The Game

Latest Episodes:

England greats and Manchester City punishment Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

The Premier League returns, Man City punishment needs carful thought and where do Bellingham and Kane rank?

Are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in your top five England greats? Martin Samuel picks the best England players he's seen and Tony Cascarino picks the best five he's played against.

Manchester City plan to appeal, but if they are not successful could their punishment sink them as a club?

Messi retired in front of 80,000 adoring fans. Cristiano Ronaldo left in protest at being an used substitute, will his career end in a whimper?

And the Premier League finally returns with some big games this weekend - Liverpool City, Man Utd Spurs and will Gyokores replace Havertz for Arsenal?

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson join Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel.

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EFL EXTRA: Big games, new managers and pointless goals Oct 07, 2026

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Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and derbies at West Ham who take on QPR and West Brom at home to Birmingham.

Perhaps the most interesting story of the international break was Graham Alexander leaving Bradford City to return to Preston North End. Why do managers leave clubs flying high in one league to go to teams at the bottom of another? Alexander joins a list including Rob Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Russell Martin. Do these moves ever pay off?

Plus, Robbie Savage takes the reigns at Peterborough, Ian holloway is losing it - again and the best irrelevant goals ever scored.

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Will Man City's stars leave? And is Bellingham as good as Zidane ? Oct 05, 2026

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As expected MAnchester City are to appeal against the guilty verdicts handed down to them by the independent commision. But what does that mean...will the whole affair drag on for another eight years? Matt Lawton brings us the latest - how long will the appeal take and what chance does it have of succeeding?

If City lose and the punishment relegates them - will their big stars stick around?

After the break, just how good were England? James Gheerbrant was at the match and thinks Jude Bellingham is looking like Zinedine Zidane...hyperbole or justified? Who else stood out and is this the start of something special or a one off?

Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Matt Lawton and Alyson Rudd.

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Manchester City - What happens next? Oct 01, 2026

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The Premier League have released their statement regarding the findings against Manchester City and it is a scathing assessment.

The independent commision referenced 'sham contracts' to reduce costs and inflate revenues disguising over nine hundred million pounds worth of 'secret funding' in the process.

The findings also make claims of false evidence and agreements or contracts designed to deceive.

For the very latest Gregor Robertson joins Chief Sports Correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton who has been leading on the story and The Times Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft

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How should Man City be punished? Sep 28, 2026

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Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges against them - what happens next? Relegation, points deduction, transfer embargo, financial fines...? What are the potential sanctions on offer? What does it mean for City and for the teams most affected by City's breaches? The Times Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler has covered this story for near eight years and joins the team to discuss what the sanctions could be and when it could be announced.

Plus, did England embrace the chaos against Spain? They showed more defensive frailty, conceded numerous chances and looked unlikely to beat the world Champions, even if Harry Kane had scored his penalty. So, are they any closer to going one step further at major tournaments?

And finally, Tom Allnutt looks at academies turning back to street football to try to unearth the spark of unpredictable brilliance missing from an overly structured youth football set up.

Tom Allnutt, Martyn Ziegler, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino join Gregor Robertson

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Tuchel needs to forget 'England DNA' and just coach Sep 24, 2026

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International football returns for the first time since the World Cup and England manager Thomas Tuchel isn't sure he can coach his players to play possession football - and some of his players seem to agree. Is that what the FA get for five million a year, a manager who can't coach? Or is it more complicated than that? While England go through their usual bout of soul searching German football hopes that Jurgen Klopp can do for them what he did for Liverpool and return them to their former glory.

And how will Zinedine Zidane harness the immense talent on offer to the French national team

Plus, five game into the Premier League what have we learnt? Can Arsenal defend their way to a title or can City score their way to a title?

Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and James Gheerbrant…

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EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country derbies Sep 22, 2026

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EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country Derbies

All the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston.

Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers derby and Wolves got the bragging rights over West Brom in the Black country derby.

Swansea came from behind to beat Lincoln and stay top, Preston couldn't quite cash in on the new manager bounce as they let a two goal lead slip at QPR. Was a point enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley.

A match report from Lincoln Swansea and a it is a big week for Southampton as Tonda Eckert finally faces his hearing over 'Spygate' - will there be an additional sanction?

In League One, Bradford hit the top, can they maintain their good form? Yet more woe for Russell Martin at Leicester and a painful miss at Stevenage.

Finally in League Two, three unbeaten teams at the top of the tabel, with Barnet showing no signs of a dip in form.

Plus, who do Gregor and Joe think are outsiders for the Championship play offs?

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Brighton and Brentford upstage the 'big boys' Sep 21, 2026

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Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four...

On paper have Man City actually got the best starting eleven?

At the other end of the table Spurs go into the international break winless, what does De Zerbi do next?

Coventry got their much needed and well deserved first win of the season and Liverpool won too, but Wirtz struggled again.

Finally, is Man Utd's main problem central midfield..?

Gregor Robertson joins Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Pete Rutzler

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What is the problem with Manchester United? Sep 17, 2026

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Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick.

Is it all football related or have the 'biggest club in England' still not solved their off pitch issues?

Another wonderkid, Max Dowman goes from strength to strength as he scores two and looks at home for Arsenal - how long until he is a regular starter? And just what does a seventeen year old at a top club get paid?

It is easy to forget but Leeds put in an impressive display to beat Newcastle on Monday night, how far can Daniel Farke's side go? And a successful European bow for Sunderland

Lastly, more VAR fallout and is the Premier League suffering a talent drain?

Tom Clarke is joined by jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson

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EFL EXTRA: Who are the contenders to win the Championship? Sep 15, 2026

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All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.

Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best?

At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom after another defeat; could Nicky Hayen at Burnley be next?

In League One Russell Martin got a huge win for Leicester City and gave an emotional interview discussing the hostility directed towards him, but will his win away at Stockport be enough to turn around an unhappy fan base at the King Power.

Wycombe sack their manager Michael Duff and immediately get a win; Neil Harris works his magic at Cambridge and quickest team goal at Plymouth.

In League Two are York City looking at back to back promotions and Gregor's old club Grimsby have a candidate for goal of the weekend.

Plus the usual goal, moment and result of the weekend in each division.

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