Football Daily - 72+ EFL Pod: Blackburn bother & ballers as chocolate bars

Episode Date: September 24, 2025

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff & Tommy Smith debate EFL matters including what should happen after Blackburn-Ipswich was abandoned, and should the play-offs be expanded to six teams? Also Middlesbrough flying under Rob Edwards, Cheltenham sack Michael Flynn, and will there be a new addition into the 72+ Ultimate All-Time EFL XI? Oh and EFL footballers as chocolate bars… send your suggestions to us on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369.01:15 Revel chat with Tony Mowbray 04:45 Footballers as chocolate bars 06:50 Should Blackburn-Ipswich be replayed? 16:50 Should play-offs be expanded to six teams? 20:35 Middlesbrough flying under Rob Edwards 28:45 Will we add to our All-Time Ultimate EFL XI? 36:55 Cheltenham sack Michael Flynn 39:55 Albert Adomah celebrates with a walking stick 40:50 Acrobatics in 72PLUS 72MINUSBBC Sounds / 5 Live EFL Cup commentary: Wed 1945 Huddersfield vs Man City.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Bring more gear, carry more passengers, face greater challenges. Welcome to the world of Defender, with seating up to eight, ample cargo space and legendary off-road capability. It's built to make the most of every adventure. Learn more at landrover.ca. Welcome everybody to 72 plus, the EFL pod from Five Livesport, as ever with me this week to navigate ourselves through the ether, that is the Football League, is my right arm. Joby McEnaff, Chobes, how are you? Yeah, very well, thanks, mate. How about you?

A little bit later this morning. What are you taking the mic up my hair for? Well, he sort of said there was a lot of traffic, that's why you were late this morning, and then you've rocked up and you got a fresh trim, so I think you've probably just got your timings a little bit wrong. Went for an early morning hair cut and then didn't end up getting in. Nope. Incorrect. I still haven't got a fines policy for the point yet. Incorrect, Joelle.

The haircut was had two days ago, pal, so. We're still looking fresh, mate. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Do appreciate that. Jopes, how's your week be? Pretty busy, as always, but love it. We're in with Tony Mowbray, actually.

And I just love being in with the older sort of generation managers, the enthusiasm, I love, the passion for the game. He is one manager. I think I would have loved to have played for just the way he approaches football, attacking players. You know, he's massive on that. And just some of the stories. It was full of revel chat, I've got to say, obviously, his favourite. Confection, yeah.

And he told us that, obviously, since he got the reputation of loving him, and he ended up with a garage full of them. I think they've sent him out quite a few boxes. Really? So any time anyone comes around and does a little bit of work for him, a gardener or whatever, he sort of dishes out a pack or two of a revel. So that's the treat you get when you go to Tony Mowbray's house. And then he actually told us the story

I remembered a couple of years ago and just like he's got that real sort of fatherly figure isn't he? And it's kind of gone out the game a little bit with the modern day coaches and I remember doing a game Watford against Sondland a couple of years ago and he'd come over and had a good chat with us he was so honest just talking about

you know there was a lot of young French players at the time he wasn't able to sort of connect how he would like to just because the language barrier sort of to say you keep going and you know you'll get your opportunity and he found that really difficult and he said at the end of that game there was a young lad who was actually Costa Rican,

Jewison Bennett, who scored that night and his dad was obviously living with him at the time in Sunderland but he had no way to get back home obviously it's a night game so he kind of managed to make out to sort of Tony his dad was struggling you know is there any way that he could

come back with the team on the bus and Tony's obviously clocked on and he's like right where's your old man get him down here so he's brought his dad down and next thing he's on the bus not only that he gets out of his seat his manager's seat on the coach sits the dad down

the dad gets all the way back to Sunderland and I just thought it's just such a lovely story just don't hear things like that anymore and that's something that that player would have remembered I think for the rest of his career just little bits of how do you get that bit extra out of your players and yeah just a top top man a really enjoyable afternoon

with Mr Mowbray and great to see him in such good health and with a glint in his eye I think he will be back sooner rather than later Nah, he is a class individual, isn't he? I had an interesting message pop up on social media this week, which has now disappeared. I don't know where it's got to, because I can't find it, but someone, a listener, has sort of exed in.

Basically he said he really enjoyed me doing my impression of you last week. Oh, go ahead, I'm going to do it again, then. Well, nah, it's all right, Joe, nah, you know, Margot, yeah, me and Tony Mowbrino, yeah. Anyway, great to also welcome Tommy Smith onto the pod, former. Playoff winning captain of Huddersfield Town He's just reminded us of that How are you as much? Very well, thank you mate, very well

And I must say the hair is looking very good as Just a quick one on Tony Mowbray Yeah, what a guy he is He's very, very well thought of on the North East So I do hear a lot of good things about him Great to see him in good health But the Revel selection for me is a straight note That's a red card for me

Revels are not mine What's your confectionery of choice? Well, it's not a bag of Revels, I'll tell you that much. Too much going on with Revels, isn't there? Too much, Jobby. You just never know what you're going to get. I'm just about just keep it playing. No, but keep it plain and simple, mate.

Give me a bag of minstrels. I'm happy with that. Yeah, minstrels decent. I'm an old-school chocolate kind of guy, man. Give me a Twix or a Mars bar or a Snickers any day. A Mars bar. I'll tell you what I've been enjoying on a way day now. You know the Snickers with the peanut butter layer in the top?

Oh, I've not had that one, actually. They're well nice. They're well nice. You're only getting from select petrol stations. I can't find them. I try to go at the supermarket, see if they're about. No, they're not there. Okay.

Fruit and nut? About fruit and nuts? Oh, you can't be a fruit and not. Classic. That's a classic. That better than a Mars bar, Tommy. Yeah, much better. Fruit and nuts are right on my street.

A cup of tea with a game on. A Mars bar is like the Sean Derry of chocolate, isn't it? I mean, it's kind of just like you know where you are with a Mars bar. It's great. You want one in your team, but you don't want loads of Sean Deries, do you? Listen, I'll tell you what it is with that. Like you say, you know what you get in, which I think is a good thing. You look at, I'll go and buy a chocolate these days.

There's nothing left of them. I mean the shrinkage that has occurred over the years. Oh my gosh, it is scandalous, mate. Come on, mate, you've got to move with the times, now, Joe, but you've got to move with the times, mate. If you were to like them, let them try all these things. If you were to liken EFL players to chocolate bars, I mean, I've just said Sean Derry, sort of like, you know, like a Mars bar.

Who would you go for where? Who would be what? Oh, my gosh. Who'd be a Dubai canoff a pistachio job? Oh, well, there's a few cabri's flake, wristed goalkeeper. he's gone straight in on the keepers it's just typical there are a very

you know sort of few things certain in life life death taxes and Joby McEnough absolutely mugging off gold keepers come on have it so yeah footballers as chocolates I mean yeah flake yeah go on Jobes you can have that smudge

well do you know what there could be a few footballers out there who would be described as a bag of revels because you just never know what you're going to get with them as do you Very good. Like that. I've definitely played and coached and managed a few of them, mate. Yeah, well, there you go. Do you want to drop any names, Joe?

No. Okay. 0,000, 289, 369. Get your suggestions into us on WhatsApp. Footballers as chocolate bars. There's got to be a toblerone. There's someone who's just hard as nails, like, solid. You have to smash them across a desk just to like, you know, break them in half.

Anyone? Pierre Gianni. Pierre Gianni. Sean Hutchinson and Jake Cooper. Oosh. Someone like. like that. We are going to dive straight into our football chat this week. Middlesbrough leading the way at the top end of the championship, Cheltenham Town, propping up the football league,

and now managerless having sacked Michael Flynn. But a couple of juicy debates to get into first. What should happen with Blackburn versus Ipswich? Abandoned 10 minutes from time because of a rain-soaked pitch. It was 1-0 to Blackburn at the time. Ipswich are down to 10 men. The fixture will either be counted as completed with the point. awarded based on the time of the abandonment or we played partially or in its entirety. The EFL board decides the outcome based on the score at the time of the abandonment, the number of minutes played and the cause of the abandonment and whether the club or its supporters were at fault. No one's at fault, Jobes.

This is what they call in insurance terms an act of God. What do you do? Well, I've got to say, I think the EFL and a little bit of a pickle over this one, because it is such a strange set of circumstances. And the game state, I think, is the big thing for me. Listen, I think if you're looking at it objectively, the fairest thing would be to replay what was left in the game with the game state.

So 10 men against 11, 1-0 up. But I just don't think that is a realistic possibility. Is it going to be the same group of players available? You know, I think that is going to be really, really tough. I think Blackburn will end up getting the same. sort of rough end of the stick with this one. I've got to be honest, because I just don't think... Do you really think that?

I think that would be the fairest way, Tommy. I don't think it will happen, genuinely. I just think there's too many uncertainties in that. I mean, do Whipswich? I'm going to make them go all the way up there for 10 minutes. This is the problem. Imagine the lads. You're kind of like, right, you've got to get really tuned up,

lads got 10 minutes to get into the game. You've got all the logistics of that. I just said, I think that would be the fairest. I don't think that will happen. because again I just look at what is the other scenario I think it's not enough in terms of the game only 1-0 to say that the result should stand I definitely don't think that should be

so I think we will end up with a full replay which I think will be harsh I think so I think a full replay Jolby is an absolute can't happen for me I think from a Blackburn point of view it can't happen no can't happen mate I don't I just think you've got to look at the circumstances of the game you're talking about the 80th minute so it's not as if

we've played half an hour 45 minutes 80th minute, Blackburn by all accounts, and I've spoke to people in the camp, we're on top in the game, naturally, with Ipswich having 10 men. Ipswich had three yellow cards actually present at the time of the abandonment. How is that possible to go back to the very

start and play a game? I just, I don't think he can do it clean enough any other way. I really don't. But surely there's got to be a cutoff in a game, though, Jobby, where it's like, you know, whether it's a 75th, 80th minute or whatever, where you look at it and say. It's only 1-0, Tommy. How many games do you played? 1-0. Even with 10 men, and you go and nick a goal, you know, you lob a ball into the bot

or something drops for it. I just think there's enough in the gate. If we're talking 87, 88, you know, but there's 10 minutes plus a bit of added on, I think that is enough time. If I'm I'm Ipswich town, and I'm obviously playing devil's advocate a little bit here looking at it from both sides of it, to argue my case to say there was enough time for us to nick a goal. Yeah, I mean, I'm not sure.

I think, well, I mean, Tommy, I brought it up earlier this whole act of Goddin that they use when actually insuring like properties and homes and stuff like that. It's events beyond human control. No one could control the weather at Ewa Park on Saturday. Surely, Joby, there needs to be some form of EFL

governance where they're like, right, bang, after a certain amount of time in a game, we carry the result forward. That is it. Game over. All the best. God bless see you later. Ipswich. You've lost that unfortunately because we've played a percentage of the game. Yeah. You know what, Aaron? I think that is a great point.

and I think out of all of this mess and it has been a mess and listen it's nobody's fault I mean the rain particularly up there was torrential wasn't it I mean across a load of different matches as well is there a little case in terms of the club itself and the facilities or is it just one of those

that you just nothing could have been done so I think hopefully what will come out of this is there will be a framework and some guidelines if it does happen in future because you know we can't be sat here you know we're debating we're having a little bit of laugh about you know it's which is going up for 10 minutes but you know it genuinely is up in the air still and I think just going back to last year

I don't know if it's last year or the year before late and orient had a game abandoned I'm going to say about 80 82 minutes I think there was a issue in the crowd but that I believe was replayed in full so I know it's a different set of circumstances as to why it was abandoned but maybe a precedent was set there in terms of a game at that stage having to be replayed in full it would be harsh on blackburn do not get me wrong I just can't see any other way man I just can't Tommy and I were thinking before the show about alternates you could have maybe. You could have something like a rolling of the dice, a coin flip, maybe a game of poker or something like that. No, maybe?

No, what about the old school? Do you remember the old MLS penalties when you had to like dribble up and just go around the goalkeeper? Tony Miole in goal or something like that. I mean, you could have a giant game of rock paper scissors. Well, yeah, I mean, you could do it virtually as well. I think to save a bit of travel, couldn't you? How about the eco-friendlyness? What, having to go up again.

Exactly. That bus fumes. Ipswich is a long way away from Blackburn as well. It's very far. And again, I'm sure they, I mean, I say they wouldn't want to. What if you sort of said to them, look, you've got to go up and finish the 10. Otherwise, we're going to hand it to Blackburn. Was that something that they would just have to get their heads around and go and do?

You know, I just don't know. Tommy's saying you can't just give it to Blackburn, Tommy, surely. Well, if you're Ipswich, you obviously not going to do that. But I'm just trying to weigh up the circumstances. and I just think to replay the game from the very beginning will be harsh on Blackburn, very harsh on Blackburn, given the amount of time that have been played in the game

and Ipswich being down to 10 men. I just think anything other than Ipswich potentially for fit in the game would be a disaster for Blackburn and a massive boost for Ipswich. That's why I say that. Producer Nathan has suggested that they add 10 minutes onto reverse fixture.

What, at the start of the game? You don't start on minus 10, you make it 100 minutes, is there? No, I'm saying. Do you do 10 minutes to finish off the first game and almost, right, that's the first game. I have a pre-half-time, half-time, a pre-half-time, full-time? I'm going to send this group out. This is my power group for 10 minutes.

We're just going to smash through it. And then we're going to make some changes. Like a cricket power play. There you go. 10 minutes. Add that on to the start. I say to the start. So you box that off.

And then you write, right, right, everybody freshen up. We're going again, 90 minutes. I'd love to see like a training drills challenge. I know this is going right down into it. but like free kicks, a set piece challenge, a penalty challenge. You know, like they used to do on Soccer A.M. back in the day, they used to send like Jimmy Bullard out and he'd go and do like challenges at different football clubs.

I think something like that would be fun. You'd have like a coach with all these like mannequins and cones. It'd be fun. What, a crossbar challenge? Yes. So he gets three points. Let's do that. There's got to be a way.

And there's got to be definitive legislation to this now. I mean, come on the NFL guys. You look, just do it. Sit down and say, right, after 75 minutes, whoever's winning the result stands that's it job done God bless Valerian Ishmael obviously wants Blackburn to be awarded the three points he says at that point

we were the pushing team we were clearly in an advantage under statistics the data everything shows that we were on the front foot since the red card so expect that we get the reward because I think this is the fair thing to do this is a case that should be taken seriously as it will set a precedent

Tom you know what it's like to have a game being abandoned don't you what happened with yours I do very interesting one long time ago now as I was at Huddersfield, we played against Blackpool at Blackpool Stadium half time. There was a lot of protest. It was a time when Blackpool were in a bit of disarray with the ownership and everything. Fans were on the pitch at half time and the game

got abandoned ultimately, but that's not the worst part of the story from my point of view. It was the last game of the season. And if we won the game at Huddersfield, we were due a decent bonus at the time. But the game finished. They give us a point each because we were drawing at half time. And I didn't receive any bonus. It's safe to say,

Huddersfield didn't push for the three points or the replay of the game. I think they were more than happy to just take the point and not pay out on the bonus scheme. So yeah, that was an unfortunate day for us. But yeah, that's the only game

I've been involved in that was abandoned. Surely someone's going in, Tommy, and saying, hang on a minute, this can't be right. We've been sort of almost robbed of our bonus. But again, there was nothing from an EFL point of view, Jobes, that sort of dictated what needed to be happened.

I think, because it was the last game of the season, I think in essence it was a dead rubber so I think it was a case of you, point for you, point for you, let's just write it off. I mean, between you and the club for the bonus situation, not the year. Listen, I think there will have been discussions at the time

but I don't think there was any ground on it really, mate, to be honest with you. It was just you know, you get your point off you go on to the next season so yeah. And Jacob Greaves, his red card still carries. He's been given a one match band. Todd Cantwell potentially got a goal ruled out. So again, he might run a goal

bonus, a bit like you, Tommy, and that gets taken away from him. So yeah, I think whatever the case, they need to get their heads together and try and come up with a resolution very, very promptly. Just on that game that Tommy was involved in back in 2015, a statement came out from the

NFL and they actually said league points should always be earned on the field of play. And so, my suggestion of doing like an assault course of football challenge is stands because you're going to do it on the field of play, get some free kicks going. Let's get some long

throws. Let's let's have like a volley in chat. Headers and volleys. Let's do that. You know a lot on FIFA or EA or whatever it's called? You can play that challenge mode when it's like headers and volleys or like you know last man standing stuff like that. Wembley doubles. Yes. Pick your pair. Yes.

I'm having that. Let's do it. Now this came out in the newspapers a couple of weeks back. We haven't actually discussed it yet. The EFL is considering expanding playoffs to six teams said there would be a National League-style eliminator. Tommy Smith, thoughts? Not for me.

I think it suits teams that, in all seriousness, don't really have a chance of getting into that top six. But I think from a credibility point of view, I think ultimately the top six is there to be aimed at. You've got to almost earn your way into it. I think when you start going down to eight, it just doesn't sit right with me as, I'll be totally honest with you. I think to finish eighth in the championship

and potentially get promoted to the Premier League, it just doesn't sit right with me. Listen, I'm sure it's very early stages. I know that they've had some discussions and will my opinion change on it as time moves forward? Maybe, but from right now, the first I've heard of it, it's a no. What do you think, Joby? I'm with you.

And mainly on the basis of, you know, I'm a big believer if it's not broke, don't fix it. And I think one of the things, like genuinely one of the best things about English football is the playoffs. Like it really is, you know, up and down the pyramid structure that the current format, I think, works perfectly. I know there's this argument about, you know, less dead rubbers.

We never have any real dead rubbers. That's the beauty of the EFL. You've got teams at both ends at the table because all the leagues are so competitive generally that we don't have weeks and weeks of, you know, games, there's nothing on them. I can absolutely see why championship clubs, in particular, because the riches involved in the Premier League

and given two more potentially that opportunity to get in there. but again I think in terms of sport in merit should you be able to finish eighth and then get to the best league in world football no I think sick for me feels about right we've still seen some massive discrepancies between teams finished sixth and third

and that sixth place or fifth place ends up getting through but we all know that's a situation starting a season I think everybody's fully aware of it those of us who've played in it you know that's your minimum target you know if you are a team chasing promotion you've got to try and get to sixth I think eight for me just waters it down

and I'd be really fearful genuinely of that eighth or seventh place team even you know that haven't had a great season managing to get through the playoffs getting into the Premier League and then it just becomes even more

farcical because it has been you know the last couple of years the teams that have gone up this year have started well and I hope that continues I just think for me there's nothing wrong with it so no need to change I think that's the key element isn't it the top six and listen notoriously over the years

we've both been a part of it in our teams of how difficult it is to get into that top six the challenge is really it's great and when you get in there the sort of

the feeling you get after a long hard season of getting in that top six is brilliant I just think with the top eight like you say it just dilutes it a little bit for me

so yeah from me it's a no definitely worth noting that this proposal is still very much at an early stage and that the NFL is keen to roll it out

across League 1 and League 2 as well back this stage only championship clubs have been consulted from the start of your day to the moment you head home join five live for the latest news the stories everyone's sharing and the biggest debates this is a really important moment the days of sweeping this under the rug are over let's just get up and chit away and make a difference

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and intelligent 6D dynamics air suspension. Learn more at landrover.ca. 72 plus, the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul. and Joby McEnough. One team not looking at the playoffs is Middlesbrough. They are absolutely flying at the championship. Five wins and a draw to kickstart their season. It has them four points clear at the summit of the second tier.

Smudge, X Middlesbrough, full bay. You're at the Riverside for the 2-1 win over West Brom. It's all going rather well, isn't it? It certainly is. Yeah, it makes good reading at the minute. Do you know what? I'm absolutely delighted for Rob, the staff, the players, the football club in general. I think one thing that's worth knowing with the Middlesbrough games,

they've had so far is it's been a tough start. They've had a couple of tough away games in there. I was obviously at the game on Friday night against West Brom. Who are a decent side. You know, passed the ball very well. Ryan Mason's got them set up relatively well. But one thing that, as I say,

is worth note with Millersborough is the winning games as at the minute in different ways. And I've said it before on this pod. I said it about Stoke. To navigate your way through a 46-game season in the championship, you've got to be able to win games differently. And that's certainly one thing

that Millsborough have been doing. and it's credit to the work that Rob and the staff have been putting in really that the recruitment's been good, the squad looks really good, really strong and as I say they've been winning games in different ways, they've been winning by set pieces, they've been winning by playing well, they've been winning by perhaps not playing so well and digging in and I think as I say through the course of a season that's going to be so, so important moving forward.

Tell us about the recruitment model and players coming in from all sort of four corners of the ether because you've had David Strelich who's coming from Slovan Bratislava and the new boy as well. Cali Sen, who comes on and scores that fabulous goal against West Brom. What's the recruitment model like there?

I mean, what can you tell us? What sort of secrets can you tell us about what goes on behind seeds of borough? Well, again, there's a lot of work that goes into the recruitment side of it as, you know, that's headed up by Kieran Scott, who's the head of football and Chris Jones, who's the head of recruitment.

They work together, you know, every day. Whenever I've been at the training ground they're always on to one another working hard to try and get the best people through the door for the football club the window's been good this summer you'd have to say and I think one thing that the squad has now

is balance for one in terms of they've got senior plays in there your likes of you're Alan Brown you're Matt Target you're Alfie Jones senior experience players Callen Britain who've played in this league and they've been successful in this league and consistent in this league

and then you bring in the likes of you may be unknown quantities from different countries to sort of offset that. So there's good balance and I also think that there's competition for places which I think is what you need. Again, I refer back to a 46 game season. You need competition for places and I think that's what we've got at the minute. I'm sure if you ask Rob Edwards what he would rather have at his disposal, a squad or fighting for positions and fighting for each other ultimately or a threadbare squad. I know which one he would definitely rather have and it certainly looks like Millsborough are in a good spot.

of the minute thanks to the recruitment and the work that's been done on the pitch. Joby, talk to me about Rob Edwards. It's been a real turbulent couple of years for him. The way it ended at Luton wasn't nice. Look, there was things that obviously happened in terms of mitigating circumstances. Everyone will halt back to Tom Locke here.

And then the way it started for them back in the championship wasn't good. There were a lot of things going on behind the scenes. And for us as media, we know Rob Edwards as just a lovely, lovely, smiley wonderful human being and before anything else forget the football

it's nice to see that smile back that energy it feels like Rob's Rob again yeah absolutely I mean he was a a beater man towards the end of his time at Luton and I think it's really difficult when you're you know a coach who's had really really good success

which he had done previously at Luton of course but also at Forest Green and it was his first real challenging time as a manager because even the relegation, you know, with Luton, nobody saw that as a, any slight on him as a manager. And they made a real good fist of it, you know, to start with. So that was always going to be tough. So actually, how do you respond?

You know, how do you bounce back? You know, maybe a few eyebrows raised when he went in there and got that opportunity. I didn't think so, certainly not, because I felt that he'd done a really good job. And you look at that team now, and again, I spoke to Tommy about this actually last week or whatever after the game. And, you know, what is done has got a team that is really, really organized and set up to be hard to beat first and foremost. And I think that's something that is going out of the game. But then within that, you've got really good quality players. There's such a lovely balance to that team at the moment.

And again, I don't think we sort of promote or celebrate that enough that teams are going to set their stall out to be really difficult to beat. They score set pieces. Tommy, I know that's something they've been working on, you know, really hard at the training ground. and a lot of those goals have been set pieces. Then you go and look at the second goal. It's one of the best footballing goals that you've seen this season in the championship. So it's about giving those players that structure

to go and operate from. But at the base of it, it's being hard to beat and that work on set pieces really paid off, Tommy. Well, this is what I say about winning games in different ways. You know, it's almost like a throwback really. You know, you think of teams, certainly in my time playing, you know, you think of Cardiff under Neil Warnock,

how sort of much they relied on set pieces and being hard to beat and I'm really pleased for Rob and the guys up there because as you've just said it's sort of drifting a little bit out of the game for me everyone's obsessed with this sort of possession and passes and stuff

but ultimately if you're not doing anything with it what does it count for realistically you know Rob's openly come out himself and said that we've not actually found that level yet and I think that's brilliant to hear from a Middlesbrough point of view because as I say the winning games of football which for me and I'm sure Rob echoes

what I'm saying here is the most important thing Talk to me about Rob Edwards coming out after that two-two drop Preston and speaking out against the fans booing the substitution of Morgan Whittaker. He said, I don't like it. We're a family, we've all got to be together and look after our own. That's a risky move, isn't it, for a manager to call out supporters like that? But it kind of has worked because they're doing the business on the pitch. I don't know if I'd say it's risky.

I loved it first and foremost, and I thought fair play to him. And again, he's been through a period recently where, You know, I'm sure that criticism was on an hourly, not even daily basis. And it can be difficult and it affects players differently. But I just think that sort of flagging the sand of, hang on a minute, we are all together. And that means everybody. It's the group of players. It's the staff.

It's the fans. You know, we can't be singling one person out here. You know, he will know more than anyone, you know, Morgan Whittaker, that he can get to another level. We've all seen it and he's not quite there yet. But I'm telling you now, the impact that would have had on him first and foremost, but also that dressing room to say, right, the gaffer's gone out there. He has stuck his chest out. He has potentially put himself in the firing line with some of those fans.

But he's done it for the benefit of this group. And I know for sure that would have had such a positive impact on that environment. And I think they will go on from strengths to strength under his leadership. How do they carry this on now, Tom? I mean, it's a marathon, not a sprint. We know that. But they go away to Southampton on Saturday, then at home to second place, Stoke on Tuesday. There are no easy games in the championship in this division.

No, there's not. And them two games in itself, you know, for all the sort of, I say negative, it's not really negative. But for all the stuff people are saying about Southampton at the minute, they've not quite clicked into gear yet. It's still going to be a tough game for Millersborough on Saturday going down to Southampton and then followed up with the game on Tuesday against Stoke, who've obviously started the season very well.

As you say, there's no easy game. But that momentum that you can get, and obviously Millersborough are riding that at the minute just hold on to it as long as you possibly can I mean again a reference back to myself in that Huddersfield season we just have momentum and we just stuck with it and it just rolls into the next one and the next one and the next one once you found that formula to win games

however you manage to do it it's a great feeling and the one that you really want to keep hold of and I really do hope for Rob and the rest of the boys that we can carry that on on Saturday. Let's push on and talk about our all-time ultimate EFL 11 still looking for a centre half and a left back for the team

in goal with Casper Shemichael right back Graham Alexander Sol Bamber is at centre half Midfield 3 of Ashby, Lulana and Whittingham and up top Vardy, Mitchievich and Lambert you can send us your suggestions

on WhatsApp to 08,000 289-369 whether it's by text or as a voice note last week we discussed and rejected former Swansea striker Lee Trundle Text of 4299 says

Can't believe Lee Trundle and getting a shout at for all-time EFL starting 11, the Showboat King, plenty of goals, big game player and the captain of charisma too. Tommy, do you ever come up against him

and what do you think should he be in that 11? I think it's a difficult one. I think Joby was correct in saying a few weeks back when he dismissed my Bruno shout. I think there's different teams sniggering in the background.

You're still not happy about that, are you? We'll come on to that, mate. Don't worry, we'll come on to that. No, I think it's difficult when you're talking about an EFL Ultimate 11 I think there's a case for him to be involved in maybe a one season 11 or whatever it is. But from an EFL Ultimate 11, you know, Jobi mentioned about longevity. And listen, I'm on boarder that I agree with him.

So I think there's a case for him, just not in the ultimate 11. Yeah, he goes on the massive bench, don't he? He does, yeah, along with my pick of Bruno. Just quickly, Jobi, just quickly for me. Can you, I mean, you said it a few weeks. Is Bruno still on the bench? When you did, you've probably got him on the reserves bench, mate, if you had anything to do with it.

Imagine the wage bill in this squad, by the way. Ridiculous. But just a quick one. Seriously, though, Joby, I have wanted to know this for a few weeks now. I've not even asked you. If Graham Alexander was to go down with a little hamstring, right? No, you're not coming on, Tom. No, I'm not talking about me.

If Graham Alexander was to go down with a hammy, who goes in as number two? You can't say me if you want, by the way, but who goes in as a number two? What, number two, right back? Oh, blimey. Anyone but you? Tom. Whoever we got on the bench, I think Bruno's still

on the bench. So if it makes you feel better, I'm more than happy to stick him in as a replacement. You were so dismissive again and it was just I was weighing up

if I got this wrong here and I was almost questioning myself a little bit. No, listen, stick to it, mate. If you genuinely believe that he's up there, that is your shout.

My job is to just try and have a bit of quality control around in here. Listen, you'd be in the talking, mate, Luke Halen, I'd probably stick him in there as well. Fair shout. Not a bad shout.

But yeah, I've got to be a little bit quality control issue haven't I I mean you know I know you had a little pop at me and for all the listeners out there Tommy actually wasn't very happy with my dismissal of Bruno and then we had Steve Evans on didn't we and you said

message me saying oh he didn't you didn't disagree of any of Steve shouts did you and actually I don't think any of them no I don't think any of them went in he bowled it as there was a couple of shouts after Steve Leonard and shout at him after Steve Evans put a couple of shouts in a mix I think Alex Moe was one of them

and I know Al brilliant lad brilliant player And afterwards, Jobie was sort of having a bit of a chuckle with me, but he didn't dig Steve Evans out, did he bottled it. They didn't go in. That's one thing I will say. Neither did they, Bruno. No, exactly. Phil Brown's still talking about Ian Ashby.

And he's still in a bit of work. He's still in the middle of the pitch, Ian Ashby as well. Well, the fact Brownie's left us to go manage, maybe we can actually crowbar. He'll be back. You know, that man never leaves this pod. He will be back. one season one that could be the same for this shout from Rodge from North Carolina. Howdy, Rojee, need to add Robert Prozinecki, greatest midfielders seen at Pompey should make the EFL all-time team.

Legend. Robert Prozenecki, Croatia International, of course, had that one season at Pompey in 2001-2, helped save them from relegation, also played for Barcelona and Rail Madrid. And Jobe, you actually faced Robert Prozenecki in your debut season. Do you remember it? I was told that and I've got to be honest I had to dig through the archives that was a 3-3 at Seles Park

I believe and we were three new up it was actually my first season of professional football really early I think it was in September so it would have been one of my first ever games of football and actually looking back on it there is some really grainy highlights if there are any Don's fans or Portsmouth fans they did a like a throwback

and I could just make out we've got a couple of worldies Kevin Cooper Wander the left foot Michael Hughes What a player he was by the way Another one Two in the top bin

And then it was a really young Whipper Snapper on the right wing I could just make out In the really grainy footage A young Macanough Just whipping the ball into the box As you could do back then I'm not going to say

I was picking anyone in particular out But when you've got David Connolly in there Something will happen Top top Finisher he was actually as good as I've played with Anything in around the box Left foot right foot so we're freeing them up flying

I'm thinking right that's it job done big win here against Pompey and then a second half capitulation which again I couldn't quite see I'm hoping I'd been subbed off and wasn't a part of that but yeah incredible times 25 years ago as can you believe it yeah a long long time ago

Job's your hair wasn't grey then as well which is different because it's just one sort of colour now isn't it anyway a highlight of Robert Prozenecky's one season at Portsmouth was scoring a hat trick against Barnes in a four-wheel draw. It was the only hat-trick of his career.

But guess what, Tom? He refused to take the match ball at the end of the game as his team had not won. Mindset. That's the thing. Going into Amicoe, mindset, he's a winner. Well, that's fair enough, right? But I think, I mean, I've only ever scored one hat-trick in my career.

It was year eight at high school. And safe to say I wasn't allowed to take the match ball. But I think in that situation, surely he's got to say, no, I'm not taking it. We've not won the game. It's about winning. blah, blah, but when the lads are getting on a team, but surely he's got a nip into the officials room

and just say, listen, listen, get me that ball. Shub it, shove it in the kit man's back or whatever. A secret one, just deflate it, I'll take it in my backpack. It's got to be a secret one for me, as. Yeah, it's a hat trick. Listen, it's unbelievable. Do you get, do you do your hat tricks jobs? Never, mate.

You never, never, never, I'm surprised by that. I think it's an unbelievable achievement to get a hat trick, certainly in a proper, you know, a proper game. Yeah, for someone who's not an out-and-out striker as well. To get a hat trick in a game. If you listen, get the goal poachers that just sniff them out allah, David Connolly. But yeah, I would 100% be taking that ball. But you know what is refreshing because I see a lot of these days, as I tell you what, and I cannot stand it.

You know, teams lost and then you'll get people posting, you know, unlucky today, but absolutely delighted to get a go. And I'm like, mate, that's the time where you're like, I don't want to hear that. Fans don't want to hear it, mate. Just, you know, maybe a little private celebration if it's the first one with you've ever scored in your life or, you know, with your family and stuff like. that but no it's all the social media stuff so fair play to him but I'm sure he's regretting it today surely love that up on his mantle

piece because it was the only one he ever got Joby McEnough is old school that's all you need to know Robert Prozenecki also known as Bob to his mates yes or no does he displace Ian Ashby Adam Lalana or Peter Whittingham Do you know what I'm going to leave this one to Jobby I have been I've been joking

don't do fair come on this is your child I've been joking with Jobby that this team is going to be rebranded the Joe B McEnough 11 So I have my opinion on whether he goes in or not But I'll leave it up to the gaffer I'll leave on to the gaffirley sharp in at the moment No, he's going to go in with one season wonders

When we get round to that one And he can come back for another audition for that one But he's not going to get in this team unfortunately Not even on the bench as we haven't even got space on the bench anymore I'm still working on it It's just a lot of woodwork really to put this bench together we still need a centre half and left back send your suggestions into us on WhatsApp

08,000 289-369 any other criticisms of Jobi Macanuff as well you can drop us on the same number 08,000 289-369 including hairstyling tips just time to hear a blockbuster post-match interview it's been an eventful week at league to Cheltenham

lost 3-0 at home to Oldham sack manager Michael Flynn let's hear what he had to say in his final words as Cheltenham boss performances like that gave you the sack I can't be no more honest than I You know, I can take responsibility for certain things But I can take responsibility more

I'm not going to just blame myself For that performance today from that group of players Do you fear that's what's come in? Well, I don't know, that's, you know, I hope it's not Because I really love this club And enjoy working here We know it's been a tough summer

Could have had more help, yes, but we weren't in a position to Like I've said, I knew the finances here And the longevity of the football club it's a lot more important than, you know, risking an extra half a million maybe to try and give me the tools. The table doesn't lie. We've had a horrendous worst out I've ever had, but it's probably the worst group players I've had. In what way? Everywhere. They desire, their professionalism, character. Yeah, it's, you might say, well, you signed them, Michael. Sometimes you can only, you know, we're only shopping in a certain

pool. And when you do that, it's a lot harder. get him right. Michael Flynn, speaking ahead of leaving Cheltenham Town, nine defeats in 12 games across all competitions. Joby McEnuffet, it kind of felt like the writing was on the wall, but I mean, that's what you get from him. Flinney, it's just pure honesty, isn't it? Yeah, it is. He obviously didn't need a crystal ball

to know what was coming after that result. And I think performance, and I know he's actually asked in a longer part of that interview if the players had sort of stopped playing for him. And he said no, but I just feel at times you get these performances that question marks are being raised and I think then when you come out and almost put it all at the players' door and again I'm all for accountability at times

but you've got to understand when you're in a really difficult position and clearly that wasn't from his perspective probably what the ownership wanted to hear certainly wouldn't be what the players wanted to hear it's just been a disastrous start to the season obviously Gary Johnson leaving as well so there's a huge void at the top end of that football club

I've new ownership, so I'm sure they've got their ideas of who they want to come in. I think Steve Cottrell's been linked, isn't he? I think it's a really unique football club. I remember going down there a couple of times while I was at Leightonore. Michael Doff was the manager, and he did a mag. That job's looking better and better by the year, by the way, what he managed to achieve there. It's a very small budget. I know that was alluded to by Michael Flynn, but he knew that.

You have to have an understanding of where the club is. He managed to finish 15th last year, and you think, you know, fair enough. but I think when you start falling below that and it can happen when you're up against it year on year out that you have a bad start and all of a sudden you get sucked down towards the bottom so I just feel someone who understands the club

knows the club, knows how it wants to operate is going to be essential to trying to take it forward Absolutely elsewhere in league two Albert Adoma on the score sheet again as Walsall sit third Tommy did you see a celebration with like a walking stick on the pitch after the game I did I loved it It just shows again that regardless of your age

there's players out there who can still do a job he can still put the ball in the back of the net and I can only imagine what he's like as a character I've met him a couple of times over the years playing against him as a character in the dressing room in terms of that sort of harmony that he brings where's he got a walking stick from I know we've seen like players with props

you know they score a goal I think it's like the mask someone's kept up their sock or is he actually premeditated that and I've gone out bought a walking stick or has he just grabbed one off someone in the crowd I was going to say that he's robbed it off a fan You reckon he's seen someone in the crowd and thought, I'm having that, I'm scoring it

and I'm having that. It'd be brilliant if he did. You have to find out that. There's a mission for you, Jobie, or as. Find out where he got the walking stick from. Good luck to Walsall and Abba. I don't know. Good to see them back at the top end of the table. Let's finish with this. 72 plus, 72 minus

on the football daily. Time for Jobie's best and worst moments of the week in the NFL. Jobes is 72 plus please. Yeah, I'm going to kick off with a spot of unbelievable defending from Oxford's Brody Spencer. Generally, one of the best goal line clearances I think I've ever seen. The ball is heading towards the back of the net, and he's running back towards his goal at full pelt,

manages to get himself up in a bicycle kick and clear it off the line. Absolutely sensational stuff. Let's be having it. The corner's delivered in towards the near post, and it's cleared off the line there. Brodie Spencer with an overhead kick to clear the ball off his own line, that looked like it might drift all the way in. There is no surprise that his teammates are going up and giving them a pat on the back

because the acrobatics to defend that under pressure on your own goal line. An overhead kick it and overhead kick it clear was outstanding by Brody Spencer. Oxford winning that one 3-1 down at Ashton Gate on Sunday. Sheridan Robbins is a former colleague of ours here on 5 Live is now head of media and comms at Bristol City and guys was quick to let me know that I'm now banned from Ashton Gate because every time I've been there in her tenure,

they have not won. I think they've lost every single game. Anyway, good to know I'm banned from the gate. Joby, you're 72 Minus. Well, it was a day to forget for Wigan Athletic, Ryan Lowe, playing against his big mate, Stephen Schumacher in a local derby against Bolton Wanderers.

The defence was all over the shot, summed up by the fourth goal. The ball's bouncing around. One of them goes to smash it, just goes straight up in the air to the other centre half. He then thinks, right, I'm going to head it back to the goalkeeper,

completely messes that up, only heads it into the path of Marcus Force who goes in and taps it in. It's a terrible, terrible defensive display. Let's hear that fourth. Oh dear, Luke Robinson, completely scuffs that clearance, a mistake by Foxx.

So there's a fourth. Am I that, sums it up for Wiggin Athletic, a catalogue of errors at the back. And Bolton have sealed the game if they hadn't already. There you go. That's your 72 plus, 72 minus for this week. Let's push on and talk fantasy. No Wiggin defenders in our teams this week, Joe.

My highlight was a Ryan Johnson goal for Wimbledon. Go on Jono. But my team is 7th from bottom out of 121 teams. it's a slow slow process Joe history repeating itself wouldn't it has

and I gave you a head start this year not that I'm like absolutely flying but Jobi going on like he's Jose Marino

his team is up to 88th in the league thanks to the Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris with a penalty

save better luck next week Jose there's a new leader at the top living LeVida loser

away wins for Gillingham and Stockport help them rack up the points our 72 plus league code 72 EFL

pod, that's 7-2-E-F-L pod. Tommy, Joby, where are you this week? Where are you going? On Friday, I'm going up to Middlesbrough. I'm actually going to watch Middlesbrough run on 21s. Saturday, I am going to Stoke versus Norwich. Stuke, good stuff, love it, Jobes. I am Coventry against Birmingham this weekend,

so really looking forward to that. Should be a really good game. Obviously, Coventry have started fantastically well this year, Birmingham, big win last time out. So, yeah, it should be a good one. I'm going to Jenningham Saturday, and I'm waiting to see if my application to go to Bristol City

on Tuesday stands because at this rate I may genuinely be banned from Ashton Gate Have a day off mate Jill and them flying As well To be fair

Gas is done all right And look always Always nice to see Garathains With hopefully You know Extends the warm arm Of hospitality invites me in for

A lukewarm shandy Or something like that Probably not But you never know Anyway That is it for this episode Of 72 plus Remember to send us

Your Footballers As Chocolate Bar Suggestions And your centre back and left back picks for our all-time ultimate EFL 11. What's up? I'm 8,000 289-39-369. The next episode on the Football Daily feed will be Euroleaks. As for us here on 72 Blast

the EFL pod, we'll be back next week. Catcher then. Prozenecki, I mean, what a shout that is, by the way. I thought you had the centre-half's in and the left-back-in. I thought Ian Hart and Wes Morgan were in. No, I've recommended them. That's it. We've got a rubber-stamp a couple, to be fair. Curtis. There's big Curtis go above Wes Morgan. I'm not sure he does, Joe.

No, mate. I think he's definitely number three centre half. Is Norwood not in? I said Norwood, didn't I? He's got more promotions than Neil Warnock, mate. Welcome to the brand new podcast series Rugby League Top Ten with me, Mark Chapman. It's where John Wilkin, Brian Noble and Jamie Peacock

will discuss, debate and argue over lists at the best players, games, finals, iconic moments and plenty of other categories that will no doubt leave you screaming at your debate. The most entertaining parts of our sport are these, the jeopardy, the moments. He made rugby league look cool. Yeah. I mean, that's the difficult thing to do, I think.

It is really is. Yeah, no. I think we've all managed to carry that bathroom. Rugby League top ten. Listen on BBC Sounds.