It wasn't much to write home about, but Junya Ito's goals saw Japan win both of their November qualifiers 1-0 away, and in part 1 of this week's podcast, we talk about the Samurai Blue's ongoing struggles under Hajime Moriyasu, while also discussing the personnel at his disposal, and how they might be better deployed if the manager is kept on, or ultimately replaced (to 37:15).

Part 2 looks ahead to Saturday's J1 Matchday 36, with a huge relegation six-pointer on the slate up in Sendai as last chance saloon time looms for several of the drop zone occupants.