The Football Spin

Noz Choudry, Paddy McKenna, Reuben Pinder and Dion Fanning discuss the opening weekend of the 20/21 Premier League season, where the standout fixture saw Everton beat Spurs 1-0. The panel discusses where this defeat leaves Jose Mourinho. Dion argues that there is nothing to commend José Mourinho to any club at this stage of his career and this could get quite sour quite quickly. Reuben suggests that the Spurs' documentary which gave viewers incredible insight into the mood of the team dressing room looks suggests it's only a matter of time before Daniel Levy will have to intervene.

There's a chat about Arsenal's continued good form which is beginning to look like a revolution under Mikel Arteta. And there's an analysis of Virgil Van Dijk's form after another uncharacteristic mistake in the game against Leeds.

In the transfer speculation lounge, Noz Choudry weighs up the prospects of Gareth Bale putting aside his golf clubs and taking up his place in the Old Trafford dressing room.

Paddy McKenna, Noz Choudry and Reuben Pinder look ahead to the start of the Premier League 20-21 season by firstly having a quick look back at the Nations League and Jack Grealish's emergence. Does Jadon Sancho's underwhelming showing in England v Denmark tell us anything about United's pursuit of him?

Paddy talks about the transformative nature of the James Rodriguez transfer for Everton and how it has extended The Duffys global reach. Noz suggests that Everton are now the hipster European club for American/South American football fans.

All the panel give their predictions for Champions, Top Scorer and Breakout Star ahead of the start of the new season this weekend.

On today's Football Spin Noz Choudry, Paddy McKenna and Conan Doherty look at England and Ireland's games in the Nations League and ask can these teams be spoken about in the same breath. England have matchwinners all over the field, Ireland are at the start of a new era with a new manager and system which will take time to bed in. Noz Choudry discusses Raheem Sterling's prowess at international level and reckons the pace of the game allows dynamic players to prosper. Conan Doherty suggests that Ireland wouldn't win a game against Finland even if they were playing more defensively, so they may as well try something. There's also a chat about Spain's new superstar Ansu Fati and time for a quick look at Aston Villa's transfers in the close season.

As Stephen Kenny’s time as Ireland manager begins, The Football Spin talks about Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria. We asked Reuben Pinder and Nooruddean Choudry to sit through an Ireland game and they share their thoughts and fears. There’s also a discussion Mick McCarthy’s co-commentary and why it was a curious decision.

There’s also a reflection on Alexis Sanchez’s video message

We know how the story - or at least the season - ends but does that take away from All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur. Certainly not once one man’s presence in the documentary was secured.

This would have been a very different show if Mauricio Pochettino was still Tottenham’s manager instead of Jose Mourinho.

On the Football Spin, Paddy McKenna, Dion Fanning and Reuben Pinder discuss the Amazon series and what it tells us about Jose at this stage of his career.

There’s also a chat about James Rodriguez and what his imminent arrival at Everton tells us about about James, Everton and Ancelotti.

What now for Lionel Messi? After this week’s developments, the Football Spin debate Messi’s options. Could he stay at Barcelona or are things, as Reuben Pinder suggests, too far gone for that?

If they are, what are his options and where will he end up? Reuben and Nooruddean Choudry believe he will be reunited with Pep Guardiola but there are other options.

Another one club man is on the move as Matt Le Tissier is sacked from Sky Sports along with Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson. What does the reaction from one deranged corner of the world tell us about the endless tireless culture war.

There’s also discussion of the international squads, with Jack Grealish left out for England and Stephen Kenny making big decisions with his first Ireland squad.

After a gripping Champions League final, the Football Spin discusses the fall out from Bayern Munich’s victory against PSG.

PSG had the chances to take the lead in the first half and afterwards Thomas Tuchel lamented his side’s failure to take those chances.

But do those comments indicate the problem with the PSG project or are they understandable words from a coach after a bitter defeat?

Paddy McKenna is joined by Nooruddean Choudry, Reuben Pinder and Dion Fanning to reflect on the final and what the Champions League in Lisbon might mean for football.

There’s also a debate about Anders Herrera and the merit of his post-match interview. Can football now look forward to a future without fans?

Paddy McKenna, Noz Choudry and Reuben Pinder looked back at a Europa League final that saw wily Sevilla beat Inter Milan 3-2. Diego Carlos was crying in the stands at the end but it was overhead that led to Romelu Lukaku's OG.

The panel discuss the career of Ever Banega, winning the Europa League in his last match at the club before he departs to play in Saudi Arabia, aged 32. His spat with Conte is mentioned and Reuben translates exactly what he said to him about his hair.

The panel discuss the career of John Stones. Is it time for him to leave Man City and what club would be a good fit?

Finally, will Leon Bailey be the right man for Leeds, or will another mid-range Premier League club have their head turned by his quite-good-on-paper playing career in the Bundesliga.

Paddy McKenna, Noz Choudry and Reuben Pinder review the Champions League semi-finals PSG v RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich v Lyon ahead of this weekend's Champions League Final. The panel discusses Serge Gnabry and his meteoric rise from WBA sub to best winger in Europe. They analyse Thiago Alcantara's role in the team and how it could contribute to their downfall at the weekend.

Reuben Pinder once again pushes his shameless 'Neymar is the best player in the world' agenda but still reckons Bayern will triumph at the weekend. Noz and Paddy go for PSG.

There's a bit of chat about the man who could become the alternative purchase for Manchester United if they can't snaffle Jadon Sancho - David Brooks. And there's a look at the released fixture list for the 20/21 season with Liverpool v Leeds the big curtain-raiser there.

It was another semi final defeat for Manchester United but once again there were reasons for the club to be cheerful in defeat. The limitations of the squad were made clear against Sevilla but will that strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s position?

On The Football Spin, Paddy McKenna, Dion Fanning and Nooruddean Choudry discuss United and what needs to happen for them to take the next step, Is the support Solskjaer receives from many pundits a help or a hindrance?

Bernardo Silva responded to Liverpool fans over the weekend but was it wise and what does it say about Manchester City’s sensitivities?

Raul Sanllehi has left Arsenal and what does this say about the club and where they are going? Is there any future in longing for the past?