The Game

Latest Episodes:

Have England Regressed? Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Alyson Rudd, Jonathan Northcroft and Martyn Ziegler.

England have two more games before the World Cup begins - but has Gareth Southgate got too many problems on his hands? (00:00)

Ivan Toney is in the squad for this weekend’s Nations League matches - what chance does he have of becoming Harry Kane’s number two? (16:39)

Is the game up for Trent Alexander-Arnold as an England player? (21:25)

Harry Kane and other captains will wear ‘One Love’ armbands during these games and at the World Cup - but does it actually mean anything? (25:54)

What will happen now Liz Truss has put the plan for an independent football regulator on hold? (45:14)

A chat with former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini ends up creating the most surreal games Hugh Woozencroft has ever come up with (52:07)

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Are Arsenal Actually Title Contenders? Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino.

Arsenal continue to surprise many and will be league leaders going into October - how did they turn things around? (00:00)

West Ham are having a disastrous season so far, but what can they do to turn things around - and is David Moyes the man to do it? (15:57)

Spurs are third in the Premier League, only a point off the lead - but are they any good? (33:37)

Leicester City are bottom going into the international break - but will they make a change in the dugout before their next game? (41:45)

Fulham are impressing so far, but Nottingham Forest are struggling with all their new signings - which are most likely to stay up? (46:36)

Hugh claims Aston Villa vs Southampton was the worst game he’s ever seen - but what about everyone else? (57:45)

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SPECIAL: Ed Smith on his book 'Making Decisions' Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Former England cricketer and national selector Ed Smith joins us to discuss his new book 'Making Decisions: Putting the Human Back in the Machine'.

Tom Clarke sits down with Ed to discuss the analysis of data in sport and why it doesn't mean we'll simply rely on algorithms to pick squads and tactics in the future. We also hear his thoughts on the different mentalities of football managers and his love for Arsenal.

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How Do You Stop Erling Haaland? Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Ian Hawkey and Ed Smith.

Erling Haaland scored (again) as Manchester City came from behind to beat his former side Borussia Dortmund. How can he be stopped? (00:00)

Graham Potter took charge of Chelsea for the first time - what did we learn from their draw in the Champions League? (13:22)

Liverpool left it late to beat Ajax - why aren’t they the team of previous years this season? (32:55)

Tottenham let it slip late on in their match against Sporting. How does Antonio Conte improve their mentality? (45:49)

Ian Hawkey gives us his opinions on the other results in the Champions League - including mixed fortunes for Real and Barcelona (51:52)

News of a special episode of The Game out on Friday (60:18)

Gregor and Tom discuss how Rangers and Celtic got on in the Champions League and we touch upon the EFL results from the week (62:50)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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Potter Set For A Chelsea Spell? Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Molly Hudson, Tom Roddy and Tony Cascarino.

***This episode was recorded on the morning of Graham Potter’s appointment as new Chelsea manager***

Thomas Tuchel has been fired - did he see it coming? (00:00)

Tom Roddy broke the story in The Times and he tells us his understanding of what happened behind the scenes? (9:50)

At the time of recording, Graham Potter was heavily rumoured to be taking over at Chelsea. How suitable will he be at Stamford Bridge? (19:55)

Liverpool had a night to forget in the Champions League on Wednesday. What’s going wrong for Jurgen Klopp’s side at the moment? (35:08)

Celtic and Rangers both had disappointing evenings in Europe - our resident Scotsman and former Celtic striker give their thoughts (46:41)

The WSL season gets underway this weekend and Molly Hudson brings us up to date with some last minute transfers (51:43)

Spurs take on Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend - can Antonio Conte get one over Pep Guardiola? (60:10)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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VAR You Having A Laugh? Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson.

Manchester United vs Arsenal was as eventful as ever. Did Anthony live up to expectation? (00:00)

This game featured one of many VAR talking points over the weekend, but was the decision to rule out Arsenal’s goal actually correct? (13:46)

Brighton have quietly continued their excellent run - should Graham Potter be offered the England job and would he actually accept? What next for Brendan Rodgers at Leicester? (25:08)

Ivan Toney has impressed for Brentford, scoring a hat trick this past weekend. Is it the right time for an England call-up? (37:40)

Along with Toney, we pick our suggestions for curveballs call-ups to Gareth Southgate’s next squad (44:06)

A discussion on VAR turns into a debate, and then a full blown argument! (46:50)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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Who Won The Transfer Window? Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Molly Hudson.

We take a look back at the transfer window for a selection of Premier League clubs - starting with Chelsea and Manchester United (00:00)

Nottingham Forest and Arsenal (11:28)

Bournemouth, Everton and Southampton (19:19)

Manchester City and Leicester City (27:08)

Fulham and Liverpool (38:39)

Hugh has also picked a selection of other clubs who deserve a mention for some solid business ahead of the window shutting (45:08)

Molly Hudson joins us from Austria to discuss the Lionesses first competitive games since their Euros success (48:58)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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We Want Ten! Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Roddy and Alyson Rudd.

Liverpool hit Bournemouth for nine goals at the weekend - but why do teams struggle to make double figures? (00:00)

Scott Parker made it well known he wants more players at Bournemouth, but will his frustration be resolved? (13:25)

Manchester City and Erling Haaland look impressive in front of goal - but are they looking shaky at the back? (22:50)

Steven Gerrard is struggling at Aston Villa after yet another loss. Will he be given time to turn things around? (32:42)

Forest put up a notable fight against Tottenham, but Richarlison got a lot of attention for his showboating - was it rudeness or flair? (45:46)

Hugh doesn’t like VAR much, as you’ll hear with his weekly rant (51:12)

Who was our Player of the Month? Listen and vote now on The Times website (54:06)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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Sporadic Acts Of Passion Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft - with Molly Hudson and Henry Winter.

Manchester United surprised a few with their 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Monday. What does that win over Liverpool mean for their progression after a rocky start under ten Hag? (00:00)

Liverpool are having a nightmare start to the season - what does Jurgen Klopp need to do and could another signing be necessary before the window shuts? (18:31)

Rangers are in the Champions League group stages for the first time in 13 years - we discuss their progression and what this means for the club going forward (30:00)

Molly Hudson joins us to discuss the two big retirements from the successful Lionesses squad this week (40:01)

The Times’ Chief Football Reporter Henry Winter has been to Kyiv for the symbolic start of the Ukrainian Premier League. He tells us about his experience in the capital (49:03)

We end with our Games of the Weekend - which fixtures are catching our eye across the Premier League and EFL? (53:44)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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Saint Allan of Maximin Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino.

Newcastle gave Manchester City a scare on Sunday - what does this result tell us about their progression since the takeover? (00:00)

Hugh is not impressed with VAR again and one incident in that game was largely to blame (16:53)

Leeds blew Chelsea away at Elland Road. How desperately do Chelsea need a number 9 and are modern goalkeepers taught to play with their feet too much? (27:16)

Brighton came away from the London Stadium with three points as West Ham’s goalless start to the season continues - is it time to panic for David Moyes? (41:00)

Arsenal end the weekend on top, but how seriously should we take them this season? (54:47)

Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Start your free trial: thetimes.co.uk/thegame

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