The Game

Villa Rockin’ and easy does it for Liverpool, City and Arsenal

A great week for English clubs in the Champions League with four wins from four.European master Unai Emery steered Villa to a famous win over Bayern Munich – is there a better match in club football than Emery and Villa? Controlled wins for City and Liverpool and a statement win for Arsenal against PSG.Oh, and what happens to Cole Palmer when he rolls up to England camp?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

39 min

EFL Extra: Flying high, changing manager and lofty ambition

Our fortnightly look at the EFL. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson look at a flying Sheffield United, managerial changes at Stoke and the form of the promoted clubs – Oxford, Portsmouth and Derby. After the break in League One Steve Bruce has taken Blackpool from relegation zone to play offs in less than a month, what’s his secret?In League Two MK Dons and Carlisle have rolled the dice and changed manager, highlighting once again just how many teams have lofty ambition with backing to match it.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

42 min

Manchester United - terrible; Liverpool – untested?

“Manchester United look like a relic!” That is the blunt assessment of Gregor Robertson.Their rivals Liverpool are top, but it's not enough for Alyson Rudd or Hamzah Khalique Loonat who think they haven’t played anyone any good yet.Tom Clarke has a hangover but talk of Cole Palmer and Ethan Nwaneri are like a caffeine shot! Plus, is kick off a set piece? Brentford think so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

61 min

Should players go on strike? And tough times for West Ham and Newcastle

As Rodri is ruled out could injuries decide the title? Will players go on strike this season? And will there ever be another summer without football?Plus, after yet another lacklustre display nothing seems to have changed at Manchester United. Its troubled times at West Ham and all is not well at Newcastle.Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

62 min

Nasty Nasty Arsenal..?

Who’ll be happier after an enthralling draw at the Etihad?  Arsenal are nasty and its impressive! Tough, gritty and hard to beat. Could City have done any more? Tom Clarke is back as Gregor Robertson lauds the defending, Alyson Rudd wonders if Arsenal were defeatist and Tom Allnut agrees with the referee. Plus looks at Brighton, Forest, Palace, Man Utd and the three clubs in the relegation zone – Wolves, Southampton and Everton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

60 min

New Champions League – brilliant or rubbish?

Champions League, striking players, dodgy kits and card happy refs. It’s a busy episode. Martin Samuel and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat agree on the Champions League but definitely do not agree on refs or football finance. Gregor Robertson steps in to referee. In amongst that Hamzah went to Milan to see Liverpool ease past the Rossoneri. Martin barely recognised Villa and City in their ‘new’ shirts.Lastly, City v Arsenal this weekend, could a City win be ominous for the season?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

71 min

EFL Extra: Rising stars

In this week’s EFL extra Gregor Robertson quizzes Hamzah Khalique-Loonat on his visit to St Andrews. Hamzah saw big names Tom Brady, Rob McElhenney and David Beckham pitch side as a fluent Birmingham beat Wrexham. After the break they look at three rising stars of the EFL: Sunderland’s Chris Rigg, Ollie Arblaster from Sheffield United and Louie Barry on loan at Stockport County  And for a final bit of glamour, Hamzah is recording the show from Milan airport.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48 min

Arsenal on song, City on trial

It is D day for Manchester City as the hearing into the 115 charges against them begins. Matt Lawton Joins Gregor Robertson to explain what could happen.  Tom Allnutt reflects on a big win for Arsenal and asks if Spurs are ‘fun but not serious.’? Tony Cascarino watched Liverpool struggle and a masterclass from Nuno Espirito Santo.And Hamzah Khalique-Loonat thinks the new Champions League format is rubbish.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

67 min

"It's Carsley's job to lose."

The England job is Carsley’s to lose, but are Finland and Ireland really a test?Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino as they assess England, Kane the looming civil war in the Chelsea boardroom.Plus, a look ahead to the North London derby, pressure on Ten Hag and what is ‘a legend’ in football?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

53 min

Are Gordon and Grealish better than Foden and Palmer?

Lee Carsley shocked England fans by playing a left footer on the left, and it worked, for the first half at least. Charlotte Duncker, Tom Allnutt and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke to assess the performance against Ireland. What does Tyrick Mitchell have to do to get a call up and has Angel Gomes ever driven a bus?Plus, a look at Craig Bellamy’s Wales and is it time for Ronaldo to retire?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

59 min

Carsley’s England; Cascarino’s Ireland

Who would you keep – Casimiro or Ten Hag? Trent, Salah or Van Dijk?Tony Cascarino, James Gheerbrant and Jonathan Northcroft join Tom Clarke to decide who stays and who goes. Plus a look at the finances at Leicester and Newcastle.After the break as Lee Carsley takes charge of England, will it be Carls-ball or Carsey-ball ? And the team pick their all-time combined England Ireland teams, which must include at least five Irish players – Irwin or Pearce, Sheedy or Waddle…it’s an easy job for Tony Cascarino.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

67 min

EFL Extra: How can a league one club afford a £15million striker?

4 games down, how are things shaping up away from the Premier League? Gregor and Tom's EFL tour takes in Sunderland's near perfect start (again), Wrexham's Hollywood script (reluctantly) and a £15million League One striker(!). Plus are Morecambe showing why you should never get back with an ex? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

34 min

Is there anything new to say about Manchester United?

Liverpool, good? United, bad? Or is there more to it? Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson to dissect an embarrassing Old Trafford outing for Ten Hag and his players. Meanwhile Everton try to outdo United in the shame stakes. Salah has Liverpool “squealing” for more than one reason. And are Chelsea actually alright?The rest of the weekend’s action too.Did you know, you can watch us now, too. Search for The Game Football Podcast on The Times Youtube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 min

Could this be the wildest transfer deadline day yet?

Chelsea have about 20 players to sell and are still looking to buy. Liverpool have finally entered the market. What could Friday's transfer deadline bring? "Anything could happen", says Paul Hirst. He joins Tom Clarke, Charlotte Duncker and Gregor Robertson to dissect the week's transfer news, look back on the life and career of Sven-Göran Eriksson and preview the weekend's big clash: Nottingham Forest vs Wolves.Oh and a few words on United vs Liverpool, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

59 min

How can Arne Slot get Liverpool fans "squealing"?

Chelsea served up a humble pie for Gregor Robertson in the form of a 6-2 away win. It's on the table, but will he tuck in? He joins Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino in the studio to discuss a shocker of a VAR decision at Bournemouth... Where does a sleeve begin and where does it end? And what do the resident Liverpool fans make of Slot's start? Is Alyson *coughs* "squealing"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

61 min

Cult heroes and a crazy club

On the agenda today, the crazy club, not Wimbledon circa 1980’s but Chelsea circa 2020’s.What does the future hold for their out of favour stars Sterling and Chilwell?Also, a look back at the Monday night game and as Martin Samuel and Jonathan Northcroft make their season debuts alongside Gregor and Tom we hear their thoughts on the first weekend.Finally, Premier League cult heroes…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 min

EFL Extra: Storming starts and poaching players?

The first of our fortnightly EFL shows reflecting the best of the Football League. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson dive straight in looking at the teams who have made very strong starts to the season. But with the transfer window still wide open, will they manage to retain their best players..? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

34 min

The Premier League is back

Imperious, confused, blunt. Just some of Gregor Robertson’s first impressions of Premier League teams after the opening weekend of fixtures.Gregor is joined by Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat as Chelsea put in a disjointed performance despite their spending; City won without playing well and Manchester United still lacked a cutting edge. Plus much more, of course... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

65 min

The Big Premier League Preview – Part Two

Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for the second part of the big Premier League season preview. What is ‘mid table’ and who’ll be avoiding it, which owner does Gregor dislike and why can’t the richest club in football spend any money? More questions, more predictions and a reveal from Hamzah.And at the risk of ruining their professional credibility the team put together their final league table for the 24/25 season…it’s just a bit of fun, don’t hold them to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 min

The Big Premier League Preview – Part One

Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for the big Premier League season preview.Who’ll be fighting it out at the top, will the new managers succeed, can the promoted teams survive and who are the signings to watch out for? The panel call on all their insider knowledge to muster some bold predictions and offer some surprising insights.Hopes, fears, excitement, anticipation – it’s all here and its only part one, there is more to come! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

67 min

Episodes

Villa Rockin’ and easy does it for Liverpool, City and Arsenal

EFL Extra: Flying high, changing manager and lofty ambition

Manchester United - terrible; Liverpool – untested?