Just listening to it now, and it's one of the best things I've listened to in ages. What I can't understand is how far Amorim has seemed to get in the mind's of the footballing intelligentsia (in 2024 at least) as this apparent modern football genius. I remember he was favourite for the Liverpool job, they appoint a relatively unknown Arne Slot in what is now seen as a stroke of genius, and then United appoint this guy seemingly on the back of hype.

On the one hand, I feel sorry for United fans that they need to put up with potentially years more of this humiliation, but on the other hand I really hope he stays, just for more eviscerations by Mr Early.

Found this episode fascinating, thought Will Clarke was brilliantly honest and frank. The work that is going in, largely unnoticed, is fantastic and a credit to the Irish volunteer ethic. To hear us still rated so poorly against our peers and those ranked below us, is pretty damning. Hopefully something positive will come of this report.

Either way, I found this type of episode very informative and would love to hear more of this going forward. Interested to hear other thoughts.

Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/secondcaptains/comments/1mybypc/what_was_the_episode_when_ken_was_shitfaced, which gave us classics like aaron aadvark...

What other classic episodes gave us clips that are used in audio beds?

Been reliably informed this exists by someone who’s been subscribed far longer than me 😂

I've always been curious about how the football guests on Second Captains overlap with other pods, especially Football Cliches (and recently Libero). Given Cliches often conduct quizzes with other podcasts, I'd love to see Ken, Ciarán, and Eoin go on it at some stage for a quiz.

But it strikes me that I've never come across a mention of Cliches or SC on the opposite one, despite both being extremely popular. To me, that has to be a deliberate choice? They definitely know of each other, so I wonder if they're reluctant to mention the other pod as a potential rival for listeners. It just seems odd to me though, given that I've heard mentions of plenty of other pods on SC over the years.

I've had this thought for a while, but it was triggered today by Ken using the phrase "There's many a slip twixt cup and lip", which I first heard discussed in a sporting context on Cliches months ago...

Update: Adam Hurrey has confirmed Ken gave the "politest of declines" to go on Cliches. A touch of class from Adam to respond to this, by the way

Wondering who is the most popular regular contributor from Ireland on the show. Some truly great UK/further afield guests but is there the same calibre of journalists from Ireland? Or certainly is there anyone unanimously popular?
Gerry Thornley has his detractors and not on as much anymore.
Shane Horgan isn't great.
McConville/Flynn seem to be marmite.
The 42 guys are OK. I love Dion but I think some people don't.
Clerkin? Usually makes a bold call that ages well.
Shame Andrew Trimble isn't on as much.
Sinead Carroll? No.
Cathal Denehy is very good but people probably don't care as much about the episodes he's on.
I know it doesn't matter as much because the guys themselves have weight.
But it feels like there's not a clear stand-out Irish contributor and certainly in terms of rugby and football, they're missing something from an Irish pov.

Anyone else think this was excessively long?

I get it, they somewhat know the guys dad. Although I don't recall him being on in a while. I enjoyed the coverage at the start of the episode but based on how it opened I assumed he had won which I think they clarified later he didn't. But then to get us Murph on for fifteen more minutes later to discuss it seemed complete overkill. Maybe I'm just a crank I dunno

I'll start this by saying I love SC (have been a subscriber since day 1) but I am genuinely getting to a point where I would consider giving up.

As a lifelong Villa fan I have gotten more and more pissed off with the lack of coverage, lack of respect to Emery's achievements and downright ignorance to a huge team who have been steadily rising year on year post Gerrard under very ambitious ownership.

Ken basically spits out their name with contempt. The 96% revenue to wages tripe is so out of date at this stage. Villa are working towarda the Uefa SCR ratio hence being quieter in the market by nescisity. No mention of the Uefa spending sanctions that they are working to exit this year, instead of 3.

Then Kens brainwave is for Newcastle to buy Ollie 11 days before the transfer window closes. The only senior striker the team who finished 6th, (on goal difference behind Newcastle) made it the the last 8 in the CL and FA cup semi final with no replacement lined up as they aim to get in CL again and win Europa league.

Give me a fucking break and show something more than the Sky 6 + Saudi chat.

Like balance isn't even possible, it's basically a united podcast with a good chunk of Liverpool for good measure, but come on. Give some more balanced opinion. There are plenty of Villa fans in Ireland, similar to Leeds and maybe more Irish fans than Spurs id say.

Anyone else feel increasingly irked by this?

Think he is an excellent journalist and has done a lot of work in recent years on important issues within the game but he is a tough listen sometimes, especially when it came to the Premier League Preview episode.

Will often start a sentence on one subject and finish it talking about another.

It's clear that he has good sources in clubs but often just takes what he has been told by clubs and repeats it as fact (best example of this is when he's talking about Arteta and his transfer targets - will often just repeat what Arteta's version of events was and doesn't really offer objective scrutiny like Ken, or Dion).

Found him a decent follow on twitter and it was very entertaining to see him argue every single little point with anyone who bothered to reply (and this has often been a joke on the pod).

First of all, Ken has been on fire recently. I want that on the record.

However I found today’s chat quite strange and full of fairly lazy tropes, particularly about NG’s songwriting . All music is derivative in some form or another.

They are a huge band who haven’t toured in 15 years, it’s hardly that shocking there’s a scramble for tickets? Not sure this one required an hour long podcast.

After listening to todays Premier Legue preview and the predictions I went back and listened to last years episode.

Pre season predictions are pretty difficult but that's not a great effort from our man Ken

2024/25 Predictions:

I've just gifted a mate a membership and I want to point him to some all time classic episodes. I'm thinking a mix between some classic rants (Frank Lampard), tactical nerd nonsense (postionism and relationism), Ken's scrapes abroad and insightful political pods.

Would love some suggestions to compile into a shortlist!

Thought Ken gave an absolute tour de force today in response to an (also excellent) email from a listener today. Off season Ken is definitely the best Ken!

The producer of Tuesday's show missed a big opportunity to play the above Neville quote when they were discussing Levy on Neville's podcast.

Shocking dereliction of responsibilities.

Enjoyed hearing Murph, Eoin and Wilson talk about the England India series. Made me think it must be the first time I've heard cricket covered on the show. I've only listened for about a year and a half now. Can anyone think of any others?

Does anyone know which episode features Murph's excrutiating conversation with Shane Lowry about drink; kicking off his "gallons" nickname? Cheers!

Was there absolutely no Wimbledon coverage this year at all or did I just blank it somehow? I kept expecting some sort of review or retrospective since last weekend but nothing ever came. Literally not sure it was even mentioned in passing since. I know it wasn’t a tournament for the ages but that in itself is worth 10 minutes?

I feel like the coverage for the All Ireland Hurling final has been pretty underwhelming this week. Not sure if this is fair or unfair!

Considering he’s a friend of the show etc this was an outrageous guess. Hahaha

The Vasa sailing fine and true for approximately 30 seconds.