During a 17-year career in English football, starting off in the youth ranks at Manchester United before eventually calling it a day with Derby County in 2011, Robbie Savage built a strong reputation for his combative midfield play at a host of different clubs.
It is a similar reputation that the 39-cap former Wales international has since gained during his work as a match pundit, establishing himself as one of the country's finest summarisers in the five years since bringing his playing days to an end.
Speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, in association with the Heinz Big Soup initiative, the 41-year-old gave us his thoughts on England's hopes of success at club level on the European stage this season, provided a stark warning to former club Man United, while also stressing that Wales must tie down boss Chris Coleman soon or face the prospect of losing him in the summer.
We are now heading into the final stretch of the campaign and Leicester City are still top of the Premier League pile. Can they achieve what seemed like the impossible task at one stage and go on to lift the title?
"What has happened at Leicester is a truly incredible story. For them to be top is just the most incredible thing I've seen since being involved in football. To be top and clear is just unbelievable, even if they don't go on to win the title – but to win it will be truly incredible; a special, special achievement."
Many will argue that Nottingham Forest's European Cup exploits of yesteryear will still stand as English football's biggest achievement, regardless of Leicester's success this season...
"Forest winning back-to back European Cups, having earned promotion from Division Two was of course also special. But when you look at it specifically in terms of this day and age, the likes of Arsenal, Man United, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea all spending millions of pounds a year, Leicester will break the system in a way. You now no longer have to spend millions on players and further millions on wages to be successful. That's why I believe Leicester's is the bigger achievement."
Should Leicester go all the way, Arsenal are likely to be the side to face more criticism than most. There has been more talk about Arsene Wenger's future in recent weeks - where do you stand on the issue?
"Wenger is one of the greatest managers the Premier League has seen - that much is for certain. What he has achieved has been great but the fans are turning against him and the pressure is now on. I'm not necessarily saying he should go, but if they fail to finish in the top four then it will be extremely tough for him to stay on at the club."
Speaking of potential managerial changes, it looks certain that Antonio Conte will be taking over at Chelsea in the summer. How big a move is that for the club?
"Well he's a big name and Conte is certainly a successful manager. It's also another big name for the Premier League to have after losing Jose Mourinho recently. I do think he'll be good at Chelsea – a real good acquisition for the club and also for the Premier League, much like Jurgen Klopp was at Liverpool."
You were at the Manchester City match in midweek when they sealed progression in the last eight of the Champions League. Do you fancy them to go even further in this year's competition?
"The City game on Tuesday was poor to watch, but they managed to do the job in Kiev when scoring three goals. A lot of the time it simply depends on the draw – avoid a side like Bayern and they could progress. With the whole Pep Guardiola factor it will set up an unbelievably tense game should they be paired together.
"Also sides like Barca and PSG – who boast players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel di Maria and Lucas Moura – they can cause City real problems, particularly without the injured Vincent Kompany in the side. On the other hand you have Benfica and Wolfsburg still in the hat – draw them, and why not [progress further]?"
You mentioned the prospect of City, who have been far from their best of late, potentially facing off against Guardiola's Bayern side in the quarters. Has the announcement of the Spaniard's imminent arrival had a negative profound effect on the squad?
"I don't think so. If you're a player and know that Guardiola is soon to join the football club then you are going to want to impress him. I'm not sure if Pep is watching City games at the moment because he's obviously got Bayern to focus on, but I'm sure he'll be fully aware of how the players are performing.
"If I'm one of those in the side then I'm doing all I can to try to impress him right now. They are not going to win the Prem this season and they're also out of the FA Cup. They did manage to win the League Cup but that is not enough for a club like City – these players are now playing for their futures, make no mistake about it."
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Switching attention to the Europa League now, there is a huge night in store for Manchester United on Thursday when they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford...
"It's massive – really, really massive. If Van Gaal has any hope of staying after this season then this is a huge week; Liverpool on Thursday followed by Man City at the weekend. There's then a replay to come against West Ham, so there's still a chance of winning the FA Cup, getting to the Europa League final and finishing in the top four. It's highly unlikely to happen, but that could be the case and if so then I can see Van Gaal seeing his contract out.
"Alternatively, they could lose to Liverpool, get hammered in the derby and miss out on the FA Cup – that is simply unacceptable for a club like Manchester United. I don't like to see managers sacked, yet if that scenario - or something similar - happens then a decision will have to be made by the club. Even simply missing out on the top four is a huge failure."
There is a big summer ahead for your former international side Wales, who will be competing at a major finals for the first time in six decades. What would represent a good tournament for the Dragons, and how do you believe they will fare in France?
"A good tournament would be progressing out of the group stage, for me. It's a great group for them – Slovakia, Russia and of course England. I think they have a real opportunity of doing it. For me Ashley Williams at the back will be key, as will Aaron Ramsey if he's injury free. Then of course you have Gareth Bale – a real matchwinner.
"If you have Bale fit then you have a real opportunity against any side you face, particularly in the group stage when teams look to remain strong defensively. Wayne Hennessey has not looked great of late at Palace, making a few mistakes, but I honestly believe they have a real chance because of the number of teams that can make it through the group. A lot of the talk will obviously be about England, but for me there is only one superstar in that group – Gareth Bale."
On the subject of Ashley Williams, there has been talk of him making a step up to one of the Premier League big boys. Is the Swansea and Wales skipper good enough to make that switch at this stage in his career?
"I mean no disrespect to Swansea City when I say this, but Williams is certainly good enough for one of those top-four sides. Age is not on his side, of course, but he more than has the qualities; he's dealt with some of the country's best centre-forwards in the past so he could make the step up."
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In terms of the manager's future, Chris Coleman has yet to sign a new deal to keep him on beyond Euro 2016. How important is it to tie him down, and do you believe he has the intention to stay on?
"If they have a good Euros then who knows? He's managed at club level before so it's entirely up to him. It's obviously a big achievement reaching the Euros but he'll also have an eye on World Cup qualifying now – it's a decent group to have.
"For me he will now have it in his mind 'Can I get Wales to a World Cup for the first time since 1958'? But whatever happens I would offer Chris a new contract and get him tied up now, definitely. The thing is, if he has a good Euros then all of a sudden he will be massively in demand at club level."
Tell us a bit about this Heinz Big Soup initiative you are currently helping out with...
"The Heinz Big Soup is getting me involved in football at lower-league level – something that is very close to my heart. A lot of these grounds only have a small capacity, and as a professional you want to have a stadium full of people.
"As a player – home or away - you perform better that way so this is an attempt to help fill the grounds at this level – a really good initiative. I was at Accrington vs. Wycombe on Wednesday at the Crown Ground, which usually gets around 1,400 people on a regular basis, so it was good to watch on and help out."
Robbie Savage and Heinz Big Soup helped fill up the stands at Accrington Stanley FC last night for their match against Wycombe. Heinz Big Soup, which encourages fans to 'Go Big or Go Hungry', gave away match tickets and served up bowls of Big Soup to keep supporters feeling full during the match.
