Extra Time

We've barely paid attention to Spanish football so far this campaign, but with Real Madrid and Barcelona underwhelming, Joe Thomlinson and Dougie Critchley join me this week to discuss the title race in La Liga, and why this could be Atletico Madrid's Year™. We dig into the dysfunction at the big sides, Zidane's inflexibility and Messi's possible decline, and even find time to shine a light on Real Sociedad, who might just be the best team in the league.

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Joe Thomlinson and Chris Hamill join me this week to chew over the Premier League's relegation race, which has almost been forgotten amid the chaos at the top of the table. Just what exactly is going on, with Brighton playing like European challengers but struggling for points, and previously solid sides Burnley and Sheffield United propping up the table? Is there any hope for Fulham and West Brom? And could clubs like Newcastle get sucked in? We discuss.

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This week's podcast guest is Dougie Critchley, who joins me, Patrick van Straaten, to see how the 10 most expensive players of the summer are faring so far this campaign. Chelsea and Man City both splashed out huge sums for quick fixes, but are they working out so far? Is Thomas Partey enough to sort out Arsenal's issues? And what is going on with Juventus and Barcelona, whose ridiculous Arthur-Pjanic swap only looks stranger after a few weeks of the season?

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This week, Joe Thomlinson and Chris Hamill join me on the podcast for what is meant to be a round-up episode, but quickly turns into yet another Arsenal conversation. Then we eventually get round to Man City, who have tried to cure their defensive woes by becoming boring. Has it worked? Is Pep done? Should the club try a non-bald manager? We answer basically none of these questions.

Then it's on to what we learned this week, which features Ajax pummelling Venlo and now regular segment Joe Apologises For His Previous Terrible Opinions.

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This week, I'm joined by George Wright to discuss all things Arsenal. Though currently riding high in the table, the Gunners are still pretty dull and had an odd window, with the much-heralded arrivals of Partey and Gabriel offset by the weird acquisition of Willian and departures for Torreira and Guendouzi. Just what sort of rebuild starts with shipping out young players? Then we get into the problems with the team, Arteta's (presumed) long-term plans, and the exciting crop of teenagers coming through the academy.

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We follow up our episode from a fortnight ago by examining the start big European clubs have made, and asking whether there's anything seriously wrong with them. PSG have picked up four red cards and some poor results already; Bayern lost their 32-match unbeaten streak; and Juve remain a big fat question mark as Pirlo works out whether he can play himself in midfield. Are there major causes for concern, or just early teething issues? Michael McCubbin and Dougie Critchley join me to find out.

This week Chris Hamill and Joe Thomlinson join me, Patrick van Straaten, for a throwback to Hot Takes, one of our least popular formats. True to form, we massively overreact to the first four games of the season, with Chris declaring Graham Potter better than Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Joe claiming Everton will finish in the top 4. Then I have a look at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's terrible start to the season, and call the entire Arsenal fanbase stupid. Same same really.

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This week, Joe Thomlinson joins me, Patrick, to talk about four of the Prem's traditional powers: Man City, Man United, Chelsea, and Tottenham. All four have endured difficult starts to the season, are bedding in new players, and awaiting the arrival of others, but just how worried should we be by their results to date? Joe and I discuss City's weird squad, United's disappearing defence, Frank Lampard's tinkering, and the early arrival of third-season Mourinho in an attempt to get to the bottom of things.

Then Joe has opinions about the handball situation in One Thing We Learned.

This week, Dougie and I (Patrick) look at Liverpool's transfer business, which after a quiet start has exploded in the last few weeks. We dig into the stats to see what attracted the club to Kostas Tsimikas, go all heart-eyes-emoji about Thiago's arrival in the Premier League (and what it means for Wijnaldum), and then discuss Diogo Jota. How good is he right now, and how good can he be? And does this mean Klopp is planning a big sale in 2021? Then we talk One Thing We Learned, with some analysis of PSG's move for Dele Alli.

Support for the pod this week comes from Manscaped. For 20% off your first order and free shipping, head to Manscaped.com and use the offer code EXTRA.

This week, Mike Atkins steps in for Patrick, who is away on holiday, and is joined by Dougie Critchley and self-proclaimed Tim Ream lookalike Henry Hill, where they take a look at every team that played this weekend. For once that means no talk of either of the Manchester clubs, but it's also the most we'll likely speak about Crystal Palace or Sheffield United all season. Enjoy!