Beyond The Back Four

Premier League transfer secrets, untold scouting stories, and unheard moments with Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce. Paul Montgomery lifts the lid on how deals really happened behind the scenes.This week on Beyond The Back Four, Sam Homewood and Kieran Maguire are joined by legendary scout Paul Montgomery — the man managers called when they needed a hidden gem. From blagging into Ajax and Milan training grounds, to helping Sir Bobby reset Alan Shearer’s role, to the chaos of low-budget recruitment at Portsmouth and Derby.Paul opens up about transfers that nearly happened, players he spotted before anyone else, how Big Sam used stats before anyone else in the Premier League, and his relationship with Sir Alex.All taken from his new book Rough Diamond — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Diamond-Nightclub-Footballs-Future/dp/1914197941

Sam Homewood is joined by ex-ref Mark Clattenburg, football finance insider Kieran Maguire and elite talent scout Paul Montgomery to take you Beyond The Back Four — where the real football conversations happen.From Caicedo’s red and United’s midfield problem, to why Liverpool dropped Salah and who’s actually got cash to spend in January — it’s all here with no fluff and no PR spin.

Premier League clubs vote through UEFA-style Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules — what it means and who wins. In this episode of Beyond The Back Four, Sam Homewood and Kieran Maguire, along with Mark Clattenburg and Jack Gallagher, break down the November meeting, where 13 clubs voted in favour of a major financial overhaul.They unpack how the new rules will cap spending on players, wages, and agents to 85% of “football revenue” plus a portion of player-sale profits; why the anchoring (wage cap) proposal was rejected; and what this means for big clubs versus aspiring ones. They also explore the implications for competitive balance, long-term sustainability, and whether this could change the product on the pitch.

This week on Beyond The Back Four, we cut through the noise around a huge Premier League weekend. Arsenal smash Spurs 4–1 in the North London Derby, Chelsea look the closest challengers after a comfortable win at Burnley, Liverpool fall apart at home to Forest, and Man City leave St James’ Park fuming after VAR controversy.Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, football finance expert Kieran Maguire, and journalist Jack Gallagher break down what really happened – and why. From refereeing inconsistencies to tactical shifts, squad depth, PSR, and behind-the-scenes realities clubs won’t admit publicly, this is the football conversation the TV pundits never have.

In this episode of Beyond The Back Four, Sam Homewood, James Brooke and Ned Keating build Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup — position by position.From goalkeeper dilemmas to the Bellingham question, we break down England’s depth chart with proper behind-the-scenes knowledge — the stuff you won’t hear on TV. If you love football, Premier League debates and honest analysis, this episode is for you.Expect strong opinions, tactical insight, and the kind of football conversation only journalists, editors and producers with real access can give. No clichés. No safe takes. Just what people inside football actually think.

This week on Beyond The Back Four, we cut through the noise around the next Premier League manager under pressure. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire and journalist James Brooke join Sam Homewood to break down what’s really happening inside Leeds, Fulham and Newcastle — from finances to board expectations, squad value, supporter pressure and the realities no pundit ever explains.

In this episode of Beyond The Back Four, host Sam Homewood is joined by Graeme Bailey and special guest Alan Myers — former Sky Sports News journalist and Everton head of communications — to explore how football journalism has changed in the age of social media, influencers, and instant news.Alan lifts the lid on how the press worked in the 90s, why football clubs lost control of the story, and how figures have built an empire on speculation. From press rooms and PR to player power and social platforms, this is an honest look at how modern football media really works.

Premier League podcast | Arsenal, City, Chelsea, United & Wolves analysisOn this week’s Beyond The Back Four, Sam Homewood is joined by Graeme Bailey, Kieran Maguire, and Mark Clattenburg for the ultimate insider look at the weekend’s Premier League action. From VAR controversies to transfer market insights, we cover it all.Highlights include:*City vs Liverpool – tactical masterclass, formation changes, and Foden lighting up Haaland.*VAR & controversial moments – Dan Burn, Doku penalty, and Van Dijk’s equaliser analysed by Mark Clattenburg.*Arsenal & Sunderland – why the Gunners slipped late and Raya’s crucial role.*Manchester United – on-pitch errors and financial strategy explained.*Chelsea – confident midfield, title potential, and long-term squad planning.*Wolves & Rob Edwards – can they survive under new management?Get the insider perspective on the tactics, transfers, finances, and refereeing decisions that pundits won’t discuss.

PSR, Premier League, and football finance — explained without the spin.In this episode of Beyond The Back Four, Sam Homewood is joined by transfer insider Graeme Bailey and football finance expert Kieran Maguire to unpack how Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) are reshaping the Premier League — and turning club academies into profit centres.From Chelsea’s youth sales to Newcastle’s spending squeeze, this is the football conversation the pundits don’t have on TV — real talk from people who actually know how the game works.