The Game

Former England cricketer and national selector Ed Smith joins us to discuss his new book 'Making Decisions: Putting the Human Back in the Machine'.

Tom Clarke sits down with Ed to discuss the analysis of data in sport and why it doesn't mean we'll simply rely on algorithms to pick squads and tactics in the future. We also hear his thoughts on the different mentalities of football managers and his love for Arsenal.

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Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Ian Hawkey and Ed Smith.

Erling Haaland scored (again) as Manchester City came from behind to beat his former side Borussia Dortmund. How can he be stopped? (00:00)

Graham Potter took charge of Chelsea for the first time - what did we learn from their draw in the Champions League? (13:22)

Liverpool left it late to beat Ajax - why aren’t they the team of previous years this season? (32:55)

Tottenham let it slip late on in their match against Sporting. How does Antonio Conte improve their mentality? (45:49)

Ian Hawkey gives us his opinions on the other results in the Champions League - including mixed fortunes for Real and Barcelona (51:52)

News of a special episode of The Game out on Friday (60:18)

Gregor and Tom discuss how Rangers and Celtic got on in the Champions League and we touch upon the EFL results from the week (62:50)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Molly Hudson, Tom Roddy and Tony Cascarino.

***This episode was recorded on the morning of Graham Potter’s appointment as new Chelsea manager***

Thomas Tuchel has been fired - did he see it coming? (00:00)

Tom Roddy broke the story in The Times and he tells us his understanding of what happened behind the scenes? (9:50)

At the time of recording, Graham Potter was heavily rumoured to be taking over at Chelsea. How suitable will he be at Stamford Bridge? (19:55)

Liverpool had a night to forget in the Champions League on Wednesday. What’s going wrong for Jurgen Klopp’s side at the moment? (35:08)

Celtic and Rangers both had disappointing evenings in Europe - our resident Scotsman and former Celtic striker give their thoughts (46:41)

The WSL season gets underway this weekend and Molly Hudson brings us up to date with some last minute transfers (51:43)

Spurs take on Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend - can Antonio Conte get one over Pep Guardiola? (60:10)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson.

Manchester United vs Arsenal was as eventful as ever. Did Anthony live up to expectation? (00:00)

This game featured one of many VAR talking points over the weekend, but was the decision to rule out Arsenal’s goal actually correct? (13:46)

Brighton have quietly continued their excellent run - should Graham Potter be offered the England job and would he actually accept? What next for Brendan Rodgers at Leicester? (25:08)

Ivan Toney has impressed for Brentford, scoring a hat trick this past weekend. Is it the right time for an England call-up? (37:40)

Along with Toney, we pick our suggestions for curveballs call-ups to Gareth Southgate’s next squad (44:06)

A discussion on VAR turns into a debate, and then a full blown argument! (46:50)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Molly Hudson.

We take a look back at the transfer window for a selection of Premier League clubs - starting with Chelsea and Manchester United (00:00)

Nottingham Forest and Arsenal (11:28)

Bournemouth, Everton and Southampton (19:19)

Manchester City and Leicester City (27:08)

Fulham and Liverpool (38:39)

Hugh has also picked a selection of other clubs who deserve a mention for some solid business ahead of the window shutting (45:08)

Molly Hudson joins us from Austria to discuss the Lionesses first competitive games since their Euros success (48:58)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Roddy and Alyson Rudd.

Liverpool hit Bournemouth for nine goals at the weekend - but why do teams struggle to make double figures? (00:00)

Scott Parker made it well known he wants more players at Bournemouth, but will his frustration be resolved? (13:25)

Manchester City and Erling Haaland look impressive in front of goal - but are they looking shaky at the back? (22:50)

Steven Gerrard is struggling at Aston Villa after yet another loss. Will he be given time to turn things around? (32:42)

Forest put up a notable fight against Tottenham, but Richarlison got a lot of attention for his showboating - was it rudeness or flair? (45:46)

Hugh doesn’t like VAR much, as you’ll hear with his weekly rant (51:12)

Who was our Player of the Month? Listen and vote now on The Times website (54:06)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft - with Molly Hudson and Henry Winter.

Manchester United surprised a few with their 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Monday. What does that win over Liverpool mean for their progression after a rocky start under ten Hag? (00:00)

Liverpool are having a nightmare start to the season - what does Jurgen Klopp need to do and could another signing be necessary before the window shuts? (18:31)

Rangers are in the Champions League group stages for the first time in 13 years - we discuss their progression and what this means for the club going forward (30:00)

Molly Hudson joins us to discuss the two big retirements from the successful Lionesses squad this week (40:01)

The Times’ Chief Football Reporter Henry Winter has been to Kyiv for the symbolic start of the Ukrainian Premier League. He tells us about his experience in the capital (49:03)

We end with our Games of the Weekend - which fixtures are catching our eye across the Premier League and EFL? (53:44)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino.

Newcastle gave Manchester City a scare on Sunday - what does this result tell us about their progression since the takeover? (00:00)

Hugh is not impressed with VAR again and one incident in that game was largely to blame (16:53)

Leeds blew Chelsea away at Elland Road. How desperately do Chelsea need a number 9 and are modern goalkeepers taught to play with their feet too much? (27:16)

Brighton came away from the London Stadium with three points as West Ham’s goalless start to the season continues - is it time to panic for David Moyes? (41:00)

Arsenal end the weekend on top, but how seriously should we take them this season? (54:47)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke, Matt Dickinson and Martin Hardy.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to explore the possibilities of buying Manchester United. Matt Dickinson broke the story in The Times and joins us to explain how likely this deal is (00:00)

What numbers are involved in any potential deal for Manchester United? Football finance expert Kieran Maguire breaks down the figures The Glazers are likely to be keen to do business at (10:21)

The Times’ Martin Hardy joins us to discuss how things are going at Newcastle United ahead of their game against Manchester City on Sunday (17:54)

Leeds United have had a positive start to the season, but after losing important players - how will they get on in their ‘tricky’ third season? (35:40)

Manchester United take on Liverpool on Monday as the bottom side in the Premier League. Will Erik ten Hag change his footballing philosophy or stick to the plan? (48:39)

Who is the unluckiest manager? Gregor spoke to Graham Alexander, who could be a pretty good candidate (62:44)

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Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson. 

Spurs showed a different side to their game on Sunday in a fiery encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. We unpack the most eventful game of the season so far (00:00)

Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte got into a couple of heated debates on the touchline - is this kind of behaviour acceptable and is it beneath them? (16:45)

Brentford thrashed a sorry Manchester United - but was it a shock? (27:20)

The Times’ Senior Sports Writer Matt Dickinson joins us to discuss his new book about Sir Alex Ferguson’s resignation on the eve of the 1998-99 season and what transpired (44:32)

Nottingham Forest won their first home game in the Premier League for 23 years - but are they actually buying too many players? (50:08)

We end with a discussion on our favourite ever assists (57:42)

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