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The Game Football Podcast
Gunners fire, Liverpool stall. United hope, Chelsea despair
Arsenal are back in the title race, but are Liverpool suffering the delayed effects of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement last week? Tom, Alyson, Gregor, and Tony discuss the result at the Emirates and where it leaves both teams. It was a positive weekend for Manchester United, two wins on the bounce and Erik Ten Hag more upbeat than ever, have they finally turned a corner?
Chelsea by contrast go from bad to worse. The team see no light at the end of the tunnel for a team over budget, with no identity, no character and facing FFP restrictions. No such trouble at Wolves who are a showcase for the ability of Gary O’Neil…will Crystal Palace come calling if he isn’t given a new contract by Wolves soon. And a quick tip of the hat for Luton.
Timeline:
Arsenal v Liverpool
2’ Keepers at fault, Alisson and Reya, should have stayed on their line.
4’ the let down after Klopp’s announcement
6’ Nunez should start if fit.
7’ poor as a team, off the pace, Trent AA nose out of joint.
10’ Arsenal were fantastic. Structured, first goal was great.
11’ Brave on the ball at the back, resisting Liverpool’s press
13’ What do Liverpool do now?
18’ It’s a reset moment for Liverpool…will they or not?
Manchester united
20’ Positive signs, two wins on the trot.
21’ there is balance in the team with Shaw and Martinez back. Mainoo offers legs alongside Casimero.
22’ Ten Hag suddenly has a predictable eleven.
25’ The Kobbie Mainoo goal could have been the springboard.
26’ There are lights and reasons for optimism, can they sustain it.
West Ham
29’ Tough start for Kalvin Philips at West ham. He looks short on confidence and a little unfit.
32’ missing pre season is key. Philips playing catch up from not playing at City.
Chelsea and Wolves
35’ Fans berating players, some berating manager, joined with the Wolves fans who sang you’re f**ing sh*t.
36’ Wolves were a joy to watch. Everything Chelsea are not. Pace, bravery and positivity.
37’ Gary O’Neil not getting credit because it’s about the Chelsea crisis.
38’ Chelsea sold all their personality.
41’ Chelsea could be in freefall, they need to move players on.
41’ Chelsea If you take Tiago out it looks like a team of little boys.
43’ Is Poch the problem?
46’ They can’t afford to sack him, even if they want to.
48’ Will O’Neil stay at Wolves? He’ll be in demand. Are Palace looking?
Crystal Palace
51’ no depth in squad, can’t afford it, results reflect that. Bit of bad luck with injuries to key players.
54’ Getting rid of Hodgson would be a political decision.
55’ It’ll end badly, because the club shouldn’t have reemployed him in the summer.
57’ bigger issues at Palace, Steve Parish owns 10% but his a bigger say on pitch,,,why?
58’ There is conflict in the board room.
Luton
58’ Of course they can stay up!!
60’ They’re brave, they play with positivity and ross Barkley has found a home.
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Euros Daily #19: England; “…don't cry, we’re still in it.”
33:39The England inquest continues; if they pick the same team, will they beat Switzerland? The resounding response is no. But is Southgate, a pragmatic manager willing to change the script? Gregor Robertson, Martin Samuel, and Tom Allnutt join Tom Clarke to ask; can England rely on having one or two players capable of the exceptional to drag them through? As Cristiano Ronaldo wore his heart on his sleeve it turns out tournament football is quite tough. A star studded Portugal team struggling to get past Slovenia and France scrapping past Belgium. Gregor casts an admiring eye on the French defence, never mind that they haven’t scored from open play yet…Euros Daily #18: England – The Debrief (put someone on the left!!)
41:40One moment of brilliance saved England from humiliation. Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick helped secure England’s unlikely win, but it doesn’t paper over the chasm in England’s performance; lacklustre, disjointed, blunt, pedestrian. Where does Gareth Southgate go now? Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and James Gheerbrant join Tom Clarke to dissect a performance which was so disappointing and left so many questions. Left being the operative word…”Just put someone on the left!!” In the other game, Spain…they look rather good.Euros Daily #17: England, don't do what the Italians did...
46:59England's path to the final looks clearer than ever, what could possibly go wrong? Tom Clarke is joined by Ian Hawkey, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson to discuss exactly what could go wrong... they could do an Italy. Is there anything more infuriating than VAR? Gregor Robertson doesn't think so. But does Germany's under par performance give other teams hope?And will Georgia upset Spain? Probably not, but here's to hoping.Euros Daily #16: 'There is no life without football'
41:35Two days without football felt like a lifetime. But it's back! Martin Samuel, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to preview the last 16: Which game are we most looking forward to? Will there be any shocks on the cards? And how does Alyson decide which decorative flags on her house stay up and which go down?Euros Daily #15: Play the kids and eat kebabs
28:17With the group stage finished its time to step back, take a breath and have a considered look at Euro 2024. Which teams have impressed, which have disappointed? Who are the players who’ve stood out and who are the surprise packages? One man perfectly placed to answer most of those questions is Times writer Paul Hirst. He has seen ten teams, travelled across Germany and watched England with England fans in a fan park. Tom Clarke catches up with Paul to get his tips for who to look out for in the knockout stages, the best players he’s seen so far and is German rail really as bad as it is in the UK? Oh, and England, what does he make of them?Euros Daily #14: Have England got lucky?
41:13Are England the luckiest team in football? They have somehow contrived to avoid France, Germany, Portugal and Spain; only playing them if they reach the final. Or is that to disrespect the teams who have made it through in their half of the draw – Austria, Switzerland and their next opponents – Slovakia? Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke to round up a brilliant night for Turkey and Georgia; and to plot England’s unlikely route to the final. Surely, they will beat Slovakia…surely?Euros Daily #13: Who starts for England in the last 16?
39:52Ok, so a 0-0 draw against a country smaller than Manchester doesn't sound great... but there are positives. Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Alyson Rudd are intent on finding them. The big question remains, though: who starts in the next round? Plus, Austria are showing the rest of Europe how to win AND entertain. And Alyson thinks the Netherlands will come good eventually. Perhaps in the last 16 against England.Euros Daily #12: England – hopes and fears
40:36Will it be a convincing win, a team that clicks and all doubt banished…? Or another edgy one one draw followed by a three-day inquest? The speculation is that Gareth Southgate will swap Trent Alexander Arnold for Conor Gallagher. Will that be enough, will it change the dynamic of a team slow to press and lacking a cutting edge?A thrilling conclusion to group B as football once again proved so much can change in a minute. On ninety-eight minutes Italy were likely heading out, Croatia were going through. But by ninety-nine Italy were through, Croatia as good as out. And England, well even if they were to lose tonight, they’re also through as one of the best third placed teams. But surely, they won’t lose… will they?Euros Daily #11: Scotland limp out and how to fix England
44:23The dream is over for Scotland. It was Hungary who got the late winner, leaving Scotland bottom of group A. Did the Scots go out with a whimper or with a bang? Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke to dissect Scotland’s performance.Gregor thinks they have been the worst team at the tournament, even though they’re not the worst team. Martin and Alyson lament a complete lack of cutting edge. In the other group game Germany nearly suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland, trailing one nil going into injury time. Did their very late equaliser paper over the cracks or are the home fans now wondering if their team are as good as they thought?After the break, a look ahead to England. What is Gareth Southgate’s next move? Double down, change the system or change the personnel? It all feels a bit like closing your eyes and hoping for the best…same old England then…