Football Daily - 72+ EFL Pod: Holloway’s rant & Blackburn bother

Episode Date: February 4, 2026

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff & Darrell Clarke discuss the top stories from the EFL. Darrell reveals his involvement in helping his old player Davis Keillor-Dunn move from Barnsley to Wrexham. What about Coventry letting their 10-point lead slip? Managerial departures at Blackburn and Watford. And the guys have their say on the Ian Holloway rant. Plus, send us your EFL ‘hard man’ suggestions on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369.01:20 Deadline Day is all about the pizzas! 04:25 Darrell involved in the Davis Keillor-Dunn deal 06:40 Other transfer highlights 10:50 Coventry’s 10-point lead wiped out 16:10 Hull & Boro among the chasers 19:10 Blackburn sack Valérien Ismaël 29:00 Javi Gracia leaves Watford 34:20 Ian Holloway’s rant reflections 41:00 72PLUS 72MINUS5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Wed 2000 Man City v Newcastle in EFL Cup, Sat 1500 Arsenal v Sunderland, Sat 1500 Bournemouth v Aston Villa on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Newcastle v Brentford, Sun 1400 Brighton v Crystal Palace, Sun 1630 Liverpool v Man City.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The Dakar Rally is the ultimate off-road challenge. Perfect for the ultimate defender. The high-performance defender, Octa, 626 horsepower twin turbo V8 engine and intelligent 6D dynamics air suspension. Learn more at Landrover.ca. 72 Plus, the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Joby McEnuff. Hello, everybody, welcome on to 72.

plus the EFL pod from Five Live Sport. Great to be alongside you this week with me as ever my right arm. It is Joby McEnough, back once again like the Renegade Master. You always seem to miss the big games. When we do the live shows, man, always seem to dip out with like a little little, little sort of like hamstring complaint. I don't know what it is. You question my attitude and durability at this time of the season.

Always. I'm just pulling one out. Always. I never miss a show. Well, I've got to say I'm not too happy about you being pulled up because I get enough of this at home with the misses where our diaries don't sink up at times or I've got a game booked in,

I'm missing the boys' training or some other social event. And I've come on here to have a nice chat with my mate about the game that we love. And now it's like I'm just getting it in the next. So maybe that shows where we are in our relationship actually. Yeah, maybe. I think we're just too comfortable with each other. also joining us is the former Bristol Rovers and Barnsley boss

Darrell Clark Darrell right are you glad you missed the sort of blood pressure you know curdling deadline date or did you want to be involved I love being in it Aaron so go honest with and to be honest be I felt like those in it actually I spoke to four five managers yesterday two three sporting directors with former players that I've worked with

so I actually felt a little bit of part of it but I love being in it to be honest. It's ecstatic. Bones going every 30 seconds. You're looking to see what. Because, I mean, the key is, there's so many things that people go, why don't you do your business earlier?

But there's so many things that, you know, on that day, somebody that you did like, doesn't want to come out, but then they bring a player in it. It makes that player available. So that's why a lot of the time those deals go right to the last minute.

So, yeah, I missed it. And I missed the pizzas as well, to be honest, Aaron. I knew you're going to say, that I was just about to say. Just the pizzas, you know what I mean? The meat feats and all of that.

That's what I missed. It's all about the takeaways on Deadline Day, isn't it? And for some proper inside knowledge, and Joby, I know you want to jump in, some proper inside knowledge, I can tell you that the FAA department that register the contracts and get the deal sheets done

had a curry. They had a curry on Deadline Day. I am reliably informed. By the way, I just need to cap this off. Anyone who now starts a tweet with understand, yeah? Disappear, not interested.

Not, why can't you put, I understand, or someone's told me, or I'm hearing? Why just understand? Understand Joby McEnough is X, Y, Z. Understand Darrell Clark is X, Y, Z. Understand, I know it's just absolute waffle anyway, mate. Give it, mate, full on bird's eye. Absolutely. I just wanted to come back to

Daryl there, because obviously he's out of a job at the moment and I'm sure he could be back in very, very soon. But he said there about managers and sporting directors still calling you. Do you think there's a few players out there that may be a bit worried if you're the reference forum, is it sort of one of those that, you know, if they're not quite performing and you're saying, listen, even if it ain't for me, you know, I'm still might have an impact on your career somewhere down the line. Some of them need to be worried now.

To be honest, in general, the lads have managed most women of the majority of a professional, you know, the big thing for me is, is always being honest with managers and sports. I'll never lie for anybody, you know, and even if that's a disadvantage to the football club I'm managing, because your words, everything, right? So for those guys and managers and spoind diets to pick up the phone and what my advice of how they are, how they perform, what they're like, around the change rooms, what they're like when they're not in the team. You know, that's one of the biggest ones, what they like when they're not in the team,

you know, because heavy managers trying to build that right culture and environment for it. but if you've got one of two bad apples in there, they don't set them examples right. They want to know about it, and a lot of the time is when players are not in the team, which you don't want players happy, right, when they're not in the team, but also you want to still see high standards.

So, yeah, there's a few on my hit list that didn't get moves yesterday. Any deadline day gold you can give us, Daryl? I spoke to Rexham's assistant manager. This was a couple of weeks when I was in Dubai, actually, about DKD. So Steve Parkin was my old manager at Mansfield

given my first opportunity actually so they was asking about him a few weeks ago and that's a good signing for them because Dave O's done brilliant. He's got better he's got better and better and better and he was great for me at Barnes and I can see why Rexom's

had a good chance at him and sniff at him because he's a natural goal scorer and he does his job he does his job without the ball as well so I'm sure he'll do well for Wrexham Now when I was asking for Deadline Day Gold I didn't mean you speaking to an assistant manager while you're in Dubai

Hey that's a nice little drop in there by the way that you're refreshing on I'm open to free on his normal address as no Say it again You must have passed him on your normal Dubai location You love it out there mate I haven't been a holiday in ages

You're the one who's a part-time who Don't turn up for live shows Not me I'm here I'm ever present Don't worry about it yeah I'm in situ But Darrell, I'm looking for maybe near misses Some that you thought you're going to get done through the door

While you're chomping through a pepperoni You're thinking, yeah, okay, we're going to get him through the door We're going to get X, Y, Z, or maybe we're going to sell someone to somewhere Come on, give us a bit of gold. They're always hit, misses. I tell you, my best transfer deadline sign There was a lad called Rory Gaffney, okay? We were a mid-table, I think a mid-table in league two at the time

with Bristol Rovers and he was literally fifth on my list the centre forwards to bring in and this guy was fifth choice at Cambridge in the same division

okay so literally I was I was just about I got missed out on the top four and I got to Rory Gaffney and I'm just about getting my car

he's half an hour to go before deadline and I'm not going to do it I'm not going to do it and his agent rings me and do you know what I thought at that point sod it

I'm going to do it and Rory called me in scored a lot of goals from me from to the end of the season and we end up getting promoted that season. So that was my best transfer deadline after missing out on four other options. Don't sell rawly that in my dentist's confidence. He's at an island playing out.

I'm not going to lie, Jobe. Looking at some of the deadline day moves made by clubs and just moves made it genuinely in the window. I'm excited to watch some teams. I'm very interested to see Carl Laren at Southampton, the Canadian board. These are proper forward, especially considering they've had

Adam Armstrong go. Definitely excited to see Jacob Brown at Portsmouth as well got a lot of love for John Musilio. It would be really good window. Yeah, absolutely. Millie Adi has already scored. Ibu Adams, Keshe Anderson as well. I think just that boost.

I think that's what you're looking for in January, in it's just that who can come in and make an immediate impact. And obviously for them, you know, in the last couple of games, I think those players have had a huge influence even already just to get that buzz back. Yeah, they've had a really good window. Take a couple of talking points from the EFL, two clubs, where you look at their recruitment strategies

maybe from about 18 to 24 months ago and you see them completely and utterly changing what they're doing. Birmingham City is shipping off a lot of players in this window. Luton Town as well. I mean, that door is revolving at the Brash and at Kenanworth Road, making big, big changes, some players who have played their part of the party. I know Marvelous Nakamba.

a few others have departed as well but I mean there's some clubs out there that have put some money down Sheffield United are building their sort of former Leeds 11 aren't they I mean we go for the Hardman 11 with them in too if you play for Leeds yeah we'll have you

Millwall as well I mean fabulous signing Duncan Watmore has gone to Rotherham United he's a fabulous signing for them a real experience then and he'll run and run and run but genuinely the money being lobbed about is mad. Yeah, but I think this is the really interesting point of the season as because it's which clubs feel that they really need that.

So we spoke about Portsmouth, they need to strengthen to stay up. You know, they cannot afford to go down. And then, you know, you're looking at the other end of the table. I think the Chef United one's really interesting because where they're laying a table, you know, going out and getting, you know, some big hitters, let's be right about it, you know, that are going to be huge financial outlays in areas

that he'd say it really, really needed. You know, the Calvin Phillips one coming in, seem to have some decent attacking play, midfield players, Joe Rothwell coming in. Again, you've got the lights of O'Hare, Gus Harmer, of course, already in the building. So, you know, I look at those two and think, well, that's interesting.

He's obviously rolling the dice to try and get on that run, but is it too far gone for them already? So I think the Adam Armstrong one, you talked about Carl Laren is a really interesting one for me, whether the club feel they just need to cash in at this stage and get some sort of a fee for him, but you're letting guaranteed goals out the door when you're still trying to, again, mount a playoff push.

So that one would be really interesting just to see how that plays out between now and the end of the season. Well, but your former club, Darrell, Port Vale, I text Carol Shanahan yesterday and said, look, no one can ever, ever deny that you don't go for it. Andre Gray is a mega signing for that side of league one. Yeah, now I looked at that with interest to be on. so I used to win my connection there

and obviously Devantey Coles left to go to Luton so bringing Andre Gray from over at the Turkish team. It'd be interesting to see how that works when he's 34 now, how hungry is he coming back? Obviously, I had a very decent career. So that'd be interesting to see that goes but definitely adds a bit of experience that front line after obviously getting rid of Devante.

Stopport, got to give them a quick shout at in League 1, getting the old band back together, isn't they? Elafé going back in and then Louis Barry who's not going to be fit yet but if they can get him anywhere near what he's done on previous occasions down the stretch if they're going to be in with a shout

obviously a lot to play for a second half of this season now of course Carl Wharton's still banging in the goals so that'll be fun to watch for sure as well yeah a lot of money thrown about the EFL let's get straight into it and start at the top end of the championship Coventry's lead has dissolved

at the summit after suffering back-to-back defeats. They were 10 points clear at the top. They're now level with Middlesbrough at the top of the championship. No away win since November, Joby. Is that the long and short of it? Is that where you sort of pinpoint it and say,

yeah, that's where it's sort of falling apart? I'd say clearly the away form, but the goals that they're conceded and the manner of the goals they're conceding, and it's really interesting at this stage of the season because they were so good for so long. But obviously everyone's had a little look, you know, what they do really well.

you know, flooding bodies forward and really trying to overload you. And the fallbacks are the one for me. You know, when I look at a lot of the goals they've conceded of late and they're leaving the two centre halves exposed at times and they haven't got great pace. Obviously, Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitchen, I was surprised they didn't maybe go for a centre half in this window. I know they've strengthened with Frank Oneecker coming in the midfield,

which I do think will help. Again, particularly maybe for those away games, that gives you another bit of physicality in there, just stiffen up that midfield. at times because the back two at times have been over-exposed. But yeah, it's gone from what I thought was just a little blip to, you know, you look at the table today, as you say, and that lead completely evaporated. You know, they've got to turn this around very, very quickly because it can really spiral

out of control, having been in such a commanding position for so long in the season. Darrow, I always ask people, is it, you know, better to be the chases or the chaste? and I wonder with Coventry City I mean they are the chase 10 points is a big lead then psychologically I wonder what's going on in camp right now

we know Frank Lampard will always play it cool but realistically that's a big big lead yeah I think it's a mentality thing now is because they're outscoring teams wasn't it I mean the clean sheet record wasn't particularly great but you just fancied

Coventry to outscore other teams now when that doesn't quite work in and Santies missed a few games now with suspension and whatnot and injury. And when you're not doing that, you've got to get back to basics. So, you know, Joe, you know, Joe, you're just saying they're about centrebacks being a little bit isolated at times. So maybe a little tweak, maybe something that just makes them a little bit more secure so they're not conceding every game. I mean, I think it's been seven games now since they've had a clean sheet in the championship. So getting back to those basics

while still obviously being there dangerous on the front foot. So Frank will be looking at everything with his staff. Listen, he's got it the experience. He's got the experience. He's got know how we know is all about it. And I think sometimes it's come to the classic reset. Yeah, 10 points. But do you play with that on your mindset? Or do you go, you know what? We're still top of the table with how many games we've got left.

This is where we're at. So just get that focus again, get working with the boys, which I'm sure Frank's doing. They've got a good opportunity in the next game game, isn't there? Because if you're going to think of a game where you want to come back and get back to winning ways, this is no disrespect to Oxford. They're struggling a little bit.

Matt's gone in there and steady the ship a little bit. you'd probably pick Oxford at home to try and get itself back to those winning ways. Okay, but have they been found out? Is that the crux of it? Joby, because at one point they were scoring goals for fun. Darrell made a key point there about them shipping goals. Where are we with these guys? You know, I think that term found out is a really interesting one.

I go back to my time at Watford, and we were absolutely flying first half for the season and, you know, played one way, which was direct, which was physical. You know, we'd go long at times. And what was really interesting in the second half of the season, teams definitely did make adjustments because whereas before we could, we'd go up quite early, but there was space in behind.

And what I found in the first half of the season, teams are more prepared to have a little bit of a ding-dong with you. You know, it still feels like we want to come out and win a game, you know, if we lose it, all right, fair enough. Whereas now there's so much to play for up and down the leagues. The teams are now going one because they've been so good in the first half, actually we will sit back. You know, if we nick a point against Coventry,

it's a great point because of how good they were in the first half of the season. And what they were so good at, again, from a forward area, you know, getting in behind teams with the pace and, you know, with their forward players, I don't think they've been allowed to do that as much. So I definitely feel it's about the word tweak is absolutely spot on from DAZ. You know, it's not about throwing everything out the window, but you do have to make adjustments. And whether that is being a bit more pragmatic at times, you know, defensively.

Do you think they're going to be pragmatic? You look at the reinforcements? No, I'm not talking about, like, as I say, it's not a total turnaround of right, let's sit in now and not try and win games, of course, but there's times in games and some of those goals they've conceded. They've just been so sloppy as.

Why are they going out and bringing more attackers then? Young men who are. This is the question. Remain and say, yeah, exactly. When I feel the real issues are probably the average end of the pitch or just how you're setting up the team. Again, you still want your fallback bombing on, which they do really well.

maybe on one side, but at times it's both of them going. And then you've got the two centre halves and there's big space in behind when you look at some of the goals they've conceded or teams are getting into those fullback areas. So I definitely feel there's an issue there that needs to be addressed. If they can do that, they still have got so much firepower that I'd more than fancy them to go and finish the job. And they've still got a little bit of a cushion, although Hull have got a game in hand on the third place, which is the real big one, really. I like Hull. there's something about them

I really like I love the manager I think he's hilarious but they've got players who turn up they make a difference they're very structured in what they do

big fan of Ryan Giles on the left I think he's a cracker he's got a cracker of a left foot and he can get a ball into that mixer really really well

but what about Middlesbrough I mean we've seen them sort of not quite have a dip but yet also have a dip as well Kim Helberg has settled in nicely They brought in Leo Castledain

Who I think is a real Real bright bright sign in Samiento I like him I'm a fan I don't know Joe he's got a face No listen I think he's one of those

That he sort of look around and go You know he's been involved in in teams That have been promoted So I think that's the first little tick Because you're like right What gets us over the line now I think he's capable of those moments of magic Which again down the stretch

there's going to be some tight games. You know, I think the last one's a prime example against Norwich where you're not just going to steam roller teams between now and the end of the season. So have you got that little bit of might be a bit of impact off the bench? But, you know, we've seen him on so many occasions, that little sort of dip inside, whip one into the top corner. So for me, that one makes sense in terms of a bit of, yeah,

that X factor, a bit of know-how, you know, young really come in and join the group, which is full of life, full of energy at the moment and absolutely flying. I don't think that's a bad one I've got to say. Darrell, flip it around from Coventry and talk to me about what is going to be going on in the Middlesbrough camp right now, when they know they've eaten away at a 10-point lead. You've brought it down to ground zero again. It's the opportunity to start afresh.

Yes, the goal difference is mega. I think there's a 10-goal swing from Borough to Coventry where Coventry are on plus 28 and barrow on plus 18. But if you're Kim Helberg right now, pretend you are, what are you saying to your players every day? getting them going. You probably don't need to get them going, but you need to keep them channeled, the energy channeled and focus, right? Yeah, you're chasing.

So you've got that energy. And to be honest with you, they've had a really good window because they haven't lost the best players. You know, sometimes in the window is making sure you keep your key players because as soon as one or two, your key players go

when you're going for the title or trying to get out of the championship, that's really tough to take. So they'll be energized after the window. They've been chasing. They've been chasing for a while. They had a little dip, Now they're coming back to the boil again.

So I think the momentum's with them. I think the place is a positive place. One of my good friends, Mark Tinkler's the under 21 coach up there. The cool, churning the environment up there is fantastic. They've got a young, hungry team mixed in with a couple of experience, boys. So I just feel that when you've got that momentum and you are chasing, it takes you over the course for the next 15, 16 games. So, yeah, it'd be interesting to see them kick on.

Okay, let's dive in to the other end of the table. Well, Blackburn Rovers have sat there head coach Valer and Ishmael. After nine games without a win, they're in the championship relegation zone, and haven't been in League 1 since 2018. Toby, where do you want to start? Because I don't even know where to go with this one. For me, from the outset, it never felt like the right appointment in the first place. But also, there is an element of can't be picky.

Yes, where am I on this one? Not surprised. It's probably my first reaction to the situation around Blackburn Rovers, regardless of who the manager is at any point in time. It just feels like a club that has been destined for this to happen. I know they had a positive end to last season, but that was really off the back of a really poor run under Ishmael when he sort of first went in. And I think it was won the last four out of five and gave themselves a chance of getting into playoffs, which on the balance of how the season went. would have been absolutely crazy. And then whether that raises expectations or, you know, people think they're going to do better again this year when you've lost key players. And I think the experience of the level, again, I always come back to, you know, when you're at a club that isn't really going to go and, you know, put a big outlay on players, which clearly they haven't done for a considerable amount of time. There are those real, you know, key cornerstones of your team, the experience, you know,

the traverses of this world are so, so important and you lose them in the, summer, Dom Hayim, another one. And I just think it's a tough, tough job. Listen, I think for a manager, you know, having to deal with that week in, week out, eventually it just grinds you down, Aaron. And I think with him, unfortunately, I think probably mixed with, I'd say, style of play, which wasn't great to watch. But I think this is an overall situation of a club that, you know, from an ownership

perspective has been really mismanaged and mishandled and unloved. and ultimately we've seen so many times before where this ends up being what happens. You know, they were a real worry for me at the start of this season and nothing I've seen has laid those fears and they're in big, big trouble now and there's no doubt about it. They've gone obviously quite young, okay. Ismael's always been quite direct. You know, I'm not criticising this, by the way,

because you've been effective at some clubs that he's managed. And all of a sudden, like, you have to put more young players in the mix and you haven't got your senior boys. I just don't think it fits. I really don't and I think that's why they struggled a lot this season

as soon as you're like you lose them experienced players and you're going more and more younger as you go along plus the negativity in the club rights

it's been festering there for a while and I fear for them now to be honest with it I really do because you know

when you're under pressure and you're down there and you're a big name club like Blackburn is if you're too young you know it's going to be a real testing times

I personally think it'd have been worth sticking with him until the end of the season, if I'm honest with you, unless they've got somebody right. I do, I do, because I do because I think he's been there, seeing it, done it. It's been in those situations before.

And, you know, Dean Whitehead was his assistant. I've had him at a few of my clubs as well. And I think sometimes it's the bear of the devil, you know. And listen, it's easy to go, listen, we went one for eight games. Let's give it to the manager and whatnot. I get it. You know, but I'm always going to be looking at it from a logistic sort of point of view, and been a manager at that is,

is that unless they're going to bring in somebody really experienced now, okay, who's been there seeing it and knows relegation fight, working with a young group as well, Joby, you know, it's going to be, it's going to be tough ask, and I think they should have just stuck with him

until the end of the season. He's used to getting teams out of situations, and I think it had just about kept them up now I fear for him. And the saddest thing is, is the fans are starting to vote with their feet. I mean, you look at it, go on to wherever it is,

date it from. Go and look at how many contracts are at the end of the season. Go and look at how many players are out of contract. It's going to be a clear-the-deck situation. It is, and I think it comes back down to how hard a job it is for the manager, whoever is there, because, all right, you might say the age profile, they're not

that young in terms of the 11 that they can get out at any one time. But I think when you look at a lot of the signings, particularly in the past summer, you know, having just finished outside the playoffs and you're thinking, right, have we got the bones of a squad to compete? Well, over 46 games, the answer was yes because of where they finished in the league, but what do we need

to kick on? And I think they've gone the complete opposite way. A lot of those signings have been players who don't have experience of the championship, regardless of their age, whether they're super, you know, the younger profile or a bit more experience, but in different leagues. The championship is a tough, tough place to come when you don't know what

it's about playing for a team and a club that, you know, is going to struggle. And I just feel that they haven't got the recruitment right, and I think they've needed a bit more help in terms of that. championship or at least English football level experience and know-how because if you don't have it, this is a long, hard slog of a season and I think Blackburn are paying the price for that now.

So I've got sympathy with the manager. I don't think he's been given a fair crack at it, if I'm being honest, with that recruitment side of it. I can't see many of those signings they made being him saying, this is a good level championship player that can come and compete at the level that we're at. I mean, we need to sort of have another conversation about the Venkees and their attitude towards the football club. What they've pumped into that football club

in excess of £200 million, they will never see that money again whilst this club is in the EFL, ever. And if they were to cut their ties, they cut their ties and they take a huge loss. But I think they look at clubs like a Sunderland, like a loot in town and think, hey, we can do it.

The difference is, the key difference, both of those clubs were highly organised at the time of them going to the Premier League and Blackbone Rovers still don't actually have a CEO. Steve Wagget left the club and I think people again will absolutely slight that man

but when you were in times of crisis and Blackbone Rovers have been in time of crisis for a long time you need a safe pair of hands and Waggie was a safe pair of hands he was experienced he wanted to lead the club into this anniversary year

and they part a company with him I'm worried for that football club especially considering the attendances are dwindling And what I will say is, is that the clubs I've worked at is that you're never, ever successful if the club's not connected. You understand. And like leadership roles, director of football, owners, if it is not connected, if you're not on the same page, you struggle as a manager. And this is what I'm saying.

Me personally, I think at Blackburn is quite disconnected. I think the manager can only say so much and do so much with the squad he's got at times and say what he can say in the press, because obviously he wants to stay in the management, and wants to keep improving the team. And this is my point, is that there will still be supporters that remember 31 years ago, they still remember that club and still want to get back to it. And after being told and seen where the club's been

for like 10, 15 years now with the same owners, is that's where the problem's becoming. It's not connected. The fans are connected to the owners. The owners aren't connected to the management team, and that's why it looks like a car crash guys. And for me, going back to my point now, is who's going to go in there and massively be able to turn that round?

I very much doubt that they're going to be able to get somebody in there that's going to be able to turn it. And I think, you know, it's... And if you don't get someone who's right of the right fit, I think they'll be going out of the trap door. And that's what happens with this connection. Who wants it? They'll always be takers, Aaron.

They'll always be takers. Listen, I'd take the Blackburn job tomorrow because you'd always go in and think, you know what? I'll work with this group. Can I get a tweak out of them? Can I then start managing above, managing above, change, perception?

change ideas because as a manager you go into football clubs okay and I've been into a few football clubs recently where you say is that okay I know this is this is this just way this football club works can I change that can I go and give my opinions to that can I can I make them build what is a winning squad which they want to see and I want to see but with that nowadays there's a lot of opinions there's a lot in between there's director of footballs there's different directors different and with that shadow at that guys one of the hardest things being a manager is managing above. Trust me.

Trust me because there's so many variations, you know, like 10, 15 years ago, you'd be working with yourself and the chairman. There's your budget, Darrell. You work with your budget. That's your budget, and we'll talk about it one on one. Now you've got five, six, seven, eight people you're dealing with. You know, all got different opinions, guys.

You know, we sit on the, you know, podcast and TV and we talk. We've all got different opinions about the game. Well, you start trying to do that when there's six or seven people. Do you understand? and this is what I'm talking about when clubs are disconnected. They have to be connected to be successful

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72 plus the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Joby McEnough. Watford Football Club tweeted on Sunday afternoon. The club is sad and disappointed to confirm the resignation of Havi Gratzia as head coach. Where do you even start, Jovey? Your former club. I mean, three months in the job, Watford, four points off the top six. 21 games. I thought when he came back in,

it was a master stroke. He looked happy. They looked happy. It felt as though, as Darrell says, they're all seen off the same hymn sheet. Life is good again. The lager is cool. But January is a difficult month in football,

especially when you're asking the chairman to dip his hand in his pocket. Yes. Again, I've got to say, I've really feel for Watford supporters because it is that sort of thing of, oh, God, here we go again and again and again. it's ridiculous the amount of turnover.

What is slightly different on this occasion? It seems to be, you know, clearly it's been instigated by him, sort of saying that in terms of what he wanted, the club weren't willing to deliver. I think the big question with that is have the goalposts move from when he first went in. Is it a bit of a situation,

maybe like we saw with Moreska, I've come in and done really, really well. And it looked as though this could be the season for Watford to be that team that finally, gets themselves back in amongst the playoffs. And I think as a manager, he's probably earned his right to say, look, just back me, give me one or two players.

Again, we talk about the same thing all the time that can come in and compete at this level to keep things going because you look at where they were at the turn of the year, just coming off that brilliant run, four wins on the bounce, you know, looking like they were really going to go. And it seems from that point, things, the wills have fallen off. So you look at that as a key factor in this. And I think he literally just got to the point of saying, I need to get out of here before it goes sour.

Maybe my stock isn't as high as it is right now. I don't really want to deal with this situation and I'm going to have to go in and keep trying to motivate a group that needs reinforcements. So I think there's a lot to this that probably we haven't seen yet and I'm sure more will come out. But it's just disappointing

because I like you for it was a smart appointment, someone who knew the club, had done well for them previously, had done well so far this season. But unfortunately, for Watford, we all know the ending. But I also, I fully agree with him in the sense of you need a bit of experience. I mean, Watford are on the periphery of the playoffs. Yeah, but if that's not the club's position when he comes, we have to understand. It's not their MO.

We don't know what he's been told when he comes in. We know what their trading model is now. Develop players, get them from abroad, bring them in, and then sell them on for a profit. That is kind of what they're doing. Does that make them a shoe in for a playoff place? No, because you're going to keep selling your best players and you haven't got the experience to get you over the line. But if that's the club's position when he came through the door,

then their argument might be, and I'm only playing devil's advocate here. Well, listen, mate, the job was what it was. It hasn't changed in three months. I'm trying to get my head around this one too much for you because he must know what he was going into with the environment at Watford. I haven't been there previously.

And listen, they've got a couple of, the three took away games coming up. They haven't won in four, Hall, Southampton, and Preston, I think, the next three away games. And I just think to myself, it doesn't really add up. Listen, they're not where they want to be, but they've got, what, they've four points off the playoffs with the game in hand, guys.

And Garcia's just walked out of the door. Yeah, they're on a, you know, it's, and I don't, there's got to be something. He's got to be a lot more into this, because he knows the club, he knows what he was about when he came into, and I don't really, I don't really get it. whether more stuff comes out, you know, in the future about this.

I just find it very old strange with this because obviously his connection with the club beforehand. Given they have got a model of, you know, wanting to play certain players to enhance their value and potentially sell on. And I think he, what I've seen certainly from Watford in recent weeks, the life of Barr, Irocunda, you know, even chat for Tadse, you know, was out the team. Whether there's a bit of friction there because he's saying, listen, these aren't the guys that are going to get us in the playoffs.

But then the Watford hierarchy saying to him, well, they need to play anyway because we need their valuations to either stay high or get enlarged so that we can sell them on. I think that's the difficult thing for a Watford coach. You have to have an understanding of what that model is. For me, again, does it make it easy for a coach to go and get on the playoffs? No. Would I be absolutely like, have you gracia saying, look, give me a chance here. This could be the season, you know, that we can get up.

Everyone says the owner's ambitious and he wants to, you know, for me, this would be the season. You know, with a manager that you know well, who has had success in the Premier League with the club before to back him and say, listen, we can still carry on that policy. But actually, is this the chance? Is this the season that we can make the playoffs? You know, given how open it is, I mean, if Rexham get in there, I mean, come on, Watford fans are going to be thinking, hang on a minute, look how long we've been around the level. And a Rexham come up, yes, they've spent money, but they're going to end up in the playoffs. and, you know, I just feel, as Daryl's just said there, there's definitely a little bit more to it than meets the eye, I've got to say.

Before we move on, I need to get your thoughts on the extraordinary ramp from Swindon Town Boss Ian Holloway. He laid into FA officials after his captain Olly Clark. He was suspended 24 hours before Saturday's match with Barrow. It comes back to Swindon playing Clark in an EFL trophy tie when he was meant to be serving a seven-game ban. Swindon thought it didn't apply in the trophy. And also Swindon brought on Aaron Dronan as a substitute. despite him not being on the teen sheet.

Anyway, here's some of what Ian Holloway had to say about it all on Saturday. They've hampered me as a manager. I am not allowed to do the preparation that I've done in such an unprofessional way. How are they allowed to say he's banned for tomorrow, and I've got no time to train my team? So I've run the LMA. Do you know what I can do about any of it? Absolutely nothing.

I've just asked all the officials today, if I try to put someone on it at half time who's not named on the team sheet. Whose responsibility is that to let him go on? Because I could easily use one of the other ones. And they said, quite honestly, yeah, it would be ours, wouldn't it? I said, well, don't do that today, then, will you? Why are we trying to blame everybody else?

It's disgusting. They want to find me good. They want to ban me good. Do it. Have a look at yourselves every single goddamn one of you. It's absolutely disgusting. And whether I get another game or not, don't really care anymore. I care about my team. I care about my captain. I care about my players.

And I should be allowed to prepare professionally. And if anybody wants to say, oh, you're, you're, you should have been professional, right? Well, I'll tell you what's professional. She looked on the portal. She made one mistake by pressed the wrong button and the wrong name went down on these horrible computers that will take over the world in the end. So I forgive her that mistake. But the referee and the fourth official let her down at half time and the portal let her down. Apparently she should have checked with the handbook.

Sort your lives out, every single stinking one of you. And it's a siege mentality in my head now, absolutely, totally and utterly. And if Luton go through, because they've had all good luck to you, we beat you. Fair and poxy square.

And I'm not having our... Club secretary, drag through the coast, right and centre. You have a look at yourselves first. I know how wrong you are, you cowards. Anyway, back to football. Okay, do you know what I feel like? I feel like I've just been told of. Anyone else?

Do you know what? I know Ian very well? Do you know what he is, Aaron, is a proper leader? Because you put yourself now in Swindon and change rooms and working on the staff that he is, because they've made the, they made the, the mistake. They've done that. But he's fighting for his club,

his fans, his players, and his staff. You know, that is a proper leader. Listen, Ian's it. I think we're mischaracterters like Ian in the game now, to be honest with you. I really do. I think there's things I agree with

because, you know, now you have to do the team sheet, you do it. It's all through computer and stuff like that. What was wrong with the old paper things? Mistakes weren't really made or very, really made. You know what I mean? And I just,

and listen, I know we've got to move on with the times, but come on. you know, it's and it's these things so I feel for Ian he's a passionate guy but that passionate guy is the guy

that wins football games and won promotions guys do you know what I mean so you have to take the rough through the smooth he's probably upset a few at the FAA he's probably got a bigger

bank balance to be able to pay you the fine to be fair to him Ian so listen good on him and hopefully they don't get kicked out because I think they win the game they've won the game

fair and square yes they've they've obviously played a player, they shouldn't have played and whatnot, but hopefully they still manage to stay in the competition. Simon and Swindon has got in touch and said maybe there should be a discussion slash a bit of insight

in how the portal works after listening to Ian Holloway. Darrell, how does it work when you're registering your team for a game? Is it done on a tablet? And have you had any dealings with the portal? Yeah, I have, yeah. So basically, the old school was right to team out, your sub's out, your coaching staff on the bench. You do all of them.

Yeah, you know what? You hand that to the press and the referee, and then you have the discussion with the ref, you exchange team sheets for the opposition's manager. Now it's all on a computer. Now, I mean, they had problems early in the season to start off with doing this. And so you've basically got to do exactly the same thing,

but put it in a computer thing. But it's, I don't think you make that mistake if you're writing it down, if I'm being honest with you. I don't think it happens. It's a lot of things. I was having discussions with managers early in the season this season,

this season and we didn't agree with it to be honest with you. I'm not sure they asked the other managers what we thought about it. I think he just went ahead with it. And there's always going to be a few times when there's a new system comes in place. There's always going to be things that happen with Ian and Swindon. So I'm hoping they don't get punished

and Swindon fans are not my massive fans of myself, Swindon fans and beat them in the playoffs and what not, but I genuinely hope that Ian and the team get to stay in the Cup. But he certainly stick with the old ways with a paper, Jobie. You know what I'm with you? Where my sympathy for Ian Holloway.

I think he's gone way over the top with that interview. I must say. I get it. He's passionate. He wants to defend his team. But there is a bit of a collective responsibility here, particularly more about the Aaron Drinnon, because, again, there are officials that should be checking that

before he goes and enters the pitch. So I do feel there's something there that I can see his frustration. It's clearly an admin error on that occasion. and I do think that should be taken into account but yeah man there's nothing wrong with the old school get back to the pen and paper save everyone all the hassle of the computers taken over

you want a bit of passion you want a bit of character you don't want someone who's been necessarily media trend yeah you do but you kind of don't as well you're on a good hybrid with Ian Holloway you know what you're getting it's you know six litres pure you know foot to the floor and we're going to give it to your both barrels and I love it

the accent absolutely adds on to it as well, by the way, just adds, it reinforces it. Listen, I'm all four people speaking out. I just feel on this occasion he's gone a little bit overboard with it. Maybe he could be the manager of our ultimate EFL Hardman 11, which we'll return to next week as we look to trim down our squad into an old school 4-4-2, but for now we're going to finish with this. 72 plus, 72 minus on the football daily.

Yeah, it's time for Jobie's best and worst moments of the week from across the football league. Where are we starting this week, Jobes? Well, I'm going to start with my 72 minus, and it's that Ian Holloway rant. Great to hear his passion, but as I said, I think he might regret being quite so vocal.

Let's hear it. It's disgusting. They want to find me good. They want to ban me good. Do it. Have a look at yourselves every single goddamn one of you. It's absolutely disgusting. And Jopi, you can't beat.

You're 72 plus. Well, I'm going to go for Tottenham Loney. Seth Akamrich, who's on his first start for Bristol Rovers, bags two brilliant goals in a massive six-point-up with Newport County. What a way to introduce yourself to your new fans. Here we go. Every time the ball go out to a Camrich is looking dangerous. And he's got it again inside the penalty hour and a chance to score again.

And he slots it away for 2-0. What a full debut this is from Yusuf Akamrich. A cool finish for a young man. He is just 20 years. years of age, but he's showing that top level quality. No use of a Cameridge in any of our fantasy EFL teams. At the time we're recording, Daff Caddy Nine is top of our list in the league, closely followed by Utter Stoke Nonsense.

Dakota joined is 72 EFL Pod. 7-2 EFL pod. Joby, you're in 37, Swindon Town's Aaron Driner, no less with a couple of goals. Yeah, decent. Yeah, and that's it for the fantasy NFL section. It's funny how you always try and brush past this where I know we had this conversation over Christmas about loads of games, forgetting to do teams

like have you literally just forgotten since then? Can I be honest? I got a new phone about three months ago and I got logged out and it just won't be working. I've got to say one thing you are really good at is finding an excuse to why you're so bad at fantasy football. Joby. I mean I got logged out because I've got a new phone.

Fair play to you? Because that actually sounds relatively viable. What do you reckon does? It's kind of like a little bit of honesty or not. actually it's just pure black. When you're struggling, you may as I'm an excuse every weekend. I've got those of them. Start.

Start. It's the portal. Miat has become the portal. It's merged into a portal. It's turned into a port key. Anyway. Just on that, it's probably going to be handy not to have Josh Sargent as your captain at the moment.

I don't know if you have seen Norwich in the last few weeks, but I can't see that one. I thought, you know what, as Darrell says, you know, you have those players where you think, yeah, I can rehabilitate him. I can rehabilitate him and I can get the best out of him. You know what I'm talking about, Darrell, don't you? Oh, all day, Aaron.

You know what I mean? It's never dead until it's buried, mate, eh? It's my Rory Gaffney, all right? There he is. It's my Rory Gaffney, yeah. You deal with your own team. Darrell, Joby, thank you so much. Where is everyone this weekend?

I'm actually down in Bournemouth on Saturday for Bournemouth Villa, BBC 5 Live Co-com. so looking forward to that and then Monday night back in the studio Shepford United are playing You're liking the old 5-life Co-comment try aren't you?

Love it mate really really looking forward to it I want to go to the local pub mate have a few beers and watch the results coming this Saturday mate old school Saturday

for myself exactly yeah long for those days does no exactly none of this rubbish I'm going to a game this weekend pure honesty

straight to the local pub and a few pints fantastic stuff wherever you're going, enjoy it. Remember to send us your EFL11 suggestions on WhatsApp. 08,000-289-369. I'll tell you what, if you want me just to reinforce

Joby as a pundit here on Fire Live and get him some more gigs, you can catch him Saturday, 3 o'clock, with John Acres, Radio 5 Sports Extra for Bournemouth versus Aston Villa. Make sure you take John some sweets or something, Joby. He's a lovely man. His nickname is Juicy, by the last. way. He likes the sweet. I took him a good selection last time we're at Palace.

Just go up to him and go, all right, juicy. And he'll know. He'll not going to look at me like. No, no, it's the eyes. They never lie. His eyes never, ever lie. That is it for this episode of the Football Daily. On the next one, Steve Crosman, we'll have reaction to Wednesday night's commentary as Manchester City face Newcast United in their League Cup semi-final second leg. That's for us here on 72 plus. We'll be back next week. Catch you there. Our referee for this afternoon. Close her whistle and we are underway. Fulta just pick her sport. Curles its way past the best goalkeeper in the division.

BBC Women's Football Weekly. The latest news, insights and analysis from across the women's game. Lucy Bruns, welcome back. What one lioness do you think would make the best rugby player? Me? Listen. With the BBC Sounds app.