Football Ramble

There was to be no twist at the weekend and Man City retain the title, while Liverpool finish second with a points haul that would have seen them as champions in any season but this or last. It’s been scintillating stuff and it’s been a pleasure bringing you our thoughts on it throughout the season.

And now for some goodbyes. Goodbye to Neil Warnock, gone from the Premier League, never to return, goodbye to Chris Hughton, who did just enough to keep Brighton up, and goodbye to Yaya Toure… we think. 

It’s far from goodbye from us though, with the FA Cup, play-offs, Champions League and all the usual nonsense to come. 

Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** 

Further reading: 

Where do Man City rank among the Premier League greats?

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/man-city-liverpool-premier-league-champions-who-won-2019-rankings-list-liverpool-manchester-united-a8910376.html

Paul Pogba had a silly end to the season:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48251713

Brighton have identified Graham Potter as the man they want to take over from Chris Hughton:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/13/brighton-sack-chris-hughton-as-manager-after-poor-run-of-form-in-2019

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our ruddy, giddy auntie Nora Bennett! What a week in the Champions League, with turnarounds, late goals, quick thinking ball boys, crying managers and more drama than we realistically have time to explore. 

Over in the Premier League, can Brighton stand firm in The Battle of the Amex as Man City come looking for the title? Can Liverpool dispatch Wolves just in case they can? Can Watford and West Ham overshadow it all in the battle for 10th. No, they can’t, but that’s fine.

This show is sponsored by bet365.

Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Further reading:

Liverpool’s 12th man… a ballboy:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/liverpool-fc-barcelona-champions-league-2019-divock-origi-goal-ball-boy-ucl-video-a8904461.html

Harry Kane could yet feature again this season:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48209763

Dutch striker makes a bad decision:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/08/telstar-striker-sacked-for-throwing-a-sickie-to-watch-ajax-against-tottenham

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Jones is one of the world's premier architects, and served as Lead Architect on behalf of Populous, the design firm responsible for the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as well as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and the Olympic Stadium purpose built for the London Olympics in 2012 and currently occupied by West Ham.

In this exclusive interview, Tom chats to Luke about how it felt to be present at the London Olympics opening ceremony inside the stadium he helped build, what it takes to build a sporting arena on such a scale, how important stadia are to football teams and why, and what the future of top level stadium development looks like.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

This episode is sponsored by bet365

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A strange weekend of football as Liverpool keep it up but Spurs, Arsenal and Man United all implode to various degrees, in what will surely become known as The Season Where Nobody Seemed That Bothered About Finishing Third or Fourth. 

The Premier League also says goodbye to Neil Warnock and his fancy new stance, various play-offs take shape and we speculate on the behind-closed-doors character of Delia Smith. 

Featuring guest appearances from Nick Hewer, Keith Richards and artist Ian Holloway. 

Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** 

Further reading: 

Shockingly, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t think Man United were good enough for the top four:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/48170771

Jordan Henderson is hoping for a favour from his old boss:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/05/liverpool-jordan-henderson-mentor-prayers

The final day of The Championship in all its mad glory:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-results-norwich-play-offs-leeds-aston-villa-west-brom-derby-a8900596.html

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Incredible scenes on the end of Lionel Messi’s foot at the Camp Nou have left us as giddy as a certain anchor’s aunt. We look back at the setbacks that Liverpool and Spurs faced in Europe, rate Ajax’s chances of winning the damn thing and also wonder if Brendan Rodgers might be the crucial element in deciding where the Premier League title parks itself come the end of the season. 

Along the way we speculate on the behind the scenes history of the Scholes family, wonder if time is running out for Andros Townsend to prove Marcus right and probably use the word “effluvia” too much. Standard procedure, really. 

This show is sponsored by bet365

Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Further reading:

Lionel Messi continues his absurd record against Premier League clubs:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/barcelona-vs-liverpool-fc-lionel-messi-goals-record-champions-league-ucl-a8895911.html

Moussa Sissoko warns you not to write off Spurs against Ajax:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/01/tottenham-champions-league-ajax

Jurgen Klopp needs a favour from his landlord:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/11704063/leicesters-brendan-rodgers-responds-to-jurgen-klopps-landlord-joke

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this latest episode of Ramble Meets..., Luke talks to Chief Football Commentator at ITV and talkSPORT Sam Matterface. 

Sam delivers spectacular insight into what it's like to be a commentator at the top level, from what preparation he does before a big game to how hospital radio, Portsmouth's promotion season, and being the youngest restaurant manager in McDonald's history helped him on his way.

In addition to that, he tells us what he's looking for in a co-commentator, what the inside of his commentary box looks like, and why he will never again describe a shot on goal as 'fifty two parts water, one part orange squash'.

To listen to further insight from Sam on the world of commentary, check out his podcast All Football Commentators Are Geeks on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode of Ramble Meets... is sponsored by bet365

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We drag ourselves out of the sick bay despite our various ailments - stomach upsets, bronchitis, Townsenditis - to look over a fascinating weekend of football in which Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa took centre stage. What. A. Ruck. It’s exactly what we will not pretend we don’t want to see. 

We also look at David De Gea and his latest inopportune out of body experience, imagine what a deadly combination Ashley Barnes and Jamie Vardy would have been at school and learn of Andre Santos’ new life as a restauranteur. 

If that’s not enough there’s also an always-welcome update on the whereabouts of “emotional bloke” Kevin Keegan. Get involved. 

Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** 

Further reading:

David De Gea has his manager’s backing:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/david-de-gea-mistake-watch-manchester-united-chelsea-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-video-a8890531.html

The Guardian dare to peer into the mind of Marcelo Bielsa:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/29/marcelo-bielsa-aston-villa-goal-leeds-proud

Ken Early’s excellent piece on the intricacies of the modern Premier League:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-football-s-new-age-neutralises-philosophies-of-the-past-1.3874358

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and a very warm welcome to this, the latest instalment of The Football Ramble. The boys (sans Jim, sadly laid low with illness) cast their beady eyes over all the midweek action and then, as is the custom, look ahead to all the most exciting games in the Premier League this weekend.

There's also plenty of time for all your favourites, too - Pete having a rant about Mike Ashley, Going for Glold, a best bet and lots, lots more. Don't sleep on it!

To email us, hit up: [email protected]

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Horncastle is a writer, broadcaster and pundit specialising in Italian football. Here, in this latest episode of Ramble Meets... he tells Luke about his path to his current role in the vanguard of Italian football coverage, from a kid growing up in Hull to a highly respected journalist rubbing shoulders with Carlo Ancelotti and Marcelo Lippi.

In his own passionate style, James also speaks eloquently on the future of European football, how mastering the Italian language helped him get ahead, and what advice he would give to aspiring journalists looking to find their way in the game.

This episode of Ramble Meets... is sponsored by bet365

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right, it's Easter Monday, but football waits for no-one and so we're back in the studio ruminating on what's been happening on this, the holiest of weekends. Obviously Man City and Liverpool both won, the latter partly thanks to Sean Morrison's back, but don't forget, Everton also dished out a hiding. Mr Solskjaer is obviously absolutely fuming about it.

Elsewhere Pete tries to defend his dreadful opinion of Ayoze Perez after he netted a hat-trick against Southampton, Shokdran Mustafi does his usual, and George Weah has to deal with a worrying infestation...

To get in touch, it's: [email protected]!

***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Choose the Ramble vs everyone else.

Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League and Champions League season, covering Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Spurs. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.