, and you're the two defenders, full -backs for Argentina, you're probably thinking, if we stay together as a tight four, and just say now wait for them to come into us.So sometimes City wingers sometimes get left with the ball out there because they don't want to keep, they want to stop the spaces occurring in the middle of the pitch.So I think if you're playing against a France now, I'd be thinking, I probably wouldn't mind them crossing it a little bit as long as we stayed out of our box.

But you're right, in a general game where you're playing against Lukaku's of this world and Haaland's and Kane's, you've got to stop crosses.

And do you know what Ned, the thing is we've seen it the other day with some of England's goals where Sir Gordon's putting it into one against, was it Panam?It doesn't have to be a good cross.These people aren't picking somebody out.They're obviously just putting it to a dangerous area.You see people obviously running on to it.We've seen it with Kane.

Again, Kane can see the defender's number.These are obviously split -second defenders thinking, I've got this.But they can't see the striker.Kane's going, I've got this.Not you.I've got a run in you and I can see your number.

Happy days for the striker.

It's them lifted ones, isn't it?Oh, the soft ones, isn't it?Because the fingers are a little bit on your heels, of course.

That's proving to be quite popular as hip -hop, quite effective.The soft cross is actually...

Because they can go and attack us, that's why.They used to say whip it in, didn't they?Actually, now the soft crosses have just been a little bit...

So you just help it on.

And the one today where he hit the post, then he scored the rebound.Again, you know, because I think the...defenders are more used to...Because wingers don't go down and get to the line and whip it over no more.Defenders are more waiting for it to come.So they cut back and they're defending here.

Boom, head out.

Do you know what sometimes I see with wingers?I've seen it today, like...So they're running to the line and like someone's marking them and then they've got someone here.But instead of then taking them on the outside because there's a defender here, they then come back to where the two are.Surely you're going to go line?

No.Guaranteed all these teams will have stats from the pitch on about crossing positions.I think the days have gone a little bit where you've got a left foot on the left side going outside a full back and crossing.There's certain areas where it'd be the edge of the box where it's pulled back.We saw I think Brazil's header last week or the other day.There's definitely certain areas where you go, that's the cross.

This idea of going outside somebody, getting to the byline back in the old days.And even when they get into little pockets as a pull back.But I definitely think the edge of the box areas where What we're giving Tuchel is a mark out in terms of how he managed that game today.His substitutions kind of helped.And his little chat, I know that's his job to be fair.Probably giving him a 7 and a half.

100%.We criticise this break time, it's like a time out, but I think England needed that little, just a reminder, honestly.

7 and a half?

I'd give him more than that.You'd give him eight?Eight and a half.

He's been brave with substitutions, and to be fair, putting Rice at right back and ticking the gamble a little bit.

Although that was the assistant, he said.Yeah, but you know something, that's fine, but he still has to make the final decision.

I always say this though, it's not the assistant, because if he gets knocked out of the competition and Declan Rice gives a goal away, he's not then saying it's his assistant.So it is still him, but I agree with it.Is there something that, to be fair, we were saying in the room when we were watching it, we thought it should happen before it happened?

You know what, we've said from the start though, Gal, we're too cool, and he's made that decision todo that with a similar assistant.

But you know what, he's sticking by what he's doing.Which is what it might be for England.Obviously it's better to be lucky managers.So that second goal, these are huge moments for a manager.His England career?If they lose to their 2 -0 lead, are they going after him?

He went to 2 -1, didn't miss a strike or miss a chance for 4 or 5 yards.

The players were in, Roy to be fair, at 60 minutes a day and we were quite relaxed about it to be fair, so it wasn't us.The fans were booing and there was an element of booing and there was elements of you thought, do you know something?Just score your goal, lads, quickly, cos this needs to settle down, cos it could get a little bit...

Cos then what would happen is, if that carries on, then the player does something, you kick it to that plate, then he starts getting booed, it's just like...We were in that territory where we were starting to get into dangerous territory with the fans and the players.

But we're in the World Cup zone.

I'm in the Brooklyn space in my head.

I'm in Manhattan.

He's on the Brooklyn bridge.

I know.But literally Tottenham have just gone and spent £100 million on Tonali.Come on, you Spurs!

Is that official, Gary?

Is that official?Yes, Dan.And £85 million on Fernandes from West Ham.

Spurs are making noises.When he took that job, he obviously said we stay off it.

We said that, but you know what?They are making noises and they should be because...Absolutely.About time.They're buying the players that are going to make the difference.It's like we've done the same with Declan.

We had to do that.

Look, Manchester United right now, the Garfield looking like he's got a bad injury.

Are they missing out on all these lads United?They are missing out.Are they in for him though, do you reckon?

Well, look, Anderson, Tenhally and Fernandes.Tenhally and Fernandes look like they're going to top them.And then you've got Anderson that's gone to City, obviously, for £120 million.

They need to be in.

two, probably three if they're going to go on Champions League, as well as they are.I can't believe they haven't gone for Tonali.You would have thought, them three, you're thinking, OK, they'll get at least one or two of them.

All of them could fit in United's team.

What about Bruno from Newcastle?Because he's meant to be going to Arsenal, isn't he?He'd be good for United.

Yeah, but if he's going to Arsenal, he's probably going to fancy going there, isn't he?

Yeah, but Newcastle's losing two big players there, aren't they?

I know, but if you were United as well, obviously, again, you wouldn't panic because if United got sucked into a transfer thing, because we've said the last few years, United, there seems to be panic with United transfers.You have to trust them and go, OK, things have settled down.Their recent recruitment has been good.And maybe they know what they're doing.

They're running out of players.

I think they've looked at it and thought, those valuations are too high.But they've got to have other options back.Obviously.They've got other options pretty quickly.Because I mean, if you look at it, those three players are in the Premier League and they're going to be there.

Those three players now, with the monies that those three players have gone for...

You wouldn't spend 100 million on Tonali, would you?

You know what?Would you spend 100 million on Tonali?You know something?I think that what's going to...I can't say yay or nay, Gal, simply because...Why not?

It's going to happen.You just did.No, I can't.I can't say yay or nay with it because that's the price they set.He keeps saying it.How much has he gone for?

1 .16?

Nah.

He's gone for 1 .16.That's set the levels.

That is so much money.

Look, we know the £100 million for Declan Rice and we know the £100 million for Haaland and Mbappé and players like that.But we're now getting to £100 million.for nearly 100 million for Fernandes and Tonali.Yeah, but these players may be going to Spurs thinking they've got a better chance of winning something.

Do you think so?No, I'm joking.

You know what I was thinking, Roy?So you've got Tonali and you've got Fernandes.There's two midfield players thinking, right, that's going to bolster it up.Who are they passing to?

Look, let's give him a little bit, let's give him some flowers tonight though.

Yeah, I'm giving him some flowers but surely you want to make sure you can get the striker in, let's just say.Yeah, but they probably will be getting people in righty.Well, if they're spending £100 or £85..

.They'll sell one or two.They've got to be looking to be spending half a billion.They've got some money back in.They've got to be looking to spend half a billion easily.Vuskovic to... £50 million.

Oh, OK.Bring it back in.A little bit.

They've got to be getting a strike, surely.You know, this recruitment, heavily criticised the last few years, but the last 12 months...Their recruitment has been a bit better.So there has to be a bit of a gap.Don't panic.Don't be getting involved in all these silly auctions and spending crazy money on good midfielders.

But yeah, I suppose people have to trust.And they've got it done early.

They've got it done early.So that's in early.So now they can build it around maybe them two.So maybe they might have to move one or two on, of course.

Chelsea then put a bidding for Xhaka from Sunderland for £8 million.Yeah, no.Like that is a steal if he gets £8 million for Xhaka.

No, they won't sign for it, obviously.They'll be back in for it.

They will be, they'll come in proper.When they realise, let's not take the piss, let's get, he's a proper player, he's going to help us, they'll go back in with us.That was Suarez years ago, didn't it?He took 40 million and a pound for him.You know what I mean?It was ridiculous.

He went there for 75, didn't he, to Barcelona, and made Barcelona better.And we offered 40 million and a pound just to get over whatever the clause was.

Ridiculous.Are we surprised?So the other big news that we heard today was that obviously Vito Pereira has gone and that Oliver Glasner is going to Forrest.

What?Forrest have moved another manager on?No, that must be wrong.

Can I be totally honest with Glasner?AI news.And you know what I mean, I'm thinking that, you know, he's leaving because obviously at Palace he wants, he didn't want to sell Gay, he didn't want to sell Eze, he wants to keep the players because, and then he's gone to Forrest, the chaotic Forrest.I can only believe that he's left Palace to go to Forrest and I think there's probably more money.Am I sure of that though?

There's nothing wrong with it.

What I'm saying about it, Roy, is that the way he wants to leave Palace because they're not giving him the opportunity to do this and do that, is he going to get that at Forrest?

There's a couple of things.I think so.There's a couple of things, righty.We've just got a hundred and odd million for Anderson, I bet he's going to be able to get that.

Who's the manager that didn't play the right football and then he brought Ang in obviously at Forest?Who was the one?

Oh, De Bruyne.Are you talking about Palace?

No, at Forest to be fair.When Manjpra came in, the reason Ang came in was because he didn't like the football before from the previous manager.

The Wolves manager?Nuno.Nuno, yeah.

Nuno was doing obviously a good job at Forest, but his football was deemed to be quite, sort of, what would be more defensive minded.So he brought Angie, then he got rid of Angie quite quickly, then he went back to Sean Dyche, didn't he?And then he went to Vito Peperi.He's now gone back, he's gone to Glasner, I think again he's more of a functional, but he's a good manager, obviously.Very good manager.He must have got one hell of a severance, sort of like, clause in his contract, I would imagine, to go there.

Because Oliver Glasner's star right now is pretty high in it in Premier League.I mean, he's been touted to.It is a strange choice from that point of view.

That's all I'm saying, Roy.I'm not disrespecting Forrest.

Do you know what I mean?No, I think, to be fair, for Forrest, it's a great get, but he must have one hell of a clause in there that says if he sack me, he'll have to pay me a fortune.

He must have, because he's put his reputation there.That's what I'm thinking.That might be the pull for him, because are you going to trust the organisation in the way they've treated managers recently?You're leaving Steve Parish, which is a really safe deal.would have given you what you wanted.Pallis are what they are, they will bring players, they'll develop players and they sell players because that's their business.

If you're a manager coming in and you're going to be against that, then don't go to Pallis.I wish him all the best but he's going to a place where I can't see how that's going to work out for him.

Will he get a good welcome back there at Palace?I don't think he will.

I think Palace fans will be disappointed that he's left Palace.They won't see that as a big step up?No, they won't.Especially these 1 -2 cuts for Palace.Palace's best manager in the history of Palace and he's left to go to Forrest.They're thinking he's leaving to go.

That's how I feel for him.

That's a shock.I like this one.So we were sat in a restaurant the other night and we were watching the Paraguay -Germany penalties and the boy Balbuena came on.I hate how people do that.

I hate how they do that.They bring them on for two minutes.

We did it with Cara in 2006 by the way.I think I told you the story.

But even if Cara had started.

He scored, then he missed, right?No, so Cara basically was brought on because after training every single day, we had a penalty comp.

Cara won the penalty comp, so he got brought on in the World Cup against Portugal.That was how we did it.Was one of the staff going on goal, or was it up against a proper goalkeeper?

The amount of work you put into penalties now, like in training...

The only thing I'd say about a player coming on is he's not fresh.And he's thinking...Oh, have you not kicked the ball though, Roy?You've not kicked the ball?No.

If you've not kicked a football, and your first kick or second kick is that...

You know what, Roy, have you heard with some of these people?you hope he gets a touch of the ball in the game.

Have you heard that Kimmich is talking about players who refused to take penalties?Virgil van Dijk was suggesting that it didn't work so well.is taking the penalty and he's like the centre -half.We're not talking about a footballing centre -half as well.When you see him taking the...Even the way his technique was on.

It just looked wrong.You think to yourself, something's not right.Someone's refused that and they're saying it was Goretzka.He said he asked him twice.

Yeah.

If a captain's asking me once, he wouldn't even have to ask me, obviously, but if a captain has to ask you twice, you know the captain's struggling, isn't he?

He's struggling, he's asked you twice and you say no?My worries for these lads, I think when it gets to seven or eight or six, I think players definitely switch off.No, the players are sitting there going, I just hope someone win or lose in the five.It's when you hit the seven, you already got off.And you're going to be taking a penalty to either keep you in it or you're going to take yourself out.Yeah, there'll be pressure because it's sudden death then.

So I think some lads say, but you're not right, we're talking about players.But if a player doesn't fancy it, would you add in type to say no?

I don't know.I would never knock a player, but there's players who are much more experienced than players.It's the same way.Let's say with Arsenal, with Gabby, I'm thinking Gabby's taking the fifth penalty.I'm thinking, how's that happen?But Gabby's going to be the player.

Gabriele, you mean?Yeah, Gabriele Magalhaes.If people are not stepping up, he will step up.He will step up and you'll get players like that.And you'll get players who you need somebody to say, you're taking one.Right, and then they'll go, OK, but there's players, if you don't say that, they'll just say that.

What's happened with England as well?Who took him on?Was it Rashford and Sancho?

Sancho, Saka and Rashford.Did they come on late on?

Or to take penalties?No, I don't think it was just to take penalties, though, that.Was it not?I don't know, cos they came on in the game, yeah.

No, no, but if it was really late, was it not?

But do you not think at the end of the game, you go, who fancies one?

Cos if you're having a good meeting...It has to be a bit more than that.

Right, if I'm a manager, Jill, if I'm a manager, I'm doing that from the start, once we get into the knock -out period, there's ten names that I'm having.These ten, they're the ones that I'm having.

They're taking the penalties.No one's changing from that.For me the criteria for a penalty taker should be the people who are in front of goal the most, the people who are attacking set pieces, the people who are basically kicking the ball towards like your midfield players forwards, maybe full backs if they like Trent who's got us off a strike.If you're someone who basically takes free kicks or penalties for your club or shoots for goals or is expected to be in front of goal and have been in that situation more.Would you have took one for England?

If you were asked?

I never took a penalty in my whole life, ever.We just took one for England if we were going down to Peckinham.Josephine Royer would have said, why are you asking me to take a penalty?

Because if we went down to 8, 9 or 10.

Oh yeah, then you'd have to.

Yeah, but you never went down to 8, 9 or 10.No, but if they got you, would you have been going, uh -oh?Oh, absolutely.

I'd have been like, I've never been in front of a goal.

I mean, I scored seven goals.Well, you would have had a technique to put it, would you?You'd have a whip, wouldn't you?Side foot in the corner.No, side foot to the left.

Yeah, keep his left.

You just go in and, do you know what, Gal?On the walk down, you just think about where you're putting it.Don't put, if the goalie's fucking around with the ball, don't touch him, let the referee do that, then get the ball when you're ready, do it on your time.

You saying that to me is like, basically, Llochres yesterday is one -on -one against Mbappé in the box, right?And I'm saying to Llochres, right, no, seriously, sorry.I'm saying, no, you're Mbappé, you can't let him go back on his right foot, you've got to make him go there and let him shoot with his left foot.But you're saying, it's Llochres, he wouldn't have had a clue what to do.It's like me putting you in that position, it's like you putting me in that position in the penalty, it's just like... how tired you'd be after all the like, in and out.

That's how you got getting up and down now.In England, though, you used to have to fill in where you felt confident, like 1 or 10, so you'd put your number where you felt confident, and then every training session, they would then kind of watch your penalties and you'd go on like a pecking order.

Would you go up or down the pecking order?Would it depend?

Well, obviously...

Yeah, no, you could keep going.If you started off at nine, and then after a week, then you go down.

Well, you could work your way up.

Who would work out the numbers, then?You or the coaches?

Well, kind of the coach, but then you could say, like, I was never confident to go one to five.

Well, you're not, you're...

No, I wasn't really...I was the same as Gary.I was like, there's forwards, wingers, like, who would be better than me attacking midfielders.

I know, but if you're, like, a footballer, you must think, surely I have the technique to... to strike apart from...

I had a really bad experience when I signed for the Sunderland women, and if I scored, everybody got a pair of Adidas boots, and if I missed, everyone got a boot bag, and I missed.And I think that put us off for the rest of my life.

At least they got something to carry their boots in.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.The reason I'm going on to this is because there's a couple of penalty shootout ones here.So it's been suggested that at the end of 90 minutes, that basically you have the penalty shootout.Whoever wins the penalty shootout at the end of 90 minutes, hear me out, I don't mind it, I've just read this, I don't know who suggested it, but it's quite good.Who's it been suggested by, FIFA?

Someone on Twitter.

So at the end of 90 minutes you have the penalty shootout.Whoever wins the penalty shootout gets half a goal lead.So basically if it's 1 -1 you'd be 1 .5 to 1 so you'd be up in the game so it forces the other team in the game to have to attack and it means the extra time rather than being dull that the game finishes at the end of the 30 minutes of extra time, but people will be properly going for it because they know they're up 0 .5 down.Will they be going for it?Well, they have to because they will be losing rounds.

It just slows the game down for another half an hour while the penalty is going on and players then have to get up to speed.

No, but look, I'm just suggesting that it's something that means that the 30 minutes of extra time can be boring and sometimes you...Well, they tried that with the Golden Goal, didn't they?Yeah.

I don't mind that one.

I quite like the Golden Goal.

I didn't mind that either.I like the Golden Goal.I don't mind this.No, Gal, because...It just takes too long.You know what, Gal?

I don't know how...I'd rather watch the...It takes your time and players have to get going, particularly the fullbacks whose legs are...I'd rather do...I'd rather get the golden goal, because what happens in the golden goal is that you get a moment in it where we can go from bam, and then the game's over.You know what I mean?

Like now, at the moment, I don't mind...Well, I do mind if I'm watching, like I watched the other day, and in Canada scored around the def, I was fucking gutted.Because I want to see penalties.I want to start getting into one and a half and stuff.I want to see, that's how you see penalties.And I don't want to see them after 90 minutes.

I want the extra time.Or a golden goal.Bring golden goal back.

When was the last golden goal?

It was Trezeguet, wasn't it?Well, what are you saying, half a goal?Why not just give him a goal?

Why not just give him a goal and a lead?I think it's because if you score a goal then, you're in front of them.So it's not like a full goal winning a penalty shootout, it's like half a goal.So if you score a goal, you get in front of them.So it encourages you to go for it and get a goal.

So you've got half a goal, and if you don't go for it...

That's never going to happen, is it?

But if you score, you get a whole goal.Yeah.So you've got half more than them.The game's got evolving, hasn't it?Gary, what in halves?

We're already getting used to time out.Right, OK, two more questions.If Brazil win the World Cup, will Carlo Ancelotti go down as the greatest manager ever?

Is he in four European Cups, five European Cups?Five.

Five European Cups or World Cup?

He's won leagues in different countries.He won the league in Spain.

He's that good of a manager, don't forget how good he was as a player.Deschamps the same.He won the league in Italy, he won the league in Spain and England there.

Pretty good record, isn't it?

No, no, no, he would be, yeah.I don't know if this Brazilian team...And he's the coolest, he's the coolest manager, isn't he?Such a nice guy.

How cool is he?

Okay.

Do you think he'll stay there after the World Cup?

Yes, I'll give him that, the best.

Should Germany...He'll be at Forrest by Christmas.

Should Germany turn to Jurgen Klopp if they sack...Would Jorgen want it, you think?

That'd be a good sign.

I think he's been out long enough, you know, Roy.We're starting to see him.He's having a little dig at Arsenal the other day.I think he's ready to come back now.He's having a little dig about us and our set pieces.I think he's ready to come back in now.

I think he's had enough rest.

He could still do his Trafalgar.I'd love him to come back.

I think he probably is ready to come back.I think he is.Would he want more than international football?Would he miss that day -to -day stuff?

It might be good for him to come back and get used to not having that every day, because that's what finished him in the end.

I can see him doing that.

We're going to be in America for the 4th of July fireworks celebrations.I know you don't like fireworks.You've said that on this show a number of times.Yeah, we're going to watch it from the roof.

Are we excited about that?I am quite excited about it.

I'm thinking about changing my flight so I can come, because I leave on July 4th.

Being in America for the 4th of July fireworks, it's quite a thing, isn't it?And the World Cup as well.I'm looking forward to that.And I'm going to make sure I'm watching it with Roy.Right.

We're on ITV7.Let's get Kieran in.England have set up a mouth -watering clash with Mexico in the round of 16 and you can win £50 ,000 for free by answering 7 questions about the game with ITV7 Football.A massive £180 ,000 has been won during the tournament so far but could you add another £50 ,000 to that figure this time around?It's completely free to play, simply answer 7 questionsnow on the ITV7 app or website for your chance to win.

Good luck.18 plus T &Cs apply.

What's the score?3 -2.3 -2.And remember, it's for Gilles Charitham.Top 17.

Oh, wow.Top 17.Oh, it's a tricky one.In the Premier League next season.For next season.So who's coming up?

Who wrote that?That's not Beth, that's for sure.Well, we've not got...We've not got Beth.I'm on this, I'm on this.Hold's coming up.

Who's got promoted?Hold, Coventry.Right, got promoted.United are number one.Just wait a second, who came up?Who's the other one?

Coventry.Old Coventry.

What's come up?So what was that?Top 17 by capacity.Ipswich.Ipswich, yeah.Manchester United.

Yep.

Manchester United at 1.

Number 1.

Spurs and Arsenal.Spurs and Arsenal at 2 and 3.Maybe Liverpool are in there and City.Spurs.Spurs.Yeah, Spurs second.

Massive club.

Spurs are on the way.Hey, you know something?City's gone to something big now since that new thing.City are definitely in there.Liverpool are in there.

Arsenal are in there.Liverpool.Liverpool?Yeah, absolutely Liverpool.Get them in there.

Go on, you rogues.

She's great company.

Anfield.

61 Anfield.Now we get to all the small stadiums and small clubs.Small ones.Arsenal.Must be Arsenal.Do we have Arsenal in it?

Arsenal are sitting here in it, 100%.

58 we are.

Arsenal.Arsenal.We're fifth.We're fifth.We must be fifth for us.We used to train in front of the ball like that.

What about...We used to train in front of the ball like that.What about St James' Park?Who's got more than us?

City.Tottenham.No, no, no.City Half.City Half.They've just opened a new stand.

They've just opened a new stand.Newcastle.It's Newcastle.Manchester City are here.Put it in.It's there.

You're correct, Gary.You're very confident here, Gary.That's it.That's it.

That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.

That's it.That's it.

That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.

That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.That's it.

That's it.

That

I think Newcastle's 52.I think Newcastle's 52, John.No, no, that's 40 -something.

What about Newcastle?Newcastle's 52.I think that, erm, what they called, erm...I think I'm forgetting somebody.No, erm...Everton's new stadium, I think, might be 50.

Oh, yeah.Dickinson, yeah.I think it's Everton.Take your time.Everton.Let's take our time.

I'm going to say Everton.I want to say Everton.Everton is correct.It's number six.Well done, mate.And I think it's Newcastle.

I think it's Newcastle.This is easy.This is easy.Let's take our time.

Hold on.You've got Newcastle.

100%.You've got 52 ,000, I think.

Yeah, Newcastle.You're correct.

You're going to win it, you've won it.52.52, was it four?52.That's just a comma.You're so good at nothing.

That was too easy for us.

I don't know if Arsenal would be in there.

So that's now 4 -2 in the ITV7.Arsenal should be more than Tottenham.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.I'm going to throw another thing in.Which celebrity would you love to bump into in New York?OK.Oh, yeah.I'll set a couple.

Julie Roberts.Wow, wow, you've obviously got a crush on her.I think Julia Roberts is amazing.She's a United fan.Yeah, but do you love her as an actress?Amazing actress, yeah, she's amazing.

Is there five of her movies?I don't know five of her movies.

Pretty Woman, Pretty Woman, Pretty Woman, Pretty Woman.

Julia Roberts, she lives in New York, doesn't she?Allegedly.

Oh, so it has to be someone that lives in New York.Do you know who I got a message off on my challenge?Courtenay Cox, Monica from Friends.

I love Courtenay Cox.

And a video message.

Courtenay Cox is on the Bruce Springsteen video, dancing in the rain.

a video message off her.

Get Courtney Cox on here for 15, 20 minutes.

Well, I didn't ask for the message, but I can try.Can you please ask her to come on the show?

Don't just get into her DMs and she's going to be like, oh, God, you sent a message and now she wants you to come on the show.If you can get Courtney Cox on the show, please, for us.She was in the Bruce Springsteen video on He's My Idol.

Yes, I remember that, actually.Thank you.Yes, or anybody from Friends, like, yeah, Jennifer Aniston.

I'd like to...I'd like to bump into Bobby De Niro, maybe.I don't know.Bobby.I don't know.Maybe Bobby, huh?

Maybe bump into Bobby.Hey, Bobby, what you doing over there?I'd love to bump into someone like Bob De Niro or Robert De Niro.Love him.

Do you think he'd freeze?

No, no, no, because he's probably that kind of guy.He'd be kind of calm and cool about it.He's not going to make you feel like that.He'd freeze a fart.

I would freeze a fart, yeah.

What about the famous boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard?He's a lot like Sugar Ray, isn't he?

I saw the other day, which I thought was fantastic.Finally, they've unveiled a statue of Joe Frazier in Philadelphia.You know, one of the greatest boxers ever.Rocky.Rocky's in Philadelphia as well.And yeah, a fucking fictional boxer.

You know what I mean?They got a statue of him.A fictional bloke.Was he not real?Aw.Rocky was real.

Rambo was real as well, wasn't he?Rambo, yeah.They got a box, they got a fictional statue.And now they've finally put Joe Frazier.I love a bit of Rambo, yeah.That is magnificent.

I'm pleased with that.

Have yous got a statue anywhere?No.

Not yet.

What are you saying?You should have one in Cork, really.I can't believe you're not on court.I didn't know damage would be done to it.It should be one of those where you can rub it, you know, where you can touch it.

Right, have you got the freedom of court?I think so, yeah.OK, so you can take sheep down the street or cattle or something?

Yeah, sheep, I think.Freedom's great.If you could meet somebody, would it be a singer?Who would you bump into?Truthfully, I'm not that kind of guy.

What about Danny from the script?

Danny, yeah.You egg.I love Bob Dylan, but I wouldn't want to meet him.

I wouldn't want to meet him.That's what I was saying, you'd just bump into him.

We said we need someone to come on to this show who can play guitar and do a couple of songs during the actual interview.

Dermot Kennedy said he would come on.Oh my God, we were sat and he was playing.There was only about ten of us.I was blown away.

Was it really not AI, or was it definitely him?

Well, no, I think it was him.No, but you've been to his concerts.He's good.

Do you know when Johnny came on?We should have got Johnny to bring a guitar on and just do a little riff for us, you know what I mean?

Oh, we've got to get done with it.

He said about Brooklyn being a cool place, he was spot on.Yeah, but sometimes it's nice to chat to people away from, you know what I mean, getting them to...It's like, we'll be going somewhere and they'll keep the ball up for five minutes, you know what I mean?That could work.I'll just get a load from a dude just...

Nicky from Westlife wants to come on.They used to be a goalkeeper.That'd be a good one.

They're all Irish, aren't they, Dermot?

Yeah, because I use Roy as an in.

The script.That's you too, that's from you too.Oh Bono would be good to get on.I'd like to meet you too.Bono, I don't think he's into sport.No, we just have to ask him about football, about music.

There's got to be someone you'd love to just have a conversation with.He's the edge into football.

Yeah.Is he?I think so, yeah.Larry Muller.The drummer?Larry, yeah, he's into it.

I don't know about the others.I remember seeing him.He used to come to some of the Irish games.We had a night out with him years ago in New York with Larry, had a night out with him.Yeah, that was cool.

Do you have a favourite?much of it?

I remember him carrying me over to some bar, yeah.New York, some bar, yeah.All we did was...No, he looked after us for fairness.Yeah.He did, it was good.

It was just the way he went, I had a night out, so I'm in New York, and then he stopped.

Do you want me to go into details?No, anytime you hear about Roy, he's always falling out of somewhere.Or being carried out of somewhere.

I tripped, I tripped.Or into an hospital, because he told me before he had his leg amputated nearly.

Jesus, honestly, sometimes I hear your stories, I'm so disappointed in you, bro.Thanks.That one the worst.That the worst.The thigh one.God.

We nearly lost Roy Keane.

We nearly lost.Right, you should go and watch the USA second half.

Oh yeah, let's watch that.