Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ - for our Weekend Preview show. 

Chris’ schedule prohibits his involvement this week, so we’ve once again drafted in the services of Dominic King. 

We kick off by discussing the latest Jose Mourinho antics, after the Fenerbahce manager appeared to pinch the nose of the opposition gaffer. Is he desperately trying to claw back some relevance after a few years out of the limelight he seems to crave?

Dom lambasts VAR official, Paul Tierney, for his decision not to recommend the referee in the Merseyside Derby to look at the monitor after James Tarkowski’s ‘coward’s tackle’ on Alexis Mac Allister. Dom slams the decision as ‘scandalous’.

And we question what’s next for Spurs, as their managerial merry-go-round could well take another turn this summer.

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Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Plenty to get stuck into after a busy FA Cup weekend… 

Ian and Chris question how Marcus Rashford’s form for Aston Villa could be a good thing for Manchester United moving forward, pondering whether his parent club can make use of the revitalised attacker, or move him on for big money.

They discuss Pep Guardiola's legacy at Manchester City, and the significance of winning a trophy this season.

We also focus on Liverpool's strong position and briefly wonder if Arsenal have enough left in the tank to mount a challenger and slam those that believe Newcastle’s trophy celebrations were over the top.

Survey: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=8

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ - for our Weekend Preview edition.

Where else to start, other than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s seemingly imminent move to Real Madrid. Ian and Chris think he’s well within his rights to part ways with his boyhood club, in favour of the world’s biggest. What do you reckon?

There’s also chat about: the significance of the FA Cup and Manchester City’s trip to Bournemouth. 

… all while Ian battles a nasty gash inflicted by his cat, mere moments before recording.

Survey: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=8

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' 

Chris returns from New York, Ian explains the rules to his new game 'rock, paper, scissors stone gun' and Dwight Gayle and Steve Bruce exchange a war of words - there really is a lot to unpack in this episode. 

There's also chat about Thomas Tuchel's criticism of his star players, with Ian questioning how clever it is to do this publicly, when he doesn't work with them everyday. Could it play on their mind ahead of the next international camp?

Ian defends the comments he made about Dan Burn's England debut, after Newcastle fans jumped on him on Twitter. What do you reckon, was it an underwhelming start or should we give him a break?

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

With Chris away once again, Mail Sport’s Manchester City correspondent, Jack Gaughan steps up.

There’s nowhere else to start than with England, with life under Thomas Tuchel just a day away.

We delve into the depth of the England squad, questioning whether the Three Lions actually have as rich a side as one might presume.

Ian reckons Dan Burn’s inclusion hints at a fragility Tuchel’s resources, while Jack highlights the injuries and absentees the German has had to cope with.

There’s also chat about the impact of rising ticket prices on local fans, before analysing Manchester City's current situation and future plans under Pep Guardiola.

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Jack Gaughan

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!'

With Chris away, Ian is joined by Mail Sport's Craig Hope and Dominic King, to analyse the League Cup final.

Stay tuned to hear debates on:

There's also chat about: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's defence of the Glazers, Jordan Henderson's England revival, and Chris Wilder's text message exchange with Ian...

Presenters: Ian Ladyman, Craig Hope, Dominic King

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!' - for our Weekend Preview show.

In this episode, Ian and Chris discuss the upcoming Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle, analysing the implications of Liverpool's recent Champions League exit and Newcastle's long-standing struggle against them. They delve into tactical approaches, the importance of penalty taking, and the dynamics of player performance, particularly in light of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's controversial comments about Manchester United's squad.

They also explore the balance between constructive criticism and damaging remarks, the pressures faced by Chelsea and Arsenal, and the potential future of managers in the Premier League. The discussion also touches on the Club World Cup and the responsibilities of journalists, as well as looking ahead to the next World Cup and the significance of the Old Firm Derby.

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to It’s All Kicking Off!

This week, Ian and Chris dive straight into the chaos, starting with Man City’s complaints about the dry pitch at Forest - again! Chris breaks down what this really means, and we ask: do City even deserve a Champions League spot next season? With the Premier League likely securing five spots, are we rewarding mediocrity?

Meanwhile, Forest’s defence is making waves, and goalkeeper Matz Sels, once fourth choice in January, is proving to be an absolute steal. But over at City, Pep Guardiola seems unfazed about the Club World Cup, happily sending the wives and girlfriends while he plays golf. Are they just tossing it off?

Over at Liverpool, the Darwin Núñez red card drama rages on - was it the right call? Plus, Jurgen Klopp says he’ll be at the title parade if they win the league, but should he stay away and let the players take centre stage?

Arsenal’s season has gone from title challenge to surrender. Just one win in four since that City hammering - why haven’t they even made Liverpool sweat?

And at Manchester United, fans are protesting - but does any of it really matter when the football isn’t up to scratch? Plus, the Bruno Fernandes free-kick controversy: was the wall actually too far back, or was it just classic Bruno bending the rules?

All that and more on this week’s episode of It’s All Kicking Off!

Hosts: Ian Ladyman & Chris Sutton

Producer: Alex Graham

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Welcome to 'It's All Kicking Off!' for our Weekend Preview show!

We kick off (see what I did there?) by discussing Alisson's heroics versus PSG in the Champions League, with Ian reminding Chris that, earlier in the season, he rated Emi Martinez as the best 'keeper in the Premier League. Surely our resident English Champion has changed his mind since then?

They delve into Liverpool's recent Champions League performance, the struggles of Southampton and their managerial situation, and the mental health challenges faced by former players, highlighted by Jason McAteer's candid revelations. 

There's also chat about the potential for Jose Mourinho to manage in Scotland, Harry Kane's continued success and the -frankly bizarre - decision for the upcoming World Cup 2026 final to have a halftime show!

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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Welcome back to 'It's All Kicking Off!'

We recorded this episode late on Sunday night to combat the hectic schedules of our two blockbuster presenters, so apologies for any elongated and delirious conversations about dogs and ashes... oh, wait, they do that in the middle of the day anyway.

Lots to get through in this one, as the chaps break down a significant weekend of FA Cup action.

Stay tuned for: why the FA Cup is as exciting this season as it has been for years, whether the foul on Mateta was the worst we've ever seen, if it's fair that Anthony Gordon will miss the EFL Cup final for a foul in the FA Cup, and so much more.

Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton

Producer: Henry Williams

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