The Game

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No Longer Spursy Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Ian Hawkey.

Liverpool have progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win over Atletico Madrid. They are one side who were subject to an ‘interesting’ dismissal this week - but do the panel agree with any of them? (00:00)

Manchester United are perhaps looking stronger in Europe than their performances have been - but given that Ole needed three strong results this week - how have they done and what’s the most likely outcome in the Manchester derby at the weekend? (16:50)

Antonio Conte is the new Spurs boss (at the second time of asking) - will he be a success and what will it take from the club’s bank account? (27:00)

Has reality started to sink in at Newcastle United after Unai Emery turned them down? Who can realistically do the job at St James’ Park? (36:27)

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Nuno Gone, Conte Incoming? Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

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

Nuno Espírito Santo has left Tottenham after just ten Premier League matches in charge. What went wrong, was it the right time for him to go and were the players equally to blame? (00:00)

Manchester United beat Spurs 3-0 on Saturday - but does that result actually lessen the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjær? (30:28)

Crystal Palace pulled off the most impressive result of the weekend as they beat Manchester City at the Etihad. Is it crazy to say they could finish in the top 6? (34:38)

Aston Villa became West Ham’s latest victim - is Dean Smith under pressure at Villa Park considering their latest results? (46:27)

Leeds United got a much-needed win, albeit against the worst side in the league. Will their victory over Norwich be the start of a turnaround in form? (56:40)

Alyson recounts her Hollywood encounter in Wrexham to end today’s podcast.. (59:44)

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Remembering Walter Smith Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

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

Walter Smith sadly passed away this week aged 73. We remember the former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager (00:00)

West Ham have become the first team to beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup for over 1800 days - can David Moyes’ side win the trophy? (10:28)

Manchester United travel to Tottenham this weekend for a match some (possibly only Hugh) are calling El Sackico. Does a loss signal the end for Ole and is Nuno worried a result against a poor United side could affect his future at the club? (19:46)

Barcelona have sacked Ronald Koeman after a run of poor form that sees them sitting in ninth place in La Liga. The Times’ European Football Writer Ian Hawkey joins us to ponder who could take over at a tricky time in the club’s history (34:10)

As the five substitutes rule is set to become permanent - we ask whether it’s good for the game or if it benefits club’s with bigger squads (43:42)

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Harry Maguire Is Not A Leader Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

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

Manchester United have suffered the most embarrassing loss in their Premier League history - but is Ole Gunnar Solskjær fully to blame? Did Liverpool even play to their full potential in their 5-0 victory? (00:00)

Spurs have lost every London derby this season - what’s the issue with Nuno’s side and why are they creating so few chances? It can’t ALL be down to Harry Kane's lack of form? (30:22)

Watford silenced Goodison Park by putting five past Everton on Saturday. Is Rafa Benitez the right man for the job after all and did we get it wrong about Claudio Ranieri? (38:33)

Norwich were on the end of a 7-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. Do their fans deserve more and is Derby’s record low points total in danger? (48:27)

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Comebacks And Fresh Starts Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Ian Hawkey.

Manchester United looked to be heading to a Champions League defeat before a remarkable comeback win - but are the cracks just being papered-over at Old Trafford? (00:00)

Liverpool were also on the right side of an eventful 3-2 Champions League tie. Did Jurgen Klopp’s side deserve to win at Atletico? (15:43)

Daniel Meuren is the co-author of ‘Thomas Tuchel: Rulebreaker’ - a new biography on the Chelsea manager. He joins us to tell us more about the rise of his countryman from Mainz to winning the Champion (32:55)

Chelsea brushed Malmö aside on Wednesday, while Phil Foden starred again as Manchester City made short work of Club Brugge. Is the England youngster on course to become the best the country has produced? (39:16)

Steve Bruce has finally been relieved of his duties at Newcastle. How was his departure handled and who is the sensible choice to take over at St James’ Park? (45:58)

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New Owners, New Enthusiasm, Same Result Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

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

Newcastle’s new chapter on the pitch has started, but things need some serious work to match the owners’ ambition. The Times’ Martin Hardy joins us, fresh from an eventful day at St James’ Park (00:00)

Away from the North East, what was the reaction elsewhere? Does it seem strange that Steve Bruce was in the dugout considering fans wanting him out? (10:27)

Liverpool look back to their best - what’s the key to their success and do they have the best player in the world in their squad? Given the nature of the defeat, how long will Claudio Ranieri last at Watford? (24:06)

Have the wheels finally come off for Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United? Are the Red Devils just a group of individuals rather than a team? (37:56)

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Was Southgate's Experiment Worth It? Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

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

England ended the International break in lacklustre fashion at Wembley. Was it a mistake for Gareth Southgate to experiment with Mount and Foden playing? What did we learn from the two games? (00:00)

FIFA are looking into the crowd trouble which lead to one arrest for an alleged racially aggravated public order offence. Should fans of a team with outstanding punishments for racism have been allowed to buy tickets? (17:04)

Newcastle are preparing to play the first game of their new chapter as they host Spurs on Sunday. The Times’ Martin Hardy joins us to discuss what we can expect to happen at St James’ Park on Sunday (30:32)

Claudio Ranieri takes charge of his first Watford game on Saturday as Liverpool make a trip south. Will the Italian be able to create the same magic he did at Leicester City? (40:28)

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Hugh's Andorran Adventure Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

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

We’re lucky to have Hugh after his comical trip to Andorra for the England game. Thankfully, he’s back to tell the tale and discuss the game (00:00)

France are the new Nations League champions, but their winning goal has caused some debate. Gregor gives us a player’s perspective of Kylian Mbappé’s goal (10:42)

Thibaut Courtois has spoken out about the number of games players are expected to play and how their welfare isn’t given as much thought as perhaps it should. Do we need tournaments like the Nations League and if so - does it require a third place playoff? (17:34)

We continue the discussion on the Newcastle takeover and how the complex situation should be reported (29:22)

Every other Premier League club has reportedly complained about the takeover - should other teams have any say over a club’s ownership? There are suggestions Steve Bruce won’t be in charge of Newcastle by the time they play Tottenham at the weekend - but is that the right decision for the short term? (41:55)

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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Is Mike Ashley Finally Out? Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

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

Newcastle United could very soon be the richest club in the world as the Saudi-backed takeover appears to be close to completion. The Times’ Martyn Ziegler joins us to discuss what’s changed since the deal stalled, last year (00:00)

While the Saudi deal may be good for Newcastle fans who want Mike Ashley out of their club - is the deal good for English football and is it right to turn a blind eye to some of the wider issues it brings up? (09:35)

There’s been a lower-than-average uptake in Covid vaccinations in the Premier League and the EFL. What’s the reason behind players being hesitant to get the jab and could clubs be punished for low vaccination rates? (31:55)

Molly Hudson joins us to discuss an exciting week in the Women’s Champions League (49:16)

We end with a quiz based on Bill Edgar’s article in The Times on red cards. Can you name the player with the most dismissals in EFL history? (54:31)

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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If Only City Had a Centre Forward Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Paul Hirst.

Liverpool and Manchester City played a cagey first half, followed by a wild second at Anfield. Would City have taken all three points had they bought a Premier League quality striker in the summer? (00:00)

Everton took a point from Manchester United, Andros Townsend mimicked Ronaldo’s celebration (but ended up with his shirt) and Demarai Gray once again looked impressive. Has Rafa finally got them playing as a team? (25:24)

Since winning the FA Cup in May, Leicester City have been less than impressive - again dropping points at the weekend. What’s gone wrong at the King Power and is their success to blame? (35:33)

Crystal Palace have a new lease of life under Patrick Vieira. How far can they go with their new, fearless style of play? (42:23)

Watford have parted company with yet another manager as Xisco departs - but is their hire and fire method actually working? (47:41)

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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