E.196 - The Positivity Episode

Subscribe! Rate the show 5 Stars! Leave a review to help the podcast get connected to most dope people like yourself! Manchester City Men and Women are top of the table, but the real story is bigger than the standings. The Show Bros CrunkChocolate, Sharpie Charlie, and Tarik break down why Enzo Maresca's City is looking more dangerous, more adaptable, and more fun than the critics want to admit and why the loudest complaints about VAR are missing the point entirely. From the chaos around the Manchester derby decision to the Carabao Cup rotation against Norwich, this episode gets into the tactical and emotional layers that are defining City's season. The crew unpacks Maresca's calm-but-cutting media style, the club's ability to win with heavily rotated lineups, and the growing case that City are building something special, not just surviving transition. The conversation also turns to Manchester City Women, who are dealing with their own stretch of big moments. The hosts dig into the win over Liverpool, the impact of Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw, and Yui Hasegawa, and what it means that the squad can keep grinding out results while balancing Champions League and WSL demands. CrunkChocolate, Sharpie Charlie, and Tarik also look ahead to Bayern and Charlton Athletic, with bold predictions, lineup talk, and the kind of honest debate only a top-of-the-table club can spark. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109  20% OFF SALE! Buy yourself a shirt from the Official SoBP Store! Look good while helping our podcast grow! https://shades-of-blue-network.square.site/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe! Rate the show 5 Stars! Leave a review to help the podcast get connected to most dope people like yourself!  Sunderland are a problem, and this conversation explains why they might be more than just a feel-good story! From smart recruitment to a manager who never gets too high or too low, this episode digs into the blueprint behind a club trying to stay up, stay smart, and make noise in the Premier League and Europe. CrunkChocolate is joined by Dave for a sharp, funny, and surprisingly deep look at Sunderland's rise, their transfer strategy, and the pieces that could make them a real problem for bigger clubs. The discussion goes beyond hype and into the mechanics of how a promoted side builds a squad that can compete without blowing everything up. You'll hear why Granit Xhaka changes the entire personality of the team, why Régis Le Bris is the perfect steady hand for this moment, and how Sunderland's mix of youthful upside and experienced reinforcements gives them more flexibility than people realize. Dave also breaks down the value of players like Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fée, Noah Sadiki, Chris Rigg, and Nordi Mukiele, plus what their evolution means for the club's ceiling. We also get into Sunderland's transfer window philosophy, their ability to hold firm in negotiations, the growing belief around the club, and what it means to balance Premier League survival with European football. If you want to understand why Sunderland is being taken seriously again, this is the episode. If you find yourself enjoying this 10 minute sampler of the new episode. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome! SUBSCRIBE, LIKE the video and leave a COMMENT. If you find yourself enjoying this 10 minute sampler of the new episode. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109 Liverpool Women’s rebuild could decide whether they surprise the WSL or slip back into last season’s chaos. Nazira Yusuf breaks down why this matchup with Manchester City is the perfect measuring stick and why Gareth Taylor’s return makes it even more fascinating. Taylor’s first real test against his former club comes with a younger squad, major personnel changes, and serious pressure to prove Liverpool can compete with the league’s best. From Khiara Keating’s move from Man City to Liverpool to the tactical balancing act in midfield and defense, this conversation gets into the moves, the motivations, and the margin for error in a league that’s getting tighter by the week. Nazira also explains why this season feels different from last year. More transition, more ambition, and far less room for excuses. If Liverpool are going to take the next step, this is the kind of game that shows it. If you care about the WSL, squad-building, or how managers adapt under pressure, this one is essential listening. 20% OFF SALE! Buy yourself a shirt from the Official SoBP Store! Look good while helping our podcast grow! https://shades-of-blue-network.square.site/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Manchester City (Men and Women) are unbeaten, the women are flying, and the derby chaos was absolutely worth the outrage. If you want the sharpest breakdown of Manchester City right now, this episode has the most immaculate of vibes! From a 4-1 Women’s Super League win to the heated Manchester derby that had red cards, VAR drama, and one of the most satisfying City wins in recent memory. The Show Bros Crunk Chocolate, Sharpie Charlie, and Tarik unpack why the women look even more dangerous this season after beating Aston Villa, including Andree Jeglertz’s impact, the growth of Lauren Hemp, Khadija Bunny Shaw’s versatility, and the massive long-term contract extensions for Aoba Fujino and Laura Blindekilde-Brown. They also look ahead to Liverpool and talk about why City’s attack feels deeper, more fluid, and harder to stop than ever. Then it’s full attention on the men’s side and the derby at Old Trafford. The crew breaks down the lineup, the red card that changed the match, the missed calls that made the officiating even more maddening, and the performances that stood out despite PGMOL's idiocy. Big ups to Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson, and Matheus Nunes. Tarik and Sharpie dig into why City’s spine looks stronger, why the squad feels younger and more athletic, and why Maresca’s new pieces are giving this team a different kind of edge. You’ll also hear the conversation turn toward the Carabao Cup vs Norwich, the Premier League match against Sunderland, squad rotation, Phil Foden’s suspension, and whether this team’s depth can keep the momentum rolling across multiple competitions. Along the way, the hosts debate what City still need, who is becoming indispensable, and why this season already feels like something special. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aston Villa just gave Chelsea a reality check, and Freya and Gary of Part of The Pride podcast (Part of the Pride (@partofthepridepod) • Instagram photos and videos) explains why that draw might be the moment everything starts to click. The numbers say one thing but Villa's defense, midfield buy-in, and Akane Okuma's stunning debut told a much bigger story. This episode breaks down how a reshaped squad, a calm new manager in Natalia Arroyo, and one of the busiest summers Villa has had in years are changing the ceiling for the season ahead. Perfect for WSL fans, Aston Villa supporters, and anyone who wants the real story behind a team starting to believe it belongs higher up the table. If you find yourself enjoying this 10 minute sampler of the new episode. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

if you want smart match analysis with jokes, hot takes, and a real fan’s read on where the season is heading next. You are in for a TREAT Shady Gang A two-goal win can still expose a team, and this episode is all about separating panic from reality before the Manchester Derby. Crunk Chocolate and Bas break down why City’s Champions League result against Porto was stronger than the outrage around it suggested, what actually needs fixing, and why the real concern sits in midfield, not the back line. The Show Bros dig into Erling Haaland's brace, the impact of a new-look squad still learning each other, and the performances that stood out from the Porto match, including a composed showing from Bouaddi and the growing importance of Rayan Ait-Nori. From there, the conversation shifts straight into derby prep, with a look at how short rest, travel, rotation, and leggy opponents could shape Sunday’s matchup. Crunk and Bas also preview the rest of the Premier League weekend along with Carabao Cup trying to decipher which of the games that feel most likely to produce chaos, upsets, or pure nonsense. If you care about City, the derby, rotation, squad depth, or which clubs are about to make the internet miserable, this one has everything you want Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you find yourself enjoying this 10 minute sampler of the new episode. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109 Manchester United fans who want honesty, not PR, need this one. Flawless ( Mr Take Note (@YesItsFlawless) / X) of Sarcasm City TV ( Sarcasm City TV - YouTube ) breaks down why United’s season hinges on one thing, why the transfer window still feels incomplete, and why he is not buying the hype around every shiny new idea at Old Trafford. CrunkChocolate and Flawless go straight into the real questions surrounding United’s direction under Carrick, from the impact of last season’s surprise turnaround to whether a top four finish is actually the minimum standard for a club like this. The conversation gets especially sharp when they get into the transfer business, the missed chance to fix the left-back problem, and why the midfield additions may be good enough to move United forward without solving everything. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe! Rate the show 5 Stars! Leave a review to help the podcast get connected to most dope people like yourself! Manchester City just sent a warning to the rest of the league: this squad can win ugly, rotate heavily, and still keep stacking points. CrunkChocolate and Sharpie Charlie break down a gritty 1-0 win over Coventry City, a statement Champions League result at Porto, and why the title race in both the men’s and women’s game may already be tilting City’s way. The episode starts with the kind of win that reveals a lot more than the scoreline. From Nico O'Reilly’s late warmup injury and Enzo Fernandez’s surprise start to Elliott Anderson absolutely running the show, the conversation zeroes in on the performances, decisions, and small moments that shaped City’s week. The hosts also get into the frustrations which are sloppy passes, the missed chances, the goalkeeper issues, and why those flaws still don’t outweigh the bigger picture. The episode shifts to the women’s side, where City open the WSL season with a strong win over Birmingham City. Crunk and Sharpie spotlight Gracie Prior’s growth, Mary Fowler’s return, Lauren Hemp’s threat, and Bunny Shaw doing Bunny Shaw things with a brace that reminded everyone exactly why she is one of the most feared finishers in the league. This one also looks ahead to the Manchester derby, what to expect from United, why Arsenal and Chelsea are still the measuring sticks, and whether City’s men and women are both built for trophy runs this season. If you want sharp analysis, real opinions, and a little (LOT) chaos with your City talk, this is the episode to hit play on. Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109  20% OFF SALE! Buy yourself a shirt from the Official SoBP Store! Look good while helping our podcast grow! https://shades-of-blue-network.square.site/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Manchester City’s pre-Porto UCL press conference sounds routine until you catch the real story: how much Maresca trusts his young attackers, what his comments mean for Doku, Nico O’Reilly, Enzo Fernandez, and whether Ryan Cherki is suddenly forcing his way into the conversation. CrunkChocolate watches the interview live, reacts in real time, and turns every answer into something sharper—from the club’s money narrative and frozen ticket prices to the tension between rotation, form, and who actually deserves to start in the Champions League. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe! Rate the show 5 Stars! Leave a review to help the podcast get connected to most dope people like yourself! Become a Shades of Blue Patreon member to watch the episode in full, can add the Patreon episodes to your podcast app via RSS feed! All for only $6 a month which gets you ad free episodes, Premium content like “Choppin’ It Up” interview series or “Breaking Bread” our match preview series for Man City Men & Women games, and get entry in our secret Discord channel! Receive early access to new episodes along with episodes exclusively on Patreon for only $6 a month. Subscribe or buy VOD here:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/u94168109  20% OFF SALE! Buy yourself a shirt from the Official SoBP Store! Look good while helping our podcast grow! https://shades-of-blue-network.square.site/ Manchester City spent like a superclub, but the bigger question is whether this squad finally looks like a machine built to win right now. Crunk Chocolate and Bas break down the club’s staggering transfer window, the pressure that comes with a 526.7-million-euro outlay, and why this might actually be the most balanced City squad in years. They unpack the latest signings, what each new piece adds, and why the vibe around this team feels different from the recent veteran-heavy versions. From Elliot Anderson’s non-stop defensive work to Rayan Cherki’s off the ball energy, Matheus Nunes’ importance, and what Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov mean for the lineup puzzle, this episode is all about fit, depth, and the hidden consequences of a squad full of versatile players. The Show Bros also get into the conversation everyone is having about Enzo Fernandez. His footballing upside, the off-field baggage, and whether his arrival actually blocks anyone’s path. They separate the on-pitch logic from the emotional and moral reaction, then zoom out to ask the real question: how much pressure should Manchester City and Enzo Maresca actually be under after spending so heavily? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.