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The Game
England: Balled out by Hodgson, blanked by Beckham and bluntness from Capello. Plus a look through the week's other football news
The Game Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Dickinson, Matt Lawton and Martin Samuel to discuss the weeks footballing news, this weekend’s international fixtures and a few very funny stories of runs ins with former England managers and captains.
1.10: Roy Keane incident/sports pundits. Was the Roy Keane incident an accident waiting to happen. Martin Samuel discusses the loss of impartiality in sports broadcasting. Wider comments on ex-players as pundits. Is their perceived fan loyalty detracting from their in-depth knowledge.
15.30: Anthony/Greenwood/Man Utd. Tough times at Manchester United off the pitch. In light of the Anthony allegations have the club set a precedent in the way they have handled the Mason Greenwood situation.
20.00: Jordan Henderson. Was the former Liverpool players interview a good idea? Were his responses to his critics believable? The discussion broadens out to Saudi influence on sport. Matt Lawton highlights the vast amounts of money involved. All agree that Saudi Arabian influence, across all sport, not just football is an unstoppable force.
35.50: England. Do managers or journalists learn anything from friendlies? What areas of the England team need to be looked at.
39.00 – Gareth Southgate. Is he still under pressure? Is he tactically astute enough? What does the future hold for Southgate. Matt Lawton is adamant that the FA can not let him leave the FA. With his knowledge he must be retained in some way. Should he be the most important and influential person in English football?
50.00: The writers discuss their best stories of run ins they’ve had with England managers of the past. Should journalist be told the team ahead of time? Tales of Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello, Sven Eriksen and Glen Hoddle follow.
1’.08: Which England captains have the writers worked with, who have been engaging, who have been reluctant to work closely with the journalists. The press pack take on David Beckham. The Spice Girls and Beckhams Mohican.
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EFL Extra: Play-off final reactions and end of season awards
31:43|Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson wrap up the 2025/26 EFL season with a look back at the three play-off finals - and give their own end of season awards. They discuss Hull City’s hard earned victory over Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers’s win against Stockport County, and Notts County besting Salford City. Plus, praise for standout seasons from Coventry City, Lincoln City and Bromley.Big season review and awards
56:53|Joining Tom Clarke are Tony Cascarino, Gary Jacob and Peter Rutzler to wrap up an astonishing Premier League season. What went wrong at West Ham and what do they need to avoid further collapse? How did Sunderland’s fairytale campaign end in European qualification? Plus, the team hand out their much-coveted end-of-season awards.EFL Extra: Play-off final predictions
20:37|Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke go over each of the Play Off finals - who is favourite, who is in form...who goes up, who stays down?And Gregor gets his say on SpygateENGLAND SQUAD: IMMEDIATE REACTION
12:15|Jonathan Northcroft Chief Football Correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times joins Tom Clarke for immediate to the England squad.Who is in, who is out and what do we make of it?Villa, Arsenal and Spygate
59:01|Aston Villa added to a crazy week in English football last night, winning their first trophy in thirty years and their first european trophy in forty four years. Is it the first of many for Unai Emery at Villa? How does a club and squad like Villa take the next step to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League?Arsenal are still celebrating their title win - who were the key players for them? Can they win the Champions League too and what role did Mikel Arteta play? After the break Spygate - does anyone have any sympathy for Southampton?The relegation battle, will West Ham or Spurs be able to find a win on the last day? And tomorrow the England World Cup squad is announced...who should be in it?SPECIAL EPISODE: Arsenal are Champions and Pep leaves City
40:16|What a week in English football!Arsenal are Champions again after a twenty two year wait.How did they do it, what were the key moments, who were the key players or staff and will it be the start of something bigger?Tom Clarke joins The Times Arsenal reporter Gary Jacob to assess a memorable night for the Gunners.After the break the worst kept secret in football - Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season and be replaced by Enzo Maresca.The Times Chief Sports Correspondent Matt Lawton joins Tom Clarke to discuss his departure, what comes next and his legacy to the English game.Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Lawton and Gary Jacob**More on the 'Spygate' saga in tomorrows episodeAlonso and Carrick in; will Slot or Pep be leaving?
01:04:58|Xabi Alonso is in the Premier League, but not where many expected.As the Liverpool old boy joins Chelsea what can he expect and is it a huge positive for the Chelsea project? Where does the appointment leave Liverpool, the owners are wedded to Arne Slot but the fans don't seem to be.Man Utd look set to announce Michael Carrick on a permanent basis, what will his targets be next season? Pep Guardiola has a cup double to his name, but if it misses out on the league will he still be at Man City next season to try again?After the break the craziest final day in the SPL; who is the most underrated Premier League player and the enigma that is Neymar.Joining Tom Clarke are Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and Jame GheerbrantIs Carrick right for Man Utd? And Celtic v Hearts
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59:54|Was it or wasn't it? Could one decision of foul or no foul have decided the title race AND relegation? It was the biggest moment yet for VAR, was the final outcome correct...or is it more complicated than that?Will john McGinn get a statue at Villa Park if he leads them to a european trophy?Who is ion a worse position - Liverpool or Chelsea ?After the break an update on the SPL as Hearts go for their first title in 66 yrs; the chaos at real Madrid and who has had the better season - Bournemouth, Bretford or Brighton? Tom clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Allnutt.