The Game

It was VAR and goalkeeping errors that made the headlines across the two League Cup semi-finals. Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez gifted two goals to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and at St James Park a bizarre decision from VAR denied Man City a goal.

New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior picked the goalkeeper but he didn’t pick Palmer, Gusto or James seemingly at the prompting of his medical department. Is this a worrying early sign for the new man?  

If you had the choice, would you get rid of VAR? Is it worth the trouble it causes?

After the break, where can Carrick take Man Utd and favourite rivalries ahead of the Manchester derby.

Tom Clarke joins Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson 

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

Upsets, late drama, near misses and lots of goals. The FA Cup third round had it all.

It may have lost some of its shine in recent years but at the weekend the FA Cup showed why it is still the greatest cup competition in the world.

Macclesfield pulled off what was on paper the biggest shock in the history of the competition…but it didn’t look like that on the pitch.

There was misery at Spurs and Manchester United what next for the managers at both clubs?  Michael Carrick looks set to be appointed interim manager of Manchester United but what is expected from him? And for Thomas Frank is it ‘the end of days’ ?

Tom Clarke, Tom Allnutt, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson review a frantic weekend of football.

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

“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the answer, what the hell is the question!?”

Man Utd look like going back to the future, is that the right answer for one of the biggest clubs in the world?

Is the problem in the mangers seat, or is it the executives at the club?

Elsewhere coffee cups are the least of Thomas Franks problems at Spurs, West Ham are doomed and with injuries to Man City defenders and Villa drawing - has it been Arsenal’s best week of the season? Will they capitalise against Liverpool...?

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

Coventry did not have a good Christmas – is it a slip or the rot setting in?

Ipswich and Watford by contrast had a bumper Christmas. With the squad at their disposal Ipswich look ominous and despite a slow start Wrexham are now only a point below the play offs in ninth.

In League One, much to Tom’s delight it's hard to look past Lincoln City who beat Cardiff, Stockport, Huddersfield and Peterborough over Christmas…can they really stay the course? At the bottom Rotherham are on an awful slide – is there any way back for the Millers?

Hats off to Bromley in League Two, but Walsall…not again surely!?

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

Never a club to be upstaged Manchester United sack their manager Ruben Amorim just four days after Chelsea sacked their manager Enzo Maresca.

Are both decisions a reflection of failing managers or failing hierarchy’s?

Who is in line for both jobs at two of the biggest clubs in England? And whoever gets them, who will have the tougher job – at Chelsea or Manchester United?

After the break Arsenal look like title winners, West Ham look doomed and everything at Spurs looks unhappy.

Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and Alyson Rudd give their verdicts on Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

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

It's the new year, Enzo Maresca is out, but what does the future hold for both the manager and the club? And is Liam Rosenoir the right choice to replace Maresca? 

On the latest episode of The Game, the team also discuss Arsenal's statement win against Aston Villa, Liverpool's draw with Leeds and another big performance from Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. 

And finally with the increased use of set pieces we continue the debate about entertainment in the modern game. 

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat. 

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

Reaction to all the Christmas fixtures as Villa keep winning, Arsenal look nervous and City look ominous. If Villa win at Arsenal can they go all the way?

Are Liverpool's signings starting to click and hats of to Keith Andrews and Regis Le Bris.

Elsewhere, Palace look knackered, Ruben Amorim finally plays a back four, West Ham need to buy a defender or they are down and will Iraola change his system?

Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson.

We'll be back on Friday to review the new year fixtures and predict the rest of 2026. Happy New Year and we'll see you then.

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

It’s Christmas but the EFL doesn’t stop and neither do Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson – here with a bonus Christmas edition of EFL Extra.

They’re doing their end of year awards – teams, players and managers of the year for each of the divisions…and many more.

If you need a break from the festivities, go for a walk or find a quiet corner and join Tom and Gregor for all the latest from the EFL.

From everyone at The Game podcast – a very Merry Christmas. We’ll be back for an end of year episode on the 29th, see you then. 

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

As Villa cement their place in the top three just how good are they? Do they have the squad depth to last the course? Is their star midfielder Morgan Rogers now elevating himself to world level?

David Moyes thinks Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the world. Is he…and if not, then who is?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has found form and fitness at Leeds how far could it take him and his club?

Spurs lost at home again and had two men sent off but seem to have received some credit in the process. Lastly, are Wolves in danger of breaking Derby’s lowest ever Premier League points total?

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and tom Allnutt

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

Chelsea are through to the semi-finals of the League Cup, but behind the scenes there is more chaos. Manager Enzo Maresca is unhappy, but no one quite knows why. The fans chanted his name but are the board happy? A day in the life at Chelsea…

Man City are looking ominous, could they be considered title favourites by the new year?

One of their shining lights is number ten turned left back Nico O’Reilly – Jonny and Gregor think he is now England’s first choice for the World Cup.

After the break 2025 awards and wishes for 2026.

Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft

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