Ric Flair Live & Direct on BSLB Podcast

[Oasisedup]

7 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Eh? Jake did question him on the assessment of Rudkin (being the best in the business) given we've then declined and his answer wasn't very forthcoming. I also asked why we can't blood more academy players and " because you can't " is hardly very ground breaking. Jake and Jord both thought Guy was a very good guest and said so this week. So I presume you mean me?

 

Having listened back I was irked by how Branston talked about our academy, especially comments about Ben Nelson and said so. Don't think any of us have thrown him under the bus, as I've said Jake and Jord think he was very insightful, but it was amusing him thinking McAteer was 6ft 4 or whatever.

 

 

No I don’t just mean you.

 

Jake's question to him about Rudkin was effectively "who do you blame instead?" which is hardly challenging him is it?

 

And Jordan and Jake might have thought he was a good guest but you all spent a good 10 minutes of this episode explaining in detail what you disagreed with him about, and what you wished you'd said to him, including in Jake's case referring to what he said about our stature as "complete and utter nonsense". 
 

I agree with all the criticisms of what Guy said, but I just don't think it's hugely fair to have him on and let him hold forth with barely a challenge. But then pull apart some of his opinions in the following episode when he isn't there to defend himself.

 

Get him on the so-called live show for part two like you mention at the end...

[MrLuke]

As always, great podcast lads. It's a 2 hour therapy session for me. it says something about our season when I look forward to the podcast more than us playing.

[Cat Burger]

1 hour ago, Oasisedup said:

No I don’t just mean you.

 

Jake's question to him about Rudkin was effectively "who do you blame instead?" which is hardly challenging him is it?

 

And Jordan and Jake might have thought he was a good guest but you all spent a good 10 minutes of this episode explaining in detail what you disagreed with him about, and what you wished you'd said to him, including in Jake's case referring to what he said about our stature as "complete and utter nonsense". 
 

I agree with all the criticisms of what Guy said, but I just don't think it's hugely fair to have him on and let him hold forth with barely a challenge. But then pull apart some of his opinions in the following episode when he isn't there to defend himself.

 

Get him on the so-called live show for part two like you mention at the end...

We're all looking forward to listening to your podcast, big lad.

[ian__marshall]

@Ric Flair Great episode as always. Re: The Branston debate, I thought you guy's gave him a platform to speak openly and it was clear he had his own agenda whether that be personal or business. To be honest the responses he gave pretty much aligned with my preconceptions about him from his time as a player so didn't really surprise me. 

 

Appreciate it's pretty hard to get guests on the show for multiple reasons, but you've had quite a few on the show who speak positively about Rudkin but seem to have personal reasons for that viewpoint whether it be because he influenced their career and provided opportunities to them or has business connections which said guest doesn't want to jeopardise.

 

In the interests of journalistic balance could you get someone on the show who has an axe to grind with Rudkin. Might be a stretch but someone like Adrien Silva's agent for instance, just to try and understand what their experiences/frustrations of dealing with him have been and how that has shaped their perspective. Appreciate the challenge as inevitably most won't want to rock the boat for personal reasons, but there must be people out there who have had negative experiences and have completely cut their ties from the club whilst he is in situ so are happy to share their side of the story. 

 

Edited 26 April by ian__marshall

[Oasisedup]

48 minutes ago, Cat Burger said:

We're all looking forward to listening to your podcast, big lad.

I don't have one, "big lad".

 

If your implying that means I can't have an opinion on BSLB, then that's a very strange view. Presumably you think people shouldn't have an opinion on football unless they've played the game professionally? Bizarre. 

 

FWIW, I like the pod (as I've said before). I just didn't think the contrast between how they treated Guy when he was there to defend himself and when he wasn't was hugely fair.

 

If you disagree, then that's fine (even if you don't have your own pod "big lad") 👌 

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, Oasisedup said:

I don't have one, "big lad".

 

If your implying that means I can't have an opinion on BSLB, then that's a very strange view. Presumably you think people shouldn't have an opinion on football unless they've played the game professionally? Bizarre. 

 

FWIW, I like the pod (as I've said before). I just didn't think the contrast between how they treated Guy when he was there to defend himself and when he wasn't was hugely fair.

 

If you disagree, then that's fine (even if you don't have your own pod "big lad") 👌 

Fair points, I would still have to disagree with the way you judged it though. I've just listened back again and Jake particularly talks at length about respecting Guy's opinions especially on things we have absolutely no evidence to challenge even if ours aren't aligned with that.

 

I suppose what this comes down to is (as this is the first controversial guest we've had from the feedback from our listeners, even more so than Ballague) is to be more alive to challenging guests because acknowledging the feedback we've had from our listeners shouldn't be shied away from. Look at how many pages of replies on this thread came in the last week after Branston.

 

To have not covered it wouldn't have been right and as I've said, Jake and Jord genuinely were buzzing with Guy's input as its a topic we've not covered as much as we've wanted to. So whilst you're right we've said some things without Branston being party to it to immediately respond, I don't think it's out of order for us to have covered the post pod feedback.

 

I'd happily have him back on, as would Jake and Jord and I think another debate could be brilliant.

[Oasisedup]

12 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Fair points, I would still have to disagree with the way you judged it though. I've just listened back again and Jake particularly talks at length about respecting Guy's opinions especially on things we have absolutely no evidence to challenge even if ours aren't aligned with that.

 

I suppose what this comes down to is (as this is the first controversial guest we've had from the feedback from our listeners, even more so than Ballague) is to be more alive to challenging guests because acknowledging the feedback we've had from our listeners shouldn't be shied away from. Look at how many pages of replies on this thread came in the last week after Branston.

 

To have not covered it wouldn't have been right and as I've said, Jake and Jord genuinely were buzzing with Guy's input as its a topic we've not covered as much as we've wanted to. So whilst you're right we've said some things without Branston being party to it to immediately respond, I don't think it's out of order for us to have covered the post pod feedback.

 

I'd happily have him back on, as would Jake and Jord and I think another debate could be brilliant.

Cheers Ric. I agree that you absolutely had to address it, and it is always good to have a range of views from guests.

 

I suppose what I'm getting at is it would have been interesting to hear him try to defend some of his more controversial views a bit more when he was on (just my opinion and I'm no podcaster, for the record). 

 

Looking forward to him being back on if you can persuade him! 

 

 

 

 

[Cat Burger]

15 hours ago, Oasisedup said:

I don't have one, "big lad".

 

If your implying that means I can't have an opinion on BSLB, then that's a very strange view. Presumably you think people shouldn't have an opinion on football unless they've played the game professionally? Bizarre. 

 

FWIW, I like the pod (as I've said before). I just didn't think the contrast between how they treated Guy when he was there to defend himself and when he wasn't was hugely fair.

 

If you disagree, then that's fine (even if you don't have your own pod "big lad") 👌 

'Thrown under the bus' for example, is hardly just an opinion, it's a pretty strong statement of unprofessionalism, and, like the rest of your posts i've seen on this topic, insensitive given the lads on the pod are giving up their time to provide what is a pretty important service to the fans at the moment.

 

The podcast is a form of journalism as well as debate and discussion. There are rules and ethics if you want to be taken seriously, you don't just hammer guests, especially if you are already employed in the industry.

 

My advice to you would be to be more constructive if you feel the compulsion to criticise, although why you would, I don't know. You're getting hours of content for free when we had years of City barely being covered at all on podcasts or radio.

[Oasisedup]

7 hours ago, Cat Burger said:

'Thrown under the bus' for example, is hardly just an opinion, it's a pretty strong statement of unprofessionalism, and, like the rest of your posts i've seen on this topic, insensitive given the lads on the pod are giving up their time to provide what is a pretty important service to the fans at the moment.

 

The podcast is a form of journalism as well as debate and discussion. There are rules and ethics if you want to be taken seriously, you don't just hammer guests, especially if you are already employed in the industry.

 

My advice to you would be to be more constructive if you feel the compulsion to criticise, although why you would, I don't know. You're getting hours of content for free when we had years of City barely being covered at all on podcasts or radio.

Ahahaha. I genuinely don't know where to start with this, but thanks for the entirely unsolicited and unwarranted advice.

 

In what way was I "insensitive"? I simply offered an opinion on a divisive guest, who has attracted a lot of debate. "Thrown under the bus" may have been overstating the point, but it was hardly insensitive. @Ric Flair sincere apologies if you think otherwise.

 

And please don't put words in my mouth. I wasn't suggesting that they "hammer" Guy, simply that if Jake wants to describe what he says as "complete and utter nonsense" he should probably have challenged him even the tiniest amount when he was actually there to defend himself.

 

Lastly, "my advice to you", would be that, if want to refer to the rules and ethics of journalism, you might wish to consider the right to reply, which is established in the editorial guidelines of all major media organisations and in some countries is a legal and constitutional right. 

 

I am wary about this reigniting anything, and so I'll leave it there. Needless to repeat, but I am a big fan of the pod and genuinely hope they can get him back on.

[sm1]

Just listened to the pod and have to say the boys were quite complimentary to Brandon, even though their opinions are different. Northcroft was a great guest and his insights into Rudkin, Pearson and how Steve Parish used us as a blueprint, were good to listen to.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Absolutely superb pod. Northcroft has a very good wider perspective on us and how we’ve operated compared to other clubs. Really good listen, well done lads.

[Cat Burger]

On 27/04/2025 at 15:37, Oasisedup said:

Ahahaha. I genuinely don't know where to start with this, but thanks for the entirely unsolicited and unwarranted advice.

 

In what way was I "insensitive"? I simply offered an opinion on a divisive guest, who has attracted a lot of debate. "Thrown under the bus" may have been overstating the point, but it was hardly insensitive. @Ric Flair sincere apologies if you think otherwise.

 

And please don't put words in my mouth. I wasn't suggesting that they "hammer" Guy, simply that if Jake wants to describe what he says as "complete and utter nonsense" he should probably have challenged him even the tiniest amount when he was actually there to defend himself.

 

Lastly, "my advice to you", would be that, if want to refer to the rules and ethics of journalism, you might wish to consider the right to reply, which is established in the editorial guidelines of all major media organisations and in some countries is a legal and constitutional right. 

 

I am wary about this reigniting anything, and so I'll leave it there. Needless to repeat, but I am a big fan of the pod and genuinely hope they can get him back on.

For unsolicited and unwarranted advice I refer you back to your original post. Seems like you can give opinions but other people can't call you out for them. Nice.

 

I'll leave it there, I don't want to reignite anything (in other words I want to win the last word game.)

[Oasisedup]

3 hours ago, Cat Burger said:

For unsolicited and unwarranted advice I refer you back to your original post. Seems like you can give opinions but other people can't call you out for them. Nice.

 

I'll leave it there, I don't want to reignite anything (in other words I want to win the last word game.)

Oh mate, I don't mind at all that you disagree with me. Others clearly do too. That's obviously fine!

 

It was the patronising sanctimony and the bizarre suggestion that I was "insensitive"  that I objected to about "your advice to me".

  

And as for the "last word game"...what on earth are you talking about? 

 

This has been the weirdest interaction I've had on this forum, and that is a high bar.

[teblin]

Love it again!

 

But @Ric Flair I can't stop singing BLOODY MICHAEL BOLTON!!!!!!! 

 

Keep up the good work and echoing my feelings almost exactly. 

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Great episode again

 

totally agree with Jord - young progressive manager next please 

[Ric Flair]

1 minute ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Great episode again

 

totally agree with Jord - young progressive manager next please 

Get on the Muslic from Plymouth train with me and @Claudio Fannieri

[Ian S]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Get on the Muslic from Plymouth train with me and @Claudio Fannieri

More likely to be Wayne Rooney with our muppets in charge. Someone will say let’s get that bloke from Plymouth and Rudkin will be straight on the phone to Rooney agent.

[Claudio Fannieri]

8 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Get on the Muslic from Plymouth train with me and @Claudio Fannieri

All aboard 😂

[TheGoldenGod]

Couldn't agree more with Ric about Vardy playing for another club in England...I simply won't accept it! He won't be poached by anyone in the top 7-8 of the PL and doesn't want to play in the Championship if reports are to believed (if he did I can't understand why it wouldn't be with us) so that leaves clubs genuinely like Fulham, Bournemouth, or a newly promoted club. In what world could anyone stomach seeing THAT? Tiny clubs that would employ our greatest ever player.

 

 

For the love of all that is good, f**k off abroad PLEASE Vardz.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Get on the Muslic from Plymouth train with me and @Claudio Fannieri

I'm on board (just hope it's not another Tete?😂)

or worse still - the last manager we got from Plymouth Ian Holloway 😳

Edited Tuesday at 09:40 by Bob Weasel Fox

[Iwebema]

Many of the stages of grief all played out there just in the pod alone!

 

All of which was perfectly acceptable, I think most of us assumed he was going to MLS and some big money that would make sense for both parties, but now the Wrexham/Sheffield Wednesday rumours have started it's bought another angle to it, if he was to go there then its not about budget altering money, and then you think he should be staying. 

 

The only acceptable reason for him to leave is about not having a 38/39 year old on 80-100k a week. But if he would play on 30k a week then I think the decision becomes more questionable.

 

Overall it's just sad it's come to this and I think it's absolutely acceptable for us all to go through a range of emotions and thoughts on this over the coming months.

 

On to the club stuff, I agree on the club are just standing still, I know we aren't notoriously quick but I think we are now just in a state of doing nothing. No decisions are being made, no plan is being formed, we are essentially just pretending nothings happened and we will have a quick 30 minute meeting in June to figure it all out and that's it done.

 

Muslic would be a great shout, we would need him to apply as I'm not convinced the board even know who he is. Like you boys I'm completely resigned to Martin though, which I'm not completely against, but it feels like it's going to end in 18 months in shambles.

[SafewayFox]

Great pod again.

 

The shift from apathy to anger at the club was music to my ears as started to worry that I had an unhealthy disdain for how we’re being run.

 

I know this season has been more apathy than anger but the Vardy era ending has shifted that IMO.

[Steve Earle]

Two great pods (Northcroft & the GOAT). It’s awful but plainly true that with the current trifecta in charge, only blind luck can save us from yet more misery. 
I’m just about done with football* anyway, like Jord, but the leadership of our club, two dreadful managers & the least likeable playing squad we’ve ever had has done more than anything to push me there. 

*I can just about tolerate international football (though there’s too much of that, and the tournaments get more bloated every four years) and lower league footy. Might spend more time on ‘doing the 92’ next season than at the KP…

[Claudio Fannieri]

Absolutely brilliant episode again fellas, you should be really proud of what you produce week in week out, no ego’s no gimmicks just good entertaining and knowledgeable content, really engaging stuff, love it 👏🏼👏🏼

[Mickyblueeyes]

On 26/04/2025 at 08:42, MrLuke said:

As always, great podcast lads. It's a 2 hour therapy session for me. it says something about our season when I look forward to the podcast more than us playing.

Me too. It’s been incredibly soothing. Great pod.