The Game

Latest Episodes:

Why players get booed and best ever solo goals Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

There are four English teams in the top eight qualifying spots of the Champions League, Spurs and Chelsea are just outside. Are English clubs starting to dominate Europe again? Although Qarabag did try to derail the narrative.

Trent alexander Arnold was booed on his return to Liverpool, is anyone really surprised? Is booing anything the new normal. Gregor Robertson asks the question - do players like fans?

A quick look at what is happening at Wolves and what is the greatest ever solo goal…Maradona, Ronaldo (R9) Gemmill?

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

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Is Frank under pressure and is Haaland a great? Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Is Thomas Frank under pressure already? Another home defeat for Spurs against Chelsea and a stale performance had home fans making their views clear on Saturday. He needs to silence some critics with two more home games to come.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Allnutt and Alyson Rudd to discuss Frank's future -- and other big stories.

Also on the agenda this week: Pep Guardiola compared Erling Haaland to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo while Liverpool picked up an important win and Arsenal kept another clean sheet. Can Mikel Arteta's side compete for more than one trophy?

At the bottom, Vitor Pereira paid the price for Wolves' terrible start - who would want the job of getting them out of the bottom three?

West Ham's win against Newcastle gives them hope as Eddie Howe's side produce the worst away performance of the season.

And the team discuss a battling draw between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.

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Kids win nothing; Worries at Wolves and Chaos at Celtic Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Was Arne Slot right to play the youngsters? His Liverpool team have now lost six of their last seven games – are there similarities with Man City from last season?

Chelsea beat Wolves but had another man sent off, do they have a discipline problem?

North of the border an ugly row has broken out between Celtic share holder Dermot Desmond and ex manager Brendon Rogers…where does the truth lie?

Finally, why does Spurs manager Thomas Frank want to play down his teams chances in the league?

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

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

EFL Extra: Sheffield Wednesday Special Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Administration, points deductions and the hunt for new owners - it's been a huge couple of days for Sheffield Wednesday and on this special episode of The Game we analyse the latest news and ask what might be next for the Championship club.

Paul Hirst, a football reporter for The Times and Wednesday fan, joins Tom Clarke to outline the grim realities facing the club now and the brighter hope for a new owner and a better future, on and off the pitch.

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

Are Liverpool out of the title race? And why is this season so different? Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

What was the most significant result of the weekend? Burnley beating relegation rivals Wolves? Leeds doing likewise to West Ham? City losing again, Liverpool losing again? Arsenal going clear, Sunderland beating Chelsea at the Bridge or Bournemouth going second? And Man Utd looking resurgent.

This season seems to be different. Arsenal aside – we’ll come to them – anyone can beat anyone. And it is great!

Are Liverpool’s problems so big that they are now out of the title race? What makes Arsenal so good, and can the promoted clubs really start eyeing the top of the table instead of the bottom?

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

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

Liverpool go 4-4-2 and how does Arsenal's defence compare to some of the best ever? Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Liverpool returned to form with an impressive win in Frankfurt. A new formation and no Salah. Was it a one-off experiment or the start of a new look Liverpool?

Arsenal kept yet another clean sheet as they beat a normally tough Atletico Madrid; just how good is this Arsenal back four? Would any get into some of the best in Premier League history – Arsenal 98’, Man Utd 08’ , Chelsea 04’ and Liverpool 18’?

Did someone say there was a recruitment process to appoint Sean Dyche at Forest? Hang on a minute!

And can Nuno save West Ham from relegation…probably not.

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

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

EFL Extra: Outsiders Going Strong Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

The ‘Unfashionables’ are still going strong in the EFL. Coventry top the Championship with a goal difference not seen at this stage of the season since Fulham in 2000/1. They are closely followed by Middlesborough who reminded Ipswich that points don’t come cheap in the Championship. Also up there are Stoke and Millwall.

In League One despite losing, Stevenage are still in the top two. They lost to another unfancied club – Lincoln City. Tom was there and delights in giving his assessment of the Imps.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson

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Man Utd stun Liverpool and Forest sack Postecoglou Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Manchester United win at Anfield for the first time in ten years and Liverpool lose four on the bounce for the first time since 2014. So, has Amorim finally turned a corner and is Arne Slot facing a blip or a crisis?

Nottingham Forest sack Ange Postecoglou seventeen minutes after the final whistle at the City Ground, will he be back or is that the end of big Ange? And who is in line to replace him?

In a mad weekend in the Premier League that is only the half of it! Arsenal go clear at the top, Wolves lose again and Villa come from behind to beat Spurs.

Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Charlotte Duncker and Gregor Robertson

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

Premier League Returns and Cult Heroes Part 2! Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

After another good win for Thomas Tuchel’s England which places are still up for grabs in his starting eleven? The full backs, number ten?

Lots of listeners offering up cult heroes from their clubs; from Alan Hutton and Stan Bowles to John Kaye and Terry Hurlock. Were Tony or Gregor cult heroes at any of their clubs?

Gregor has been to see how former players are progressing as they become referees…they’re finding out what a difficult job it is.

After the break a look ahead to some of the big games this weekend…will Liverpool’s two big signings start in the game against Manchester United?

Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino Pete Rutzler and Gregor Robertson

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

Do England need a £5m manager and your favourite cult hero? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

What makes a great cult hero – amazing skill, trying hard, being a bit weird or relentlessly dependable. From Tony Hibbert to Jay Jay Okocha via Lee Trundle and Dimitar Berbatov…we want to know your favourite cult players.

Alyson Rudd has a theory – England don’t need a manager, certainly not one on five million pounds a year. England have some much quality they would have to work hard not to qualify. Thereafter they should appoint an English manager for the tournament - one who has worked for a club all season and is match sharpened.

Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson discuss.

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

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