Football Daily - MNC: First impressions & Premier League debuts

Episode Date: August 18, 2025

Steve Crossman is joined by Conor Coady, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith to discuss the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Who has made the best first impression? How much of an asset could Cunha be for Manchester United this season? How do Arsenal help Gyokeres to adapt to the Premier League? And did Reijnders have one of the great Premier League debuts? Off the pitch, what can we expect from Pep Lijnders working with Pep Guardiola? BBC Football Tactics correspondent, Umir Irfan gives his analysis of Ekitike’s Liverpool debut and how he expects the reigning champions to play this season, given their new signings. Plus, Conor Coady tells us all about life at his new club Wrexham; he says he “can’t speak more highly” of what the opportunity is bringing him personally. Time codes: 2:10 Manchester United fans happy despite loss? 3:10 Cunha shines 8:52 Coady says Manchester United need someone who plays “on the edge” 15:31 Is the Gyokeres judgement fair? 18:07 What can Arsenal take away from Sunday’s result? 21:47 Bayindir’s error 25:00 Rating Reijnders’ debut 29:20 Pep Lijnders’ role at Manchester City 34:10 Umir Irfan on Ekitike and Liverpool tactics 40:45 Liverpool’s defence 45:29 Conor Coady on joining Wrexham

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Echateke, Yocchrese, Cunia, Sesco, which got us thinking, Chris, what was your first impression of Rory Smith? What was my first impression of Rory Smith? Don't answer it, Chris, don't answer it. Yeah, no, nice chap. Very nice chap, Rory. But the longer I've got to know him,

my estimation of him has gone down. Down, yeah. Not really. Not really, Rory. That would be fair, to be fair, if it had gone down. Exposure is not my friend, I don't think. Yeah, that is a very diplomatic answer from Chris. I'm impressed.

I think it's because he probably knew that I was going to ask you the same question right off the bat, isn't it? No, I'm sure I've said this before. The thing I get asked most on the rare occasions whenever anyone hears my voice and says, oh, I recognise that voice, you do the Monday night club. Normally they're just too shy to say anything. The first question, in fact, the only question I ever get is what's Chris like. and the little bit of his chap is still doing it now he's doing match of the day

can I just say this is a one-off that I'm here before you try that and I always say that Chris is lovely which I think maybe isn't helping Chris's brand to an extent but yeah people are fascinated to know what Chris is actually like Connor have you ever made an especially good or bad first impression

or has a teammate made one on you because you've just signed for a new club You've just joined Wrexham. First impressions are important? Massively important, massively, yeah. I think being at Wrexham, they've made a big impression on me. I think the people there, working with the people there, they've been brilliant and working with really good people,

really nice people who try and improve you every day as being good. Someone who's made an impression on me was Ruben Nevis, at Wolves, I loved him to bits. I thought it's professionalism from when he first came in, his will to win, how he wanted to do things. That's the biggest one that really, really sticks out in my mind, yeah. Let's start with Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. We'll talk Arsenal in a bit.

But, Chris, I was there, and you were doing 606 afterwards speaking to loads of fans. The impression that I got is that is the happiest I've ever seen Manchester United fans at losing a home game to Arsenal. They were very enthused. Yeah, and look, I think they had every right to be enthused in a way because, you know, regardless of the result, and the result was a poor result, whichever way you want to look at it. There were encouraging signs. And, you know, when Ruben Amarin went in last season, at first, he was slightly positive and always upbeat

and saying the team was playing well. And then eventually, you know, he said that they were the worst Manchester United team of all time. And, you know, maybe some of us agreed with him. But I think, you know, yesterday they looked everything that they should have been. You know, they looked committed and hungry, plenty of energy. And the new signings look good. Kunja, in particular, I think he's going to be a start. I just do.

I've got that gut feeling. And in Burmo, I've always liked him as a player. I think he's super reliable and plays that position really, really well. If I've got reservations, I'm still worried to death about Casimir in the middle of the park. I think that they need an upgrade and more sort of legs in there. But I think all in all, you know, they deserve something from the game. They didn't get it. but performance-wise, there was something there.

And in truth, last season, you couldn't really say that about Ruben Embrims, Manchester United? I completely agree. I really do. I think, listen, I think the goalkeeper, we all know, let them down. It was a battle of the goalkeepers, really right. I made a few good saves from Coonnierd and the head of from Emburmo, but I think they look really organized.

I think they looked like they've had a really good preseason in terms of being on the training pitch. I don't know really know how the results have gone. But in terms of being on the training pitch every day with the manager, you don't realize how big that is. For a manager to have a full preseason with a group of players, that is so, so big going into the season. I think my United fans will be very optimistic.

I think the signings, I think exactly what Chris said with Cunia, I absolutely love him. I think he's an outstanding footballer. I think his appetite to want to do well. And I think going to a club like Manchester United, I've never had the privilege of going to a huge football club like that. But you've got to play with no fear, and I think he does that every single time he steps on a pitch.

So I think it'll be really optimistic. I thought they played really well. Do you subscribe to the idea that a shirt like that can be? be heavy, and you can find out quite quickly how comfortable someone looks in it, because Cooney did look comfortable in it? Very comfortable, and I think we knew before going there. I say knew before going out. We knew the sort of player he was at Wolves, playing with no fear, having that mentality,

that character to take Wolves to the next level in terms of the goals and how we played and things like that. And I agree with you. I think this year can be heavy for certain players. I certainly don't think it'll be heavy for him. Like I said, he's a Brazil international, but he played with no fear. I love him. I played against him last season, and he doesn't stop.

He's got that appetite to do well and get on the ball and really make things happen and he can score goals and he's going to create chances so I think it's a fantastic sign for Manchester United I really do.

How'd you defend him then? Sorry Chris. It's hard to at times you're seeing yesterday he gets himself into unbelievable positions and he's got like a little bit of a hint of Swar remember when Suarez used to dribble with the ball and he'd bounce through players

and also on the ball in upon his feet he'd done it for that chance where obviously he broke through the back line to get his chance on goal and it's hard to defend if you go tight if you go tight he'll probably roll you it or spin you're or running behind do you back off

and let him turn and let him stand you up it's a hard one but I think he's a phenomenal player who really do Connor where do you think he's kind of most dangerous what is it about his

his sort of skill set that makes him such a threat I think in around the box I think he's a clever football I love intelligent footballers I love people who think about the game I like him as a nine but coming

so we call it a false nine these days don't we know Chris I probably have something to say about different positions and how we talk about football now but we call it a false night where he wants to come back but I like him in around the box

I love it when he's creating things he can have a sight at goal we've seen with the opportunities he had yesterday. It was a brilliant save from Rye where he gets down to his left and tips it around the post, but he creates it out of nothing. And I just think in terms of being in that central figure and that central part of the pitch, I think it's going to be massive for Man United.

I think it's interesting his kind of career as well, because he's not come, as you kind of says, he's Brazil international, but he's kind of faced his challenges, hasn't he, to kind of find a club where he can fulfil his potential at that level. And I wonder whether, because of where United are now, because of, you know, how bad last season was, just that sense of rebuilding. They maybe need players

who've got a little bit of a personal point to prove as well. A little, chip on the shoulder sounds a little bit negative and it's not really meant to, but there's a bit of sort of spark and spiked to Cunia and I think that's partly maybe

because he's kind of done the rounds in Europe and sort of ended up at Wolves, which is where he seemed to find his home and start to shine. And now he'll feel he's earned this move to United as well. I was a little bit undecided about that signing for United, but I agree with Connor.

I think the signs yesterday were really positive. Why were you undecided then? When we watched him last season, I think we all couldn't fail not to be impressed by him. So why? Because it was at Wolves. Is it the baggage which comes with Manchester United? Is it, you know, people say that, you know,

the club, where you mentioned earlier, Steve, the shirt being too big, the club being too big? He doesn't seem that type of player who gets phased, But I don't know. I think that's right. I think what a little bit was his temper. I think he had the two incidents last season, which I think pretty much every team,

including United, will have looked at and thought, right, how do we weigh up how much that matters? There's some people like that, Rory, don't they? So, you know, I mean, you know, within football. It's... Well, also, I mean, teams don't want to spend $60 million on someone who might get banned for, like, five games.

That's not a good thing. But I think that's a fair enough question mark, isn't it? If there's a couple of incidents, like that, you might think, okay, we need to just think about this. But the other one, I think some players are suited to being kind of being the central figure. And I just wondered whether Cunia may be, after what happened at, Atletico and stuff, maybe it kind of suited him to be at Wolves where he was the main guy.

I wonder whether that might be, and that's not like a bad thing. Some players are better suited to that than others. I did wonder whether he maybe has a bit more of a maverick in him than a coach who's quite as kind of determined to make this one system, the only system in the world, work as Ruben Amarim is. But as I say, I know nothing about football, and the signs yesterday were really encouraging for United. And the main thing is, he's an exciting player,

whether he's as reliable enough to kind of fire United into kind of contention for the Champions League, I don't know. But he will get fans off their seats. United need anything to be excited about, and Cooney will provide that. I suppose, sorry, Chris, I spoke to a lot of the World Boys about him. And I think he could, I think Man United need somebody who plays on the edge. Like him, I love players who play on the edge.

I love how he does it. and I spoke to the World Boys about him, I think they could take a suspension here, and it sounds really stupid, but because of what he brought in the other games and how he would win them games, do you know what I mean? So you'd end up missing him for a couple of games here and it

because he plays on the edge, but then when you lose the playing on the edge, you're losing the player, because that's how he plays the game, do you know what I mean? I don't know if that makes sense in terms of what I'm saying. No, it does. So over the summer,

I spent a bit of time with the Welsh F.A., when the guys there were finishing their pro license. I was with Nuri Sahin, who was, he was Dortmund manager last year for those, don't know, then he got sacked. And he was talking about the New Zealand All Black's No Bad Eggs Policy, if we can call it that because we can't say the word.

And he said as a manager, sometimes you need, these are his words, sometimes you need a toxic player because they will kind of scrap with us as a bit and they might kind of like have a little word with the referee when it needs to happen. It's that idea of being on the edge can actually be really handy, even if occasionally they step over. Yeah, and I think it's making sure he's not. stepping over his own players in your own dressing room. I think that becomes an issue.

If he's a bit of a nightmare in your own dressing room, that becomes hard. I mean, for Rosas players, that becomes then tough to look after him. But I think if he's on the edge on the pitch, I think you can, and it does sound stupid what I'm saying, I don't mean it's sound stupid, but you can take him really,

every now and again, just going over the edge if he wins your games more often than not. That's what I'm trying to say in that instance. Yeah, I'd totally agree with that. You know, how would we have described a lot of the Manchester United players last season, maybe playing with a bit of fear, going through the motions. You don't feel that with CUNYA?

I mean, I've played with players who people would, you know, question their temperament, say Craig Bellamy, for example. But I love Craig Bellamy. You know, the standards he set were so high and sort of, you know, in many ways, he just used to tell the truth and people didn't like that. And, you know, when he went out to play, it could be, you know, verbally naughty and what have you and leave a bit on people. But sort of, you know, I think most decent players respect that.

You know, I really do. Last season, they went through the motions, they weren't playing well, and players shrunk. I just think you need that spark. But more than anything, he's just a damn good footballer. How do you captain a player who plays on the edge like that then? I think it's quite simple. You let him play.

You let him go and play on the edge. You don't try and block me. try and pull him back or hold him back, go and enjoy yourself and make sure he knows you're backing him at every single moment. That would be a big thing I say in terms of being in a dressing room with these sorts of players, making sure that when he comes in, you want him on the edge, I want you to be on the edge.

And if you push yourself over, like, don't worry, we'll look after you, we'll be behind you, we'll support you, we'll try and stick up for you in their moments. But go and play on the edge, like I've said to you before about them sorts of play, they don't come around often, and now Man United have finally got one. I think it's a massive thing, because as Chris said, like they haven't had a play like that for years who's probably like that and we go back to your Roy Keynes these days

who play on the edge now I'm not saying Cooney's going to be to that level but he is in that mould of he will leave absolutely everything on the pitch every Sammy Steps out yeah cantonar played on the edge didn't he yeah often over it yeah yeah slightly there is

there is one incident which which springs to mind you know it's up it's up to the dressing room then to police that and know what makes that play a tick, but then just try and keep them on the right side of that line. You know, tell them to play on the edge, but not to do anything stupid,

which I suppose isn't an easy balance. Do we think, Rory, that it is going to be different for CESCO and Yocoros coming into the Premier League than it is for Mbumo and CUNYer going to Manchester United, for a multitude of reasons, but the fact that two of them have played and shone in the Premier League already, is that as important as, for example,

the fact that CESCO and Yockech are more reliant on what other players do for them within their teams? That was a good question. I think it's interesting that so many of the traditional Big Six have spent so much money on players already playing in England this season. I think they look at it as the, the most relevant experience you can have for succeeding. There's still a leap because you don't know if a player playing for a team in

sort of mid-table with the way that those teams play will necessarily translate into your system, your setup, your environment, your expectations. But it's interesting that I think there has been a bit of a flip to, rather than going and signing like Borussia Dortmund's best player, you may be over, not overpay, but you pay the premium to get someone out of Brighton or something, that seems to be the way a lot of teams are thinking. Germany's a relatively good cipher for English football.

A lot of it's quite similar. Portugal is a bit more of a leap. And that's the risk with Jokerez that he's sort of an incredible number of goals in Portugal. But if you compare the levels outside sports in Benfica and Porto, the levels of teams he's playing, probably championship in the top flight in Portugal.

I'd argue summer league one towards the bottom. Yeah, so it's how you weight those goals. I don't think it is, to be honest. I think the teams at the bottom of the Portuguese top flight are... A little bit of English arrogance there. Do you think? I don't know. I think as a league, it's...

If I'm honest, I don't know how much Aruka Chris Lutton watches if I'm completely... To be fair, as much as me, Rory. If you look at the amount of money, those teams at the bottom of the Portuguese top flight have got, it probably isn't far off. Well, it's less than Wrexon, put it that way. So they don't have that sort of income. So they're the sort of, yeah, the chances are it will be championship-ish. And it's how you weight those goals.

And that's what Arsenal will have got lots and lots of data people who have worked out how they weight those goals and what they think will translate into the Premier League. But the risk is that Germany's a decent, stylistically in terms of standard, the Bundesleaders probably the closest you're going to get. Portugal isn't. Portugal is a different, the way different way of playing,

different standard of teams, different standard of opponent. So it's how you translate those goals that Jokkeres stored in huge numbers in Portugal into England. With Yoccares, I mean, it's just typical, isn't it, the instant judgment? You know, we're making a mind up after an hour. You know, normally when a player goes to a new club,

some players fit in better than others and, you know, Rory makes the point about, you know, and Burma and Cunya and Chesco at Manchester United, but, you know, maybe Cunya and Bermo fitting in because they know the Premier League and have that understanding. But normally when players go to new clubs, it takes time to bed in and settle in.

And certainly nothing against centre backs and what have you. But, you know, in the final third, it's about combination. It's about that understanding of what a certain player, you know, how he's going to play and how he's going to link up with you

and certainly getting that. And I thought the service, or he didn't get any service yesterday, Saka had a pretty poor game. Martinelli. He didn't really look for him. So it's going to take time. And of course, Arsenal, you know, last season, played with that false nine, played a different way.

So it may actually take time for Saka and Martinelli. But, you know, whatever way you want to look at the Portuguese League, I mean, his numbers were phenomenal. And you looked at, you know, finishing in the, you know, in the Champions League and what have you. You know, he's a pretty good striker. I mean, you know, you sort of look at him and think, well, you look at him and think, well, Well, technically, is a player who seems to have really matured. He's 27, I think, Yoccher is. So, you know, he's matured over the years, did well at Coventry.

I admire people like him. But, you know, it's the old adage, you know, as a strike, you need to get those opportunities. And maybe it's just that understanding, which will come the longer, you know, the longer they train together and the longer the season goes. Let's be honest, he's earned his move, honey. In terms of what he's done in his career up to now,

you can speak about the Portuguese league, whatever it is. you can only score goals in the league that you're in and he's gone and done it and he's done fantastic so I think he's definitely ended up I completely agree with Chris in terms of he's got to adapt to the Premier League but also his mates around him and got to adapt to him and what he likes

and does he like crosses into the box does you like deep crosses into the box? Does he like pullbacks into the box? Does he play to defeat? Does he come and all these sort of things are hard and they don't just come but going back to the coup and you're in and Birmingham one because of being the Premier League and the pace of the Premier League they're up to speed with that but they've still got to do the same

Sesco's still got to do the same just got to understand the teammates of what they're going into and the teammates have got to understand them But I definitely think Giacorese has earned his movie. He's spelled at Coventry. I thought he was fantastic. And I'm looking forward to seeing kind of how he goes about his business. I think, Chris, it's worth kind of delving into the general takeaway,

which I think was, Arssel Win without playing great. And I saw there was a poll on the BBC Sport website. And there were basically three options. Does this tell us something, nothing? Or is it, inverted commas, the sign of champions? So where are you on that? I mean, it's ridiculous to, you know. As a player, I mean, Connor will tell you,

if you're getting back on the bus as an Arsenal player after the game, you've won 1-0 and you're sort of miles off it and you know that your levels can get much better, you think this is brilliant. This is absolutely brilliant. It doesn't get any better. Imagine when we play well. And that would be my mindset.

You know, I wouldn't, yeah, that would be the way I think. I wouldn't be getting carried away, but I think it was a good thing because there, you know, there would be more to come. I think going to the poll, I think it's something. I wouldn't say at this moment in time of sign the champions, or I wouldn't say it's nothing. I'd say it's something. But Chris is exactly right.

They're the best wins, honestly, where you don't play well. Keeper keeps you in the game every now and again with the odds save and different things. And you grind out of 1-0 at Old Trafford. It's an incredible feeling. And you know getting on the bus, we are getting better. There's no way we don't get better from this performance. So they are the best results.

Honestly, you can win, your 4-3s, your 3-0, whatever it may be. But sometimes going to our old Trafford, knowing when they've played well and you get a win-win-1-0, it's fantastic. If I'm honest, I think everything's been a bit overblown. I think United were good. They were better than they were last season. Tune and Buemo played well, positive first impressions.

They didn't create that many chances. You know, Chris and Connor are right. Ryan made a couple of saves, but there was not, it wasn't a kind of proper backs to the wall. Arsenal were fine. They were all right. They kind of, they strode early. We know Arsenal, we know Arsenal good at set pieces,

and we know they're really solid in defence. And they lent on that a little bit. And yeah, you'd like to see a little bit more kind of cohesion up front, but it's the first day of the season, sunny, still quite warm. They went to Old Trafford and won. That's what, you know, Arsenal weren't terrible. They were fine yesterday. They just weren't, they weren't amazing.

They were fine. But it's the first day of the season, and it's Old Trafford. What I would throw out is, and I'll get the team sheet up here, you could definitely argue that if you're looking at what is the sign of a potential champion, Arsenal's strength in depth now looks fantastic. And the players they had on the bench, I mean, I'll find the list, but it's long. And I think that kind of feels like

something that's changed from last season. Yeah, huge, huge. And we look at the players who played and we mentioned Giacas, but Zubimendi as well. Playing in midfield who I think is a fantastic sign

and will be a fantastic sign in journey. They look strong. They look really strong. They had the base last year anyway, didn't he, in terms of the greater keeping clean sheets.

They've got this thing where you don't often see it with managers who come away from Pep Guardiola and coach who come away that they're big and physical and they focus on a little bit longer and they work on set plays

and they're good at set players. So he's done it a little bit differently. Michelarta and they're in a great position and I think they're in a great position to really challenging a lot of people have spoke about it but the base was there from last season for them to really kick on they seem to have done that in summer. Right, I've got it here Chris

so this is Arsenal's bench yesterday Keppa Mosquera, Timber Lewis Skelly, Nguanieri Marino, Trossard, Madweiki, Haverts. That does feel significant, doesn't it? Yeah, well, strength in depth is absolutely what every

club strives for and it gives them you know, great opportunity to compete on all fronts. You know, you have to be fortunate, you know, with the injury situation. But no, I mean, that's, I think, you know, any team who's going to try and win a title, they need to have that. And that's, you know, Michael Artec does build that squad well. But this season is about winning. They can't keep coming second, can they?

As Mick McCarthy would say, they can. It can. It can. Let me bring you a bit of a match of the day analysis on the gold. It was Altai Bayandir, who I think most people would say made an error with that goal, kind of trying to palm the ball away, ended up getting something on it, and then Kalafuri nodded it in on the line. So Jo Ha, or match of the day, said,

Saliba removed mount by locking himself into a physical battle with Bayindir. Saliba just gets a nudge in. It's enough to throw the goalkeeper off balance. Personally, I'd mount the other side of Saliba and then would have used my right arm to punch the ball away. What I thought was really interesting, Connor, is that... So we spoke to Joe on Five Live at half-time in the game just after it had happened. Now, obviously there's goalkeepers union and all that kind of thing.

I bet he stuck up for him, didn't he? Well, he started off by saying, I wanted to stand up for him, and then I saw the replay and realised I couldn't. However, there is more nuance to it than got to be stronger there. And if I'm honest, at the time, what I said was got to be stronger there. Yeah.

No, I think it's easy to say you've got to be stronger there. I think the first one that he spoke about about having Mason Mounts, I think it's hard for Mason Mount to Mark Saliba. I think that's a bit of a mad one to put Mason Mount on the goalkeeper. So then you're trying to get... I know what he means by getting

your defender in between the goalkeeper and the attacking player in Saliba. So you've got to get Mason Mount in the middle to try and push Saliba away from the keeper to give him space. So it's all right for the attacking player to make contact with the goalkeeper

but at the same time as a defender you want to try and push him away. But let's be honest, Mount's probably not strong enough to push Silbra away. He's an absolute unit. He's a beast. So I think in 10,

terms of that, I think, going back to the drawing board and going, like, why have we actually got Mount on Saliba? Can we not get somebody else on Saliba? I know they do zone. I know they have the centrebacks on the six-yard box, Manchester United. So going back to that, I think that's a tough one. And at the end of the day, he's just made an error. He's flapped at the ball. He's not got enough on it. And the lads are, and Caliofiori's headed into the back post. So the keepers has struggled. I think we all see he struggled. But Hart is exactly right. I knew he'd try and look after him at some point because he's done it plenty of time before we keepers, hasn't he? But I do think he's right. In terms of the marking,

To put the focus solely on the keeper, I get it because he's flapped at it. But at the same time, can we get somebody else to Mark? Salibu, who's one of the biggest men in the box. Get closer to the action with live commentary from the world's greatest sporting events on BBC sounds. It is all over. Bulls are on edge, put behind. Including cricket Super League, Women's Euros 2025, Wimbledon, Formula One and much more. It's all lights to the lights and foot to the floor.

What a done it! Drop shots, winner! On five sports extra, sports extra two and sports extra three. Listen, only on BBC Sounds. You're listening to the Football Daily podcast with Steve Crosman. Chris Sutton, Connor Cody, Rory Smith, all with us. We've been talking first impressions, so let's continue the theme. Tajani Rinders stole the show for Manchester City. They beat Wolves 4-0 at Molyneux over the weekend.

He became the second city player to get a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut. Sergio Aguero was the other one, so we'll do a little bit on the best Premier League debuts. Chris, Rinders, brilliant, yeah? Yeah, I didn't get him into my fantasy team, though, Steve. I left him out. Wild card, Chris, wild card. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I mean, a brilliant display from him. I was really interested to see Manchester City actually and how they'd approached the first game. Wolves, you know, finished strongly last season, didn't they? But they, you know, they blew wolves away and I thought they were really impressive and he was the most impressive part of that. Statman Dave told me that he played very well

against Palermo, scored a couple of goals, forward runs, you know, into the box, you know, were excellent. So he said, you know, you've got to watch out for him. And he was absolutely, you know, right. I know his goals tally at Milan was good last season. He's durable. He played a lot of games. But, you know, what's a start? And I think they needed, I think, an area of concern for Manchester City, in that midfield area, DeBroyner and Gundwin, they lacked legs. They've certainly got legs with him,

but not just legs. He's a dribbler. He's a passer. Yeah, what a debut. I think he's a brilliant player. Really, really good player. Chris is actually right in terms of what he brought to Milan last season. I'm really impressed with all the signings. I remember watching a few of the games in the Summer of the Club World Cup, especially the event's game. I thought they were all out. It was a brilliant game. And then obviously watching the game against Wool's the other day,

obviously watching it from a Wool's point of view, slightly disappointed. But Man City were top, really good. And I look at Ait No, he was obviously coming from Wolves, another brilliant sign. He would come on. But Rander's in his finish, Chris, I'll tell you more about finishing. I'm not the best of finishers,

but I thought his finish was unbelievable. He took it early, right across Sarin to the bottom corner. And I thought he was a brilliant, brilliant player on the day. you know Chris the thing about both the finish actually and the assist and I know this has kind of been mentioned already the kind of the comparison with Kevin de Bruner but I do think it's worth touching on is that whilst you would never look at Tajani Reinders and Kevin de Bruner and compare them sort of off the top of your head when you think about the things that Reinders did in that match you could kind of imagine Kevin de Bruner doing them in exactly the way he did it the quality of the past, the cleverness of the past, the quality of the finish. Yeah, I mean, for him to, I mean, to, you know, put him in the same league as DeBroy and I think he's still got in a long way and they're not like for like the same players, but it's about making an impact, isn't it?

And he certainly did that. And the, I mean, the little reverse pass for Harland when he scored his second, you know, clever forward run, a typical Manchester City move. but no I mean all afternoon he was a you know he was a threatened for the for the first goal which Harlan scored the you know the the drive the dribble and then the the little scoop through was you know was absolutely sensational I mean you know it doesn't get much better in terms of debuts and I think Manchester City fans have a lot to be excited about with him I think the contribution for the first goal is the most special bit of Rinder's performance

the little sort of chicane through the two challenges to have the presence of mind to play that stoop pass. That is just a little bit of magic there, isn't there? I mean, the finish is great, obviously, but come on, you don't see that many street passes these days. A brilliant word, you know, Rory Chaconne, I love that. It was good. It is a little chican, isn't it?

I think, objectively, Connor, we all know that the best Premier League debut was Fabrizio Ravinelli's hat trick for Middlesbrough against Liverpool in 1996. But how close was this from Rinders? Well, I can't remember that, to be honest, crossy but no I thought this was top draw I loved watching him I love what he brought

I think he's slightly different I agree with Chris what he said I think he's slightly different to the bro and it's easy to make the comparisons in terms of the goals and the assist and he's affecting the game that's the biggest thing for me is that he's affecting the game and I think he's slightly different in terms of how he's going to play I'm so intrigued to see how Manchester City are going to play because of what we've seen over the last few years and the fact that Pep Linders has gone to that club as an assistant

to Pep Guardiola and I mean that in terms of he worked under Yeager Klopp and are they going to try and change in terms of the transition, how quickly the transition when they lose the ball. I'm so intrigued, but he's going to be a massive part of it because I think he's a brilliant, brilliant footballer and he's got off to a hell of a start with the first game. That's the

first time I've heard the sort of pet lined as influence mentioned, but I think that might end up being something that gets talked about quite a bit this season. Yeah, and I'm only saying that because of the different styles that Liverpool

and City had a few years ago when we spoke about the rivalry between the Liverpool and the Manchester City with Klopp and Pep Guardiola. I know from reading a lot of things and seeing a lot of things that Pep Linders was a massive part of that kind of Liverpool's set up and the way Liverpool play in the transition and what they were like and how aggressive they were and we see him

with Ryan's his goal, how quickly they won the ball back and then how quickly the ball's in the back of the net behind Saar. So it's so, so interesting how they're going to play and how they're going to change and evolve from the last few years in terms of what they've been and what they're going to become. I don't remember what I read it, which is annoying. I'd like to credit it.

But so someone made the point, it may have been Dian Baladay, that Pep's always kind of churned through assistance. It's one of the ways he keeps himself fresh, I think, that it'll get a different kind of perspective in. But the last few have all been people who are kind of very much of his school. So Juan Malillo, who was the kind of the older one,

who I think had two spells as Peps assistant, is very much a kind of ideologue along the lines of Guadiola. Whereas Pep Blinders is, is, I think, much more likely to challenge him as Connor says they'll kind of bring a different perspective. I actually think that in terms of the style, Clop's Liverpool and Guadiola City started to kind of meet in the middle at a certain point. Don't you think, Conner? You could see them borrowing from each other. Liverpool seemed to

want to have more control, which is kind of a Guadiola thing. And Pep went much more kind of, he was much more prepared to be direct, which was obviously a Klop thing. I felt that they both learned a lot from each other. Obviously, City ended up with quite a lot more lead titles. But they both seemed to learn a lot from each other stylistically. Yeah. But I think it may be suggest that Pep wants a really different perspective in there this season? Completely agree and you would lean off each other, wouldn't you? The two best teams kind of gone for the last few years

and obviously the last couple of years with Arsenal coming to the forefront, but you would lean off each other, but I agree, I think having Pep, it just intrigued me when he took him there, it really did in terms of being at Liverpool and what he brought to Liverpool and understanding, speaking to a few lads that I still know there, how big he was at Liverpool

in terms of what he was going to bring to Manchester City and how they were going to develop into this different team, because if you think about the Manchester They've lost an awful lot of pace, for example, in Kyle Walker. So is it big to really work on the transition, win the ball back to then go and score? Like we've seen with the Ryans ago, it was a fantastic goal. But within five seconds, they've won the ballback,

and it's in the back of the net. So I'm really intrigued to see in terms of where they go with her. Do you think that Pep Guardiola would be really influenced that much so? Because he's his own person, isn't he? I can't see another coach going in. you know, PEP necessarily changing things. He's still going to do things

his own way, isn't he? 100%. But I mean in terms of maybe evolving and maybe, because let's be honest, the last couple years, the last season in particular, Arsenal finish second, Liverpool ran away with a title and they're going to be one of winning the title again. They need to get back to the top.

That's where Manchester City should be under PEP Guerrario. So in the last season especially, something wasn't right. They're not at that summit. They're not where they were and they're not where they used to be. So he's going to want. to change something. And don't get me wrong,

I don't think he's going to really change his style and go to be in a counter-attacking team or a transition team, but can they add little bits of what Peplanders brings from a little snippets from being at Liverpool to make them an even better team? I think he would look at that,

but I can't imagine they're going to completely change style because that's nothing Pet Guarillo will ever do. There'll always be a possession-based team with short passes and doing them sorts of things. But just to try and get them back to the summit because they need to get back there

whenever they can for me. It's a dears, isn't it? Sorry, gone, Rory. It's having different ideas It's having it won't be the overarching philosophy at all Like John says it'll still be a Guadiola team He's still in charge But it's having somebody there

And Colo Tori's done in there as well You know someone who can Who might solve a problem for PEP Maybe it only happens two or three times a season But maybe Pep Lenders goes in and says Well what about if we try this And Guadiola I think has always shown Through his career that he feels he needs that

He's actually always for someone who is Kind of very keen that his idea His system should be the star of the show Guadiola's always been quite keen to have quite a big kind of influential assistant with him. He's not being... I mean, Lilo, even Lilo was a manager in his own right for a long, long time. You know, he wasn't kind of wandering around just...

Marino's always had a taste. Marino really likes an assistant who says, yes, boss. That's the sort of assistant Jose wants, I think. Rui Faria was the king of that, just sort of doing Marino's bidding. I think Guadiola likes being challenged. I think he likes having someone around who make him think. We're going to keep the theme of debutants and first impressions running because we're going to talk about Liverpool starting off

their title defence with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. Lots of impressive performances, but I think top of the list for a lot of people. Hugo Eckertiki, a goal and an assist on debut. Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day said what I really liked about his game is that he wasn't afraid to come short and to run him behind, making movement, keeping the defenders guessing, calm and composed. Let's speak for the first time on the Monday Night Club to the BBC's Football Tactics Correspondent, Amir Irfan, who's with us?

Good evening, Amir. Good evening. How are you? You okay? Yeah, really good, thank you. Really good. So you've written a piece on this. What most impressed you then about Eckertique's performance? I mean, I've been waxing lyrical about Ekateke. And when he was, as previous club, I think a lot of the plauds ended up going to Mahmouche because of that brilliant chemistry that they had between themselves. Eckatee for a number nine, he's very selfless. He gets players involved. And sometimes that goes unnoticed. But we've seen, he's still got the ability of putting the ball in the back of the net. As we saw for that first goal, it was really impressive. I think, coming from a counter-attacking side naturally there are question marks as to whether or not you can replicate that but for that first goal I think we saw him dropping deep and then facing the ball

and bringing the ball forward facing the opposition's goal and in that sense you're replicating some of those things that he did in his previous club but now in the possession side second goal he linked to play really well and got Gapur involved so I think you've got a really complete picture in his quality in general and he's a very strong and interesting profile

that kind of wiriness is really impressive to me. Umay you know you just mentioned about coming from his previous club playing a counter-attacking style. Obviously, coming to Liverpool, it's a slow build-up. They have the ball for long periods. They have possession for a long period. Is he going to have to adapt the way he plays? Obviously, coming from that, and do you think he can do that?

Do you think he's that sort of player who can do it? Yeah, I think whenever you're looking at if transfers are going to be successful, you look at the best scenarios from their previous clubs and the skills sets that players have shown. I think Liverpool are some of the best, you know, one of the best clubs in the world at looking at players and seeing if they map well for their current system. I think Arnyslot does kind of balance that possession play with a bit more direct football in general

but in trying to map that kind of directness we saw him get into positions where he's facing forward with space even in situations where Liverpool have had the ball more often when he's running in behind and then that hand ball goes in that's more of a direct attack in that goal where he runs through he's still facing forward but he's just starting from a deeper position so he can still make that run in behind as well so both of those things kind of replicate some of those

ideas and even if he's not doing that his ability to facilitate play for a team that are really high up the pitch means that other players are going to score when he can provide some of that link play quality I mean you mentioned the kind of connection he had with Marmusha at Frankfurt do you see similarities differences

with the way that he inverts might sort of link up it seemed a little bit more impressive than the Community Shield I think than it did against Bournemouth on Friday night they seem to kind of be more on each other's wavelength last Sunday than they were last Friday. But do you see similarities there?

Yeah, well, I see some similarities. I think Vers was probably brought in to replace some of what Liverpool lost in the aggregate with Trent going, that deep passing quality, and also that ability to kind of unlock teams in between the midfield and defensive line, that pockets play that perhaps Liverpool have lacked in a more pragmatic midfield three last season. On its slot, especially at Feyenoid, incredibly attacking. And we're seeing some of that very attacking sort of more rotational quality in pre-season and in that first game

and a little bit to the detriment of how Liverpool are conceding counter-attacks but I certainly think there's that great sort of understanding forming between those two. Mamush was the player who was running in behind and kind of finishing off moves whereas Vert's likes to kind of play that pass himself as well

so they're a little bit different in that sense I think Salah and Gakpo's movement in behind will be more like Mahmush's movement was with with Akitika in the past sport verse certainly has that great interplay in small spaces that, you know, Echateke likes to play off of and we'll see more of that going forward, I'm sure. I've read your piece on how Mark Gaye would fit at Liverpool if he were to go there, right?

So, and, you know, with apologies to Newcastle fans, who I completely understand, will be fed up to the back teeth of people talking about if Alexander EZAC goes to Liverpool. However, I think it's pertinent because of Ekeke. So do you think that if EZAC were to go to Liverpool, Would he be asked to play a different role to the role that Ekateke is playing in that team? Well, I think the similarities between the two players. I do think that Ekatike's got a greater tendency

to drop deep and get involved. And even in the buildup, what we've seen from Liverpool so far is Kerkers kind of stays in the back three. Frimpong pushes really high and wide. And you've got Ekitke and Shabar's like dropping really deep and into sort of wide areas. When they do that, the left winger then moves inside. and those rotations are really hard for opposition teams to kind of pick up.

I can imagine a scenario where Eke TK starts in the middle when Liverpool are building up, he pulls out wide and you've got all that space for Isaac who starts on the left to come and attack the middle. And then in more settled play, you've got Isaac down the middle and EKTK starting from the left in general. And then that interchanging between those two positions, I think if you've got two players who are really good on the ball,

we can finish, who both have a tendency and experience in moving to that left flank. it'll be really hard for teams to pick up. It'll just be how that works out of possession more so. I think it's so intriguing for Liverpool and so exciting for Liverpool fans just to see how they're going to play because you're mentioning there

about Eka TK dropping in and kind of make in a little bit like a box in midfield, so Eka TK is dropping in as a 10 which I actually didn't think he'd done. And even wide, almost like left midfield positions like that play. It sounds like quite fluid. Is that what you're expecting Liverpool to be quite fluid?

Because they're going to go from Trent, for example, who backed up play with Salah and he would have the balls set for him to whip balls into the box, whoever that may be. They now sound like, to me and obviously you've done a lot of research into it. There's just going to be a lot more fluid.

Is that what you expect from Liverpool going forward? We've seen it so far, I think in preseason and in the first game, I think on his slot side when he managed final, it was very fluid in attack. I think when you're doing it in the Dutch League, it's a little bit different. You can kind of get away with it if you've got better player quality than the rest of the league.

I think in the first season, they didn't really have the opportunity to make signings at Liverpool. So it was almost a basic version or more basic version of on his slot side. And I think that was probably safer and more pragmatic. I think there will still be, you know, great attacking quality,

but it's about getting that balance right because they really want to go with a more fluid approach, in my opinion, from what I've seen, and based on what Honestful has done in the past, I think that's in line with all of that. Can we talk a bit about Liverpool defensively? Because I think when I, as a, I'm going to call myself, a tactics layman, was watching them defensively. A little bit like what we spoke about before

with the goal that Manchester United conceded, I would just look at that and say, should the keeper be stronger. I looked at that Liverpool performance defensively and kind of thought, Kanate doesn't really look kind of at it. They do look that Bournemouth can kind of get at them. So defensively, where did Liverpool struggle, do you think?

Well, I think there's a couple of things. I think, first of all, you know, it's not only tactics at the start of the season. You've got players, you're coming back. You need to be sharp. You need to be fresh. And, you know, you can forgive players for not being up to speed initially,

especially in games against such a strong attacking or counter-attacking sides. I want to highlight his quality, first of all. I think most teams, the best defenders in the league, would probably struggle against him in transition. But I think, you know, we're seeing this kind of more rotational side, this very attacking side from Liverpool, and you've signed so many attacking players

that you want to kind of utilise that quality. In doing so, I think there are some issues in terms of how many players they might be committing forward. I think Arnizlott actually referenced it was the passing selection and where they lost the ball that was the problem rather than the numbers that they were committing. so you saw Shabazlite attempt this kind of backheel flick in a very dangerous area and he's supposed to be the base of midfield in the game with Gravenberch out

when Gravenberch comes in he'll probably play a more sensible pass he's a bit more physical in terms of knowing when to sit back and track back so some of these issues might get eyed out but losing the ball in that position is probably the biggest concern that might get dealt with again when the next counterattack comes in Salah plays a pass across the opposition's edge of the box Shabazly slips and then again you're losing the ball in a dangerous area so it's more about losing the ball

in areas where your central midfielder should be playing a little bit safer or keeping the ball that's the first issue and that's what Arnish lot highlighted I think the second issue is for that second goal when Shabazlai does slip you've got Joe Gomez in the box Andy Robertson in the box and I think five other Liverpool players in the box all ready to attack

and behind the ball there's only two maybe a third player so in terms of what we talk talk about in the tactics world, rest defence, how many players are there behind the ball out of possession? That's all that means. And when you're talking about that, I think Liverpool aren't playing

enough players behind the ball when they do have the ball, essentially. Can I just stick up for the defenders a little bit here? Because that sounds to me, like, if I'm a defender going back, there's an awful lot of change there for me and what you're talking about, they're in terms of what they're trying to get to. In terms of rotations, bodies forward,

the two fullbacks are flyers. They want to go. I can imagine Van Dykes the training ground going get next to me as much as you can and don't remember he's an incredible centreback but that's tough

what you're talking about even for Van Dyke and Kanate or whoever they bring in whatever centre back they bring in that is tough because

Conardier was criticised I think on the night and I don't think necessarily it was his fault I think if you're used to having He could have done better with the second goal he absolutely couldn't

should have done better I think when Semeni was was driving at him there was a point where he should have engaged when he backed off and backed off. If we're picking holes,

Virgil Van Dyke looked over his shoulder for the first goal, expecting Robertson to be tracking the run and he wasn't. And in that moment, Cimonyo scored. I think Van Dyke, if he accelerates rather than decelerates, intercepts that.

So I think him is right. There's a bit of rustiness. But surely it's the, it's like the bonds, isn't it, between the team? Curtis, as you say, like, Curtis seems to tuck into a three almost when Frimpon goes.

Yeah. And they're just getting those angles wrong. They're just getting the position not quite right because there is so much change. I think Soberslie is a really interesting case that he's now playing deep in midfield, which I think he is going to be very good at. He's done it

before. He's got an incredible engine and he really takes responsibility, Soberslie but at the same time he selects different passes to Ravenburg. So yeah, when he tries the flick, which slot was, I mean, he's as cross as as Arnold's slot gets about stuff. That was not, he was not happy with him. Then that leads to the first goal. But

Sobers lie is going to have to slightly change the way he plays and that then influences Macalister and how he plays. There's an awful lot, like even the players who were in the team last season, most of them are playing quite different roles in quite different ways and as kind of says, like Van Dyken Canarte suddenly have to get used to fullbacks

doing different things to what they're used to. So suddenly everything is, apart from maybe Alison and I guess Gakpo, who are kind of doing the same thing as normal. That's basically everything at Liverpool has changed and that'll take time, I think, for everyone to kind of bed into. Great stuff. Umia Erfan, who is the BBC's football

Tactics Correspondent joining us there on the Monday nightclub. Now we're going to talk Rexham, Connor, all right? Yeah, of course, yeah. Honestly, I've been so looking forward to this for a number of different reasons. So firstly, because a few years ago, we did a whole show from the pub next door to the race

course, the turf, which was great, and they were still in the National League at the time, and they were playing Sheffler United in the FA Cup, it's a brilliant game, and we did the full show there, and we did the commentary. So you actually get to meet the people. So it's the first thing to say is the Rexum story is obviously dominated a lot by Hollywood owners, Rob McElhenny,

who I think is now just Rob Mack because people don't get his surname correct. And Ryan Reynolds, it is much bigger than that. Much bigger. First and foremost, I completely agree. It's full of incredible people. Really, really good people. And I think that's the first thing

that kind of brought me to the football club in terms of speaking to the club, speaking to the people at the club about how good the people are there and just amazing people who want to do the best for you and want to do what's right by you. So I think speaking, about that start off with brilliant

and then just going in experiencing what's going on fully respecting what they've done over the last few years what they've done to get from the National League League 2, League 1 into the championship is remarkable. It's absolutely remarkable to see what they've done and it's an incredible achievement. Do we want to go higher? Of course we do and I'll be fair to say that.

We want to get as far as we can go and the clubs certainly want to do that but I think for me kind of being part of it now I'm really enjoying it. I love going in every morning. I love going in training with the boys and being part of the dressing room because it's a brilliant dressing room

and I'm just loving every part of being part of Rexon Football Club at the minute. Is it different, Connor, to previous clubs you've been at? And obviously not better or worse, I don't expect to say that, but does it feel, I don't know, is there an energy about it that is different? Is there something? Does it feel kind of separate? Does Rexon story is kind of unique? It feels fresh, Rory, it feels fresh.

And what I mean by that is in terms of, there's an excitement. There's an excitement, even speaking to you guys now about it. There's people want to know what's going on there. People want to know what the sort of clubs are like. And there's a long way to go, and we still need to be. doing things and building blocks and building one step at a time to get ourselves the next bit. Because the hardest bit now is getting to the stars.

You want to call it the stars. You want to get to the Premier League. That in the long run is where the club wants to be. But do we need to make things better? Of course you do. And I'm going to go in and try and make things better, try and make myself better. But most importantly is try and make that club better. But I just love the way people want to have a conversation about it.

I love now that I'm part of it. I love people ask me questions about the football club. And I love that everything it brings in that. and one of the first ones to go in in the championship to try and improve it as a club I'm really enjoying it

yeah. Connor, you talked about building blocks there I think that's important because expectation must be quite a dangerous thing with Wrexham's recent journey and now, you know,

championship, unforgiving league, you know, the game, Saturday, Wednesday, you know, tough teams, physical teams.

And, you know, is this season in your view? I mean, difficult for you to answer, maybe. But is this, Is this season in your view about getting a sort of foot hold in the championship? I know you want to get to the Premier League,

but it's not always that simple, is it? No, I think you're exactly right, Chris, exactly right. And I think what you're saying makes a lot of sense. And I think what you're saying, everybody believes at the football club. If I was a sitter and say, we're going to get promoted, I'd be silly to say something like that because the club has been on an unbelievable journey. Is that the goal in the long run that the owners want, that I want as a player? Because I'd love to play in the Premier League again.

I want another crack at getting in there. and another promotion. Of course it is in the long run but I would be stupid to sit here now and go we don't need to build and get better because the journey the club has been on I respect it so much

because they've done incredible but I think everyone within the club goes now right, we are so close we don't want to take a step back what we need to do is build the right foundations now to take us to the next step and that's what I'm loving being a part of and Chris is exactly right

if we got ahead of ourselves and where we're at now because the club are signing a few players or the club are saying he wants to get here no we do want to get there but we want to make sure we're right when we do get there. And I think that's what's so impressive about the club that we're not too far ahead of ourselves.

We know where we are. We're so close to being at the next one, but we've got to do it in the right way. I think, go on, no, go on, Rory. Connor, you mentioned that being around the people at the club you found really kind of enlivening and inspiring. I can't imagine that when it became player, you were leaving Lester,

that they were the only club in for you. I think there would have been other options for you. Don't expect you to name who they would. It was a big one in Glasgow I think Trying to donate involved with that He's trying to bait you He's trying to get him into trouble

Stay out of it I'm not What was it What was your reaction to thinking Rectum We're in for you Did you remember kind of how you Because for a player of your stature

Without like blowing smoke For a player of your stature To go to a newly promoted club Into the Championship Is a bit of a coup for them Yeah I think first and formal sure I think the first thing was how much

he wanted me. That was a massive part of it and listen I've got to, and I don't think I'm speaking out of a turn here. Lester was tough. I found it really tough. People don't understand how tough it actually was. It was last season I found really hard and I struggled me when I'm part of a team that's not doing great. I go home. My family

feels it, my missis feels it, my kids feel it. And I take football home, and I know I should never say that and I try not to, but I do. So I found it really tough and the whole situation become hard. So when Rex and first kind of made contacts and said, this is what they wanted to do, straight away, I just felt like these really want to do this. And all I want to do is play football and just be part of something good, as big as we can

and try and make people better. That is it. And that's as honest as I can be. So when he got in contact with me, it was kind of like, these really want to do this. So I had the first conversation with them. And straight away, they went, yeah, yeah, we can do it. No problem. We can do it. So I went, right, okay, well, what about this and what about this? And where do we want to go and how do we want to do it? And do we want to get to the next step? And it was like, yeah, this is our plans we know we're at and exactly what Chris said before was no one was getting too carried away which I loved I didn't want to speak to it and then go we want to be in the Premier League by the end the season I'd love that of course I'd love that because I want another go at it but to say that

would that be the right thing to say probably not at this moment in time because we need to build and get better so I just loved everything they were saying to me and then the people of the situation a little story when I first the day I went in when I first signed I came out of the stadium and I just signed and I came out and there's loads of young kids adults parents all outside the ground and I come out and there was kids kind of with their hands over the face and like they were shaking and the few of them were upset and it really hit home that like I'd sign for Rexham and he said

to me I can't believe you dear and I kind looked at him and I went I'm here just to make the most of this situation as I can to play for Rexum and to make them as good as they can make them better try and get as far as we can and it just hit home a little bit I drove home in a car and I thought I've made the right decision here

at any point did you drive home in the car thinking those kids were crying that I'd sign for Rex that might not be a good thing No, honestly, because I felt it with them a little bit, to be fair. But it was amazing, mate, honestly. It was amazing. Kind of coming out, and I know it sounds a bit soppy, that doesn't it? You're kind of telling you that thing.

But it really hit home a little bit, and a new straightaway that kind of, I'd made the right decision. And then, like I said, the people are supported. The home game on the weekend against West Brown was unbelievable. The atmosphere, the feeling of actually being in the championship again for the football club was amazing. And for me to be a part of that, it's really humbling, and I'm really lucky to be part of it, yeah. Also, because footballers are human beings, Connor,

you talked about that drive home. Well, how long was that drive home? Half an hour? Yeah, it was half an hour, yeah. That makes a difference. No, it does, yeah. Like, I've spent a lot of time away from my kids and away from my family and different things.

So, yeah, when I told Amy and the kids about the situation about obviously having the option to sign for a rexom, the smile on their face was through the roof, they came the game on Saturday and they loved every moment of it. And again, they were the same as me. They shared, obviously the feeling I had of being around really, really good people and a real positive environment of a team and a club that wants to get better.

There's so many clubs now we're going through a tough time and all of a sudden I'm part of a club that wants to get better and it's so exciting, yeah, it really is. Did I ask you the obvious question about that? The first couple of games, I saw your first game against Southampton where you actually had big chances, didn't you,

to go further ahead and you ended up losing that right at the death and then West Brom, they're probably going to be up there this season. I think you've got Chef Woll. wed next week next game that that feels I mean you know that feels big just because of the situation at Sheffield Wednesday and that we don't we all know how important it is as players to get that first win under your belt so then there's there's that belief you know two games

in the sort of what's the atmosphere like in the dressing room do the players think well we've gone up another level we knew it was going to be tough but still still so confident you need that that first win yeah you're exactly right Chris and listen and Chef Wednesday would be saying the same in their dressing room as well. So I think both clubs will be looking at it going. This is a big game for both team. But certainly for us, we're looking at the game thinking the quicking and get that win, you know what it's like, Chris, starting a new scene,

you're desperate to win a game of football. To get yourself up for a moment running and get yourself going, what I don't want for people to think is it. And we thought, and I got this a little bit with the first game, we should have won the first game. We were won a little up with five minutes to go. We should have won the first game. And I don't want people thinking, oh, Rexham played Southampton.

They're in the Premier League last season, and they've done really well. No, no, no, we should win the game. Let's just put it into perspective of we're won and up with five minutes ago. We have to learn because that game was there to be won and I know we're playing a really good Southampton team who have aspirations to get back to the Premier League but so do Rexham in time.

So let's put ourselves in a boat and let's understand where we're at and let's understand we're five minutes to go we have to learn and see the game out and you're exactly right about West Bromcris in terms of we were right in the game but again can we finish that game can we be on topping games

and take our chances when our chances come can we not concede as many goals because we conceding too many goals So I don't want it just to be our Rexman in the championship, let's enjoy the ride. Our Rexman in the championship, let's give the best account of ourselves because the Southampton game, for me, in my Southampton, I'll say different. But first half, we were outstanding. So when we get to a point with five minutes to go and won a lot, for me, we should win the game.

So that's something we need to learn about. But there's definitely a belief, Chris, in what we're doing and how we're going about our business. And a real exciting belief it's an excitement around the football club at a minute. I'm loving being part of. There's a few players that have joined you at Wrexham kind of this summer who've got plenty of championship experience. Premier League experience as well but there's also players there

who've come with them since they've been there since the National League how do you kind of how do you kind of balance that all together how do you create a squad out of such different experiences yeah first and foremost speaking about the players who were there

from the National League they've been amazing honestly for us coming into the dressing room I think with me with every one of us who've come into the club they've been absolutely brilliant they've made it easier for us to gel with the squad the dressing room is incredible and you can tell why the club

have kind of developed so quickly over the years because they've got such a close nucleus within the dressing room. And we speak about it all the time. When a dressing room is good, you're really feeling, you see it on the pitch, and I can understand and respect so much what the club have done over the last few years

because I see the dressing room now and now I'm a part of it. So they've been amazing. The plays who've come in have really fit in. We've obviously seen Nathan Broder come in the last few days. Keeper coming around the same time as me. Josh Windas, who I think is an outstanding footballer.

I really do. I've played against him a lot of times. He's just got injured. He's going to be a massive loss for us. But these are real, real, not just good footballers but good people and I think that's something that the manager's done ever so well over the last few years from the National League when he took charge

to now being in the championship in terms of bringing good people to the football club so it's not been hard to gel it's not been hard because then people who were there before have been brilliant with us but it's just I go back to it again I keep using the word of it being exciting I'm really excited

I think if you get any one of the lads kind of in it like I spend a lot of time with Ollie Palmer who is obviously a big hit on this documentary with the owners and different things but I can't tell you how good of a lad he is and he's come from the National League. What an achievement that is for these players

to go through the leagues like they have, and now they find themselves in the championship. I think it's fantastic. Since you brought it up, Connor, do you notice the documentary stuff at all? Did you discuss it when you were joining? No, no, no, it was. I never mentioned it.

What all I was bothered about was football. The documentary stuff obviously comes with it, and I've watched it at the minute, to be honest with you. So it wasn't something I spoke about. You see the cameras and you see them around, and they do things with players, but it's just like anything. There's media around the club all the time.

But it was nothing I spoke about, when I was coming. I wasn't bothered about that. It's just football for me, but yeah, you do notice kind of the cameras and different things around you. I'm really interested. Firstly, where are you up to in the documentary? I'm only on the first series. We only started watching it now, so I'm just watching kind of when they were coming through the National League in different times. No spoilers. They don't get promoted that season. I do want to ask you a bit about the Hollywood thing to finish. But just before we do, there was one other thing that occurred to me because we were just looking at the list of some of the players. You mentioned Nathan

Broadhead. That is a deal that could be worth up to 10 million pounds. So there's players like him and you and Lewis O'Brien who is one of my favourite footballers he's brilliant but a lot of them coming in from clubs where facilities are different

and especially you because that new Lester City training ground is stunning so there will be things that are still catching up at Wrexham and presumably the facilities

that you're going into is an example of something that is still catching up which for some people would be a bit of a leap do you know what I mean? Yeah yeah no 100% but how good

would it be if I was part of that journey that made it better? Do I mean? That's all I think about. I don't think about, and I know probably some footballers are going and go, can I do this? This is totally different to Lester. Lester's like five-star facility. I don't really care. I just want to be part of something. So if I can be part of this club in the next few years to make the club better and put the club on a journey to maybe get to the Premier League in a few years' time,

whatever that may be, that would be one of my biggest achievements in football, honestly, because I'm part of something really special. So, yeah, it's different, of course, it's different, but I'm loving every minute of it. I can't speak more highly of kind of what it brings and the facility, whatever it is, where you trade, it doesn't really matter. It doesn't matter to me. Can we go and make the club better?

That's the biggest goal that we're trying to do every single day. Do you know what, Connor? You're right. It's the journey. It's not the facilities, Steve. I mean, when I signed for Blackburn, we won the Premier League, we were training on local parks.

Shoveling dogs mess off before we start the training. Yes, but before that, you weren't training in a multi-million pound facility, but who, but honestly, if that's the way you think as a, player, you're done. You can't think like that. You know, when I signed for Celtic, you know, we trained along the road at Barrowfield, two pitches on a slope. You don't, you know, players who want to be successful, you just,

you just look at the club you're signing for. That's what you sort of focus is on and where they're going. I mean, if you're worried about being pampered, you're in the, you're in the wrong job, really. Okay. Obvious questions then. Did you meet Ryan Reynolds at the weekend? Yeah, did you? I messed him on the weekend yeah for the obviously he came for the first home game and again I go back to

good people across you in terms when I signed so he sent me a bit so I was sat on my couch at home and Rob messaged me which was amazing just to get a message and say welcome to the club it's so good to have you hearing different things

and then I got a WhatsApp off an American number so I thought it's a bit strange so I'm sat on the couch and my missis watching the thing and it was a video of Ryan and the video was just I was really really starstruck

really starstruck and just welcoming me to the club and how good it is to have me kind of at the club and what we want to do and how we want to go forward and then obviously meeting him for the first time and he's quite a big fella as well and he said he could play centre half with me

and he said he's never played football and he's like so he's here that's what I mentioned to him but no really really lovely man what he's done for Rex and what Rob's done for Rex and what the whole staff have done for Rexum I think is is incredible to see where they're at now

yeah it's amazing to be part of the journey that's all for the Monday night club big thank you to Connor Cody Rory Smith and Chris Sutton tomorrow on the football daily feed Aaron Paul brings you 72 Plus, he'll be alongside Lyle Taylor and Joe Jacobson. As always, thank you so much for listening.

He scored goals, lifted trophies and broken records along the way. There it is. It's a date to remember the Wayne Rooney. And now he's got a podcast. Welcome to the Wayne Rooney show. Twice a week, Wayne Rooney, Kay Kerrude and me, Kelly Summers, break down the biggest stories in the Premier League and beyond. As much as you'd like to say it, loyalty in football now is no existence, whether that's fun players or managers.

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