FM24 | Saving Southend | EPISODE 136 - LIVERPOOL ARE TOO PERFECT? | Football Manager 2024

well following late disappointment in the last episode our Champions League troubles have continued and that perhaps puts a bit more pressure on the squad for this week and my decision making across two big competitions we're also slipping away from the perfect Liverpool record at the top of the Premier League table this is turning into a difficult start and this week against Newcastle and City we need things to go right pretty quickly [Music] yes hello and welcome along to part 136 of saving south end with me Daniel the 16th season has started I would say relatively solidly with injuries on the board with a six-point deficit to Liverpool who have started brilliantly with trouble in the Champions League there are definitely areas for concern and there are definitely areas where we've got some catching up to do today we continue what is a pretty treacherous run of fixtures following the international break we make it three games in a week after a big win at Sheffield United of Newcastle in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League already our third encounter with Newcastle this year before we play another three games in the space of a week straight after so this is more a test of the squad's depth and the squad's quality today it says there's three injured but there's actually more than that out if you looking forward to seeing if we can compete and put write what happened against Newcastle in the last episode in the Premier League and please do put a thumbs up on the video but now though we're going to go over and have a look at the schedule because when I say Champions League trouble I mean trouble in Italy because you were with me as we let in that late goal against in Milan to make it a three or Draw rather than a big victory you then saw us get pretty much played off the part by new Carle looking fatigued at the weekend and it then cost us on a Tuesday as well because against Juventus we lost by two goals to one and I was furious with Ryan Adamson who got himself sent off after we went 1 n up with a brilliant start patini and goal had his first magnificent game for us and Adamson still somehow got a 7.8 just forgetting the assist which really annoyed me we managed to cling on for a point until the 89th minute at which point juuv turned it around we did bounce back with two big league wins 4-1 Victory against Hall thanks to a Nana Fair brace and one from Joe will Adamson played that game and got injured and then against Sheffield United after the weird four-week break it was Peter Burber who picked up a knock as L as Herbert followed her own goal to get us a fairly comfortable win so it leaves us in decent position in the Premier League two big away defeats against Newcastle and Everton but let's be fair they're games that you could lose any season we need Liverpool to slip up and if they don't we're just going to have to accept being second best but we've had a good run at the top this season maybe we take take advantage of the fact that we've got friendly carabel Cup draws so far we've had Bristol City at home we've now got Hull at home could this be the year we finally win that trophy for the first time and could we have a go in a Champions League because if we win today and then if we can win against barel and PSV orbe it not convincingly we will be pretty much through so let's go and get into the first of today's double header we are without a few players as you saw we're a little short up front we're a little short in Center Midfield we're coming up against one of our former players inel Gomez the starting right back Aron Mo Hy and ho I don't need to introduce them again we've been playing them every episode the way this season's worked out let's see what 11 I can put out today because this is the first choice team that played at the weekend bar bernberg and Fa both of whom are struggling physically but I don't have any other subs so ideally Fair will be a late substitute or nothing bernberg and gimenez will be unused and then C and wills will start a front instead we have got Teddy Ivanov there in Midfield is just a returning Marciano hius Ivo Torres the rest are out with Adamson suspended on top of all of that I think you call this a little bit of a patch together Squad the bench is not the strongest there's probably five or six I would be happy to use out of the 12 but this is the 11 that we're going for today that will hopefully be able to deliver a big Champions League win at home it is patini between the sticks with meemit and Carlos the fullbacks Herbert and rros the two Center halfes Robertson and Vasquez the Wingers kraes and Torres in the middle and then wills and C the two up front interesting to note that kraes did finally end his unhappiness about being played out of position after about a year then within a day became unhappy about his contracts again and wanted 300 Grand a week instead of the 150s on so didn't really have any point in ending that but it does mean if we can offer him a new deal later down the line that unhappiness should drift away for now it is all about trying to get a result we've got four defensive Subs if we need them could we use Andre as a superstar sub going forward again might be the only option we have let's go and get into it we've lost to Newcastle in the league we pipped them in a community Shield what will happen the third time we Face them let's go and find out a Steve Tilson Park well three changes for Newcastle today as Anna slot continues his big rebuild of the club they're doing very well a few big names dropped out today but they've got real quality in the squad they're bringing Aron MO is a world class Center half John's caused trouble before but so with two or three of the players dropping out so let's go and get through to this one say stick to the plan and be patient just want to take the pressure off because this is a night where with one point out of six you can start to feel like you've got to win and you've got to force the issue we've had a lot of Thrillers against Newcastle where we've let things slip I want to be quite careful on that front 10 minutes gone it's been quiet so far let's wait for a chance and hope it goes in our favor well if if you haven't seen the news already next season we'll be listening to a less atmospheric version of that Champions League theme tune apparently as Joe Wills gets in and heads over the bar 35 minutes gone and prior to that all we'd really seen tonight is that Arsenal are struggling at home to UV and that we've picked up an OCT to arm in mic is only a bruise though shouldn't get worse we're getting through to the break at least but it has been a positive start in terms of defensively where we've been weak at times it's just whether we can turn that into gold and attacks not with Wills giving it away there well won by Torres is out to Vasquez who's a little deep at the minute just not got real options in those Midfield and attacking areas and players know they can get away with it don't know what's happened to Joe Will's first touch we noticed this in the last episode didn't we heavy touches giving the ball away but Herbert wins it back all rashley car's not great he's been forced wide he goes back to Mich who can now storm down the right has support he's got four in the middle as well C back to Torres good early cross Joe will up and heads just wide glances it past the far post that was an opportunity in a half he's got a good first touch but not showing it today if he could have scored with his head all would have been forgiven halime no shot on target yet for south end but nil nil and could be a crucial clean sheet so far they say we've got to be better in front of goal Ashley Carr is now nervous I mean he's just he's a complete bag of uncertainty isn't he that's the best way I can sum him up let's go into the second Ashley Carr how much have you got in a lock up will nana be needed Vasquez with a corner kick on the left to the back post can Herbert be the hero again loses the header it's away as far as yor Robertson who's also been quiet today he gets to the by line gets the second bite of the Cherry the cross instead cuts it back and we're fortunate to keep possession Jan Carlos though left footed good turn shots not quite so good though well over the bar High wide and ugly and nil nil with five gone in the second half and still no shot on the Newcastle united target well 65 gone I don't think I can wait any longer we've got poor performers we've got tired legs I'm going to go for fa and ianov as the straight swaps up front I've got IO Torres struggling so I'm going to go for Marciano on the right of Midfield y Robertson will switch with yolano who has been a Super Sub before and then we've got mamit injured but wants to play on no point of risking it now Edward agaman will be on at right back no return for Andre Off the Bench today but can we defend his Newcastle free kick it's headed away once and twice but still with Gomez our former man in the final third big ball over to Davy was he on side didn't look it but nothing given it's away again as it's flashed across the Box becoming under a bit of pressure here Jan Carlos surging into Midfield can we at least have a shot on goal Fair gets it wi to yakano did he break the offside trap Julian yakano oh how have you put that over got to hit the target there you can see from the stats we've actually got an expected goal from our nine shots but we have not hit the target once that shows you that we're missing some pretty decent chances here and we 10 to go is it going to cost us cuz the Newcastle Corner comes in and again we're not heading it away convincingly Simpson 30 yards out to Gerardo can we Nick it and break no balls for them again from the rosi tackle asala will start on halfway to zanelli chips over aiman deals with it back to in as we look to work forward here is aiman coming out from right back to Marciano why to Yano run goes from Nana fair but he's not found so poor poor pass zelli gets it up and this is the problem where you've got people like far and Marciano coming back in great players not match fit Carlos back to batini jeez nearly across his own goal line Carlos now brings it out why on Earth did we see that was it just to watch patini control it on the line cuz we went no near the goal we have had a shot on target now apparently but four minutes added on it's going to be nil nil and that is a worrying sign it's almost like we've got a lot of attacking players injured and suspended isn't it or not match fit pretty decent performance no sign of scoring a goal and it means two points of three games in a Champions League so far yes we've got two very winnable home games coming up next but what happens after that because then we've got a couple of trickier away games and a couple of the big boys I'm a bit concerned about this we're in 28th Place after those matches against Newcastle at home again we've shared the results a win a draw and a defeat this season not looking good so far 800 Grand in the bank MCH should be okay for the weekend elme and gimnez look like they'll be missing though but if you face City in four days time be a few changes yet again well it's Fitness test time as we finish another growling week here at Southend United and after frustration in midweek it's going to be whether we can keep Pace in the Premier League Liverpool are playing at pretty much the same time now they have kicked off slightly earlier n aair not quite fit to start wackin gimenez says 60 minutes but not in full condition bernberg now the worst trainer at the club Liverpool nil nil as it stands let's just hope it finishes that way that's the sort of bonus we could do with here means nothing if we lose as well Matt Cox has moved on to Manchester City he's been at Arsenal and Liverpool in this save and I think now all of the originals are gone with the exception of Rico Lewis the only remaining City player they have also got heo at the back who is an original player from the game just not from Manchester City so let's go and get through the opposition instructions see what team we can put out MCH had a knock in midweek so we're going to give aiman the start just to make sure he recovers Adamson will come back on the left for fast Vasquez who was of course suspended in the week was Adamson Vasquez will replace curlyy on the bench vit will be replaced by Nana fair and then I think I'm going to bring bernberg in for krais and he'll find his way onto the bench somewhere as well possibly in place of Andre as much as I don't like that or do I do Mage because he was struggling physically so let's put Kraus there that means that our 11 is slightly changed but we're not going absolutely crazy and I'm not going to change the front two despite my disappointment with both in midweek that means our 11 today sees how many changes in total three I think it's just three aiman at right back Adamson left wing and Burber in central Midfield in we go to a big game at the aad where are they they are level on points with us so if we lose this one we'll be out the top four after quarter of the Season which would not be ideal let's put it that way well here we are it is four changes for our host today Sandy AR on the bench as is Joffrey gibber who's brilliant Irving Hernandez who we looked at last year he went there from Atletico Madrid there are a lot of good players in this squad will zidan finally get it working let's Tell The Lads to keep it going get them inspired bber again just sort of creeping into his shell as a big game comes along but we could really do with a performance here I'm not sure I'm confident we get it I feel like this is the year it's just going to start to decline and I might have to make some big decisions for that final push but the one thing I do want out of it at least is to win a carabal cou or something one of the ones we haven't won before as ho goes down the left to Cox good interception from Torres then he gives it away trying to be a bit too clever with his footwork boso into Castello and it's cost us again just like the Newcastle game it is individual mistakes and it is those little moments where it's just going against us our job at the minute is to keep within touching distance is to keep our ground because we're sneaking away from the top of the table here though car goes into bernberg and there's an inspired team selection Ashley car stays in turns Provider from a quick free kick and Burber in the middle a rare goal for him and straight back on terms a huge moment that because that could have got the fans turning if we didn't react quickly Liverpool still nil nil with Sheffield United I'm keeping an eye on that cuz at the very worst I don't want to lose any ground today when on paper we've got the tougher of the two games so we are straight back up the other end as Rico Lewis plays a onew from the kickoff from the throw in sorry kickoff what I'm on about frer on the right hand side cross from the by line groso in poor poor defending Carlos defensively not great patini beating it his near post Herbert's marking wasn't anything special all around that was pretty woeful defensively it's not good is it and with Liverpool looking so good bit of a concern for us adamson's got got a yellow he's been poor again just got too many players out of form not consistently fit and playing and at half time we're deservedly going to be behind yes we've come back into the game a little in terms of the stats but we've not seen much evidence that it's going to be great for us going to say I'm disappointed again it feels like I'm doing that most weeks let's see if we get a reaction here because a third away defeat of the Season already could be pretty damaging at this point we're pretty much an hour on the clock here and I don't think we can wait anymore we've got real poor performers so Andre is going to come on at left back we're going to take Adamson off for Vasquez Wills is going to come off for Teddy ianov and I'm going to take off yor Robertson for yuk colano four changes think got left back with Andre do we go for something aggressive inverted Wing back on attack it worked last time didn't it then a fullback on defend maybe for agim man I think that could be ideal we might leave him on support I mean we've got to chase the game haven't we we've got one more change if we want to Chuck on Nana if we want to Chuck on Marciano want to Chuck on the subke keeper the way B he's playing but we're 20 to go I don't see where the change comes so Torres will be replaced by Luis Marciano and we just have to hope for a reaction 10 minutes and in this whole episode we've not managed too many shots on Target and the goals have started going in against us now J valoso is on corner kick Duty in swinger didan certainly getting City playing now even if we head it away which we're fortunate to get it off the line with Marciano they were un marked at the edge of the Box not a good day at the office this very disappointing City probably could have had more we've gone attacking late on we've had no reaction whatsoever and it is another tricky spell the champions league and Premier League are both looking pretty poor this season that is three away to beat in the league we've dropped points in every European match and we are now seven points off the top because Sheffield United do get a point but we're not anywhere near the side we've looked in recent years yes there have been injuries and fitness issues contributing this is not a start I was hoping for let's go and have a look at when we're next going to be back because the task this season seems to be a little bit tougher well if we put this into a bit of perspective now we've actually won two of our last seven games and we mentioned that we had that friendly run at the start of the Season we didn't take advantage away at Everton but the only teams we've beaten in the last month and a half are Hull at home and then a pretty decent win at Sheffield United but that relied on an own goal on a set piece so it's not free flowing you can tell the attacking players are missing and we're going to come back I think next time for a real test in a triple header let's just throw ourselves in the big games there's a lot of tough ones coming up Chelsea away on paper looks tough but they had a poor year last year they recovered pretty well at the start of this one know Spurs at home are going to be a threat we've got two now must-win Champions League games and then at the end of the month we start with a run of it again three games in a week and I think that's becoming the issue this season having those tougher Premier League games after the European midweeks that's something where we've just had luck of a draw in a couple of recent Seasons so we will be back for the following three Arsenal at home United away Bayern Munich at home those three games are going to be hugely decided Ive based on our start because they're the games now where we can't afford to slip up and we've got to start making a ground back so if you're looking forward to seeing if we do and he did enjoy seeing a little bit of difficulty creeping into season 16 at South End United and please do put a thumbs up on the video if you're enjoying the pain let me know down in the comments do you think we can win anything this year do I have to go for the carabel cup try and get a new trophy on the board and take a positive out of what looks like being a pretty tricky season if you're want to stay up to date and find out if it is subscribe and turn that notification Bell on we'll be back here in a couple of days time for the huge triple head up against three big teams there's also links in the eye above to all the other playlist the twitch Channel and the football podcast for regular content too but thank you very much for watching it all for being here and supporting as always the next episode is going to be pretty decisive in our season let's hope those three games go a little better than these two did I'll see you there to find out if they do a [Music]