Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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For more information about land referrals and energy power in the full festive fixture Hello and welcome to The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richardson, me, Gary Lineker. We're going to do something slightly different today, seeing as we're now exactly halfway through the season. It's time for us to do a mid-season review and reflect on how everyone has been going so far.
We'll also be looking back at the predictions we all made at the start of the season. Oh dear. To see who has got the bragging rights. Probably none of us. And who might be spending the summer doing some extra research. Probably all of us. Are you ready for this, chaps? Yeah, we're ready. Come on. Let's do it. Oh, God. How many we got right and how many we got wrong? Well, let's find out.
Starting, as we generally do in alphabetical order, with AFC Bournemouth. Right, they're currently 15th. Our predictions were, well, all three of us went mid-table. Alan, you were very specific. You said 11th or 12th. Well, they're not quite doing that at the moment.
I think one of the reasons we were kind of lower than normal with Bournemouth was because we thought they might struggle a little bit with losing most of their defence in the summer. But they did actually start really well and they've fallen away a bit.
Yeah, they surprised everyone, I think, with who they lost. Three of the back four, plus the goalkeeper. And then we were all, wow, they're doing amazing. But then they dropped off. Good result last time out. But, so, yeah, I don't think the prediction's that far away. 12th, I think, be something around there, don't you? Yeah.
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Chapter 2: What are the pre-season predictions for Arsenal and their chances of winning the Premier League?
So... When did we do this, though? When was this? Before the start of the season, Micah, that's how it works.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. But did we do it when the transfer window was shut?
We always generally do it a couple of weeks before that. Generally?
You're not definite, though, are you, guys? He said generally we do. They brought in Hicapier, they brought in Muscara, you know, two proper players. They brought in... Yocarez.
Yocarez had already signed, I think.
Yeah, Yocarez, because that's what Gaz said in his prediction. But yeah, I still think they're going to be challenging. Maybe Pittman City, but... Oh, here he goes.
Here he goes. I actually think Arsenal will win the title. I can't see them slipping up too frequently. I think they're a very, very strong team, exceptional defensively as well. And they'll always find a goal. Even though I don't think necessarily yet they've solved their number nine issue, but they are getting goals from elsewhere. So I think they'll still be okay for the title.
Yeah, he hasn't scored the goals that they've signed him for, but he has brought something different to the team, which maybe has freed others up and others are doing better. But I guess he will want to... I know he's got his goal against Chelsea in the Carabao semi-final, but he'll want his numbers to improve in the second half of the season.
So, title winners for you and me, Alan. What about you, Micah? Come on, get off that bloody fence, Mr Crear. LAUGHTER Where is it? First or second?
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Chapter 3: How did Bournemouth perform compared to expectations this season?
First or second? I'm going to go... Just seconds.
Just, just, just. The paymasters have spoken. You do, you do surprise me. Okay, on to Aston Villa, who had an extraordinarily bad start to the season, couldn't score in their first few games, but are now up to third place. Just, I said, just outside the Champions League, Europa League place. Alan pretty much said the same. In fact, we all did.
We all said that Europa League places, but they went on an 11 game winning run. I think they're looking pretty damn good for Champions League football now. Do we concur? Did I say Europa League, did I? I thought I said Champions League. No, no, Europa League places, you said, Micah.
They're a very good team. I guess they're also going to do some business because I think Marlon may be leaving, so someone else will come in. But really, really impressed. I don't think anything but be impressed with Aston Villa and their football that they're playing. Got some really talented players in there. Morgan Rogers, absolutely outstanding.
Ollie Watkins has found some goals and what have you as well. So, yeah, I don't think it can be anything but impressed.
I can't believe they're going to get rid of Marlon. I think he's excellent. I really do. He might not have the hold-up ability of Watkins. Although they've been linked with Tammy Abraham, haven't they? And that would be a good fit for them for backup for...
Watkins but I just love his runs I love his intelligent runs in behind didn't moan when he wasn't playing always give 100% so I'm surprised at that one but yeah in terms of where they finish yes Champions League Champions League spots all of us now I think so they've got a nice cushion there as well haven't they with the points difference so yes for me not too many teams behind them have been consistent exactly even if Liverpool are picking up a bit
On to Brentford. I think this is one of the big surprises, really, of this season. I don't think anyone could have seen them halfway through the season. In fifth place, I said relegation battle. I thought it'd stay up. You said the same, but enough just to stay up with a struggle. Micah, the same, relegation battle.
Keith Andrews is really good, but he has too much change to deal with, were your words, Micah. But he's coped. Brilliantly. They've got 33 points after 20 games. They are certainly not going to be in any sort of relegation battle if they carry on finish in a Champions League spot.
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Chapter 4: What are the predictions for Aston Villa's potential league finish?
Got some good players out there, haven't we? Garner's been doing really well of late. I like him in midfield. Grealish, he's Grealish. He's always good at entertaining.
They'll get on Jai back from African Cup of Nations as well. And he's, I really like him. I think he's a real talent. Yeah, he's a quality player. So I think we'll stick with our predictions on that one as well. Yeah.
So not too bad so far. You know what we need to do though? We need to give positions, don't we? You know, in terms of one to 20 next year. Because we just basically say mid-table. It makes us look good, doesn't it?
That'll make us look even more stupid when we do that. Doing it this way, Mike, we put about 18 teams in mid-table and we get away with it. We can claim that 60 is mid-table. What counts as mid-table? Maybe we should define that. Just outside the European spots to maybe 13th, I don't know.
Eighth to 12th.
Eighth to 12th.
Eighth to 12th, yeah.
I mean, it's got to be around the middle, hasn't it? On to another one at mid-table. Fulham, I said mid-table. Allen, 14th. They have enough to avoid a relegation battle there. Micah, just below where they finished last season, which was 11th, but did say, jokingly, Snapchat was banned. What does that mean? And the chemistry could be affected. I can't remember. I can't remember you saying that.
Yeah, Al said, what does that... I think he said, your words are, what on earth has that got to do with... Snapchat is banned. With football on the beach.
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Chapter 5: How have Brentford surprised pundits this season?
Leeds are going. No, they're not.
Well, you've summed up our predictions. I said relegated. Alan said relegation, just about. But out of the promoted clubs, Leafs had the best chance of staying up. Micah, enough quality to just avoid relegation. Ellen Rowe will play a massive part in them staying up. It will be bouncing every week. Well, we knew that. And currently they are 16th.
But don't forget the bottom three are somewhat adrift at the moment. And I would say if you get to 30 points, I think that would probably be comfortably enough. So I think they're going to be fine. They've done really well, actually. And you were right about it's a bit made the home ground Ellum Road into a bit of a fortress.
And what a clever signing Calvert-Lewin's been. He's got him playing really well, got him scoring goals. And I watched Leeds against Newcastle and I was really impressed with them, the way they attacked the game, how organised they were. I know they lost in the last, what, it was 102nd minute or whatever it was, but I was impressed with Leeds and how they went about it.
So, yeah, they'll have enough, definitely.
Ethan Ampadu, what a player he is. Yeah. The conductor in midfield. Remember him at Chelsea all those years ago? He was sort of centre-half, centre-mid. But now he's so mature. When he plays, they're a different team. I absolutely love watching him. And the manager's done a brilliant job.
Brilliant, brilliant job. I think we'd all agree they will avoid relegation. Liverpool. Now, this is where it turns a bit pear-shaped for us, I think, because I think we all thought they'd win the league. Well, we did. I said champions, Alan, champions. They'll be impossible to stop if they get Isak too. Micah said champions, bringing in Wits. People don't understand how good he is.
They'll be unstoppable if he gets up to speed straight away. Well, he didn't get up to speed straight away. He's starting to come up to speed, I would say. He's certainly picked up in the last few weeks, as have Liverpool to a degree. But they've been massively disappointing this season, way off where they were last season, although they've rallied a bit, I would say, in recent weeks.
Yeah, what are they, unbeaten in 11, I think they are. But I can't remember anyone saying before a ball was kicked, the vast, vast majority of us, all pundits said Liverpool's title because of their signings. But yeah, it's been really, really poor and it's been a tough season for what they achieved last year to what they've spent and what they're doing at the minute is miles off what we thought.
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Chapter 6: What are the chances of Burnley staying up in the Premier League?
What's the keeper called, Alan? Sorry? What's the keeper called? Roofs, is it Roofs? Roofs? Roofs. Roofs. Roofs. Roofs. He's been brilliant anyway, hasn't he?
He's been sensational.
Fabulous.
Absolutely superb. So where will they finish? Can they maintain mid-table or do you think they'll slip away a little bit?
Well, don't forget that over the last couple of weeks, they've been without a few players because of the AFCON. So once they get those back, just below mid-table, I think they'll finish.
I would agree with that. I think it's 12-13, something like that.
I'm going to go bang on mid-table, 10th is where we'll finish.
Yeah, where they are at the current time. Okay, Spurs. Well, it's been, what a season for them so far. Our predictions were, from me, big improvement coming, European places. Alan, 7th to 9th. Micah, top six. They've only won two home games this season. And I suppose there's a reason they were 17th last season. And also, I think the injury situation, particularly in forward positions.
I mean, any team that loses their most creative player and probably the most potent goal scorer are going to struggle to a degree. But it's still been... Very disappointing nevertheless, hasn't it? I thought, you know, with Thomas in charge, I think he's found it difficult so far.
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Chapter 7: What are the predictions for Chelsea's performance this season?
You don't. You can't see it, Al, no?
No, I don't think they've got enough quality, Micah. Nothing that I see in the team gives me hope that they'd get out.
When I watch them, I see a lack of... They seem to be a little bit like PC Plod. There's no real kind of energy to their game. It just seems a little bit pedestrian. Particularly, I think in defensive positions, I think they're a little bit slow, a little bit ponderous. I don't know, maybe that's a confidence thing, but I can't see them getting out either.
Difficult times for the Hammers and difficult too, of course, for Wolverhampton Wanderers. who are currently 20th. They have had finally a win this season, but they're only on seven points. I said relegation battle, but did say that possibly all the promoted teams might get relegated. Alan, you said relegation battle, but will finish above the promoted sides.
And Mike, you said tough season ahead for them. I pushed you to decide before Micah said the two promoted teams are staying up, Leeds and Burnley. So I got that one right then, did I? Well, it looks that way, yes. Unless they produce the biggest miracle in modern football history, being the best to win the league. Yeah, what's gone wrong there?
Where do you start? I mean, they have in the last three or four games, haven't they picked up a little bit? Got their first win. Just as they start to get a little bit of confidence, Newcastle go there this weekend. They're too far adrift, aren't they? What, they're on seven points? Too far adrift.
No, they're gone. They're done. They're toast. Sorry, producer John.
They need to start planning... for next season in the Championship. And I guess maybe one of the reasons why they've got Rob Edwards in there is partly that, I guess.
Yeah, I'd agree. I just think losing Cunha, there was a spell last season where he was scoring every single goal. I thought Sean Larson would have done a little bit better. I know he was frustrated that he didn't get his move to Newcastle. I don't want to say he's down tools, but he's not had the same effect. Maybe that's to do with service.
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