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The Game Football Podcast
Who owns your club? Kane’s trophy hunt, and Man Utd’s big signing
Could Harry Kane really have another trophy-less season? If he does it won’t be for the lack of effort. The England captain has had a brilliant season, is endearing himself to the German fans, but it could still be not quite enough. Man City strolled to another win in the Champions league, are they now at their best?
How would you feel if your club was part of a multi ownership model, with sister clubs in other countries…it is becoming more and more common, what are the pros and cons?
Finally the new era at Manchester United looks set to start with the signing of…sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle. Tom, Martin, Jonny and Gregor all agree, its good business.
Timeline:
Harry Kane
2’ Looking like he may not win anything in Germany.
3’ if he’d stayed at Spurs he’d be unlikely to win anything either.
6’ Highly likely Munich will win something, if not this season then next.
7’ we don’t seem to celebrate success in the same way in this country. He couldn’t do anymore, he’s been great.
11’ Kane endears himself to the supporters.
18’ He could stay for two or three years, especially if his family are happy.
City
22’ They look back to their best, so easy.
23’ John Stones looked accomplished in pivot role. Is he taken for granted?
26’ Pep had a pop at Grealish.
28’ Guardiola has earned the right to criticise, he is subtle with it though.
Multi club ownership
33’ Girona in Spain, the smallest ground in La Liga, a budget 700million euros less than Madrid, yet they are in a title race. Astonishing.
36’ If they’re good owners, what does it matter.
39’ Girona are the exception, many multi ownership models favour the ‘big fish.’
40’ 8 of top 18 teams in Belgium part of multi club models.
42’ it depends on the club, some push back and do wish to be part of a large organisation – Strasbourg declined Chelsea.
48’ It’s a growth industry, 180 clubs world wide now part of multi ownership groups, it was 40 a decade ago.
Man United
52’ Looks like Dan Ashworth is going to be poached from Newcastle.
54’ Looks a good positive move from Jim Ratcliffe.
55’ Ashworth is one of the best in that particular role.
54’ Ashworth has ushered in a far greater degree of intelligence in the way clubs are run, he did it at West Brom, FA and Brighton.
56’ Man Utd are the last of the old style football clubs.
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A Happy Christmas for Liverpool; Bah Humbug for Spurs, United and City
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01:00:01|Marcus Rashford looks to be on his way out of Manchester United.A tail of a talent lost or stalled? Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss how he ended up here and what happens next for him and the club.Everton have finally secured a take over deal. Where is their true place in the pecking order - big club or a midtable club?After the break a thorough look at the League Cup and is the Community Shield a trophy – Mikel Arteta thinks so…City keep losing; Chelsea keep winning. Plus sackings and the greatest saves
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01:02:52|World Cup 2034 is heading to Saudi Arabia and WC 2030 to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Martin Samuel was revolted by proceedings… “FIFA conducted two one horse races yesterday.”Is it a decision to grow the game, or a demonstration of 'money talks' ?Martin joins Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino and Jonathan Northcroft who offer their thoughts on the decision, the process and Gianni Infantino.Elsewhere, more problems in Manchester. Who is to blame for the mess at United? Is Dan Ashworth a patsy? With one win in ten for Manchester City is it now a crisis? And Tony takes a closer look at Haaland.EFL EXTRA: Our Friends in the North
40:34|The top of the Championship is dominated by teams from the north – Sheffield United, Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland, Middlesborough and Blackburn.Martin Hardy joins Tom Clarke to look at who is best placed to kick on. A Leeds squad with great depth, a rejuvenated Sheffield United or a Burnley team with a very tight defence?Sunderland had a rough November but got a win last time out. Is their success based on two teenage midfielders? Middlesborough play a style of progressive football which reflects their manager, Michael Carrick. And Blackburn Rovers are a “neat, tidy and controlled team.” Will it be enough for the play offs? A quick look at League One and League Two and Martin’s wonderful story about Andy Carroll.Chelsea shine; Tottenham capitulate; INEOS embarrass
01:05:48|Can Chelsea win the title? Some think it is a silly question, but why?Were Spurs trying to perpetuate the ‘Spursy’ cliché? Two up at home but ending in defeat. Where now for a beleaguered Ange Postecoglou?Fulham are no longer just pretty, they’re gritty and they might have just solved how to defend an Arsenal corner. For Arsenal are they creating enough chances from open play when they are level or behind in a game…?More upheaval at Manchester United a loss on the pitch and a departure off it. None of it reflects well on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.Peter Rutzler, Hamzah Khaliqe Loonat and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke.Unstoppable corners and managers under pressure…
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01:00:04|Manchester City are out of the title race…right? Some think they might even have a fight on for top four. Liverpool by contrast looked in control throughout and playing in a variety of ways too. Could Arsenal and Chelsea be Liverpool’s biggest challengers for the title? With Odegaard back Arsenal look at their free scoring best. Chelsea, with a young squad, finally look to be repaying the billion pounds spent on them. Tom Allnutt even thinks there is a chance for Manchester United to creep into the top four. That could be at the expense of Aston Villa who haven’t won a Premier League game since October. What’s gone wrong?Tom Clarke is joined by Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-LoonatHow good is Arne Slot? What’s too old in football?
01:02:58|Under Arne Slot Liverpool are top of the Premier League and the new Champions League format. They’ve beaten Real Madrid for the first time in fifteen years; lost once in nineteen games and all with little fuss. It begs the question: just how good is Arne Slot. After the break Pep Guardiola’s woes continue. Be it confidence, injuries or tactics this is no longer a blip for Manchester City. What happens next? Arsenal by contrast seem to have turned a corner are they Liverpool’s main challengers now. Finally, Lampard in at Coventry and Van Nistelrooy at Leicester…