The Game

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A social issue in football, Arsenal's first real test, and Bolton & Bury's battle Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by James Gheerbrant, and Bill Edgar to look ahead to a mouthwatering weekend in the Premier League. Early front runners, Arsenal and Liverpool go head to head, so could Arsenal come through their first real test and prove they are serious title contenders?

They also discuss the horrible social media scenes, and disgusting racial abuse aimed at Paul Pogba following his penalty miss on Monday.

And, after a big week of EFL action, Gregor discusses Bolton and Bury's worrying battle to survive.

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Who likes VAR? Why Arsenal might be the best team in North London, and where next for Newcastle Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer & Gregor Robertson are joined by Matt Dickinson & Alyson Rudd to look back on a busy weekend of Premier League action dominated by THAT decision at Man City.

They also discuss whether Arsenal are worthy early pace setters, why Frank Lampard has reasons to be cheerful and Gregor recalls his trip to beleaguered Bury as their supporters battle to keep the League Two club afloat.

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Klopp's second piece of silverware, Celtic's European demise, and another early Premier League treat. Aug 15, 2019

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Henry Winter Joins Gregor Robertson and Natalie Sawyer to look back at the all-English Super Cup in Istanbul, with the Premier League continuing to dominate Europe. Things are not so promising north of the border though as Celtic crash out of the Champions League before it really starts.

Natalie and Gregor are also joined by James Gheebrant to take a look this weekend's Premier League action, as it throws up another early treat with Manchester City welcoming Tottneham to the Etihad.

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Are Manchester United really back? Aug 12, 2019

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Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are back with The Game brought to you by the Times. On this episode, they are joined by The Times' Molly Hudson & Oliver Kay.

They discuss whether Manchester United really are back following a 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea, how VAR fared in its first weekend in The Premier League, and whether Billy Sharp can cut it in the top flight.

More award winning journalism head to www.thetimes.co.uk

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Season Preview Part 2 Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and her new co-host Gregor Robertson are back with The Game brought to you by the Times. On this episode, they are joined by The Times very own, Alyson Rudd, and James Gheerbrant.

In episode two of our season preview, they focus on the ins and outs of the transfer window, and what VAR will mean for the Premier League. They also discuss whether English clubs will be Kings of Europe again.

More award winning journalism head to www.thetimes.co.uk

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The Season Preview Part 1 Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and her new co-host Gregor Robertson are back with The Game, brought to you by The Times. On this episode, they are joined by The Times very own, Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant.

Over the next two episodes they will take a look at the season ahead as the EFL returns and the Premier League gets closer. They also discuss who could be the King's of Europe and what managers will start the season with and eye already on their job security. All this and more over this two-part season preview.

More award winning journalism head to www.thetimes.co.uk/

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USA pave the way, WSL needs to sell Jul 08, 2019

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Natalie Sawyer, Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and former England star Claire Rafferty are back one last time to review a summer where it was no longer women’s football, it was just football.

The USA take home the tour de four as Megan Rapinoe makes the front pages once again. The panel are loving Lavelle but has this World Cup been a let-down for England after their 4th place finish? Plus there’s news of the WSL potentially in turmoil. Is the momentum generated by this tournament for the women’s game about to be squandered?

And we look back at our favourite memories from this World Cup. From great goalkeepers to iconic Italians.

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A critical point for the women’s game Jul 04, 2019

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Natalie Sawyer is joined by Molly Hudson and Tottenham goalkeeper Chloe Morgan as the 2019 Women’s World Cup prepares for its final weekend.

The dream may be over for England after semi-final elimination by the USA but as the panel discuss, we enter a crucial period for women’s football in this country. Will attendances rise? Will clubs outside the WSL feel the benefits? Can women’s football capitalise on the success of the Lionesses? And will Phil Neville stick around long enough to see it?

It is the Netherlands who will face the Americans in their first ever World Cup final on Saturday. Can the Dutch deny the USA their 4th title and shock the world?

Plus Alex Morgan’s tea celebration – do we just need to calm down? Possibly with a cuppa?

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Neville’s need to win and the remarkable Rapinoe Jul 01, 2019

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On the eve of perhaps the biggest England game ever in women’s football, Natalie Sawyer is joined by Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and Tottenham goalkeeper Chloe Morgan as excitement continues to build.

The Lionesses take on the best team in the world, the USA, in the semi-final of the World Cup. For manager Phil Neville, 18 months comes down to one game. Will the World Cup be a failure for Neville if England suffer semi-final defeat? Are England’s backline set for their biggest test yet? And will White strike again?

The woman making all the headlines on and off the pitch in France is American co-captain Megan Rapinoe. Activist and athlete, what has the publicity she’s garnered done for the tournament and the women’s game? And will the fitness of the Americans pay dividends in the extreme heat of Lyon?

There’s another semi-final to be played as well. Can Sweden upset the odds again and reach the final? Or will the Netherlands get the chance to add the World Cup to their European Championship?

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Bronze sets gold standard as England power into semi-finals Jun 28, 2019

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Phil Neville said post-match that Lucy Bronze "has got to win the Ballon d'Or" after her man-of-the-match performance against Norway to send England into the semi-finals.

Bronze set up England's first goal and sealed the 3-0 victory with a stunning strike from range, but does she deserve to be recognised as the best women's player in the world?

Natalie Sawyer is joined on the podcast by the West Ham United and former England defender Claire Rafferty, plus The Times and Sunday Times journalists Molly Hudson and Rebecca Myers from Le Havre to discuss Bronze's standing in the game and England's best performance of the tournament so far.

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