The summer transfer window is far from over but with the season quickly approaching, it seemed appropriate to check in on the latest dealings to assess the roster changes so far for all 20 Premier League teams. We'd like to add in the necessary caveat that there is still plenty of time for squads to fill the holes in their rosters so our goal wasn't to jump to any conclusions on the offseason yet (though it may seem that way times). This discussion features Joe Ricci, Kevin Nelson, and Andrew Dettmer going through every team's biggest moves and what else needs to be done to make this a successful window. Resources that informed the podcast. Albert Sambo Lokonga scouting video - https://youtu.be/UJP0Eeiuz_4 Enock Mwepu Fbref player rankings - https://fbref.com/en/players/1d5cab82/scout/365_euro/Enoch-Mwepu-Scouting-Report Michael Olise feature - https://theathletic.com/2276088/2020/12/26/reading-michael-olise/?article_source=search&search_query=olise Bryan Gil player analysis - https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-bryan-gil/ Patson Daka scouting report - https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/patson-daka-rb-salzburg-tactics Mark Guehi feature - https://theathletic.com/2712188/2021/07/21/marc-guehi-is-a-statement-signing-for-palace-one-that-is-the-envy-of-many-clubs/?article_source=search&search_query=olise Kristoffer Ajer feature - https://theathletic.com/2488827/2021/04/02/how-good-is-celtics-ajer-how-does-he-compare-with-some-top-young-centre-backs-in-europe/?article_source=search&search_query=ajer Twitter Maine Road Ramble - @MaineRoadRamble Kevin Nelson - @Kevin_N_Nelson Joe Ricci - @ViewsOfABlue Andrew Dettmer - @AndrewDettmer You can also contact us at maineroadramble@gmail.com with any inquiries, thoughts, or questions. We hope you enjoy the show and thanks for the support!

Maine Road Ramble

1: Transfer Window Check In: Updates On All 20 Teams

We are long overdue for an update on the Manchester City women's team so we recruited our old friend Ash to help us go through the end of their season and what roster changes have occurred so far this season. She joined Kevin Nelson to discuss the biggest news yet, the departures of Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle along with the additions of Khadija "Bunny" Shaw and Vicky Losada and what it all means for the team's prospects next season. With the women's tournament at the Tokyo Olympics starting tomorrow as well, we touched on what City players to look for at the competition and gave predictions on how it would all turn out.  Below are some links to resources mentioned in the podcast. Vicky Losada scouting report - https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/vicky-losada-at-barcelona-women-2020-2021-scout-report Sterling's message to Bunny Shaw - https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/khadija-shaw-raheem-sterling-manchester-city-63759632 Tokyo Olympic rosters - https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/olympics-2020-squads-uswnt-team-gb-every-official-womens/nt4h88ud3e591lbug3yoh9466#18jn8s3n1bhlw15hxjmc4vxj38 Full Time with Meg Linehan Podcast - https://theathletic.com/podcast/201-full-time-with-meg-linehan/ Twitter Maine Road Ramble - @MaineRoadRamble Kevin Nelson - @Kevin_N_Nelson Ash - @anathalab You can also contact us at maineroadramble@gmail.com with any inquiries, thoughts, or questions. We hope you enjoy the show and thanks for the support!

67: Man City Women Offseason Updates

Joe and Andrew sit down to catch up on the madness that has ben Euro 2020 so far and look ahead to what we can expect in the remaining matchups. 

66: Euro 2020 Knockouts - Schick Happens

Silly season is upon us and our transfer series is back to look at the most appealing while simultaneously realistic targets for Manchester City to look at for void left by Sergio Aguero at center forward. The three options we present vary in notoriety but City should undoubtedly have these guys on their minds this transfer window, with one name clear at the top of the list.  There are some very obvious names we did not talk about on this show for availability reasons but let us know who you think City should target in your dream/realistic scenario. Reach out to us on Twitter @MaineRoadRamble or via email at maineroadramble@gmail.com. If you enjoy the show, please leave a positive rating and subscribe, thanks as always for the support!

65: The Transfer Show: Striker Targets

Manchester City's incredible season came to a disappointing end, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League final. We've had a few days to reflect on the defeat and have reluctantly returned to the microphone to diagnose what went wrong for City. There's no definitive conclusion and we discuss a confluence of factors that contributed to the result, ranging from lineup decisions to tactics and simply, Chelsea being a really good team.We mentioned quite a bit of additional reading material/content on this podcast so if you're interested in further information, here are links for those references.Michael Cox - Long balls, targeting the left and a back five – how Chelsea won the Champions League final Ahmed Walid - Pressing and overthinking Umir - A brief look at City's Champions League lossDaniel Katona - Overload and isolate?  This marks our final episode of the season and we want to thank all of you for the support throughout. If any of you are new to the show and would like to get in touch with us, feel free to reach out on Twitter @MaineRoadRamble or email at maineroadramble@gmail.com. If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing and giving a positive rating to help the podcast grow. Thanks again and enjoy the episode (if that's possible when discussing a loss like this)!

64: Champions League Final Review

The biggest game in Manchester City's history is quickly approaching and we felt the urge to preview the Champions League final against Chelsea from every angle. We touch on tactics, lineup selections, substitutions, penalty takers, and so much more!

63: Champions League Final Preview

Sergio Aguero may has played his final Premier League minutes in a Manchester City shirt and did so as his vintage self, scoring two goals in the final match of the season against Everton. Jon Ashley, Kevin Nelson, and Andrew Dettmer gather to discuss his final performance briefly and whether it's put him back in contention for a substitution in the Champions League final. A larger appreciation of Aguero is certainly due after the season but the discussion preceding and following his play focuses on the team's performances vs. Brighton and Everton as Pep Guardiola prepares the squad for the biggest game in the club's history this weekend. We analyze Joao Cancelo's red card and if that sending off is the primary thing to pinpoint for the loss at Brighton or if something more sinister is at work before moving on to the wonderful display against Everton that undoubtedly soothed any concerns the prior match could have caused. Finally, we talk about the recent rumors of a Harry Kane transfer to City and how likely that move is to happen. Lots of interesting content throughout this show to get you recapped on the week that was and get you ready for the one that's upcoming!Please reach out to us on your social media platform of choosing to let us know what you think of the show and your thoughts on all things Manchester City. You can find us @MaineRoadRamble on both Twitter and Instagram and you're also welcome to email us at maineroadramble@gmail.com. If you're a fan of the show, please subscribe and rate so we can help grow the podcast. Thanks for the support and enjoy the episode!

62: Aguero Brightons Our Day One Last Time Vs. Everton

Manchester City have clinched the 2020-21 Premier League title and this episode discusses all the factors and moments that have led to this success. Kevin Nelson, Joe Ricci, and Andrew Dettmer evaluate how this title stacks up against the other two Pep Guardiola has one so far and the previous two under Roberto Mancini and Manual Pellegrini. There is an interesting discussion on how Guardiola has changed the league since coming to Manchester and how he's adjusted to the Premier League's response to his influence. We explore a couple of theories on City's substitution habits and whether Pep is using garbage time to perfect his team instead of going through the motions like teams in the past may have done. Finally, there is a review of the victory vs. Newcastle with specific focus on Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake.We mentioned at the end of the show the Zonal Marking podcast's coverage of City's title winning season on their latest show, so we've posted the link below for any interested in checking that out. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-guardiola-made-man-city-champions-again/id1488523269?i=1000521407606Please reach out to us on your social media platform of choosing to let us know what you think of the show and your thoughts on all things Manchester City. You can find us @MaineRoadRamble on both Twitter and Instagram and you're also welcome to email us at maineroadramble@gmail.com. If you're a fan of the show, please subscribe and rate so we can help grow the podcast. Thanks for the support and enjoy the episode!

61: Pizzas, Penalties, and Puskas

An up and down week has been properly processed by the team and Kevin, Joe, and Andrew are on the mic to discuss the Champions League semifinal victory vs. PSG followed by a Premier League loss to Chelsea with an opportunity to clinch the league on the line. This episode features several listener questions and revisits some transfer questions in addition to the tactics tidbits and talking points from the games over the past week. 

60: Panenkas and PS-GG

Kevin Nelson and Andrew Dettmer discuss a busy week of Manchester City and the footballing world overall. We start by talking about the protests and break in at Old Trafford and what it means for the team/sport. Then we move on to some game action and deep dive into all aspects of the first leg victory against PSG. Finally, we recap the Crystal Palace victory and take solace in vintage Sergio Aguero.

59: Paris, Palace, and Protests

Jon, Andrew, and Joe reflect on City's fourth successive League Cup triumph and a classy win at Aston Villa. There's praise a plenty for full-backs and a certain twenty-year-old from Stockport, and a look-ahead to the Champions League semi-final with PSG.

58: The Only Cup We Carabaout

In an emergency Full Squad Pod, Ger, Andrew, Joe, Kevin and Jon pick the bones out of a rollercoaster 48 hours of greed that threatened the very existence of the podcast.

57: 48 Hours of ESL Hell

Manchester City lost for the first time in forever, falling to Leeds United by a 2-1 score. Kevin Nelson and Ger Deegan took the time to break down the loss and if there are any possible implications the loss has on City's Champions League second leg matchup with Dortmund coming up in the midweek. The conversation touches on Pep's heavy rotation, the Guardiola vs. Bielsa tactical battle, and some individual player performances. Be sure to rate and review in the show if you’ve enjoyed it and please reach out to us on Twitter @MaineRoadRamble or email at maineroadramble@gmail.com. Thanks!

56: Not An Ideal Leeds Up To The Second Leg

Jon, Andrew and Joe revel in the news of Kevin De Bruyne's contract extension and cast their eyes over wins - some more comfortable than others - over Leicester and Borussia Dortmund.

55: Two Wins & Four More Years of KDB

Kevin is joined by Adam Darowski, the head of user experience with Sports Reference and FbRef, to discuss Borussia Dortmund. We go in depth on all aspects of the club from the tactics to the players and recent runs of form.In addition to Adam’s work with FbRef, he also tracks Dortmund’s goal contributions based on hockey style scoring criteria. It provides some interesting data and his work on that can be found at http://www.darowski.com/bvb/gundogan.Be sure to rate and review in the show if you’ve enjoyed it and please reach out to us on Twitter @MaineRoadRamble or email at maineroadramble@gmail.com. Thanks!

54: Talking Borussia Dortmund with Adam Darowski from FbRef

The newly renamed Maine Road Ramble is a Manchester City focused podcast formerly known as the Bitter and Blue Podcast, hosted by City fans and writers Kevin Nelson and Ger Deegan! It’s a conversational in structure and the discussion ranges across all aspects associated with the Blues so have a listen for your fill of City news, analysis, and opinions. The podcast has recently been rebranded so pardon our temporary logo as we work on finalizing a new one, suggestions welcome!

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Maine Road Ramble

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