The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, t
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and derbies at West Ham who take on QPR and West Brom at home to Birmingham. Perhaps the most interesting story of the international break was Graham Alexander leaving Bradford City to return to Preston North End. Why do managers leave clubs flying high in one league to go to teams at the bottom of another? Alexander joins a list including Rob Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Russell…
As expected MAnchester City are to appeal against the guilty verdicts handed down to them by the independent commision. But what does that mean...will the whole affair drag on for another eight years? Matt Lawton brings us the latest - how long will the appeal take and what chance does it have of succeeding? If City lose and the punishment relegates them - will their big stars stick around? After the break, just how good were England? James Gheerbrant was at the match and thinks Jude Bellingham is looking like Zinedine Zidane...hyperbole or justified? Who else stood out and is this the start…
The Premier League have released their statement regarding the findings against Manchester City and it is a scathing assessment. The independent commision referenced 'sham contracts' to reduce costs and inflate revenues disguising over nine hundred million pounds worth of 'secret funding' in the process. The findings also make claims of false evidence and agreements or contracts designed to deceive. For the very latest Gregor Robertson joins Chief Sports Correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton who has been leading on the story and The Times Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft…
Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges against them - what happens next? Relegation, points deduction, transfer embargo, financial fines...? What are the potential sanctions on offer? What does it mean for City and for the teams most affected by City's breaches? The Times Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler has covered this story for near eight years and joins the team to discuss what the sanctions could be and when it could be announced. Plus, did England embrace the chaos against Spain? They showed more defensive frailty, conceded numerous chances…
International football returns for the first time since the World Cup and England manager Thomas Tuchel isn't sure he can coach his players to play possession football - and some of his players seem to agree. Is that what the FA get for five million a year, a manager who can't coach? Or is it more complicated than that? While England go through their usual bout of soul searching German football hopes that Jurgen Klopp can do for them what he did for Liverpool and return them to their former glory. And how will Zinedine Zidane harness the immense talent on offer to the French national team…
EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country Derbies All the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston. Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers derby and Wolves got the bragging rights over West Brom in the Black country derby. Swansea came from behind to beat Lincoln and stay top, Preston couldn't quite cash in on the new manager bounce as they let a two goal lead slip at QPR. Was a point enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley. A match report from Lincoln Swansea and a it is a big week for Southampton as Tonda Eckert…
Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four... On paper have Man City actually got the best starting eleven? At the other end of the table Spurs go into the international break winless, what does De Zerbi do next? Coventry got their much needed…
Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick. Is it all football related or have the 'biggest club in England' still not solved their off pitch issues? Another wonderkid, Max Dowman goes from strength to strength as he scores two and looks at home for Arsenal - how long until he is a regular starter? And just what does a seventeen year old at a top club get paid? It is easy to forget but Leeds put in an impressive…
All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best? At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom after another defeat; could Nicky Hayen at Burnley be next? In League One Russell Martin got a huge win for Leicester City and gave an emotional interview discussing the…
Man City and Arsenal are joint top. Huil impress at Chelsea, Spurs can't score and centre halves sometimes score absolute screamers. But sadly, the headlines are all about VAR...again. This time an 'error of judgment' is the reason Haaland's fine finish was not disallowed at Old Trafford. A quick assessment of where we're at with VAR before a look at a new attacking approach from Enzo Maresca and a lack lustre response from Man Utd. Arsenal win again, is it too early to consider an unbeaten season...if not, who beats them? Unai Emery has his work cut out at Villa, can he rebuild his team?…
Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be qualifying for the last 16. While there are some potent front three's around, no team compares to Arsenal's defensive strength - how would Arsenal reserve team do in the Premier League? Mauricio Pochettino thinks Spurs should be award the 2016/17 title because of Chelsea's admitted rule breaches. Would that be opening Pandora's box? After the break is Harry Kane going to win the…
A week is a long time in the football league, and West Ham used back-to-back matches to kickstart their season with two big wins. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as Nuno Espirito Santo's team finally get moving in The Championship and there's more impressive results for Swansea, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bristol City. Elsewhere the guys wonder whether Jamie Vardy's arrival is really going to be enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley? And Tom is upset with Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto. In League One it goes from bad to worse for Russell Martin and Leicester and it's screamers…
Arsenal put on a dominate display to beat potential title rivals Chelsea. Despite going one down after only a minute the Gunners looked calm, confident and positive throughout. Was it the benefits of having a title under their belts or a new approach from Mikel Arteta? Chelsea have arguably the best attack in the league, but have they left themselves short in defence and midfield? Alexander Isak is starting to prove his worth at Liverpool, but was their win just as much about Ipswich's poor performance? A great game at Fulham as Palace won 3-2. but are Fulham "just too much fun to watch?"…
After a crazy summer transfer window in which 3.5 billion pounds was spent and multiple 100 million transfers between English clubs - has the transfer market gone mad? Inlafted prices, last minute deals... is the Premier League an outlier, or is it the new norm for football transfers. Which club had the best window and which was the best individual transfer? Arsenal have hit the ground running, but after a promising attacking start, is it going to be the same defensive focus as last season. Plus, a look ahead to the weekends action. Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Gary Jacob join Tom…
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. Wolves and Southampton already look to have so much strength in depth for Championship level "it is scary.". But it's Charlton who are top on nine points, can they keep it up... Who is the beat striker in the division? In League One Blackpool are on the front foot and Stockport look good as they get back to winning ways. Plus the South Yorkshire derby in League Two, Salford still winless and Walsall are up there...again! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hull sit proudly at the top of the table. Is it a freak or have the Tigers, and the other promoted clubs been misjudged? Ipswich were thumped at Old Trafford, but their performance had many positive signs. While Man Utd looked to have rediscovered some swagger. Who shone brightest, Fernandez, Rashford or Mainoo. After the break familiar horribly memories at Spurs as they lose again - but will it be different this time? A very positivity start on Tyneside for Matthias Jaissle. Will Bradley Barcola fix any of Liverpool's problems? Plus, what is the transfer you'd most like to see happen and…
Forest pay fifty million for Liam Delap; City buy a teenager for eighty five million and Spurs sign second stringer Savio also for eighty five million. Has the Premier League transfer market gone mad? Xabi Alonso's Chelsea looked good in their first run out of the season, if they sign a keeper could they be challengers to Arsenal? As teams struggle to compete financially is it a level playing field or stacked in favour of 'the old guard'? And have UEFA lost their nerve in their battle with Gianni Infantino? Gregor Robertson joins Tony Cascarino, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel Hosted…
Our weekly look at all the latest from the EFL with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Plenty of surprises in week two of the Championship. West Ham lost at home in front of sixty two thousand fans, are their players ready for a tough season in the second tier? No wins for fancied Norwich, Birmingham or Burnley. At the top Millwall may have a new star up front in Taryk Arconte and West Brom have started where they left off last season with two impressive wins. And special mention to Blackburn Rovers after a big win over Middlesbrough, League One Bradford win a Yorkshire derby, a miserable…
The Premier League is back and if the opening weekend is anything to go by it could be an unpredictable season. Hull shocked Man United, Brentford reminded Roberto De Zerbi of the tough job he faces at Spurs and Brighton thumped Villa. Promoted Ipswich got a big win, Man City got a late winner and Liverpool levelled with the last kick against an impressive Newcastle. Champions Arsenal made it look easy against Coventry plus wins for Leeds and Everton. Gregor Robertson is joined by Gary Jacob, Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 2026/27 Premier League season is here. So, it is prediction time. Who is going to win it, who is in the top four? Who's getting relegated, who could be looking over their shoulders? Plus who will be the surprise packages, who are we most excited to see and which manager will come under pressure first? Tom Clarke is joined Chief football correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times and football journalist of the year Jonathan Northcroft, the former Chelsea, Villa and Celtic player Tony Cascarino and journalist and former footballer Gregor Robertson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…
The Football League is back and as unpredictable as ever. Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss the opening weekend in The Championship, League One and League Two after plenty of reminders of why these divisions are so hard to call. Will Lankshear scored twice to get promotion chasing Middlesbrough off to a winning star but West Ham, Burnley and Wolves all draw. There was controversy as West Brom surprise Norwich and Southampton endured a difficult weekend as they sold their best player and lost at Watford. Gregor has a new hero in a gold mask in League One and Tom apologises to…
Are Arsenal clear favourites to retain the title? Do Man City really need more players and are Chelsea dark horses? Just some of the questions we answer in the first of our Premier League Preview shows. Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Pete Rutzler also look at which teams need more signings before the season starts and could some big players still be on the move. Plus, which teams might be taking a worried look over their shoulders at the promoted clubs - Fulham, Everton, Palace, Sunderland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tom Clarke is joined by the Times Joe Harston and Kit Shepard and EFL stalwart Gregor Robertson to preview the start of the EFL season which kicks off this weekend! Can anyone stop West Ham? And is Jarrod Bowen going to run away with the Golden boot? We discuss how the Hammers will cope with the pressure of having to win every week having just dropped into the Championship Elsewhere we look at how well equipped the other two relegated sides, Burnley and Wolves are to have an immediate return to the Premier League. How much of an impact will spygate have on Southampton's season? It may be…
Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino to continue the build up to the new Premier League season which is less than two weeks away! Bruno Guimares has signed for champions Arsenal, we ask what impact the Brazilian will have on the Gunners midfield and we herald the return of experienced and sensible transfers after they shelled out £75 million for the 28 year old. One Brazilian in the door, but another one will be staying in Madrid, we ask who the Gunners should turn to now that Vinicius Jnr has chosen to stay in Madrid, and if Marcus Rashford is a realistic…
Tom Clarke check's in with the Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler who brings us right up to speed with all the latest surrounding under pressure FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He remains in charge.....for now, following an emergency meeting in Morocco, but he has apologised for his handling of the FFE proposals which rocked the football world last week. Martyn explains why Infantino won't go away without a fight and tells us why he's confident this saga will spell the end of any future proposals to sell off part of the World Cup by Infantino and whoever ends up replacing him. Away…
What next for Gianni Infantino and FIFA? Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnut and Tony Cascarino to discuss what the future holds for the controversial FIFA President after a number of FA's across Europe publicly withdrew their support for him following his attempt to sell off a stake in the World Cup. We ask if we have really seen the end of this story for good and compare the similarities with UEFA's introduction of a new Champions League format in the wake of the failed Super League. Away from the FIFA scandal, Tom Allnut talks us through hs article on Real Madrid and how new…
Another huge day in the biggest story in football - Tom Clarke is joined by Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter at The Times and the man who broke the news of FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the tournament. In this special, snap episode Martyn offers an update on who has spoken out against the plans, why they will not proceed and whether it could be the end of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What a dramatic day! Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnutt and James Gheerbrant to discuss FIFA, Gianni Infantino and their plans to sell the World Cup. The panel call for action and a strong response and before we could finish editing we got that strong response, as UEFA announce they will boycott all future FIFA competitions - Tom rejoined the show to give us the latest. As if that wasn't busy enough, in part two the team discuss Eddie Howe's shock departure from Newcastle, Chelsea's surprise pursuit of Jordan Henderson and wonder if Xabi Alonso's team will be title challengers.…
Tom Clarke speaks to The Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler - following his exclusive story in detailing FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to offer 'stakes' in the World Cup. What are the plans? Why does it matter and what happens next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Game is back on tour, speaking with Pete Rutzler who is following Chelsea (and Spurs) down under. The Blues have been spending big, will there be any out goings and how will new manager Xabi Alonso deploy his new talent? Ian Whittell is in America following Liverpool's tour and saw their first preseason game against Sunderland. Who caught the eye, how is Iraola adapting and will there be more signings? After the break Tom Clarke joins Ian Hawkey to break down the international manager scene with Klopp and Tuchel already in post could Guardiola or Conte be joining them? And how will…
About The Game
The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR. Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups. We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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