The podcast is back for 2021 and a lot has happened since we left off before Christmas. Firstly, it's the little matter of Frank Lampard getting the boot from Chelsea - we discuss what went wrong, the timing and how Thomas Tuchel fits into the club as Roman Abramovich's next plaything.We unpack what's gone wrong at Liverpool over a winter slump that has in the chasing pack and struggling to score goals - and find healthy defenders.From 28 minutes we're joined by Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) to discuss everything Manchester United - how Ole has led them to the top of the league, the club sticking by him, the role of Pogba, Luke Shaw's dramatic improvement and how sustainable this rise is.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰. ‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We're joined by Art de Roche (@ArtDeRoche) of The Athletic to talk Arsenal this week - including what Mikel Arteta has got right so far and what he's gone wrong after starting the new season off less than impressively than they finished the previous one. We discuss their new-found defensive solidity, the midfield shape and Thomas Partey's role, whether or not Mesut Ozil will be welcomed back into the fold, the Aubameyang situation and his role in the attack and how the Emirates will look as it prepares to welcome back fans on Thursday night for the first time since March (from 30:00)Elsewhere, we praise Caoimhin Kelleher's performance for Liverpool in Europe, make sense of Klopp's war on broadcasters and why Des Kelly may deserve it, and look at Real Madrid and if Zidane is on the hotseat in a struggling season.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰. ‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We look at Chelsea this week with Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) from Football.London, discussing their start to the season and Frank Lampard’s journey so far. We look at their summer signings and the ideal system to get the best out of them, where Callum Hudson-Odoi’s situation lies, the superstar potential of Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy and fans’ expectations for the season ahead. (from 27m)Before that, Kevin, Enda and Phil touch on the incredibly sad passing of Diego Maradona on Wednesday. We also discussed Liverpool’s hugely impressive win over Leicester, what’s going on at Sheffield United and the storm in a teacup that engulfed Stephen Kenny after Ireland’s international break.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰. ‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We glance across the Irish Sea this week to get a feel for England ahead of the friendly against Ireland this week - Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) from the Evening Standard joins us for a full lowdown on the England squad, Gareth Southgate's future beyond Euro 2021, the best attacking options, where Jack Grealish fits into the equation, Declan Rice's place in the side, the plethora of full backs in contention for selection, the goalkeeper conundrum and some of the wildcards knocking on the door. Before that, the lads discuss the Manchester City and Liverpool game from the weekend, why Manchester United’s away form is so good and how Ireland are shaping up with the now-retired David McGoldrick not in the team.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰. ‎‎‎‎‎‎ Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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It's a double header line-up on this week's podcast - first up, Conor Clancy (@ConJClancy) from Forza Italian Football talks us through the opening few weeks of the Serie A season, the ageless wonder of Zlatan, why Andrea Pirlo may not be the right choice at Juventus, Gattuso's Napoli and why Sassuolo and Atalanta are a whole pile of fun to watch. (26m)We're also joined by James Pendleton (@jpends_) to discuss Everton's start to the season. We touch on Ancelotti, the fantastic business in the summer, the rise of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and fall of Jordan Pickford and why Seamus Coleman is such a club legend. (49m)Before all that, the lads talk about Diogo Jota's immediate impact at Liverpool, the sustainability of coming from behind, Pogba's form at United and Phil compares Arsenal to Jim McGuinness' Donegal...𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We're joined by Oisin McQueirns (@McQueirns) this week to discuss Leeds' rise back to the Premier League under the eccentric genius of Marcelo Bielsa. We touch on what he's changed at the club, the roles of Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips and why he should hopefully stick around for another few years (from 24m).With the League of Ireland winding down, Dylan O'Connell (@JudgeDyl) comes on to tell us all about Cork City's fall from grace after their relegation from the Premier Division, the financial difficulties which sees it soon to be sold to the ownership group over Preston North End, Shamrock Rovers' title victory and their structure in place for continued success and Dundalk's bizarre season juggling dreadful league form and behind the scenes drama amidst a European campaign (from 45m)In the opening preamble, Kevin, Enda and Phil discuss the inconsistency around the title chase and some of the top six's problems in what could shape up to be a mental title race.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We're joined on this week's podcast by Omar from the Villa Talks podcast (@VillaPodcast) to talk about Villa's fantastic start to the season - we chat about their transfer business, the arrival of Ross Barkley, why Jack Grealish is their best Premier League since Dwight Yorke, moving on from Tony Xia and why the extremely likeable Dean Smith is doing such a great job (42 mins).Before all that, the lads chat about the Merseyside Derby and how Liverpool can survive without Van Dijk. We also take a look at some more whacky results sending the league into a path we haven't seen in a long time and why Petr Cech has somehow ended up in Chelsea's squad for the season. We also take a look at the mooted European Super League and how that may work and why it's spearheaded by clubs with owners embedded in US sport.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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What a busy week of Irish football - a play-off defeat, COVID-19 chaos, airplane seat controversy, Bossman Steo, some decent performances, a marked improvement in the style of play and a goalless drought that is sure to leave people firmly on the fence when it comes to Stephen Kenny's new look Ireland.Kevin, Enda and Phil discuss the mostly good, some of the bad, how things are phased going forward, Mick McCarthy's commentary styles and touch on the U-21's defeat to Italy. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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We chat to Ger Deegan (@GerraDeegan) this week about everything Manchester City, including fan's frustrations, the defensive frailties after millions spent, the Pep exhaustion theory as we enter year five of his reign, life after Mikel Arteta, the Rodri Role, Joe Hodge, the lack of a Plan B or a #9 and much more. (from 40:00)Before all that, Kevin is joined by Phil and Enda to recap the Champions League draw, lament VAR and the handball rules that have skyrocketed the amount of penaties in the Premier League, and chat about some of the transfers that may or may not happen before Tuesday's deadline.𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 chatting to Seville-based Corkman Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) about everything going on in La Liga this year including Real Madrid's business, or lackthereof, and how they're set up to defend their title, all the while chaos consumes Barcelona with Leo Messi staying but turnover aplenty including in the dugout. We also consider Atletico Madrid's chances under the ultra intense Diego Simeone and look at some of the dark horses in the pack - as well as why Iago Aspas is the Messi of the lower half of the table (from 30:00).‎In part 1, Kevin is joined by Enda and Phil to discuss the past week in the Premier League including Liverpool's unexpected burst of activity in the transfer window, Chelsea's problems in goals and Lampard's approach that could prove costly as the season goes on. And we also chat about Man Utd's performance against Crystal Palace and Enda outlays his worries, while Phil wonders who is less qualified to be in their roles - Solskjaer or Woodward?‎𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰.‎‎‎‎‎‎Contact: editor@backpagefootball / Twitter @bpfootball / Host: Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) with Phil Greene (@iampgreene) and Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88).

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