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The Game

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The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR. Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups. We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR. Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups. We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Anfield can't save Liverpool from PSG

4/9/2026
Liverpool suffered a 'chastening' defeat in Paris. Will the famed Anfield atmosphere be enough to save them from a dominant PSG team? Arne Slot tried a new formation and a new line up, none of it worked - the question is why? Was it his personal, the quality of PSG or his tactics? Bayern shone in Madrid, and brightest amongst them were Harry Kane - can he really still be under rated? and Michael Olise a player Gregor spotted while still playing for Reading - what is so special about him? After the break Danny Welbeck, David Raya, Arsenal's win i nLisbon and the return of the Premier League Tom Clarke returns with Gregor Robertson, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Tony Cascarino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:58:29

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EFL Extra: Promotion chasing or relegation threatened - "The games are running out"

4/8/2026
Tom clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL. Lincoln are promoted! Tom was there and reflects on a remarkable day. Just how impressive is the Imps achievement ? The play offs are still wide open in League One, the top teams have found some form but as far down as Luton in tenth still have a chance. At the bottom it looks like only one place left in the relegation fight. In the Championship could Southampton still have a chance of second? how do Middlesborough arrest their slide and are Wrexham's hopes over? Plus Leicester fail to launch - again and in League Two big wins for salford and swindon, a crushing run for Tranmere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:32:45

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Pressure builds on Arsenal and Liverpool

4/6/2026
Where does defeat to Championship side Southampton leave Arsenal? The positivity of Max Dowman's goal against Everton on 14th March seems a long time ago - out of two cups and with poor performances to boot can they bounce back? Liverpool were thumped by a resurgent Man City, but the comments of captain Virgil Van Dijk are perhaps most concerning for Liverpool fans - he thought his team gave up. Why and where does that leave manager Arne Slot. Leeds are in their first FA Cup semi final in nearly 40 years, but did it come at a cost as key players were injured. West Ham lost but showed fighting spirit ahead of the relegation run in. Plus, Spurs players, Chelsea projects and Southampton away kits. Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:54:27

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Who would you pick in the England Squad?

4/2/2026
Was Thomas Tuchel's experiment of playing Phil Foden as a 'false nine' a waste of time? Tony Cascarino thinks it was. Either way the attempt seems to have signaled the end to Foden's World Cup hopes. Did he learn anything else from the two disappointing friendlies? Gregor robertson, Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino pick their own World Cup squads, and have a guess at who Tuchel will pick. A quick look at the plight of Italian football, the new reign of Roberto De Zerbi; and is the Chelsea project about to stall? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:52:20

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EFL Extra: "Easter weekend is big!"

4/1/2026
Tom Clarke and and former EFL player Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the football League. Easter is always pivotal. With two rounds of matches in the space for four days the promotion and relegation picture will be a lot clearer come next Tuesday. Which teams have the biggest fixtures over Easter? In the Championship Middlesborough home to Millwall on Friday lunchtime is huge, it's a big week for Southampton with Arsenal in the cup followed by the two teams below them Wrexham and Derby. At the bottom Portsmouth have a very tough run of games, starting with two relegation rivals. In League One do the teams on bad runs have a big enough cushion...Bolton, Bradford and Stockport are looking over their shoulders at Plymouth and Stevenage. Almost the entire top eight in League Two still have to play each other...it is far from sorted. We'll be back next week for a bonus episode to review a busy Easter weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:45:22

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Is De Zerbi right for Spurs? And did Tuchel learn anything?

3/30/2026
All change at Spurs again. After only 44 days in change and one point from five Premier League matches Igor Tudor left the club on Sunday...but who on earth comes next? The clubs top candidate doesn't want it until next season and presumably only if they're still in the Premier League and the rest, well its not a strong list. With England did Thomas Tuchel learn anything from England's limp display against Uruguay? As far as his squad is concerned who played their way in, or out of it? Plus a quick look at a fans VAR survey. Gregor Robertson is joined by Tottenham reporter Tom Allnut and from the England camp by Hamazah Khalique-Loonat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:41:16

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Where does Salah rank among Premier League greats?

3/26/2026
Mo salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. What is the Egyptians legacy - to Liverpool and to the Premier League ? does he make it into your top five all time Premier League forwards, there is mixed opinion in the studio. Will his departure have a big effect on the future of Arne Slot? Is Trent Alexander Arnold really England's seventh choice right back? Why isn't he in a 35 man squad? Is it tactical or personal with Thomas Tuchel? Gregor Robertson is joined by Jonathan Northcroft, Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:52:56

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Worst weekend; Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal or Newcastle?

3/23/2026
What was the most significant result of the weekend? Could Arsenal losing in the cup final affect the rest of their season? Spurs losing to Nottingham Forest puts them one point clear of relegation and looking unbelievably fragile. could a club this big go down? Liverpool slipped up again, is Arne Slot now under serious pressure with Xabi Alonso waiting in the wings? Chelsea were thumped at Everton, are big players losing interest? And Sunderland can't lose against Newcastle, where does the result leave the Newcastle project? Gregor Robertson is joined by Gary Jacob, Paul Hirst and Alyson Rudd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:59:42

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EFL Extra: Southampton on a surge

3/20/2026
With eight games to go time is running out for teams who want to climb out of relegation or into automatic or play off contention. So who is best placed? Southampton are on an incredible run and followed up wins over Fulham and Coventry by beating norwich to break into the play offs, Middlesbrough stalled again at home and West Brom turned a corner with an eye catching win over play off hopefuls Hull City.. In League One Lincoln and Cardiff are all but up, whereas the playoffs are wide open, as far down as Barnsley in 12th place. At the bottom a vital win for Blackpool and managerial changes elsewhere. League Two sees Oldham on a charge a fifth manager for Barrow...but it's not Gregor Robertson. Producer Neil Cartmell joins Gregor Robertson for all the latest from the football League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:37:11

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Arsenal for the quadruple?

3/19/2026
And then there were two... six English teams qualified for the knock out stages but only two progressed. Newcastle, Spurs, Man City and Chelsea conceded 28 goals between them, so what went wrong? Chelsea's troubles are not just on the pitch they are off it to, with a hefty fine from the Premier League, but will fans of teams like Everton and Nottingham Forest wonder why it wasn't a points deduction? Spurs found reasons to be cheerful in defeat as did Liverpool putting in one of their best displays of the season. Martin Samuel can't see many teams better than Arsenal and could see them winning all four, with a bit of luck along the way. Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Pete Rutzler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:54:19

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How good is Max Dowman?

3/16/2026
Max Dowman - Long ball against Liverpool - Fernandes creativity. It was a gritty win for Arsenal, but one lit up by the talent of 16 year old Max Dowman. Just how good is he? The stats say there is a simple way to get points off Liverpool - go long. Spurs proved the point on Sunday. Can Slot fix it? And is Richarlison Tudor's man for the run in? Man City again dropped points, is a team built around Haaland faltering now the striker is struggling to find the goals? What was going on at Chelsea with a bizarre pre match huddle, and would anyone care if they had won instead of lost to Newcastle? Lastly, a pitch to give Bruno Fernandes player of the season, as he chases Henry and De Bruyne's assist record. Gregor Robertson is joined by Tom Allnutt, Hamzah Khalique Loonat and Gary Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:53:25

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Was Premier League power exposed?

3/12/2026
It was a torrid week for the English clubs in the Champions League. Liverpool Arsenal and Newcastle are in the balance, but Chelsea, City and Spurs look all but out. Did they under perform or did some of the giants of europe like PSG and Madrid just find their form? What do the results say about the Premier League, very physical but technically inferior? For Spurs the defeat came with yet more questions for interim coach Igor Tudor - was he right to substitute his keeper after 17 minutes? How will europe affect Spurs and Nottingham Forest's relegation fight? Lastly, how good was Kyle Walker as the England stalwart announces his international retirement? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:57:17

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Who is best placed to challenge Arsenal in the future?

3/9/2026
FA Cup reaction and the future of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd. Port Vale provided a much needed FA Cup shock and Wrexham showed their enormous progress going very close against Chelsea. Of the big six left in the cup - Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, who is best placed to challenge Arsenal in the future? Where are the strengths and weaknesses of each team? Bringing in Man Utd which of those managers - Slot, Carrick, Pep and Rosenior will still be in place next season? A quick look back at a terrible night for Spurs as they lost at home to Crystal Palace, where now for Tottenham...could Igor Tudor even be gone before the international break? Who on earth would replace him? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson rudd and James Gheerbrant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:52:47

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Why are Arsenal getting so much stick?

3/5/2026
Arsenal went seven points clear beating Brighton one nil but Brighton manager Fabien Hurzeler said 'only one team wanted to play football' and 'he would not want to win like that.' What was he talking about, is it fair comment and how many others feel the same way? Has football across the board changed, are Arsenal just the best at the new physical style? Man City stumbled again but forest's impressive point still leaves them level on points with a resurgent West Ham. A round up of all the mid week games, the end of Michael Carrick's unbeaten run; great win for West Ham; who is going to stay up and Chelsea look very good...but just not every week? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:48:16

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EFL Extra: "Six pointers everywhere!"

3/3/2026
Are Leicester or West Brom really heading to League One? It doesn't look good for at least one of the midlands giants who are stuck in a battle for survival at the bottom of the Championship. At the top it is four on the spin for Coventry and their Christmas wobble seems a long time ago. They look well set for promotion to the top flight. Ipswich are chasing Middlesborough in second...is the rest of the top six how it will finish? Or are Hull and Wrexham still ripe to be picked off by the likes of Watford or Southampton? In League One Lincoln City are a point off the top but perhaps just as significantly they're ten point clear of third place Bolton. from fourth place down it is any one's guess with seven teams fighting for the three remaining play off places. Title, play off's and relegation are all still up for grabs in League Two...who has the momentum? Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson round up all the latest from the EFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:38:45

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Do Arsenal only win ugly? Are Spurs just ugly?

3/2/2026
It's as you were at the top of the table as City and Arsenal both win. Are Arsenal too reliant on set pieces or do fans and team alike not care so long as they get over the line? Across north London Spurs have a new boss, but instead of a bounce man do they have an 'arsonist?' Who is in contention for player of the season? What does Gtregor make of proposed rule changes...? Did VAR rob Burnley and who is going to win the race for the Champions League? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:57:51

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Bonkers Bodo and Lammens shines for Man United

2/26/2026
Giants Real Madrid and PSG just managed to qualify in the Champions League last 16 but who is the best we've seen in the competition so far? Bode Glimt may not win it, but what a team - a town of 54,000, a wage bill a fraction the size of most Premier League teams and a playing style which is hugely adaptable. Domestically, Man Utd are on a charge, led by one of their unsung summer signings - Senne Lammens. What difference has the goalkeeper made? Lastly, how would two former pros fair in todays game, which team woudl they be best suited to and how has their position changed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:57:03

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Can Spurs go down?

2/23/2026
If there were any questions ahead of the North London derby Arsenal answered them, emphatically. Spurs by contrast looked like relegation candidates. could they really go down? The panel think with West Ham, Forest, Leeds and even Wolves looking like more cohesive teams Spurs are in searious trouble. Is Tudor the man to save them? Where does Viktor Gyokeres rank alongside the other big summer strikers - Pedro, Ekitike and Sesko? Liverpool got away with it at Forest but Mo salah looks a shadow of his former self, will he be at Anfield next season? Why can't Chelsea beat the lower placed teams and hats off to Jiminez and Milner. tom clarke joins Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and Alyson Rudd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:56:38

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Nervy Nervy Arsenal - Is it happening again?

2/19/2026
"Arsenal are blowing it? Their best chance of a title in over twenty years and they are looking nervy, again." Or... "Winning a title isn't easy! this season isn't like those of recent years you won't need 98 pts." Are either true? If they are to hold it together, what does it take psychologically to get over the line in a title race? Wolves manager Rob Edwards has the fans on side and is seeing encouraging signs from his side. It has all come a little late but will it help ahead of a season in the Championship? After the break Newcastle and Anthony Gordon are having a streaky season - is the England shirt Gordon's to lose? And finally the troubling racism allegations surrounding Vinicius Junior. tom clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Kit shepard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:50:24

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EFL Extra: What is the best league in England?

2/18/2026
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with the latest from the English Football League. Is the Championship the best league in England, Gregor Robertson thinks so. Coventry's win over rivals Middlesbrough sends them top again but six points separate 6th to 16th. Who is best placed to come from the pack? At the bottom some huge clubs look in severe danger of relegation in West Brom and Leicester. Lincoln fan Tom Clarke makes his pitch for the excitement of League One. It's tight at the bottom and around the play offs, but at the top are Cardiff and Lincoln away and clear? In League Two wins for teams at the bottom who were written off and... a mystery called Walsall, any fans listening please get in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:46:15