In episode 134 our resident goal keeper Tom Martin joins John Collins to discuss perceptions of goalkeeping. We ask, are keepers judged fairy by fans and media?. Do we really know what makes a good keeper? What role do perceptions of a keepers’ age, nationality and ethnicity play in fans perception of their ability?

Episode 133 is the first of two looking at the state of youth football in the UK. Here we focus on the Elite Player Performance Plan and its impact on clubs and players.

Reading List:

https://www.premierleague.com/youth/EPPP

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02640414.2018.1443746?journalCode=rjsp20

https://medcraveonline.com/JPCPY/JPCPY-09-00541

https://www.leathesprior.co.uk/news/from-bosman-to-brexit-what-next-for-eppp-and-compensation-in-football

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/05/premier-league-elite-player-performance-plan

On episode 132, in the wake of old grave breath’s comments about cheating we ask where the line between gamesmanship and cheating in football is? We also have a theory as to why the new handball law was solving a problem only referees had. Plus, facial recognition, Wimbledon bashing, and reorganising the league to accommodate provincial power houses and Coventry City. Apologies in advance for the overly tired and grumpy host, we know shouting at listeners is a bad idea.

In episode 131 Tom Martin joins John Collins to discuss the loan system and its impact on the lower leagues before looking at how the first weekend of VAR in the Premier League got everything right but still ruined it all. We also have a few thoughts on how law reform could help VAR as well as the best solution to fix VAR you will ever hear. NB it’s OK to over promise because nobody ever reads these synopsis, right?

Come gather round people for Episode 130, our first of the 2019/2020 season. To mark the start of the last season of this decade we ask if this could be the end of an era? Could the game be about to change; from how it’s consumed to the role of technology, the growth of the women’s game and the way contracts and transfers are structured? Are there big clubs in the Premier League failing to admit that the waters around them have grown while the likes of Wolves have already started swimming? Also, Dyche to Arsenal, Pep to Qatar and a bit of Larry David.

In episode 129 we discuss the possible ways in which this season’s Champions League may affect how the big teams approach Europe in the future, look forward to the Nations League and try to pick a summer tournament worth watching.

We also look back on winners and losers of the 2018/19 season and look forward to the new season and the rule changes that will come with it.

Our last show of the season closes with our tribute to José Antonio Reyes and thoughts about why our interest in the women’s game has yet to take off and what role this summer’s World Cup could play in growing the game.

Episode 128 was to be or season review and European cup finals preview but some a balls up with the recording means we are giving you a mini pod previewing the cup finals as that’s all that survived! Our fault entirely but we’ll be back with one more podcast on June 3rd with our season review and a preview of the Nations League.

On Episode 127 we discuss fans expectations of players covering; recovery from injuries, changes in form and motivation, loyalty around transfer offers, celebrating against your old side, the ability to adapt to new surroundings and players as role models. We also cover listener correspondence; including our combined Man Utd & Arsenal shit show XI’s and who on the pod you would like to punch in the face.

In Episode 126 we are joined by Drew Pells host of ‘On The Counter’ Podcast to discuss new kick off times for knock out games, the away goals rules and the European Club Association’s proposed changes to the Champions League

.

It's our first transcontinental podcast and while the audio is a it patchy in places the content is worth sticking with!

Magic sponges, vaporub on the shirt, long sleeve shirts, player managers, cup final songs, floodlight “failures” Orange footballs, old stadia and Bruce Grobbelar. What do you and don’t you miss about football?