On this week’s podcast, The YP’s football writing team look back over the Championship-winning campaign of Leeds United – a feat clinched on the final day of the regular season with a thrilling win at Plymouth Argyle – what made the Whites they champions they are and how will they fare back in the Premier League after two seasons away?
There is also time to salute the job done by Bradford City and their manager Graham Alexander after they joined League Two champions Doncaster Rovers in earning promotion back up to the third tier of English football.
What next for Hull City after escaping relegation from the Championship by goal difference and how will Sheffield United fare in the play-offs after coming home third in the standings.
There is also time to salute the job done by Bradford City and their manager Graham Alexander after they joined League Two champions Doncaster Rovers in earning promotion back up to the third tier of English football.
What next for Hull City after escaping relegation from the Championship by goal difference and how will Sheffield United fare in the play-offs after coming home third in the standings.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Football Talk from the Yorkshire Post, where we'll be discussing some of the latest talking points from the world of football with members of our football writing team.
00:19On this week's episode, we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Stuart Rayner, and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Wattall, to discuss all of the latest developments affecting our local clubs.
00:28Don't forget you can keep up to date with all the football news across Yorkshire and beyond by logging on to our website at yp.sport at nationalworld.com, as well as checking out our various Twitter feeds, the main one being at YPSport.
00:41If you search for Yorkshire Post Sport, Yorkshire Post Football, or even Sheffield Sport on Facebook, you can find us there as well.
00:47And if you have any questions for our writers, you can get in touch using those various Twitter or Facebook pages, or email us directly with the subject matter of the Football Talk podcast at yp.sport at nationalworld.com.
00:59Yorkshirepost.co.uk
01:01As mentioned earlier in the intro, this week we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Stuart Rayner, and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Wattall.
01:08Good morning, guys.
01:09Morning.
01:10Morning.
01:10This week in the Championship, we saw Middlesbrough settle for another season in the division following their 2-0 defeat at Coventry City.
01:18Sheffield United drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers, and we'll be covering them later on in the show.
01:24And Sheffield Wednesday ended their season with a 1-1 draw when they visited Watford.
01:27In League 1, Huddersfield Town fell to a disappointing 4-1 defeat, and Barnsley ended their season with a 4-2 win over Reading.
01:37And Rotherham United claimed all three points in their 2-1 win over Peterbury United.
01:43And in League 2, Harrogate Town ended their season with a 2-1 victory over Morecambe.
01:47However, we have to start this week with Leeds United, who claimed a stunning 2-1 victory over Plymouth, and with it, they claimed the Championship title.
01:58Now, what have you made of Leeds United's season overall, Stuart?
02:03It's been a tremendous season.
02:05I mean, not many teams get to 100 points.
02:08Not many teams have to get to 100 points to win the league.
02:11I mean, it's the first time in English history that 100 points has you finished in second in any of the top four divisions.
02:21So, yeah, it's been a really good achievement.
02:25I mean, I think sometimes you need to think back a bit and remember how much chaos there was early season with Somerville and Ruter going either side of the start of the season.
02:38That was disruptive.
02:43You know, they were understandably a little bit slow getting out of the blocks because of that, but they've spent the money well.
02:50You know, Tanaka's been a tremendous signing.
02:54Solomon's been a brilliant loan signing.
02:57Ramazani, early in his time, had quite an impact, a bit less so as time has gone on.
03:06They've been very solid at the back and yet they've still been the highest scorers in the league.
03:11You know, they've had the striker win the golden boot.
03:15They've sort of, they withstood the loss of Ampadu and Grove at the same time in the, what was that sort of October, November time.
03:24They got over a little wobble either side of the March international break.
03:31It's been, it's been really good.
03:33I mean, they will have to step up again because every team that comes up from the championship does.
03:39But season as a whole, obviously not being perfect, but very good, very well led, shown character at times.
03:49You know, that splurge of late wins, turn the style on at other times.
03:54You know, Leon saw them score seven against Cardiff.
03:57You know, the goals at the end of the season.
03:59They've kind of showed all facets you need, really.
04:02And yeah, it's been, it's been a tremendous season for them.
04:06It's been a tremendous season for Burnley.
04:07I feel a little bit sorry for them not getting a title after winning at 100 points.
04:13But for Leeds, it's job done.
04:15And now all focus really is on getting the upgrades they need for next season.
04:20Because despite everything that's gone right this season, it is going to be tough next year.
04:24I think the fact, obviously, they've had this race with Burnley remarkable, both getting 100 points.
04:32You know, quite often in future years, not many people remember about, you know,
04:36who got promoted for the championship, but the story about it is just, I mean, the teams have got up.
04:40But people will really remember this one, won't they?
04:42I mean, it's been an unbelievable race.
04:45As Stuart said, some of the numbers have been staggering, hasn't it?
04:47Haven't it? Burnley could have set a clean sheet record across the Football League.
04:53I think they equaled it with Port Vale, wasn't it? 1953-54.
04:58They've gone on in a 33-match unbeaten run.
05:02And what, they conceded 16 goals, something like that?
05:04Remarkable statistics in their own way, but it hasn't been enough.
05:08And Stuart's right, I mean, it's, you know, I think, obviously, Leeds have won the title.
05:12But I think, you know, Burnley are worthy of a trophy as well, really.
05:15It's been a compelling race.
05:16Don't forget about Sheffield United as well.
05:18It was only really a bad week, wasn't it?
05:20You know, earlier on in the running that cost them.
05:25Or, you know, it could have easily gone right down to the wire.
05:27But full credit to Leeds.
05:29What Stuart said is spot on.
05:31They're, obviously, the numbers are staggering, aren't they?
05:3461 goals have scored at home.
05:38What is it?
05:38How many?
05:39And God knows how many points.
05:41And, you know, the fact as well, that defensive solicitor, we've spoken about the goals, the goals that they have scored.
05:48You know, not too far off, 100 goals as well, isn't it?
05:50But they've held, defensively, they've held the nerve right when it matters, haven't they?
05:54They've only considered two goals in the last six games, you know, when the heat was on and the pressure.
05:59So, yeah, full credit to them.
06:03And it was, what, a perfect weekend almost, wasn't it?
06:06They were finishing the season in one of the nicer parts of the world on a bank holiday in Plymouth.
06:13And there was plenty of Leeds United supporters who went down there without tickets to enjoy the hospitality of a very nice city.
06:24I've been there a few times, it's a lovely place to finish the season when you're celebrating and things have gone well.
06:32And, you know, a really dramatic finish to the game with Solomon's goal.
06:37And, yeah, just delicious scenes for Leeds United supporters.
06:42And so they come back and they've had the parade.
06:45And, you know, the timing of the chairman as well, speaking about it, nailing down the fact that Daniel Farker is his man.
06:51He's going to be given his chance.
06:52We spoke last week about, you know, if anybody deserved his goal, it's Daniel, isn't it?
06:59190 points in two championship seasons.
07:03And I know that, like we said last week, that, you know, can he step up to the Premier League, this, that and the other?
07:09But the main thing for Leeds is getting the recruitment right.
07:12And the resources that he will get with Leeds this summer, with respect, there'll be more than what he got when he was at Norwich.
07:20It's a different level of club.
07:23I think that's fair to say that.
07:26And, yeah, they've fully earned the celebrations this week.
07:29Once they've had the celebrations, I'm sure Farker is the sort of guy who will move on pretty quickly, won't they?
07:38Because Leeds will have to do to get the planning right for, you know, being back in the big time and the considerable challenges that that entails.
07:48Yeah, and I think on that, I think that defensive base is essential.
07:52I mean, obviously, we're all entertained and excited by the 95 goals.
07:56But let's face it, all of those teams who go up aren't going to be seeing much of the ball next season.
08:03And, you know, Leon mentioned Sheffield United as well.
08:05I think they had a run in there.
08:06Was it nine games on the trot at home without conceding?
08:09So they've all got that defensive platform and they'll all need it, you know, as will whoever wins the playoff if it's not Sheffield United.
08:19Obviously, Leeds have got an issue at goalkeeper.
08:21That's been highlighted this season and they will need to strengthen that.
08:26But I do feel that they've got quite a solid core to work around.
08:31And I think that's important for them.
08:33And obviously, a lot of confidence and a lot of optimism.
08:36And I think it's important as well, and the chairman talked about this the other day,
08:41that they're not just solely focused on building a team to finish 17th next season.
08:47We've already seen plans for the redevelopment of the stadium.
08:51Fark has talked about work in terms of improving the training ground.
08:55They need to make the whole club better because of this.
08:58You know, if they, I don't want to be defeatist about it,
09:01but if they were to go down in season one, two, three or whatever,
09:05they need some sort of legacy to show for it.
09:07There wasn't really enough last time.
09:10So it's important to get those foundations right.
09:13And then do obviously concentrate on doing more than just surviving and establishing themselves.
09:19I think if they look at it, I think Stuart's spot on to say that.
09:22There's enough clubs who've come up from the championship in recent times.
09:26I suppose the big example is Nottingham Forest, isn't it?
09:29Their first year they came up, they had a bit of a struggle,
09:31but they managed to retain the status.
09:33Then they've sort of grown a little bit incrementally.
09:36There's other ones as well.
09:37You know, it's a Fulham, Fulham, Brentford, Bournemouth.
09:41Okay, historically, they're not as big as Leeds United,
09:44but they've been in the championship relatively recently,
09:47and they've managed to bridge that gap and grow recruiting really,
09:52really smartly, you know, in terms of not just players, coaching staff.
09:58But, yeah, that's the thing that Leeds can look at.
10:02And if they get the big things right,
10:03there's no reason why they can't sort of re-establish themselves in the top flight.
10:09But it's going to take a lot of hard work and things to go right.
10:13But, yeah, congratulations to their achievement,
10:17and let's see what the summer brings.
10:19But they're in a great place,
10:20considering how shattering it was after the Southampton game
10:24less than 12 months ago.
10:26And they're in a better place for the certainty over their manager as well.
10:30Yeah.
10:30As I said, we talked about it at length last week.
10:33But, you know, whether you're a bit sceptical about him or not,
10:37as, you know, clearly some fans are,
10:39we couldn't have gone on for week after week.
10:42Not being sure what was happening.
10:44And now they can really crack on with that planning that we haven't talked about.
10:48And just quickly, finally, on Daniel Farker.
10:52I think what people tend to forget is the amount of pressure that he is under
10:57week in, week out.
11:00Especially this season,
11:01when we obviously saw that period where Melia was struggling with his confidence.
11:08The fact that Daniel Farker was able to take it upon himself to make such a big call
11:15and say, right, Darlow, you're going to be between the sticks.
11:20Knowing that if it pays off, great.
11:23He's rescued it.
11:24If it doesn't, well, it's his head on the chopping block.
11:27But I think what it boils down to is as long as he gets the backing of the hierarchy
11:37and the facilities that he needs,
11:40I genuinely think you can't ask for much better of a manager in the Premier League, really.
11:47I think it's true of all clubs.
11:48I think you need a manager that you believe in.
11:51And then you need to work with him.
11:54You know, you see some clubs where sporting directors are signing players
11:57that the manager doesn't want.
11:59You know, and that sort of thing.
12:01You just need everybody running the same way.
12:05I think Leon and I, being sort of an older generation,
12:09probably think it should be manager-led all the time in terms of that.
12:13He is, or he should be the number one expert on football in the club.
12:17And then you need, at big clubs,
12:22and, you know, we'll talk about one in League 2 later as well,
12:24you need strong characters, you need calm characters,
12:27and you need characters who believe in themselves.
12:30Daniel Fark has been criticised for a lot of things this season,
12:34and most of them he's got rights.
12:35You know, he's supposedly not good at substitutions.
12:38I think his substitute scored as many goals as anyone in the Championship,
12:41along with Danny Roll.
12:42You know, he's too defensive and they've scored 95 goals.
12:46But, you know, most of the things you want to throw at him
12:48have been answered this season emphatically.
12:52And we've probably all had doubts at different moments
12:55about certain things he's done.
12:57And, you know, this is the end product.
12:58He's won the league, 100 points, 95 goals,
13:01however you want to look at it.
13:02He knows what he's doing.
13:03They just need to get everything behind him.
13:06Yeah, exactly.
13:07Yeah.
13:07I mean, I think he is an individual as well.
13:10He can handle the heat, can't he?
13:11Leeds is an emotional club, as he says most weeks.
13:17And, you know, whether you're in the Championship or the Premier League every week,
13:21it's a 24-7 club, it's Leeds.
13:23It's a goldfish bowl, huge football club.
13:25So many people interested in what's happening there.
13:29You know, he's got the stature to handle the pressure.
13:32And, you know, there will be pressure increased next season.
13:37And, you know, I think the players really,
13:39he's not just what, he's not,
13:41the players really love him because he's one of the lads.
13:43They just really consider so much respect there with him, can't they?
13:46And there is a genuine bond between, you know,
13:49players and manager there.
13:52And, yeah, you can't underestimate the importance of that
13:56because they're going to need that next season, Leeds.
13:58But, you know, he's a good age for a manager as well.
14:00He's at his peak now.
14:03He's in, you know, what is he now, late 40s, something like that.
14:06Yeah, he is.
14:07So he's seen most things that football has got to offer
14:11and he's fully earned this chance.
14:13And, yeah, I'm sure they'll use this extra time that they've got.
14:17They don't have to go through the playoffs.
14:18That's helpful in terms of, you know, the recruitment process.
14:22And, you know, it'll be all steam ahead, I think,
14:24after this week with Leeds to crack on and look at next season.
14:28Yeah, yeah.
14:29And next we turn to Bradford City,
14:32who recorded a nail-biting 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town
14:35with a 96-minute Anthony Sarcevic goal
14:38and, in turn, secured promotion to League One
14:42after six long seasons in League Two.
14:45Now, you were in attendance, Leon.
14:48What did you make of the dramatic and, well, fairly frantic game?
14:52Oh, crikey.
14:54It was just one of those days that you'll never forget.
14:59Stuart's done a few as well.
15:02We're lucky in our business every now and again.
15:04We have days, you know, bewildering, mad days
15:08that are part of the job every now and again.
15:12And Saturday was certainly that.
15:14It was, you know, I was sort of having a think the other day,
15:17trying to think of sort of last-day games
15:19and things like that that have been as dramatic.
15:23And, yeah, I was lucky to be at the Brentford-Doncaster one.
15:27I don't know, when was that now?
15:292013, wasn't it?
15:30Where Doncaster went from potentially the playoffs
15:34when Brentford had a penalty to champions in about 20 seconds.
15:38And that was incredible.
15:42The Huddersfield-Barnsley game the week after
15:43where they were holding hands at the end, practically,
15:45to the Anslauchs game to stay in the championship
15:50was another one.
15:50This was just, oh.
15:52I mean, you just felt that the whole day
15:54I had a walk around Bradford in the morning
15:57and you just sensed that city really, really needed
16:02that outcome at the end.
16:04I think it's fair to say that it's nothing to do with football,
16:08really, as such.
16:09It's a city that's took a lot of blows in recent times
16:14and, you know, desperate for...
16:17It's a big year for Bradford, the City of Culture 2025.
16:22You know, that cherry on the cake
16:23and rediscovering the sporting mojo
16:27and Bradford having its place in the sun
16:30and, you know, God, the game was just...
16:33It was pretty lousy, to be quite honest.
16:35There was so much tension on it.
16:38Every sort of passing minute where, obviously, Bradford...
16:41I thought they played actually better in the first half,
16:45but it was just...
16:46You could just feel it around the stadium.
16:48Obviously, a massively emotional day as well
16:50with the 40th anniversary of the fire
16:53and, you know, everyone just wanted that...
16:56So much wanted that outcome, however it came.
17:01And, you know, it came in the most dramatic fashion
17:03that you'll ever wish to see.
17:06And, you know, in retrospect now,
17:08I think how amazing and great it was
17:11and it's probably the best way to do it,
17:14but what happened in the, you know, 95 minutes before...
17:18It was...
17:19It was incredible and I still don't know...
17:22I don't watch Stuart things.
17:23He's probably watched the goal back a few times
17:25and I'm not sure if he actually knew what he was doing.
17:28It just hit him.
17:29I couldn't work out if it hit his knee or it hit his...
17:32I think it hit his shin.
17:33There's an angle, even, it looks like it's come off...
17:34Yeah, yeah.
17:35He does.
17:37And just pandem...
17:38He was an absolute...
17:39Absolute pandemodium afterwards, as you'd imagine.
17:43I mean, they may get in hot water with the FA,
17:45they probably will,
17:46but you can sort of understand the sort of...
17:50the outpouring of emotion there.
17:52There was obviously a pitch in beige
17:54and they managed to get them off
17:55and then there was another sort of false alarm
18:00and they ran on again
18:01and it took even longer to get them off
18:04and it was just one of those final days that you get.
18:08So, Stuart's...
18:09Stuart will have seen a few.
18:10I've seen a few,
18:12but I can't think of many too much like that.
18:15There was obviously a false alarm
18:17about a quarter of an hour before...
18:19I think it was before the end
18:21and as it does,
18:23it went around the ground
18:24that the crew may have equalised against Walsall,
18:30but we were all frantically...
18:33The journalists were checking the BBC feed
18:37to look for the crew equaliser,
18:41but it was a false alarm.
18:43I was sat next but one
18:47to Bradford's club secretary
18:49and he was kicking every ball,
18:52banging the desk
18:53and he was...
18:54It was that...
18:55It was just really was that sort of day
18:56and an incredible moment
18:58at the end
19:00from Anthony Sartovich
19:02who got his sixth promotion
19:03at this level.
19:04I think he's got eight or nine
19:05in his whole career.
19:07His first one at this level
19:08was with Fleetwood Bizarrely
19:10and obviously Graham Alexander
19:12managed Fleetwood to League One
19:16in 2014.
19:19So he just felt a bit
19:20of being written in the stars
19:21and obviously on the 40th anniversary
19:24of the fire
19:26and obviously that was a season
19:29when Bradford went out
19:30to get promotion
19:31and you just felt that somebody was
19:32or several forces somewhere
19:36were looking out for Bradford once
19:38and, you know, magnificent
19:40and I'm, you know,
19:41we're speaking about good guys
19:42as managers.
19:44Stuart will probably agree as well.
19:46Graham Alexander,
19:47he's done a magnificent job
19:48and he really has overhauled that club.
19:51You just consider where they were.
19:5315 months ago,
19:54I did the game against Harrogate
19:57when they lost 3-0.
19:58They were 17th in League Two
20:01and they were in a mess on the pitch
20:03and there was a lot of rancour
20:05and discontent, you know,
20:07among the fans towards Steph and Roopan.
20:11You just didn't know where Bradford were going really
20:14and it was pretty distressing to see
20:18and for it to turn around
20:19in the space of a relatively short period of time
20:23is incredible.
20:24But I just think the club needed it,
20:26the city needed it.
20:27So I was walking up to the ground,
20:29there was a big Asian community in Bradford
20:32and they were all shouting to the supporters,
20:37a lot of the local businesses
20:38and, you know,
20:40it was fantastic to see
20:42and let's hope, you know,
20:45it can be harnessed by Bradford
20:47and they can, you know,
20:49they can carry on with this momentum
20:51that they've generated in,
20:53you know,
20:53it was a record crowded fourth tier
20:55at Valley Parade 24,000
20:57and a special moment
21:00and they can enjoy this
21:02and then hopefully, you know,
21:04look forward to League One
21:05with enthusiasm and positivity.
21:09Yeah, I think the biggest thing
21:11Graham Alexander has done
21:12and I'd certainly echo what Liam has said.
21:15I mean,
21:17League Two has chewed up
21:18and spat out a lot of Bradford managers,
21:20good Bradford managers
21:21the last few years,
21:22managers who've had success elsewhere
21:23at that level
21:24and some of them have gone on
21:27to have success again.
21:28But really all of those managers
21:31struggled to make the most of home advantage
21:33and so much expectation
21:35on them.
21:36It was just,
21:37it was becoming a real problem
21:39playing at Valley Parade
21:40but that's been,
21:41I think,
21:42Alexander's biggest achievement
21:43to get them to embrace
21:46the challenge of Valley Parade.
21:47I mean,
21:48you know,
21:48Liam mentioned the record attended.
21:50It's probably about the third time
21:51it's been broken this season,
21:53that record.
21:54You know,
21:54that just shows you
21:55the sort of building enthusiasm
21:58and I say it brings with it pressures.
22:00I mean,
22:00you know,
22:01Liam was at Swindon
22:02and that was super nervy
22:04and Chesterfield,
22:06you know,
22:06I mean,
22:06it only made things sweeter in the end
22:08but it built up that tension
22:09and I think,
22:11I think I'm right in saying Bradford
22:12only won five away games
22:14over the season.
22:14It was built on home form.
22:16It really was.
22:17It was the fifth,
22:17one,
22:17the sixth thing,
22:18the worst record of the end.
22:19Yeah.
22:20So that says a lot
22:22for the way they've sort of
22:23got over that mental barrier
22:25at home
22:25and as I say,
22:27embraced the pressures
22:28and obviously,
22:29you know,
22:29there were times
22:30when it got the better of them,
22:31Richie Smallwood sending off,
22:33you know,
22:33Chesterfield's late equaliser,
22:34that sort of thing
22:35but by and large,
22:37they've ridden that wave really well
22:38and that's so important
22:39as it is for Leeds,
22:41you know,
22:41as it's for clubs
22:42like Sheffield Wednesday,
22:43when you've got that expectation
22:44on you,
22:45you've really got to
22:46embrace it
22:47and try and harness it
22:48and Alexander,
22:49like Daniel Parker,
22:50he's got that,
22:50he's got that calmness,
22:52he's got that self-belief
22:53that I think you just need
22:54in a club
22:55of that sort of intensity
22:57and yeah,
22:59it's got them over the line
23:01and you,
23:01you,
23:02you hope,
23:03time will tell,
23:04time will tell
23:05but you hope it's a bit like
23:06a striker
23:08who hasn't scored for 10 games
23:09and suddenly finds the net.
23:10This can be the start of them
23:12you know,
23:13building something
23:14and we've said
23:15on this podcast
23:16week after week
23:17for seasons now
23:18how difficult
23:18the top half of League 1 is
23:20but I think the bottom half
23:22of League 1
23:22to League 2
23:23is not that big a gap
23:24if they can cement themselves
23:27and then maybe go again,
23:29you know,
23:29in a year or two time
23:31but yeah,
23:32tremendous achievement
23:33and just
23:34really pleasing,
23:36obviously the last six years
23:37have really been horrible
23:39for Bradford fans
23:40but to have been
23:41through all of that,
23:42to have delayed it
23:44until,
23:44as Leon says,
23:45the City of Culture year,
23:46the 40th anniversary
23:47of the fire year,
23:48I think it just
23:49makes everything
23:50that much sweeter
23:51and yeah,
23:53really just good
23:55to see Bradford fans
23:56just,
23:57you know,
23:58so delighted
23:59on the weekend
23:59and rightly so.
24:01Yeah,
24:01I mean,
24:01it's a hard club
24:02to manage Bradford
24:03there's a lot of,
24:04there's a lot of expectation
24:06and you know,
24:08you look at the managers
24:08that have come
24:09and not managed to,
24:10it's chewed up
24:11quite a few managers,
24:12hasn't it?
24:13Yeah,
24:13there's a lot on paper
24:15in your favour
24:15but actually it comes with
24:17a lot of expectations
24:19and a lot of problems
24:20as a result,
24:20doesn't it?
24:21It's almost like
24:21a little bit of
24:22Leeds United
24:23almost being in the
24:24Championship,
24:24take that,
24:26transport that down
24:26to Bradford
24:27being in
24:28in League 2
24:29and I was thinking
24:30about the crowds
24:31I'm struggling
24:33to think in recent times
24:34other clubs
24:35who've had those figures
24:36I know Bolton
24:37were Bolton down there
24:38one year
24:39maybe they got
24:40some 20,000 crowds
24:41amongst their time there
24:45but yeah,
24:46it's just staggering
24:46isn't it?
24:47It just shows the potential
24:48that the clubbers
24:49have got.
24:50Stuart makes a good point
24:51about home form
24:52I think they're going to
24:52they're really going to
24:53they need to harness it
24:54and they'll need it
24:55next season
24:56I think obviously
24:56the sort of list
24:59of clubs will visit
25:00is a bit more glamorous
25:02it's fair to say
25:03there's some really
25:04juicy local games
25:05isn't there?
25:06Particularly Huddersfield
25:07Town
25:07who they haven't played
25:08since 2006-7
25:10at league level
25:11there'll be games
25:12that will be eagerly
25:13anticipated
25:14there's Barnsley
25:15Rotherham
25:16Bolton
25:17Doncaster
25:17yeah
25:17absolutely
25:20Doncaster
25:21so there's
25:22teams with more
25:23away supporters
25:24as well
25:25but
25:26obviously the home forms
25:27it's been remarkable
25:28hasn't it?
25:28I think only Birmingham
25:30and Leeds have managed
25:31more home points
25:33at EFL level
25:33this season
25:35there are obviously
25:35issues
25:36and the next thing
25:37is getting that
25:38away form
25:39back on
25:40more of an even keel
25:41they'll have some work
25:42to do in the
25:43transfer market
25:45one or two
25:45key loanies
25:47will go back
25:48Jack Shepard
25:50and obviously
25:50Barnsley have spoken
25:51about him being in
25:52their plans again
25:53next season
25:53he was a big player
25:54for them
25:55Adara Mola
25:56as well
25:57you'd sort of
25:58hope in an ideal
25:59world that he's
26:00obviously come
26:01for the second half
26:02of the season
26:02to Bradford
26:02while they were
26:03at League 2
26:04club
26:04if you saw
26:05Crystal Palace
26:06with the best
26:06will in the world
26:07he's not going
26:07to get in
26:08their first team
26:08next season
26:09the next stage
26:10of his development
26:11why not
26:11upper level
26:13in League 1
26:13with Bradford
26:15that would be
26:17seems a bit
26:18of a no-brainer
26:19to me
26:19but a few
26:20other players
26:21as well
26:22are out of
26:22contract
26:22key players
26:23Richie Smallwood
26:25who's been a
26:26massive player
26:26for Bradford
26:27he got in
26:27the team
26:28of the year
26:28I think he
26:30cleaned up
26:30at the awards
26:31night
26:31he got 5 or 6
26:32awards
26:33and on Saturday
26:35there was a lot
26:35of tension
26:35and I thought
26:36he was one of
26:37the
26:37not for the
26:38first time
26:39and not
26:40particularly
26:40surprisingly
26:41he was the
26:43one who looked
26:44to me
26:44was handling
26:44the pressure
26:45better than
26:46most
26:46so
26:47obviously
26:48to get his
26:48future
26:48and get him
26:50signed up
26:51for hopefully
26:52a couple more
26:52years
26:52and he should
26:54be an attractive
26:55club to join
26:55shouldn't it
26:56a club
26:56who's
26:56sort of
26:57momentum
26:57is back
26:58they're sort
26:59of
26:59going
27:00again
27:01so
27:01yeah
27:02all hats off
27:03to Bradford
27:04terrific day
27:05day for them
27:07and particularly
27:08pleased for
27:09Graham Alexander
27:09anybody who
27:11saw the
27:11YouTube clips
27:12of Saturday
27:13they're going
27:14to want to
27:15be part
27:15of it
27:16say there
27:18are disadvantages
27:19with being a
27:20big club
27:21that's a big
27:22advantage
27:22in terms of
27:23attracting people
27:24and you need
27:25those sort of
27:25characters
27:26that come
27:26and say
27:27I'm up for
27:28this
27:29I want this
27:29challenge
27:30rather than
27:30the people
27:31who shrink
27:31away from
27:31it
27:32and as I
27:32say I
27:32think that's
27:32what Alexander
27:33has
27:33that mindset
27:34has been
27:35formed
27:36that he's
27:37been able to
27:38recruit players
27:39like Sarsavik
27:39who have
27:40shown that
27:41they can
27:41rise to
27:41the occasion
27:42of pressure
27:43moments
27:43and
27:43more of them
27:45yeah
27:45and now
27:47you mentioned
27:47Doncaster Rovers
27:48earlier on Stuart
27:49and that's where
27:51we're heading to
27:51now
27:52and Doncaster Rovers
27:53completed a
27:542-1 victory
27:55over Notts County
27:56which also helped
27:57hand them the
27:58division title
27:59at the same time
28:00how do you rate
28:02Donny's victorious
28:03season this year
28:04well I mean
28:06for me
28:07your mind
28:09immediately runs
28:09back to being
28:10at the
28:10semi-final
28:13second leg
28:13against Crewe
28:14last season
28:14when they
28:15lost on
28:15penalties
28:15and you
28:17sat there
28:17waiting for
28:18the manager
28:19and understandably
28:21it took a while
28:21to come out
28:22and as soon
28:23as he comes
28:23out he kind
28:24of walks
28:24in the room
28:24and one of
28:25the first
28:25things he
28:25said was
28:26I told
28:26the players
28:27either come
28:28back to win
28:28League 2
28:29next season
28:29or don't
28:30come back
28:30at all
28:30and I'll
28:32be honest
28:32with you
28:32there have
28:33been plenty
28:33of times
28:33over the
28:34season
28:34when I
28:35didn't think
28:35he was
28:36going to
28:36do it
28:37I thought
28:38I was
28:39pretty hopeful
28:40all the way
28:41through the
28:41season that
28:41they get
28:42promotion
28:42but actually
28:42get the
28:43title
28:43you wondered
28:45if they
28:45quite had
28:46the consistency
28:46to see that
28:47through
28:47but he's
28:48done it
28:49he's been
28:50good to his
28:51word
28:51and like
28:52last season
28:53not quite
28:53as dramatically
28:54but like
28:55last season
28:55really come
28:56good at the
28:57end of the
28:57season
28:58was it
28:5810 games
28:59unbeaten
28:59I think
29:00it was
29:0011
29:00wasn't it
29:01yeah
29:01sorry
29:02yes
29:02really
29:05when the
29:05pressure was
29:06on
29:06I said
29:07this is
29:08not to have
29:08a go
29:08but we saw
29:09Bradford
29:10falter
29:10we saw
29:10pretty much
29:11everyone
29:12falter
29:12Doncaster
29:14Rovers
29:14kept the
29:15head
29:15and got
29:16the job
29:17done
29:17and again
29:18a really
29:20good manager
29:20a really
29:21steely
29:22determined
29:23manager
29:24who knows
29:24what he
29:24wants
29:25he's not
29:25prepared to
29:26mess about
29:27with people
29:27who
29:28don't share
29:29his ambition
29:30don't share
29:31his belief
29:32and yeah
29:33his convictions
29:34have absolutely
29:35shone through
29:36I think
29:37we talk
29:39with all of
29:41them about
29:41adversity
29:41when you think
29:42that Doncaster
29:44ended the season
29:44with what
29:45Richard Wood
29:45injured
29:46Jamie
29:46Gras
29:46injured
29:47Joe
29:48Olloa
29:48injured
29:48that's
29:49three of
29:49their
29:49four best
29:50central
29:51defenders
29:52senior as
29:53well
29:53four of
29:57the five
29:57really
29:57not forgetting
29:59about Tom
29:59Anderson
29:59who was
30:00fit
30:00he was
30:01kind of
30:02last man
30:02standing
30:02at centre
30:04back
30:04yeah
30:06they've
30:07really
30:08sort of
30:09just
30:10in a
30:11Grant McCann
30:12kind of
30:12way
30:13one of his
30:13favourite
30:13sayings
30:14it is
30:15what it
30:15is
30:15just
30:16dealt
30:16with what
30:17it was
30:17got the
30:17head
30:17down
30:18and
30:18got on
30:18with
30:18it
30:19I
30:19think
30:20they've
30:20had
30:21three
30:21really
30:22outstanding
30:23players
30:23Mollen
30:24gets
30:24a lot
30:25of the
30:25credit
30:26and rightly
30:26so
30:27because
30:27he's
30:27a special
30:28player
30:28but
30:29Sterry
30:30and Bailey
30:30as well
30:30I think
30:31are outstanding
30:32Ted
30:33Shalman
30:33Lowe
30:34we've seen
30:34really step
30:35up to the
30:35plate
30:35obviously
30:36that penalty
30:36save against
30:37Bradford
30:37really
30:38springs to
30:39mind
30:40Billy Sharp
30:41still doing
30:42Billy Sharp
30:42things
30:43it's been
30:43a really
30:44good squad
30:45effort
30:45just a
30:47real triumph
30:48for a
30:49really
30:49determined
30:50group
30:50of men
30:51who knew
30:52what they
30:52wanted
30:53and were
30:53just
30:53determined
30:54to go
30:54and get
30:54it
30:54yeah
30:56I think
30:56it's
30:57probably
30:57a common
30:58theme
30:58of this
30:59podcast
30:59giving credit
31:01to the
31:01real characters
31:03and leaders
31:03at the top
31:04of the
31:04organisation
31:05football
31:05wise
31:06we've
31:06mentioned
31:06Farker
31:07mentioned
31:08Graham
31:08Alexander
31:08and
31:09Grant
31:09McCann
31:09as well
31:10he showed
31:12the strength
31:12of his
31:12convictions
31:13didn't
31:13he
31:13this was
31:14a promotion
31:14that
31:15clearly
31:16began
31:16amid the
31:18shattering
31:19wreckage
31:19of what
31:19happened
31:20in that
31:20play-off
31:21game
31:21that Stuart
31:21mentioned
31:22he was
31:22against
31:22Crewe
31:23that was
31:24he showed
31:25real leadership
31:26to
31:27park it
31:29immediately
31:30and say
31:30look
31:30we've had a
31:31bad night
31:31we'll get
31:32this out
31:32of our
31:32system
31:32then we
31:33go again
31:34I think
31:34he said
31:35something along
31:35the lines
31:35of if
31:35anyone's
31:36not
31:36interested
31:38in
31:38going for
31:39the league
31:39next season
31:40straight away
31:41don't come
31:42along for
31:43the ride
31:43I don't
31:43want you
31:43here
31:44this is
31:44what we're
31:44doing
31:46and he's
31:46proved as
31:46good as
31:47his word
31:47as obviously
31:48Farker did
31:48a few weeks
31:50ago when he
31:51was confident
31:51in saying what
31:53Leeds needed
31:53to do to
31:54get promotion
31:55and he was
31:56proved right
31:57as well
31:57it's a great
31:59story for
32:00Grant McCann
32:01as well
32:02he won the
32:04league at Hull
32:05in Covid
32:06times
32:06which
32:06was a great
32:09achievement
32:09but there was
32:09no cherry on
32:10the cake
32:10really with the
32:11supporters there
32:11and everything
32:12and the context
32:14of his time
32:14at Doncaster
32:15I was there
32:15in the play-off
32:16game against
32:17Charlton
32:18where they
32:18delivered a
32:19brilliant
32:19comeback
32:19in the
32:20league
32:21one
32:21semi-finals
32:22they took
32:22it to
32:22penalties
32:23and so
32:24desperately
32:25disappointed
32:25because they
32:26were the
32:26better side
32:26in that
32:27second leg
32:27and I felt
32:29they deserved
32:29to go through
32:30but anything
32:31can happen
32:31in penalties
32:32there was
32:32a bit of
32:33disappointment
32:34there
32:34and obviously
32:35McCann
32:35he went
32:36to Hull
32:37not too
32:37long
32:37afterwards
32:38so there
32:38was always
32:38a sense
32:39of unfinished
32:40business
32:40for him
32:41at Doncaster
32:43in terms of
32:44promotion
32:45and I don't
32:45think it'll
32:45stop there
32:46either
32:46he's
32:47spoken
32:49before
32:49about how
32:49he sees
32:50whether you
32:51agree with
32:51it or not
32:52rightly or
32:52wrongly
32:52but he's
32:53passionate
32:53about it
32:54and Doncaster
32:55are a fair
32:56sized club
32:57in league
32:58one
32:58he thinks
32:59they can
32:59go again
32:59and get
33:00to that
33:01championship
33:02where they
33:03were
33:03situated
33:05about 10
33:0612 years
33:07ago
33:07wasn't it
33:08in the
33:08John Ryan
33:09years
33:09but yeah
33:10he's a
33:11driven coach
33:12he's in a
33:13good place
33:14he's spoken
33:14well about
33:15his relationship
33:16with the
33:16club hierarchy
33:17which seems
33:18to be pretty
33:18important to
33:19him
33:19and yeah
33:20he's got a
33:21championship
33:21on his
33:22CV
33:23another one
33:24and worth
33:25saying about
33:25both those
33:25league two
33:26clubs
33:26last season
33:28a lot of
33:29league two
33:29clubs would have
33:30sacked
33:30Grant McCann
33:31probably this
33:33season even
33:34particularly with
33:35Bradford's track
33:35record in recent
33:36years
33:36Graham Alexander
33:37would have been
33:38under ball
33:38pressure
33:39he had the
33:39same run
33:40in terms
33:41of wins
33:42from games
33:42I think it
33:43was two
33:43from 16
33:44as Michael
33:44Dov
33:45not sacked
33:45four at
33:45Huddersfield
33:46town
33:46absolutely
33:47you know
33:48both clubs
33:49had a manager
33:49that they
33:50really believed
33:51in because of
33:52what they'd
33:52achieved in
33:53Grant McCann's
33:53case at
33:54Doncaster
33:54and other
33:55clubs in
33:56Alexander in
33:56the division
33:57and stuck
33:58by them
33:58and I think
33:59that's a real
33:59lesson because
34:00I say all
34:01of our clubs
34:02will have
34:03spells where
34:04there's doubts
34:04over the
34:05manager next
34:05season and
34:06we've seen
34:07with Huddersfield
34:08what happens
34:08if you panic
34:09too soon
34:09I think as
34:12well just
34:12quickly League
34:13One
34:13if you look
34:15at it
34:16a little bit
34:17of a make-up
34:17for next
34:18season
34:18I don't think
34:18there's going
34:18to be any
34:19teams that
34:19are going to
34:20be smashing
34:20it in the
34:21way that
34:22Birmingham and
34:22Wrexham are
34:23and there's
34:23also new rules
34:24regarding how
34:25much owners
34:27can invest
34:28although
34:28I'm still
34:29going to have
34:30Premier League
34:30parachute money
34:31nevertheless
34:34Leon's right
34:34there's no
34:35Birmingham
34:36there's no
34:36Birmingham
34:37stroke
34:37Wrexham
34:38so you
34:39can hope
34:40one or two
34:41of them
34:41Bradford and
34:42Doncaster
34:42can harness
34:43the momentum
34:44and not just
34:44be there to
34:45make up the
34:45numbers
34:46and they can
34:47have a little
34:48bit of a say
34:48and now we
34:50turn our
34:51focus to
34:52Hull City
34:52who secured
34:53their safety
34:54following a
34:55one-all draw
34:55with Portsmouth
34:56and results
34:57elsewhere going
34:57their way
34:58now what
34:59did you make
35:00of the
35:00tense fixture
35:00and should
35:01this season
35:02serve almost
35:03as a warning
35:04to the
35:04Hull City
35:04hierarchy
35:05and encourage
35:06them to
35:06invest and
35:07back Ruben
35:08Sellers
35:08Stewart
35:08yeah I
35:10mean it
35:10definitely
35:11should serve
35:12as a warning
35:12I don't think
35:13you could ever
35:13accuse this
35:14Hull hierarchy
35:15of not
35:15investing
35:16they certainly
35:17put their
35:17money where
35:18their mouth
35:18is
35:18their issue
35:19has been
35:20decision making
35:21spending the
35:23money in the
35:23right way
35:23making the
35:24right decisions
35:25I mean I
35:26think it's
35:26pretty obvious
35:27to most people
35:28now as it
35:30was to many
35:31at the time
35:31that sacking
35:32Liam Rossini
35:32was just a
35:33horrendous
35:34mistake that
35:35they've been
35:35paying the
35:36price of ever
35:36since but you
35:38know they
35:38compounded it
35:38with mistakes
35:39on top of
35:40that as well
35:41I mean I
35:42saw them at
35:43Doncaster in
35:44pre-season which
35:44was I think
35:45game three of
35:46a pre-season
35:47where they
35:47didn't win a
35:48game and
35:49they'd only
35:50just got
35:51Cody Jarmie
35:52through the
35:52door and
35:53their only other
35:54signing was
35:54Ryan Giles
35:55who'd already
35:55been on loan
35:56and made
35:56permanent
35:57so we
35:58had this
35:59quite
36:00characteristic
36:01Hull
36:01City
36:01splurge
36:02of
36:02signings
36:03after the
36:04season
36:04started
36:05before the
36:06deadline
36:06you've got
36:07a load of
36:07people who
36:08aren't prepared
36:08to play
36:09you know
36:11a style of
36:11football which
36:12was quite
36:12we were sold
36:13as quite
36:14unique on
36:14the Tim
36:15Walter
36:15and surprise
36:16surprise
36:17players who
36:18haven't had a
36:18proper
36:18pre-season
36:21pick up a
36:21load of
36:22injuries
36:22it's not
36:24coincidence
36:24you maybe
36:26can't trace
36:27every single
36:28bad injury
36:28down to
36:29that but
36:29it's definitely
36:30a factor
36:31so they
36:31made a
36:32lot of
36:33mistakes
36:33I think
36:36they've got
36:36a decent
36:36manager in
36:37Sayers
36:37time will
36:39tell
36:39he certainly
36:40made his
36:40mistakes in
36:41the running
36:41and things
36:41got tense
36:42for them
36:42they looked
36:45going into
36:46the March
36:46international
36:47break as
36:47though they
36:49might do it
36:49with a
36:49couple of
36:50games to
36:50spare
36:50and then
36:51wobbled a
36:52bit
36:52and I
36:53think
36:53there were
36:54a few
36:54bad
36:55decisions
36:56a few
36:56bad
36:57performances
36:57in there
36:58and you
37:00kind of
37:00I think
37:02most people
37:03probably knew
37:04in the heart
37:04of hearts
37:05they weren't
37:05going to go
37:05to Portsmouth
37:06and just
37:06well I think
37:07we said on
37:07the podcast
37:08last week
37:08stroll to
37:09victory
37:09and everything
37:09a bit
37:10hunky-dory
37:10they needed
37:12that Luton
37:12collapse
37:12which I
37:13don't think
37:13many people
37:14saw coming
37:15just because
37:15of the way
37:16Luton had
37:16been playing
37:16in the
37:17previous
37:17three games
37:19but it
37:20was just
37:20about getting
37:21over the
37:22line and
37:23just writing
37:24this season
37:25off
37:25it's done
37:26we've
37:26survived
37:26and as
37:27you said
37:28Mark
37:28learned the
37:29lessons
37:29and moved
37:30on
37:30as Leon
37:32said about
37:32Leeds
37:33and it
37:33applies to
37:33every club
37:34it's all
37:35about
37:35recruitment
37:36now
37:36getting the
37:37right characters
37:39players who
37:39are physically
37:40robust enough
37:41for 46
37:41games a
37:42season
37:42getting them
37:43in early
37:44giving
37:44Sayers
37:45a proper
37:46pre-season
37:47working with
37:48as much
37:49of the
37:49squad
37:49as possible
37:49let's be
37:50honest
37:50they're not
37:50going to have
37:51everyone in
37:51by the start
37:52of pre-season
37:52that's just
37:53pie in the sky
37:53they need a lot
37:54more in
37:55they need a lot
37:56of work
37:57but I think
37:59if they can do
38:00that
38:01if they can get
38:01Liam Miller
38:02fit
38:02he looked like
38:03a big signing
38:04at the time
38:05did his crucial
38:06ligaments
38:07wasn't able to
38:07show what he
38:08can do
38:08same with
38:09Mohamed
38:09Balumi
38:10same with
38:11Elliot Matazzo
38:11who they
38:12signed in
38:12January
38:13if they can
38:13get these
38:13players fit
38:14they'll really
38:15be hoping
38:15that they can
38:16twist Leeds
38:17his arms
38:17have a bit
38:18more of
38:18Joe Gelhart
38:19if they can
38:20get all of
38:21these
38:21add a
38:22centre forward
38:23who can be
38:24clinical in
38:25front of
38:26goal
38:26because they
38:26really lack
38:27that
38:27bit more
38:29defensive strength
38:30I think
38:31there is the
38:32potential
38:32out of this
38:34train crash
38:35of a season
38:36for something
38:37positive to
38:38emerge
38:38in the same
38:39way that
38:39although we
38:40kind of
38:41look on it
38:43in a negative
38:44light because of
38:44the way it's
38:45finished
38:45Sheffield
38:46Wednesday have
38:47had a really
38:47good season
38:48all things
38:48considered
38:49when you look
38:50at where they
38:50came from
38:50last season
38:51Hull have
38:52got to be
38:52looking to
38:52do something
38:53similar
38:54minus the
38:55shenanigans
38:56in the second
38:57half of the
38:57season with
38:57everything breaking
38:58down
38:58Yeah I think
39:00a lot of
39:00clubs
39:01the final
39:02day there's
39:03emotions of
39:04joy and
39:06despair and
39:06sheer relief
39:07and I think
39:07relief is the
39:09word there
39:09at Hull
39:11certainly among
39:13the clubs when
39:13you look at
39:14them they've
39:15had the
39:15warning as
39:16Stuart said
39:16in terms of
39:17recruitment
39:18it needs to
39:18be more
39:20consistent
39:20getting the
39:21right sort of
39:22characters as
39:22well
39:23and the
39:24right balance
39:24as well
39:25they seem
39:27obsessed with
39:27signing number
39:28tens and as
39:29I said
39:29they've left
39:30themselves without
39:31a centre forward
39:32who can do
39:33the business
39:33I've said in
39:34the past
39:34they've not
39:35recruited well
39:36enough defensively
39:37it's all about
39:38the balance
39:38isn't it
39:39they've had the
39:40warning
39:40if they'd have
39:41landed in
39:42League One
39:42depending for
39:44the thoughts
39:45of the owner
39:45he sort of
39:47came in and
39:47he was talking
39:48about the
39:48Premier League
39:49in a few
39:49years and
39:50then they
39:51could have
39:51potentially
39:51found themselves
39:52in League
39:53One and
39:53who knows
39:53what direction
39:54the club
39:54would have
39:55gone in
39:56but thankfully
39:59thank the
39:59lucky stars
40:00that they're
40:00still in the
40:01Championship
40:01I think as
40:02Stuart said
40:03I think he's
40:03a decent
40:04coach
40:06he's obviously
40:07made one or
40:07two mistakes
40:08as you've
40:10rightly said
40:10Salah's in
40:11the running
40:11but he's
40:12stabilised the
40:13playing side
40:14of it a bit
40:14as well
40:15become a bit
40:16more defensively
40:17stable
40:18and get the
40:20recruitment right
40:21and hopefully
40:22they can not
40:22be in as
40:23choppy waters
40:23next season
40:24but a lot
40:25of it was
40:25Stuart said
40:26it was
40:26self-inflicted
40:27from the moment
40:28they decided
40:29to part
40:29company
40:30with Liam
40:32Sr.
40:33They did
40:34at least
40:34show at
40:35Portsmouth
40:36that they've
40:36got that
40:36character
40:37which is
40:37another box
40:39you need
40:39to tick
40:40you don't
40:40get anywhere
40:41without that
40:41it's alright
40:42signing
40:42we've seen
40:44it in the
40:44past
40:44in Europe
40:45and in
40:45England
40:46just going
40:46out and
40:47signing
40:47players
40:47because
40:48they're
40:48big names
40:48and not
40:49having the
40:50characters
40:50it doesn't
40:51work in any
40:54division
40:54does it
40:55really
40:55let's be
40:55honest
40:56Paris
40:57Saint-Germain
40:57have only
40:58sorted
40:58themselves
40:58out
40:59since
40:59they've
41:00got rid
41:00of their
41:00superstars
41:01but they
41:02showed
41:03the players
41:04there
41:04that they've
41:05got strong
41:05jaw
41:05and they
41:06care
41:06so that's
41:06a good
41:08starting point
41:08and I think
41:09if the league
41:10had started
41:11the day
41:11Sayers came
41:12in
41:12obviously
41:12lots of
41:14maybes
41:14they'd have
41:14been 14th
41:15so that
41:16shows you
41:16that they
41:17did progress
41:18under him
41:18and I think
41:19they can
41:19progress
41:19further
41:20Well Stuart's
41:33probably a bit
41:34more qualified
41:35to talk about
41:36Sheffield United
41:36than me
41:37but I just
41:37sort of think
41:38it's just
41:39another test
41:40of the sort
41:40of mentality
41:41Sheffield United
41:41and we've
41:43spoken long
41:43and hard
41:44about the
41:45dressing room
41:45the strength
41:47good characters
41:48again going
41:49back to that
41:49this is another
41:50test for Sheffield
41:50United
41:51obviously big
41:52disappointment
41:53but not
41:54finishing the
41:54top two
41:55but they've
41:55got to be
41:56over that
41:56now that
41:56happened a
41:57few weeks
41:58ago
41:59they took
42:00some knocks
42:00on the
42:01chin in
42:01the season
42:02not just
42:03what happened
42:04when they had
42:04that bad
42:05week
42:05that we've
42:05obviously
42:06referred to
42:06before
42:07in the
42:08autumn
42:08when they
42:08lost to
42:09Leeds
42:09and
42:09Middlesbrough
42:10they came
42:11back
42:11straight away
42:11had a
42:12couple of
42:12rough home
42:13defeats
42:13earlier this
42:14year
42:15against
42:16Hull
42:16and the
42:17big one
42:17against
42:17Leeds
42:18and they
42:18sort of
42:19gathered
42:19themselves
42:19again
42:20and went
42:21again
42:21so it's
42:22got some
42:23good
42:23players
42:25but they've
42:27got some
42:29strong
42:30proper characters
42:30in that
42:31dressing room
42:31and it's a
42:32funny one
42:33you sort of
42:33look at it
42:34and they've
42:35finished 22
42:36points above
42:37Bristol City
42:37and everyone
42:38will say
42:39well the league
42:39table doesn't
42:40matter this
42:40that and the
42:40other
42:41and I'm not
42:43quite sure of
42:43the statistic
42:44but the
42:45teams have
42:46finished fifth
42:47and sixth
42:47that's the
42:47lowest number
42:48of points
42:48I think
42:49they've had
42:50for a while
42:51I think
42:51isn't it
42:51I'm not
42:52quite sure
42:52what the
42:55actual statistic
42:56is but it's
42:57pretty low
42:57isn't it
42:58really
42:58Sheffield United
42:5922 points
43:00clear at
43:01Bristol City
43:01yes it
43:02doesn't matter
43:02but it does
43:03in a way
43:03it should
43:04show that
43:04they've
43:04you know
43:05if they
43:05get
43:06you know
43:07there's a
43:08reason why
43:09they've finished
43:10so many points
43:10clear of the
43:12rivals
43:12beneath them
43:13I mean you
43:14look at
43:14some of
43:14the
43:14Sunderland
43:15as well
43:15they've
43:16limped into
43:16the playoffs
43:17they lost
43:17the last
43:18five games
43:19there's
43:19issues there
43:20they got
43:20booed off
43:21on the
43:22final day
43:23Sheffield United
43:24are in a
43:25good place
43:25yes the
43:25league competition
43:27the 46 game
43:28competition
43:29is over
43:29but it was
43:30pretty consistent
43:33campaign
43:34from Sheffield
43:35United
43:35minus that
43:36little bit
43:36of a
43:37little bit
43:38of a blip
43:39that cost
43:40them so much
43:41there's obviously
43:42the narrative
43:43with the playoffs
43:44in Sheffield
43:44United
43:45they've had
43:46eight in a row
43:47and then
43:47they actually
43:48lost the
43:49relegation one
43:49and it was
43:50Bristol City
43:50who knocked
43:52them out
43:52many moons
43:52ago
43:53in the
43:53late 80s
43:54but I
43:55think
43:56Chris Wilder
43:58is a
43:58sort of
43:58back to
43:59the wall
43:59element
44:00and turning
44:01the tide
44:01I think
44:02that'll fit
44:03into his
44:04narrative
44:05in the
44:06immediate
44:07aftermath
44:07of the
44:08Burnley
44:09game
44:09which I
44:09went to
44:09he was
44:10speaking
44:11about
44:12he referenced
44:13Newcastle
44:14United
44:14all the
44:15years of
44:15hurt
44:15and losing
44:17finals and
44:18semi-finals
44:18at Wembley
44:19they turned
44:19it around
44:20against
44:20Liverpool
44:21there's
44:22the
44:22Brentford
44:22situation
44:23as well
44:23which
44:23well known
44:24in football
44:25they'd
44:26lost nine
44:27in their
44:27own
44:27playoffs
44:27and then
44:28I think
44:29they went
44:29up in a
44:31playoff final
44:31the year
44:31after they'd
44:32lost one
44:32wasn't it
44:33I think
44:33a few
44:34years ago
44:34so records
44:36are there
44:36but they're
44:36there to be
44:36broken
44:37aren't they
44:37and he'll
44:39have that
44:39in the
44:39back of
44:40his mind
44:40Chris Wilder
44:42so yeah
44:43there's no
44:44reason why
44:45they can't
44:45dust themselves
44:46down
44:47and finish
44:48the job
44:48and get
44:49to Wembley
44:49they'll be
44:50the favourites
44:51to win
44:51the playoffs
44:52but if any
44:53group of
44:54players can
44:54handle the
44:55heater
44:56I think it's
44:57them
44:57they've had
44:57some big
44:59results this
44:59season
44:59you look at
45:00the Steel City
45:02derby
45:03they've won
45:04a lot of
45:04games under
45:05pressure
45:05take away
45:06that sort
45:07of bad
45:07week that
45:08they've had
45:09and yeah
45:10they're in a
45:10good place
45:11and they're
45:11a team
45:12who
45:12got good
45:13memories of
45:14the game
45:14at Bristol
45:14as well
45:15they won
45:15there in
45:15the autumn
45:17and they had
45:18to really
45:18dig deep
45:19and a winner
45:19from Harrison
45:21Burroughs
45:21there
45:22so we talk
45:23about sides
45:23with ability
45:25but I think
45:26in the playoffs
45:26you need
45:27sides and
45:28individuals
45:28and groups
45:30with strong
45:31jaws
45:31and Sheffield
45:31United seem
45:32to have that
45:32yeah
45:33yeah I mean
45:34I think
45:35Bristol City
45:35are definitely
45:36to be respected
45:37I mean
45:37Leon mentioned
45:38the game
45:38at Ashton
45:38Gate
45:39I saw the
45:40game at
45:40Bramall Lane
45:40in March
45:41which was a
45:41draw
45:42and frankly
45:43Bristol City
45:44were probably
45:44the better
45:45team
45:45so there's
45:46certainly
45:46not going
45:46to be a
45:47pushover
45:47but as Leon
45:48says
45:49over 46 games
45:50Sheffield United
45:51were 22 points
45:52better
45:52you know
45:53they finished
45:54the season
45:54with a
45:54win and a
45:55draw
45:55they've not
45:56had a
45:56sort of
45:56Sunderland
45:57style finish
45:58to the season
45:58so it's
46:00there for
46:01them
46:01and yeah
46:02I mean
46:02the history
46:02side of
46:03it is
46:03weird really
46:04because
46:04you know
46:05on the one
46:06hand you can
46:06say
46:06well none of
46:07the Sheffield
46:08United players
46:08have been
46:09part of this
46:09history
46:10so what
46:10does it
46:11matter
46:11what happened
46:12in certain
46:13year here
46:15I do think
46:16it has a
46:16bearing on the
46:17terraces
46:17and around
46:17the club
46:18though
46:19but like
46:20we said
46:20with Graham
46:20Alexander
46:21and Bradford
46:21it's just
46:22about embracing
46:23it
46:23and dealing
46:25with it
46:25and as Leon
46:26rightly says
46:27that Sheffield
46:28United dressing
46:28room does
46:29have a lot
46:30of characters
46:30who you feel
46:32are the right
46:33side of people
46:34to not just
46:34deal with it
46:35but actually
46:36use it
46:36to motivate
46:37them
46:38I mean
46:38there's another
46:39one for them
46:39Sheffield
46:40United have
46:41only won
46:42at Wembley
46:42the first time
46:43they went
46:43there in
46:441925
46:45but these
46:48are the
46:49things that
46:49proper footballers
46:51should be
46:51looking at
46:51and saying
46:52I'm going
46:53to be the
46:53next one
46:53I'm going
46:54to be the
46:54one who
46:54did it
46:56they should
46:56be watching
46:56that
46:57Leeds
46:57parade
46:58they should
46:58be watching
46:59Newcastle
47:00and more
47:01absolutely
47:02full of
47:02black and
47:03white striped
47:03shirts
47:04enjoying the
47:04cup
47:04and thinking
47:05I want to
47:06be that
47:06person
47:06I want to
47:07be the
47:07person
47:07that was
47:08getting
47:08carried off
47:09Valley Parade
47:09by all those
47:10invading
47:11fans
47:11that's the
47:12mindset
47:13you've got
47:13to be
47:14a top
47:15professional
47:15footballer
47:15and I
47:16think
47:16finding
47:17players
47:17of that
47:18mindset
47:18has been
47:19a strength
47:19of Chris
47:20Wilder
47:21yes as Leon
47:21says there
47:22was that
47:22week when
47:23it went
47:23wrong
47:24and yes
47:25it's not
47:26a guarantee
47:26but it is
47:27backed up
47:27by ability
47:28they do
47:30have it
47:30within them
47:31they shouldn't
47:32be fearing
47:33anything from
47:34these playoffs
47:34they can't be
47:35complacent
47:36because if they
47:37will they
47:37won't go
47:38through
47:38but there's
47:40nothing for
47:41them to fear
47:41and finally
47:43for this
47:44week I
47:44will look
47:45to Stuart
47:45Foy's
47:45team of
47:46the week
47:46before turning
47:47to Leon
47:47Foy's
47:47player of
47:48the week
47:48so Stuart
47:49easy one
47:51this week
47:51well not
47:53really to be
47:53honest because
47:54there's a lot
47:55of people
47:55ticked off
47:57the job
47:57I'm going
47:58to go away
48:00from Leeds
48:00and Doncaster
48:01who both
48:02won titles
48:02because Leon
48:03gave them
48:04the credit
48:05last week
48:05shared it
48:06when they
48:06won promotion
48:07I think
48:08we've
48:10mentioned
48:10big character
48:12performance
48:12but I'm
48:13going to go
48:13with Bradford
48:14just for
48:14getting the
48:15job done
48:15all of those
48:17groups of
48:19players probably
48:19deserve to be
48:20team of the
48:20week but I'm
48:21pretty sure
48:21they'll all
48:22get over
48:22and not be
48:23nominated
48:24by me for
48:25this so I'm
48:26going to go
48:27with Bradford
48:28City
48:28and Leon
48:30player of the
48:30week this
48:31week
48:31I think it's
48:32worth mentioning
48:33a few names
48:35from the other
48:36clubs as well
48:36with respect
48:40we've had to
48:40speak about
48:41he's really
48:43been dominated
48:43by three or
48:44four
48:44hasn't it
48:45Leeds
48:45Bradford
48:46whole
48:46finishing
48:47off the
48:47job
48:47Doncaster
48:48as well
48:49Davis
48:51Keeler
48:51done
48:5119 goals
48:52this season
48:53what a
48:54signing
48:54he's been
48:54there's a lot
48:55of talk
48:56about
48:56Barnsley
48:56getting it
48:57wrong
48:57in January
48:57they didn't
48:58get it
48:58wrong
48:58at the
48:58end
48:59of the
48:59summer
48:59window
49:00in
49:00bringing
49:01him
49:01in
49:01and
49:01waiting
49:01for
49:02him
49:02and
49:02getting
49:02him
49:04over
49:04the
49:05line
49:05hanging
49:06on to
49:06him
49:06might
49:06be a
49:06different
49:07story
49:0719 goals
49:08you think
49:08one or
49:09two in
49:09the
49:09championship
49:10may
49:10have a
49:11look at
49:11him
49:11he's had
49:12a great
49:12season
49:13the
49:15Dauphin
49:15as well
49:15at
49:15Rotherham
49:16it's been
49:17another rough
49:18season
49:19team wise
49:19for Rotherham
49:20he's been
49:20pretty
49:21consistent
49:21he helped
49:22them
49:22see the
49:23season out
49:24with a
49:25home win
49:25and they've
49:25finished the
49:26season a
49:26little bit
49:26better
49:27haven't they
49:27a little
49:28bit of
49:28hope going
49:28forward
49:29under
49:29Matt
49:29I'm
49:30sure
49:30was at
49:31the game
49:31at
49:32Portsmouth
49:32by all
49:33accounts
49:33the
49:33centre
49:34has
49:34had
49:34good
49:34games
49:34in
49:35the
49:35Egan
49:35and
49:36Hughes
49:36seems to
49:37have had
49:37a good
49:37first
49:38season
49:38in the
49:39championship
49:40a young
49:40defender
49:42learning his
49:44trait at
49:44this level
49:44and he's
49:45done
49:45pretty well
49:46and his
49:46name seems
49:48to appear
49:49in a lot
49:49of the
49:49good
49:49things
49:50that
49:50Hull
49:50do
49:50let's
49:51have a
49:51little
49:51mention
49:52for
49:52Jonathan
49:52Hogg
49:52as
49:53well
49:53finishing
49:53his
49:53time
49:54at
49:55playing
49:55time
49:56at
49:56Huddersfield
49:56remains
49:56to be
49:57seen
49:57if he
49:59sticks
50:00around
50:00he's
50:00going to
50:00have
50:01some
50:01discussions
50:01with
50:01the
50:02owner
50:02by all
50:03accounts
50:04you've got to
50:05mention a
50:05couple of
50:05Bradford
50:06Richie
50:06Small
50:06when he
50:06came back
50:07in
50:07he
50:08steadied
50:09the ship
50:10on a
50:11bit of a
50:12choppy
50:12afternoon
50:13you've got to
50:14mention
50:15Sarcevic
50:15what a
50:17remarkable
50:17achievement
50:18six
50:18promotions
50:19from this
50:19level
50:20and
50:20fortunate
50:21enough to
50:22interview
50:22him with
50:23his
50:23family
50:24on
50:25Saturday
50:27but
50:27Rob
50:28Street
50:2813
50:29goals
50:29he
50:31started
50:31his
50:31loan
50:32spell
50:32with
50:32a
50:32goal
50:33at
50:33the
50:33start
50:33of
50:33January
50:34and
50:34he
50:34finished
50:34it
50:34with
50:34a
50:34couple
50:35and
50:35that's
50:36remarkable
50:36isn't it
50:37if he'd
50:37been there
50:37all season
50:38he'd have
50:38been looking
50:38at 25
50:39goals
50:39you would
50:40have
50:40thought
50:40he goes
50:41back to
50:42Lincoln
50:43now
50:44he goes
50:46there with
50:46a lot
50:46of thanks
50:47from
50:47Doncaster
50:48but
50:48I'm
50:49going to
50:49go for
50:49Solomon
50:50at
50:50Leeds
50:51there's
50:54lots of
50:55people who
50:55put their
50:56hand up
50:56at
50:57Leeds
50:57more
50:57especially
50:58in this
50:58pivotal
50:59time of
50:59the season
50:59I think
51:00non
51:00more
51:00so
51:00than
51:01him
51:02obviously
51:02had the
51:02glory
51:03of
51:03getting
51:03the
51:03goal
51:04down
51:04at
51:04home
51:05park
51:06his
51:06assist
51:07record
51:07is great
51:08as well
51:08so one
51:09one of
51:09the first
51:09things
51:10that
51:10Leeds
51:10need
51:10to
51:11tick
51:11off
51:11is
51:12hopefully
51:12getting
51:12him
51:12over
51:13the
51:13line
51:13and
51:13to
51:14the
51:14club
51:14on a
51:14permanent
51:15basis
51:15and
51:16a hell of
51:17a lot
51:17of contributions
51:18from there
51:18this season
51:19but he's
51:20really put
51:20his hand up
51:21when it
51:21matters
51:21so I'll
51:22go for
51:22man of
51:23Solomon
51:23yeah
51:23I mean
51:24like the
51:25team
51:25he had a
51:25little bit
51:26of a dip
51:26when the
51:27results took
51:27a bit
51:28of a wobble
51:28and again
51:30like the
51:30team
51:30it showed
51:31the strength
51:31of character
51:31to really
51:32produce his
51:33best form
51:34when it
51:34mattered
51:34I think
51:35that's an
51:35excellent
51:35choice
51:36I just
51:36took into
51:37there as
51:38well
51:38and
51:39Harrogate's
51:39answer to
51:40Huddersfield
51:40Town
51:41has been
51:41Josh
51:41Falkingham
51:42he's another
51:42one who's
51:43similar
51:44position to
51:45well
51:47maybe a
51:47similar
51:48position to
51:48Hogg
51:48he's going
51:49to step
51:49up to
51:49the
51:49back
51:50room
51:50but he's
51:51played his
51:51last game
51:52for the
51:52club
51:52and been
51:53a tremendous
51:54servant
51:54for them
51:55so
51:55but yeah
51:56certainly
51:57Solomon is a
51:58very worthy
51:59winner I think
52:00of Player of the
52:01Week
52:01yeah
52:01apologies if we
52:03miss anyone
52:03out as well
52:04we probably
52:04have done
52:04it's been a
52:05few weeks
52:06yeah write
52:08in and
52:08complain and
52:08we'll mention
52:09them next
52:09week
52:10YorkshirePost.co.uk
52:12Many thanks to
52:24Stuart Rayner
52:25and Leon Wobstall
52:25who will
52:26doubtless join us
52:26again soon for
52:27more discussions
52:27on the Yorkshire
52:28football scene
52:29but don't forget
52:30you can keep up
52:30to date with all
52:31the football news
52:31across Yorkshire
52:32and beyond by
52:33logging on to
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52:49subject matter
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52:50footballtalkpodcast
52:51at
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52:54as ever
52:54many thanks
52:55for listening
52:55look after
52:56yourselves
52:57and bye
52:57for now
52:57and bye