The Game

No signings in the window but Beyonce makes Spurs rich 

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel for more football discussion and a crash course in Beyonce lyrics.

First off, the team look back at a very positive performance for Chelsea in the league cup. Do they now have a cutting edge and are some of their big signings starting to gel? Liverpool are progressing without Mo Salah, but opinion is still split on Darwin Nunez.

The transfer window has been a damp squib, Martin has a theory as to why.

After the break Tom goes Beyonce crazy as he looks at the role the megastar played in making Spurs London’s richest club. What does the Spurs model mean for teams like Chelsea and Newcastle and how they monetize their football clubs?

We finish with a long FA cup weekend, are there shocks anymore…?

Timesline:

Chelsea triumph

2’ there is a good team at Chelsea trying to get out. Now they’re in a final.

3’ Chelsea are more organised, and have plenty of confidence players. Its growing now. Pace in the team.

4’ but they lack a centre forward and Tiago at 39 is thill their best defender.

6’ Too reliant on full backs – Chilwell and James. Should Poch have a better plan b

7’ Winning the final could be a springboard. Only two players left from the Chelsea Champions league team.

Liverpool and Salah

8’ Salah’s loss is big but can be absorbed.

10’ Liverpool’s youngsters all doing well. Entering a winning team helps.

12’ Great collection of forward players

15’ Nunez, Gregor still not convinced.

Transfer window

21’ the ten point deductions have scared clubs into not signing anyone.

23’ Why do we have a transfer window. The restriction doesn’t apply in any other business.

27’ Should you be able to buy your way out of trouble? Is that why the window exists…

28’ Profit and sustainability rules are pushing teams to do much of their business in the summer.

Richest clubs and finance models

32’ They’ve done so without winning anything. Proof of modern football thinking.

33’ Financial success not built on sporting success. Built on good business planning.

33’ All done by monetizing the stadium.

34’ Very modern success story. Comparison to Chelsea who fall behind every match day.

All returns to profit and sustainability rules. Newcastle now busy tryign to maximise every aspect of the club.

36’ Spurs stadium cost 1 billion, not everyone can do that. It should be good!

38’ This affects on pitch. Because higher revenues allow clubs to spend more on players.

38’ Newcastle a long way off, not built a following outside on Newcastle.

39’ Should Newcastle consider naming rights on their stadium?

39’ Newcastle ideal owner was mike Ashley, he ran it as an accountant.

. Ashley was great re P and S rules. But awful for football.

FA Cup

46’ All the fixtures spread out. Best two games on Friday night.

Chelsea Villa the stand out.

47’ Only four games on Saturday. 

52’ lamenting of teams outside the top division not featuring in finals

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Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke for Monday’s edition of The Game.

Four games and four talking points from the weekend’s fixtures. A statement win from Liverpool against in form Bournemouth and two strikers hit form in Jota and Nunez. Are the reds capable of winning the title?

At Bramall Lane the tail of two penalties, one that was and one that wasn’t but which way round was it? And do we need an orange card?

Arsenal returned with a bang, they’re the set piece kings but will they need more than that to stay in the title race.

Finally, Ivan Toney returned amid great fan fare but more than lived up to his billing.

Timeline:

Bournemouth v Liverpool

4’ Liverpool were clinical. Young players stepped up.

5’ still not convinced on Nunez. Will he do it consistently?

6’ Liverpool have a character and mentality of scoring, wildness,

7’ not much control but swashbuckling, front foot attacking. Unstable but gets results.

8’ Klopp’s half time changes and in game changes are very effective and exciting.

10’ Klopp seems happy and creative again. Generating excitement after 8yrs at a club, not easy.

11’ Klopp likes to promote younger academy players; he seems to trust them.

15’ improvement from Bournemouth but just not the cutting edge.

17’ Title chances…

Sheff Utd v West Ham

18’ Brewsters red card…was it or wasn’t it?

20’ Does ‘getting in the refs ear’ make any difference?

24’  The mystery penalty…where was the foul?

26’ Hard to see a foul from Ariola, similarly at the other end, not obvious, Bowen was six of one half a dozen of the other.

29’ looking grim for Sheff Utd. Wilder has had an effect but not quite managing to turn draws into wins.

31’ Sheff Utd don’t play with fatalism, they play with fearlessness, energy and camaraderie.

33’ Tight at the bottom. Forest look like a team who could take a points deduction and survive. Sheff Utd will get better.

Arsenal v Palace

35’ Arsenal have best record from set pieces in Premier League.

36’ level of detail in set piece coaching, almost like a dance routine. Almost a different coach for set pieces.

37’ a lot of the time it is about blocking.

38’ are the blocks technically fouls? Fouls and counter fouls going back and forth.

41’ But is it enough to keep arsenal in the title race. If they are starved of set pieces will they be bale to score?

43’ Lacking creativity, especially centrally. Not hectic but more structured and as a result predictable…?

44’ Is it still a three-team title race?

45’ Arsenal not hit their stride, yet they are still right in the title race.

Brentford v Nottingham Forest

46’ Ivan Toney has great self-confidence.

47’ Gregor played with Toney as a 17 year old. Mentality, confidence and belief.

50’ to cope with all the noise around his return and still play well. Shows and elite mindset.

51’ He visualised it all happening.

53’ The power of the mind. He said all the things  he would do and he is doing them.

54’ Thomas Frank deserves credit for the way he has handled Toney.

59’ how many mangers would have sanctioned an enormous bill board and gardy promo? But they trusted Toney and knew he was ready.

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Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Premier League punishments, Ivan Toney's return and Jose Mourinho's Roma sacking. 

With Everton and Nottingham Forest facing potential points deductions (Everton for the second time this season), the panel assess the rules and debate whether the possible punishments are justified. 

Ivan Toney could make his footballing return on Saturday. So, what's he been up to for the last 10 months? 

Plus, José Mourinho's made a teary-eyed exit after being sacked as Roma's manager. What comes next, only José knows. 

Points deductions for Everton and Forest?

3' Are profit and sustainability rules fit for purpose? 

6' Are the punishments too harsh? 

12' Have Nottingham Forest been careless in their spending?

15' Should we have sympathy for the clubs who have complied with the rules?

18' Is it a problem for football that very rich men chase a dream in football?

19' How do we keep competitive balance without such rules? 

21' Why haven't clubs outside the big six voted to get rid of the rules? 

26' What about how long these investigations are taking? 

28' Solutions? An independent regulator? More power for the Football League/Premier League? 

Ivan Toney:

41' What has Ivan Toney been up to since his ban came in? 

45' Is Toney the second best striker in the Premier League?

46' What do Brentford do? Keep, sell or something else? 

48' Is he in good contention for the England Euros squad?

Jose Mourinho:

52' Where are we at with Jose Mourinho now?

55' Has modern football passed Mourinho by?

59' Does he need to rebrand?

61' What about an international job? Or Saudi Arabia?

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Matt Dickinson, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plan of action, why Reading fan's invaded the pitch and what spooked Alyson over the weekend. 

Matt Dickinson gives an in-depth insight into what Manchester United's new 25% owner should be prioritising once he's got his feet under the table. 

Now Kevin De Bruyne has returned (and immediately delivered), will City run away with the Premier League title? 

There were chaotic scenes at The Madejski Stadium at the weekend. Gregor gives his take on events. 

And what 'unnerving' event did Alyson experience in the Stamford Bridge Press box? 

Timeline: 

Man United

2' Did we learn more about Tottenham or United from Sunday's draw at Old Trafford? 

4' How impressive have Spurs been this season? 

6' Does the club stop any personality from doing what Ange Postecoglou has done at Spurs, at United? 

10' What is Sir Jim Ratcliffe like as a person? 

13' Is there a sense of fandom for Ratcliffe? Or strictly business? 

15' Is 25% ownership enough for Ratcliffe? 

17' For the Glazers, Man United became a commercial operation with a football club attached

19' How much money will Man United be spending? 

20' Will Sir Dave Brailsford be involved in footballing decisions? 

22' Where are Man United currently at? Is a total reset needed? 

24' What will Sir Jim Ratcliffe's approach to managers be? Clinical, or romantic? 

26' What is the priority for Ten Hag after the takeover?

28' Will there be any transfer activity in January? 

Man City v Newcastle 

32' Five beautiful goals, but which was the best? 

36' Do defenders pay De Bruyne too much respect? And what position will he play?

42' Will City now run away with the league now De Bruyne is back?

43' Does Newcastle's downturn in form signal the end for Eddie Howe? England job for Howe?

Reading

46' What's the background to the protests we saw over the weekend? 

49' Do the panel condone the protests?

Chelsea v Fulham

53' A nonevent derby, with a poor atmosphere and poor performances?

55' What's Pochettino's mood like? Any fear about his position?

57' Alyson's 'Unnerving' encounter at Stamford Bridge

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Gregor Robertson, Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke for the Thurs edition of The Game. Is Mauricio Pochettino under pressure at Chelsea? After a loss to championship side Middlesborough in the first leg of the league cup semi final and indifferent league form, will the owner demand more after spending a billion pounds? Liverpool won again, with two youngster shining in Curtis jones and Conor Bradley. Could Jones make the England squad. After the break, how much does FFP affect January transfers; where will Mbappe end up an will Werner and Sancho be good signings?

Timeline:

2’ Beckenbauer

Chelsea

4’ Poch under pressure. After a loss to Middlesborough, where next?

5’ Lots of quality, not much spirit. Not clinical, they’re an easy team to play against.

7’ look soft, no edge but they’ll probably still beat Middlesborough.

8’ They’d be mad to get rid of Poch. Who is out there that is guaranteed to do better?

11’ You can’t keep sacking managers every six months.

12’ This is a big month for Poch. Both cups, and key league games. How January goes could affect the mood music, rightly or wrongly.

16’ If not Poch then who. Owners must have one eye on that. Review at the end of the season seems likely.

17’ They had a good manager, and they sacked him – Thomas Tuchel.

20’ Owners are erratic and at times irrational.

22’ Are any of the strikers they have bought good enough?

24’ Top eight team at best, don’t look like they’ll go on a run.

Liverpool

27’ Conor Bradly and Curtis Jones shone. Jones now looks a really good midfielder.

30’ Brady has bundles of energy.

31’ Curtis Jones looks like a very live England chance. Gregor not so sure.

Transfers…Mbappe, FFP and Timo Werner

34’ Why aren’t more teams looking at Mbappe? FFP restricts what teams can do.

36’ Gregor wants Mbappe, but not unfettered spending.

37’ Premier league already getting less competitive, if rich teams are allowed to spend unfettered, it will make it worse.

43’ Rules in place are currently inhibiting teams from getting the best players. But some would prefer the premier league slip a little at the benefit of the wider football pyramid.

46’ Werner will get chances at Spurs, and Postecoglou might get the best out of him.

50’ He’s only 27, it could be a redemption story.

51’ His numbers are not that bad, he is involved, he assists and contributes.

52’ Sancho likely to return to Dortmund. What went wrong?

55’ Sancho still not off the wage bill. Could a new manager pull him back to Old Trafford?

57’ He’s already made some brave decisions in his career. Is this another one?

59’ does he have the potential to be truly world class?

61’ lots of players at United are underperforming, is it related to style of play?

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Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Hardy join Tom Clarke to discuss why Arsenal are stumbling, who paid for the Newcastle beers and if we should re-record the whole podcast.

First up Arsenal’s blunt strike force, do they have the answer or do they need to buy. A character building win for Liverpool, but do either team have enough to trouble Man City in the league.

Martin Hardy reflects on an important result for Newcastle and Eddie Howe, and the difference a weeks rest made. For Sunderland it was a week to forget.

Finally, to replay or not to replay? It depends on who you ask, Gregor has little sympathy for elite teams setting the agenda for all of the football pyramid.

Timeline:

Arsenal v Liverpool

2’ Are wheels coming off Arsenal. Arteta has referenced a mental block around scoring.

4’ Arsenal should have bought a top class forward. Their current strikers are not top class.

5’ Are there as many top class forwards in the premier league now?

6’ Havertz a box crasher.

8’ Should Arteta be speaking out? Where will goals come from?

9’ Liverpool looked good. Still lacked a clinical edge though, but more resilience.

11’ Liverpool are a different side second half in most games. So many goals after 75mins.

13’ Both teams good, but are either good enough to finish above Man City?

14’ Nunez a handful but will he win you a title?

Wear Tyne derby

16’ crazy derby stories, ghosts, Di Canio, horses and graffiti.

19’ Sunderland were not ready for the occasion.

21’ Odd tactical choice by Michael Beale.

22’ Newcastle looked like they had had a weeks rest

24’ Why play out from the back against a team who love to press.

25’ Tripper looked back. Springboard for the rest of the season, injuries returning.

27’ Very important win for Eddie howe and Newcastle.

Weekend highlights

31’ Maidstone, penalty saves, away followings and Patrick Bamford’s worldie.

Replays

35’ Good idea of not?

36’ Removal of a replay might create teams who play for penalties. It used to be three replay’s

37’ Replay’s look likely to be dropped.

40’ We shouldn’t be changing the calendar for 16 elite teams.

42’ Replays are great for teams seeking revenue and hope. They’re not for big teams seeking a break.

43’ The problem highlights the vast financial differences between all the levels of football.

48’ Given the money on offer for one extra point in the premier league, do cups matter anymore?

50’ “Domestic football should not be shaped in the image of 6 to 8 rich elite owners.”

Transfers

53’ Where should Henderson or Mbappe go?

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It's a Happy New Year from Jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson as they join Tom Clarke for the first 2024 edition of The Game.

It was a new year to forget for Wayne Rooney, another example of the golden generation failing in the managerial world. What is the difference between a manager and a coach and is it the same game in the Champions League or League One?   

A look back at a thrilling Christmas and New Year, which young manager topped the table of festive fixtures? Finally, it’s not FA cup weekend, its FA cup week and there are some top ties to look forward to.

Timeline:

Rooney

2’ Rooney sacked at Birmingham, shocked and a reality check?

5’ took over a club doing well, a manager well liked by fans and players.

6’ he was appointed to change a culture and direction of club…can you do that in 15 matches? Gary Cook, odd decision.

8’ he was employed to take them to prem league

11’ Was Rooney set up to fail. After two games the crowd turned, but tat was because of the loss of John Eustace.

13’ Calling out players after only 3 games, not a good idea.

17’ he admires Guardiola. But he thrived with Liam Rosenior

19’ Rooney could be a manager as much as a coach. He is good with people.

21’ Vale park on a Tuesday night isn’t the Nou Camp on a champions league night.

25’ surrounded himself by young ambitious but not very experienced coaching staff.

27’ Rooney doesn’t want special treatment, he will try to reinvent himself.

31’ difference between playing and managing.

33’ He’ll be back.

Title race

36’ Great festive period for Wolves and Gary O’Neil

37’ Man City return only two adrift and with the fire back. And unaffected by AFCON.

38’ Liverpool in great shape but about to lose salah.

40’ What’s gone wrong at Arsenal? Hard to win your first title.

43’ Villa have bounced back, but are they starting to look tired?

45’ all the top teams have flaws this year. Open title race.

West Ham, Wolves and Luton

45’ Looks like Moye will get a new contract. Is peace breaking out at the London stadium?

47’ Wrong that one fixture has moved beyond the AFCON cut off date.

48’ Great back to back wins for Hatters. Ross Barkley pulling strings, adjusting to the league.

FA Cup

53’ Sunderland v Newcastle tie of the round. Newcastle look on the knees with no energy. Sunderland with new manager bounce. Could be a big game.

56’ Is Eddie Howe under pressure?

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The Christmas spirit is alive and well as Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Molly Hudson dial in from all parts of the country to join Tom Clarke for an assessment of the festive fixture list. 

An amazing turn around at Old Trafford but seasonal struggles for Villa and Newcastle. Nuno has made a good start at Forest and Luton have racked up back to back wins. Who’ll be top on Jan 1st, is Alyson Dom Solanke's lucky charm? Finally, some end of season awards.

See you in the new year.

Timeline:

5’ Christmas quiz questions

Man Utd v Villa

7’ Villa gifted it to Utd.

10’ Man Utd looked good and played well, despite going two down. Garnacho very threatening.

11’ return of Eriksen important. Important for Hojlund to score. All with Ratcliffe watching on.

13’ At west Ham Man Utd had been lifeless. They summoned their reserves for Villa.

14’ huge relief for Ten Hag. Important result, but will it be enough and is it a turning point.

15’ Jim Ratcliffe announcement odd. Naff to own only 25%. Can’t do too much because of FFP

Newcastle v Forest

22’ Bad run and some shock results for Newcastle. Is it a reality check, a reflection of where they are or just injuries and fatigue?

23’ Does Eddie Howe have a target on his back?

26’ buoyance lacking, atmosphere suffering, Eddie Howe looks tired.

28’ players benefited for a managerial change. Shame for Cooper, but Nuno has had two good performances.

30’ Elanga was fabulous and will be important in the future. Should he have stayed at Utd?

32’ Nuno really pleased to take the job, lots of potential. Clean slate for players like Joe Worrel

35’ Niuno’s Wolves team were good to watch.

Bournemouth

38’ Dom Solanke pulling up tress, Ally is his good luck charm.

42’ Iraola has proved his worth. Topic of the year seems to be managers with strong philosophies.

43’ Dom Solanke now knocking on the door of Harry Kane back up, along side Tony, Watkins and Wilson.

Luton

46’ Great team to watch. Involved in some thrilling matches, played well, even in games they have lost.

47’ signings have added quality. Discipline, shape and great work ethic.

Liverpool

49’ top of the league. But injuries mounting and Salah and endo about to depart for international competition.

50’ Klopp good at integrating fringe players. No need for signings.

51’ do Liverpool have deepest squad in the league? Elliot, Quensah, Jones all very much part of first team squad.

End of year awards

Match of the year, goal of the year, player of the year.

See you in 2024.

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Jonathan Northcroft, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke for the final pre-Christmas edition of The Game.

First on the agenda is the super league…its back, but will it actually happen? Perhaps the fans will have more power than they realise.

Away from a potential super league why were West Ham so lacklustre, is Keiron Trippier fatigued and all change at Nottingham Forest. Who will be top at Christmas, Villa are in with a shout after an exceptional 2023. And finally a Christmas wish for 2024...

Merry Christmas one and all, we’ll see you for a Christmas pod on Wed 27rh Dec.

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Timeline:

Super League

3’ the super league…so depressing. Making football less competitive. Enriching the richer clubs.

5’ can’t exist unless people want it to exist.

7’ danger of the rich getting richer at the expense of all football.

8’ the model doesn’t offer meritocracy.

12’ the revamped champions league looks to be a testing of the water

15’ ”to what extent have fans lost control of their clubs to the global market place.”

18’ “eternal lust for growth….football doesn’t need more money.”

West Ham

24’ odd team selection

25’ weak semi final line up, three steps from a trophy.

26’ Competent, pragmatic manager but a romantic fan base. Tough mix.

Newcastle and Trippier

30’ Fatigue, confidence, even the best are affected.

32’ has he been the same since the confrontation with the fans and Bournemouth?

Nottingham Forest

39’ Hurling pieces at a board, no plan, no structure. He got lucky with Cooper.

41’ Cooper earned the right to see out the season. Instead he’s got more players and out before Christmas.

45’ Nuno not a good fit. He likes, small simple. Forest is not that.

Villa

49’ Will they be top at Christmas. It would underline an extraordinary year for Villa.

51’ Villa won’t fall away. They’ve sustained this from for a year. 15 wins at home.

52’ Jonny on Emery “You can see when a coach has a club in the palm of his hand.”

54’ Martin on Emery “I’m gonna ask for what I want and I’m gonna get what I want.”

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

They look at a lamentable game at Anfield, a good result for Utd, a reality check for Liverpool?

Arsenal seems to be the only team playing with control, Odegaard is on form and Rice remains imperious. Will it be enough to get them to the title?

Aston Villa ground out a win at a tough place to go, but is their keeper the dogs bo**ocks or a sh**house?

Lower down the table Everton are on a fantastic run as Dych once again shows his quality - identity, endeavour effectiveness. Forest by contrast look a little lost.

 **Few technical issues today, sorry. They'll be fixed for Thurs.

Timeline:

Liverpool v Man Utd

2’ a game to forget

4’ Consistent with where United are at, stutter, lack of creativity but a valuable well earned point. Reflective of a changed midfield that is energetic and hard working. Better defensive organisation.

5’ Kobbie Mainoo, looks exciting, promising but will the expectations mount?

6’ lack of creativity and width from Liverpool. 34 shots, but no real danger. Some poor decisions.

7’ was this a surprise for Liverpool. They have been lucky in recent games and looked listless at home against Man Utd. Is this the reality dawning?

8’ No goals for Nunez in 9 games. Diaz not the same since the incident with his father.

9’ But all teams have looked patchy and inconsistent. The only team looking to have control are Arsenal. 

Arsenal, City and Villa

11’ The team look to have control. Their stats are on the up while City and Liverpool are dropping.

13’ Jorginho off the pitch providing unity.

14’ Martin Odegaard has come into form. Past 6 matches,

15’ Declan Rice covering cast areas for Arsenal, gave Odegaard freedom to create. Rice absolutely key to that.

17’ Arsenal very good front to back, After a rough spell now well oiled, in defence and attack. Defences wins titles.

20’ Arsenal seem to have tunnel vision and appear ready to be champions. Predictable, not exciting, but regular, winning controlled.

22’ Ben Mee’s sending off changed the game. But thereafter Villa went for the win, not the draw.

23’ A gritty win at a place no one likes to go to. Despite chaos Villa got the three points.

24’ VAR inconsistent again. Ben ?Mee should have had a penalty.

25’ Why are Villa doing well, the players of the manager? Both.

27’ Emery has improved Watkins, Kamara is back from injury. Emery has brought intensity and focus.

30’ Nice family man outside of football. But on the pitch stretches ever opportunity to his advantage. Believes he is the best in the world and wants to live up to that.

31’ His antics got his own player sent off. 

West Ham v Wolves

35’ Paqueta, Alvarez Bowen and Kudos. Fabulous four. Their creativity won West Ham the game.

36’ Free flowing forward line could be the future, but Moyes prefers stable reliable, Antonio. Can he squeeze both in?

37’ Conflict still at heart of West Ham. How are they laying, are they committed to Moyes?

41’ Will Moyes still be manager next season? 

Everton, Forest and Burnley

46’ What a run for Everton. Classic Sean Dyche, getting best out of players. Finding a system that suits the players and drilling them.

47’ Maximising everything at his disposal.

48’ Burnley, endeavour, quality but soft centre. Everton ruthless.

49’ Kompany not changing his methods, sticking to his principles.

50’ Everton play effective football. Its refreshing as it is different to others.

53’ Forest are on a bad run, but look a little lost.

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