Man City financial fallout continues, and England fans joy

606

The episode centers on England's historic 7-0 victory over Croatia, with hosts and callers debating whether the win masks underlying defensive vulnerabilities or signals genuine progress under

Key takeaways

• England secured a record-breaking 7-0 win against Croatia, with Lewis Hall praised for his natural fit at left-back alongside Kieran Morrison (transcript: Keiran Bowie) and Alex Scott staking a claim in midfield.
• Manchester City fans remain fiercely loyal despite the club facing serious financial charges, with callers arguing the independent panel is biased and that supporters are being unfairly targeted by a 'cosy' Premier League establishment.

Main topics

• England national team performance and tactical analysis
• Manchester City financial charges and Premier League FFP rules

Notable quotes

"One of the best England performances I've ever seen. But what do England fans think? It was against Croatia."

Conclusion

The episode captures the polarized emotional landscape of modern English football, where sporting triumphs are

Transcript preview

Speaker 8 (0:00) This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Speaker 6 (0:05) The Signal Awards just announced finalists for the best podcasts of 2026. Now it's your turn. From September 29th to October 15th, you decide your favorite shows, hosts, and more in the Listener's Choice Awards. Visit vote.signalaward.com to see finalists in categories like Most Innovative Audio Experience. Make your picks at vote.signalaward.com and tell a friend. Don't wait. Speaker 7 (0:37) ready to have your say in the UK's biggest football debate your teams your views Get ready. This is 606 with Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage on 5 Live. Speaker 1 (0:57) This is your football phone-in show, but your call now, 08085 909693. We're here until 8pm tonight taking your calls, and I'm sure we will get some happy England fans tonight, Christopher. Rodgers gets the ball down brilliantly, into the area, round the goalkeeper, and with his left foot, plants it Speaker 4 (1:17) in the net, and it is now, well, this is an extraordinary scoreline. Croatia 0, England 7. Seven. Speaker 1 (1:27) Unbelievable. S-E Speaker 4 (1:28) -B-E-N. A Speaker 1 (1:31) record win for England. Surely no Thomas Tuchel out tonight, Christopher? Speaker 2 (1:37) No. Well, I mean, you never know, Rob. We had a caller last night who wasn't overly happy with Thomas Tuchel. Let's hear from England fans. I mean, the World Cup was a bit of a sham. The way that England went out wasn't under Tuchel. But, you know, last time it was impressive. Speaker 1 (1:58) Well, you say that, Speaker 2 (1:59) but the performance against Argentina, come on, come on, Rob. The performance against Argentina, it was woeful, wasn't it? And then beating an ageing Croatia team. There will be England fans out there who will say, well, you know, our England just... It Speaker 5 (2:14) was Speaker 2 (2:14) 7-0. But I've got to say, yeah, I've got to say, Rob. 7-0. S-E-V-E-N. One of the... One of the best England performances I've ever seen. But what do England fans think? It was against Croatia. Speaker 1 (2:29) At last, some positivity from Mr Sutton. England fans, call us now on 08085 909693. Also last night, Scotland returned to winning ways. As Speaker 2 (2:40) Gilmour slides it through now for Speaker 1 (2:41) Bowie. Bowie Speaker 2 (2:42) about 25 yards from goal. Gets a shot. Speaker 7 (2:44) Back in it. What a strike from Keiran Bowie. to put Scotland in front. Well, that is some way to break Scotland's duck. Speaker 1 (3:12) A first win for the new Scotland boss, Christopher. Speaker 2 (3:16) Yeah, I mean, Scotland fans, what's the story with Poccagnoli? Remember that, Rob? Speaker 1 (3:21) Oh, yeah. Balamori, Balamori! The Speaker 2 (3:25) Tartan Army fans were singing that last night. Absolutely brilliant. But it had been a little bit of a slow start, but last night felt really significant and big for him. They thoroughly deserve the victory. Are you excited, Scotland fans? Speaker 1 (3:40) Scotland fans, give us a call 08085 909693. Who else should we hear from tonight? Christopher. Speaker 2 (3:47) I want to hear from Wales fans. You played Denmark tonight after a really good win. Important win against Norway. When I say important, I mean important. I think for Craig Bellamy, there's been a fair bit of criticism for Craig. Has that been harsh? I don't know. Interesting to get your take on that. Northern Ireland also had a terrific win, didn't they, last week, 3-0 away to Ukraine. And of course, Rob, we still want to hear the reaction from Manchester City fans on the financial preachers. What I want to get stuck into tonight, Sydney fans, is how you really feel. Can you honestly defend your club? Are you ashamed to be a Manchester City fan right now? Or are you proud? Are you backing the team and the club? And fans of other Premier League clubs, I mean, I've heard this muted, Rob. Do you really want a Premier League without Manchester City? You've got to say it wouldn't feel quite the same. And what should the punishment be if... They lose the appeal, Rob. Peterborough fans, you've got a new manager. What do you think about the appointment? Why are you laughing? Because it's you. Because what? Well, Bradford fans, how do you feel just missing out on Savful? Who do you want in at the Bantams? An international break. Where did you get your football fix? There's a lovely call last night, Rob, from a Watford fan who went to watch St. Albans City play a brilliant game last night in the FA Cup against Market Harbour. I think they ended up losing really late on. Speaker 1 (5:28) What happened in the FA Cup game we talked about last week? Speaker 2 (5:32) Yeah, well, that was... Woodford, Mo Barton went through, Mo Barton beat them. Justice. Speaker 1 (5:38) Want Speaker 2 (5:38) to hear from Mo Barton? And a great WSL game between Man City and Arsenal just finished. Call us if you saw that particular game and WSL action this weekend. Get in touch. Speaker 1 (5:52) 08085 909693 is the number to call. Mo Barton went through, Chris, did they? Speaker 2 (5:58) They did, yeah. Yeah, a lot of fans there as well. And it felt right. I mean, Woodford took a few fans along, but it was one of those where as a player, I think the Mulbarton players were so motivated. And yeah, a bit of justice for Norfolk. Speaker 1 (6:15) I'm not far from Norfolk now, Chris, am I? It might be a regular visit. It's a Speaker 2 (6:20) busy week. Well, keep it short, but you had an interesting... week. Speaker 1 (6:26) Amazing. First day with the players today. Listen, humbled to be the new Peterborough United manager. First game Tuesday against, Chris, Ipswich Town under-21s in the EFL Trophy. A competition we've won three times in the last 11. Listen, Peterborough fans, give us a call 08085 9096. Boris Green fans, how do you Speaker 2 (6:46) feel? Savage walking away. He doesn't do walking away, well he did and he's at Peterborough now. Speaker 2 (6:54) How do you think? You're a horrible man. Speaker 1 (6:59) 0825 99693 is the number to call. Ryan, you've done that. England, record-breaking win, 7-0. Christmas, there will be a little bit negative. What a win. Speaker 4 (7:10) Good evening, Sal, and congrats on your appointment. Thank you. The last time I spoke to you boys was in the summer. It was just after the Norway World Cup, and you were uber positive, and Mr. Sutton over there was uber negative, and I see nothing's ever changed. What's going on? Listen, I mean... Who was right, Speaker 2 (7:28) Ryan? Speaker 4 (7:31) Was it Sav or me? Sav. Sav. Listen, things went against us. We should have done better in the World Cup. We should have got to the final. I'll give you that. Speaker 2 (7:41) What went against England? Speaker 4 (7:44) I mean, tactical substitutions, clearly. Speaker 4 (7:50) I'm not going to go down that route. That's all done and dusted now. We'll never go over it. We had one foot in the final. Come Speaker 1 (7:56) on, Speaker 4 (7:56) move on. Think positive. Speaker 1 (7:58) 7-0. Speaker 4 (7:58) But anyway, 7-0. We've done what was needed. The pace that we've got, Gordon's gone up another level. I don't know whether it's Barcelona, whether he's just matured, whether he's just got into international football or something. Maybe it's Lewis Hall playing behind him, who I thought was solid. we need to have a look out for a consistent period of time now as a left back. The shape looked good. I know Harry Kane was coming deep, but with the pace and power we've got from runners from midfield and out wide, it's a hard team to stop. You know, the defence we do need to sort out because we do look a little bit shaky. You know, we do. And that's not something that we've done regularly as an England fan. You know, we were pretty solid at the back of the last qualifying campaign. We didn't concede one goal in 10 games or something like that. So, So things have changed a little bit there. Speaker 1 (8:44) Do you know what? Ryan, do you know what? Chris sounds bitter because he only had one cap in a friendly. You sound bitter, Chris. Let it go. You weren't good enough to play consistently for England. There was better players in here. Speaker 2 (8:58) The thing is, Ryan, I think the point you made, you can't not be impressed with the performance last night. We're 7 Speaker 6 (9:07) -0. Speaker 2 (9:08) Yeah, I know, but the cynic... in me and there will be England fans around the country who will say this England team a lot of talent in there but they are just flat track bullies that is what they will say is that fair? I don't hear Speaker 4 (9:25) anyone saying that I don't hear anyone saying that I Speaker 2 (9:27) don't know which circles you mix in they're not the same as mine but that's when was the last time England played an away game Speaker 4 (9:33) so I mix in pretty regular England circles and I read the press same as everybody and listen to it And I don't hear anyone saying that. So rather than who do I mix with that doesn't say it, who do you mix with that does? Yeah, good Speaker 1 (9:47) point, because I don't think he's on England games anymore. Carry on. Speaker 2 (9:51) A lot of the locals. A lot of the Norfolk locals. Right, but let's get it right. When was the last time England played one of the top teams in a meaningful game? And don't say France. Mexico. Speaker 1 (10:06) Mexico in Mexico. Speaker 2 (10:08) Were Mexico that good, really? Speaker 1 (10:11) In Speaker 2 (10:11) Mexico, yeah. I Speaker 4 (10:13) know we lost the game, but are we saying nothing about Spain the other night? That was meaningless, was it? Speaker 2 (10:20) Yeah, but we lost. Speaker 4 (10:22) Yeah, we did. But we also know if Harry Kane scores that penalty, we're going to win the game. But he didn't. Speaker 2 (10:28) I Speaker 4 (10:29) agree. He didn't and we didn't and we bear the consequences of that. But I tell you what, they will absolutely Speaker 2 (10:35) go for it. Speaker 4 (10:35) If Mark Gahee wouldn't Speaker 2 (10:36) have Speaker 4 (10:36) made a Speaker 2 (10:36) mistake, if Nico Reilly wouldn't have made a mistake, I mean, where do you want to go with Speaker 4 (10:40) that? Speaker 2 (10:40) Exactly. So Speaker 4 (10:40) we Speaker 2 (10:40) missed Speaker 4 (10:41) the penalty and we gave them, in essence, two goals. So against the world champions, I think Speaker 2 (10:45) that's pretty credible. If Glenn Hoddle was fairer, I would have maybe had 50 caps. I mean, you can go anywhere. You may be Speaker 4 (10:50) chasing... Harry Kane may be taking down your goal scoring record right now. Speaker 1 (10:54) If he was Welsh, he'd have had 148 caps. Speaker 2 (10:59) So in fairness, Ryan and Rob, I do take your Speaker 1 (11:04) point. Speaker 2 (11:04) You're so negative. No, I'm not. Come on. You are. But I do take your point, but there is that element with Croatia, aren't the team which they once were. But take nothing away from that performance. It was ruthless, England. It's just a shame, Rob, that we didn't do it at the World Cup. Speaker 1 (11:23) 08085 909693. Thank you so much, Ryan Ritchie. I tell you what, Ritchie, Lewis Hall's a good player, isn't he? Speaker 4 (11:32) I might be biased being a Newcastle fan but I think since he's came in at left back and natural left back in there I think they've looked more balanced I think he's been good I think he was unlucky to miss out on the World Cup squad I think he's been hard done by and I think he's slotted in there no problems mate Speaker 2 (11:49) I mean, Rob's point probably was, you know, he's the one now who everybody thinks is the best fit for that England left-back position. What do you think? Speaker 4 (12:04) Yeah, I would agree. I think he is the best fit. As much as I like Nico O'Reilly as a player, is he a natural left-back? I'm not so sure on that. I think... Speaker 4 (12:15) Hall gives you a lot down that left-hand side. He links up well, obviously, in your castle thing again. He links up well with Gordon. I also like to think Alex Scott, I thought he played well when he was on the other day. I think he was unlucky not to come on against Spain, to be honest, in the first game at Wembley. But I think he's good. I think he's good in the middle with Anderson. Speaker 2 (12:38) Yeah, we had quite a negative caller about Declan Rice last night and sort of saying, well, he doesn't have the quality. But in fairness, Scott isn't going to knock Rice out of that position, is he? No, Speaker 4 (12:51) no. I'm not saying you can drop Rice for Scott, but I do think you staked a good claim to be in around it. Did it look natural, him and Anderson, coming up through the age groups together, playing together? Yeah, I thought they looked quite good. Speaker 2 (13:06) Here's one for you, Richie. Do you think Lewis Hall, now he's got that jersey, the England jersey, it looks like he's the guy now who's in the pole position for that left back. Do you think he'll be looking to move away from Newcastle to make sure that he sort of cements that? Speaker 4 (13:27) Well, I do hope not from my point of view, but I can see... where people are coming from, players would come from, to cement your place in the England squad. You want to be playing Champions League, at least European football anyway, playing against the best players. And obviously, he's not doing that at Newcastle at the minute. I don't know. Speaker 4 (13:47) what kind of season we're going to have to be honest but I would hate for him to move on, but I don't know, where would you think, what other Premier League club does he go and slot in at left-back other than Man U? Speaker 2 (14:00) Oh, that's a good question. Manchester City, maybe. Speaker 1 (14:04) With Speaker 2 (14:04) everything going on there at the minute, that would be Speaker 1 (14:07) an Speaker 2 (14:08) interesting move. Speaker 1 (14:08) Richie, thank you. Thank you so much for the call. Wales take on Denmark. Christopher, that brilliant win against Norway. Molly Stevens has the team news. Speaker 6 (14:20) Thank you. Speaker 6 (14:49) He, in their 2-0 win over Wales last week, the Brentford player, has left the squad due to injury. Bellamy's side targeting back-to-back home wins tonight after that huge win over Norway. Denmark, meanwhile, have lost their two other fixtures and they'll want to bounce back following their 4-2 home defeat to Portugal. Kick-off to come at 7.45. Speaker 1 (15:10) Come on, Wales. Come on, Mol. Speaker 6 (15:12) Come on. Speaker 1 (15:15) Thank you so much. Can Speaker 6 (15:16) I say that? Is that all right? Yeah, of course we can. Of Speaker 1 (15:18) course we can, Mol. Thank you so much, Molly. Paul, how are you? Speaker 5 (15:24) Hello, Robbie. Hello, Chris. Congratulations, Robbie, on your appointment. Thank you so much, Paul. Thank Speaker 1 (15:32) you, Paul. Thank you. Speaker 5 (15:34) OK. I wanted to talk about next week's game, you know, next Sunday's game, Liverpool-Mancity at Anfield. And just recently, some of the press have started saying that, you know, they'll get a good reception at Anfield. You know, a hostile reception. And it's a bit of a worry, really, because the last thing I want as a Liverpool fan, and I'm sure Man City fans don't want to, is to get embroiled in trouble on the way up to the match. You know, the coach arriving at the ground and all the rest of it. We have got a bit of a reputation for welcoming... There was trouble years ago, was it eight Speaker 2 (16:17) years ago? Speaker 2 (16:20) Bit of bother before the match, is that the one you're getting at, Paul? Speaker 5 (16:23) Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's been a number in Europe when we played Barcelona and etc. But I would appeal to Liverpool fans not to be silly. You know, yeah, you can go to the ground and watch the coach arrive and all the rest of it. And there will be a few. A few expletives being shouted, etc, etc. But not to do anything really silly that's going to bring Liverpool into disrepute, you know. Speaker 2 (16:58) I mean, what's your feeling, Paul, on the whole Manchester City saga? Are you angry as a Liverpool fan? Do you feel that your team has been robbed? No, I Speaker 5 (17:15) sympathise. Speaker 5 (17:18) wholeheartedly with the Manchester City fans and the players as well. It isn't their fault. I said to your producer before, it's greedy people again at the top. And it's the same in the World Cup with Infantino. Greedy, wanting to do a deal with these business people and not telling even his second-in-command. or communicating with any of the other staff. Now, at Manchester City, it seems to be that the players of Manchester City are saying, oh, yeah, we trust our boss. You know, he's done this, he's done that. And lots of good things in the Manchester area, you know, around the ground, et cetera. But that doesn't mean to say you can break the rules. The rules are there for a reason. Speaker 5 (18:13) I Speaker 2 (18:13) totally agree with that. Just quickly, Paul, on your team, are you pleased with Andoni Arreola and the start to the season? Are you a work in progress? What's your view on that? It's Speaker 5 (18:25) definitely a work in progress, Chris. It definitely is. And just like Robbie's got to go in tomorrow and he's got a work in progress there at Peterborough. But yeah, no, Liverpool are a work in progress. And hopefully because... Florian Witt scored a goal while he was away. He'll come back and start producing. He's been good, but he needs to be better. And some of the other players as well need to man up. Especially this next game against City, they're all going to have to play out of their skins if we're going to get a result. Speaker 1 (19:06) Colt, thank you so much. 08085 909693 is the number to call. Trav, Man City fan. Speaker 5 (19:14) Hello. Speaker 1 (19:14) How are you, Trev? Hello, Trev. Speaker 5 (19:16) How are you? Yeah, yeah. Just letting you know that the City fans are all behind what the chairman said and that we think we'll be right. Speaker 2 (19:28) Well, you think that... What do you mean you think you'll be right? What, you think you're in the right? Speaker 5 (19:34) Yeah, Speaker 2 (19:34) I think we're Speaker 5 (19:34) in the right. You Speaker 2 (19:34) think the Premier League are wrong? Speaker 5 (19:36) Yeah, 100 % I do with their elected independent panel. That made me laugh. Speaker 2 (19:45) So, Speaker 5 (19:46) why does that make you laugh with Speaker 2 (19:48) an independent panel? If an independent panel is an Speaker 5 (19:51) independent panel? Independent panel picked by the Premier League. Yeah, that's well independent, isn't it? You have a look who's on there. Who's on there then? Well, you've got to find out, haven't you? Have a look. Well, you just told me to have Speaker 2 (20:02) a Speaker 5 (20:02) look Speaker 2 (20:02) who's on there. I mean, I don't know. Enlighten me. Speaker 5 (20:06) Where Speaker 2 (20:06) can I get that? Do I Google Speaker 5 (20:08) that? Well, you lot seem to know everything about everything about our case. I'm sure you've not got it written down in front of you. Speaker 2 (20:17) No, I don't. Yeah, I don't know who the panel Speaker 5 (20:22) are. Michael, all Speaker 2 (20:22) you Speaker 5 (20:22) media now, like, what a pile on this is. It's an absolute joke. I tell you what, you're all, like, just kicking us, right? And I tell you, we'll come out the other end of it, and we'll have yous all. Speaker 2 (20:34) Myself and Robbie do not represent the Premier League. The Premier League, I think they used the phrase, a sham. They called it a sham. So you're saying the Premier League are so wrong with this. Speaker 5 (20:48) Yeah, that's such a professional word, isn't it? Do you know what? Wait till it gets to the high court, right? You know what I mean? And then we'll have our day. Speaker 2 (20:56) And in fairness, as a City fan, I think that Manchester City are saying that the claims are irrefutable, aren't they? So it's just for people. So myself and Robbie, you know, we