Five-a-side

Author: Five-aside

This is the Five-a-side pod, essentially a futbol podcast although once in a while we will delve into other topics such as lifestyle, social/political issues, history etc
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Language: en

Genres: Soccer, Sports

Contact email: Get it

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Nothing Worse Than a Failed Hate Watch| Five Aside x SoccertakeswithAK
Episode 55
Sunday, 1 February, 2026

This episode kicks off with failed hate-watching therapy, quickly turning into a deep dive on the Premier League weekend. The panel breaks down Spurs vs City’s bizarre momentum swing, questions whether Pep Guardiola has lost his obsessive edge, and debates whether the league’s famed “intensity” is overstated.From there, the conversation shifts to Manchester United’s resurgence, the sustainability of Bruno-centric football, and whether United are repeating old cycles. Liverpool’s evolution away from Salah takes center stage, with praise for Konaté, Wirtz, and Liverpool’s new attacking identity.Chelsea’s comeback against West Ham sparks debate about tactics vs mentality, while Arsenal’s dominant win at Elland Road raises title-race implications. The episode closes with heated arguments about Virgil van Dijk’s place among the greatest defenders ever, ending on classic Five Aside banter and chaos.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Weekend Check-In00:45 – Hate Watching Fails Across the League02:35 – Spurs vs Man City: First-Half Disaster04:20 – Tactical Breakdown: Back Five Gone Wrong06:45 – Pep Guardiola: Burnout or Evolution?09:10 – Has Pep Lost His Obsession?12:00 – “Non-Pep” Signings & Quick Fix Football15:30 – Man United vs Fulham: Confidence Is Back18:10 – Is This a New-Manager Bounce?21:30 – Bruno Fernandes Dependency Problem25:00 – United’s Ceiling vs Long-Term Identity30:00 – Stability vs Short-Term Success Debate33:50 – Liverpool vs Newcastle Breakdown36:30 – Konaté, Emotion & Elite Defending40:30 – Is Van Dijk the Best Defender Ever?45:30 – Liverpool Without Salah at the Center48:45 – Chelsea vs West Ham: Tactics or Mentality?54:30 – Chelsea Squad Depth Reality Check58:40 – Arsenal at Elland Road: Statement Win01:03:30 – Title Race Implications01:06:30 – Best Player of the Weekend Picks