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The Game
Women's World Cup & 2023/24 EFL Preview Show
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Tom Clarke is joined by James Restall in London and Molly Hudson in Australia to discuss the latest from the Women's World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman has shown she's not afraid to make changes in this tournament - is this key to England's success? Lauren James has been the standout player for the Lionesses so far, but which other players deserve praise? (00:00)
England take on Nigeria next - what kind of challenge do they pose? Former England defender and Times columnist Casey Stoney has her say on which Lionesses will play a huge part in how the rest of the tournament will play out for England. (22:45)
In the second half of the show, Gregor Robertson and Willis Bennett join Tom Clarke to look ahead to the brand new EFL season. The Championship begins on Friday, but which teams are predicted to have a positive season in the 'toughest league' to progress from? (35:25)
Leagues One and Two also get started this weekend - and you might be surprised to find out which team in the latter are expected to shine this season! (55:06)
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EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country derbies
49:31|EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country DerbiesAll the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston.Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers derby and Wolves got the bragging rights over West Brom in the Black country derby. Swansea came from behind to beat Lincoln and stay top, Preston couldn't quite cash in on the new manager bounce as they let a two goal lead slip at QPR. Was a point enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley. A match report from Lincoln Swansea and a it is a big week for Southampton as Tonda Eckert finally faces his hearing over 'Spygate' - will there be an additional sanction? In League One, Bradford hit the top, can they maintain their good form? Yet more woe for Russell Martin at Leicester and a painful miss at Stevenage.Finally in League Two, three unbeaten teams at the top of the tabel, with Barnet showing no signs of a dip in form. Plus, who do Gregor and Joe think are outsiders for the Championship play offs?Brighton and Brentford upstage the 'big boys'
57:10|Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four... On paper have Man City actually got the best starting eleven? At the other end of the table Spurs go into the international break winless, what does De Zerbi do next? Coventry got their much needed and well deserved first win of the season and Liverpool won too, but Wirtz struggled again. Finally, is Man Utd's main problem central midfield..?Gregor Robertson joins Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Pete RutzlerWhat is the problem with Manchester United?
55:52|Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick. Is it all football related or have the 'biggest club in England' still not solved their off pitch issues?Another wonderkid, Max Dowman goes from strength to strength as he scores two and looks at home for Arsenal - how long until he is a regular starter? And just what does a seventeen year old at a top club get paid?It is easy to forget but Leeds put in an impressive display to beat Newcastle on Monday night, how far can Daniel Farke's side go? And a successful European bow for Sunderland Lastly, more VAR fallout and is the Premier League suffering a talent drain?Tom Clarke is joined by jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor RobertsonWho are the contenders to win the Championship?
49:20|All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best?At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom after another defeat; could Nicky Hayen at Burnley be next?In League One Russell Martin got a huge win for Leicester City and gave an emotional interview discussing the hostility directed towards him, but will his win away at Stockport be enough to turn around an unhappy fan base at the King Power. Wycombe sack their manager Michael Duff and immediately get a win; Neil Harris works his magic at Cambridge and quickest team goal at Plymouth.In League Two are York City looking at back to back promotions and Gregor's old club Grimsby have a candidate for goal of the weekend.Plus the usual goal, moment and result of the weekend in each division.Who can stop Arsenal, Man city and VAR?
58:49|Man City and Arsenal are joint top. Huil impress at Chelsea, Spurs can't score and centre halves sometimes score absolute screamers.But sadly, the headlines are all about VAR...again. This time an 'error of judgment' is the reason Haaland's fine finish was not disallowed at Old Trafford.A quick assessment of where we're at with VAR before a look at a new attacking approach from Enzo Maresca and a lack lustre response from Man Utd.Arsenal win again, is it too early to consider an unbeaten season...if not, who beats them?Unai Emery has his work cut out at Villa, can he rebuild his team?Are Hull City over achieving or were their players just underrated?What's the best goal you've sen scored by a centre back and last but not least Tottenham play Liverpool on Tuesday in the EFL Cup is it too soon for either club to be worried...? Tom Clarke joins Alyson Rudd, James Gheerbrant Peter Rutzler."Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d'Or"
47:35|Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be qualifying for the last 16.While there are some potent front three's around, no team compares to Arsenal's defensive strength - how would Arsenal reserve team do in the Premier League?Mauricio Pochettino thinks Spurs should be award the 2016/17 title because of Chelsea's admitted rule breaches. Would that be opening Pandora's box?After the break is Harry Kane going to win the Ballon d'or? Who is he up against and does he deserve it. Is football more fun and games where there is no VAR? If it is, could it ever be ditched at the top level?Plus, football never ends, with a thrilling Chelsea six Leeds three cup win being overshadowed, are we in danger of reaching saturation point?EFL EXTRA: West Ham are back as Swansea shine
49:03|A week is a long time in the football league, and West Ham used back-to-back matches to kickstart their season with two big wins.Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as Nuno Espirito Santo's team finally get moving in The Championship and there's more impressive results for Swansea, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bristol City. Elsewhere the guys wonder whether Jamie Vardy's arrival is really going to be enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley? And Tom is upset with Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto. In League One it goes from bad to worse for Russell Martin and Leicester and it's screamers galore in League Two.Arsenal supreme, United stutter, Spurs struggle
59:37|Arsenal put on a dominate display to beat potential title rivals Chelsea. Despite going one down after only a minute the Gunners looked calm, confident and positive throughout. Was it the benefits of having a title under their belts or a new approach from Mikel Arteta? Chelsea have arguably the best attack in the league, but have they left themselves short in defence and midfield?Alexander Isak is starting to prove his worth at Liverpool, but was their win just as much about Ipswich's poor performance?A great game at Fulham as Palace won 3-2. but are Fulham "just too much fun to watch?" Could it see therm in a relegation fight?Plus, is Josh King in line for an international call up and what do Tottenham and Manchester United make of their draws...progress or cause for concern?Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom ClarkeWhich teams had the best and worst transfer window?
55:21|After a crazy summer transfer window in which 3.5 billion pounds was spent and multiple 100 million transfers between English clubs - has the transfer market gone mad? Inlafted prices, last minute deals... is the Premier League an outlier, or is it the new norm for football transfers. Which club had the best window and which was the best individual transfer?Arsenal have hit the ground running, but after a promising attacking start, is it going to be the same defensive focus as last season.Plus, a look ahead to the weekends action.Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Gary Jacob join Tom Clarke