The Game

The Thurs team of Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss one thing…VAR. With two thrilling games and twelve goals between them the Man Utd v Copenhagen and Spurs v Chelsea games were dominated by VAR. Is it inevitable, will it change or will football adapt to a brave new world? Discuss…

Timeline

VAR and Man Utd

10’ is football and footballers now going to change.

12’ how do you police a subjective game played in milliseconds.

16’ the difference in officiating and the interpretation of rules.

22’ Positives for Man United despite losing the game.

26’ Copenhagen not a good team, don’t get carried away.

34’ All to random at Man U. Performances are fractured

VAR and Chelsea Spurs

38’ Romero red card…

41’ Intent or not intent. How to define it.

47’ Offside, Jackson had a yard start, but it was phase two. Is that fair? Martin thinks the rules are nonsense. Active or inactive.

51’ We’re talking about VAR, not about football.

58’ Ange and his brave…or crazy tactics. High line with nine men. Amazing spectacle, but not sure if it was the best approach.

59’ Glorious failure. They lost but they lost player to their philosophy.

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Monday regulars Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Allnutt and Tom Clarke for The Game.

The team look at good wins for Sheffield Utd and Forest and a point for Luton. But what about the performances, was it luck or are there positives to build on? Erik Ten Hag got a win to take the pressure off, but again, what of the performance.

Disappointing weekends for Villa and Liverpool, but it was the post match reaction of Mikel Arteta that took most of the headlines. Is the pressure telling so soon into the season?

Finally a look at the end of an era as Emma Hayes announces her departure from Chelsea. Where next for the most well known of the WSL managers…?

Timeline:

Sheff Utd

2’ Great win for Sheff Utd. Will it stop the rumours of Chris Wilder waiting in the wings to replace Paul Heckingbottom.

5’ Soft pen, and truth be told Sheff Utd are still not a great team.

7’ how do Sheff Utd play from here on out?

10’ Does this win turn around the narrative of the bottom being the three promoted clubs plus Bournemouth being in a relegation scrap.

14’ Wolves still struggling in front of goal and heavily reliant on Neto. But they played well, just a little unlucky,

Forest

16’ Impressive from Forest, demonstrates togetherness, mental strength and work rate.

17’ Cloud still hanging over Steve Cooper as the owners put pressure on. Forest did a great job of exploiting Villa’s high line.

20’ Forest under Cooper have a really solid structure. Play as a unit, fight for each other. According to opta, not a settled side though.

23’ Gregor still worried for Steve Cooper. Thinks the owners still want change. Not a good environment for cooper, hard to stabilise.

24’ Villa looked flat, never looked threatening. Didn’t take chances.

Man Utd

29’ Alyson thinks Ten Hag is too passive, in press and on touch line. Unimpressive. Fulham the better side. But a win is a win, after the goal and players and fans showed unity.

32’ Why did he start Anthony? 

BREAK

Luton

36’ Kenilworth Road finally showed its worth. Luton played brilliantly, organised, waited then went for it.

39’ Luton showed composure. Doughty, Barkley great. Nunez, active but missing sitters.

42’ Stuck to their principles, showed how they want to play.

Liverpool

44’ Nunez, a handful works hard, but lacks composure, missed the key chances.

45’ No sign of complacency. Luis Diaz moving. Well handled by Klopp.

Arsenal

47’ Havertz should have been red, or orange carded.

48’ The best teams take the sting out of these kind of games. Arteta didn’t. Tried to battle it out with Newcastle. Poor choice. Areta’s emotional state didn’t help.

51’ VAR decisions a mess. Pressure on officials, lack of suitable technology and lag from past bad decisions.

54’ no need to do it, sign of weakness from Areta, unnecessary stress. Arsenal missed Odeguaard badly.

58’ Has the goal keeping decision backfired.

Newcastle

1hr Were fantastic. Deserved the win. Played superbly. Better still the reflection on Eddie howe. Playing with a team full of players signed by others but he has improved them all.

Emma Hayes

1;01 End of an era. What next, could she, would she take the USA job? Why not England? Possesses a huge desire to grown and learn. Said many years ago she didn’t want the England job….have the FA missed out?

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The regular Thursday club of Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke.

Déjà vu as Man Utd are once again the main talking point. Is Erik ten Hag now under pressure, a team with no identity, players under performing and a poor attitude. When does the spot light fall on the manager.

Saudi were given the 2034 world cup with little fan fare and no celebration.  What does it mean for football…a battle between UEFA and FIFA? Will the Saudi’s be threatening   

Man Utd

2’ Ten Hag surely now he is under pressure? Fate depends on when Jim Ratcliffe arrives.

6’ no players performing, as proven by the fact no one wants to buy any Man Utd players.

8’ can’t keep mentioning the club, at some point its about what the manager does

10’ has he improved any players?

13’ no team identity

16’ it’s a massive mess. But at some point the manager should do the basics, but they weren’t there last night.

19’ manager stays until new owners come in.

23’ Will good players get sucked down the same path.

24’ Rashford going out after the City defeat

26’ Tony worked with Don howe, who helped keep him on the straight and narrow. Less going out, better focus.

31’ perception is everything

Saudi world cup

36’ it was always going to happen. It is now sad acceptance. Money talks.

38’ No federations have complained. There is a difference between world cup and Saudi owners. One is governing body, public property and one is private business.

41’ FIFA is no structured in such a way that UEFA is irrelevant. Infantino has the other votes locked down…very hard to change. It is a battle between UEFA and FIFA.

43’ The only way to challenge it would be to boycott. I high price…would any federation pay it?

46’ Isn’t it just about showcasing football in new countries, building the brand, growing the sport?

50’ Its taken the Saudi’s 18mnths to get a world cup. They are/will come for club football…what happen next, is the premier league under threat?

52’ the wind has changed and no longer China but Saudi, and UK gov seems happy

Chelsea v Spurs

58’ Chelsea face same problem…can’t score goals. Jackson didn’t actually have a great record at Villa reale…4 in 28 before a streaky run. Not surprising he can’t score regularly at Chelsea.

1;01’ Chelsea erratic. Done well against some teams, but inconsistent and lacking any edge. Tony thinks they’re a long way off.

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Ally Rudd, Gregor Robertson and James Restall join Tom Clarke on Mondays edition of The Game.

After reflecting on another one-sided Manchester derby they move on to who can win the title. Spurs fans are dreaming, and Ange is happy they are…but can it last. And what of Liverpool, three off the top, getting better and with players returning to form.

After the break a quick look at Calvert Lewin’s form and finally who is the most exciting ever young English player? Gazza, Rooney, Owen, Bellingham?

Timeline:

Manchester derby

2’ Man Utd had average plan A, no plan B.

6’ Mason Mount only had 14 touches. No balance in midfield.

9’ Who is at fault, poor signings, signings not performing, or a club with a poor culture.

12’ no identity, and doesn’t have the players to create the identity Ten Hag wants.

17’ Will Haaland win the Ballon’ D’or. Or is it Mesi all the way

Can they win the league…

20’ Can Spurs win the title? They’re adaptable, tough, confident and no longer flakey. Big strong team.  In short, it’s not impossible.

24’ They believe they can win it. That’s half the battle. Son been amazing.

28’ outstanding centre halves, decent squad depth.

32’ The coaching improvement is impressive.

Liverpool Forest

36’ City’s biggest challengers. Very creative midfield, not as reliant on fullbacks.

38’ very good signings. Dominik Szoboszlai could be a special player. Firs the club very well.

44’ Forest had a tough start, individual mistakes, but Cooper probably happy…for now.

44’ Got a good structure, hard to breakdown. A platform to build from.

Everton and Calvert Lewin

46’ Is he in the fight to be Kane’s understudy?

48’ great goal, good for Dyche.

49’ Ally met Kenwright.

Best ever young English young player

55’ Gregor played against Rooney, a shuddering experience. Bellingham will have impact but not the same shocking impact. Others…Owen, Walcott, Gazza.

59’ With Kane and Bellingham, can England win the euro’s… 

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Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke. They look back at the weeks European fixtures, have things turned around for Manchester United and two of their players in particular Onana and Maguire? Was it a reality check for Newcastle and is Jesus the main man for Arsenal?

Gregor went to watch Birmingham, and reflects on Wayne Rooney’s start at St Andrews. The team look at new owners setting unrealistic targets, getting rid of unfashionable managers and how Rooney might react. Finally Martin and Jonny remember Bill Kenwright a toffee through and through.

Timeline:

Man Utd – a win but has anything changed.

2’ Onana the hero…is he coming good? Does one good game change things?

5’ needs to be proved over a period of games. overall performance still not great.

7’ what is United’s identity.

10’ These were once assumed wins, now they are celebrated. Relying on players who they were trying to sell a month ago.

12’ Parts don’t fit. Sweeper keeper but with slow centre backs. Creativity or industry, not both.

19’ character and self-belief in players. Perspective, they’re doing the very basics. Lets see how they do against better teams.

Newcastle

25’ not quite a reality check, Dortmund are a good side. Hard to play two games a week of such high intensity.

27’ Perhaps lacking a little in player experience. Slightly affected by injuries, at that level. There is a reason it took Man City so long to succeed at that level.

30’ need to play differently in Europe.

31’ Now looking thin – Tonali long ban, Isak, Botman, Murphy and Barnes all injured.  Will they be able to sign anyone given FFP??

34’ Jesus injury. Is he the main man for Arsenal, or do they need another striker?

Rooney and Birmingham.

44’ Rooney’s tough start at St Andrews. Fans not happy, previous manager sacked too early and the team not played well in either of his first two games.

46’ the players are not comfortable playing the kind of football he wants to play. Too much too soon. Rooney thinks that might be the case.

52’ Rooney not bothered by criticism. But will the fans turn round.

54’ far to soon to be turning on him.

55’ Are the owners – DC – well equipped to bring success to Birmingham or are they half hearted? They have done a lot of good things, but are they running before they can walk on the football side?

58’ Carrying the weight of being a player from ‘the golden generation.’ He has to prove himself.  

Bill Kenwright

1;03 a fan who ended up at the top of the club. Tried really hard to find a credible buyer. Had a rough time but loved Everton wanted the best for them and tried his hardest.

1;05 Nice guy, and true fan. But became a lightening conductor for a fan base who had been let down. But Kenwright didn’t have the money himself, tried to find it with other investors.

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Tom Clarke is back and joined by Monday regulars Alyson Rudd, Tom Roddy and Gregor Robertson. After paying tribute to the late great Sir Bobby Charlton they look back on a fantastic weekend of football.

Villa are flying high and don’t look like stopping. City and arsenal are up there without really playing well. Someone who is playing well is Harry Maguire, a man of the match performance against Sheffield united, but a test awaits next week against City and Haaland.

Finally revenge for Gary O’Neil and is Ivan Tony set to leave Brentford.

Timeline:

1’ Sir Bobby tributes

Villa

4’ Villa, title contenders? Amazing home record.

10’ Emery getting the best out of players already at the club. Ollie Watkins the best example.

14’ Villa playing style. Big physical side, with pace.

City and United

21’ back on track, flying? Not so much according to Gregor. Still time to adjust to losing key players.

24’ Has Guardiola lost some control over in’s and out’s

26’ Maguire back to his best?

27’ United winning but look at who is scoring.

32’ Pace of the game has increased, that has affected Maguire.

Arsenal Chelsea

35’ Positivity for Chelsea. But are they getting an easy ride, should fans be more frustrated at results.

38’ Chelsea missing four starters, played good football, the tide is turning.

40’ Formation unusual, Poch optimistic.

45’ Arsenal, gifted a route back into the game. But they found a way.

Wolves Bournemouth

48’ Iraola running out of time. Lots of individual mistakes but he needs a win.

50’ Need to re asses their style. High press needs to be backed up.

52’ Wolves looking great. O’Neil deserves huge credit. Neto and Cunha key

Brentford

56’ Were struggling but first home win of the season

58’ Faith in Thomas Frank, despite the rough start. Henry injury, Toney out…they’ll get better.

60’ Looks like Tony will leave Brentford in Jan, possibly Arsenal. 

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Sancho alone with his lunchbox and can England win the Euros?

Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and James Gheerbrant.

Should England dare to dream…? Martin Samuel thinks they should embrace the expectation that they are one of the favourites to win the European Championships in Germany next year. They look at England’s strength in depth, and particularly the rise of Jude Bellingham, now one of the world’s best players.

From one former Borussia Dortmund player to another and the plight of Jadon Sancho. Training with the youngsters, getting changed alone, given his lunch in a club lunchbox. How did it come to this…?

Finally, a look at the once sacrosanct Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off. Once upon a time never televised, that looks like changing. Does it matter?

Timeline:

England

1’ England – they really could win the euros. They’re a very good team. Embrace the expectation.

6’ Could England go back to back?> Where is the weak link…centre half?

8’ Evolution in Southgate’s approach. Has he found a balance.

10’ If not England who?

15’ Kalvin Philips and Harry Maguire

22’ Bellingham…brilliant.

Sancho

33’ From seventy million pound player to pariah. What happened to Jadon Sancho.

35’ massive breakdown between Ten Hag and Sancho.

37’ Sancho was amazing at Dortmund.

42’ The agent should be the intermediary and her their money.

44’ Ghost of Fergie…

3pm kick offs

54’ Will it impact smaller teams.

55’ wall to wall football. Similar to America.

58’ all designed by the premier league to stop the bigger clubs breaking away to strike their own TV deals

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In todays edition of The Game Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino, Tom Roddy and Alyson Rudd. No surprise that Gregor starts with a look back at Scotland’s qualification for next years Euros, their second in succession. While there were cheers in Scotland, there were boos at Wembley for  Jordan Henderson. Were they justified? No boos in Cardiff as Wales reignited their qualification hopes.

After the break Matt Lawton joins to discuss the story unfolding at Manchester Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe now looks set to buy the club, in stages, after the Qatar bidders withdrew. Will it change things at Man Utd?

Finally, after Alyson Rudd met her footballing hero, Jari Litmanen,  should you ever meet you heroes?  

Timeline:

Scotland

Michael Grant reviews Scotland’s qualification for the Euros

Steve Clarke achievement. Fans going to the final

New culture at Hampden and Scotland now.

England

Henderson was booed at Wembley.

Southgate disappointing to say he didn’t understand.

Henderson coming to the end of his career, or one more tournament.

Confused at being booed.

Little sympathy.   

Wales

Qualification back in their hands Harry Wilson coming good.

Rob page is safe, for now

First big result post Gareth Bale.

Man Utd

Matt Lawton joins to discuss the moves taking place in the race to own Man Utd. Qatar’s pull out, which leaves the way clear for Jim Ratcliffe to take a sizable percentage ownership in the club.

This is the first stage of a full takeover, it will not be part measure. Jim Ratcliffe will be the full owner, this is just the way the deal has to be structured.

The mechanics of how Man Utd were put up for sale, what/who they wanted and how it panned out.

Is the gloom around old Trafford to lift?

What do we know about Ineos. What is their track record in cycling and at French ligue 1 side Nice.

Lot of things to fix at Man Utd. Injury recurrence, recruitment, contracts…general decision making

Heroes

Alyson Rudd has final met and interviewed her hero, Jari Litmanen. Seems she is in love with him.

Should you meet your heroes? Was it worth meeting him?

He was a nice man, humble, he has heroes to.

Sidcup high street and Tony met Steve Harley…oh dear.

Ton has no heroes. Gregor …Dani Alves and Jon Collins.   

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Chief sports correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton and Chief sports writer for the Sunday Times David Walsh join Tom Clarke for a unique look at England manager Gareth Southgate.

David Walsh helped write Southgate’s award winning book in 2004 and broke the news in 2022 that Southgate would be staying on as England manager. Matt Lawton has covered England throughout Southgate’s tenure. Both give rare insight into how he operates and what the man is really like.

If you missed part one yesterday they discussed his playing career. In part two it is management…

Managerial career

2’ Destined to be manager. Many thought he effectively managed Middlesborough from the changing room in his final season.

4’ Southgate happy to express his frustration and disapproval of managers, or situations.

6’ Worked under a wide variety of England managers. David Beckham.

7’Middlesborough a great opportunity, but at a tough time with money running out. Southgate blooded the young players. Devastate to get the sack at Middlesborough. Steve Gibson now acknowledges he should never have sacked him. Was he too nice.

England

15’ England under 21’s opportunity. A chance to change English football. How to produce technically better footballers.

18’ Not a candidate for England after Hodgson left. Nor did he think he’d get the job. He was put forward as a shop gap, a second rater for three games. Southgate objected and wished to be a contender or not at all. FA relented and gave him the chance. He took it.

24’turbulence and distraction with Eriksen and Capello. Then the farce of Allardyce. Southgate proved to be the antidote.

27’ a natural in the arena. Became what he wanted to be. Changed how England play, how they are perceived and turn England into a place where players want to be.  

His three tournaments as manager

32’ was 2018 his bets achievement. With the team he had and the system he played? He changed the culture. Brings good people around him.

36’ How he handled Wayne Rooney’s exit. Losing on penalties to Italy and losing to a very good French team in Qatar.  

Tactical awareness…

40’ he has always been tactically aware, as player and manager. He never respected managers who he thought had no idea.

46’ Not really close to leaving.

“We talked about the game…”

52’ Jude Bellingham age.

Does he need to win something. Not really he has already been a success.  Is he still the best man for the job. From losing to Iceland a euro final and world cup semi. England in a much better place than when he took the job.

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Chief sports correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton and Chief sports writer for the Sunday Times David Walsh join Tom Clarke for a unique look at England manager Gareth Southgate.

David Walsh helped write Southgate’s award winning book in 2004 and broke the news in 2022 that Southgate would be staying on as England manager. Matt Lawton has covered England throughout Southgate’s tenure. Both give rare insight into how he operates and what the man is really like.

If you think the England manager is a bit boring, listen to this first.

Timeline:

Boring ?

2’ Are fans getting a bit tired of Southgate? Nice guy, bit boring…might be a misconception.

4’ one of the most interesting people I have ever met.

6’ Gareth wrote a chapter of his book in four hours overnight. The subject was Alen Boksic.

Playing career

12’ Southgate’s playing career. Never got the big move he wanted.

14’ loved by Venables.

18’ unfulfilled as a player.

21’ Middlesborough, leader in the dressing room.

23’ Euro 96 Gareth Southgate played every game. Arguably England’s best player. Took a penalty, but others didn’t step up in front of a young player. The press were kind. What does that say for how they viewed Southgate.

29’ Southgate learnt and changed. He implemented practicing penalties.  

34’ captain everywhere he went. But to start with quite nice. Managers worked to bring out his toughness. He had has an inner steel.

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