The Game

Pep gave up, Thomas Frank is special, and goals galore…despite VAR.

Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino contrast the snooze fest at the Etihad with the and to end fest at Anfield.

Arsenal proved a point to get a point, but City could be happy with the easier run in to come. Liverpool put in their best performance against Brighton, but with Alonso not available who replaces Klopp at Anfield…Alyson Rudd loves Thomas Frank.

Goals galore at Newcastle, Stamford Bridge and Bramall Lane but oh VAR, why why why…?

A whistle stop tour of all the other weekends games, plus Kalvin Philips’ woes continue and the relegation scrap is far from over.

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Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Jonny Northcroft and Martin Samuel pick their England starting 11’s for the opening game of the Euros. There are some surprising omissions, Jonny has a left field suggestion and Martin has been swayed by recent performances.

Kobbie Mainoo may have written his name on the team sheet, but will Henderson, Rashford or Grealish even make the squad? Following on from the focus on Mainoo the team recall the most impressive debuts they’ve seen, from Gascoigne and Rooney to Charlton and Shearer from the archive.

Which is the toughest managers job in football? And finally, a look ahead to the weekend and the language used towards officials.

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England disappointed, but does it matter? Gareth Southgate and his team conspired to lower expectations after a lacklustre display at Wembley; Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Matt Dickinson discuss who played well, who didn’t and why England looked so blunt.

After the break a look at the production line of new footballers – academies. Young players are now given a holistic programme which creates well rounded young men, not just footballers. Is the new battle ground of the elite at academy level, creating the stars of tomorrow?

Finally, are footballers ‘thick’? Gregor responds.  

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Are points deductions fair, what's the point of a football regulator, and should Kobbie Mainoo start for England?

Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to ask if you’d rather have a good centre forward or a good lawyer? As Nottingham Forest fall foul of the regulator are points deductions the best way to tackle the problem? Should more money go to the wider football pyramid and what happens if it doesn’t?

Back on the pitch have England found their midfield answer, will Kobbie Mainoo be the late edition that balances the team? If he makes the squad, then who misses out – Maddison, Henderson, Bowen…? 

Finally, best Brazilians to ever play in the Premier League…?

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A pulsating game won in the 120th minute with a raucous atmosphere and ending their arch-rivals fairy tale in the process - has Eric Ten Hag suddenly seen what is possible at Old Trafford?

Will the result be a turning point in Man Utd’s season or just another glimpse of potential? For Liverpool did tiredness catch up with them?

Gregor Robertson thinks Mark Robins is doing some of the best coaching work in the country at Coventry and it’s paying off. They’ll fancy their chances against Utd in the semis.

Tom Allnutt has been to meet Gerad Pique; he has some fascinating ideas on the future of football – will clubs soon be paying fans to attend games?

Finally, Alyson Rudd is impressed with Fulham and Tom Clarke wants to hear your favourite own goals…

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Are footballers stupid? Why do footballers cut holes in their socks? And how to write a match report in 2 minutes.

Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft, Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke discuss the dark arts of football and sports writing.

On the pitch they were exemplified by Porto on Tuesday night.

But what are the dark arts of the press box? How do writers produce a piece when the result turns around in the final minutes?  Martin recounts the Nou Camp in 99’ – from “Poor old Fergie gets his tactics wrapped around his neck..." to "Arise Sir Alex!…” And facing a deadline, Jonny McNorthcroft found himself hoping Scotland didn’t score.

Gregor had a surprising response to his article on ‘Why do footballers cut holes in their socks?’ Which led to another question - are footballers stupid?

Finally – its FA cup weekend.

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It’s a three-horse title race, the first in years, so who did the result at the weekend benefit the most?

Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to predict who will win the league. Was a point at Anfield good for City, was Liverpool’s momentum stalled and will Arsenal handle the pressure of going top?

Who has the tougher run in and who is each team’s most important player?

Spurs love playing the top teams, but Villa seemed to lack belief. Either way, does the race for fourth even matter, if you qualify for the champions league and your team’s not ready?

Plus, a rattle through the weekends other results.

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Gregor Robertson mediates as Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino discuss sabbaticals, John Peel and Yu-Gi-Oh!

Oh, and some of the week's biggest football talking points: Are Sheffield United the worst team to ever play in the Premier League? Has the Champions League become too predictable? And who will win Sunday's era ending game between Liverpool and Man City?

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Tom Clarke reviews a bumper weekend of Premier League talking points with Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Paul Hirst...

... What level are Manchester United at? Who is currently the best player in the League (Guardiola thinks it's Phil Foden)? And why on earth have Nottingham Forest hired Mark Clattenburg? 

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Genes count as three sons of former players star for Liverpool. As academy players are in the spotlight the team discuss the modern player, private education and clubs more holistic approach to their assets. Had Stan Bowles been a player now he may have had more help with gambling problems that beset his life, Martin and Tony share their memories of a great player with a crazy life. 

With Wolves one game away from Wembley, is Gary O’Neil in line for manager of the season?

On to FFP and points deductions,

Finally, its Paul Pogba, Eric Ten Hag and martin makes a bold prediction about Brighton.

Timeline:

FA Cup

2’ Klopps trust in the kids

3’ This is Klopp’s chance to play the kids, they won’t be playing against City in two weeks. Great for the Dads. Three kids there all whose dads got them playing.

5’ How have Liverpool not conceded in last two games?

7’ all seem well rounded young men. Moulding good young people not just players.

8’ Players with pros as parents know how to stay the course.

11’ Lots of young players sent to private school by clubs.

14’ They’ve done brilliant but a long way to go.

17’ At Wolves, Gary O’Neil, took over five days before season started. He could get them to a Wembley semi/final.

20’ He has walked in and not asked for too much change.

Everton points deduction

23’ six is better then ten. But its still too much.

24’ Not good to have lawyers deciding league placings.

25’ guidelines are better than nothing. But still no structure.

26’ we need clear rules.

27’ Everton will now be fine, little danger of relegation.

Stan Bowles

32’ A maverick, a gambler, and an entertainer.

33’ Many stories about the colourful life, playing snakes and ladders for £50 a corner…

34’ The stories obscure how good he was as a player. In 74’ QPR were 14 mins from winning the league.

37’ Don shanks compared him to Aguero, he was a continental footballer in Britain. Tony thinks Zola.

38’ there was a sad side to stan. He had a testimonial and gambled all the money away within a few weeks.

Brighton

42’ Martin thinks Brighton are too good…they will keep losing good staff and good players. You can’t sustain that.

44’ No matter the data team, at some point you can’t pull another rabbit out the hat.

45’ Bloom is a genius; he is possibly the best owner of a club in the world.

Pogba

53’ Pogba banned for four years for doping. effectively ending his career

54’ Very sad, Sad way for a player of his talent to end his career. It won’t end with this, there is more to come out.

Manchester derby

56’ who knows, Martin can’t predict.

57’ I can’t see how he [Ten Hag] can be there man for next season. Because if he was, they’d have come out and said it.

60’ fabulous team, but you just can’t get the ball off them. Be amazed if Man City don’t win

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