Football Daily - The Commentators’ View: Tuchel’s team & texting Tielemans

Episode Date: May 22, 2026

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Sami Mokbel react to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. They also have their say on Arsenal winning the Premier League, Manchester City confirming Pep Guardiola’s departure and Manchester United confirming Michael Carrick as head coach. Plus there are additions to the TCV Dog XI and more suggestions for the Great Glossary of Football Commentary. Messages, questions and voicenotes welcome on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369 & emails to [e-mail]01:05 Initial thoughts on Tuchel’s squad, 06:45 Arsenal fans celebrate title, 08:55 Hasta luego Pep Guardiola, 11:00 Carrick confirmed as United boss, 17:10 Thomas Tuchel interview, 22:35 Ivan Toney a surprise selection? 25:30 5 Live commentaries this weekend, 32:45 An addition to the TCV Dog XI? 35:35 Unintended pub name from sport commentary, 38:20 Great Glossary of Football Commentary, 40:50 Chris Sutton goes all S Club 7…5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Sat 1500 Dunfermline v Celtic in Scottish Cup Final on Sports Extra, Sun 1600 Spurs v Everton, Sun 1600 West Ham v Leeds on Sports Extra, Sun 1600 Crystal Palace v Arsenal on Sports Extra 2, Sun 1600 Brighton v Man Utd on Sports Extra 3.Great Glossary of Football Commentary: DIVISION ONE 50p head Agricultural challenge, Back of the net, Back to square one, Backside and elbows, Booked, Bosman, Bullet header, Caretaker manager, Channel of joy, Coupon buster, Cruyff Turn, Cultured/educated left foot, Dead-ball specialist, Draught excluder, Elastico/flip-flap, False nine, Fox in the box, Giving the goalkeeper the eyes, Grub hunter, Head like a biscuit tin, Head like a sheriff’s badge, Head tennis, Hibs it, In a good moment, In behind, Lollipop, Magic of the FA Cup, The Maradona, Off their line, Olimpico, Onion bag, Panenka, Parachute payment, Park the bus, Perfect hat-trick, Postage stamp, Put his cap on it, Rabona, Roy of the Rovers stuff, Schmeichel-style, Scorpion kick, Spursy, Stick it in the mixer, Sweeper keeper, Taking it to the corner flag, Target man, Tiki-taka, Towering header, Trivela, Where the kookaburra sleeps, Where the owl sleeps, Where the spiders sleep.DIVISION TWO 2-0 can be a dangerous score, Asterisk, Back on the grass, Ball stays hit, Banana skin, Beaten all ends up, Blaze over the bar, Business end, Came down with snow on it, Catching practice, Camped in the opposition half, Cauldron atmosphere, Champagne is on ice, Coat is on a shoogly peg, Come back to haunt them, Corridor of uncertainty, Couldn’t sort their feet out, Easy tap-in, Daisy-cutter, Drop zone, Drubbing, First cab off the rank, Giant-killing, Goalkeepers’ Union, Going down in installments, Good leave, Good touch for a big man, Grandstand finish, Half-time in the tie, Half-turn, Has that in his locker, High wide and not very handsome, Hospital pass, Howler, In the dugout, In the hat, In their pocket, Johnny on the spot, Lackadaisical, Leading the line, Leather a shot, Managerless X, Mazy run, Middle of the park, Needed no second invitation, Needing snookers, Nice headache to have, No-look pass, Nutmeg, On the beach, On their bike, One for the cameras, One for the purists, Piledriver*, Played us off the park, Points on the board, Points to the spot, Prawn sandwich brigade, Purple patch, Put their laces through it, Queensbury rules, Reaches for their pocket, Relegation six-pointer, Rolls Royce, Root and branch review, Row Z, Screamer, Seats on the plane, Sent into raptures, Show across the bows, Sleeping giant, Slide-rule pass, Staving off relegation, Steal a march, Sting the palms, Straight in the bread basket, Stramash, Taking one for the team, Telegraphed that pass, Tired legs, That’s great… (football), Thunderous strike, Tricky winger, Turning into a cricket score, Turns on a sixpence, Twisted blood, Walk it in, We’ve got a cup tie on our hands, We were right behind that, Yo-yo club.

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For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Commentators view on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Hello, it's the Football Daily. I'm Ian Dennis, and this is the commentators view where we five live commentators talk about the football, our travels, and the words we use in football commentary. And today, we're joined by two correspondents because John Murray and Sammy Murray and Sammy Murray. Mockbell, a both at Wembley on a day when Thomas Tuchel has announced his World Cup squad of 26. Good afternoon to you both. Hello Ian, yes, sitting right next to Sammy here. It is absolutely roasting in London.

Suddenly summer's arrived. I think he's like that all over the country, to be honest with you. There's been a busy week. Arsenal winning the Premier League. Middles profiling themselves in a playoff hokey-cokey with SpyGate. Aston Villa winning the Europa League Manchester City have confirmed Pep Guardiola's departure

Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the permanent Manchester United head coach and now you two dealing with 26th. What are your thoughts on the 26th Summie? On the face of it I and I'm not sure everyone certainly supporters probably wouldn't agree with me but I think it's a

fairly balanced squad. People would look at the number 10 issue and say oh well you've left Foden behind you've left Palmer behind you've left Morgan Gibbs right behind but what what do you expect him to do he can't pick all of them so um i guess you can argue the wise and wherefores of who he selected but you know having not taken cole palmer or or phil phoden or morgan gibbs white i just have to almost you have to trust his judgment and i look at that squad i don't see many holes in it if i'm honest i mean earlier on in the

in the season he'd said that he wasn't going to take them all hadn't he john but of the ones that have been omitted, I do feel probably, I feel more sympathy for Morgan Gibbs White than any other individual, I think, because the form that he's been in. Yeah, and that was an unknown, wasn't it? Because yes, he's been involved in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel, but it's only since the last squad that he's really stepped on. And it's 11 goals,

isn't it? He scored since February alone. And so, you know, I kind of thought that that would have persuaded Tuchel to include Morgan Gibbs White. And, you know, let's mention Jared Bowen as well. And I think you can turn this on its head and look at the players who are selected in that position. So Saka, Eza, Gordon, Madweke and Rashford. And I think whichever the players left out of that list,

that would have been the story. You know, as Sammy says, it's going to be rough on someone. It happens to Tarmer and Fulton, who I think is generally accepted, that they have not played at their best this season. And Jared Bowen, who while he's been a very good squad member for England, hasn't really hit the heights with England yet.

Do you think that, and this is to both of you, you can decide who wants to answer it first, McGuire had come out and said he was shocked and he was gutted, McGuire's mum got evolved as well. Do you think that that reaction has actually possibly, Tuchel now thinks, well, I'm vindicated in my decision. in the sense that he was never going to start as a first choice central defender. And his mood around the camp if he's not playing might have brought down the chemistry within the group

because he's talked a lot, hasn't he, about the energy and the connection and everybody having to buy into their roles. Do you think that was a part that he didn't see McGuire as being as an understudy? I think Thomas Tucho would have looked at the last 24 hours and how Harry McGuire reacted to his omission from the squad and feel totally justified, if I'm being totally honest. I'm not denying, and no one's denying, that Harry McGuire has had an excellent season at Manchester United,

certainly since Michael Carrick was appointed manager or interim manager. We're obviously, we now know he's the permanent manager. But we shouldn't forget that during the last set of internationals, when Harry McGuire was given a recall into the squad, Tuka was clear. He said that generally there would probably need to be two or three injuries for Harry McGuire to make it. So for then Harry McGuire to come out yesterday confirming that he wasn't in and then making those pointed remarks saying he was absolutely shocked and gutted. Well, you couldn't have been that shocked because he basically told everyone that you weren't going to be in a squad in March because I was in that press conference when he said it. So yeah, look, I get Harry McGuire is disappointed.

Of course he is. He would love to have gone to another World Cup. But I don't necessarily buy that he was shocked by it because I think all of us sitting around this table now discussing it kind of knew that it was unlikely he was going to be selected. So if we're thinking that, then he must be thinking that. I feel for Trent Alexander Arnold as well. And, you know, I think he has every right to be disappointed.

But at the same time, you know, the message was so clear from Thomas Tuchel that he wants this squad to be together because they're going to be together for such a long time, or at least that's the goal to be together for such a long time, that that is absolutely the balance in terms of the spirit. You know, he talked about everyone in this squad being connected, committed to the idea of the team spirit and being unselfish. You know, that's been a message that we've had from Thomas Tuchel. Throughout the course of the time that he's been in charge, he never misses an opportunity to talk about that, players being their best selves and good teammates, etc, etc, etc. And also it justifies it Thomas Tuchel by saying that he is trying to select the best team, not the 26 best players.

And in the end, it's a judgment call. He lives and dies by this on the success of that team. and the way that he's gone about this. And if things don't go, well, people are going to point the finger and say, well, he should have chosen, that's why he said. But, you know, he's the one who's had to make that decision, which he completed this week. And, you know, he lives or dies by it.

We'll talk more England in a moment and hear John's chat with Thomas Tewkel, but TCV at BBC.co.com.uk. Voice notes on WhatsApp to 08,289-369. And in a week when Arsenal have won the title. Arsenal fan Joseph in Palmer's Green has sent this in. I'm sending this voice message with a slightly hazy head. John, I was listening to your coverage of the Bournemouth Manchester City game when I could finally compose myself to listen and on 17 minutes decided I had to leave the house,

run to get the train. And 20 minutes later, I was in Finsbury Park celebrating with what felt like the whole of North London, except the Tottenham fans who must have still been crying. We then migrated to the Emirates and it felt like a match day only to be greeted by a huge banner saying party on the streets of London with reference to Manchester City's banner of panic. This was nothing but a party.

Incredible scenes that I have never, ever witnessed and ones that I don't think I will ever see again. anyway to all those Arsenal fans out there this should be enjoyed and this was absolutely wonderful well that's brilliant from Joseph

isn't it because as I was sitting there commentating on the Bournemouth Manchester City match you'll know this Ian it's going through my mind thinking that it is entirely possible that Arsenal fans will be listening to us heading to the Emirates thinking that they might have to get there

so it's brilliant to hear that Joseph was doing exactly that. And I think it's been so fascinating the way that this is unfolded over the course of the last few weeks since the Manchester City Arsenal match. And at that point, when City went to the top of the table, you know, it felt like, I know Declan Rice didn't say it that way, it's not done and all that, but it did feel as though the tidered turn. But, you know, there's two draws at Everton and Bournemouth in their last two Premier League away matches. That's why we are where we are. And I think that now, as we always suspect, it would be the case,

you know, the praise has finally come Arsenal's way over the last few days. And you watch Pep Guardiola's penultimate match in charge of Manchester City. A week ago, you saw him win his 20th bit of silverware in a decade that he's been in charge, but it's now been confirmed that it is a case of adios. Estadauego. Yeah, well, we saw him at the Cup finally end, didn't we? And the body language, we spoke about it there at that stage. we didn't know whether he's coming or going, as it were, staying or going.

But when we got to Tuesday night at Bournemouth, and we know that he's on his way, I just thought it was so interesting to see him post-match when that moment came, when they'd lost the title. I couldn't take my eyes off in his body language the way he was. And, you know, he had, I mean, he looked as though he was really boiling inside, you know, the fact that wouldn't it have been great to have finished with the domestic. stick treble and there it was gone. It had gone from him and the way that he walked across the pitch and I thought, well, this is going to be interesting to see what he's like, what he says

post-match. In actual fact, by the time he came to us, I was in the press conference and I know George who interviewed him for us, George Cummings, felt the same way, you know, he was almost serene by the time he got to us and spoke publicly. And then at the end of it, when he got up, I just kept my eyes on him as he disappeared out of the room. And, you know, I generally, and he thought to it and herself, well, that's it. That's the last I am going to see, because I'm not covering their match on Sunday, that's the last I am going to see of Pep Guardiola as a club manager.

You know, and he's not, it is goodbye as manager, but it's not actually goodbye, because he's got this global ambassador role as well. So he's going to continue playing a part for the city group. So he's not quite completely going. No, and I'm sure Enzomeresco, who he understand is going to be, city's next manager from the start of next season

but yeah that pep shadow will be looming large I'd imagine and the first set of bad results who knows I'm only joking obviously and Sammy is the BBC senior football correspondent what a busy day it's been with Michael Carrick now confirmed and signing that new two-year deal but he deserves it doesn't he? course he does when he took the role

as interim head coach following the obviously the dismissal of Ruben Amarim. The information at the time and I think the information that a lot of us were getting was that Manchester United were keeping an open mind with regards to how they may

approach the process of the next permanent boss in that they wanted to take their time, considered all the candidates but I think in the fullness of time Michael Carrick has absolutely changed their perspective you know he was the only show in town he's you know they've they've gone from being open-minded

into being absolutely one close-minded and having one option because he has done so well and he's probably exceeded every single expectation I think a lot of man united fans a lot of people connected with the club would have seen michael carrick as just a stopgap I think to buy them a little bit of time so they could have assess the managerial landscape and make an appointment probably a high profile appointment this summer but he is

superseded everything and every target that I'd imagine the club had set for him certainly in qualifying for next season's Champions League and in finishing third this season they could only have ever given it to Michael Carrick and the

two year deal that he signed which I understand has an option for third is so well deserved. I think he's conducted him off brilliantly publicly in his press conferences. He just seems so cool and assured with everything that he does on the touchline

and everything that he says in his press conferences. And just a quick word for Steve Holland, obviously he's assistant and his number two. All three of us would have come across Steve Holland during our time covering England over the years and I

can't stress the importance of his kind of tactical now. So from what I understand in helping Michael Carrick navigate maybe some of those tighter matches. And certainly Steve Holland's in-game tactical approach and decision-making, as I understand it, really, really helped Michael Carrick along the way. So I think it's entirely the correct decision that he is now the full-time Manchester United manager. And it helped Ian, didn't it, right from the outset, to win the Manchester Derby. And then I remember I spoke to me after they won at Arsenal.

Even then I was sort of asking the question to him. Is it too early to start talking about you getting this job on a permanent basis? Because, I mean, let's not forget, when he was placed in charge again, there was a great deal of talk from many, many observers saying, well, you know, they'll have to make sure they don't end up going down the same route that they did with Oli Gunnar Solshar. And that's exactly what's happened. Yeah, I just thought when he brought in Holland, when Sammy's talking, talking about Steve Holland. I thought that was such an astute move. And also Jonathan Woodgate,

who was a really good sounding board for him when he was at Middlesbrough and Johnny Evans as well. And I never felt that he was there just to keep the seat warm. I just thought straight away, he's seeing this as a five-month audition to get the job on a full-time basis. And that's the way that it's proved. Before we hear from Thomas Tuchel, I must just tell you about what happened when I arrived at Bournemouth the other night. And you, I guess you will know, Ken, who's on the front desk at Bournemouth, do you? I do. I haven't been to Bournemouth this season, nor will I be going there this season. What?

But I know, I know Ken very well. Anyway, I was greeted like royalty. It was absolutely extraordinary. And I must thank Ken. He was so kind and helpful and friendly. And when you walk in, Ken, you've probably been there, Sammy, and seen it as well. When you walk in, Ken, we'll have a pile of kids. cat next to his desk. So they're two finger kit cats. So he's got a pile of two finger

kit cats and he gives everyone a two finger kit cat. Anyway, I walk in and he gives me this fantastic, honestly, if it was Eddie Howe coming back in, I couldn't have got a better welcome. And anyway, he said, wait there and he reached down below and he opened a draw and in the drawer there were four finger kit cats and he pulled out a four finger kit cat and gave it to me and everyone else else standing around waiting, thinking, what's going on here? Jan Mulby was the next in line.

Jan got a two-finger kick. And what also tickled me was. Matt Upsen was our summariser at the match, so I was telling him this story later, and he said, all right, I got a penguin. A penguin. Pick up a penguin.

So you got the four-figure treatment? I did. And I must thank Ken and everyone at Bournemouth. And I cannot wait to go again after that. Well, to be honest with you, I can't wait. I can't wait to go again either, because if I don't get four fingers, then Ken's in trouble. You'll get a penguin.

That's what you'll get. You'll be lucky to get a penguin. You need to take a bit. Anyway, let's get back to... Yes, producer Nathan has just pointed out that other chocolate bars, the biscuits are available. So back to the England squad. So we know because we've discussed it.

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander Arnold, not included. Ollie Watkins in the squad, as is Ivan Tony, which is an interesting one to discuss as well. And there are also a few players who are going to be travelling with the squad to Florida for their training camp. There are going to be four of them. And Thomas Tucco told us the identity of three of them. Alex Scott, Rio Ungamoa, and also the Fulham midfielder, Josh King. So when I spoke to Thomas Tuckel, first of all, I asked him, when he actually finalized his squad?

Monday, Tuesday, because it went on for weeks, and no matter how we twisted it and shook it up and tried it, it was always 27. And then we informed the players Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. What was the most difficult decision? I will not tell you. There were a couple of difficult ones, as you can imagine, if you read the list of names and talents that we left out.

And telling them was not easy and it was kind of painful. Seeing their reactions, seeing them getting emotional, was not easy. But I think it had to be done and it had to be done in person. Yeah, we're trying to build a team. We're trying to select the best team because what we're trying to achieve can only be achieved as a team. so that was basically the headline. Was Morgan Gibbs White a particularly difficult decision because of his form? Yeah, because of his form and not only because of his form

because he was also in camp with us in September until November. I think not in all of them, but in the ones that he has been with us, he was excellent, he was a good citizen, he was a good teammate. He has the personality to be in a World Cup and to be a supportive teammate. He showed this I think in under 21s. So, yeah, it was a difficult one because he caught form. We had this conversation.

He competes maybe on the most difficult position at the moment in English football. He competes under 10. Lately, he played from the left wing. And there we said we will keep on going with Marcus Rushford and Anthony Gordon. So he was very, very close to get a spot on the left. on the left wing. Yeah, he's one of the guys high up the list, if anything happens, God forbid.

We don't want anything to happen, but yeah, it was a difficult one. And on that, are the four young players who you're taking in the buildup? Are they effectively on standby? No, they can't be. Only Alex Scott is on the list of 55. The other youngsters are not on the list of 55,

so it's impossible. You can only choose from the list of 55 additional players if someone gets injured. Are you taking a risk with anyone? John Stones, for example, others have had injuries, Livermento, Gordon. Are any of them a risk? I would not call it a risk.

So we did a lot of research. We did a lot of feedback. We're in touch, of course, with all the medical and physical departments of the clubs. Thank you to them for sharing with us. I think Reese James is back. playing for Chelsea, which is a very good sign. John Stones was most of the time available, but not selected.

So it was not really an injury issue. Unfortunately, he missed the game in March with us due to an injury. I'm willing to take that risk with him because I still think he's a world-class player and I saw him move lately very, very freely. And I have full confidence that he can be a huge asset to our team. Tino Livramento is the one where it gets close. He is now in individual training but he was so good for us in March. He can play on both sides and he was a big part in the September camp.

That we took advantage of the fact that we start very late into the tournament. So I think our first match is in four and a half weeks. That should give us enough time to build Tino up and be ready for Croatia. You've had to speak a lot about the difficult decisions. Who gave you the best reaction? I will not tell you, I have some favorites. Can you give us a flavor of Ivan Tony's reaction? No, Ivan plays cool all the time.

So that doesn't change. That's part of his personality. And we didn't expect anything else, so he lived up to his reputation. Listen, just finally, when you put the piece of paper down, you put the pen down and you looked at that squad, did you look at it and think this is a squad that, can win the World Cup? This is a squad with which I want to fight to win the World Cup, yes, 100%.

I had this feeling in Serbia in the dressing room and after the match, during the match I thought, yeah, we're on a way to build something and then I had the same feeling again in October and again we managed to recreate the same spirit in November and that's why the majority of the players come from these camps. And yeah, this is what we want to recreate. And if we are able to recreate this, where there's no doubt, and it's our job, then I think we are ready to compete. And I think that's the main target. Be there, be exciting, be hungry and be competitive. And win our fans, because I believe that they can feel it if we are in the right spirits. And then let's see what's going to happen. Good luck with it, Thomas.

So that was John with Thomas Tuchel. Did the Ivan Tony selection surprise you as much as it did myself when I'd heard the news? Yes, it would be my answer to that. I think the feeling was that he was kind of out of the picture, but clearly this weight of goals, 32 goals in 32 appearances, but more than that, he justified Ivan Tony's selection ahead of Dominic Calvert Lewin, Danny Welbeck, Dominic Solanke, who's been involved this season. as well by saying that

basically they looked at all of the things that they might want from him what Thomas Tuchel is called his special skills, things like how useful he is maybe to come on when England are chasing the game he said he can take attention away from others and also world-class

penalty taking so yeah surprised because I think we'd been looking more at the others hadn't we and also the fact that there are a couple of backups to Harry Kane we weren't necessarily expecting that I think maybe we thought, well, maybe just Olly Watkins in that position, but he's gone with two of them. Yeah, no, I was surprised.

Look, he's had an impressive season in Saudi in terms of goal scoring, 32 goals, as you've already pointed out, Deno. But I guess it's how you weight that in comparison to, say, Dominant Calvert Lewin, who has scored, I think, is it 14 or 15 goals in the Premier League this season? and someone like Danny Welbeck who's also scored I think 14 goals for Brighton this season I can only suspect that during the last international break when England faced Uruguay in Japan

and Solanke and Calvert Luna in that squad that Thomas Tushul saw something in training or in the games that either those two played and thought I'm not quite sure about these two being part of my squad. and has obviously now pivoted back to Tony. So it's an interesting call. And the other facts are right now, actually,

I don't know if I'm reading too much into this. Given Ivan Tony has played in Saudi this season and the heat and the conditions over there, I just wonder if him are climatizing to those temperatures and those conditions, because it's going to be searing, isn't it, in the states this summer? I just wonder if that's played a factor as well

and there won't be that assimilation that maybe some of the other players will need heading into the tournament. Well, as a reminder that before the World Cup, we're going to do a Q&A special. So if you do have any questions ahead of the World Cup, please do get in touch. TCV at BBC.com.com.

Or voice notes on WhatsApp to the Football Daily number, which is 08,289-369. If you're looking for a look ahead to the final day of the Premier League, there will be another episode of the Football Daily looking ahead to those Sunday fixtures, Bournemouth or Brighton could still end up with Champions League football and one of West Ham United and Tottenham Hot Spur will be relegated.

Our commentaries over the weekend. We've got Dunfermline Celtic on Sports Extra, the Scottish Cup final from three. And then on Sunday, a choice of listening as the relegation battle goes to the wire. Spurs Everton, I'll be joined by Paul Robinson for that four o'clock kickoff on five live. And on Sports Extra, West Ham against Leeds United. but we will go where the story is and we've got additional commentaries

on Sports Extra 2 Crystal Palace against the Champions Arsenal and then Brighton-Hove Albion against Manchester United is on Sports Extra 3. What's your gut feeling, Ian, going to Tottenham on Sunday? I've been speaking to a number of

Tottenham supporters and they just want it to be over with. The words unbearable spring to mind. They were just part of me. that is just struggling to accept any situation where Tottenham Hotspur get relegated. I'd have no affiliation to the club whatsoever, but the English top flight without Tottenham, yeah, I can't get my head round it. And listen, strange things have happened.

And obviously West Ham fans, I'm sure, will hate me for this. but I think the intensity and the pressure of getting a result for Tottenham against Everton at the weekend, I just think that will see them over the line. I think you might have a bit of drama on your hands again, Ian. And I know, you've only just got back from Istanbul, haven't you? After what was a terrific commentary, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mark Albrighton was the perfect man, wasn't he, to have with you? It's a great setting that stadium as well.

and weren't Villa good? Yes, they were. They were excellent. And we likened it in commentary saying that once they scored that first goal, there were two wonderful goals just before halftime from Villa. But we'd likened it that there were like Freiberg were a boxer on the ropes. And they were just trying to get to half time. And once that second goal went in, there was no way back.

And I've got to say, first time I've worked with Mark, but we had a great 24 hours building up to the game. he thoroughly enjoyed it he was mobbed wherever he went by the Villa supporters and he was telling us that his dad was there in 1982 in Rotterdam to watch Villa win the European

Cup final but he texted Yuri Tehrans on the morning of the... This was one of the best pieces of a contribution from a summariser I've ever heard Wow I'll let you into a little secret I did messaging this morning saying all the best Yuri

another goal like the one in your last cup final will do and he messaged back saying no problem well I think it's fair to say he's delivered Mark had kept that from me actually and it was it was a nice little moment and then he actually showed me the text as we were doing the comments and then I felt bad because I thought I don't want to be reading

what else was in the text conversation between the two of them but there was a there was a couple of emojis in there as well from Yuri Telemans but it was yeah it was a great noise great stadium and the Villa supporters, I've got to say, and the Freiburg fans were fantastic because they didn't desert their team at the end. They stayed right till the bitter end. And even afterwards,

they even watched all of the celebrations. And we witnessed a little bit of the camaraderie that existed between Freiburg and Villa supporters. So it seemed that there was a really good atmosphere in Istanbul. And I'm sure there will be equally good relations in Leipzig for Crystal Palace against Raya Vallecano. And Liverpool fan Jack says, I enjoy the symmetry of Crystal Palace and Rio Valacano qualifying for the Conference League final. Two plucky working class clubs

from the southeast of their respective capital cities, punching above their weight in the shadow of better-known giants, cheered on by a fervent local fan base. An interesting feature, Rio Valacano share with their fellow giant killers Buddha glimped, is the flash or thunderbolt in their name. Because, says Jack, Rayo Valacano literally translates as the Thunderbolt from Valacass, which I did not know.

Valacass or Viacass? Well, you're going back to the old Spanish double else again. Well, I wonder if Ali listens to this podcast and maybe he might be able to get in the the Thunderbolt from Via Cass in his commentary although maybe we'd hope that he doesn't because that would not bode well for Palace I've got to just say as well

this was sent to me from George our producer just going back to Villa Dear TCV I've been a Villa fan since the early 1990s I was six weeks old when Peter With scored that goal in Rotterdam and was brought up knowing that team were legends

I've not had the best few years emotionally losing both parents in a short space of time. A few months after my mum died, Unae Emory walked through the door at Villa and he gave me something to smile about. I walked away from going to games in 2015 as it felt like a chore I wasn't enjoying it and never returned. Last week by sheer look, I was offered a ticket to the Liverpool game and got to see these new legends in all their glory. Wednesday night still hasn't sunk in. In 44 years, time, Ian's commentary from Wednesday night will just be as iconic as those words said by Brian Moore in 1982.

I'm not sure about that bit. But anyway, last September, I sent you an email about something that's something for the glossary being removed from Division I and signed it off, David Little Ava's uncle. At the time I wasn't in a good place, as had had a rough few months. And you guys, reading Little Ava's uncle, gave me something to smile about, first time in a long while. Little Ava is my sister's two-year-old dog.

many thanks David Little Ava's uncle well David thank you very much for your email and it's nice that we can now put a name to Little Ava's uncle and I hope that those memories will last a very very long time for you

and I'm sure for every Aston Villa supporter that's lovely that Ian isn't it what a nice email that was and we've got more dog news coming up very shortly which is quite exciting Five Live Sports So here's the first ball of this series

All the cricket you laugh Lives on BBC Sounds Smash straight back down the ground This girl Here ball by ball coverage of the biggest competitions on the domestic and international circuits It's a ball cricket

And it's the huge one Two sports Settle down, it's up a song name Cricket on Five Live Sport Oh, I've living every ball of this Listen on BBC Sounds 30 years after two civil billion airplanes were shot down, why is the U.S. government now bringing charges against the former

Cuban president, Raul Castro? I'm Asma Khalid, and I host the Global Story podcast from the BBC. Cuba's government is calling this all a political maneuver, but the Cuban exile community in Miami calls it justice, 30 years in the making. Is the U.S. setting the stage for a military intervention? For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. The commentator's view on the Football Daily Listen on BBC Sounds We mentioned dog news Last week we also had

Billy the flat-coated cockapoo Become the first member of our TCV Dog 11 after his official work Centering up the pitch at Leighton Orient To deter foxes Now Harry has sent us an email And says hey My Dog Chip should be in your full

Football 11. Eight years old and six years of non-league football from Welling to Sutton to Danson won't find a dog more experienced would be a fantastic fullback, runs too much and definitely a captain. He would bark at his whole team. So we've got Billy the winger, who recently recovered from ACL surgery from last week, Chip the fullback and both have argued that they should be captain. And also Alex Walton in Erlem has also sent us this. Hi, chaps, great podcast. I am listening to you whilst walking around football pitches throwing a ball for my nine-year-old border terrier. I would like to add to your TCV Dogg Eleven, if possible. Born in the summer of 2017, he was given the name of a certain diminutive Portuguese midfielder who signed for my scene, Manchester City, the same summer.

I give you Bernardo Silver Walton. Like his footballing namesake, he runs and he runs. But unlike his namesake, we hope you will not be leaving. us this summer. And he sent in a picture, Alex has, of little Bernardo Silver, who I guess Ian will probably also be a contender to be Captain of the Dog 11. There is every chance, yeah. There's no clash of the commentators today. We're rolling it over to next week, which will be our title deciderian, so very excited.

Well, why is it a title designer? I'm getting nervous. Well, after we heard from Lausanne last week with the ruling. He was from Bolton. Yeah, well, it looked very official to me. you know what that's like there that's like all of a sudden this season how Saturday night kickoffs have just become the norm

that the TV schedulers have just they've just sneaked it in under the radar and now all of a sudden it's accepted and everyone now thinks that it's accepted it's a title race did we not have correspondence on social media from Topcat in Kent that said he was TV

yeah but it's I don't remember that it's a little bit like it's a bit like the the Southampton ruling. We just had to get it done because time was running out. So that's what we told. No, no, no.

There was a massive difference between the two because Southampton were banged to rights, not some poxie justice for John campaign. That's just, I mean, my word. I think you need to get on the phone to Lord Panic. So no clash of the commentators, but we do have a quick, unintended pub name from Sport Commer.

for you before we head towards the great glossary. So suggestions for this to TCV at bbc.corg.com. WhatsApp to 08,000 289369. Last week we had the relieved casta yannios, the dangerous dribbler and the flying mullet. And now Michael has sent us in this voice note. Hi TCV team. At the end of Friday's episode, ABB invited listeners to keep the unintended pub names and glossary suggestions coming in, whether you're from Bulgaria, Boston or Bradford. Well, as a proud Bradfordian, now living in a small mountain town called Julian about an hour from San Diego, I am delighted to answer the call. In injury time in the Celtic Hearts title decider, Connor McNamara gave us two pub names in one sentence.

Sarachi gets a yellow card, Shanklin gets a yellow card, everyone's on their feet, the smell of smoke and sulfur in the air, the fire and spittle of the last day of the season at Silver. The smoke and the sulfur and the fire and spittle. I imagine these being very similar pubs of rival teams located just a few miles apart. Style and the feel are both echo each other. Just don't make the mistake of going into the wrong pub with the wrong colours. Anyway, thank you for the pod and all of the commentaries they truly are highlights of my week. I think that's very, very enjoyable as well, fire and spittle.

But also, that must be the first correspondence we've had from Julian. And how we're from San Diego, which sounds like an interesting place, doesn't it, up in the hills. So thanks very much to Michael for that. And what a game and what a listen to that wasn't certainly. Yeah, absolutely. Well, we were at the FA Cup final at the time, weren't we? And that was unfolding. We were indeed, yeah.

And it was a great commentary from Conner and Pat. And in fact, on that subject, Steve in Musselbro, of course, near Edinburgh, has sent us this. Hi, guys. A few months ago, a heart-supporting producer managed to rank. Hibbsed it into the football glossary in the dig at local rivals Hibbs who had a habit of losing games late on. Given what happened last Saturday,

will he request that it be withdrawn from the glossary after Harts managed to blow the league championship with four minutes to go? That surely has to be the biggest hibbsda ever. Hashtag J4J, justice for John. Thank you very much, Steve.

Thank you. And I'll give you answer to that, Steve? No, it's staying firmly put. So let's move on to the great glossary of football commentary. This is where we build a collection of commentary terms and phrases. So there is a point of discussion, but I think Ian's already decided that one. And this is where we put football exclusive terms into Division 1 and Division 2 for terms used in football commentary, but also in other sports. And last week we put head like a sheriff's badge and head like a biscuit tin into division one. But Martin from

Los Angeles says, hi there fellas. Love listening to the pod usually sat in the car park that is also known as the Interstate 405 freeway. I'm originally from the northwest of England and listening to the 50p and biscuit tin head suggestions for the great glossary not only made me laugh but also brought to mind a phrase our coaches used to yell whilst we were playing back in the mid-80s. If someone kicked the ball and it went off, side, or at a funny angle, they'd tell you, you've got to touch like a cement mixer, lad. I doubt it'll make the glossary, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I occasionally yell it out on the sidelines here in L.A. when my kids are playing in club soccer,

much to everyone's confusion and amusement. And that made me think, Sammy, this is definitely one for the listeners, because mentioning a cement mixer made me think of the, the other famous. sprays he couldn't trap a bag of cement yeah and I think there is quite a range of he couldn't trap a whatever it happens to be so I'm gonna I'm gonna put that out there and see if we get any suggestions from listeners to to join in with that one that seems like a risky game to me John do you think so don't worry don't be edited it'll be edited you'd also say put it in the cement mixer wouldn't you like get it in the box put it in the mixer Put it in the mixer?

You wouldn't say put it in the cement mixer, would you? You'd get it in the mixer, though. In the mixer? Get it in the cement mixer? That's what it surely means. Yeah, get it in the mixer. Maybe it does. Tony in Lincolnshire says,

regarding strange-shaped heads in Sunday league and on the terraces, we used to say shed head for a terrible header from a centreback, usually a big slow journeyman, keep up the good work. Oh, my word. I'm not reading that out.

Tony also says after Hare Chapman sang, I'm going to go on strike no next week. Now that would cause it a kerfuffle, wouldn't it if I did that? It certainly would, yeah. There'll be further legal action being taken against you. Also, Tony says, after Hare Chapman sang Abba last week, I heard Chris Sutton sing some S Club 7 on the Monday Night Club. Why can't certain clubs just be happy when they're having that relative success?

Everybody then, you know, they want to reach for the stars and change style and what have you. And, you know, it's backfired spectacularly for them, hasn't it, no. Just be happy when they're having that relative success. Everybody then, you know, they want to reach for the stars and change style and what have you. And, you know, it's reach for the stars and change. Not only have we now got unintended pub names. We've got unintended cameo karaoke. And while we're on the musical theme, Ray from Newcastle, Australia has written in.

And he says, while on a recent trip to New Caledonia, we bought a colourful sarong, which shows the local islands. And as you can see, and he sent us a picture, the island circled is Espiritu Santo and bears a striking resemblance to a certain manager. Now, every time my partner wears it, I can't help but burst into the song Nuno Espirito Santo. Thanks guys. Keep up the good work. You do know now that the fact that you've just brought up that Nuno Espirito Santo means that that tune will be going around once again in a lot of people's heads. Returning to the glossary, we also recently added managerless into Division 1. However, Mark in Indonesia says, I'm a big sports fan having grown up in Canada.

I'm sure you'll hear from many with North American ties on managerless going into Division 1 because alas, it must be relegated to Division 2. Baseball also uses the term manager for the head of its game day coaching staff. Enjoying the pod, thank you. And Kyle in Bedford, Massachusetts, says, Hello, TTV, I was enjoying my Saturday morning coffee while listening to the pod when I heard

that no other sport has managers and therefore cannot be managerless. Baseball has always had managers, exclamation mark. This brought to mind the most notorious manager of my youth, the New York Yankees five-time manager, Billy Martin. He often endeared himself to officials by kicking and throwing dirt on them while shouting expletives. Diego Simeone could do well to study some game film for new levels of hausery. And this is nice from Donnie in France. Thanks for another great episode. Please could we also add the role that clubs turn to when managerless, the caretaker manager. Any other walk of life talks about an acting boss but not football

As a child, I always thought Caretaker Manager meant the actual caretaker in their brown overalls with pencils sticking out of the top pocket. So, managerless relegated to Division 2. I think so. Caretaker manager?

Caretaker manager. Just leave that in Division 1? Caretaker manager. And how about this from Julia who describes herself as a very anxious Spurs fan? I've been meaning to write to you for ages. This is definitely in Division 2

and honestly it's never bothered me at all until my husband started to complain about it. When someone would say this, I could hear him really moaning and tutting. And it's when the commentator is describing a player and their age is mentioned, they say years of age. Why?

This is only used for sports people. It's never used for anybody else. who's famous, like a pop star or a film star. So why do commentators say this? Like, here's this footballer and he's 23 years of age. Why don't they just say they're 23 years old? Any explanation would be greatly appreciated. And then maybe my husband is shut up complaining.

Very good. I think of Julia a mention on... Sunday when you're doing the Tottenham match. Why do people say that, Ian? I think I'm guilty of doing that, you know. Do you? Yeah. Well, maybe we all are. It's funny, isn't it? What a noise people. I know I've said it. And my son said to me, said, well, why don't you just say he's like 21, you know, 21 old, 21 years old? It's just 21. Yeah, 21. Yeah. I like this one as well, from Oliver from Wolverhampton. Hi, gents, loving the pod. Been listening since day one. Well, done, Oliver. My entry for the glossary comes as I

watch Newcastle versus West Ham and I've just seen Castellanos, Castellanos, Castellanos, score a worldly to make it to one. At the time of writing, if West Ham got one more, that could set up what I'm sure the commentators would call a grandstand finish. I would imagine this term comes from horse racing to describe a close finish in a race, so we'd probably go into Division II, but happy to defer to your good selves. Keep up the great work and of course, justice for John. He's been listening from the start.

He's, he's, he's, he's, he, you have to listen to him. All the best, Oliver, thank you very much, Oliver. Grandstand finish. Yeah. That would be division two. I quite like it grandstand finish using a grandstand finish. Yeah. My former self as a newspaper journalist,

you ever notice those commentary terms working their way into copy? Very much so. Working their way into newspaper copy. I used to nick all your phrases all the time, lads. Just to get me over the word count. So, no, I'm all for these. Ian, we should ask Sammy, shouldn't we? Since you've appeared on the commentator's view,

which commentators did you listen to when you were growing up? Don't say us. No, you guys are my heroes. But I am of the It's Up for Grabs now, Brian Moore era. And, you know, John Watson. I tell you who I do like modern day is, I like Sam. Sam Matterface. I think he's excellent.

But, yeah, Brian Moore is the sort of the icon that I grew up sitting too, yeah. You know, you can mention somebody who still works for the BBC if you wish, Sammy. Well, I've only told. I said he couldn't mention us. He said he couldn't. I've told John numerous times that he's my hero. Okay. I don't need a, yeah.

I'm going to have to get some tissues in here. I don't need a podcast. It doesn't need a podcast for me to know that. He knows that. What tickle me there, though, is that when you said that you used to listen to us and then you nick all our best lines. Do you not do that now? I still do on the sly lads, yeah.

Well, in summary then, should Hibsett be withdrawn from the glossary? Should it be hearts it now? The answer to that is no. Managerless relegated to Division 2, Grandstand finish, Division 2, caretaker manager division 1. Hooray! And there we have it.

keep the unintended pub names, glossary suggestions and World Cup questions coming in to TCV at BBC.com.com. because our World Cup Q&A episode will be out soon or you can send us a message or a voice note on WhatsApp to 08,000 289-369.

Now thanks to John and to Sammy Mockmel for joining us. That's it for this edition of the Football Daily. But for the next episode, we'll be hearing reaction to the departure of Pep Guardiola and the confirmation that Michael Carrick will be staying on at Old Trafford for another two more seasons. Just be happy when they're having that relative success.

Everybody then, you know, they want to reach for the stars and change style and what have you. You know, it's reach for the stars and change. Five Live Sports. BBC Women's Football Weekly. The latest news, insights and analysis from across the women's game. Dame Serena Vigman. Are we including Dame in your title now? You know how much an honour that is?

I'm interested! You want to play in a way that they can show their skills, so that's what we're trying to do. Win the World Cup, it's a dream. Listen. With the BBC Sounds app. 30 years after two civilian airplanes were shot down, why is the US government now bringing charges

against the former Cuban president, Raul Castro? I'm Asma Khalid, and I host the Global Story podcast from the BBC. Cuba's government is calling this all a political maneuver. But the Cuban exile community in Miami calls it justice, 30 years in the making. Is the U.S. setting the stage for a military intervention? For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.