The Game

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**The Game**

The thinking fan’s football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action – every Monday and Thursday.

Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who’s in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR.

Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups.

We know football isn’t life and death. It’s much more serious than that.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

Nervy Nervy Arsenal - Is it happening again? Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

"Arsenal are blowing it? Their best chance of a title in over twenty years and they are looking nervy, again."

Or...

"Winning a title isn't easy! this season isn't like those of recent years you won't need 98 pts."

Are either true?

If they are to hold it together, what does it take psychologically to get over the line in a title race?

Wolves manager Rob Edwards has the fans on side and is seeing encouraging signs from his side. It has all come a little late but will it help ahead of a season in the Championship?

After the break Newcastle and Anthony Gordon are having a streaky season - is the England shirt Gordon's to lose?

And finally the troubling racism allegations surrounding Vinicius Junior.

tom clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Kit shepard

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EFL Extra: What is the best league in England? Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with the latest from the English Football League.

Is the Championship the best league in England, Gregor Robertson thinks so.

Coventry's win over rivals Middlesbrough sends them top again but six points separate 6th to 16th. Who is best placed to come from the pack? At the bottom some huge clubs look in severe danger of relegation in West Brom and Leicester.

Lincoln fan Tom Clarke makes his pitch for the excitement of League One. It's tight at the bottom and around the play offs, but at the top are Cardiff and Lincoln away and clear?

In League Two wins for teams at the bottom who were written off and... a mystery called Walsall, any fans listening please get in touch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs or Forest to go down? And what will Arsenal win? Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Spurs and Forest have rolled the dice again...but will Igor Tudor or Vítor Pereira have the desired effect?

Is either appointment on merit, or a reflect of clubs who don't know who they really want? Will the instability mean a player exodus at either club come the summer?

Which club should be more worried, Forest or Spurs?

Was VAR so bad after all...well yes says Gregor robertson but many think the mistakes at the weekend - without VAR - are the bets advert for its continued use.

Arsenal are still in four competitions...what, if anything, will they win?

Gary Jacob, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs and Forest sack the boss - will it work? Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Spurs won the sack race! They got rid of Thomas Frank 24 hours before Nottingham Forest said goodbye to Sean Dyche. Why did they go, was it the right call and who could be next?

In contrast England manager Thomas Tuchel has signed an extension to his contract, what has he done to earn it and why now?

On the pitch do the managerial change give West Ham a better chance of staying up?and the fight for fourth and fifth place.

Gregor Robertson joins Tony Cascarino, Tom Allnutt and Martin Samuel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VAR is finished but City aren't Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

It's all about VAR again, and Gregor is sick of it. But Tom Allnutt thinks the officials at Anfield got it right - so, time to do away with it or accept nothing is perfect?

On the pitch City's fighting win keeps them in the title race, but Arsenal don't look they're feeling any pressure.

Man Utd won again, is it the biggest mid season turn around ever? Does that mean Mainoo makes it to the World Cup?

Eddie howe and Fabian Hurzeler were both booed by their own fans, fair?

Thomas Frank is in the orange zone, his captain hasn't helped and forest are in serious trouble now, could Nuno even send them down...?

Tom Clarke joins Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Player Power...give me a break!" Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Who has the power in modern football - clubs or players? In the summer Alexander Isak was called morally bankrupt, where would he be now had he not forced through his move? As the transfer window closed Dwight McNeil was left stranded as Crystal Palace chose not to pursue his transfer and Harvey Elliot remains at Villa with a £35 million price tag which no one wants to pay - both powerless to affect their respective situations. So where does the power lie?

It was a quiet transfer window did anyone club come out of it happy?

Sheffield Wednesday look like being a key test case for the football regulator

And finally, a look ahead to the big match of the weekend Liverpool v City, which club is in the stringer position...

Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coventry are wobbling, who can take advantage? Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

It is not a blip anymore, Coventry are now in full wobble, Middlesborough have joined them at the top but there are other, unfancied teams waiting in the wings - who if any can come from the pack - Millwall, Hull, Wrexham or Derby?

Hull have done some impressive transfer business with with so many players over performing their XG is it sustainable?

At the bottom, is there any light at the end of the tunnel for disgruntled Blackburn fans?

And who is in most danger of being sucked into the relegation zone?

In League One Tom is panicking, are Lincoln City really going to do it? Gregor thinks so.

In League Two Cambridge United are on one of the best runs in their history and Ian Holloway is absolutely furious!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wastes of money, most versatile player and who's lost their swagger? Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

It was a weekend of two halves - Chelsea, Spurs and Fulham all came back from two goals down at half time...only Fulham didn't hang on. As Man City wobbled they looked to have lost their swagger - Gregor Robertson thinks it is clear why. Chelsea came back to win, but why did they make so many changes in the first place?

There was plenty of moaning about VAR but if it was taken away would fans be accepting or would the referee abuse just get worse?

Alyson Rudd thinks Alexander Isak could be a waste of money, as Wirtz and Ekitike shine, can they really play all three?

Lastly who is the Premier League's most versatile player?

Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Pete Rutzler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The real Roy Keane and should heading be banned Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Tony Cascarino was a team mate of Roy Keane, he's been to see the film about Keane and his Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, he gives his version of their relationship.

Is heading in football about to be banned? Following recent headlines around ex players suffering from dementia, what are the risks that footballers take? Tony Cascarino - known for his heading ability is worried at the prospect of a brain scan.

And Jose Mourinho wound back the clock as his Benfica goalkeeper scored the goal that took them into the next round of the Champions League. He'll join Newcastle in the play offs with the four other english teams already through. Is the Premier League now tougher than the Champions League?

Tony Cascarino, gregor robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United's Carrick bounce exposes Arsenal’s nerve Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Manchester United make it two statement wins under Michael Carrick — but are they really back? Arsenal’s lead at the top is down to four points after a 3–2 defeat at the Emirates… so why were fans booing a team still top of the table?

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s unbeaten run ends in chaos at Bournemouth, Chelsea and the chasing pack keep the race for Europe wide open, and pressure grows on Tottenham and Crystal Palace towards the bottom.

Plus, two strikers thriving in very different worlds: Alyson Rudd visits Bromley to meet League Two’s unlikely star Michael Cheek, and Hamzah Khaliq-Loonat travels to Germany to decode Harry Kane.

Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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