The Second Captains Podcast Ep 3514: We Can't Go On, We Must Go On, ScapeGoat Hunt, The Keys Of Navarone
Mar 30, 2026
Dion Fanning, Irish football journalist offering match analysis, and Ken Early, writer on Irish football and culture, debate the aftermath of Prague. They dissect fan behaviour, penalty psychology and whether crowd hysteria affected performance. They also tackle managerial questions, squad depth, VAR controversies and the Roberto De Zerbi to Tottenham story.
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Practice Penalties Constantly Not Occasionally
- Practice penalties continuously rather than treating them as occasional drills.
- Murph and Ken argue every kicker should rehearse often so future high-pressure spot kicks are routine, confident actions.
World Cup Faces Growing Geopolitical Risks
- The upcoming World Cup has deep geopolitical and human-rights complications that may alter its shape.
- Murph and Ken note concerns around Mexico, US military presence and Iran's uncertain participation affecting tournament viability.
Midseason Big Hires Are A Short Term Gamble
- Roberto De Zerbi's reported Tottenham move shows clubs may recruit high‑profile coaches midseason to avert relegation.
- Discussion highlights Zerbi's clear style requiring training time and the gamble of saving Spurs from a slide.
