Spurs beat Coventry to win first PL game of the season | Paper Talk

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Sky Sports Paper Talk on Spurs' first win, Manchester United's media gag, Infantino's future and Ronaldo's fine

The show runs through the morning papers, focusing on Spurs' 3-1 win over Coventry and what it says about their season and summer spending, the row over Manchester United players being barred from media duties, and the UEFA-FIFA battle over Infantino. It later turns to Manchester City's injury issues and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal sanction, with the guests arguing that Spurs can build on the win, United's gag is counterproductive, Infantino may still survive and Ronaldo's fine is laughably light.

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Transcript

Charlie Wyatt. Welcome to you both guys. Thanks for being here. Let's quickly run you through a few of the back pages, shall we? Starting here with the Guardian, which has the pitch there of Spurs victory in the Monday Night Football. That 3-1 win. Mammush the uh the pitcher there, the main pitcher. And then the story about Serena Begin, of course, getting her new contract as well. Elsewhere, the star has that win on its back page. But the headline that really catches the eye there is gagged. Man United banning stars from talking to the press. Meanwhile, the Telegraph's back page has the story of UEFA's two-week deadline to FIFA President Giani Infantino demanding answers relating to his governance and decisionmaking. So, plenty of big stories in the morning's papers, but let's start uh with the the the story that Tottenham fans will be delighted about. The Spurs have got to win the Monday Night Football. Spurs beating Comry 3-1. It is their first victory of the season and uh reflected in all of the back pages as you would expect. Um Sam Charlie, thanks for being with us on the show. Sam, we'll start with you. Uh very important win for Spurs and Roberto Deserby. >> Yeah, absolutely. Obviously, this is a huge moment in their season. It's that first win. and it's that springboard they hope and crucially I think it's the first time this season that the Spurs fans have watched a game of football and had something to feel good about um namely James Madison scoring a great goal coming back into the team and impressing and also Dejan Kulleski coming back after more than 500 days out injured such a torturous journey for him everyone knows I think how painful that's been how many setbacks there have been and to get him back on you could hear the cheers just watching it through TV and I'm sure being there it was uh would have been spine tingling stuff to see that reaction that he got and I think when he first touched the ball the crowd was as loud for that as they were for any of the three goals that Spurs scored. Um obviously there is a caveat in that the performance itself I don't think was particularly exciting or thrilling or perhaps what the Spurs fans would have expected after the team went away on that 4-day bonding trip to Marba. But at this point of the campaign, given the start to the season that Spurs have had, getting a win was really all that mattered. And to do so with Madison scoring and Kulisi coming back, I think this is for the first time in a long time something for Spurs fans to feel good about and hopefully from their side of things for the club to build upon. >> Yeah, Charlie. I mean, as Sam's saying, so many positives from the night, not just the three points, Kulleski's return, Madison's goal, and also Mammoo getting his first goal after that sort of big move from Man City. It was just it was a night where everything that Spurs fans would have been hoping for happened. >> Yeah, loads of good stories and and and also right at the end, I don't think anyone was more surprised than Ben Davis to see him score as well. I mean, what a great servant he's been for Tottenham, you know, to 12 years. But as you say, you know, Marmush needed that. He didn't play particularly well, but that doesn't matter. It was a big goal for him. Of course, the secret possessed with your back as well, but James Madison, it initially was his night. And it just the the look on his face after he scored that goal. Let's not forget, you know, he he started his career at Coventry. He loves Coventry. He's gone to watch Comry games. So, in many respects, I really respect the fact that he actually celebrated the goal. I can't stand it when players, you know, refuse to celebrate against former clubs. um you know as a show of respect that was massive for Madison and the Tottenham fans love him and I was really pleased that you know he could let his emotions go and and savor a moment he must have been uh dreaming of for well he he has been dreaming of for a year and a half because he's had a nightmare Spurs have had a nightmare as well serve their fans they're going to be absolutely fine this season I'm sure but equally they've got a lot of work to do >> yeah they travel to Chelsea in the next game and and and like Charlie says Sam Madison and you said it right at the very start not just the goal but you could see it in his face the celebration it it was it was just the culmination of such hard work to get back on the field and he could have been such an important player for Spurs in recent times but he's not been available his return just just feels massive for the club doesn't it? Yeah, absolutely. And I think because that they've spent so much money on new players, especially in midfield, and there's been so much focus on the change of managers and the change of style of play and all these new faces coming in, I think people have kind of forgotten how important Madison is to that Spurs team. And I don't think enough has been made of his absence and and the correlation between that and Spurs difficulties in recent times. So him coming back in, let's not forget, is an England international. I know he's not been a regular starter for England, but he's always been in and around the squad or the fringes of it. He's at really the highest level of the game as as a number 10, and that's what Spurs need. They need that creativity. They need that link between the attack and the midfield. And I think having him back and fit could be well, Spurs fans will certainly hope represents kind of a key moment and perhaps a turning point because in in theory, he should suit Deser's style of play quite nicely. a technical player. He can he can find pockets of space in between the lines and that's what Spurs have been lacking a bit. And for him to come back to score such a wonderful Madisonesque goal, I think it's uh it's obviously great news for Spurs and especially for him. >> Charlie, it's mainly Mamoosh that takes the headlines on the pages. It's Mamush's face on most of them. Um I I just I just wonder after the summer was Spurs spending so much money, there was a lot of speculation about whether that money had been wisely spent. So, I mean, I I I guess that the whole club from top to bottom will be delighted that Mim gets gets a goal and uh you know, because we're still working out whether they've had a good summer or a bad summer really, aren't we, in the transfer market, it's hard to tell at this stage, but certainly that Moosh goal uh gives him and and the sort of the the summer spending a boost as well. >> Yeah, he needed that. I mean, I don't think they, you know, did have a great summer by just look at where where they were at the league table until tonight. you know, they've over spent. They've done some bad business. They've signed some better players, some stronger players. Of course, they're going to be better than they were last season. They have to be otherwise they get relegated because the other thing is that, you know, the promoted teams, as we've seen again tonight, they're all all right. I think I should stay up. I think Hull have got a chance and commentary despite their difficult sort of opening games, you know, they're a decent team and they could stay up as well. So, you know, the the teams like Sunderland, you know, like Fulham, you they do face a fight. Tottenham will be okay. When they spent all this money, 300 million, I think lots of fans thought, right, that's going to be us back in the Champions League. Realistically, I don't think that's going to happen, but at the very least, um Tottenham surely are not going to have another relegation fight. >> Okay. Well, Spurs fans will be hoping you're right, Charlie, and uh if they build on this result, then they certainly won't. But I want to ask you both about this o other story which is on a lot of the back pages regarding Manchester United and their stars being banned from speaking to the likes of you two. Um so I mean what do you make of this? Gagged is is is the headline in a number of newspapers. Sam, I'll start with you there again. I mean uh I mean it all comes off the back of this Landro Martinez rant which he had and uh clearly the club not happy according to these reports. Yeah, I mean this is just bizarre really. It's bizarre behavior from the club I think. I mean the the Landro Martinez story was obviously a massive story last week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then Carrick really tried to put it to bed um I think on Friday in his pre-match press conference and I'm sure the hope within Old Trafford was that that marked the end of it and the discussion around Martinez would would stop and then they get the the draw at Leads which is by no means a disastrous result given their start to the campaign and then and then here we are again. And the Martinez story keeps going. It's got more oxygen. The flames keep going. And it's all because, as is reported here, and as Bruno Fernandez has claimed after the match, the United players were told not to speak, which firstly, what sort of message does that send from the club about their faith in their players? I mean I mean not that Charlie and I want people to be p pouring any sort of cold water on good stories but the best way to do that is to answer one question saying everything's fine we've moved on no problems by saying I'm not allowed to talk to you it creates a whole new debate changes the dynamic yet again and brings the whole thing back to light and again it paints this idea or it certainly creates the image that the players aren't particularly happy with what's going on above them. It looks like a complaint. We've been gagged. >> So, it just feels remarkable. That would be the approach. >> Yeah. Charlie, what what are your thought thoughts on this? I mean, it's not the first time that players have walked through a mix zone, I guess, and refused to speak to whoever's there holding the microphone, but I mean, it's certainly on the back of this Landra Martinez story and for players to be suggesting that they're not allowed to speak to the media. What are your thoughts? >> Look, it's not a huge surprise. We we've we've seen it many many times before. Is it a bit paranoid? Yes, of course it is. It puts more pressure on the player who's going to have to speak tomorrow ahead of their Champions League game on Wednesday because then that there's going to be even more focus. We obviously don't know which player it's going to be yet. But our colleagues who um will be covering that game uh in in KO will will obviously you be having to get stuck into the player. So, you know, the issue is not going to go away. United just need to get a run of results. Um it was yeah there's some promising signs against leads. Um and yeah but I it's yeah stop players from from talking you you know if they're 18 or 19 year olds I totally get it but you know we've got some you know a few players in their 30s like Harry Maguire and I think they're perfectly capable of handling themselves. Charlie, I'll ask you that. You were saying there were some promising signs against Lee's, but Jamie Carragher said it was like watching Amarim's Manchester United. You know, he was quite critical of the performance. Uh I mean, clearly not the same side, Charlie, that Michael Carrick had towards the end of last season at the moment, are they? >> No. And you know that they're lacking belief. I think that's pretty obvious. Again, going back to what Martin said last week. Um you know, did they need to to buy better in the summer? You know, of course they did. You know, there there's absolutely no doubt about that. They've got to finish in the top five. Manchester United. Uh I think it's going to they're going to find it tough because teams like Brighton Brighton are going to finish in the Champions League in the Champions League spot, I think. Uh so it's going to be really difficult for United to to sort of, you know, rediscover uh the form they show the end of last season. But equally, I I'm certainly not in the in in the Caracount camp. Uh I I think along with Steve Holland, uh I I think they're safe pair of hands. Maybe not totally exciting. Uh but I I I think they'll be okay this season. >> Okay, so Manchester United in safe hands, says Charlie. But what about FIFA? Let's talk about that. The back page of the Daily Telegraph. Uh this ongoing story here. Uh here's the headline. Infantino's two week deadline to come clean and it's all about the fallout between UEFA and FIFA. Uh Sam, what are your thoughts on this? >> Yeah, so this is the story which follows on from last week when the the FA put a lot of pressure on Infantino to release documents related to the various scandals in which he was involved in the summer. And now that's been followed up by UEFA who have sent a written demand which includes 42 questions on the various controversies that Infantino has been dealing with. um including as everyone I'm sure is aware the the plan to effectively sell off the World Cup, the following Balagan red card scandal during the tournament and then also the the FIFA peace prize given to Donald Trump which I think is uh safe to say raised a few eyebrows across the world of football and in the world of politics. So effectively this is the latest installment in the battle between UEFA and FIFA. What UEFA want is for FIF for Infantino to be dethroned and to be removed in the presidential election which takes place next year. Obviously, Infantino doesn't want that and he has plenty of support around the world, just not from Europe. But the big question here really is not so much in my opinion whether he answers these questions with the relevant documents or not because I would suspect he's not going to do that. But the question is who is going to stand against him if anyone because as of right now at the time of speaking no one has come forward. UEFA have not put forward a candidate and the deadline for that is in a month I think a month yesterday. So they're going to need to do so pretty soon uh if there's going to be anyone to challenge him. It does seem strange that a few months ago it seemed like he was absolutely finished really that he couldn't survive the scandals he had become embroiled in. But now we're sitting here and thinking he actually might have the votes and he as it stands as I say he has no opposition. So this one keeps rumbling on and I think this UEFA letter is is the next kind of power play in that battle in that war between the two. >> Charlie I how how is this going to be resolved? Is there a danger this fallout between UEFA and FIFA could spell the end for for a World Cup for European teams or could it get to that point or how do you think it'll all resolve itself? >> Well, we've had threats before, you know, about about when it first blew up the the situation after the World Cup about the European teams not taking part in in FIFA tournaments. Look, this this November the the second deadline's a bit strange because it's just it's a false deadline, isn't it? You know, FIFA aren't going to care. I'll be stunned if they bother replying because all of a sudden, Infantino is in a strong position again. Uh and you know, as Sam said, you know, there doesn't seem to be any realistic candidate uh that's going to challenge Infantino. So, it just looks as though he's going to, you know, just just overcome the storm where I think we all thought, you know, he he was toast and and we would be getting someone in his place. So, he ludicrously despite what's happened, he's still seems to be in quite a strong position, which I still can't really work out. So UEFA are trying absolutely everything and I don't blame them as well because they've obviously you know quite right to take the moral high ground uh with you know some of the questionable decisions uh to say the least over the last year or so. Uh but Infantino now looks to be a stayer I think. >> Okay guys, thank you very much. Look, we're going to take a very quick break now, but when we come back, we'll look at more of these uh huge stories that are making the morning's papers, including another story on the back of the times. You can see there at the top right, Portugal ban for Ronaldo as Cristiano Ronaldo is suspended by the Portuguese FA for leaving the national team camp following a rift with coach Jesus. But can't wait to tell you the fine, by the way. and uh he will also be available for their next match as well. Uh, more on that next. Hey there. Welcome back to Paper Talk and a big welcome back as well to the Suns chief football correspondent Charlie Wyatt and Sam Dean, football reporter for the Telegraph. Uh guys, we're we're taking you through all of the morning headlines and this story about Manchester City, Charlie, and um their injury problems that that they've got at the moment. Um I mean, it would appear that uh they're struggling to to field some some key players. >> Yeah, I mean they'll still be all right to get a team out, won't they? You look what they're able to call on. But yeah, Simeo's a blow. um two months it seems or up to two months. Um today said that at one stage they feared it could have been even worse. So it does sound as though they were in many respects quite relieved. You know he's you know become a big player for them. And of course the other the other name uh the main name is is Harland. So he still might play. Um but although he wasn't in training, it would be ridiculous to to to risk him, wouldn't it? So, it wouldn't surprise me despite the claims that he could be featuring for them if if he sits this one out. They don't need him. Uh because, you know, City are obviously going to comfortably qualify um for the knockout stages of the Champions League. That's that that's the the main problem with this round three. There's not too much jeopardy certainly for team not for teams like Arsenal and City. So, when it comes to injured players, it'd be, you know, bonkers to to risk any of them. >> Yeah. I I mean Sam Charlie is absolutely right. It's not like the short of options, but you know, if if any team can cope with a a bit a mini injury crisis, it would be Manchester City. But Harland is an interesting one because if he and and Charlie's right, they would they would be mad to risk him. If they do lose Harland, he's probably the one position, he's probably one player in there that is irreplaceable. So, they wouldn't want to take any risks on on whatever kept him away from training. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And obviously I totally agree with Charlie, but the one thing I would say is that as you said in your question, they're not completely stacked with options at center forward. I I think it would probably be Semeno is the first backup to Harland and he's not really a proper number nine. So if Harland is out for any length of time beyond just being given the night off tomorrow then that would be a really big um kind of restructure for the whole team really and the options at Enza's disposal aren't that many for that particular position which does sound a bit strange given it's Manchester City and for how long we know they've had this great depth for. Um, I do wonder if it might open up a window of opportunity for Phil Foden to return to that full nine position he played in a few years ago in that sort of um preh Harland existence that City had. And that could be interesting for him as as a chance to get a run of games in the team, which obviously he's not had, not been on great form this season, but got a goal the other day and looked a bit better. So potentially could be a chance for Foden to get some more minutes in a different position closer to goal. But yeah, it is a strange situation where City, as we know, such a such a strong squad, but that number nine position is is one they've not really got huge backup for. And I think that speaks a lot to just having Harland and his re