It's All Kicking Off!

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ As the curtain falls on another Premier League season, Ian Ladyman and Nathan Salt step up to offer their thoughts on another blockbuster campaign.  They discuss the winners and losers, the shocks of the season, and give some early predictions for next year. This also marks the final episode of ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ We’d like to thank each and every one of...

Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' Mail Sport's Chief Football Reporter, Craig Hope, joins Ian today. Only one story around today, and that's Tottenham's recent victory in the Europa League final against Manchester United, marking a significant moment for the club and manager Ange Postecoglou. They delve into the implications of this win for Tottenham's future, the challenges facing Postecogl...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Ian and Chris delve into the recent FA Cup final, reflecting on the emotional highs and lows as Crystal Palace made history. The conversation also touches on what this could mean for the future of Oliver Glasner They explore Arsenal's promises for the next season, questioning whether it’s just more spin from the club after Mikel Arteta claimed the trophies w...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ In this episode, Ian and Chris start by discussing Jordan Henderson's struggles at Ajax, as his Ajax side have seen their convincing position atop the Eredevisie evaporate in recent weeks./ They delve into the pressures faced by managers like Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim, before reflecting on Cole Palmer's career choices, and whether Chelsea’s star man...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’  In the latest episode, Chris and Ian start off by discussing the incredible scenes at Anfield, which saw some sections of the Liverpool crowd boo one of their own, Trent Alexander-Arnold. What do you reckon? Were they right or wrong to feel such outrage at his decision to leave for Madrid? There’s chat about Evangelos Marinakis’ decision to confront Notting...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Where else to start than Arsenal’s defeat to PSG in the Champions League. While Mikel Arteta’s side showed glimpses of quality, the lads make the point that poor recruitment ultimately cost them. Tune in for a debate on their campaign as a whole, and chat about whether they’re still an improving side.  We get into the nitty gritty of the frustration from som...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Nathan Salt joins Ian today, with Chris unable to make the show.  The lads reflect on Harry Kane’s debut trophy, after the England captain secured the Bundesliga title at the second time of asking… but will he be content with his decision to go to Germany? Or does his future lay away from Bayern Munich in the hunt for European glory? There’s chat about the l...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’  In today’s episode, Chris Sutton opens up on his time as a manager, detailing the extent to which it took over his life for a year.  There’s chat about the crazy state of the Championship and the relegation and promotion permutations. PLUS, Ian rants about ‘Guards of Honour’ and whether they’re still welcome in the modern game.  Presenters: Ian Ladyman and...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ After a not so nail biting title race, Liverpool have been crowned Champions of England for the 20th time. Ian and Chris delve into what made Arne Slot’s side so effective, and look ahead to how they can kick on. Have they taken Manchester United’s title as the country’s most elite side? We also chat about Graham Potter’s struggles at West Ham, after the ex-...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ On today’s episode, Ian amends an error that sharp-eared fans would’ve picked up on in Monday’s episode… with even Producer Henry catching strays. The lads then get down to the nitty gritty, naming their player of the season. As you can see in the headline, Ian’s one really is quite something to behold. Perhaps he’s forgotten about the Egyptian winger at Liv...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’  Ian and Chris are back together once more, as they bring you the latest from the footballing world, this bank holiday weekend. They analyse Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impassioned celebration, after the fullback secured three points for the club he’s seemingly leaving. Do you reckon he’s had second thoughts? We chat about the latest comments made by Kevin de B...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Neither Ian, nor Chris could join for this episode, but fear not… we’ve brought out the big guns and drafted in our Chief Sports Reporter, Mike Keegan, and our Manchester United Correspondent, Nathan Salt.  We kick off by praising Arsenal’s two-legged dominance over Real Madrid, singling out Declan Rice for his immense contributions. Is this where the fun en...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ After the lads break down Sunday night’s gripping Masters conclusion, Ian slams the UEFA that grants the Europa League winners a place in the Champions League. Is it fair that elite clubs have a ‘get out of jail card’, despite bombing in the league? We give Arsenal some stick for falling well short of Liverpool, barely giving Arne Slot’s side any reason to l...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ - we recorded this episode on Wednesday afternoon, so apologies for not reflecting on Aston Villa’s clash with PSG. The lads debate the Manager of the Season awards (best and worst), and analyse the struggles of various teams and managers, including West Ham under Graham Potter.  We discuss the beef between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic and touch on Walsall'...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Where else to start than the borefest that was the Manchester Derby… Ian and Chris challenge Gary Neville’s claim that this is because players are being micromanaged, with the lads dismissing this entirely.  Ian reckons that Phil Foden should be left out of his side’s travelling party for the Club World Cup this summer, as the England international desperate...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ - for our Weekend Preview show.  Chris’ schedule prohibits his involvement this week, so we’ve once again drafted in the services of Dominic King.  We kick off by discussing the latest Jose Mourinho antics, after the Fenerbahce manager appeared to pinch the nose of the opposition gaffer. Is he desperately trying to claw back some relevance after a few years...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Plenty to get stuck into after a busy FA Cup weekend…  Ian and Chris question how Marcus Rashford’s form for Aston Villa could be a good thing for Manchester United moving forward, pondering whether his parent club can make use of the revitalised attacker, or move him on for big money. They discuss Pep Guardiola's legacy at Manchester City, and the significa...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ - for our Weekend Preview edition. Where else to start, other than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s seemingly imminent move to Real Madrid. Ian and Chris think he’s well within his rights to part ways with his boyhood club, in favour of the world’s biggest. What do you reckon? There’s also chat about: the significance of the FA Cup and Manchester City’s trip to Bour...

Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!'  Chris returns from New York, Ian explains the rules to his new game 'rock, paper, scissors stone gun' and Dwight Gayle and Steve Bruce exchange a war of words - there really is a lot to unpack in this episode.  There's also chat about Thomas Tuchel's criticism of his star players, with Ian questioning how clever it is to do this publicly, when he doesn't wo...

Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ With Chris away once again, Mail Sport’s Manchester City correspondent, Jack Gaughan steps up. There’s nowhere else to start than with England, with life under Thomas Tuchel just a day away. We delve into the depth of the England squad, questioning whether the Three Lions actually have as rich a side as one might presume. Ian reckons Dan Burn’s inclusion hin...

Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' With Chris away, Ian is joined by Mail Sport's Craig Hope and Dominic King, to analyse the League Cup final. Stay tuned to hear debates on: Whether Alisson should've started If Eddie Howe is the greatest coach of his generation What this victory means for Newcastle and whether it means they can keep ahold of their stars... There's also chat about: Sir Jim Ra...

Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' - for our Weekend Preview show. In this episode, Ian and Chris discuss the upcoming Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle, analysing the implications of Liverpool's recent Champions League exit and Newcastle's long-standing struggle against them. They delve into tactical approaches, the importance of penalty taking, and the dynamics of player per...

Welcome back to It’s All Kicking Off! This week, Ian and Chris dive straight into the chaos, starting with Man City’s complaints about the dry pitch at Forest - again! Chris breaks down what this really means, and we ask: do City even deserve a Champions League spot next season? With the Premier League likely securing five spots, are we rewarding mediocrity? Meanwhile, Forest’s defence is making w...

Welcome to 'It's All Kicking Off!' for our Weekend Preview show! We kick off (see what I did there?) by discussing Alisson's heroics versus PSG in the Champions League, with Ian reminding Chris that, earlier in the season, he rated Emi Martinez as the best 'keeper in the Premier League. Surely our resident English Champion has changed his mind since then? They delve into Liverpool's recent Champio...

Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' We recorded this episode late on Sunday night to combat the hectic schedules of our two blockbuster presenters, so apologies for any elongated and delirious conversations about dogs and ashes... oh, wait, they do that in the middle of the day anyway. Lots to get through in this one, as the chaps break down a significant weekend of FA Cup action. Stay tuned f...