The Game

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Are Liverpool Champions League Favourites? Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke, Ian Hawkey and Rick Broadbent.

Chelsea are still in a rut - but there were positives in their Champions League match at Zenit this week, namely Timo Werner looking sharp. How do they get back to their best? (00:00)

The Champions League draw takes place on Monday - but what would be a good draw for Manchester City? Could they come unstuck in the next round? (08:20)

Ralf Rangnick has taken charge of his first two Manchester United matches - what can we tell from his first week at the club? (14:00)

Barcelona are out of the Champions League - failing to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in 17 years. How long will it take for the club to bounce back? (23:56)

Rick Broadbent joins us to discuss the state Leeds United find themselves in. With a worrying league position and a scary fixture list - what do they need to do? (29:30)

Tottenham and Leicester have both suffered with Covid outbreaks in the last few days - with the new variant of Covid-19, could we see the return of games with no fans? (39:15)

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All Change At The Top Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

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

Aston Villa made up for the midweek loss with a win over Leicester. Is Steven Gerrard the reason their form has improved and what’s happened to the Foxes? (00:00)

West Ham got one over on Chelsea - but did they deserve three points? What are Chelsea missing that’s seen them lose the Premier League lead? (7:20)

Divock Origi popped up for his annual goal to save Liverpool in stoppage time. How well are they playing and do they need to invest further? (16:11)

Manchester City look unstoppable. Is Bernardo Silva the best player in the league at the moment and would a new striker actually hinder their mystique? (24:19)

Molly Hudson joins us to discuss Chelsea’s Women’s FA Cup win on Sunday, which saw them complete last season’s treble (31:20)

Newcastle and Burnley had differing fortunes at the weekend, but will either avoid the drop? (36:52)

Tom Roddy catches up with Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in an interview you can read more of on The Times online (46:40)

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Are Everton's Problems Higher Up? Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft.

Liverpool outclassed Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Fans showed their frustration to the board after the game - is that where the club’s problems lie? (00:00)

The two teams ahead of them won last night - with Bernardo Silva scoring a goal of the season contender. Can we really predict which of the three sides will take the title this early on? (12:03)

Leicester City and Brighton both had to settle for a point in their games - what can their fans realistically expect this season? (19:03)

Wolves and Burnley was goalless - is Wolves’ distinct lack of firepower going to live to haunt them? (26:18)

The Times’ Constantin Eckner joins us to give us more insight into Ralf Rangnick, as his German countryman prepares to take charge of Manchester United at the weekend (37:24)

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Will Ronaldo Fit With Rangnick? Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Alyson Rudd and Tom Roddy.

Chelsea were held by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge - did Michael Carrick get his tactics spot on and what are we expecting to see change as Ralf Rangnick comes in? (00:00)

Timo Werner was less than impressive in front of goal, once again - how many more chances does he have at Chelsea? (14:09)

Everton are winless in seven games after Sunday’s loss to Brentford - how much time does Rafa Benitez have to improve results and could fans turn on him after the Liverpool derby? (21:!5)

Brighton fans booed Graham Potter after their draw with Leeds - were they justified? Marcelo Bielsa has taken a dig at the schedule being ‘overcharged’ - does he have a point? (30:44)

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters has finally commented on the Saudi Arabian influence at Newcastle United - but has he actually addressed anything? (40:10)

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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Are Chelsea a Superclub? Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Ian Hawkey.

Mauricio Pochettino had a night to forget in Manchester as PSG were shown up at the Etihad. Has he got one hand tied behind his back with his ‘undroppable’ front three? (00:00)

Chelsea made short work of Juventus, beating them 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Can Thomas Tuchel’s side defend their Champions League crown? (13:45)

Michael Carrick has a 100% win record in interim charge of Manchester United. Could he stick around until the end of the season and who is most likely to be the long-term solution? (26:29)

The government has ‘endorsed in principal’ the creation of an independent regulator for English football - but what will actually end up happening? (41:00)

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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Ole No Longer At The Wheel Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Roddy and David Walsh.

Ole has finally departed Old Trafford - but has he done so with his head held high? Where do they go next with their interim manager and who’s the best fit to take over longer term in the summer? (00:00)

The Times’ David Walsh joins us to discuss one of Ole’s fiercest critics - his former United teammate, Roy Keane (30:32)

Three Premier League clubs had new managers in the dugouts* over the weekend - but which hit the ground running best (41:26)

Liverpool brought Arsenal back down to earth at Anfield on Saturday - could we see the start of another worrying blip for Mikel Areta (53:01)

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

(*one via Zoom)

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Howe, Smith & Gerrard - Who Got The Best Manager? Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Molly Hudson.

Stockport are the latest team to pull off an FA Cup upset after they beat Bolton 5-3 on Wednesday night. How are non-league clubs being regulated and are they being protected from potential financial problems going forward? (00:00)

Reading have been deducted 6 points and Derby County another 9 points for breaching EFL financial rules - how did both clubs differ in their offences and why have Derby been punished more harshly? Have the salary caps actually helped clubs in the football league? (12:19)

The WSL has seen a big increase in viewers thanks to the new television deal, however crowds in stadiums have dropped slightly. Does the increase in the wider appeal make up for the short-term dip in people through the turnstiles? (19:52)

The Premier League is back this weekend - we look into Arsenal’s return to form and how the next few months of their season could pan out (27:55)

The three new Premier League managers have home ties this weekend - but who out of Norwich, Newcastle and Aston Villa got the best deal with their new boss? (37:25)

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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Double Digits In San Marino Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Clarke.

England qualified for the 2022 World Cup with a 10-0 win in San Marino - but what have we learned from the game, if anything!? (00:00)

Fifty players have been given their England debuts under Gareth Southgate - but which have been the most important? (17:10)

Scotland secured a home World Cup playoff with their win over Denmark - regardless of whether they make the tournament, is this the best Scotland team ever? (29:48)

Dean Smith has taken over at Norwich - does he give them a chance of staying up and what are the struggles he’s likely to face in changing the team’s mindset? (37:58)

Gareth Bale now has 100 caps for Wales - but where does he sit in the list of ‘Greatest British Players’? (45:45)

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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Aston V In For Stevie G? Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Roddy and Jonathan Northcroft.

Aston Villa have been heavily linked to Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. Is it the right move for him and how would the move be seen north of the border? (00:00)

Eddie Howe has spoken to the media and taken training already at Newcastle. Now he’s got his feet under the table at St James’ Park - is he the right man to lead them away from relegation and how long-term is he? (16:46)

Scotland are looking for a result against Moldova in Friday night’s World Cup qualifier. What are their chances without Lyndon Dykes and who will lead the line? (36:05)

England need four points to qualify automatically. They take on Albania and San Marino, so that isn’t expected to be hard. Who will take Mason Mount’s place in the side and are the side still suffering from the Italy trauma? (40:31)

Hugh caught up with England defender John Stones ahead of the latest World Cup qualifiers. Why didn’t he get much of a game at Manchester City at the start of the season and are England over their Euro 2020 final loss? (52:39)

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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Down About Dean Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd.

They’re up to fifth in the table having been bottom at the start of the season - but are Arsenal back? (00:00)

West Ham are in the top four after an impressive, but not surprising 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday. How far can they actually go this season? (11:08)

Manchester United are sixth after their 2-0 loss to Manchester City and Brendan Rodgers is being linked to the job should United part company with Ole - is he the right man for the job? (23:18)

Dean Smith has been relieved of his duties at Villa Park after five straight losses in the Premier League. Has he been treated poorly by the club he supports? (32:46)

Norwich are also on the hunt for a new manager after Daniel Farke was dismissed on Saturday. Does this move make more sense than Villa’s given their lack of ambition this season? (44:19)

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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