On this week’s show, Stuart Rayner and Leon Wobschall join host Mark Singleton to discuss whether the overdue away win for Sheffield United at relegation rivals Luton Town could be the kick-start to their Premier League survival battle that the Blades so desperately need.
Is there any stopping Leeds United? So far unbeaten in the Championship in 2024, the Whites moved up to second in the standings following their 4-0 win at Swansea City, following on from their 3-0 home win over bottom club Rotherham United at the weekend.
We also cast an eye over the Millers’ dwindling chances of beating the drop back into League One after they came off second-best in a Yorkshire derby Hull City at the New York Stadium.
PLUS our panel pick their Team of the Week and Player of the Week ...
Is there any stopping Leeds United? So far unbeaten in the Championship in 2024, the Whites moved up to second in the standings following their 4-0 win at Swansea City, following on from their 3-0 home win over bottom club Rotherham United at the weekend.
We also cast an eye over the Millers’ dwindling chances of beating the drop back into League One after they came off second-best in a Yorkshire derby Hull City at the New York Stadium.
PLUS our panel pick their Team of the Week and Player of the Week ...
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:10 Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Football Talk from the Yorkshire Post,
00:13 where we will be discussing some of the latest talking points from the world of football
00:16 with members of our football writing team.
00:18 On this week's episode, we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Stuart Rayner,
00:22 and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Walshall,
00:24 to discuss all of the latest developments affecting our local clubs.
00:27 Don't forget you can keep up to date with all the football news across Yorkshire and beyond
00:31 by logging onto our website at yp.sport@nationalworld.com,
00:35 as well as checking out our various Twitter feeds, the main one being @ypsport.
00:40 If you search for Yorkshire Post Sport, Yorkshire Post Football, or even Sheffield Sport on Facebook,
00:45 you can find us there as well.
00:46 And if you have any questions for our writers, you can get in touch using those various Twitter or Facebook pages,
00:51 or email us directly with a subject matter as Football Talk Podcast at yp.sport@nationalworld.com.
00:58 YorkshirePost.co.uk
01:00 As mentioned earlier in the intro, this week we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post,
01:05 Stuart Rayner, and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Walshall.
01:08 Good morning, guys.
01:09 Morning. Hello.
01:10 Morning.
01:11 Right, this week we saw Sheffield Wednesday claim a valuable 2-0 victory over Birmingham City.
01:17 Hull City fell to a 1-0 defeat when they welcomed Swansea City, and we'll be covering them later on in the podcast.
01:23 Bradford City claimed a 1-0 victory over Wrexham, which they followed up with a 4-0 victory over MK Dons.
01:30 Next, Doncaster Rovers claimed all three points in their 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers,
01:36 before drawing 2-2 with Salford City.
01:38 Harrogate Town overcame Colchester Town with a 1-0 victory,
01:42 before suffering a frankly astonishing 9-2 defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town.
01:47 Middlesbrough saw their push for the playoffs stutter with a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City,
01:53 and Huddersfield Town fell to a 5-3 defeat against Southampton.
01:58 But first, let's start this week in the Premier League with Sheffield United,
02:03 who secured a vital three points in their push for survival with a 3-1 victory over Luton Town.
02:09 This now sees the Blades just seven points off safety.
02:13 What did you make of their performance, and how do you feel they'll be able to go into their game against Brighton & Hove Albion, Stuart?
02:20 It was a good performance. You can look at it in the context of it being their first away win of the season,
02:28 or the point situation that you've just pointed out, and all that sort of thing.
02:33 But I think after the game against Aston Villa, when they were so poor and put up so little resistance,
02:43 they just needed a performance. Anything else really was a bonus.
02:48 They needed to show those supporters that they really cared, that this wasn't them reaching breaking point,
02:58 and it was going to be downhill from there. It was exactly the sort of performance you needed in that situation at Luton Town.
03:09 We talked before the game about how hard Luton work teams. You only need to look at the really big teams,
03:16 like Liverpool and Arsenal, who struggled at Kenilworth Road this season.
03:21 We mentioned on last week's podcast that they're a real physical challenge, Luton, and that's not a negative in any way.
03:30 That's really good on their part, that they play to their strengths and they really test you.
03:36 Again, we said last week, it was the kind of game where you'd learn a lot about those players,
03:43 because it was the sort of day where if you didn't fancy it, you'd get eaten up.
03:49 He went with a more experienced team than he had recently. He left out Asula, he left out Brooks,
04:00 and he left out Trustee and brought back Archer, Hamer and Osborne, three bigger players in terms of experience.
04:10 In Archer's case, transfer fee and expectation on them. They really stood up to the challenge.
04:16 Vinicius Souza was excellent, scored a goal, made a goal, actually conceded a penalty, but that was ridiculous.
04:23 Really, really good performance from him and just the sort of performance you want from a team at the bottom end of the table
04:32 who can't often outplay teams. Luton had three quarters of the ball and three quarters of the shots,
04:40 but it was a real characterful performance. They were clinical when they got their chances.
04:46 For all that, Luton had a lot of shots. They limited them to long-range efforts and that sort of thing.
04:54 There was only really one difficult save for Wes Vodringham to make.
04:58 It was just a really good response to the Villa game. I think they need to focus on that aspect of the game,
05:08 on just showing what they're made of and then what will be will be with regards to the rest of it.
05:14 Hopefully some things will fall into place, but they just had to show the fans who travelled down to Luton
05:23 what they were about and those fans that were there, quite rightly, really appreciated the performance.
05:29 Yeah, I mean it was a good response. Obviously it didn't cover the game outside the looking in, so to speak,
05:38 but it's a 5-0 in the previous game at home. Pretty embarrassing.
05:43 Nice for Chris Wilder too, I remember at the end of last season when he had the brief spell in charge of Watford,
05:50 obviously their big derby is just up the M1 at Luton.
05:54 It was very critical of not just the way Watford played, but the mentality and the character on that day.
06:03 I think it was either 2-0 or 3-0, wasn't it?
06:06 Obviously to see a side show a lot more resolve and spirit, as Stuart said,
06:15 the classic sort of traits with Grone and Loved, I suppose, and Sheppey United.
06:21 During Wilder's first spell in charge, it seemed to be a pragmatic and sensible team selection,
06:27 bringing a few of the more experienced players.
06:31 Luton is the sort of venue where the crowd are on top of you and it can not just ask questions from a footballing sense,
06:40 but as an extra air of intimidation.
06:45 You look at some of the results they've had this season, obviously beating Brighton 4-0,
06:49 that's testament to that. Stuart's right to say it's a good morale boost in the here and now
06:57 that took quite a lot of knocks this season, Sheppey United.
06:59 I think before anybody starts talking about how great Escaped's been out of trouble,
07:05 this, that and the other, I think really sensibly you've just got to look at it as a one game at a time man's dream,
07:11 even though it is pretty boring, isn't it? I think until you look at Sheppey United,
07:19 until they win 2-3 on the trot, you can't really talk about anything, can you really?
07:24 So, just treat it as a one game at a time mantra as it stands.
07:29 But it's a good lift for them, isn't it? Obviously going into the Brighton game at home,
07:37 if they need any sort of little incentives, there was the cup game recently.
07:41 Having said that, unfortunately the VAR overload spoiled that one a little bit for me.
07:47 So United lost 5-2, there's been quite a quick turnaround in playing them again
07:53 and they'll be hoping to come on, hopefully on the right side and then they've got a trip to Wolves.
08:00 But we'll have to wait and see in that regard, but a nice positive moment for the supporters
08:08 first away win, a league away win of the season and there's certainly a map for some of the baronships on the travels this season.
08:18 I think in the way they approach things, as Leon says, they really can't get too far ahead of themselves.
08:25 I likened it in Monday's Yorkshire Post to two batsmen in a cricket match when they're facing a really big score
08:33 and they tend to work on the basis of 'let's just have another 10 runs', little targets.
08:41 I think as well as that next game one, which is very much what Chris Wilder talks about,
08:47 the one that sort of leapt out on me is that they moved level on points with Burnley
08:52 and I think getting off the bottom of the table is an achievable target and a doable one in the short term.
09:03 I think that's what they should be more focused on than that seven-point gap because seven points,
09:10 it doesn't sound like much and maybe if you're second place in the table, it isn't much.
09:16 When you're having the season that Sheffield United and Burnley and the teams down there have had, it is a big gap.
09:23 Burnley have got Arsenal at the weekend. It's fair to predict that they probably will lose that game.
09:32 If they do, then anything Sheffield United get at home to Brighton will lift them off the top of the table.
09:38 Again, that would be just another morale boost and sometimes if you just get things right in the short term,
09:47 the longer term can look after itself to a degree. I think that doesn't just apply to Sheffield United.
09:54 That's probably the same for Rotherham at the moment.
09:59 I think that's quite an incentive for them because it would be a big lift if they could get off the bottom of the table
10:09 and if they could still be off the bottom of the table by May. I think that's something they should be aiming towards.
10:16 I think the interesting one is Luton. They've rightly had a few pats on the back lately and they've had some great results.
10:24 But obviously the dynamic shifting going into that Sheffield United game, a game that a lot of people have been expecting to win,
10:30 they obviously got turned over. So, sort of flipped around a little bit for Luton.
10:36 It's still seven points to clear for Sheffield United and Burnley but I still think they're still well in it, shall I say.
10:46 That's why these games are so important, aren't they Liam? We've been talking about them all season.
10:51 It's not just what you can do for yourself, it's what you can do to the opposition as well.
10:56 Another point as well, in terms of looking at safety, this year of all years, it's so difficult to do
11:07 because nobody's quite sure how many points Everton and Nottingham Forest are really on with the FFP rulings to come.
11:15 So, I say they can't get too caught up in that but there's some positivity there and every bit of positivity that comes along at Sheffield United this season,
11:25 they have to really grab it and run with it.
11:28 And next we turn our attention to Leeds United in the Championship, who claimed a fifth successive league win
11:34 to ensure that they keep right on the tails of the top two with a dominant 3-0 victory over Rotherham United.
11:41 We saw Crescencio Somerville claim two of the goals as well as Patrick Bamford claiming the other.
11:46 This was then followed by an impressive 4-0 victory away at Swansea City which took them back into second place.
11:52 Now, how impressed were you with the two performances, Leon?
11:56 Yeah, they've done what they've got to do without being too disrespectful of Rotherham and they did concede an early goal
12:08 that shouldn't have been awarded when Patrick Bamford clearly touched the ball in with his arm.
12:16 It wasn't the biggest barometer for Leeds and they did.
12:20 Leeds did what they had to do, they put the game to bed by about an hour.
12:25 They've far too much armoury going forward for Rotherham.
12:30 The good thing, I think, from Parker's perspective is that he could make a few changes relatively early.
12:36 Conor Roberts came off of his debut and you probably wouldn't have been expecting it on Tuesday night, a long trip to Swansea,
12:45 to be able to do the same again but that's how he's worked out and you take anything you can.
12:52 You look at Leeds as itinerary, he had a little bit of a dig last week.
12:58 Farker, obviously they've got the cup game at the end of the month against Chelsea on Monday night.
13:04 It's a short turnaround to the derby at Huddersfield at the start of March.
13:11 In fairness, that was always going to be an early kick-off anyway on police advice but it's still a short turnaround.
13:18 Then they play the Tuesday night and then they play the Friday.
13:21 It's a testy night to know it.
13:25 As it is at the minute, they've been to Bristol City, they've been to Plymouth for the cup replay and it's been a long trip to Swansea.
13:36 But no matter at the minute, I think I mentioned it last week, at the equating Leeds, it's a little bit like a distance run at timing the run.
13:45 Now they've moved out in front of Southampton and Southampton have a shot defeated.
13:53 Bristol City, the first defeat since 23rd September.
13:59 It just makes it all the more interesting, doesn't it?
14:02 Leeds have got hold of that second place.
14:06 I think Southampton have got a bit of a dry lead.
14:07 Leeds obviously have got the Plymouth again on Saturday.
14:11 I think it's right to pat Leeds on the back in terms of what they're doing in an offensive sense.
14:21 In terms of counter-attacking, there's not many teams that touch them at this level.
14:25 Gonto's got his Mojo up, he's come into the side.
14:30 Dan James had a bit of an issue but he was on the bench at his other club, Swansea.
14:38 Bamford's got back in the goals.
14:40 Somerville's been outstanding all season.
14:42 We all know about Rutter, he's probably the best link player.
14:46 Number 10 in the division arguably.
14:51 The thing that leaps out for me, probably with my old-fashioned hat on, is the defence.
14:58 Ultimately, I look at Leeds, they've conceded 26 goals.
15:06 It could be a tight race for the second spot.
15:11 I look at Southampton, they've conceded 38 goals.
15:14 I look at Ipswich, they've conceded 40.
15:17 That's between three well-pitted and close sides.
15:22 That's 10-12 goals, isn't it?
15:27 That's what I really like about Leeds at the minute.
15:32 They've won seven league games this calendar year.
15:36 Perfect run in that respect.
15:39 Six clean sheets, that's the thing that's leaping out from the page for me at the minute.
15:44 The thing I would add to that as well, as you say, they've won seven out of seven.
15:50 But, Leon's already alluded to the fact that they've had Dan James out injured.
15:55 They've had Joe Perrault has gone off the boil a bit in terms of his goalscoring form.
16:02 It's good to see him find the net against Swansea.
16:05 Hopefully, that's the start of him getting up and running again.
16:08 But, in terms of that defensive side, they've been without Pascal Stroik for most of the year.
16:13 That should be a really big blow to a defensive unit.
16:18 He's one of the most talented defenders in the division.
16:22 That should hurt Leeds really hard.
16:24 The fact that it hasn't is a real tribute to the players who have stepped in.
16:31 Obviously, they've had Liam Cooper on the sidelines for a long time.
16:38 He's been able to step up. Ampadu's changed his role to make light of that.
16:44 Again, as Leon mentioned earlier, Willy Nonto has done the same.
16:48 Patrick Bamford at the other end of the field.
16:50 It's been a real squad effort and it has to be.
16:54 The pace that the top four in this championship season have set is just absolutely relentless.
17:02 For Sadamson to go 24 games unbeaten and not be top of the league,
17:07 tells you everything about what that part of the championship is like this season.
17:12 Therefore, all of those teams in there just need to keep grinding out results.
17:20 Sadamson slipped up the other day. It will be Leeds down the line.
17:24 It will be Ipswich at some point.
17:28 When it happens, they've just got to get back on the horse and just keep going.
17:32 It's the relentlessness of Leeds at the moment and the refusal to be sidetracked by injuries,
17:41 to complain, as Leon said, about the fixture pile-up.
17:47 Daniel Farke had his little whinge in the press, which was totally justified.
17:53 But they haven't used that as an excuse. They haven't let it affect them.
17:57 If anything, they've probably used it in that old-fashioned Leeds United way of
18:02 'Let's show everyone that the world's against us.
18:06 Let's stick it to them by going to Swansea and putting four goals past them.'
18:13 It's really good to see that rhythm that Leeds United are in.
18:18 But I say that the standard is so high that you can't take anything for granted.
18:23 It's going to bring automatic promotion or not.
18:27 I think we both said on this podcast that the confidence we have in Daniel Farke
18:33 and I would add the depth of that squad, I do believe that if Leeds can just keep focused
18:40 and keep churning out the results, things will work out for them,
18:44 regardless of how well Southampton in particular are doing right now.
18:49 I think one of the big things as well is you've got to mention Gruub as well.
18:53 He's been able to have bits and pieces, little cameos from the bench.
18:58 He's coming to the team in this sort of... He's coming together with the strong run that Leeds have.
19:05 Obviously they have the issue with Struyck. Ampadu has gone back to the back.
19:12 Nobody's noticed really, has they? Ampadu is a player who is deeply proficient in the centre of defence or in midfield.
19:20 Gruub has slotted him absolutely fantastically well.
19:24 Stuart's right to say that. People are putting their hand up all over the pitch.
19:29 I think there's one player who you'd hope not to be injured. I'd definitely say Roldon.
19:37 For me, he's been the best defender I've seen in the Championship this season.
19:41 I just hope from a Leeds perspective that they can keep him fit for the rest of the season
19:48 because he's somebody who looks a classical in the Championship, for me.
19:54 It's going to be interesting how they do, Stuart's right to say.
19:59 It's not all going to be plain sailing in that race for the second.
20:03 Ipswich could come again as well. They've got some relatively straight forward-looking games on paper.
20:11 Even though they didn't win on Saturday against West Brom, they didn't lose either.
20:15 They showed some spirit to dig out a point there.
20:20 They may come again. Obviously, Southampton have got to go to Leeds, they've got to go to Leicester,
20:26 they've got to go to Ipswich as well.
20:31 Leeds will probably have the odd bump in the road as well.
20:34 It's just about having that resolve and that mentality.
20:38 Leeds have been pretty strong at that, haven't they?
20:41 It's going to be a fascinating putt to the end of the season, for sure.
20:46 Even just the nature of it with all the television games, it'll be like one of those wacky races sequences
20:52 where one side goes ahead and the other side takes over and the other side goes ahead.
20:56 Purely because someone's playing on Friday and someone's playing on Sunday.
20:59 Exactly, yeah.
21:03 For example, Southampton have got a game in hand on Leeds at the moment, which could get them back in the top two.
21:10 It really will two or four and I think this is a strength of them this season as a team and as a club.
21:19 They can't get too up or down about the fact that they're in second place or they're not in second place.
21:25 That steadiness has been a real strength of theirs this season, I think.
21:30 Leeds have stayed steadfast as well, hasn't he?
21:33 There was the early part of the season where he was still finding out about his players and getting his side to gel and understanding.
21:42 Stanislavski developed, they were one of two sticky results early season and then the period around Christmas as well.
21:54 It looks to be a strong dressing room again in the best traditions of successful Leeds United sides.
22:03 It's going to have to stay strong if they're going to be the ones smiling at the end in second place.
22:08 Quickly before we move on to the next topic, we were talking about injuries in Leeds United and I just want to say that I hope that when it comes to Bamford, it's not as serious as loads of people will think with regards to him dropping out at the last minute at the Swansea game.
22:29 I'm just thinking he's been on such a good run of form recently after having terrible spells out on the sidelines.
22:39 I'm just hoping for Patrick Bamford's sake that this is just a quick rest for a week, come back, we'll see how it goes and then he just carries on.
22:50 I don't panic, whatever happens to be quite honest.
22:55 Exactly, as we said earlier, we've seen it happen to other key players and they've just rolled on regardless.
23:04 From a Leeds United perspective, I wouldn't be too panicky, that's their nature obviously as you say.
23:19 The way that people have just carried on regardless and these things have happened has been very impressive.
23:30 That's part of it isn't it, unless you're very lucky as a promotion chasing side, you're going to have issues.
23:36 That's the crux of management in many respects isn't it?
23:39 Absolutely.
23:40 In the Championship, there's all sorts of things that come to hand with you, three game weeks, little spells of injury, injury pile-ups, that's all part of it.
23:52 Farker consistently has shown that he's not going to be phased by pretty much anything.
23:59 It's not even just injuries is it?
24:01 Suspensions, when Leeds were down to their third choice goalkeeper, like Peru had for a spell and others will have.
24:11 People have personal circumstances like Jadon Anthony has.
24:17 The Championship tests you in so many different ways which is why it's important that you don't get flustered as Daniel Farker doesn't.
24:27 There's other people like Geldart who might come on and there might be the odd game where an important cameo from him and Matteo Joseph as well.
24:37 They might get a really good 20 minutes or so, an important contribution from him and it's all got to be factored in the mix.
24:46 Let's turn our attention to the clash between Rotherham United and Hull City which saw the Millers fall to a 2-1 defeat and have now played seven games without a win.
24:57 Hull City on the other hand came from behind thanks to two goals late in the second half and this now sees them level a point with Norwich City who are just inside the play-off spots.
25:08 What were your thoughts on the performances of both sides Stuart?
25:12 I'll focus on Rotherham first if I can because obviously Leon saw them on Saturday as well so between us it's probably a good time to speak about them.
25:23 Kind of similar emotions to some of the things I was talking about with Sheffield United.
25:30 Rotherham are now 12 points from safety and hand on heart I can't see them staying up but what is really important is that again like I said about Sheffield United that they show real fight.
25:47 Liam Richardson talked about the importance of standards and keeping standards up and I think that is so, so important because already minds at both of those clubs are starting to turn to how we're going to get back up next season.
26:03 I've said before about many of our clubs I do think if you have a really weak end to one season it can really carry over and obviously Rotherham fans would have been disappointed by the scale of the victory at Leeds.
26:21 Those that were there obviously quite a lot of them boycotted it because of an issue about ticket prices but they did show real Rotherham spirit in that game against Hull.
26:34 It was the kind of, for a long period it was the kind of performance that I associate with Rotherham United at home to a big club.
26:43 They scored early on to a deflected goal from Christy I think that was four minutes in and then really defended for their lives.
26:54 I mean Jane Filagin I'll talk a bit more about later on but he was on absolutely outstanding form and having taken 20 minutes to really get a foothold in the game,
27:05 Hull absolutely threw the kitchen sink at Rotherham and as is often the case Victor Johansen had to be absolutely outstanding and was.
27:16 But for a good hour or so you were watching that game thinking obviously Hull looked the more likely to score,
27:23 they had most of the ball and most of the game was played at Rotherham's end but it didn't feel like a goal was inevitable.
27:30 You felt if there was one then a second goal for Hull would be inevitable but you'd seen this story before with Rotherham against teams like Leeds and Ipswich
27:40 and teams like that where they've really frustrated them with real defensive grit and determination and it was good to see those qualities.
27:50 Ultimately in the final reckoning they weren't good enough to take even a point against Hull City but frankly there's no shame in that.
28:02 When you look at the money Hull City have spent under Ajan El-Ejali, they've spent it extremely well and you look at what Rotherham have to work with,
28:13 those two teams shouldn't be on an equal footing but it says a lot for Rotherham that for a large part of the game they were winning for 65 minutes.
28:25 I think that was really encouraging and again obviously Leon can talk a bit more about how they played at Ellenroe but I suspect the fans needed that sort of performance.
28:36 I don't know what Leon thinks about the performance but certainly the result they had on Saturday.
28:43 Funnily enough I didn't watch it all on Tuesday night but I watched a fair bit of the first half and chunks of the second half.
28:53 I actually thought Rotherham played reasonably well in the second half.
28:56 Yeah they had to field a fair bit of pressure from Hull. I think they looked better with two up front, they were getting the ball direct and forward a little bit quicker
29:10 and they were getting Hull turned. They were causing one or two problems at least on Saturday.
29:15 It sounds a little bit daft considering the scoreline and how many leads could have gone on to score really. It would have been really clinical.
29:26 The first five, eight, nine minutes they actually played okay. Rotherham were trying to target the left-hand side on the junior firpo.
29:36 Obviously the game changed with the Banford goal and they weren't really in it after that. I thought they looked better on Tuesday night with having two forwards.
29:46 I think they dropped Cafu from the weekend's game at Leeds and had Charlie White and Nombé and they were sort of hunting together almost.
29:58 I thought they showed signs of identity in the first half. I just think about Rotherham, I don't know what you think to do with it,
30:07 but I just think they get worn down by teams with, we had Leeds on Saturday, Hull, teams with co-breakers, quality players.
30:18 I think Rotherham, to get a result against most championship teams, they just have to do so much, they have to be totally concentrated on message and they can't afford any mistakes.
30:31 From what I saw of the game against Hull, obviously Johan's been one of the best goalkeepers in the division.
30:42 He made the sort of saves we associate with him, but he just got worn down. Obviously Hull get the wonder goal and you fear for Rotherham.
30:52 I think there was some looking over the course of the piece, if you like, of Rotherham's situation, where they are.
31:01 It's going to take something truly outstanding to save the skins. You look at the games coming up and I think if they don't win a few of those,
31:11 that pretty much will be it. I think they've got QPR and Sheffield Wednesday at the start of March.
31:19 They're certainly going to need to win those games for a start. I think they've got something like four out of five away or five out of six, something like that.
31:28 We all know about the away record. It's just about, as Stuart's wanted to say, along with Sheffield,
31:35 it's just getting some sort of positivity, something to hang your hat on between now and the end of the season.
31:43 There were elements of the game against Hull where I thought they actually showed that, but ultimately got worn down by Hull's quality.
31:53 There's obviously a huge chasm in terms of wage, budget and the calibre of player at the top end of the pitch.
32:02 You look at some of the players that Hull can bring on, people like Ozan Tufan, what a great sub.
32:08 He's in you when you're pushing to get in that top six. He's got a goal in him.
32:16 You just hope for Roderick and say that hopefully they can stay in the game. I don't know how, but somehow.
32:24 It's just bringing a little bit more joy to supporters, to support some performances, to get them infused
32:35 rather than just staying in games and losing the goal. That's pretty much being it. That's what you'd hope.
32:44 I think the key in that respect is that when they get the ball, they've got to be better at using it.
32:52 That's always the issue in those games, isn't it? If you keep giving the ball back to the opposition,
32:58 it will keep coming back at you and it's inevitable really.
33:02 Liam Richardson again told us...
33:04 With the ramp, was it Rathbone? Wasn't it as good as the finish?
33:09 It gave the ball away, hasn't it?
33:12 Yes, and then got tied in knots after it.
33:17 Liam Richardson talked a bit afterwards about players needing to really work on their fitness
33:25 so that they could all go for 90 minutes, but it was hard not to feel a bit of sympathy with regards to the fitness side.
33:32 If you're not good enough at keeping the ball, then you're just not good enough at keeping the ball.
33:41 You've obviously got to work at it, but the skill element you can forgive.
33:48 What Rotherham fans need to see and did see that night is players absolutely maxing out effort-wise.
33:56 I think that's the thing. After every game this season, well, after every game they play in the rest of their careers,
34:03 let's be honest, Rotherham players need to be able to look in the mirror and say, "I gave my all."
34:09 I think that, more than anything, is what Rotherham fans should judge them on between now and the end of the season.
34:18 That's always been something you can bank on with Rotherham, particularly at the New York Stadium.
34:25 Whatever their other failings, that commitment is there. If that ever goes, then the essence of what that football club is about goes.
34:36 It is really important to keep the standards up, even though I think we all know how this story is going to end this season.
34:45 There still can't just be an acceptance of it and a rolling over.
34:50 I say there were no signs of that on Tuesday. I'm not saying that because there were.
34:58 They've got to keep those standards up and ultimately, if they get beaten because the opposition scores a wonder goal
35:06 or the opposition can bring a massively capped Turkish international off the bench,
35:11 or even if the referee makes a bad decision or they have a bit of bad luck, then so be it.
35:17 They have to say, "Look, I did my part as a player and me and my teammates were fully committed to the cause."
35:25 I think, to be fair to you, it has been that real lack of effort and application.
35:33 We've both done games this season. They've had a few bad days in isolation.
35:39 I'm thinking off the top of my head. They obviously got hammered at Watford in the game that ended Matt Taylor's tenure.
35:46 I think you went to the game at Hull, didn't you, when they got turned over in the first half?
35:53 They had a bad day at Stoke, didn't they, early in the season?
35:57 There's just been that level of quality, isn't there?
36:01 That requisite championship level. They've got good, honest players.
36:11 They will pretty much give everything and they're a good group.
36:17 It's just that they're getting worn down. They're getting little moments where they're just going to be exposed a little bit.
36:23 I did the home game with Leicester towards the start of the season and they played pretty well.
36:29 Leicester didn't play that well but they didn't particularly have to because they just looked at some of the options on the bench that they could bring on.
36:39 They won it by weight of numbers and that's the challenge that Rotherham have at this level as well.
36:47 It's not just the starting eleven, it's the replacements that some of these teams can bring on.
36:54 With respect, they haven't got that sort of quality on the bench. There's been some occasions this season where you've got to factor in Rotherham's injuries as well.
37:04 They've had some hellish injuries, especially in the first half of the season.
37:08 Not being able to fill a bench, some games they've only been able to put six players on there.
37:15 Quite a few academy products as well who obviously aren't ready for this level.
37:21 It's been one of those seasons again where Rotherham have had to think sometimes, 'Well, the world's against us'.
37:29 To be absolutely clear, I'm definitely not accusing Rotherham players of losing heart.
37:37 It's purely looking at the fact that we've got 15 games left and they're human beings.
37:44 15 games of fighting a losing cause can take it out of them. I'm just saying it's really important that they don't allow themselves to feel sorry for themselves.
37:54 And to lose the really good sides that they've shown, despite the fact that they're having such a difficult season in terms of the league table and the points tally.
38:05 There is still a lot good about that football club and they really need to fiercely protect it.
38:11 Well, the play and the contract as well, aren't they? That's another thing.
38:14 Exactly.
38:15 They've got their own situation as well. That's all part of it.
38:19 Liam Richardson's come in and he's obviously come in with a view on the medium to longer term, hopefully, as well.
38:25 So there's all that side of it.
38:27 Stuart, what was your reaction to Hull's response to losing on Saturday?
38:35 By all accounts, it was a really disappointing performance as well as results at home to Swansea City.
38:42 It did just make me worry about them a bit because they've lost 8 out of 14 games they've had at that stage.
38:52 But yet, you look at that squad and you think that's a squad that should, A, reach the playoffs and B, actually have a decent shot at it.
39:01 I mean, Leon's already mentioned the quality of play they were bringing off the bench and all that sort of thing.
39:07 Jadon Filippen was absolutely outstanding on Tuesday night. It wasn't just his goal.
39:14 There was an audacious effort in the first half. He was always looking to take players on.
39:20 Zeruri added something on the left. We had Noah O'Hio come off the bench and score his first goal.
39:27 We know what Billy Sharp's capable of. There's quality all around that team.
39:34 So the key for Hull, I think, is they have to go to game.
39:42 Rather than on a Tuesday night, is a sort of stereotype alongside Stoke on a Tuesday night.
39:49 A game where you really have to roll your sleeves up and show your character.
39:53 It takes some bravery to even attempt what Jadon Filippen did.
39:59 I mean, if you haven't seen the goal, you really should watch it.
40:03 But to even try that in front of the Hull fans, who'd been very critical of their team that night.
40:10 There were quite a few chants of, "City, sort it out. Liam, sort it out."
40:14 They weren't happy that their team was struggling to break Rotherham down.
40:20 So it takes some guts to even try something like that.
40:24 And to not lose heart, to keep plugging away, believing that you can break down this really obdurate Rotherham side.
40:35 But there's so much there in that Hull squad that makes you think,
40:39 if they can just be more consistent, if they can just find a bit of ruthlessness,
40:45 all the other ingredients are there for them to have the season, frankly, that they're aiming for.
40:54 But again, the fact that they aren't consistent is making this battle for the third and fourth playoff places as intriguing
41:07 as the battle for the second automatic places at the moment.
41:13 Yeah, I think they've just got to be as consistent as they can be at both ends of the field.
41:20 You look at them this season, they've obviously got Liam de Lapps injured.
41:26 I thought he was a huge player for Hull and I know he's spoken about that as well.
41:31 Getting that clinical edge in front of goal, I think between both boxes, Hull are one of the best teams in the Championship.
41:40 That's reinforced by what they brought in in January.
41:45 They brought in some game turners to go with what they've already got, the likes of Villegie.
41:53 They're certainly creative-wise, skill-wise, they are top six, they're the real deal in that respect.
42:00 But it's about getting that clinical edge in the red zone, the business end of the pitch.
42:08 Also, at the back as well, there's been times this season, certainly away from home,
42:14 where they've succumbed in spells of pressure conceding goals.
42:19 They'll need to be mindful of that and more improved and consistent in that regard.
42:26 I think the vast majority of the rest of the pitch, skill, quality, crosses, chances created.
42:34 They're fine. There's been another interesting one, they've got Huddersfield on Saturday.
42:40 I think that'll test them as well. Huddersfield have got a little bit of the mojo back, haven't they?
42:50 I'm sure whatever happens, they'll go into that game and try and attack it.
42:57 The good thing for Hull is that they've had a little bit of a sticky patch away.
43:04 I think they've won at Sunderland, haven't they? And they've now won at Rotherham.
43:08 So they'll be hoping over those little issues they've had away from home.
43:14 But there's still a long way to go and there's a fair bit of pressure on Hull's shoulders as well.
43:19 Stuart mentioned the supporters. Del have seen what Hull have brought in, in terms of their recruitment in January.
43:26 Obviously the window before last summer, they've got some serious marquee players in.
43:32 With clear desires to finish in the top six. I think if they don't finish in the top six this season,
43:40 given their outlay, what they've spent, there'll be a lot of disappointment in the boardroom.
43:48 Hull showed what they were about in midweek after a disappointing result at the weekend.
43:57 They're going to have to do quite a lot more of that because, as Stuart's right to say,
44:02 the hunt for the play-offs, the last few places, is going to be really intense and interesting.
44:08 Finally for this week, I turn to Stuart for his Player of the Week before looking to Leon for his Team of the Week.
44:15 Stuart, who stood out for you most this week?
44:18 I think it's fair to say that Leon and I often say when we make this choice that we tend to be biased towards
44:26 the teams and individuals that we've covered this week.
44:32 For Adam Phillips to score two really important late goals for Barnsley was a big deal.
44:41 I didn't see Leeds' game at Swansea, obviously I was at Hull, but by all accounts,
44:45 Archer Gray was magnificent then. There's been quite a few really good individual performances.
44:54 Ekay Oboe scoring his first couple of goals for Sheffield Wednesday was huge for them that night.
45:00 For me to have been at the New York Stadium and just saw the way Jadon Fillerjean played,
45:06 I mean, by the way, I should mention as well, we've touched on it earlier, but Victor Johansson was outstanding too,
45:13 even though we take that for granted with him.
45:17 But, yeah, Fillerjean was outstanding. I mentioned his bravery to attempt what he did,
45:23 his persistence to just keep running it rather than players, keep believing in himself.
45:29 This won't be news to anybody who follows the Championship and certainly anybody who watches Hull City,
45:39 but I was really impressed by him. Again, he's one of those, and there's a few knocking about,
45:47 Premier League quality players playing in the Championship.
45:51 Hull City paid a lot of money for him by the standards of a club that don't have parachute payments,
45:59 but he's more than justifying it. He's a really top quality performer and that was a really good display by him against Rotherham United.
46:09 And Leon, which team stood out for you this week?
46:13 Well, as you mentioned, Leeds United, obviously two more wins, two more clean sheets.
46:21 With respect, you'd have expected them to beat Rotherham at home fairly convincingly and they did that.
46:29 The more of a head-turning result was going to Swansea in midweek, and obviously Fracta in a long travel,
46:35 and a tremendous win there, and they obviously lost Banford as well just before, in the warm-up as well.
46:42 They handled that, but I think the team I'll probably go for is Bradford City.
46:47 They've had a bit of a rough trot having it post-Christmas.
46:53 I think they won at Doncaster just before Christmas and everyone was talking about where they could potentially lay charge for the playoffs.
47:00 And then, as usually happens with Bradford, unfortunately, just when you get a little bit excited,
47:06 they sort of produce a disappointing run, but hopefully for their sake, they're out of it.
47:14 They had a brilliant win at Wrexham at the weekend, by all accounts, the goalkeeper Sam Walker had a stormer,
47:24 but no matter what, you look at Wrexham's home form for the best part of just three seasons really,
47:31 I think in the season that got promoted last season, back to the Football League.
47:36 I think they won every game bar one on that game they drew, and the only time they'd lost at home this season was on the first day,
47:43 ironically, to Graeme Alexander's Milton Keynes-Dons when he was in the short-spelt managing there.
47:51 So, he's managed to back that up and get a not-worthy double really,
47:56 winning at being the manager of the only team to win in the league at Wrexham, not once but twice.
48:03 And, you know, a real good morale boost there, morale boost for Andy Cook as well.
48:10 He found himself dropped relatively recently and he got sent off in the Trophy game.
48:16 He missed a penalty and then managed to get the glory at the end.
48:21 Crucially for Bradford, backing it up, that's the big thing, as we've got Gilchop in the past,
48:27 Bradford, you have one really encouraging result, you get a bit excited and they lose the next game,
48:33 but they did the job in midweek, beat MK Dons 4-0.
48:39 So, two wins, two clean sheets, and I think as well, you look at some of the attacking players that aren't available to them at the minute.
48:46 Jamie Walker's been out, the lonely Tyreke Wright, he's also out, Patterson's out,
48:53 one or two others I can't quite remember, but they've got some key players who have been missing.
49:00 So, yeah, I think that's just come at the right time, this boost for Bradford.
49:04 They've got the Trophy semi-final next week and whisper it exceedingly gently,
49:11 but if they do manage to get a run together, they're not totally out of the top eight, but that is a long way to go.
49:18 yorkshirepost.co.uk
49:21 yp.sport@nationalworld.com
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49:53 or email us directly with a subject matter at footballtalkpodcast@yp.sport@nationalworld.com
49:59 As ever, many thanks for listening, look after yourselves, and bye for now.
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