EFL Unfiltered with David Prutton

Another big episode this week, as Mark Clemmit delivers 3 big hitters for your podcasting pleasure. At 37 years old and having endured a frustrating time on loan at Watford recently, Glenn Murray made a transfer deadline day switch to Nottingham Forest to link up with his old Brighton boss Chris Hughton, and is relishing another new challenge in a hugely impressive career. Skybet League Two’s top scorer is Paul Mullin, who’s loving his football at Cambridge United and has nothing short of promotion in his sights, and Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore reflects on his side’s superb form of late, and how he’s getting the very best out of his players week in week out.

Yes it’s a ‘Ben’ special this week, as we give you two of the finest from either end of the EFL spectrum, in the form of Gibson of Norwich City and Tozer of Cheltenham Town. What they both have on common other than their first names, is a sheer determination and strength of character to push through the tough times and emerge on the other side, in a much better place both mentally and physically. Ben Gibson is currently flying high with Norwich City after a difficult couple of years frozen out at Burnley, and Ben Tozer suffered with anxiety and depression before getting his mojo back and captaining his Cheltenham Town side to a near giant killing performance last weekend, that saw the robins a mere 10 minutes away from knocking Manchester City out of the cup, with a clearly ruffled Pep Guardiola pacing up and down on the touchline! 

Mark Clemmit is blessed with an all-star list of guests to discuss the big stories in the EFL this week. Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray reflects on nearly 4 years in charge at Ewood Park, Ipswich Town’s Stephen Ward has a no nonsense approach to goal celebrations and the no hugs protocol, and Nigel Clough explains Mansfield Town’s impressive form and the importance of having his dog ‘Bobbie’ as part of his backroom staff! 

It’s a packed show this week, as Mark Clemmit catches up with Reading’s Michael Morrison on what has been a topsy turvy season so far. New EFL chief executive Trevor Birch talks about the rigorous measures being employed by all 72 EFL clubs to try and stop the spread of covid 19 and in happier news, what a week for Crawley Town’s Nick Tsaroulla! A near-fatal car accident in 2017 turned his life upside down and made it unlikely he’d ever play football again. However, he fought through the pain to prove the doubters wrong and got his rewards last weekend, scoring the first of Crawley’s 3 goals against premier league giants Leeds United, to set up one of the greatest cup upsets in the competition’s history!

First one of the new year and Mark Clemmit sits down to enjoy the company of Swansea City’s in form striker Jamal Lowe, who’s story is an inspirational one. He was working as a PE teacher and playing non league football only a few years ago, but had unfinished business with the professional game and wanted to give it a shot. His decision has certainly paid off as he’s scoring for fun for the high flying swans and justifying the self belief he always had. Clem is also joined by his old mate David Prutton from Sky Sports, to cast his expert eye on all this week’s comings and goings in the EFL, and there’s been no shortage of stories to kick off the new year. 

As we look ahead to a new year that we hope will be a little less challenging, Mark Clemmit takes a chance to listen back to some of the best interviews from the past 4 months as we approach the half way point in the season. We’re talking about the likes of Neil Warnock, Harry Kewell, Mark Crossley, Luther Blissett, Gareth Ainsworth and Chris Kamara to name just some of the highlights of the year 2020 on the official EFL podcast. So, sit back and enjoy 48 minutes of potentially award winning content, as we say a huge thanks for your support this season and wish you and yours a very happy and healthy new year.

There’s not many people who are more fanatical and knowledgeable about all 3 divisions of the EFL, than former Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town management team Danny and Nicky Cowley. Throw Clem into the mix to direct proceedings and you’ve got your 3 wise men, giving their expert opinion on this week’s latest news, the Boxing day fixture list and what they’re each hoping Father Christmas will bring them!

Launched today and in conjunction with the EFL’s charity partner MIND, ‘Team Talk’ aims to tackle the negative effects that isolation and loneliness are having on our mental health during lockdown, and one man who knows all about that is Aston Villa legend Lee Hendrie who talks exclusively about his own personal struggles. Michael O’Neill sits down with Clem to talk about the restructuring and progress he’s made at Stoke in the last 12 months, and Leyton Orient’s Jobi McAnuff is here to give us his expert opinion on all this week’s major talking points, and look ahead to this weekend’s key fixtures.

Tis the season to be jolly careful, but not when it comes to music because Kammy’s got a new Christmas album out, and he’s here to give his Boro buddy Mark Clemmit a sneak preview! In fact, vocal talent and festive crackers set the theme for this week’s episode, as the official EFL podcast welcomes not just one, but two great singers into its sound proofed grotto, as Clem is also joined by a well-known and long serving manager of Accrington Stanley. For those who now think it’s funny say “Who are they?” the answer is quite obviously… Chris Kamara and John Coleman.

It was March the 13th when professional football was suspended amid the beginning of the Covid pandemic across the UK. The football leagues all resumed in September with games played behind closed doors, until this week when clubs on Wednesday night were allowed the return of reduced capacity crowds, provided the club’s geographical tier restrictions permitted it. Carlisle United saw 2000 fans return to Brunton Park for their midweek game against Salford, and Carlisle’s chairman Nigel Clibbens talks exclusively to Mark Clemmit about the return of supporters through the turnstiles at long last, as the seeds of football’s long term recovery are sewn. Sky bet League One’s top scorer is John Marquis of Portsmouth, who’s on fire at the moment and describes how and why things are going so well for him at Fratton Park, and former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson joins Clem to preview the weekend’s games, and discuss all of this week’s key talking points in the EFL.