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The Times

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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38 episodes
Avg 45 min
English

Episodes 38

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Thursday · 55 min
What is the problem with Manchester United?
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 display to beat Newcastle on Monday night, how far can Daniel Farke's side go? And a successful European bow for Sunderland Lastly, more VAR fallout and is the Premier League suffering a talent drain? Tom Clarke is joined by jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday · 49 min
Who are the contenders to win the Championship?
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 hostility directed towards him, but will his win away at Stockport be enough to turn around an unhappy fan base at the King Power. Wycombe sack their manager Michael Duff and immediately get a win; Neil Harris works his magic at Cambridge and quickest team goal at Plymouth. In League Two are York City looking at back to back promotions and Gregor's old club Grimsby have a candidate for goal of the weekend. Plus the usual goal, moment and result of the weekend in each division. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 14 · 58 min
Who can stop Arsenal, Man city and VAR?
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? Are Hull City over achieving or were their players just underrated? What's the best goal you've sen scored by a centre back and last but not least Tottenham play Liverpool on Tuesday in the EFL Cup is it too soon for either club to be worried...? Tom Clarke joins Alyson Rudd, James Gheerbrant Peter Rutzler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 10 · 47 min
"Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d'Or"
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 Ballon d'or? Who is he up against and does he deserve it. Is football more fun and games where there is no VAR? If it is, could it ever be ditched at the top level? Plus, football never ends, with a thrilling Chelsea six Leeds three cup win being overshadowed, are we in danger of reaching saturation point? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 8 · 49 min
EFL EXTRA: West Ham are back as Swansea shine
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 galore in League Two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 7 · 59 min
Arsenal supreme, United stutter, Spurs struggle
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?" Could it see therm in a relegation fight? Plus, is Josh King in line for an international call up and what do Tottenham and Manchester United make of their draws...progress or cause for concern? Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 3 · 55 min
Which teams had the best and worst transfer window?
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 Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 1 · 46 min
EFL EXTRA: "Wolves and Southampton look scary"
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.
August 31 · 58 min
Hull's hopes, Tottenham's troubles and Mainoo's magic
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 are Chelsea really different under Xabi Alonso? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 27 · 51 min
What is 'value' in this crazy transfer market?
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 on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 25 · 34 min
EFL EXTRA: West Ham worries and the goal of the season
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 start for Leicester and goals galore for Luton. In League Two favourites Salford tough start continues, But what was the game of the weekend? Plus have we already seen the goal of the season - Dom Ballard's 18yd back heel could be it. Did you see Gregor play football, do you have anything nice to say? Get in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 24 · 56 min
Premier League is Back with a Bang!
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.
August 20 · 55 min
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART TWO
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 for more information.
August 18 · 38 min
EFL EXTRA: Lankshear shines and surprises galore
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 Salford fans for jinxing their start in League Two. Tom also has a new charity pledge to try and appease the fans who want VAR in the football league... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 17 · 55 min
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART ONE
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.
August 13 · 1 hr 2 min
The BIG Football League season preview
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 last season's story but the scandal is still set to have a prominent role in the terraces and the media throughout the season. And Tom tells us why his beloved Lincoln will silence their doubters and remain in The Championship following their promotion from League One. Elsewhere we look at how Leicester will cope in League One and is this finally the year that Salford City get their coveted promotion from League Two? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 10 · 56 min
Who can challenge Arsenal this season? Rejuvenated Spurs, and Glasner's Forest
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 option to fill the void on the left wing. Elsewhere Tony tells us why he's so excited by what Chelsea can do under Xabi Alonso, we ask if Spurs can get back into top 5 under Roberto De Zerbi and can Oliver Glasner last the full season under Evangelos Marinakis? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 6 · 42 min
Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
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 from all the FIFA chaos, we hear from The Times man in Merseyside Paul Joyce who tells us why Andoni Iraola has a lot of work to do to get Liverpool contending for the Premier League next season after a frustrating summer of transfer activity at Anfield. And we hear why David Moyes could be under pressure at Everton if they fail to get off to a decent start to the new season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 3 · 48 min
Infantino finished? Mourinho's Madrid & Iraola's Liverpool challenge
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 manager Jose Mourinho will get the best out of England's Jude Bellingham. And we ask which teams are we excited by, intrigued by and worried by, with the new Premier League season less than three weeks away! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 31 · 10 min
FIFA Special: What now for Infantino?
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.

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