Ian Watson and Matt Briggs join Ben Ransom to talk about the weekend in football. Alan Pardew's headbutt, Arsenal and Liverpool's contrasting form, the title race and England are all discussed.
Monday 3 March 2014 21:48, UK
Alan Pardew's headbutt, the Premier League title race and England are all discussed.
Sky Sports News Radio's Ben Ransom is joined in the studio by Matt Briggs and Ian Watson to discuss the Premier League weekend, the Capital One Cup final and England's friendly with Denmark. You can listen to the Podcast via Soundcloud below or access it via iTunes. MOMENT OF MADNESS! While seeing the funny side of Alan Pardew's behaviour on Saturday, our trio agree that the Newcastle manager is facing a heavy punishment. How should the Football Association sanction the Toon boss? Matt and Ian agree that stadium bans are a more effective deterrent than touchline suspensions and argue whether Pardew's indiscretion was comparable to Paul Ince's offence for which he was told to stay away from five Blackpool games. CAPITAL CITY! Sunderland put up a brave fight but few in the studio believed they could emulate Wigan's achievement in shutting out Manchester City's top talent. Ian believes the final highlighted a crucial difference in approach between Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini, while the panel had a tough time deciding whether City or Chelsea are favourites for the Premier League title. MISFIRING GUNNERS, REDS HOT! Matt believes Arsenal were beaten before they took to the field at Stoke on Saturday, where they lost the third game of a season-defining period for Arsene Wenger's men. Liverpool, however, continue to impress and their title credentials are debated, with Matt and Ian failing to agree on how far Brendan Rodgers can take his team this season. ENGLAND EXPECTS! Matt doesn't believe the friendly against Denmark will tell Roy Hodgson anything he doesn't already know, while Ian is disappointed that the manager isn't focusing enough yet on his first-choice XI. Who will that side feature at left-back? Luke Shaw has been called up for the first time and the boys debate whether or not he could go to Brazil at the expense of 106-cap veteran Ashley Cole. There are squad places up for grabs in every area so the boys who Hodgson should name in his 23-man squad. You can also download the Football Podcast on iTunes.
