Football Daily - 72+ EFL Pod: Hodgson returns & Vale fixture concerns

Episode Date: April 1, 2026

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff & Middlesbrough loans manager Tommy Smith discuss the top stories from the EFL. Millwall can move into the Championship automatics this weekend, what do the guys make of Roy Hodgson joining Bristol City? Hear from Port Vale chair Carol Shanahan ahead of Port Vale’s trip to Chelsea in the FA Cup. And get the thoughts of Barrow interim boss Sam Foley after their big win over Bromley. Messages and voicenotes always welcome on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369.01:55 Best or worst of April Fools’ Day, 03:10 Easter weekend is upon us, 04:00 Millwall can move into automatics, 09:05 How do you deal with nerves? 11:15 Bristol City hitting the buffers? 16:50 Short-termism of hiring Hodgson, 23:10 Port Vale prepare for Chelsea away, 25:55 Carol’s fixture congestion concerns, 31:15 Bottom of EFL Barrow beat Bromley, 35:40 72PLUS 72MINUS.5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Wed 2000 Chelsea v Arsenal in UWCL, Sat 1715 Chelsea v Port Vale in FA Cup, Sat 2000 Southampton v Arsenal in FA Cup, Sun 1300 Arsenal v Brighton in Women’s FA Cup, Sun 1630 West Ham v Leeds in FA Cup.

72 plus the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Joby McEnough. Welcome everybody to 72 plus the EFL podcast from Five Live Sport. Great to be alongside you again this week in the company of Radio's favourite pundit. Joby McEnough is with us. How are you, Jokes? How am I? That's an interesting question this morning. Normally international breaks, a bit of a little bit of downtime. Obviously, we know there's league one, league two, but Jobok. Maker had a couple of huge World Cup qualifier matches.

One, they got through, and then one last night. So I was up till the early hours, locked into that, lost really, really late to Congo, went to extra time. So yeah, a bit gutted this morning about that. It's a group that we definitely should have got out of, shouldn't even needed the playoffs, got to the playoffs, managerial changes, Steve McLaren resigns, off the back of not getting through the groups. and then, yeah, obviously all ended with a bit of heartache last night.

So gutted for everybody connected to Jamaican football. But big congrats to Congo, who were excellent on the night, to be fair. And they've had a really difficult qualifying campaign coming through the African section. So, yeah, big congrats to them. But, yeah, sadly, Jamaica will not be there. Do you know what? All I asked was how you were, and I got like a full-on lecture, a full-life story. I don't even know how you are

you could be you know struggling with helmets Tommy Smith learn from his lesson how are you Tommy could you not take from that knowing me as you do I get it listen I get it I mean I'll be honestly this international break it's done me a little bit I need some EFL back of my life I really do I mean fair enough

Well if you lot get on with it we can talk about it I watched 70 minutes of England last night and I just start I'm ready for some EFL as so come on inject it mate let's go Well I it is Wednesday the 1st of April this is the day we're recording on and it is of course April Falls Day and I'm just looking and surfing around

looking at the best the best sort of like April Falls that football clubs are putting out it's not really football clubs doing it anymore that a good one, a classic that I've seen rolling around is Lee Johnson set to take over as sporting director at Bristol City. That is a good one I mean the Stevenage account

looks at EFell's reverse, it's 20-20 decision to stop Mac or so points. Not having that one. There's a good one for Westdown. There's a few of them floating around in there. A few of them they're not great though. They just they're just not great. While I was waiting to come up to the studio this morning, I actually seen one that said Chris Wilde had been sacked from Chef U,

and I'll be honest with you, I was so close to giving you a ring and saying, have you heard about Chris Wilder, and then completely forgot. I had one with Heckee, Paul Heckingbottom this morning. I saw the Preston one, that he's resigned. Yeah, a few people of... I had a little scroll through that one.

I'm not going to lie, that one did do me. So fair play, whoever stuck that out. That sort of got me a couple of scrolls and clicks. Waste of time. April's field, though. Yeah, no, we've got enough of them knocking around here at five live sport. Gentlemen, this is it. This is the weekend.

This is the one we are waiting for, well, we have all been waiting for. Easter weekend is upon us. One of the most defining weekends across the Football League season. Already, though, we have ourselves a promotion permutation. Lincoln City are likely to seal promotion to the championship this weekend. they could do it on Good Friday. They have an 18-point cushion to third place in League 1. And do you know where you'll be able to hear it all first?

Do you know where? Five-life sport. Five-life sport with myself from half-past two on Good Friday. It's going to be quite the occasion. It always is. We'll talk FA Cup in a bit. A couple of big quarter-finals en route for the EFL sides in the competition. Port Vale Chair.

Carol Shanahan will be joining us ahead of her side's trip to Chelsea. but looking at Easter weekend of the championship, it doesn't get much bigger. The Middlesbrough Millwall, half-12, good Friday. If Millwell win at the Riverside, they move into second with Ipswich not playing until Easter Monday. It feels like it's getting real, Jobes. Oh, it is real, 100%.

And in terms of kicking off the Easter weekend, what a brilliant game that's going to be. I covered the last Millwall game. I sort of looked at these two either side doing it, national break, obviously the one against Ipswich, as, you know, can they stand? in the fight, can they, you know, land a couple of blows? They definitely did that against Ipswich in the second half.

They were magnificent. And I think it sets them up really nicely. I felt they needed to get four points from these two games to be in with a shout of automatic. I think that Ipswich game away, you know, massive point. And then now go into a Middlesbrough team who at home have struggled for wins of late. I think it's a perfect game for Millwall and they'll be coming into this absolutely bouncing. So I think this one really does set up what could be huge for Millwall. if they can get that three points for the rest of this season

and potentially get into that second place that probably not a lot of people feel they will be able to. Tommy, what's the mood like at Middlesbrough? Winners in three, two wins in your last day. I mean, you kind of hit the buffers just a little bit. Well, I feel like, you know, we speak about the international breaks coming at good and bad times for different clubs.

And I do believe that this break is probably in a good time to sort of have a little bit of a reflection more than anything. as in terms of what's happened over the course of, you know, we're nearly at the 40 game point. I think the mood is good. I think it has to be good if you actually strip it all back and put it into perspective a little bit of where the football club are. You know, second in the league. Yes, the results in the last couple have not been great, not been what Millersborough would have wanted. However, like I've just said, strip it back, you know, take stock of all the positives that have gone on.

And I do believe that the international break did come at a good time just to do that. give a little bit of a reset, a little bit of a refresh, and then attack these remaining games full steam ahead. It's very easy to go over the top at this stage because everything's magnified, the intensity, the pressure, the expectation, and sometimes you just need a little bit of a cool head. And I'm sure with Kim Helberg having this time, particularly at Middleesborough,

I think Tommy's absolutely spot on in terms of what is required there. Whereas I think of Millwall's maybe a slightly different conversation of like, you know, I think they need to go and win. So it's like, you know, we've got nothing to lose. And I really say that respectfully about Millwall. I don't think that expectation necessarily is there. Definitely not externally what that message is in within the camp is maybe a different story.

But they're very much in it, you know, given how well they've done this season. So, you know, I think they can really go and attack this game. And they'll be the ones, I think, going into it with a little bit less to lose. And I say that, as I say, with respect to Millwall words, I think Middlesbrough pressures on them, given the position they're really. It almost feels like if they don't do it, they're going to throw it away a little bit. So, yeah, it would be really interesting come kick off how those two teams approach it. Who's going to do it?

Coventry, nine points clear at the summit, 11 clear of third. You know, Victor Torp has revealed, you know, he's working with the mine coach. I think they've got the HASS F1 team in today, unless I'm being fooled by an April fall. But they've got like a full-on, like, F1 car set outside the training ground. It is HASS F1. Yeah, fresh from the Japanese Grand Prix. I just don't know if that's a wind-up. I don't think it would be anywhere.

It would be a terrible wind-up if it was. But give us a hot take. Oh, as I'm not interested in hot takes, man. Come on. The fact that the matter is, right, let's just put it out there with Coventry right now. I've done ever so well. You know, I've said it before, I'll say it again. I do believe, I really do believe, that the Millersburg game that was played,

the middle of Feb was a real big turning point for Cov in terms of getting back on the horse. I think prior to that game, there was a, I think they won about three games, and I think it was 10. So to go and beat Middlesbrough on that Monday evening that I was there, I think we were all there weren't we on that Monday night.

On the back of that, they've been excellent and they fully deserve to be at the top of the league. So fair play to them, they've shown resilience and they are where they are. In terms of who's going to finish second,

of course, I believe it will be Middlesbrough. That's not to put any added pressure on them. But Joby, you know, we've both been in the situation when we're going for promotion out of this league. I think you've got to just, you've got to look at it and be so, so excited

for what's ahead. Yes, there's pressure. Yes, there's sort of people who are going to be chasing you down, hunting you down, but you've just got to thrive under that pressure. I really do believe that you've got to go into the game on Friday for me against Millwall and look at it and almost think, you know, this is our game now. We're at home. We're going for a

promotion in this league. We can really put a distance between ourselves and Millwall and for me you've just got to attack it with all guns blazing and then at the end of the CISTA weekend, see where it takes you. Agree, I just think when you are in this position, again, being a a chaser as certainly we were when I was at Redding and we got promoted, you know,

because the mindset is a little bit different almost of just, let's just go for it, rather than we need to protect our position. And again, at this stage of the season, you can get a little bit tight, you know, you can get a little bit nervous, which I think there's been a little bit of at Middlesbrough. How did you deal with someone who's getting nervous, tropes? In your camp, because obviously, look, I know I take the Mick and I do it out of love because, you know, you're my partner in crime, but as a team leader, when you see, see others around you, shaking.

What do you do? How do you get them going? Well, I think first of all, you have to be able to identify that, Aaron. I think that is the key, whether it's the manager, the captain, you know, senior players are people getting a bit tight. You might see it in body language. You might see it in sort of mannerisms, communication, and just try and get back to people doing what they do best. And that's easier said than done, given the positions that they're in and everything that

people are fighting for. So, you know, it really is, I think, experience. and I know we talk about this a lot when you've been in them situations before and you've had players who have been there and are able to keep their heads a little bit when things are flying around on a match day or the training ground

or you haven't quite got the result that you want to just keep everything nice and steady and that's where I always come back to Ipswich and I have done and I've sort of stuck my neck out a little bit for them in terms of getting into that top two because I look at the manager, you know, his experience of promotions and dealing with these situations and, you know, the players that they have got in there,

yes, it's a different squad to that super successful one that got a couple of promotions on the bounce, but it's still a little bit of that knocking around, you know, the likes of Wes Burns who's been through it. They've got players coming back, whereas I look at a Middlesbrough, again, Hayden Hackney missing, massive, massive for me, just in terms of, you know, the tempo and what he's able to do, you know, with the ball, whether it's breaking forward with it,

is passing, he's getting on the end of things and scoring goals. also really keen to sort of see when he'll be back because I think he's just a huge miss for them. So, yeah, and the goals as well, and a goal threat, which I think Ipswich carry, if I'm looking at both the other teams, and sometimes it comes down to that little bit of quality option off the bench, and I just feel that that strength is there with Ipswich.

So not so much of a hot take, I don't think, but if anyone's out there asking for a tip on who's going to get in that second, it switch would be mine. Nothing wrong with a hot take. You can have a lukewarm take if you want. A take is a take. Let's push on and talk Bristol City. Roy Hodgson is in through the door, Ashton Gate.

Mark Chapman and the team talked about it on the Monday night club episode of the Football Daily, go and catch that on BBC Sounds. Bristol City 16th, not going up, not going down. And I just want to talk about the situation there. Look, a new CEO has come in. Charlie Boss, he's come in. They've made the decision to part ways with Gerhard Struber. They are sinking.

I wonder how much of it was to do with Struber talking in the media. You've heard him talk about rebuilds and whatnot. And I'd imagine for the owners of Bristol City, that's not going to be easy to hear and listen to. And they've decided to make a change. Joby, thoughts on the change, firstly? I thought it was a terrible decision. And I think that the manager's been hung out to dry,

if I'm being honest. I think this is a clear situation of a manager having a really positive impact coming into the building, got the team going, really aggressive, front-footed, go and get after teams in terms of their pressing and energy, and then put them in a really good position in and around the playoffs, which I felt for the squad was a fantastic position for them to be. Then you go and lose your two most important players in January windows.

That Viner, who is an absolute linchpin at the back. Again, we talk about experience, someone who knows the club inside out. And then, you know, you're sort of go-to guy when you want a little bit of magic and someone to produce something out of nothing. for METI, you know, and not only losing them, but you've lost one to it, which, listen, everyone will say about contract situations, we can't lose them for free. It's the timing that kills them. Do that at the start of the season.

Everyone knows where they're at. Use that money that you then make to go and reinvest in the squad, and I think everyone can get on with that. By leaving it till January, it just absolutely kills the manager, it kills the mood in the training ground. You know, those boys would be absolutely gutted to see two of their best players leave. And then they're sort of questions, and they've had injuries to compound that as well. So yeah, for me, I look at that and I go, what else is the manager supposed to do?

And he's probably looking at it going, well, I've got to put a little bit of something out there just to sort of say it isn't all me. And I'm disappointed by players that we've let go and who they've gone to. I mean, Vainterux them. That's one of your rivals for promotion. I think you, Hirokawa. I don't understand how you can let him go on loan to home. I really don't get that one. It's just strange some of the stuff.

And it just screams to me of potentially an owner sort of, trying to deflect a little bit from the decisions that they've had to make rather than actually coming out and standing by him and actually then standing by your manager and actually saying, listen, it has been hard for him in the second half of the season but he's already shown us what he can do and we're going to back him and we're going to go again next season. It's one winning eight.

There's been a shalacking in there as well from, I think Derby beating 5-0, didn't it? And that's the second time they've been beaten by 5 this season. Don't get me wrong, they've put goals past past teams. but I mean some of the losses they took, Lester. That's not one of the managers door, Aaron. Wait, whoa, whoa, okay, I understand that. I'm just trying to reinforce the points and make the points here.

You know, the injuries have been absolutely horrific. I was just about to say that. Yeah, that's worth knowing. You hear Roy Hodgson talking about it the other day, turning around going, oh, I've just found out we've got no cent and a halfs. Well, great, what did you do now? Recruitment has long time being an issue at this football club and the responsibility for recruitment

and who's doing things. And I always feel underwhelmed by it. I don't know about you guys, but every time I see who they're signing and what they sign in the business they do, I'm like, really? Could you do better? And often they could.

Well, it's difficult, though, as isn't it? Because as Jobbys just said, and I 100% agree with him. When you lose your two best players in January, it's then going to replace them. How can you replace them to that level? It's difficult, isn't it? There's certainly been a change in,

there's been a shift, I feel, in the way Bristol have set up. the first probably four, five months of the season leading up until January. Again, they were absolutely high press, as Job was just mentioned there, they were aggressive. And I think from January onwards, there has been a little bit of a shift in terms of how they play, whether that's to do with the injuries. Obviously, the two players were just mentioned there.

And the results have compounded that, unfortunately. So it is an interesting one. But again, I go back to what I've just said about losing two players of that calibate. It's always going to be difficult to replace them. Now they've got an opportunity to go and recruit someone. I, again, I thought some of the quotes from the press are absolutely nuts where Roy Hodgson's turned around and said, they asked about working with the sporting director

and he goes, look, I've never really worked with one and I don't really know what one does. I'm not sure if he's worked with Dougie Friedman, if he was just confused, Roy Hodgson. And then Roy Hodgson says, oh, well, I've never worked with one. And then a couple of minutes later, the MD or the CEO goes, oh, well, yeah, you know, hopefully Roy's going to tell us what a good CEO

director of football looks like and I'm like what's going on here? It just, I don't know I'm so overwhelmed by that football club because I think what they've done with the stadium

with the high performance center not a training ground it's called a high performance centre now like they've built infrastructure but it's like guys go for it on the pitch there's an opportunity here

it's just annoying jokes yeah I'm with you I think the press conference was a bit of a disaster and it's nothing against Roy Hodgson who again has had a brilliant career you know he's a top top guy but just the short term ism of it I just don't get as because I just don't feel the need for it it's not a firefighter job you know Steve Evans going into Bristol Rovers to save their season and you know massive impact that he's had down there because they're not in that situation so I would have liked to have seen a little bit more of a

forward planning sort of in terms of the decision first and foremost if Gerhard's true was not not your man to go forward. Is there a longer-term target? And if there is, is there an interim role for somebody that might be, again, within the club that can help that next manager coming in if he's not ready to come in now? And then just give everyone a little bit of time. I just don't really get the purpose, if I'm really being honest, of Roy Hodgson coming in for the last seven games, who then also says, I'm not here for anything longer than this,

you know? So it's like, if I was Bristol City fans, I'd be certainly scratching my head. and been a bit confused as to where the club is now and what the aims are and where it plans to go. It just feels strange, doesn't it? Seven games, Roy, go in, kind of take it and hope for the best. Would you not give it to a senior player or someone within the organisation? Perhaps so.

I mean, listen, it was an interesting one when he was appointed. I mean, I'll be honest with you, when I seen he was appointed, I presumed if the season ended well and everyone was happy, he would just carry on. But then it is worth noting. We're talking about a man here who's 78 years of age. So it is an interesting one, what he does. I mean, I do still think, you know what these managers are like,

the experience and they love the game, the bug for it. I do honestly think if he goes in there and does well, I think they'll be half looking at giving it the next season. I really do. No, but listen, just hear me out, listen, right? You've just said it yourself, for what reason would Roy Hodgson go in there in the first place? What is he going to benefit from from having seven games?

That's what I'm asking myself, right? Well, that's what I'm asking you guys. I'm thinking, if he's going to benefit from, going in there for seven games, what is he going to benefit from from doing that unless he's thinking more along the lines of moving forward? That's all I can put it on. But he himself has said he's too old

for a long term. So what's he gone in there for then? Because he's bored. Just getting through till the end of the season. And if he goes in there, and if he goes in there and they win some football matches and he starts getting that feel-good factor around the place again, you think he's just going to walk away? I'd be absolutely shocked

if Roy Hodgson is sat in Jobby, I was shocked when he went in and that's all I'm saying. Listen, I'm with you. For him, I get it from his angle of going, it's only seven games. So he's already said, you know, he doesn't see it as a long-term thing,

given, you know, his age and probably what else he's done in the game. So actually for him, seven games probably suits him fairly well at this point of the season. And again, you know, how, and I mean this respectfully, but, you know, do you not need someone going in there who's absolutely in tune with some of those issues? that we've spoken about defensive problems, you know, style of play, what hasn't gone well recently, so we can try and turn that as quickly as possible.

To have a manager walk in there and go, oh, I've just found out about all the injuries. I mean, come on, like, surely a club of that stature in the position that they're in shouldn't be looking to go to somebody who's basically just coming to do a job for seven games till the end of the season. That's the bit I don't get about all this. It just doesn't make any sense. No, listen, Jobby, I'm with you. I'm with you.

Again, I'm just sort of looking at it from Roy Hodgson's point of view, where what has made him really think, oh yeah, I fancy that. That's all I'm thinking. Boredom? Possibly. He said himself, he goes on board. I'm retired, fine, but he is very, very bored. It's weird. Richard Scudemore, who joined the Bristol City Board of Directors, is the person who first contacted Roy Houghton about the job

and sort of put him in touch with Charlie Boss. And, yeah, I mean, he said... This isn't... It's a really important stress, sorry, to jump in as it's not an anti- Roy Hodgson debate here. It's more to do of Bristol City and where they are at now and what they plan to do in the future. And I just feel, you know, definitely should have got someone in

who they can look to move and build forward with and get an understanding of the club. Even if there was someone available now, that you could bring in, even if it was three or four games or a couple of weeks left of the season to get a feel for the place and understanding of what's going to be needed moving forward. But you're bringing in someone completely cold

at the start of next season, potentially. It's basically got to start again. Well, it gives them a bit of time, Joey, we've done it. I mean, in fairness, it does give them a little bit of time. Like we've just said before, they're not going to go up, they're not going to go down. It just gives them a little bit of time to clarify. You'd like to think from a Bristol City point of view, to absolutely nail down exactly who they want,

rather than shoving someone in now with a few weeks to go. I suppose that's one thing that it does do. It just gives them four or five weeks now to really make sure that they've got the right appointment who comes in the door next. They've got to make the appointment of the sporting director first. Yeah, well, there's that, obviously, as well, but that's what I'm saying.

I think because they're in a situation where they can't go up or down, They've got themselves a few weeks now just to get themselves together a little bit and again going back to what I've just said about Roy Hodgian he seems like the perfect fit from their point of view to just give them that little bit of time. Abrucester City, away to Chaltern on Good Friday.

By the way, Roy Hodgson has never managed against Chaltern apparently. Did you see that one? That's not an Aprilful. Maybe he might have a couple of clubs that he's yet to get round to or stadiums he's yet to finish him. He's trying to tick him off.

He's got a couple. We need to dig down into that. It might have three or four in this little runner games just to complete the lot, do you know what I mean? You must have one or two jokes. Yeah, I do. I need to, but it's not going to happen this week because kids are off for half time.

You'll never go to make the list. You're never going to make the list. Bristol City away charting on Good Friday. So Roy Hodgson, with his first visit as a manager down to the valley, there's updates in 2-5 live sports. We go around the grounds in the EFL. Teams, new rules, Redsarns,

we race live on BBC Sounds. On five live spot. 72 plus the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Jobie McEnough. It is Easter weekend and also FAA Cup quarter final weekend. We'll have live commentary on Five Live of the two EFL teams involved. On Saturday from 8, Southampton, entertain Arsenal. St Mary's and before that, Saturday, a quarter past five, bottom of league one, Port Vale, go to Chelsea, delighted to say. Port Vale Chair and owner Carol Shanahan is with us,

the first lady of the football league. How are we, Carol? And more importantly, how's Cinnamon the goat? Cinnamon the goat and Tricle the Billy Kid are wonderful, thank you. They're a little bit shy for all the attention that you have brought to them. They was just going to be nice and quiet in the field, but oh no, we've been. had the BBC cameras and everything arrived. So thank you for that, Aaron. You'll have farm watch on your hands soon. I haven't done anything, Boz.

I just, I mean, I just raised attention that obviously you weren't there at, I think it was one of the FA Cup games, wasn't it? It was the replay. The Bristol City game? Yes, it was. The Bristol City game that was rearranged, yeah. So good to hear Cinnamon is doing well. Excited for a trip to Stanford Bridge?

Yes, I'm really, I'm excited for the fans. The fans have had a lot to put up with this season. not been the season that we wanted or expected really. And so for them to have this trip out, it's 100 years since we've played Chelsea, it's the one in the Ice Buy football clubs, you know, that they all want to tick off. So I'm really, really pleased for them. And I'm pleased for the staff because they've had a tough season as well this year. And so to go and get a day out, a jolly is really good, isn't it?

And we can't lose because nobody expects us. do anything anyway. So it's the magic of the football is the FA Cup, isn't it? We'll go and see what we can do. Absolutely. Vail are a club that really, you know, sort of, you know, you look back at history and you respect that history a lot and you know all about it when you're going to Vail Park and you read the walls and you look around. It's absolutely fabulous. This is your first FAA Cup quarterfinal since 1954. It has been a long old 72 years. Yeah, yeah. It's taken 72 years to be an overnight success. We're a slow burn, I think you'd have to say, in Vale Park. But in our seven years, it's been a really sort of tumultuous up and down.

And, you know, we've had everything in there. You know, we went to Man City. We had the biggest attendance in Vale Park for donkeys years when Arsenal came into town. So it's been a real adventurous ride. but it's all down to Saturday and it's all down to having a good time. I just want to touch upon the fixture list and obviously the FAA Cup,

it's a huge game for the football club on Saturday. But in terms of the fixtures with regards to the league, I know John Brady's obviously been open and saying it's been quite difficult, but how difficult has it really been managing the fixture congestion with all the build-up of games? Horrendous, absolutely horrendous.

And I wrote to Trevor Birch and Rick Parry and said that because you know, what doesn't seem to get the full priority is players welfare and staff welfare. And so how on earth we have now come up with, you've got me on a hobby horse here, but how on earth we have ended up now, we've got an away match at Cardiff and then two days break, two days, not even three, and then we're away to Plymouth. How does that work? You know, so it isn't fair on the players.

I mean, and it's all right to say, oh, well, your pitch. We had three matches that we postponed for the pitch. Two of them have already been played, and one is Barnsley, which we've still got to play. But the problem here is our success in the FA Cup and Stockport's success in the Virtue trophy. So the EFL want, you know, the success of their teams. But, you know, we've got to do more.

I'm upset. I'm upset with the EFL and I've told them so because they're our representative body. They're the ones that we go to. And I just don't think that they've been fair to our players and to our staff and to our fans as well. But it is what it is and we'll do as well as we can. But it's going to be a tough month. Now the EFL say they have acknowledged Vail's challenge in fix the schedule and the difficulties experienced because of the condition the playing surface and postponements

as a result of scheduling both the FA Cup and Virtue Trophy. The governing body said that the regular league season could not be extended beyond the 2nd of May because the requirement for all final fixtures within a division to be played simultaneously and the resulting impact any extension would have on the scheduling of the playoff semifinals. They added, in accordance with the FL regulations,

the league is therefore confirmed revised dates with the effective fixtures after consultation with the relevant clubs. Tommy. Yeah, and again, it must be so frustrating, as you say, because the success that you've got, and rightfully so in the FA Cup, but you'd like to think that it should benefit you in some way,

but obviously it's not, would then fix your pile-up. So, like I say, John Brady's done a great job since you come in, certainly in the FA Cup, and I just hope that you can manage the rest of the season. I'll start with a good performance on Saturday. Speaking of John Brady, I mean, what have you made of his start? He's a very diligent coach,

and you look tougher. I've been to one of your games or watch you guys with Haldersfield and you can see there's foundations or something there. Oh yeah. I mean he's got the Aussie approach to winning and somebody asked me what that was.

I said, well, they win, don't they? You know, they go out to win. Look at their cricket team. They go out to win. And he does. And he is really, really good. And I'm enjoying working with him and I think we'll be all glad

for this season to be out of the way and then we can get on with next season and do a proper rebuild. There will be a big change in the summer, player-wise, squad-wise, because a lot of players are at the end of their contract anyway. And so we now want it to be a John Brady team,

a John Brady squad. So we're already looking at that. And we're getting a new pitch. Everybody will be so pleased to know. We're getting a DeSso pitch. You know, we're going proper. and so that's going to be good. And so, you know, football, snakes and ladders,

down a big snake, and we'll carry on playing until we get to a big ladder. Carol, I know you need to go, but I actually just wanted to ask you one question, which is, what have you learnt from this season? I've learnt so much about me. It's been huge. It's been hard and it's been really challenging. But it's made me stop and look at how much the men's, First Team League performance can affect your whole life.

And you look at your whole life and everything else. Every metric in my life, in the club's life, is absolutely through the roof. The only thing that we really struggled with all season is the men's league. Even in the Cups, they've been brilliant. But for some reason, and none of us have been able to put our finger on it, for some reason. You know, sometimes you watch a match and you think this is a good team, but they could play for three hours and they ain't going to score a goal

and they ain't going to win. You know, sometimes it's just that. You know, it goes against a team and nobody can work out. Why? Well, we've had a season of that and it has been tough. But we've learned how resilient we are.

I've learned that social media is not for me. And I've learned that there's, you know, there's a lot more to life than just the men's lead position and there's always tomorrow. Absolutely. Carol, thank you so much for joining us. I really appreciate Carol Shanhan, Port Vale Chair on 72-plus the home of the NFL from 5-Life Sport.

Elsewhere, before we do 72 plus, 72-minus, we shouldn't gloss over a proper coupon-busting result in League 2. Bottom of the EFL Barrow, beating top of the league Bromley and ending their 21 game unbeat and run. We had Bromley boss, Andy Wibbon on last week, and talked about how it was a bit of a banana skin. Here's what Barrow player turned interim head coach Sam Foley said to Mark Chapman on Monday night. I've seen how the players have been throughout the season and it's probably the messages that they've been getting off different managers has not helped. You can get a bit confused and a bit lost

on what it is you're actually trying to do on the pitch. My first port-a-call was to speak to the lads, not as players as people. And I'm fortunate enough that I know them well enough that I can kind of relate to them in that sense. And it's about not forgetting the situation. The situation is the situation. And we've created it as footballers

by contributing to poor results on the pitch but we can change the story ourselves and I think relating to them as men that I know them rather than associating them with a football at the bottom of the league is hopefully going to have a positive effect on them. I'm not going to teach how to play football. I've had managers over the years

that have micromanaged and do this, do this on the pitch and you're very methodical in the training and then I've had some managers that will turn around and go I'm not going to teach you how to play football. And being accountable for your actions on the pitch, you need to be able to problem solve and make decisions. And if you've got someone telling you to stop doing this, do this, do that,

then you become quite robotic and not reactive. So, you know, like I said, I know the players really well as guys. I want them to go out on the pitch, wanting to enjoy themselves, I want them to play what they see. Yeah, you are going to make mistakes, but you spend the whole game probably making the wrong decision anyway, but it's then how you problem solve after it and how you evolve and developing that game

to affect the game in a positive way. I've seen a massive change over them over the last two weeks. They've seen a bit of weights lifted off them. The only thing that was missing was a win. Obviously, we've got the win Saturday. Can we now build on that and try and harness what we got? Can they now continue it?

So I'm finally talking to Mark Chapman on the Monday Night Club there. So Barrow, two points off of Newport County. Joby, that race down the bottom is fascinating. You've got Barrow on 32 points. Newport are trying to get something going with Christian Fuchs. Crawley have appointed Colleen Kazim Richards as manager and picked up a win last time out.

Tramare of the club I worry about. They are stuck in reverse. Yeah, and how frustrating it must have been for Barrow. They go and pull off a brilliant result and look at a round of the Newport go and win and Crawley go and Nick a last minute win as well. So that's just what it's looking like down there. I share your fear for Tramare who have just dropped like an absolute stone.

other thing in terms of Barrow is the run of games that they've got to come I think is a real tough on when I look at some of the other teams around there they're all tough when you're not winning games regularly but you know mk dons who I know have had a couple of wobbles lately but then they've got chesterfield they've got to play oldham who again have been doing brilliantly walsall trying to get in there cambridge and they finish with newport as i mean what a game that could be on the last game of the season i just think again from a psychological point of you you look at barrow who've not They've not won enough football matches, as simple as that. When they go and beat a top of the league team in Bromley,

the last thing you want to be doing is going off and getting on your phones as you do as a player in the changing room and seeing all the teams around you who are all struggling for wins as well, both winning. I mean, that will be an absolute, oh, it would be a proper blow for them, real body blow for them that. But they can take massive heart from the fact that they have beat a team

with top of the league and on an unbelievable unbeaten run themselves. So they'll take heart from that moving into these last few games. I'm still fully back in Bromley to. to get the job done. Interesting to see Knox County get their win get themselves into third

which I did predictant I'd Bromley MK in Knox County but I did also throw Cambridge in the mix I had four going into it Colby you threw five names in the hat for promotion never mind your top three. You've done so much throw

and you fit in the cricket seasons here part I mean Barnett I reckon they've got to play Barnet on Good Friday Barnett are the Slayers Barnet Barnet are like you know the geese are throwing out the banana skin to Mario Cock

just lobbing him on to the middle of the raceway. I like Barnett, though. I think they're three points off the plus. They're that team that can just sneak in there. The only problem, though, is they've only got one spot to go for for me. Let's finish with this. 72 plus, 72 minus on the Football Daily.

It is Jobie's favourite time of the week because he gives us his highlight and low light from the Football League. Job's what we got? I'm going to kick off with my 72 minus and the Bristol Rovers revival under Steve Evans continues, but they've got a big helping hand from Accrington goalkeeper, Olly Wright, at the weekend. Now, we've seen walls get lined up.

We've seen the draft excluders underneath all sorts going on, and he just simply forgot to the most simple thing and actually put someone on the end of it, so he couldn't just whip a ball round the corner, into the bottom corner, and that's exactly what Jack Sparks did. And here it is. The referee's whistle goes.

Sparks ends up taking it, And you could see it a mile off. Rovers go 2-0 up. And what was the goalkeeper doing? You could see that from up here. The goalkeeper was so far to his left-hand side. He left a huge gap. And Sparks just ripped the ball into it. Come on, Jones.

Brings you 72 plus. Well, we've just had a chat about the battle for promotion places in League 2. And it doesn't get much better than this. Obviously, the score level 1-1, Oldham going into second half stoppage time, but here comes Mattis Hollichick to steal the points and put crew into the playoff places. Let's hear it. Watchers some wins it back though. Goes past his man, into the byline, needs a red herder, good defending, comes back in

the penalty area. Here's Hollochette, fires it! Oh! What a goal! What a stormy goal! But Mattas Hollochick, he's hitting on the volley! Molly, it's flown into the back of the net, and the Grishty Road under the ground. The travelling all the fans are stunned.

Crews' travelling army on a great voice. Can I just say I would have that commentator commentate on anything, any of my life's events, if you wanted to. As, do you know what, I was just going to say, I'm going to ask a question here, have we heard any of that type of commentary in this last week during the internationals? No. I don't think I have. I don't think I have. We did a playoff games, mate. Sweden won, didn't they?

Yeah, but was the commentary, was the commentary as powerful as that, Joby? No, Mattis Hollichick in our fantasy NFL teams. Joby up into the top 60 now. Well done, Jobes. Well done. Good work for you. No, I'm not happy with that. Don't patronise me as I'm not. He's just saying, well, dude.

Do you know what? I don't know what his problem is, yeah. It was that one of those underhand backhand. Jobes, all right, you know what, Joe's. Oh, Jobby up into the top 60. Let's move on. You can't win, mate. Code to join is 72 EFL pod, 72 EFL pod.

Happy? Does that mean we've glazed over how you're doing on? Why is he not at lunch or something like that? Why is he in such a mood, Tom? He gives us the run around. I can't even have a coffee because of it. And I get battered because I'm saying, well done to him. As the kids are off school, maids all over the place.

That's what it is. The old daddy daycare is in action. The old be daycare. Even more grey hair on the way, which is what I don't need. You know what I mean? But just on a quick one, Tommy, Do you know how many points Aaron got this week? Yeah, he's finished, though, isn't he?

Four points, mate. Like a Gillingham, I am, I'm taking stock of my squad. Going to make some changes in the summer. Overhaul needed, mate. And maybe the manager included. No. No, no, not at all. Not at all the manager.

What's the plan for the East holidays, Joe? Where are you going? What are you doing? Yeah, studio Friday for a double header, which I can't wait for. obviously we spoke about the Middlesbrough game which is kicking things off and I'm going to try and nick a few days off at some point next week with the kids

That'd be nice Smart where you going? Very good Studios off myself on Friday Not with Mr Macanough But I am covering the Oxford Hall game Which I'm looking forward to And on Monday I am with you

Am I not, Mr Aaron Paul Yes Around the grounds Can't wait Which I'm looking forward to as well So busy weekend It's going to be thoroughly enjoyable But absolutely looking forward to it

I'm going to be with neither of those two on Friday. I'm going to be presenting around the ground on Five Live. Make sure you join us from half past. It's the only place to be all the goals as they go in first. And then again, on Bank Holiday Monday, it's going to be a chocolate-fueled extravaganza. I cannot wait for it. That is it for this episode of the Football Daily. As for us here on 72 Plus, we'll be back next week.

Catch you then. Welcome to the Wayne Rooney Show. Wayne Rooney, Kay Kerd and me, Kelly Somers. break down the biggest stories in the Premier League and beyond. He's gone in quite quick, but he hasn't caught him high. I just don't think it's the red cards. Plus, we'll hear the funniest and most outrageous stories from Wayne's career. I was going into positions and doing things I shouldn't have really been doing,

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