Share

cover art for “Pep is losing it!” And is Ollie Watkins worth 60 million?

The Game

“Pep is losing it!” And is Ollie Watkins worth 60 million?

What do you think of the new Champions League format? It gets mixed reaction in the studio – full of excitement but was there any real jeopardy?

Manchester City got through, but the sight of Pep Guardiola clutching at straws was something to behold. Villa were in a thriller with Celtic and one man stood out – Morgan Rogers. A hattrick in the Champions League at 22 with the England manager watching on.

Another young talent on show was 17yr old Ethan Nwaneri where is his best position?

A quick look at transfers – is Ollie Watkins worth 60 million and a look ahead to some key games this weekend. 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Is ‘fancy’ football finished in the EFL?

    50:06|
    Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL.Coventry City top the Championship and Stevenage top League One…did anyone see that coming?Frank Lampard has his team scoring for fun, and they’re not the only surprise in the Championship with Preston, Stoke and QPR all flying high. Does it sign post a change in football style or will the money and ‘progressive’ football of Ipswich, Birmingham or Wrexham eventually rise to the top?In League One, two managerial changes as Blackpool and Luton ditch Steve Bruce and Matt Bloomfield. Was it coming and who is likely to fill the vacancies?In League Two Walsall are back on top - can they stay there this time?
  • Chelsea win; Liverpool struggle and how good is Moises Caicedo?

    56:59|
    Chelsea beat Liverpool to send Arsenal top. The top ten are separated by six points and it seems anyone can beat anyone. It could be a vintage season or will it revert to type?Moises Caicedo was at the heart of Chelsea’s performance, how good is he? For Liverpool where do the problems lie? How will Arsenal respond to being front runners?Elsewhere, Ange Postecoglou is under pressure having not won in his first seven games. Have Man United found a goal keeper and who are the Premier League's best one touch finishers?Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Tom Allnutt and Pete Rutzler with A LOT to talk about. 
  • Are Liverpool in Transition or in Trouble?

    57:51|
    Is Arne Slot facing his biggest test yet as Liverpool manager? After back to back defeats is his team in transition or in deeper trouble? Many felt the period of transition should have been after Jurgen Klopp left, but has it come 12 months later? Martin Samuel wonders if there is another factor at play, one perhaps being over looked.Arsenal won again and are gaining momentum, but people don’t seem too pleased for Mikel Arteta….After the break; Rory McIlroy gave a bit back to abusive American fans at the Ryder Cup and he was praised for it. But if a footballer did it what would happen?Gregor Robertson is joined by Pete Rutzler, Alyson Rudd and Martin Samuel.
  • Arsenal show their mettle as Palace, Brighton and Brentford rock the big guns

    58:46|
    As Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland and Palace beat the so-called bigger clubs has the Premier League ever been stronger?Crystal Palace could have won by more as Oliver Glasner once again showed he knows how to beat the Champions. For Arne Slot and Liverpool does he have a problem with one of his marquee signings?While Chelsea and Man Utd came unstuck, Arsenal showed championship winning mentality as they left it late to win at a raucous St James Park. Could this be a turning pint for Mikel Arteta’s team?And as West Ham change manager again, will Nuno be the right man? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gary Jacob and Martin Hardy.
  • Who makes the decisions the coach or the players?

    51:41|
    Plus: Forest, Villa and Liverpool’s striker problemsNottingham Forest returned to Europe with an impressive draw away at Betis, are Forest fans warming to Angeball?Was Hugo Ekitike stupid or passionate? Do his actions speak to the wider cult of young players, looking for Instagram moments and perhaps thinking less about the team?After the break Jonathan Northcroft outlines his thoughts on the changing face of modern coaches – one type who wants to be seen as the author or controller of everything and an alternate style which offers more freedom and decision making to players. And has Unai Emery been strengthened or weakened at Villa?Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Jonathan Northcroft
  • Is Arteta too cautious? And what's happened to Man City?

    59:35|
    What has happened to the really Pep Guardiola, he put out a team which ended with his lowest even percentage of possession. But a cautious Mikel Arteta didn’t set his side up to capitalise so in the end who should be happier with the point shared at the Emirates? Liverpool won again, but again they looked shaky towards the end of the game. Is it the sign of champions, a team in third gear or a problem that needs solving? Chelsea have lots of wingers but no top goalkeeper, did Man Utd turn a corner and how long has Graham potter got? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Paul Joyce
  • Wilder back at Sheffield United and Yorkshire strength in League One

    29:13|
    Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the EFL.Will Chris Wilder – and all his coaching staff – return to Sheffield United be enough to arrest the slide at Bramall Lane?Did anyone predict that Middlesborough, stoke and Bristol City would be at the top of the Championship after five games – will any of them stay the course?In League One Bradford City are making the most of their impressive home support and a big change at Wycombe.
  • Are Liverpool lucky and do Arsenal have the best squad?

    55:52|
    Liverpool left it late again, is it a winning habit or a worrying trend? Or to quote Gregor, can both things be true? With Isak making his debut after his record-breaking transfer Liverpool now have a array or attacking options but with Wirtz, Ekitike, Salah and Gakpo all wanting to start could they have problems ahead?Harry Kane scored two against Chelsea, is he the best striker in Europe? For Arsenal, another impressive display away to Bilboa. While Liverpool are top and might have the best starting eleven, do Arsenal have the best squad in the league? If they do, then its time they won something thinks Martin Samuel.Finally, what’s wrong at Aston Villa?  Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson.
  • Will Amorim be Manchester United manager at Christmas?

    58:10|
    Manchester City won the derby. Ruben Amorim took the blame. Is he really the right man for the job. Manchester reporter Paul Hirst thinks he looks like he wants to be as far away from it as possible. If Amorim doesn’t change his football philosophy will he still have the job by Christmas. For City it was a return to form for Foden and Rodri.As the Champions League returns which of the English teams are best placed to succeed?Arsenal have attacking options in abundance and a solid defence, Spurs are pragmatic under Frank and Liverpool and Chelsea have invested heavily…so who could win it?Plus, old school football is making a comeback and Gregor loves it. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and The Times Manchester football reporter Paul Hirst.