Episode 202 - Let's play the Blame Game

City got through the Carabao Cup tie, and now it's round two. CrunkChocolate sits down with Brighton fan Tricky Ricky (Rich) to preview Saturday's Premier League match. Rich is drinking "sad whiskey" after the cup loss, and he says Brighton should have won it. Rich grades Brighton's last season. Eighth place met the club's goals, but he thinks a talented squad should have done better after a 13-game stretch with one win. He explains how Pascal Gross's return helped turn things around. They go through Brighton's recruitment: selling high, buying low and the Gross deal that made money. Rich also gives his view of the summer window, he explains how Fabian Hürzeler's "relationalist" football works and why Rich compares him to Klopp and Pep's "test tube baby." They talk about the commitment to pressing and how the team broke Arsenal down. They also dig into City's weak spots. They cover how quickly Brighton can break lines, the Anderson–Fernandez–Cherki midfield and the likely back line, including Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly and Rúben Dias. Rich picks his three Brighton players to watch, and he and CrunkChocolate trade views on Donnarumma, Trafford, Enzo Fernandez and City's summer business. They finish with score predictions Sorry, the sampler you are watching or listening to is only 12 minutes! If you find yourself enjoying this 12 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.

Second place meets third place, and few people expected London City Lionesses to be there. CrunkChocolate talks to Nessy of LCL Pride, London City's independent fan media, to find out what City Women are walking into. Nessy looks back at a sixth-place finish, the highest tally of any promoted WSL team. London City were sixth when manager Jocelyn Prasure was let go just before Christmas, then won only 10 points under Eder Maestre. Freya Godfrey's late-season goals against City and Brighton gave fans hope.They cover the club's shift toward a Spanish, Barcelona-influenced style under Michele Kang. That includes the new signings, a 6–1 win over Spurs, and frustrating results against West Ham and Liverpool. Nessy also questions Maestre's defensive substitutions and says London City play like Klopp's "heavy metal" team: they press hard and attack but can be caught on the counter. They talk about Kang's ownership and what it means for the women's club, plus the debate over multi-club ownership and the club's confidence it can handle the rules. They also discuss attendance growth, the need for a bigger stadium, matchday extras like chants and fan zones, and who the typical women's football fan really is. They discuss rivalry and fan behavior after the Manchester Derby, Bunny Shaw's and Lauren Hemp's contracts, and how the WSL is growing in the US and Spain. The preview ends with Nessy's three players to watch. Both hosts expect goals. Nessy predicts 3–2 and says it all depends on which London City turns up, while Bunny Shaw could swing it in City's favor. Sorry, the sampler you are watching or listening to is only 12 minutes! If you find yourself enjoying this 12 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.

A one-point weekend for Manchester City's men and women has Crunk Chocolate in a mood. His cure is his favorite game, the Blame Game. He and Sharpie Charlie look at who is responsible for City's slip-up at Aston Villa, then preview the Brighton double and the Manchester Derby fallout. The Show Bros talk openly, as a Black-hosted show, about how Shaw is treated, how people react when bias is raised, and what they expect from the league. 0:00 Intro and the Blame Game 6:23 Ballon d'Or reaction 14:11 Aston Villa: the pre-match and starting XI 21:16 Who do we blame? 37:50 Brighton: Carabao Cup and Premier League previews 52:44 Baby Blue Baddies: Manchester Derby 1:04:30 Chelsea, PSG and London City Lionesses 1:14:00 Bunny Shaw, bias and player safety Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Manchester City face Brighton twice this week, in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League. CrunkChocolate talks to Brighton fan Dagan (@BHAfanUSA) to find out what City are up against. Both teams are coming off losses, City at Aston Villa and Brighton against Liverpool. Dagan says Brighton weren't outplayed by Liverpool. They missed a sitter, conceded off a giveaway and couldn't convert their chances. They compare Fabian Hürzeler's pressing style with City's possession game, and CrunkChocolate explains why too much possession can leave a team open to the counter.Dagan reviews Brighton's last season, which he calls "a tale of three seasons" that ended in eighth place. They discuss the summer sales of Baleba and Van Hecke, the new signings and how Brighton keep finding value. The conversation then turns to the two matches. They talk about how squad rotation could help City in the Carabao Cup, who to watch from Brighton and a cup score prediction. The Premier League game is the one CrunkChocolate is more interested in.This is a taste of the full preview, which is on Patreon ($6/month) or on demand for $3. Sorry, the sampler you are watching or listening to is only 12 minutes! If you find yourself enjoying this 12 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.

Man City's season is flying on the pitch while the 115-charge cloud hangs overhead. So what is actually going on inside the squad? The Daily Mail Northern Sports reporter Jack Gaughan joins host CrunkChocolate for a frank, front-row look at the club right now. Jack covers City in the press room, and he takes you inside the post-verdict press conferences. He expected a zoo and got something more respectful. He explains why Maresca controls a room the way Pep did, and why asking him a direct question works better than building a story around it. He also tells the tale of the question about City players celebrating that sent Twitter into meltdown, and why he asked it. They also take a lighter look at what life would look like if City really did end up in the Championship, and how the tone of the national conversation has shifted in the past week and a half. 0:00 – Intro and welcome to Chopping It Up 0:55 – Setting the tone: banter about the 115 charges, but focus on the club 3:40 – Inside the press conferences after the verdict, and how Maresca handles the room 10:16 – Rayan Ait-Nouri: why he's stuck in a rut Sorry, the sampler you are watching or listening to is only 12 minutes! If you find yourself enjoying this 12 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 13:39 – Why the summer and January signings of the last few seasons (Marmoush, Reijnders and others) didn't land 16:54 – City's pivot to a "win now" approach 18:08 – State of the season after the PSG loss and the AEK Athens win 20:48 – Elliot Anderson and the midfield balance 23:37 – Foden's red card and his rebound 29:38 – Fernandez vs. Cherki in big European games 33:04 – Who covers for Haaland: Semenyo as a striker and the backup-striker problem 41:35 – The centre-back picture: Dias, Gvardiol, Guehi, Khusanov and Reis 48:12 – The "what if City were in the Championship" scenario 50:56 – How the national conversation has shifted 52:14 – Wrap-up and where to find Jack Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Manchester City just got a brutal reality check from PSG, then answered with a statement win, and the Show Bros in this episode breaks down exactly what those results mean for the rest of the season. If you want the real read on City right now...the lineup decisions, the tactical mistakes, the players who rose to the moment, and the reason there’s still real optimism this one is essential. Crunk Chocolate, Bas, Sharpie Charlie, and Tarik unpack the 4-2 loss to PSG, including the controversial selection choices that left City exposed early and the second-half adjustments that nearly sparked a comeback. The crew digs into why the midfield balance, defensive rotation, and transition control mattered so much against the best team in the world, and whether the loss was actually a useful measuring stick instead of a disaster. You'll also hear a full breakdown of City’s response against Ipswich and AEK Athens, where Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Cherki, and the club’s academy depth all flashed. The conversation gets into Foden’s growing “he’s back” momentum, why Rico Lewis remains such a unique weapon, and how Cherki keeps forcing the issue with fearless attacking play. On the women’s side, Baby Blue Baddies goes deep on City’s wild 3-2 win over Brighton, a match that started like a rout and turned into a test of survival. The panel breaks down the explosive opening 17 minutes, the warning signs that showed up after that, Bunny Shaw’s dominance, and the tactical gaps that still need to be solved before the toughest matches arrive. Then it’s all eyes on the Manchester derby, Aston Villa, and the packed stretch ahead. With City-Men, City-Women, and the wider race heating up, this episode asks the question every fan is thinking: which version of City are we really getting? (0:00) Opening banter and episode setup (0:56) Hosts and episode agenda (7:13) PSG first-half collapse and the lineup question (8:46) Why the Khusanov at right back decision was a problem (10:40) Midfield balance issues against PSG (13:34) Management’s responsibility for the setup (14:56) Second-half substitutions being the gamechange (16:17) Why the PSG loss still felt like a useful lesson (29:33) Man City vs Ipswich match review (31:00) Foden, Bouaddi, and City’s structure against Ipswich (32:32) Stoppage-time controversy and the penalty call (35:58) Maeda’s goal and Guehi’s job this season (38:35) Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fit in the squad (45:25) Man City vs AEK Athens UCL review (49:37) Rico Lewis and his performances (52:27) Foden’s hat trick and what “back” means (57:09) Cherki’s goal and creativity (58:29) Aston Villa preview (63:17) Targeting Villa’s fullback situation (64:17) Score predictions for Villa (67:38) Baby Blue Baddies x Man City Women segment (70:21) Women’s team: Brighton recap and the 3–2 win (78:20) The first 17 minutes and sustaining that level (79:58) Sharpie asks for a winger addition in January (81:10) Brighton’s quality and how City held on (84:56) Bunny Shaw, squad depth, and the wage-structure debate (88:25) Manchester United preview (92:23) Women’s fixtures and why November matters (94:45) Where to find the hosts and closing calls to action Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sorry, the sampler you are watching or listening to is only 12 minutes! If you find yourself enjoying this 12 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 Aston Villa are no longer the surprise story! They are a Unai Emery machine built to punish anyone who underestimates them. With Manchester City looming, Natty (Natty Blaze️ (@natty-blaze.bsky.social) — Bluesky) — Bluesky) breaks down why this version of Villa is faster, deeper, and far more dangerous than the squad most people think they know. CrunkChocolate and Nati get into the real question ahead of the matchup: what actually changed after Villa’s big reshuffle, and which of the new pieces can swing the result? From Nico Jackson’s blistering form to Zion Suzuki’s remarkable distribution, from John McGinn’s captain’s chaos to Victor Lindelöf anchoring the back line, this conversation is packed with the names, roles, and tactical details that matter most on matchday. You’ll hear why Unai Emery remains one of football’s most underrated managers, how he disguises weaknesses while amplifying strengths, and why Villa’s build-up play can look like a chess match in motion. Nati also explains what makes this squad feel younger, quicker, more adaptable than last season’s version, and why that could be a nightmare for City! Nati B. Lazo website: Natalie B. Lazo | Portfolio Site 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 12 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  Brighton are walking into a brutal test with belief, a new manager, and a squad that refuses to roll over. Duncan from SheGulls ((5) SheGulls - BHAFC Women’s OSC & Media (@SheGulls) / X) breaks down why the Seagulls have been in every game under Arturo Ruiz, why one missing striker still looms over their season, and the young attackers and defenders who could make Man City work for everything. This preview has everything you want before a WSL matchup: a Wembley run that changed Brighton's ceiling, a summer of smart signings, and a shock managerial exit that could have derailed the whole project. Instead, Ruiz has Brighton tweaking, not collapsing and Duncan explains the tactical fingerprints already showing up in how they press, build, and shift the ball across the pitch. Duncan also names the Brighton players who could define the match, from the heartbeat of the defense to the captain who deserves more England recognition. Along the way, there are standout stories from Wembley, the emotional power of the women's game, and a few honest takes on how clubs like Brighton keep fighting when the bigger names surround them. 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 12 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 City are coming off a bruising loss to PSG, and now they face one of the Premier League’s most compelling survival stories. Nashville Tractor Boy ) Nashville Tractor Boy (@NashTractorBoy) / X) joins CrunkChocolate to preview Ipswich Town’s matchup with City, discuss how the club has rebuilt for life in the top flight, and explain why manager Gary O’Neill’s adaptability could be key to their campaign. NTB shares how a chance meeting with an Ipswich family during Hurricane Charlie sparked a 20-year fandom, eventually inspired him to build a community of Ipswich supporters in Nashville. Together, he and CrunkChocolate discuss the lessons Ipswich learned from their previous Premier League season, the club’s busy transfer window, and the balance of experience and potential across the squad. They highlight players to watch, including Dara O’Shea, Leif Davis, Palacios, and Enciso; consider whether Ipswich might adopt a defensive 5-2-3 against City; and talk through the challenge of competing in a league where every point matters. Mark also shares his prediction for the match and what a successful season would look like for the Tractor Boys. A match preview with tactical insight, supporter stories, and the community spirit that makes football special. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Man City’s 115 charges, the media circus around them, and the question everyone’s too scared to ask - what happens when the process finally meets the paranoia? CrunkChocolate, Dillon Meehan, and John Whitaker get brutally honest about the verdict, the fallout, and why the conversation around Manchester City feels less like analysis and more like a full-scale morality war. If you’re exhausted by the hot takes, the pile-ons, and the instant verdicts, this one cuts through the noise. CrunkChocolate frames the human cost of the reaction and why the online backlash has made even ordinary football conversations feel radioactive. Dillon Meehan brings the sharpest legal and financial breakdown in the episode, separating the charges from the myths, explaining why “technicality” is the wrong word, and laying out how City’s spending, reporting, and the wider football economy all fit into a much bigger picture. John Whitaker pushes the conversation into the broader structural questions, from labor and salary caps to why so many clubs across English football are loss-making and why the sport’s financial model is already on the brink. Topic Timeline 00:00 — City, the verdict, and immediate reactions 03:16 — Shock, CAS, and why the verdict hit differently 04:39 — Defiance after the game 05:27 — Salary caps, baseball, and labor 09:02 — FFP, revenue limits, and spending rules 11:55 — English football’s financial fragility 14:15 — Brentford, Brighton, Villa, and the economics of “doing it right” 17:21 — City Group and multi-club ownership 23:03 — Online backlash and supporting City 24:40 — What players should be expected to do after winning 26:44 — Media coverage, reporting, and bad comparisons 29:19 — The verdict, “technicality,” and football history 31:16 — Club spending, race, and media framing 32:44 — Opinion-driven football media 34:10 — Qatar and selective moral outrage 38:03 — The appeal process and the Ornstein leak 40:03 — Due process and what happens next 42:09 — Did Pep know? 43:15 — Chiki Begiristain and the timeline 47:27 — What a serious punishment might look like 49:46 — Football clubs and the purity test 50:24 — Transfer fees, PSG, Chelsea, and football finances 53:28 — Players who stood out this season 54:16 — Haaland’s development 55:21 — Nico O’Reilly’s progress 56:48 — Elliott Anderson’s defending 57:18 — Donnarumma’s growth 58:46 — Mreska’s touchline presence 59:40 — Jérémy Doku’s development 63:36 — Closing thoughts and shout-outs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.