Why The FA Cup Is Magic & The Pleasure of VAR’s Absence | EP 66

Why did we see so few big Cup upsets at the weekend? Are the big teams taking the FA Cup more seriously? Do we prefer watching games without VAR?
Gary, Alan and Micah review the best of the action from the FA Cup 3rd Round and suggest a solution for the use of VAR going forward.
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00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
02:00 - Newcastle & Sunderland
04:20 - Arsenal vs Liverpool
08:40 - The Wrong End of an Upset
09:40 - Something For Fans To Chew On
12:00 - Gary's Leicester Upset
15:00 - The Time Micah Actually Scored
16:22 - The Magic of the FA Cup
21:18 - More Match Recap
22:28 - Rivalries
24:32 - No VAR
30:00 - Closing Analysis

[@MrMusic238]

"leapt like a salad" Micah Richards 2024 😂

[@PazLeBon]

absolute terrible analogy and people think its funny , thats funnier lol

[@jameshoward-white2288]

Come on BIG Leaks!!! 🥕🥦🥬🥒

[@owlhouse53]

Leapt like a 🥗

[@jamstermtb6331]

😂😂

[@thebagelsproductions]

​@PazLeBon it's usually "leapt like a salmon" it's funny cos he's messed it up

[@bantamNeil12]

Love Big Al when he said "I can't say this on the BBC but F**k off!!!"...😂😂😂 Absolutely love u 3 and your podcasts...Never miss an episode 😍👏🏻⚽️

[@w1ntersea]

we all heard it, no need to say it again

[@bantamNeil12]

@@w1ntersea = 🛎🔚

[@AM2K2]

Alan 'Arsenal should be 10-0 up' Shearer

[@aotea6983]

With their 1.89 xg. He watches a different game when liverpool play!

[@Yourfuckinslow]

@@aotea6983ahh another fool who focuses on stats. Watch the actual match next time buddt

[@finnredmond3192]

He hates Liverpool

[@thomasphillips997]

I think they all have a disliking for Liverpool

[@jammybizzle666]

​@@aotea69831.89 in what? The first 5 minutes? They should have scored 4

[@NECinho]

I think if you're of a certain age there's definitely something about the "magic of the cup". However they should stop having the semis at wembley. Get them back to neutral grounds, only the final should he at wembley.

[@bantamNeil12]

Totally agree...Wembley should be the "Holy Grail" as it formerly was...👏🏻👏🏻

[@NECinho]

@@bantamNeil12 also playing a semi at a neutral ground, added something too. I remember united v Oldham at maine road in 90, two epic matches. And the Liverpool v Palace 4-3 at villa park. Something about two teams playing at a neutral venue. I'm a bit of a traditionalist and an FOC!! 👴

[@user-zl3bh9cz4h]

100 % agree I only said this to my brother yesterday. I watched stoke batter Bolton there but going back to final i wasn't so buzzed to go Wembley having gone there in the semi final.

[@Seagull6819]

Does anybody find being told before the draw what number ball a club is monumentally irritating!

[@abrokemp2370]

In Australian Rugby League (NRL) they have a thing called captains challenge. If a team believes a call is wrong, the captain can challenge and if the team making the challenge is wrong they lose their challenge and can’t make any more challenges. However, if the team is correct, the call on the field is rectified and the team gets to keep their challenge and can continue to make additional captain’s challenges throughout the game. It appears to work in the NRL, would be cool to see it implemented into the EPL

[@AshHayes-qh1ke]

No wonder no one has heard of it

[@garyphillips006]

"Leapt like a salad" "a wet lettuce" That has to be the highlight of this entire podcast, I have tears 🤣🤣

[@PazLeBon]

i dont get it, when do lettuces leap?

[@skzcnt]

He misspoke. Was meant to say 'leapt like a salmon'@@PazLeBon

[@PazLeBon]

@@skzcnt pmsl no I know, i 'got it all and spat my coffee out too but i still find the leapt like a wet lettuce hilarious but actually a terrible analogy, that just tickles me :)

[@tropicaltrev1617]

@@PazLeBonit’s not an analogy, it’s a metaphor!

[@PazLeBon]

@@tropicaltrev1617 it is, i felt wrong when i said it, couldnt find the word haha

[@palmeraj70]

Love Micah's descriptions of himself, bursting through, marauding, gladiatorial, etc.. He might've been an average player, but he's developed his powers of storytelling immensely 😉😂 Great pod, as always 👏👏👏

[@lstapleton6639]

Agree with Alan.. grew up watching FA Cup Final day morning til after game ... regardless of who was playing ... was a special day 🎉

[@C33Fernandez]

As a Coventry boy, I understood the magic of the FA Cup and Coventry's win in 1987, even being born in '94 to immigrant parents. It was celebrated here a lot back then even if it's less so nowadays. If you guys keep talking highly about the FA Cup, it's hard for us to forget how important it is. So I'll encourage you guys keep it up with your stories and sentiments - It makes a difference!

[@hartshaped]

"and out of nowhere, leapt like a salad!" 😅 He actually said "Salan" but still, I think he had "Alan" on the brain 🤣

[@solo3dits]

I love Gary's idea of a Challenge for each side to trigger VAR, similar to how Tennis does it I suppose, would bring a tactical side to VAR for the teams - and stops the re-refereeing of our beautiful game! As a Boro fan in the Championship, I would much rather accept that sometimes decisions go for you, and against you in equal measure - than have to live with VAR!

[@lawrencebaker1811]

As long as you get the challenge back if you were correct

[@n4ht4n80]

Cricket aswell, you get three appeals, if your correct and the decision gets overturned you keep that appeal

[@jordanb966]

That’s pointless as you’re still relying on the ref giving the correct decision

[@matt2585]

It's a good idea because they won't let go of VAR, gives them more jobs for their referees and they have invested too much in it. Plus most of us were asking for it before it came in and it's a case of be careful what you wish for. If they cold scale it downlike this that's the best we can hope for I think

[@simon-iv9sm]

I am the same age and even the same birthday as Gary and growing up in Holland we used to watch the FA cup matches and our highlight was watching the FA cup final at Wembley, and it was every boys dream to one day play at Wembley

[@iggyboy2805]

Another great episode lads and I'm in agreement with Gary about VAR I think 1 challenge each team in each half is a great shout should definitely be considered

[@joyco6693]

ive been saying the same thing about var for years gary!, ive never understood why its not like cricket you get 2 reviews, if your right you keep it and if your wrong you loose it and it resets each half always made the most sense to me, i also think that offsides should have an umpires call equivilant when its so close you should keep the onfield decision.

[@stuartheyburn8741]

Couldn’t agree more with the 1 or 2 challenges per game.👍

[@chrismadge5472]

I agree with Alan about Liverpool using Clark and Bradley, and giving them a chance to play, just look at how well Bradley kept Martinelli in his pocket for the time they had left in the game, not many seasoned players do it that well, fair play to the lad, he was great to watch.

[@JAY1892]

37:36 This is just one of the reasons I enjoy this show, they grass each other up. “Look at Micah laughing.” Alan stirring sh*t up is hilarious. 😂

[@TheWrightTimes]

Leapt like a salad. Omg how funny. Really need a show reel of all the funny things like that.

[@HaydnaterV]

Been saying VAR needs to be more like tennis for ages! 1 challenge per half for each team sounds great to me

[@mulzer_xxx5857]

My favourite times of the week is seeing a new episode of this out

[@james.3352]

Absolutely bang on about VAR I've often commented the exact same as your idea in comments in past podcasts that VAR has and is being used incorrectly. Almost in some cases now tactically. Yes teams should get 1 review at the most per half for extreme cases forget the offsides by a toe or elbow etc (ridiculous) what a waste of time they are taking away the excitement and pure thrill of a goal in our beloved game. That has to be the way forward next season. It definitely VAR needs to go to VAR and be reviews overturned and used exactly what it was brought in for. The missed hand of God or the Henry handball etc etc do your best Gary

[@aj5690]

Not enough credit has been given to Liverpools defending. Arsenal were cutting through midfield but liverpools back 4 made it very hard for them to score.

[@mrbgpg8459]

Best podcasts and best trio ever..

[@curtis915]

Surprised there was no mention of Calvert-Lewin's shambles of a red card. Would have been a good point to bring up in the no VAR discussion

[@andrewharrison7767]

especially as that was a var call

[@barrieroberts75]

It has been overturned this afternoon, it was a joke

[@Sigma1_969]

You guys are such a good laugh... Micahs laugh almost broke my speakers. Arsenal now falling apart, need a striker at least. Newcastle suffering and likely won't recover and get into top 6. Klopp is a genius.. here's a guy who has enough confidence in two kids to come on and just play thier game and not care about the result, and still get the deserved result. It is pure class, desire and the determination to get the job done. There are lots of reasons why Liverpool are in on 4 trophies, Klopps desire and confidence is top of the list...and it shows.

[@psumwahn6281]

Great suggestion on VAR!

[@Northumberlandgeordie]

Alan there was another north east lad on the Liverpool bench, James McConnell is from Morpeth 👍

[@worldsbestidiot7110]

Gary “before we start” Lineker

[@Futu-XT250]

Looking forward for another episode of The Rest Is Salad 😂

[@chrismadge5472]

Hi Guys, another great podcast yet again all dressed up nicely by Micah lol. Two things . . . . . . .1 is VAR, like Gary said an appeal system . . . i been shouting about it for over a year now, where the Captain of each side can challenge the on field decision and ask for VAR, or for the decision to be looked at from a different angle . . .how many times has VAR got it wrong?, So if they had 2 challenges per team per half allowed, that would clear up a lot of the decisions made. 2nd Simplify the rules, stop them being so verly technical with different interpretations, and we have had a load of them, especially Handball . . . if it touches your arm or hand at all, even accidentally, then it is handball. that is one out of the way and the game moves on . . . . . .also offside . . .how can someones arm be offside, when, it is the one thing in football, you cannot use, surely the measurement has to be from either the Head or feet. It is clearer no fuss rules. Everything gets done quicker. One more thing . . . . .The Goal line from the goalposts with small inserted infrared sensors could judge if a ball was over the line or not, with a beeper or trembler device for the ref etc. Keep up the great work Ciao . .Chris..

[@timetide5961]

Still need another Shearer Right Foot at The Toon ! Shearer - Ferdinand, Asprilla - Galespie Link up ! If VAR was there in your time guys do you think your careers would have been the same ?

[@davidphillips4302]

When I was growing up, the FA Cup was seen as the Grand Final of the season. It was the highlight and had so much prestige. In recent years, that has been eroded. Hopefully with trams taking it seriously again (and playing their strongest teams), it can regain some of its former glory.

[@ajaya2710]

The fact the Europa League qualification is now decently serious money (almost 100 million apparently if you win it all including TV stuff) means that every top table and even lower mid table Premier Team would be eyeing it to secure that extra European revenue as a safety net should the league gets even more muddled and equalized at everything below the top 4-5.

[@stephenwilkie4304]

Brilliant banter this 👍👍👍👍

[@gauravgill8889]

poor micah doesnt have enough stories, bless him x

[@mattsmith4589]

26:52 Smart man Gary has been watching the NBA challenge rules it would be perfect for Football

[@kd5973]

Liverpool were playing without 4 regular starters and a 20 year old CB who was told the night before he would be playing instead of VVD. It took them 45 minutes to figure themselves out with a new team that hadnt played together before at an 11 and then they had Arsenal’s number. Not one shot on target for Arsenal in the 2nd half.

[@waynecarter2169]

The thing with the bar at the Stadium of Light, apparently the thinking behind it wasn't to welcome Newcastle fans. They thought that the Newcastle fans would be less likely to smash the bar up if it was decorated with Newcastle stuff. Massive lack of judgement and allegedly the person responsible has been let go earlier today

[@noooname2568]

Should of had a pay rise 😂

[@boxedbyexoticz3761]

class love to see big al in the away end with the likes of solano and ryan taylor this weekend love to see al do that

[@michaelkneale3825]

Love the podcast. Micha has a great sense of humour.

[@ResiliencePhysiotherapy]

I wonder if they'll discuss the united penalty last night with the same energy as the Jota penalty

[@mattsmith4589]

20:03😭😂💀💀😭😭 Thank god for this Trio

[@BlackWhite-lj4qb]

Harlow boy here. Thanks for that information 🤪

[@iangilmartin810]

The point about challenges if you check my emails this year, ive been saying that 2 challenge flags per game per team & 2 extra second refs 1 per half to help the current ref

[@Itskevooo17]

City's squad players were looking fantastic yesterday. Nunes, Rico, etc

[@matthewrichardson1461]

Agree with the challenge system it would help so much

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

The appeal system exactly like that has been in place in the NFL for years and works very well. Appeal goes in your favour you get to keep it otherwise you lose it.

[@user-fn4um5sj6d]

Arsenal shaded 1st half…. But no one ever get past Konate. Liv took them to cleaners in second half with 10 shots to 5!

[@cookieshooky]

Best trio, as always!

[@NukeRabbit]

That thing about VAR…I was thinking about that even before VAR was introduced. Three challenges a game and that’s it. When you use them that’s it…whatever referee says.

[@frasierfreak92]

Btw, the reason teams are now playing stronger sides in the Domestic Cups? Because of 5 subs in the PL. Much easier to rotate players now when you can take four off and still have an injury sub. Shame pundits argued against it for so long!

[@elliottgoodall9467]

Best football podcast out there 💙

[@nate_wil]

VAR challenge is brilliant. As long as the rest of var is scaled back to only that and automated offsides. Replays need to be at full speed. No slowing down. If you need to slow it down, stick with the decision on the field VAR ONLY gets triggered by the managers challenge.

[@williamhargrave9202]

Brilliant😎

[@Joels95]

Rip Franz Beckenbauer 🙏

[@bantamNeil12]

R.I.P "The Kaiser" 🙏⚽️💕

[@PazLeBon]

hes german man

[@g-e9513]

On the note of VAR, me personally I would actually scrap the on field ref and have a group of refs watching the game from different camera angles, then there’s no pressure on the ref and the var room aren’t protecting the ref. A group of 4 2 refs 2 ex players watching the game would be much better I think

[@colincampbell4261]

Luv you guys.

[@jackstanton7293]

Good to see another 10 mins on Newcastle

[@BaggySu]

VAR Challenge is a great idea!!

[@Aaron_French]

This pod has all of the magic that the crouch pod used to have.

[@lescorlett4133]

If ever there was an advert for why football doesn't need VAR it was this weekend's. Excitement, end to end attacks, goal celebrations, crowds going mental the way they're supposed to. Let's face facts, the beautiful game was back if only for a couple of days and it was brilliant.

[@n4ht4n80]

I don’t mind the fa cup it just doesn’t feel the same anymore. Upsets rarely ever happen and you just tend to end up with big clubs playing teenagers and reserves and walking through smaller teams

[@mattsmith5421]

What are you on about upsets never happen anymore our town Chorley were in tier 6 or 7 when they beat Wigan 1st round Peterborough 2nd round derby 3rd round and narrowly lost 0-1 at home to wolves in the 4th round. It was what the fa cup is about.

[@adrianburder1691]

Thoroughly enjoyed every fa cup game with no VAR much more flow to all the games

[@newyjetvidz9009]

The problem with the challenge is it will be used as another time wasting tactic - if you have one up your sleeve and are 1-0 up in a tight game, why not use it in injury time for the smallest of incidents? Type of thing Jose would do.

[@Markoski1986]

Like in Tennis and Cricket the team should be given a number of chances to appeal and that’s it. Otherwise VAR will ref every moment in the game ruining the flow and atmosphere

[@dreamer2355]

“Rest Is Salad” 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@davidclarke9783]

I'm an old school Liverpool fan going back to Shanks.. but I think the FA cup is not as it used to be,, the magic is not the same .. I'm turning into a grumpy old man like Victor Meldrew

[@bantamNeil12]

"I don't believe it"...😉😂🤭

[@neilmiller6214]

lol. Shearer was a legend! Fucking great player. So was lineker! Micah seems a nice bloke 😂

[@gileslloyd4953]

You need to change the 'Arsenal vs Liverpool' chapter to just 'Arsenal'. Nothing about Liverpool at all in that section...

[@user-do1wv3ve1n]

Apart from the Sunderland defender scoring an own goal then giving a pen, it could've been a more nervous game

[@2headedboii]

Definitely gonna have to put Leapt like a salad into my lexicon.. im dead 💀

[@chrismiller6317]

Gary Don’t forget the replays for Forest Luton West Ham they are not through yet

[@clivewilkins9548]

VAR as Alan said! 30 seconds, no lines, it has to be clear and obvious, maybe stays on the pitch

[@johnjemmerson520]

Shearer keeps saying that Newcastle battered the Mackems when they were actually gifted the 3 goals. Every goal came from a Sunderland mistake.

[@lettucebee8425]

Bamford's goal reminded me of Gazza's goal against Scotland.

[@jsss3604]

Unreal goal but was nothing like Gazza's.

[@lettucebee8425]

​ @jsss3604 For me its the way the defender slips matched with perfect touch . Pure class 🙂

[@KellySmuts22]

Pedro Porro’s goal was a 🚀

[@samuelhughes7252]

Love the videos, and the three of you.. But as a red watching and listening Shearer commentate it was painful, it was like he had a vendetta against Liverpool, praised arsenal over and over and analysed their attacks and then when it came to Liverpool just a word or two. Is he still salty from the Newcastle game. Come on Al. YNWA

[@EllaMastrantonio-xd5hg]

Can you keep the pod uncensored, gives it that much more entertainment 😂

[@nellypringle2875]

I was pretty annoyed by the red and white stripes versus the black and white stripes in the Tyne-Wear (it certainly felt that way around) derby. Why were they both in their home shirts?! It was horrible to watch on TV at times and I'm surprised there weren't more stray passes in the game. I remember the Stevenage game, Shearer was not long back from his awful injury (97-98 season) and they properly went for us. We got to the final that year, then lost to that league-winning Arsenal team with Bergkamp, Anelka, Overmars, Petit, Vieira, etc. The FA Cup is still a great competition and the history of it is amazing. The league was sort of an afterthought really - formed because the players were going to turn professional and extra games were needed to justify it. I'm really glad that terrestrial TV has the FA Cup this year and can make a suitably big deal of it.

[@MsButterflygirl101]

"A Salmon salad" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Samafterhours]

Enjoyed forgetting about VAR Thought what have we done to the beautiful game

[@peterww3106]

Mika Biereth. Mark my words. Costs nothing. Third striker Last 15 minutes. Perfect.

[@wiltonmcdonald2399]

Micah! I will now try a salad 🥗 salmon 🍣 recipe.

[@leonwilks4114]

Since when was Shrewsbury n Wrexham a Derby, Wrexham should count themselves lucky to be in any league or competition in English football, likewise any Welsh club

[@user-zl3bh9cz4h]

V - visually A - are R - rigging We can all see it noone says it, Sorry doesn't replace points. Refs have no backbone and var ment get be involved when a error as accoured, the way it's going we will need a var system to monitor VAR for how many errors they make

[@Do27gg]

Not sure if it’s because we won it recently but I think the FA cup is on the up

[@biglundun5907]

WE LOVE SWEARY AL

[@PhilWhelanNow]

Micah’s tossed salad 😂

[@SetPlayGaming]

I said at the start of the season that Arsenal would not win because Gabriel Jesus is not a 30G a season forward. Nketiah has shown promise but it can't all be on him. Arsenal need a top striker if they want to be going for top honors come the end of each season.

[@lenniesims1215]

The Fa cup is magic until the semi and final of the competition because they are both played at Wembley. Only the final should be played there. Wembley should be part of the prize (the big day out) it’s wasted on a semi final I feel. They should do a 2 legged semi finals like the play offs. That’s what makes them special.

[@davec8617]

They need Jimmy Bullard on here for an episode….it would be hilarious!

[@AnthonyODOnnell-tt8gh]

The chemistry between these 3 is Gold

[@adrianquirolo7683]

Micah rocket richards (another salad based joke)

[@leewestbrook9122]

@adrianquirolo7683 ah nice, I caesar what you did there! Salad pun 😅

[@philyflow]

@@leewestbrook9122 lettuce in on the joke 😆

[@alexrowe9693]

I can’t believe you didn’t mention the ridiculous Calvert Lewis red card

[@jonathangault3335]

The Rest is Salad ... The Rest is Creosote....😂😂😂😂😂

[@warrenpowell7823]

Stuttgartt striker scored 19 in 16 available for £15m,

[@I_am_Spartacus]

Gotta disagree with you Micah about Havertz,, it's pretty clear he's not made a positive impact in the PL, nor at Arsenal. I was all for giving the lad a chance when we bought him, but he's missed so many chances and has no confidence that its really upset our side. Honestly, the lad needs a rocket up his arse!! Just so timid and languid. Given some of Arteta's interviews, I think Havertz was brought in to add something different upfront, Zinchenko was going to drop in to Xhaka's role, but the injury to Timber completely messed that up!

[@NateTheApollo]

This was a great episode of The Rest Is Salad 🥗

[@hellojohngotanewmotor1188]

Can someone make Micah’s laugh a ringtone?

[@quigonlynn1]

Would probably be better as a burglar alarm.

[@b_metal9332]

Not so many salads nowadays Micah 😂😂

[@user-ri1bu3vj5j]

Arsenal scoring for fun now..."from the future", and didn't get a striker. ✌🏾