The Game Football Podcast

The Championship starts this weekend. To quote Gregor Robertson – “With some teams no one has a Scooby what is going to happen to them.” Big spending Birmingham City and Wrexham join the party, bringing some Hollywood glamour, how will they fare? Ipswich Town start as strong promotion favourites and both Leicester City and Sheffield Utd have fifty million pounds worth of parachute payment to help them on their way. At the other end it is anyone's guess – the spot light is on Hull, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford…but how will Mark Robins do at Stoke and have Blackburn made the right signings? In the Championship any one of ten or fifteen teams could spring a surprise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Premier League is nearly upon us! In a series of specials, we asses every team in the Premier League. Who have they signed? Who do they need to sign? Reporters give the inside track on any pending transfer business then it is open house - how will each team get on next season and why? In the first episode it’s Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham, Brighton, Palace and Brentford. Arsenal have been busy, but not everyone thinks its good business. It’s a brave new Thomas Frank world at Tottenham, but is he light up front? For Brentford, West Ham and Palace is it tough times ahead and are Brighton the best run club in England? More teams to follow... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s nearly back! Leagues One and Two kick off this weekend. Following two successive relegations Luton are among the favourites in League One alongside the likes of Cardiff, Stockport and Bolton. At the other end could it be a long season for Rotherham, Peterborough or Wimbledon? In League Two Walsall will try to go again while Gillingham and MK Dons have high hopes. Who will be fighting to stay in the football league at the bottom? Fans across the country will be full of hope and expectation but will their hope prove well founded or misplaced? Former football league defender Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to assess the runners riders and also rans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England are still European Champions! The Lionesses beat Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout. It was revenge over a Spanish team who had beaten them in the World Cup Final two years ago. It is the first major trophy won by England on foreign soil and once again the hero was Chloe Kelly, who this time scored the winning penalty having scored the winning goal in the final three years ago. Manager Sarina Wiegman has now won the last three Euros with two different teams – a remarkable achievement. Former England international Izzy Christiansen joins Kit Shepard and Tom Clarke to get immediate reaction to the result. England – still Champions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England have done it again, but wow did they leave it late. In the very last second, they scored a dramatic equaliser. Then with only a minute left of extra time they did it again, this time with a rebound penalty. The result was memorable but the performance less so. Can their resilience and winning mentality carry them over the line, or will it take a higher level of performance in the final against either Spain or Germany? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England face Italy in the Euro semi final tomorrow night but Which England will turn up? The team that demolished Wales and dominated the Netherlands; or the team which struggled against France and Sweden? Sarina Wiegman is plagued with injury worries over host of players, notably captain Lea Williamson and full back Lucy Bronze. Kit Shepard and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to asses England’s chances against the surprise package of the tournament, the Italians. After the break all the latest on the big transfers of the summer. Rashford to Barca; Gyokeres to Arsenal; Ekitike to Liverpool; Mbeumo to Man Utd and Isak to sign a new contract? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England are through to the Semi-finals, just. In a nerve-wracking game where they looked second best for large parts England refused to give in. Individual heroics, force of will and some super subs dragged them level with Sweden. Then came the penalties, high on drama low on quality. But the main thing, England won! What of the ninety minutes, can the shoot out even be analysed and will they have eleven fit players to face Italy in the semi-finals? Former England international Izzy Christiansen and The Times Women’s football reporter Kit Shepard join Tom Clarke to offer some answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop the press Chelsea are champions of the world. Who saw that coming? They didn’t just win; they won in style dominating a PSG team who had previously swept all before them. Chelsea reporter Pete Rutzler was in New York for the game and joins Tom Clarke to discuss Chelsea’s performance. Was it a Maresca masterclass? Have they created a blueprint of how to beat PSG? Are Chelsea now serious title contenders? Might they even strengthen more before the season starts? Plus, all the latest on the other key signings at Arsenal, Spurs and reaction to Crystal Palace being demoted to the Europa Conference league. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England got a convincing but expected win against Wales. Next up in the quarter finals it’s Sweden. Just how good are the Swedes? Former England International Izzy Christiansen and Times women’s football reporter Kit Shepard join Tom Clarke to assess England’s performance against Wales and look ahead to Sweden. Izzy and Kit both think Sweden will pose a serious threat as an organised physical team with direct fast wingers. Prediction time - will Wiegman change her winning line up to deal with the way Sweden play, which players will prove key and who are favourites? Check your feeds throughout the day as we’ll have a special CLUB WORLD CUP episode later today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday Chelsea take on PSG for the title of World Club Champions! Times report Pete Rutzler will be at the game in New York - what chance does he give Chelsea against the PSG juggernaut? With new signing Joao Pedro making an immediate impact up front, Brazilian signing Willian Estevao looking good and Cole Palmer on form Chelsea certainly pose a threat. After the break a round up of the latest transfer action: Gibbs White, Madueke, Kudos, Henderson and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England put their defeat against France behind them with an emphatic four nil win against the Netherlands. Qualification for the next round is back in their hands. Izzy Christiansen and Kit Shepard react to England’s win. Who stood out, what changes did manager Sarina Wiegman make and is qualification now a formality? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City looked back to their dominant best in parts of the Club World Cup…but they also showed signs of the same wide open defensive frailties as well. So was the Club World Cup a success? What next for Pep Guardiola’s team this summer? Across the city the red half of Manchester still have much business to do. They need to off load as many as ten players according to some…who will they be, how much money will they generate and who needs to come in? The Times Manchester football reporter Paul Hirst joins Tom and Gregor to run the rule over Manchester City and Manchester United’s summer preparations. Lastly a look at the chaotic situation over the Pennines at Sheffield Wednesday. Heading into the new season they have sixteen fit players, no manager, a transfer ban and nowhere to train… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former England international Izzy Christiansen and Kit Shepard the women’s football reporter for the Times and Sunday Times join Tom Clarke to assess England’s poor start to the defence of their European title. Where did it go wrong against France? Was it selection, tactics, substitutions? The team look at where England can improve how they might react to being under pressure this early in the tournament. Lastly they and look ahead to the who they would pick to face the Netherlands in a must win game on Wednesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times Martin Samuel joins Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson to pay tribute to Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota following his tragic death in a car accident. After a pause Martin reflects on the Club World Cup and its potential to become an enduring tournament and a look at how the English teams have approached it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England enter the tournament as defending Champions, but their preparation has not been smooth. With three senior players either retiring or making themselves unavailable, how will that affect Sarina Wiegman’s squad? Tom Clarke is joined by former England international Izzy Christiansen and women’s football reporter for the Times and Sunday Times Kit Shepard. They discuss England’s key players, the ‘group of death’ and the who are the other favourites for the tournament. England kick of on Saturday with a huge game against France. We'll be back with Izzy and Kit to review the match. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England are European U21 Champions again. Lee Carley's side defended their title with an impressive 3-2 extra time win over Germany So, what next for a talented squad and their manger? Player of the tournament Harvey Elliot has to decide if his future lies with Liverpool while many of the team now ply their trade in top European leagues Should Carsley want to move in to league management there are plenty of moves in the football league - Gregor Robertson assess nine managerial changes in the championship alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times’ Northern Sports Correspondent Martin Hardy analyses the chances of Alexander Isak remaining at St James’ Park and the potential destinations should Newcastle’s star striker leave. He also discusses preparations ahead of massive seasons for newly promoted clubs Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley. Plus, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat on Lee Carsley’s England Under 21s, who are into a second successive European Championship final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the capture of Matheus Cunha, what next for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United? Charlotte Duncker discusses summer transfers and new season ambitions at Old Trafford and chats about potential comings and goings at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Wolves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Club World Cup is up and running, with some serious prize money on offer. Judging by the line ups of Chelsea and Manchester City in their first games, they’re talking it seriously. Pete Rutzler is in Philadelphia following Chelsea; he has been assessing local interest in the tournament and also gives an update on the blues new signings and other potential transfer business. After the break, what’s in a football shirt? We’ve all got our favourites but do they also offer a secret guide to global and local history. From Russian gas giants Gazprom to Young's fish in Grimsby; football shirts offer a snapshot of the economy at point in time. The team look at the big picture but also indulge in some nostalgia as they go through their favourites… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has already been a busy summer of transfer activity. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have all brought big signings in to their teams. In this episode we hear the latest from Manchester City’s camp as they welcome new signing Rayan Cherki to their Club World Cup campaign and from our Liverpool reporter Paul Joyce as they prepare to break the British record transfer fee for Florian Wirtz. Plus, a low down on how the Club World Cup is being received in the states and if/when it is likely to get more competitive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.