The Game

Was Arne Slot right to play the youngsters? His Liverpool team have now lost six of their last seven games – are there similarities with Man City from last season?Chelsea beat Wolves but had another man sent off, do they have a discipline problem?North of the border an ugly row has broken out between Celtic share holder Dermot Desmond and ex manager Brendon Rogers…where does the truth lie?Finally, why does Spurs manager Thomas Frank want to play down his teams chances in the league? Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel.

Administration, points deductions and the hunt for new owners - it's been a huge couple of days for Sheffield Wednesday and on this special episode of The Game we analyse the latest news and ask what might be next for the Championship club. Paul Hirst, a football reporter for The Times and Wednesday fan, joins Tom Clarke to outline the grim realities facing the club now and the brighter hope for a new owner and a better future, on and off the pitch. 

What was the most significant result of the weekend? Burnley beating relegation rivals Wolves? Leeds doing likewise to West Ham? City losing again, Liverpool losing again? Arsenal going clear, Sunderland beating Chelsea at the Bridge or Bournemouth going second? And Man Utd looking resurgent.This season seems to be different. Arsenal aside – we’ll come to them – anyone can beat anyone. And it is great!Are Liverpool’s problems so big that they are now out of the title race? What makes Arsenal so good, and can the promoted clubs really start eyeing the top of the table instead of the bottom?Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Pete Rutzler.

Liverpool returned to form with an impressive win in Frankfurt. A new formation and no Salah. Was it a one-off experiment or the start of a new look Liverpool? Arsenal kept yet another clean sheet as they beat a normally tough Atletico Madrid; just how good is this Arsenal back four? Would any get into some of the best in Premier League history – Arsenal 98’, Man Utd 08’ , Chelsea 04’ and Liverpool 18’?Did someone say there was a recruitment process to appoint Sean Dyche at Forest? Hang on a minute! And can Nuno save West Ham from relegation…probably not. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel

The ‘Unfashionables’ are still going strong in the EFL. Coventry top the Championship with a goal difference not seen at this stage of the season since Fulham in 2000/1. They are closely followed by Middlesborough who reminded Ipswich that points don’t come cheap in the Championship. Also up there are Stoke and Millwall. In League One despite losing, Stevenage are still in the top two. They lost to another unfancied club – Lincoln City. Tom was there and delights in giving his assessment of the Imps.  Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson

Manchester United win at Anfield for the first time in ten years and Liverpool lose four on the bounce for the first time since 2014. So, has Amorim finally turned a corner and is Arne Slot facing a blip or a crisis? Nottingham Forest sack Ange Postecoglou seventeen minutes after the final whistle at the City Ground, will he be back or is that the end of big Ange? And who is in line to replace him?In a mad weekend in the Premier League that is only the half of it! Arsenal go clear at the top, Wolves lose again and Villa come from behind to beat Spurs. Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Charlotte Duncker and Gregor Robertson

After another good win for Thomas Tuchel’s England which places are still up for grabs in his starting eleven? The full backs, number ten? Lots of listeners offering up cult heroes from their clubs; from Alan Hutton and Stan Bowles to John Kaye and Terry Hurlock. Were Tony or Gregor cult heroes at any of their clubs?Gregor has been to see how former players are progressing as they become referees…they’re finding out what a difficult job it is.After the break a look ahead to some of the big games this weekend…will Liverpool’s two big signings start in the game against Manchester United? Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino Pete Rutzler and Gregor Robertson 

What makes a great cult hero – amazing skill, trying hard, being a bit weird or relentlessly dependable. From Tony Hibbert to Jay Jay Okocha via Lee Trundle and Dimitar Berbatov…we want to know your favourite cult players. Alyson Rudd has a theory – England don’t need a manager, certainly not one on five million pounds a year. England have some much quality they would have to work hard not to qualify. Thereafter they should appoint an English manager for the tournament - one who has worked for a club all season and is match sharpened.Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson discuss. 

Is it different this time…? Is the Premier League as open as it appears – Bournemouth, Sunderland, Palace and Everton are in the top ten. Has the power balance changed, or will it revert to type and by Christmas it will be the same old top four and the promoted clubs in the relegation zone? Who has been the signing of the season so far? Kudos, Truffert, Mosquera, Grealish?As England prepare to play Wales who is in pole position to play number ten And Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given an interview to The Times in which he suggests Manchester united are making good progress, Ruben Amorim has three years, and the press have unrealistic expectations. The assembled members of the press – Jonny, Martin, Gregor and Tom discuss Tom Clarke is joined by Jonathan Nrthcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson