Soccer 101

This week, we're taking a look at the scourge of the modern game: fixture congestion. Is it indeed a problem exclusive to the modern era? What can teams do to ease the workload? What can happen when a player is ‘red lining’? And the most important question: are we reaching breaking point? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE T...

With Japan officially qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, we wanted to take at domestic football in the country. In so doing, we attempt to answer questions like what is the J.League, how good is the league as a whole, how has it evolved over time, what role has it played in helping to strengthen the national team, and much much more! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here !...

This week, we're taking a look at everyone's favorite (or fourth favorite) confederation: Concacaf. How many countries does it oversee? What exactly does it oversee? Why is Jack Warner's time as head of the confederation so notorious? And what does the future hold in terms of expansion and mergers? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.!...

This week, we're taking at the a league that boasts some high-profile clubs, a lot of youth talent, and some storied teams... and yet still isn't perceived as being particularly strong: Ligue 1. Why isn't the best league in France better than it is? What has been the league's standing historically? What contributes to the lack of growth and international success? Has PSG under Qatari ownership bee...

What do you do when your coach speaks one language, your center back another, and your striker a third? How do clubs handle language barriers between players and staff? Do teams just designate a couple languages that everyone needs to know? Does everyone just have to learn the GM's language? Are there a bunch of translators on the coaching staff? How do teams make this work? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHAN...

Graham and Taylor are together again to discuss the best and worst rebrands in club soccer. Why would a club want to rebrand, what are the benefits and drawbacks, who did it right, and who... did the opposite of that. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access...

It's an episode that guests your hosts confused multiple times... terminology! What exactly is a Sporting Director and is it the same thing as a Director of Football? What is a General Manager? Is that the same thing as a Sporting Director? What do Technical Directors technically direct? Those questions, and more, hopefully answered. Hopefully. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our epis...

No flavor aid required for this episode... we're talking cult players! What is a cult hero, how does a player become one, and who are some of our personal favorites. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and mu...

Graham "The Big ONE" Ruthven and Taylor are together again to break down The Big Six in the Premier League: which clubs are included, how has the grouping evolved over time, and is it still a thing in 2025? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our excl...

What's the latest with Neymar, why has he been such a controversial figure in his career, and how will he be remembered by future generations? Plus, did he reach his full potential for club and country, and what comes next? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, a...

Inspired by Bournemouth's long-distance journey all the way to Newcastle, we take a look at the preferred methods of transport for Premier League clubs. What are their buses like, how often do they fly (spoiler: probably too often), how important is travel in preparation, and much more! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS...

This week, it's the topic that has the person in charge of the second set of books nervous... Profit and Sustainability Rules! What are they, why is it so easy to say "PSR Rules," how do they work, and do they actually work? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts,...

On this week's episode, Taylor (with no ticketing buying experience) asks Graham (some ticket buying experience) a litany of questions about the best ways to acquire Premier League tickets. Why is the process so tricky? What are the different ticketing avenues? Can strangers on the internet be trusted? Those and many, many more questions answered today! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon...

Why did the soccer balls of our youth look like someone shaved The Grinch? Oh, but regarding this week's show, we're talking futsal! What is it, how did it first get started, how is it different from soccer, who are the dominant national teams, and much much more! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and muc...

Graham and Taylor aren't on a break... but are instead discussing breaks. What is a winter break in soccer? Which leagues currently take winter breaks? What do teams actually do during the winter break? What are the benefits and drawbacks of a winter break? JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more....

This week... it's Scran Talk! What do we know about the history of people eating at soccer matches? How important is food to the matchday experience at a soccer match? What do they eat at soccer matches around the world? What are our personal favourite things to eat at a soccer match? All that and more foodie chat on this week's episode, which was a genuine joy to record! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Ch...

What is the history of goalkeepers in soccer? What are goalkeepers traditionally expected to do? How has the goalkeeping position changed in modern soccer? How might it continue to evolve? And who are some of the greats of the past vs greats of the present? JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more....

On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing the granddaddy of TV analysis: Match of the Day. What is it, how long has it been around, what makes it unique, is it still relevant in the modern media landscape, and much much more! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Beco...

Graham and Taylor are here to discuss their favorite fairytales (Graham is a big Frozen guy), but then they also discuss the concept of a fairytale in soccer. What exactly is it? What qualifies and what doesn't? What are some of the most notable moments in soccer history? And, maybe most importantly, are fairytales becoming rarer in the modern game? JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, wh...

Graham and Taylor are avoiding ranch and fizzy drinks to stay in ideal shape to discuss the diets of professional footballers. Why is diet and nutrition so important for soccer players? What will they eat on a match day? How has nutrition changed in soccer over the decades? Those questions and at least a few more answered on this week's episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

With the recent news that Mario Balotelli will be returning to Italy after signing for Genoa, we take a look back at his career so far, and ponder what it is that makes Balotelli such a captivating figure. What is it about Balotelli that is so fascinating? How good was he earlier in his career? Where did it go (most) wring in his career? Where has the forward been these past few years? All that an...

This week, we try (and instantly fail) to give an objective look at Gianni Infantino, our current FIFA President. Where did he come from? How much power does he actually have? Has he been a good President or has he been a FIFA President? All that and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham and Taylor answer questions like "what is a dual national in soccer" and "what are the requirements for switching" and "who are some of the most notable players to have switched national teams." Plus, Graham finally admits that Mel Gibson is only slightly less Scottish than Mr. Ruthven. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham and Taylor take a look at some of the biggest and/or most successful clubs that today find themselves in less glorious environs. How did they get there? What are the different factors that can lead to a club's downfall? Are any clubs today at risk of making similar mistakes? All that and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, it's time for pain. What happens when you tear your ACL, and how has treatment evolvedP over time? Which players recovered well, which players didn't, and why has it become such a widespread issue in women's soccer in particular? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.