The Game

Latest Episodes:

Declan Rice and the curious case of Callum Hudson-Odoi Mar 21, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Bill Edgar and George Caulkin to discuss the start of the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

England face the Czech Republic on Friday night as they get their campaign underway, but where does newly qualified Declan Rice fit into Gareth Southgate's setup? What will Southgate's setup be? And how did Callum Hudson-Odoi get into the squad despite not starting a league match ever?

As we grapple with those questions, Newcastle constantly grapple with Rafa Benitez, but how did Rafa get his latest bout of RSI? It's more entertaining than it sounds, promise!

Plus we discuss Messi and Ronaldo, just how do they keep on going after 30 when everyone else couldn't?

And as ever on a Thursday, we have Bill Edgar's teaser

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Will 48 teams dilute the quality of the World Cup? Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Alyson Rudd and Paul Hirst to dissect club football before the last international break of the season.

Wolves knock out Manchester United to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals. How does Nuno do it? Can we call it a shock? Do United need this break more than anyone? And have neighbours City been getting the luck of the draw this season?

Liverpool are back on top of the Premier League. Did the win at Fulham show that the Reds are nervous or that they have nerves of steel?

We debate whether 48 teams is right for the World Cup. And if so, is it right for Qatar, a nation with a smaller population than East Anglia, who arguably needed a co-host to begin with?

Plus Preston, Messi and a seething Siewert.

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Mane among the elite & Dier on Brexit Mar 14, 2019

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With 4 English teams making it through to the last 8 of the Champions League, Gab Marcotti, Natalie Sawyer, James Gheerbrant and Oli Kay run the rule over the contenders for Europe’s top title.

After Liverpool’s comfortable win in Munich, there’s praise for the maturity of the Reds as well as the Mane man who has kept them on track in the last few months. We can’t rule out Barca or Juve but could Man City become dependent on Phil Foden before they know it?

We look ahead to a tantalising tie at Molineux as Manchester United come to town in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Can Wolves upset the big boys again and win their first FA Cup since 1960?

And with Eric Dier tweeting out his view on the Brexit debate, we discuss the rarity that is footballers expressing a political opinion and the possible implications of that.

Charlie Scott provides advice ahead of a depleted fantasy football weekend. For free Fantasy Premier League tips from The Sweeper, visit thetimes.co.uk/fantasyfootball

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How do we protect players from pitch invaders? Mar 11, 2019

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It’s been a weekend of incomprehensible refereeing decisions and inexcusable fan behaviour. Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Matt Dickinson and Alan Smith to analyse it all.

After individual pitch invaders at Hibernian, Arsenal and most shockingly Birmingham where Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is punched, the panel discuss what can be done to better ensure player safety, as well as the perils of punishing clubs for the actions of individuals.

Arsenal beat Manchester United to leapfrog them into 4th place. What are the chances of Champions League qualification for the Gunners? And should more people be dissing David De Gea for his role in the first goal?

It’s as you were in the title race. Would Champions League progression against Bayern be a good or bad thing for Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League? And how important is Raheem Sterling to Manchester City?

Plus Darren Moore, equal pay in the USA and after a bad weekend for the officials, who is the Huddersfield of referees?

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Solskjaer’s smile and swagger as Real’s roof caves in Mar 07, 2019

Show notes

Following a monumental week in Europe, Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer are joined by Henry Winter and Alan Smith to examine the fall-out from a shocking Tuesday and Wednesday.

Manchester United overcome a two-goal deficit with the help of VAR on a famous night in Paris and are through to the last eight of the Champions League. There’s praise for Solskjaer, Smalling and Rashford (are English players good at penalties now?). But as for PSG, did they bottle it? Or are they the victims of karma?

The holders Real Madrid were eliminated spectacularly by a young vibrant Ajax. Was Real’s downfall down to ageing and arrogance? Plus we discuss Gareth Bale’s struggles in front of the most demanding fans in the world.

And in a landmark week for England’s women with victory in the SheBelieves Cup, Molly Hudson discusses the potential impact of Phil Neville’s first silverware as a manager in a World Cup year.

Charlie Scott and Paddy von Behr provide advice ahead of the fantasy football weekend. For free Fantasy Premier League tips from The Sweeper, visit thetimes.co.uk/fantasyfootball

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Expectation and exhaustion weigh down Liverpool & Spurs Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

After a derbylicious weekend, Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are in the company of Alyson Rudd, Matthew Syed and Paul Joyce with plenty to discuss.

Liverpool are held by Everton and lose the leadership of the Premier League. Is the pressure building on Jurgen Klopp and his players or are they suffering from a lack of depth?

The North London derby was packed full of incident but also ended all square. Find out which Tottenham player is NOT a horse, as we ask has the return of Kane stopped Son from shining?

Alyson watched a man of the match display from the villainous Kepa for Chelsea at Craven Cottage and we appraise the start of the Scott Parker era at Fulham.

Also on the agenda - will VAR rid football of controversy? Is there any room for a chess radio phone-in? And what are Stockport County up to these days?

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Struggling to assess Silva as Liverpool fall back on full-backs Feb 28, 2019

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After a full midweek fixture list, Gab Marcotti, Natalie Sawyer and Gary Jacob look ahead to a weekend packed full of derbies.

Chelsea sweep aside Spurs despite the controversy surrounding the many statements of Kepa. Is Harry Kane’s frustration at Stamford Bridge, coupled with Mauricio Pochettino’s frustration at Turf Moor, indicative of a larger frustration? Arsenal are next in the North London derby. The Gunners are in form but is Unai Emery in emergency mode?

Then follows the Merseyside derby on Sunday as we make the case for Alexander-Arnold and Robertson being the best pair of full-backs in the league. And how long do we give Marco Silva before we judge the job he’s doing at Everton?

Brendan Rodgers leaves Celtic for Leicester but should he have been allowed to? Plus in a move we saw coming, Fulham part company with Claudio Ranieri, after he fails to make a good defence.

Charlie Scott and Paddy von Behr provide advice ahead of the fantasy football weekend. For free Fantasy Premier League tips from The Sweeper, visit thetimes.co.uk/fantasyfootball

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We need to talk about Kepa Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

After a huge Sunday of football happenings, Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer are joined by Alyson Rudd and Paul Hirst to try and make sense of it all.

Where else to start but with the Arrizabalaga saga? Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri tries to substitute his keeper Kepa in the League Cup final, who then refuses to come off. Was he disrespecting his manager? Would it have been a tactical masterstroke if Sarri had brought on former City goalkeeper Willy Caballero? And to what extent does this demonstrate the chaos at Chelsea?

Manchester City were winners of the trophy. Is the quadruple on for Pep Guardiola this season? Or will the number of games catch up with an injury hit squad?

A limp Liverpool display does see them return to the top of the Premier League as they draw 0-0 at Old Trafford. But will Jurgen Klopp be stressed about Salah, after another uninspiring performance from his star man?

Claude Puel was dismissed as Leicester manager on Sunday morning. The rumoured replacement is one Brendan Rodgers. Is it right that he’s a figure of ridicule or is he misunderstood?

Elsewhere, why Barcelona are more Messi-dependent than ever before. And Chicharito steals a tiara. Figuratively speaking.

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United desperate for Liverpool to fail Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer are joined by Oli Kay, Bill Edgar and George Caulkin ahead of a huge weekend of football.

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to face bitter rivals Manchester United who are seeking to dent their title bid. But should Liverpool be worried about their fabled front three looking a bit off colour?

Manchester City then look to retain the Carabao Cup against Chelsea and under-pressure Maurizio Sarri. Is a mid-season change of manager likely at Stamford Bridge? Or do Chelsea lack strong enough personalities in the dressing room to affect change?

And while we want to like VAR, City’s game at Schalke in the Champions League made it difficult.

Also George lifts the lid on Newcastle’s Spanish training camp and whether Almiron has lifted the mood amongst the Magpies.

Charlie Scott and Paddy von Behr provide advice ahead of the fantasy football weekend. For free Fantasy Premier League tips from The Sweeper, visit thetimes.co.uk/fantasyfootball

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Premier League or Champions League? Will Pep and Klopp prioritise? Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer look ahead to another week of Champions League action in the company of Alan Smith and James Gheerbrant.

With the top two in the Premier League both in action, will Liverpool prioritise the Premier League in favour of the Champions League? And will Manchester City do the opposite?

Does this season represent a changing of the guard in Europe? Plus what happened when James met Joshua Kimmich?

The holders Real Madrid continue to be something of a circus. Sergio Ramos is sent off again, they lose at home to Girona and Gareth Bale is accused of snubbing his team-mates in favour of golf.

Elsewhere we show some love to Pukki & Piatek, marvel at Swansea speedster Daniel James and delve deep into the Declan Rice nationality debate.

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