The Atlantic Voice Podcast

Day 25, and Zeff explains how he's been able to keep an eye on the World Cup thus far. Plus musings on workplace hierarchy, and being confused by cold weather and Christmas. All at the same time as the games!!!

The last week, so the last round of reviews of documentaries and books. Today, the grand-daddy of all sports "behind-the-scenes" documentaries, "An Impossible Job." The first and still the best, "An Impossible Job" joins then-England manager Graham Taylor as he struggles to get the team through World Cup qualifying. Battered by the press, circumstances beyond his control, Taylor struggles to retain his resolve and natural decency (this the man the British press derided as a turnip) as events conspire against him. This is the forerunner of everything you see today, yet more honest and never bettered.

It is Day 23 (Zeff mistakenly refers to it as Day 22, but hey, this far in, an excusable error!). As the tournament enters its last week, Zeff takes a quick look at some of the books about football that didn't make his own "essentials" list. And with the semi-finals looming, time for a selection. For your fig trading, of course.

There's a leaky toilet in the house, so it's a quick check of Youtube and then a trip to the hardware store. Along the way, Zeff learns a little bit about aging and the journey that is the collection of knowledge and experiences....

Brazil are going home, and so Zeff feels that he should clarify his previously stated position. And so he's falling on his sword and admitting he's a hater. With some caveats, of course. Whether you are convinced or not, well that's on you. Also, some Olympic memories, and a quick tribute to Jet Black, recently passed drummer of The Stranglers.

Book review time. Today's title - "The Glory Game" by Hunter Davies. Now, before you click away, realize, without any pause or procrastination, that this is the very best ever book written about a professional sports team. There are others that have come close, but this is the essential look behind-the-curtain at the inner workings of a professional outfit. Yes, it makes the Cup of Tea because it's soccer; what's not for question is its quality.

Day 19, and how was your first day without a game to watch? Zeff ponders the ideal gap between games, and then delves back into his childhood with a look at an old sticker album (scan through if you're unconvinced by Zeff's point). But never fear, there will be a left turn....Plus the first two quarter-final picks for fig traders out there.

Our documentary review series continues with "The Four Year Plan" - a behind-the-scenes look at Queens Park Rangers FC, as the club from the neigbhourhood known as White City look to make the jump into the English Premier League. See what happens when ownership and operations struggle to get on the same page....

Zeff takes a look at the first ever "recyclable" (is that even a word, never mind is it the right word for the situation?), the first ever "recyclable" stadium, Stadium 974, built for, and only for, this World Cup. A feat of modern engineering no doubt, but Zeff, as he is wont to do, has some questions about its real legacy. Talking of legacy, one of the last two teams to play in the stadium, Brazil, also has Zeff....pondering....

England are through and Zeff is a little boisterous. So something a little different today as Zeff discusses why, when it comes to sports' movies, football - this kind - is a ways down the list. And the Tip of the Day, well, it's a selection....