The Game

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and James Restall. It’s Valentine’s Day, so we’re showing some love to some of the clubs who don’t get a mention as often on the podcast. Wolves find themselves in the hunt for a European place in a season where many wrote them off. After a 2-0 win at Spurs on Sunday, what’s the secret to their success? (00:00) You can’t say Southampton don’t t...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Matt Lawton and Jonathan Northcroft. The Times have investigated the rise in violence at football in the UK and the link to drug usage. Matt Lawton led the investigation and joins us to discuss his weekend with police in Nottingham (00:00) There’ve been some classic and exciting matches in the Premier League this week - The Times’ Chief Football Reporter,...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd. There were some shocks and some near-shocks in the FA Cup this weekend. Non-league Boreham Wood pulled off the biggest surprise with a win over Bournemouth and will face Everton. Could they keep the run going? (00:00) Plymouth took Chelsea to extra time and things could have been very different had Ryan Hardie scored his penalty. Kiddermins...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Tom Roddy. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finally left Arsenal to sign for Barcelona. How well was his situation resolved at the Emirates? (00:00) Spurs have seen a number of incomings and outgoing - but was their January window enough for Antonio Conte to be satisfied? Which other clubs will be pleased with their dealings? (10:50) West Brom are looking...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Clark and Tom Roddy. Frank Lampard is the new Everton manager, but who is the appointment better for? Him or the club? (00:00) We’re seeing a fair amount of transfer activity on Deadline Day. Spurs look to be one of the busiest teams - will Antonio Conte be happy? Have Liverpool done well in hijacking their deal for Luis Díaz? (15:08) The Times’ Nor...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, James Restall and Jonathan Northcroft. Roy Hodgson has returned to management with Watford. Should he have been given the job instead of Claudio Ranieri in the first place? (00:00) Vitor Pereira did a television interview in the middle of having talks to become the new Everton manager - simply put, why? (15:02) We take a look at the current crop of young m...

Hugh Woozencroft, Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd sit down with Matt Lawton to discuss his article in The Times on Derby County's future. What's actually going on behind the scenes? How much money do they owe? Who is to blame for their demise? How realistic are their chances of survival? Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hos...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd. Norwich have surprised many recently - not just our journalists - and are out of the relegation zone. Can they keep up the great escape? (00:00) Watford are one of the bottom three and it isn’t look good for them. What are their chances and will Everton get dragged into a relegation battle? (10:29) Martin Hardy joins us to discuss the lates...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Ian Hawkey and Tom Roddy. Spurs showed some fight as they shocked Leicester City at the King Power on Wednesday night. Is this the biggest sign so far that Antonio Conte’s side are most likely to take fourth place (00:00) Cristiano Ronaldo was less than impressed with being substituted against Brentford. Does that show passion and desire or is it a sign th...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson. Manchester City are 11 points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Is there any way they can lose the title from here? (00:00) Romalu Lukaku might be back in the Chelsea starting line-up, but how must his re-inclusion have gone down with his teammates? (10:16) Rafa Benitez didn’t last the season at Everton. A...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Jonathan Northcroft. Spurs put out another ‘cup side’ in their second leg Carabao Cup loss to Chelsea last night. Is Antonio Conte trying to send a message to the club and how long will he stick around if they don’t back him with signings? (00:00) Aston Villa have added Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho in the last few days - but what can w...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd. The FA Cup third round has given us some great entertainment this weekend, unless of course you’re a Newcastle fan. Which games stood out as proper cup ties? (00:00) Kidderminster were one of the non-league giantkillers as they beat Reading and set up a fourth round tie with West Ham. Are the rest of the next round ties that exciting, thoug...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Tom Roddy, Martyn Ziegler and James Restall. Following their week of controversy, there was nothing controversial about Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. How did Romelu Lukaku get on following his apology and how did Antonio Conte enjoy his return to West London? (00:00) Liverpool’s semi-final with Arsenal has been postponed due...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy. Chelsea vs Liverpool was end-to-end, but the 2-2 result wasn’t really helpful for either club. Should Sadio Mane have been sent off after 12 seconds? Which was the best goal of the game? (00:00) Romalu Lukaku was missing for Chelsea after his Italian television interview - how is the situation most likely to play out and has it b...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft. Chelsea dropped points with a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton. Is everyone sick of Thomas Tuchel’s excuses and did Brighton deserve a point? (00:00) There were more contentious VAR decisions over the weekend - which ones should have stood and which could we have done without? (11:43) Leicester City did well to bounce back and beat Live...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy. Leicester lose again - but is it right to blame Brendan Rodgers? (00:00) Manchester City have a six point gap at the top of the Premier League - are they already out of sight? (07:59) Chelsea must be thankful that Romelu Lukaku is back, but what does the future hold for Christian Pulisic? (12:29) How much did Steven Gerrard’s abs...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and James Restall. Did we witness the game of the season between Spurs and Liverpool or was it more of a fair match due to Covid cases? (00:00) With Liverpool and Chelsea both dropping points - is the title race already starting to tip into Manchester City’s favour? (21:42) Newcastle are still looking leaky at the back - has Eddie Howe actually...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Tom Roddy and Matt Lawton. Arsenal are up into the European places after their rocky start to the season. Who should they go with as their new captain and can they keep up their good form? (00:00) West Ham have started to drift from the top four. What’s the reason for this and what might help? (11:55) Leeds got thrashed 7-0 by Manchester City in the Premie...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and James Restall. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Arsenal’s win over Southampton after a disciplinary break - should he continue as their captain? (00:00) That loss keeps Southampton close to the bottom three - should Ralph Hasenhüttl be worried about his job? (10:12) Manchester United weren’t exactly convincing against the bottom side - is R...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Ian Hawkey and Rick Broadbent. Chelsea are still in a rut - but there were positives in their Champions League match at Zenit this week, namely Timo Werner looking sharp. How do they get back to their best? (00:00) The Champions League draw takes place on Monday - but what would be a good draw for Manchester City? Could they come unstuck in the next round?...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy. Aston Villa made up for the midweek loss with a win over Leicester. Is Steven Gerrard the reason their form has improved and what’s happened to the Foxes? (00:00) West Ham got one over on Chelsea - but did they deserve three points? What are Chelsea missing that’s seen them lose the Premier League lead? (7:20) Divock Origi popped...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft. Liverpool outclassed Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Fans showed their frustration to the board after the game - is that where the club’s problems lie? (00:00) The two teams ahead of them won last night - with Bernardo Silva scoring a goal of the season contender. Can we really predict which of the three sides will...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy. Chelsea were held by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge - did Michael Carrick get his tactics spot on and what are we expecting to see change as Ralf Rangnick comes in? (00:00) Timo Werner was less than impressive in front of goal, once again - how many more chances does he have at Chelsea? (14:09) Everton are winless in seven games after...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Ian Hawkey. Mauricio Pochettino had a night to forget in Manchester as PSG were shown up at the Etihad. Has he got one hand tied behind his back with his ‘undroppable’ front three? (00:00) Chelsea made short work of Juventus, beating them 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Can Thomas Tuchel’s side defend their Champions League crown? (13...

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Roddy and David Walsh. Ole has finally departed Old Trafford - but has he done so with his head held high? Where do they go next with their interim manager and who’s the best fit to take over longer term in the summer? (00:00) The Times’ David Walsh joins us to discuss one of Ole’s fiercest critics - his former United teammate, Roy Keane (30:32)...