As COVID-19 postponements rampage through the Premier League, Charlie Eccleshare joins us to make sense of the league's willingness to include injuries and AFCON departures in their numbers, why they haven't aligned with other big European leagues in forcing through academy talent, why the rules mightn't change anytime soon, plus the sporting integrity going forward as teams face a packed schedule for the rest of the season. (40:00mins)

Elsewhere, we chat about Rafa Benitez's departure at Everton as he takes down the house along with him, why Everton won't find themselves out of dysfunction anytime soon and what makes Manchester City so...meh? We discuss Ken Early's piece that talks about City's perfection that has removed any jeopardy from their seasons.

And we lax lyrical on Adam Idah following his first Premier League goal this past weekend.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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The gang are back and where better to pick up than the FA Cup Third Round. We chat about Newcastle and Arsenal getting slayed, Caoimhin Kelleher's rise as Liverpool's #2 and why recent television exposure has put him on a bigger pedestal than ever, Evan Ferguson's remarkable rise at just 17 as he sees some Brighton action and why Aaron Connolly needs to strike now with Middlesbrough having failed to build on his early hype.

From 30mins, we're joined by Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) to chat about the 2021 African Cup of Nations - covering some of the big favourites, why Mo Salah needs a title to enter the conversation of Africa's greatest ever player and the style and tactical set-ups of the big contenders.

We also talk about why African managers haven't seen the same success in Europe as players, why European football's ignorance of the competition leaves them missing out and Owuraku tells us about Dublin's Roberto Lopes and why Cape Verde are no minnows at the tournament.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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Ralf Rangnick is in town and has turned United around overnight... or has he? We talk about United's win against Palace and how the Rangnick blueprint could look beyond this season. Divock Origi continues his cult hero status with aplomb against Wolves, Everton live to fight another day as Rafa seeks more power and the Bundesliga is just hotting up, despite what you might have heard.

In part two (from 43min) Emmet Gates is back to run the rule over all things Serie A, including the Milan sides leading the title race, Atalanta as perennial entertainers, lowly Juventus, Jose's struggles at Roma and why the latest financial controversies shouldn't be a Calciopoli repeat.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally met his end, we talk about United's lack of planning that has left them with no interim manager, pipe dreams of Pochettino and the problems the next guy will have to face to start turning things around at Old Trafford.

Also, there's talk on Liverpool's big win over Arsenal, Steven Gerrard's early new manager bounce at Villa and why Leicester might have been secretly happy to see United coming looking for Brendan Rodgers.

On matters closer to home, we talk about the buzz around the League of Ireland at the moment ahead of the massive FAI Cup final this weekend between Bohs and St Pats as well as the big week for Vera Pauw's charges in their quest for World Cup qualification.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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There's no stopping West Ham, not even Liverpool - we discuss what's so fragile about this Liverpool side and why David Moyes has West Ham ticking. We talk about the Manchester Derby as another week goes by with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future up in the air. And we take a look at Dean Smith's sacking at Aston Villa and if Steven Gerrard is really the man for the job. Plus, the upcoming Ireland games and if we can avenge the loss to Luxembourg.

In part 2 (from 48m) Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) joins to talk all things Spanish football as Xavi makes the inevitable move into the Barcelona hotseat. We'll see what his plan is to turn around Barcelona's fortunes and how long he'll get to do it. Also, why Real Sociedad are top of the league, how Karim Benzema is carrying Real Madrid and why Unai Emery decided to stay at Villareal after flirting with Newcastle.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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Ole goes from dead man walking to manager killer as Nuno Espirito Santo gets the bullet at Spurs. We discuss the past week at Manchester Utd, why Conte to Spurs makes more sense, Liverpool's midfield problems and why Graham Potter looks the real deal at an exciting Brighton. We also discuss Aaron Ramsdale proving us all wrong, Paddy Vieira's mighty Palace and why Andrew Omobamidele is in the Premier League to stay.

In part two (45mins), we're joined by Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) to talk about the League of Ireland season as Shamrock Rovers sealed a successive title at the weekend - we talk about Danny Mandriou, the title challengers who can threaten Rovers' thrown, Dundalk's problems, why RTE should be doing more for the domestic game, and we also talk about Macdara's new book 'From Ringsend to Tallaght', interviewing some key figures in the past 100 years at Shamrock Rovers.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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Liverpool and City played out a (second half) game for the ages, with Mo Salah confirming his status as Liverpool's greatest in the modern era. We discussed that, Rodri's brilliance, James Milner counting his lucky stars and why City's move for Grealish over Kane may become a recurring theme.

Also, there's chat about Solskjaer's future and his team selection against Everton, Leicester's struggles and why Brendan Rodgers is a Europa League manager who hates the Europa League.

And we take turns to laugh at Barcelona as well as take a look at Ireland ahead of the upcoming international break - and why the mood music is harboring good vibes for Kenny and his team.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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The gang unpack another big weekend of Premier League action, as a top four emerges amongst Manchester Utd after Cristiano Ronaldo's return and their big win against Newcastle, Liverpool as Mo Salah hits his 100th Premier League goal, City as they nick a win over hapless Leicester, and Chelsea as Romelu Lukaku resumes his role as flat-track bully.

Elsewhere, we wonder if Patrick Vieira can actually turn things around at Palace after his first win as manager and look ahead to the Champions League group stage which kicks off this week - including our infamous Dark Horse predictions for the campaign.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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Well, it was all going so well until Cristiano Ronaldo decided to show up and break Irish hearts with two awesome headers to snatch the win. Until then, there were plenty of positives to take as Gavin Bazunu denied Ronaldo from the spot, Andrew Omobamidele looked the part in an unexpected debut, Josh Cullen and Matt Doherty delivered fine performances and Adam Idah led the line like a well travelled #9.

To unpack the game, look at who wasn't involved and wax lyrical about the U21s, Evan Ferguson and some of the young talent coming through, we're joined by Ronan Calvert (@KennysKids).

Please excuse some audio gremlins for the host, which miraculously fixed themselves mid-way through the recording.

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Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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The lads unpack a manic few days in the football and transfer front, with Cristiano Ronaldo's seismic return to Manchester Utd the headliner. We're joined by Daniel Harris to see what the transfer means for the club, our moral compasses and the expectations for the club this season with his impactful return (from 51mins).

On the Premier League front, we talk Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea and if Liverpool's lack of transfer activity could put paid to an extended title challenge. We consider the Paul Pogba tackle that had Souness fuming, Arsenal's utterly absymal form that has then drawing comparisons to Derby of 07/08, plus there's the Irish international break and what we can hope to get out of the upcoming games as well as the fantastic news over the Equal Pay announcement.

Please subscribe, review and support the show!

Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.