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The Game Football Podcast
Triumphant Tottenham, Disastrous Debuts and Victorious Villa
Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy in The Times office in London, with Molly Hudson in Australia.
The Lionesses came up just short in the World Cup final on Sunday - Molly Hudson joins us from Sydney to look back on a close game against Spain and look ahead to a future with or without Sarina Wiegman in charge. (00:00)
In the Premier League, it was a disastrous weekend for Everton who won’t forget their visit to Villa Park in a hurry and Chelsea won’t be overly keen on the London Stadium after a 3-1 defeat to West Ham. How long will it take Mauricio Pochettino’s side to fully gel and what can realistically be expected of them this season? (11:40)
Tom Roddy gives us an insight into his exclusive conversation with former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who left the club for AC Milan in the summer. You can read the full conversation on The Times website (25:24)
Tottenham began life after Harry Kane with a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Have the club finally found the right manager to give them a clear identity and vision? As for United, are they still quite a way off where they need to be or was it just one of those days? (29:44)
Manchester City overcame Newcastle without Kevin De Bruyne, who is out for several months through injury. Phil Foden stepped up to fill in, but did he impress? (46:00)
We round up the rest of the weekend results as Fulham and Brentford share a similar problem in attack, while Brighton end the weekend top of the table despite their summer outgoings (52:05)
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Which teams offer the best entertainment value? (It’s not Man Utd or Arsenal)
59:28|Arsenal stumbled – again. Manchester United were average – again. So, which teams do deserve the prime time 4pm Sunday slot? Spurs v Bournemouth put on a good show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Bournemouth are a swash buckling side, will they be able to hold on to their star players? For Ange Postecoglou, the path to making something of this season is getting narrower, are the players still playing for him? Nottingham Forest notched a “seismic” win against top four rivals Man City. Has anyone done better transfer business and might they have three players in the next England squad. Talking of Champions League…what’s the point of getting into it if you don’t’ do anything in it…?Alyson met up with David Brookes who has recovered from stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma.And, is it time to feel sorry for Erling Haaland..?Can an English club win the Champions League? And Alisson heroics
59:04|Paris Saint Germain were amazing…they just weren’t quite as good as Alisson Becker. Liverpool’s one nil win in the French capital was largely down to the outstanding performance of their goalkeeper – have the panel ever seen better? What did PSG do to test Liverpool more than any other side so far this season? Arsenal are all but through, but would they rather play Real or Atletico Madrid next?Villa could well face Liverpool next, if they do, could Emery work his European magic?Gregor has been to Naples to see ‘the other Scotsman’ Billy Gilmour – he was very impressed.FA Cup reaction and are Man Utd fans turning on Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
01:01:10|Shoot outs, red cards and moments of madness – the FA Cup delivers. At old Trafford cup holders Man Utd were dumped out by Fulham and the fans made their feelings clear - the focus of their ire was Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Is his efficiency drive having an adverse effect on the club? On the pitch Amorim persists with a 3:4:3 formation. Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts will get a three game ban for a horrendous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jena-Phillippe Mateta…is that enough? Anthony Gordon saw red and will miss the cup final, is that too harsh? And Matheus Cunha snapped against Bournemouth, does incidents like that put off big clubs from signing him?Finally, as Danny Welbeck scored the winner for Brighton, who is the most universally loved player?Best ever individual seasons: Salah, Henry, Terry? Plus, hats off to Arne Slot
01:07:02|The title race is done, so time to recognise the job Arne Slot is doing at Anfield. It is much more than ‘tweaks’ according to Gregor and Martin.With Arsenal dropping more points are they under pressure to get second, and the race for the top four/five is wide open…but who is best placed to capitalise.After the break, as Mo Salah is putting in a phenomenal season, leading both goals and assists charts which player has had the greatest individual season; Cole, Ronaldo, Terry, Kante… ?EFL Extra: Championship snakes and ladders and EFL fatigue
35:11|Join Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson for all the latest news from the Championship, League One and League Two.Is it time to give Frank Lampard credit? His Coventry side are one point off the play offs and he is winning over the sky blues fans. Meanwhile another former international midfielder Michael Carrick is struggling at Middlesborough, what’s gone wrong at the Riverside? As Tom watches a bore fest at Sincil Bank is now the time in the season when fatigue – mental and physical – starts to kick in? In League Two, AFC Wimbledon have the best defence in the league and are on a twelve game unbeaten run. And a few big teams are struggling. Plus a late surprise appearance from the next generation of footballing/journalistic talent…Liverpool bossed it; have Arsenal blown it?
57:59|Arsenal fluffed their lines at home to West Ham. Liverpool capitalised with their first win at Manchester City in ten years. It puts Liverpool eleven points clear. So, is the title race over?Where are Arsenal going wrong and just how good are this Liverpool team? Elsewhere, with the top and bottom of the table seemingly sorted out, is mid table the place to be – full of ambitious, forward-thinking clubs. Newcastle thumped Forest, for a half at least. Are Forest on the slide, or were Newcastle lucky?And who is the Premier League’s most under rated player...? Gregor knows - he has been to meet him.Do you pity Manchester City? And is Darwin done?
57:49|Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League by a dominant Real Madrid. At what point do we start to feel sorry for Pep and his team? Now, according to Gregor Robertson, Peter Rutzler and James Gheerbrant. They join Tom Clarke to discuss that, Darwin Núñez's future, Rashford's return and a poetic red card for Atalanta's captain (essential viewing).Spurs win the dysfunction derby & 'never go full press'
57:10|Tottenham back to their best? Or did they just play against an EVEN worse team in Manchester United? Tony Cascarino, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss. Plus, Liverpool look leggy, a new young star striker emerges at Arsenal (28 year-old Mikel Merino) and what does expected even mean?Fitting finale at Goodison and the end for Pep?
56:49|What a fitting finale for Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby. A thrilling roller coaster of a game, four goals, three red cards, VAR and a last minute equaliser. What a night.Were the decisions correct, does the result affect the title race but most importantly can an atmosphere like that be re created in a new ground?Away from the Merseyside could it be over for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City? Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft wonder if he will stay to see out the rebuild of his fragile team.Chelsea and Arsenal are both facing a striker crisis; should they have seen it coming and acted in the transfer window?Finally, will Newcastle take the chance to enter the top four at Manchester city this weekend?