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Monday Night Club: Is modern Premier League football rubbish? Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

After the Manchester Derby turned into a damp squib, Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Michael Brown discuss whether over-coaching, micro-management and a fear making mistakes has become an "illness in the game". They also ask why derbies have seemingly lost their spark.

And after Ivan Juric left Southampton following their relegation, Glen de la Cour from the Total Saints podcast joins the MNC to discuss where the Saints go from here.

Topics: 03:14 - What next for Southampton? 12:40 - Glen de la Cour from the Total Saints podcast 20:01 - Why won't promoted clubs adapt their style of play to suit the Premier League? 34:08 - Is modern Premier League football rubbish? 40:19 - Have derbies lost their spark? 48:44 - Where do you draw the line between coaching and micro-management?

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week:

Arsenal v Real Madrid - Champions League - 20:00 - Tuesday 8th April PSG v Aston Villa - Champions League - 20:00 - Wednesday 9th April Lyon v Man Utd - Europa League - 20:00 - Thursday 10th April Forest v Everton - Premier League - 15:00 - Saturday 12th April Arsenal v Brentford - Premier League - 17:30 - Saturday 12th April Liverpool v West Ham - Premier League - 14:00 - Sunday 13th April Newcastle v Man Utd - Premier League - 16:30 - Sunday 13th April

BBC Sounds / 5 Sports Extra commentaries this week:

Belgium v England - Nations League - 19:30 - Tuesday 8th April Chelsea v Ipswich - Premier League - 14:00 - Sunday 13th April Wolves v Spurs - Premier League - 14:00 - Sunday 13th April

How to win the Champions League: Liverpool 2019 Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of our mini-series on how to win the Champions League, Andy Robertson and Alisson look back on Liverpool’s win in the 2019 edition.

They talk us through the dramatic run through the group stages and the iconic semi-final comeback against Barcelona.

We get insight into how Jurgen Klopp inspired his team to win the tournament, why he was a father-figure to the squad and what it was like to receive a Klopp hug.

They also explain why it was so emotional on the pitch after the final victory over Tottenham in Madrid.

A BBC iPlayer documentary, featuring exclusive interviews and insight, is available to watch: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m00276py/how-to-win-the-champions-league

Episode 1: How to win the Champions League: Real Madrid - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kkgyws

TIMECODES 02:00 The dramatic run through the earlier rounds, including THAT comeback v Barcelona 11:00 Pre-match ahead of the final – Jurgen Klopp and walking on the pitch 17:00 The emotional scenes after winning the final 21:00 Jurgen Klopp and his relationship with Liverpool

The Commentators’ View: Stonewall penalties & Skjoldar/Vats/Vik/Vind Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk commentary life. From Ian’s penchant for pies at Celtic to whether the ‘dull’ Premier League should have play-offs to make it more interesting. One listener sets a new record for clubs with a slash in their names, and there’s a whole heap of controversy in a Clash of the Commentators basement battle. Plus, BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty joins for the Great Glossary of Football Commentary.

02:55 Who ate all the pies? 05:40 Would Arsenal fans rather have Saka or Gabriel? 11:35 5 Live’s weekend commentaries 14:10 Should the ‘dull’ Premier League have play-offs? 20:35 A new record for clubs with a slash in their names 28:10 Controversy in Clash of the Commentators 37:20 Phil McNulty joins for the Great Glossary

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this weekend: Fri 2000 England women v Belgium in the UEFA Women's Nations League, Fri 1915 Wales women v Denmark on the BBC Sport website, Sat 1500 Crystal Palace v Brighton in the Premier League, Sat 1730 Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Fulham v Liverpool in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Brentford v Chelsea on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Tottenham v Southampton on the BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Man Utd v Man City in the Premier League.

In Focus with Lucy Bronze and Alex Scott Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze speaks exclusively to Alex Scott about her experience being autistic and living with ADHD.

Lucy's mum, Diane, had long suspected she may be autistic, but it wasn't until four years ago that Bronze was officially diagnosed as being autistic and living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Lucy has had outstanding success as a footballer, both at home and abroad, and during this chat she tells Alex how being neurodivergent has impacted her life both on and off the pitch and why some of her differences have been her strengths.

TIMECODES: 1:02 - On being diagnosed as autistic and ADHD four years ago. 3:13 - The process of getting diagnosed 5:00 - On her most notable neurodivergent traits 7:10 - Do her teammates know? 9:20 - Being ‘obsessed’ with football and how her differences have been her strengths. 10:26 - How does it affect her on the football pitch? 12:25 - Masking and copying the behaviours of Jill Scott. 15:54 - Her experiences of playing abroad and being in diverse environments. 16:50 - Being a role model to younger players 19:55 - On the diagnosis helping to understand who she is, not change who she is. 22:25 - Why is she ready to talk about it now? 24:45 - Becoming an ambassador for the National Autistic Society to help with "raising awareness" and "getting rid of the stigma" around it.

The Commentators’ View: Peckish for pies & Ali Bruce-Burglar Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

The trio are back together as John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk commentary life. Expect more football lookalikes, a tight Clash of the Commentators and which football terms will make it into the Great Glossary of Football Commentary?

04:35 More clubs with a slash in their name 07:50 The famous ‘One team in Tallinn’ match 11:20 Another soundalike to test your ears 17:15 An update on the Golden Mic goal ratios 20:05 Ali explains his ‘Bruce-Burglar’ nickname 25:00 Ian looking forward to a Celtic pie 31:20 The guys are ‘all back’ for Clash of the Commentators 37:50 Another ‘top corner’ term goes in the Great Glossary

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this weekend: Sat 1215 Fulham v Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, Sat 1500 Celtic v Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, Sat 1715 Brighton v Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, Sun 1330 Preston v Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

That Season When: Blackburn won the league Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Sir Kenny Dalglish, Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer are among the guests as Kelly Cates looks back on Blackburn's famous title win in 1995.

Midfielder Mark Atkins explains how the club was rejuvenated by owner Jack Walker's investment, while Rob Coar, then club chairman, gives the view from the boardroom.

And is it fair to say the club bought the title? Football finance expert Kieran Maguire goes through the figures.

TIMECODES 10:00 Mark Atkins on Blackburn's redevelopment; 15:20 Alan Shearer on his famous partnership with Chris Sutton; 29:00 Sir Kenny Dalglish's reflections as manager; 50:00 Robert Coar's view from the boardroom 01:05:00 Kieran Maguire on Blackburn's finances that season.

The Commentators’ View: Sadiq Mourinho & Roy of the Rovers Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

John Murray & Ian Dennis are joined by former BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips. They discuss his journey following the Wales national team and seeing Gareth Bale’s rise from the youth team. Herr Chapman claims another sticky-handed victim dipping into their sweets on the radio. More football lookalikes, England v Wales in Clash of the Commentators and there’s a high bar to get into the Great Glossary of Football Commentary.

03:00 Rob Phillips’ journey following Wales 09:50 Following Gareth Bale’s rise from the start 19:50 Herr Chapman is at it again… 21:40 John’s Mike Gatting incident 24:05 More football lookalikes & soundalikes 29:10 Play-by-play commentary sharing 36:20 England v Wales in Clash of the Commentators 45:20 What will enter the Great Glossary?

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this weekend: Fri 1945 England v Albania in World Cup qualifier, Sun 1430 Man City v Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, Mon 1945 England v Latvia in World Cup qualifier.

Mark Chapman meets….JJ Watt Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

NFL legend and Burnley co-owner JJ Watt chats to Mark Chapman. They discuss everything from bench pressing with the Burnley players to the uncertainty of the NFL draft. Watt opens up on why he decided to invest in Burnley – and why once he did so, he was determined to win over the fans, just as he did after moving to Houston as an American footballer. They also discuss goalkeeper James Trafford, the difference between sports that do and do not have relegation and the contrasting schedule between the NFL and the EFL.

TIMECODES 0 mins: JJ’s interest in learning about the business of football 4 mins: The importance of community when you join a club 5 mins: The danger element of investing in a sport that has relegation 8 mins: The insight that JJ can offer the board as a former professional athlete. 12 mins: James Trafford – and the art of goalkeeping 16 mins: The difference in football and NFL schedules 19 mins: JJ’s experiences in the NFL draft 25 mins: The big salaries paid to sportsmen and how they handle them 26 mins: The importance of giving back

5 Live/Sports Extra Commentaries this week:

Wednesday 19th March – Manchester City v Chelsea – Women’s Champions League Quarter Final – 8pm KO on 5 Live Thursday 20th March – Greece v Scotland – Nations League – 7.45pm KO on 5 Live Friday 21st March – England v Albania – World Cup Qualifier – 7.45pm KO on 5 Live

Destination New Jersey: Host tensions, expansion beneficiaries & the Comoros dream Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Is the tension between World Cup co-hosts USA, Canada and Mexico a concern? Can Comoros complete the ultimate underdog story? Plus, will Chris Wood and Erling Haaland be firing in the goals for New Zealand and Norway next year?

Kelly Cates and Rory Smith get our countdown to 2026 underway in Destination New Jersey.

JT Batson, CEO & Secretary General of the US Soccer Federation, joins us to discuss their preparations for the tournament. Former New Zealand manager, Ricki Herbert, talks up their chances of making it to next summer’s World Cup 16 years after he guided them to South Africa.

President of the Norwegian Football Association, Lise Klaveness, explains the pressure on them to ensure Erling Haaland and their talented generation can reach the finals.

And we’re joined by former Wolves boss Stefano Cusin as he bids to take Comoros to their first World Cup.

TIMECODES: 02:10 - JT Batson – CEO & Secretary General of US Soccer Federation 17:50 - Stefano Cusin – Comoros manager 26:19 – Ricki Herbert – Former New Zealand manager 39:36 – Lise Klaveness – President of the Norwegian Football Association.

Commentaries on 5 Live/BBC Sounds: Wednesday: Manchester City v Chelsea - Women's Champions League (8pm) Thursday: Greece v Scotland - Men's Nations League play-off (7:45pm) Friday: England v Albania - Men's World Cup 2026 qualifying (7:45pm) Sunday: Manchester City v Chelsea - Women's Super League (2:30pm)

BONUS: A first glimpse at Tuchel’s England Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

When did Dan Burn find out he was in the running for a place in the England squad? And how did Thomas Tuchel break the ice with Morgan Gibbs-White to call him up having initially left him out of the 26-man squad?

Both Burn and Gibbs-White have been speaking to John Murray, who’s with Ian Dennis at St George’s Park for a first glimpse of Thomas Tuchel’s England.

TIMECODES: 02:08 – Dan Burn Interview 07:10 – Is Tuchel looking for character in his call ups? 07:45 – Which Under 21s trained with the England squad? 08:29 – What’s different at St George’s Park under Tuchel? 12:45 – Morgan Gibbs White interview 18:47 – Just 24 training sessions to the 2026 World Cup?

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