Melbourne City’s ascent to the top of the A-League Men’s table has caught many by surprise, while Western United’s late show antics and Perth's shock upset of Auckland featured heavily among the Round 13 headlines. The voice of football in Australia, Simon Hill, joins Michael Edgley and Joey Lynch to digest the weekend’s top stories.
Abroad, Newcastle United’s defeat of Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg puts them within touching distance of the final, and what would be a first major domestic trophy since 1955. Chris Waugh (The Athletic) joins Joey and Derek Dyson, with Eddie Howe’s side having won eight on the bounce in all competitions.
Also on the agenda: Vale Stefan Kamasz, Spurs win League Cup & FA Cup clashes, Martin Boyle returns to form & more…
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243
Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for a Stoppage Time on Wednesday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Stoppage Time agenda, with Michael Edgley, Derek Dyson and Joey Lynch: Australian coaches in demand as Leah Blayney and Mark Milligan follow Patrick Kisnorbo abroad, Barcelona's bungling of Dani Olmo's registration, Martin Keown's autobiography, and plenty more...

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for the main show on Monday!!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Box2Box, with Michael Edgley and Joey Lynch!
Auckland FC have made an immense start to life in the A-League, leading the competition through its early rounds and connecting with its new fanbase like few other clubs in its history. Club Football Director Terry McFlynn has been a crucial part of the project since its inception, and returns to the show for the first time since crossing the ditch.
Meanwhile, just as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side looked to be building a title challenge, the congested festive fixture list has seen them drop points unexpectedly to Ipswich and Palace. The Athletic’s Liam Twomey joins Joey Lynch and Derek Dyson to forecast the second half of the campaign, in which they’re still alive in three competitions.
Also on the agenda: Western United’s youth policy bearing fruit, Leah Blayney leaves the Young Matildas, and Ange Postecoglou’s continual struggle at Tottenham.
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for a Stoppage Time on Wednesday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Stoppage Time agenda: Rob discusses Diego Simeone and speculates if his name might be on the list to replace Pep if he can't turn City around plus Ronaldo makes a bid for the Presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation. Edge looks at the Football Australia transfer system and Brazilian clubs plus Derek reflects on Marcus Rashford and whether he'll be moving on from the Red Devils plus a look at The Unify League.

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for the main show on Monday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Kisnorbo’s decision to leave Melbourne Victory just eight games into a three-year deal caught the football world by surprise this week, while the club’s poor financial year was also laid bare in recent weeks. Joey Lynch (The Guardian, ESPN) returns to analyse a testing week, and Kisnorbo’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest fans will enjoy their happiest Christmas in years, after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford ensured their position in the top 4 for another week. The Athletic’s man at the City Ground, Paul Taylor, returns with his musings on where things have gone right thus far.
Also on the agenda: Atletico stun Barca to breath life into La Liga, Matildas progress into the Champions League knockouts, and Tottenham stay alive in the League Cup.
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for a Stoppage Time on Wednesday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Stoppage Time agenda: Rob discusses the Saudi World Cup announcement and Melbourne City crowds. Edge looks at the improving Saudi league and and celebrates Holly McNamara's return to the ALW after injury plus Derek reflects on new the Champions League format and asks if it is working and gives a shout out to Serie A entertainers Atalanta.

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for the main show on Monday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian football was this week rocked by the news Victoria Police had raided the headquarters of Dandenong City Thunder - as well as the homes of supporters and a senior club official - as anti-gang and sports corruption detectives investigate suspected match-fixing at the club. One of Australia’s pre-eminent crime journalists, Nick McKenzie of The Age, joins the programme for the first time.
Meanwhile, late drama at The Etihad saw Manchester United overturn City in the dying stages of the Derby, providing a great boon for Ruben Amorim’s new era. The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson returns, as yet more critics cast an eye towards Pep Guardiola.
Also on the agenda: Adelaide United still undefeated in the A-League Men’s competition, FIFA rubber-stamp Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup & plenty more…

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for a Stoppage Time on Wednesday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Stoppage Time agenda: Rob asks why the interminable wait for a permanent replacement for Gustavsson and is Ange Postecoglou going to survive? Edge does a deep dive into the DAZN $1B play for the Club World Cup broadcast rights and reflects on Bayern retiring Der Kaisers number plus Derek takes a look at the roller coaster that is SPL club Rangers and an old favourite, the FA Cup draw.

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for the main show on Monday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert and Michael Edgley!
Auckland FC’s extraordinary start to life in the A-League Men’s competition has continued, writing history with their sixth-straight win from debut in Saturday’s second Kiwi Derby. Sky Sports NZ’s Jason Pine has had plenty of reason to call their matches thus far with gusto, and returns with a fairytale story well and truly brewing.

Meanwhile, after some scepticism, FIFA have put in place another key plank in the development of the Club World Cup, signing a broadcast deal with DAZN. The Times’ Martyn Ziegler joins Rob and Derek Dyson to digest the news.
Also on the agenda: Pressure mounts on Big Ange, Robbie Stanton brings out the boxing gloves and the Matildas end 2024 with big wins against Chinese Taipei. 

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for a Stoppage Time on Wednesday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Stoppage Time agenda: Edge and Rob take a look into a few stories out of FIFA HQ. Derek asks if Real Madrid should sign Sporting's Viktor Gyökeres due to Kylian Mbappe's poor form and why Frank Lampard keeps getting high profile coaching gigs. Edge highlights Botofogo's history making Copa Libertadores triumph and the lads disagree on the controversy around Clare Polkinghorne's farewell.

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/Box2BoxNTS

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028871306243 

Enjoy our written content: https://www.box2boxnts.com.au/
… & Join us for the main show on Monday!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.