Monday 16 December 2013 17:18, UK
AVB's sacking, Liverpool & Arsenal's title ambitions and the Champions League draw all feature.
Sky Sports News Radio's Ben Ransom is joined in the studio by TEAMtalk's Matt Stead and Sky Sports' Pete O'Rourke for today's Football Podcast as they discuss a hugely entertaining weekend in the Premier League. AVB sacking - right or wrong? The studio start by dissecting the fallout from Andre Villas-Boas' sacking at Spurs after the 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool, and Matt believes that the change was necessary to keep Spurs' faltering Champions League hopes alive. Pete, on the other hand, says that the Portuguese boss should have been given until the end of the season, while claiming the reaction of the home faithful on Sunday provided the "death knell" for Villas-Boas. Host Ben wonders whether Technical Director Franco Baldini deserves more criticism, while all three experts discuss the task facing the next boss. Liverpool in title race? The panel then discuss AVB's weekend tormentors, second-placed Liverpool. Despite their great start, Reds fan Pete is coy on their title chances, believing that January could the key for Brendan Rodgers and co. Matt dismisses their hopes however, questioning their squad depth and ability against the 'top' sides. All three men agree that Man City are the team to beat, with Chelsea, despite their underwhelming start, not far behind come May. The Blues' Monday Night Football clash with Arsenal next week is also discussed, as is Mesut Ozil's Etihad Stadium strop. Champions League draw Ben, Matt and Pete move onto the Champions League round of 16 draw, and optimism for the English clubs' chances unfolds. Pete believes that Arsenal have every chance of knocking out European champions Bayern Munich, while Ben and Matt agree that Man City head into their heavyweight clash with Barcelona as slim favourites. A "perfect draw" for Man United and Chelsea's tough trip to Didier Drogba's Galatasaray is also touched upon. Steve Clarke sacking Ben laments football's "silly season" in the wake of Steve Clarke's sacking at West Brom on Saturday. However, Matt and Pete agree that, in truth, the Scot's departure was perfectly just, with the Baggies deep in the relegation mire. Goal of the weekend The best goals of the weekend in the Premier League are then discussed, with the team disagreeing with the general consensus on the TEAMtalk poll. Gary Hooper's stunning strike against Swansea is praised, while a Luis Suarez goal and Jon Flanagan's cracker get a mention. Relegation battle The Premier League relegation dogfight is next on the agenda, and West Ham's chances receive a less than glowing reference from two of the experts, while Norwich, Cardiff and West Brom will also struggle. If you want to get a mention on the next Football Podcast, send a tweet to @TEAMtalk with the hashtag #ilovethepodcast - and you may be one of the lucky ones selected. You can also download the Football Podcast on iTunes.
