The Game Football Podcast

A must listen for fans of teams in the football league. With Stoke, Millwall, West Brom, Oxford, Hull just some of the clubs who’ve changed manager. But, will it change the table?It’s a two from five for automatic promotion in the Championship. Sheffield United are in it but they’ve had a bumpy Christmas. Across the City Could Sheffield Wednesday make a push for the play offs The Times’ Paul Hirst thinks they might… In League One is it already a three horse race at the top. Who are the lower league strikers in demand and will their be an FA Cup shock?  

Manchester United were more than worthy of their draw at Anfield. Should they have won? Was this an exception or a sign of things to come? Plus, Arsenal concede a penalty for a header, Bournemouth fans are getting excited and Ange Postecoglou is still Ange Postecoglou. Join Tom Clarke, Paul Hirst, Gregor Robertson and Peter Rutzler for a dissection of the weekend's action.

Arsenal go within six points of Liverpool, could they make it a proper title race? Chelsea have slipped up Martin Samuel thinks it is self-inflicted and questions Enzo Maresca’s approach. But he is very impressed with the work done by Nottingham Forest, does it set a template for PSR?Why did it go wrong for Wayne Rooney? Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson think it could be tactics…Martin thinks the same could apply to Ruben Amorim ahead of his trip to Anfield on Sunday. Can anyone make a case for a Man Utd win…?  

It goes from bad to worse at Old Trafford, are they really in a relegation fight? Will Amorim change his system, can he change his system? Ipswich have their first win in the Premier League this season at Portman Road; it came at the expense of a stuttering Chelsea side. Are Maresca’s problems self-inflicted ?It’s time to give Nottingham Forest enormous credit, and Nuno Espirito Santo in particular. Forest are second, will they hold on to Champions league football?Finally, Alyson Rudd, Charlotte Duncker and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to offer their bold predictions for 2025. 

Could Manchester United be in a relegation fight? Could Manchester City finish mid table and could Fulham or Forest make the top four? It might have sounded fanciful at the start of the season, but not now.Paul Hirst, Martin Hardy and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to look at a resurgent Newcastle, the two floundering Manchester clubs and predict the top four come May.

Another pulsating game at the Tottenham stadium, another win for Liverpool another six conceded for Spurs. Is the title Liverpool’s to lose? For Ange Postecoglou is it injuries or game management?Rubin Amorim was left scratching his head as Manchester United were beaten at home - again - by Bournemouth.Across Manchester, City continue to struggle…could Pep even walk?Plus, when did Burnley beat Manchester united 6-1?Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique Loonat look back at all the weekends action.  

Marcus Rashford looks to be on his way out of Manchester United.A tail of a talent lost or stalled? Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss how he ended up here and what happens next for him and the club.Everton have finally secured a take over deal. Where is their true place in the pecking order - big club or a midtable club?After the break a thorough look at the League Cup and is the Community Shield a trophy – Mikel Arteta thinks so… 

If Pep Guardiola is the greatest manager of the modern era, its time for him to prove his worth.Manchester City are a “crumbling dynasty” losing again in a derby where they looked nervous throughout. While a Chelsea team with four ex City players in it and a manager honed under Guardiola are now two off the top and “having a lot of fun, playing with palpable joy.”Rubin Amorim has again showed who is in charge by dropping Marcus Rashford from the squad and has his tram playing in his patterns.Elsewhere, time to give Nottingham Forest due credit; managerial sackings and great saves.Paul hirst, Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant join Tom Clarke to analyse a very busy weekend.

World Cup 2034 is heading to Saudi Arabia and WC 2030 to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Martin Samuel was revolted by proceedings… “FIFA conducted two one horse races yesterday.”Is it a decision to grow the game, or a demonstration of 'money talks' ?Martin joins Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino and Jonathan Northcroft who offer their thoughts on the decision, the process and Gianni Infantino.Elsewhere, more problems in Manchester. Who is to blame for the mess at United? Is Dan Ashworth a patsy? With one win in ten for Manchester City is it now a crisis? And Tony takes a closer look at Haaland.