The Second Captains Podcast

Neil Atkinson and John Brewin join us to talk about the weekend's football. How has Mohamed Salah unlocked his current level? What specifically do Liverpool fans find most annoying about the prospect of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid? And as Sean Dyche becomes a cultural touchstone - is he still a footballing one?

Back in September, the Second Captains crew flew to London for a live show at the EartH Theatre Hackney. But, as a very special added bonus, we also got to sit down with Pogues legend Spider Stacy at his very own kitchen table which, unsurprisingly, was one of our favourite episodes of the year. With that in mind, today we're making it free for everyone to listen to. Merry Christmas!--With the North London derby just a couple of days away, we decided to take the temperature on the ground with a local Arsenal fan.That fan just so happens to be the legendary Spider Stacy of The Pogues, who invited us into his home to chat about his boyhood club but more importantly, for a beautiful conversation about how he’s dealt with the passing of his dear friend Shane MacGowan, how music has been a balm for his grief, and the amazing life Shane lived.Plus there’s the Spider verdict on Ricey and a brief detour to talk tricolours of the French revolution.

Before our final pre-Christmas football show, Ken bought himself an early Christmas present which reveals the unsuspected parallels between Pep Guardiola and another dark brooding superhero. We discuss the continuing leakiness at Manchester United and whether Trent Alexander-Arnold should make a multimillion pound donation to the billionaire John Henry in order to make Liverpool feel better about not renewing his contract a couple of years ago.Rich Jolly joins us after covering the two biggest games of the weekend. Have City's players stopped playing for Guardiola? Which of the generation of young ex-City Academy superstars currently ripping up European football might they have been better off keeping? What is 'weird' about Angeball? And who was the pick of a pretty impressive bunch for Liverpool?

New coach, new environment, new tactics, new hemisphere, but no problems for Jordie Barrett who has started like a train for Leinster.We chat to Gerry Thornley and Chris Jones of the BBC about Leinster's drive for five, the lineout virus infecting the country, Munster's blunderfest in Castres, the rich getting richer in Europe and the lack of fan/player/media/South African engagement with the Champions Cup.Plus there's Carbery turning heel and a reluctant MOTM winner.

Empires: large, unwieldy structures. We’ve seen them crumble, topple and collapse. But have we ever seen one just… evaporate?The latest phase of Manchester City’s shocking dematerialisation was another night of glory for Ruben Amorim, whose brave decisions paid off as Amad seized the day. We also talk about the departures, for now, of Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil from the Premier League stage.Then we’re joined by Mark Critchley and Jamie Hamilton for the What’s The Matter With City section. Are we seeing the weaknesses of a totalising systemic approach in which individual inspiration is discouraged to the point of being forgotten?

This week on the Second Captains World Service, Ken brings us up to speed on FIFAs decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia and the frankly bizarre ceremony that went with it.Meanwhile, Murph caught up with US Murph to chat about Juan Soto's new contract with the New York Mets - the largest in professional sports history. Plus, we look back on our chat with GAA heavyweights Rian O'Neill, Oisín McConville and Brian Fenton from Liberty Hall. Join the party for just a fiver a month—no contracts, no sign-up fee, no minimum stay, no hidden charges, and no ads. Head to secondcaptains.com/join for more details.

Leinster were in a knife fight in Bristol, then took out their rocket launchers, RG and Jordie. Is it fair that a team already this good gets to sign two of the best players in the world?We talk to Ruaidhri O'Connor of the Irish Independent about the launch of Leinster's Galacticos era, JVDF's beatific smile, the eternal Peter O'Mahony, Stade's insanity, and the status of the Champions Cup in 2024.Plus there's Brian Fenton on retirement and culture vulture Ciarán "Murph" Murphy.

Manchester United's exciting defeat to Nottingham Forest was followed the next morning by the news that star sporting director Dan Ashworth had walked the plank after five months in the job. We reminisce about a spectacular weekend for Sir Big Jim, who got the ball rolling with a "let them eat cake" interview with United We Stand. Who's the Dumb Money now? Barney Ronay and Miguel Delaney join us to talk about the weekend's football. Can Chelsea win the title? Has Ange run out of road at Spurs? Now that Arsenal have the corners sorted what else can they do to improve? And what have they made of the revolving executive door at United?