The Game

Genes count as three sons of former players star for Liverpool. As academy players are in the spotlight the team discuss the modern player, private education and clubs more holistic approach to their assets. Had Stan Bowles been a player now he may have had more help with gambling problems that beset his life, Martin and Tony share their memories of a great player with a crazy life.  With Wol...

Was it Captain Colossus, Klopp’s charisma or just really good academy players that got Liverpool over the line? Alyson Rudd was Nostradamus, highlighting last week the huge impact Virgil Van Dyke has on his Liverpool team. What now for Pochettino and Chelsea, wilting in extra time and still no trophy. At Old Trafford the shoots of hope were trampled by a very good Fulham performance. It left some...

Ahead of a huge FA Cup tie for Maidstone United, a special edition of The Game. Ever wondered how a part time team prepares for a big cup game against a team four leagues above them? Or what it’s like to score your first premier league goal, or get ‘tortured’ by a winger in front of Sir Alex at Old Trafford..? In a bonus edition of The Game Alyson Rudd and producer Neil went to meet Maidstone mana...

A quick look at the mid-week fixtures and a bold claim, Arsenal have the best defence, and defences win leagues… City won again and Klopp likened his teams win against Luton to their famous win against Barcelona. James Gheerbrandt went to see Tuchel lose out to Xabi Alonso against Leverkusen. A week later he ‘agreed’ to leave Munich, where next and what are the knock-on effects in the managerial m...

City dropped points, Liverpool picked up more injuries and Arsenal are eleven nil up from their last two games. So where does that leave the title race? Which players are irreplaceable on a title run in? Crystal Palace look set to make a managerial change, but how have they handled it, with Roy Hodgson still unwell and Oliver Glasner seemingly lined up to replace him. Who is best placed to be Harr...

Could Harry Kane really have another trophy-less season? If he does it won’t be for the lack of effort. The England captain has had a brilliant season, is endearing himself to the German fans, but it could still be not quite enough. Man City strolled to another win in the Champions league, are they now at their best? How would you feel if your club was part of a multi ownership model, with sister...

For fifteen minutes it seemed Arsenal were the complete team, but was that down to West Ham’s passivity? What does the result from the London Stadium mean for both teams - are Arsenal now back in the title race, if they were ever out of it; and for West Ham is a contract for David Moyes more or less likely? The result at Spurs was not reflective of an end to end encounter. Brighton refuse to take...

Are sin bins a good idea? It looks increasingly likely that they will be trialled in specific games/competitions next season. Tom, Martin, Gregor and Tony discuss the pros and cons of sinbins and other IFAB proposed rule changes.   Chelsea confounded the critics with a five star display at Villa park, but can they reproduce it? While Chelsea celebrate the team move on to discuss how, where an...

Arsenal are back in the title race, but are Liverpool suffering the delayed effects of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement last week? Tom, Alyson, Gregor, and Tony discuss the result at the Emirates and where it leaves both teams. It was a positive weekend for Manchester United, two wins on the bounce and Erik Ten Hag more upbeat than ever, have they finally turned a corner? Chelsea by contrast go from ba...

If Luton stay up is Rob Edwards the manager of the season? Tom, Martin, Gregor and Jonny discuss. Kenilworth Road has become the awkward advantage that many pundits thought it would be, and Ross Barkley is providing flashes of inspiration. At Selhurst park it is the Eze and Olise show, just how good are they? Sticking with attacking flair Ange-ball is back in full flow at Spurs, will Postecoglou t...

Tom gets the tissues out to console Alyson and Tony before they discuss who will replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Alonso is the favourite, but as Gregor points out he’s only had 18 months first team management experience. As Klopp departs has the scrutiny of referees added to the increase in football disorder and referee attacks? Alyson met George Elokobi and his mentor Mick McCarthy ahead of Ma...

No signings in the window but Beyonce makes Spurs rich  Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel for more football discussion and a crash course in Beyonce lyrics. First off, the team look back at a very positive performance for Chelsea in the league cup. Do they now have a cutting edge and are some of their big signings starting to gel? Liverpool are progressing without Mo...

Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke for Monday’s edition of The Game. Four games and four talking points from the weekend’s fixtures. A statement win from Liverpool against in form Bournemouth and two strikers hit form in Jota and Nunez. Are the reds capable of winning the title? At Bramall Lane the tail of two penalties, one that was and one that wasn’t but which way round was it? An...

Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Premier League punishments, Ivan Toney's return and Jose Mourinho's Roma sacking.  With Everton and Nottingham Forest facing potential points deductions (Everton for the second time this season), the panel assess the rules and debate whether the possible punishments are justified.  I...

Matt Dickinson, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plan of action, why Reading fan's invaded the pitch and what spooked Alyson over the weekend.  Matt Dickinson gives an in-depth insight into what Manchester United's new 25% owner should be prioritising once he's got his feet under the table.  Now Kevin De Bruyne has returned (and immediately...

Gregor Robertson, Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke for the Thurs edition of The Game. Is Mauricio Pochettino under pressure at Chelsea? After a loss to championship side Middlesborough in the first leg of the league cup semi final and indifferent league form, will the owner demand more after spending a billion pounds? Liverpool won again, with two youngster shining in Curtis jones...

Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Hardy join Tom Clarke to discuss why Arsenal are stumbling, who paid for the Newcastle beers and if we should re-record the whole podcast. First up Arsenal’s blunt strike force, do they have the answer or do they need to buy. A character building win for Liverpool, but do either team have enough to trouble Man City in the league. Martin Hardy reflects on an...

It's a Happy New Year from Jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson as they join Tom Clarke for the first 2024 edition of The Game. It was a new year to forget for Wayne Rooney, another example of the golden generation failing in the managerial world. What is the difference between a manager and a coach and is it the same game in the Champions League or League One?    A lo...

The Christmas spirit is alive and well as Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Molly Hudson dial in from all parts of the country to join Tom Clarke for an assessment of the festive fixture list.  An amazing turn around at Old Trafford but seasonal struggles for Villa and Newcastle. Nuno has made a good start at Forest and Luton have racked up back to back wins. Who’ll be top on Jan 1st, is Alys...

Jonathan Northcroft, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke for the final pre-Christmas edition of The Game. First on the agenda is the super league…its back, but will it actually happen? Perhaps the fans will have more power than they realise. Away from a potential super league why were West Ham so lacklustre, is Keiron Trippier fatigued and all change at Nottingham Forest. Who will b...

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Allnutt and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat. They look at a lamentable game at Anfield, a good result for Utd, a reality check for Liverpool? Arsenal seems to be the only team playing with control, Odegaard is on form and Rice remains imperious. Will it be enough to get them to the title? Aston Villa ground out a win at a tough place to go, but is their keeper...

Tom Clarke is joined by regulars Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson and special guest Wally Downes. They look back on the weeks champions league fixtures and the exit of Manchester and Newcastle United from Europe. Were Newcastle naïve to not kill off a game they led in? Did Manchester United even put up a fight? After the break a reflection on Wally’s career in football, from being one of the fou...

Tom Clarke has crawled off his sick bed to join Monday regulars Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson and special guest Jeff Stelling. After a quick hello to Jeff its on to a brilliant set of matches this weekend. Spurs and Bournemouth are committed to attacking football, no compromise, at the expense of a tired Newcastle and a disjointed Manchester United. Villa are the real deal. Emery has re-ignited...

The Thursday club of Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke to discuss a fantastic title race and a pressure mounting in midtable. Villa park was rocking as they extended their unbeaten home run, playing front foot football and bullying the reigning European and Premier league champions. Man City look to be in a mini crisis. Meanwhile Arsenal are a reflection of their b...

Tom Clarke is back fresh as a daisy from his holidays, and he is joined by Charlotte Duncker, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson to review the weekend’s goal fest. Are standards slipping at City or were Spurs brilliant. Trent Alexander Arnold was outstanding, and he was everywhere, does it matter what his starting position is.  All change at Sheffield United as Paul Heckingbottom bows out af...