Episode 81 - Three positive halves

I'm joined again by Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit of Football to review the final two games of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign. Was the post in with a chance of winning the Player of the Match against Finland, and were there any positives from the second half collapse against England?

With the Women's team preparing for their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 play off against Wales, we examine both squads and encourage fans to attend the second leg in Aviva Stadium, not least because of a prediction I stand by!

Finally, we give a brief mention to the Mens' U19 side after their first qualifying round for next year's Championship

Episode 80 - A northern mind

Myself and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit of Football are delighted to be joined by John Nicholson of football365 to discuss a wide range of topics, from Lee Carsley's time in charge of England, the waning power of the press, the poppy controversy, and more!

(Note this was recorded before England and Ireland's games against Greece and Finland, respectively)

Episode 79 - A unique set of circumstances

I'm joined by Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick to preview the final 2024/25 UEFA Nations League games for the Republic of Ireland National Men's Team against Finland and England. What do we think of the squad selected by Heimir Hallgrímsson, will the performances against Finland and Greece affect the expectations of Ireland fans, and how do we think the Boys in Green will fare over the two games?

Following the National Women's Team defeat of Georgia in the first round of the play off for UEFA Women's Euro 2025, what can Eileen Gleeson's team expect in the second round against Wales.

Finally, we review the U17 Mens Team's performance in the Qualifying Round for the 2025 UEFA Under 17 Championship and explain how a rare, possible unique, set of circumstances led to them qualifying with three yellow cards

Also, I make a prediction for the attendance in the final home game of 2024.

Round up for weekend of Friday, 1st November 2024

Friday, 1st November 2024

Belgian Challenger Pro League

Club Brugge II 1-3 Lommel

Daniel Negry-McGrath came off the bench in the 78th minute for his first appearance of the season

Saturday, 2nd November 2024

Championship

Oxford United 1-2 Swansea City

Cyrus Christie made his first appearance for new club Swansea City

Stoke City 2-1 Derby County

Tom Cannon scored his 15th goal in the Championship
Enda Stevens was booked for the first time this season
Andrew Moran was booked for the fifth time this season

Cardiff 2-1 Norwich City

Callum Robinson scored his fifth goal of the season, also his 15th goal for the Blues
Callum O'Dowda assisted a goal for the first time since August 2023
Shane Duffy was named in the Norwich City starting XI for the 50th time

Preston North End 1-3 Bristol City

Mark Sykes made his first assist of the season

Sheffield Wednesday 2-6 Watford

Festy Ebosele made his first assist of the season - this was the winger's first assist since May 2023

Scottish Premiership

St Johnstone 1-2 Hearts

Graham Carey was name in the St Johnstone starting XI for the first time in five weeks

FA Cup

Bradford City 3-1 Aldershot

Calum Kavanagh scored his first goal of the season

Walsall 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

David Okagbue started a game for Walsall for the fiftieth time

Stockport County 2-1 Forest Green Rovers

Tayo Adaramola's start was the defender's first appearance in a month

Port Vale 1-3 Barnsley

Corey O'Keeffe was booked for the first time in seven weeks
Luca Connell was booked for the fifth time this season

Sunday, 3rd November 2024

Championship

Millwall 1-0 Burnley

Josh Cullen's start was his 100th appearance in the Championship

Scottish Premiership

Hibernian 1-1 Dundee United

Emmanuel Adegboyega was booked for the fifth time this season

Dundee 3-2 Kilmarnock

Corrie Ndaba was booked for the first time since Saturday, 14th September

FA Cup

MK Dons 0-2 AFC Wimbledon

Scott Hogan was booked for the first time this season

Curzon Ashton 0-4 Mansfield Town

Stephen Quinn scored his first goal since Friday, 9 August

Belgian Challenger Pro League

Deinze 3-1 SK Beveren

Liam Kerrigan start a game for the first time in six weeks

MLS

Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami

Derrick Williams scored his first goal for Atlanta United, this was the defender's first goalsince Sunday, 25th June

Danish First Division

Fredericia 1-4 OB

William Martin came off the bench to score his first goal in five weeks

Episode 78 - Not quite a moral victory

I'm joined again by Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit of Football to discuss the Republic of Ireland's two Nations League games in October. What did we make of the changes to the side and how the players reacted to going behind, and what does it mean for the final two League B games in November?

Going into their final two qualifiers for the 2025 UEFA U21 Championship, the Under 21 side knew what was needed, but still fell short of qualification. What players from the squad can look forward to promotion to the senior side, and what does another campaign that finished in disappointment mean for coach Jim Crawford?

Also, Sideshow Bob's rakes and I do a live countdown math problem!