Claim OwnershipRule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast
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Rule the Roost is a Spurs podcast where proper football man-isms meet arthouse pretension.
Every Monday, Jack’s joined by a guest to wrestle with whatever state Tottenham are in – from match discussions to transfer talk and identity to existential dread.
Thursdays are for Q&As, your chance to ask serious (or not) questions.
And after every match, there’s a solo pod recorded on the final whistle: unfiltered, emotional, and usually involving Jack crying about Ledley King (and now Son Heung-min too).
If you like your football chat somewhere between pub preacher and quasi-intellectual, you’ll probably get on with this.
Expect plenty of pop-culture references too.
Up the Spurs.
580 Episodes
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Jack is joined by Joel from the Coys R Us podcast to reflect on Tottenham’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Wolves. Was Thomas Frank too cautious in his setup, or are Spurs’ struggles in attack more about the injuries in the final third?
With Kulusevski, Solanke, Kolo Muani and Maddison all sidelined, the lads discuss whether the lack of urgency is tactical or circumstantial.
There’s also chat on Mathys Tel, why patience is needed with him, and what business Spurs may need to do in January to boost their squad options. Finally, attention turns to the midweek clash with Bodo/Glimt as Spurs look to bounce back in Europe.
Theme: Ghost Cat by Gillen
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It was one of those nights for Tottenham, dominant without any real threat in patches, outright wasteful in others, and ultimately relieved to salvage a draw.
A point gained feels like much more than it should. Big questions loom for Frank, can his side start to be more creative in attack? How long can Vicario's lapses be tolerated? And is this ugly draw a warning sign or a building block?
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Here's a little peek behind the paywall.
Find previews before each game, as well as other stuff, at patreon.com/rtrpod.
Enjoy.
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Jack is joined by The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare (also of the Football Clichés podcast) to reflect on his time covering Tottenham Hotspur. Did he feel gutted to stop reporting on Spurs just as they lifted the Europa League? Were the club too harsh in sacking Ange Postecoglou, and is Thomas Frank really the man to take Spurs to the next level?
Charlie also answers your questions: did covering Spurs give him a kind of Tottenham Stockholm syndrome despite not being a fan? How does covering tennis differ from football? And what are the most clichéd tropes in the way Spurs are written about in the press?
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Jack is joined by Tom Hayward to pick apart Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Brighton, reflecting on how Thomas Frank has raised the team’s floor and brought much-needed stability before Spurs turn their focus to more expressive football.
The pair dive into Daniel Levy’s long-lasting legacy on transfers and squad building, and how its impact is still felt today. There’s a frank discussion on whether players like Vicario, Richarlison and Solanke are of the calibre to push Spurs higher up the table, as well as praise for Xavi Simons’ growing influence from a central role.
The pod rounds off with a look ahead to Doncaster in midweek and the importance of Spurs securing more silverware.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Tottenham came back from 2-0 down to even out a game that they could have ultimately taken all three points in. Thomas Frank is unlikely to fend off many of his early critics with a performance that will have frustrated many, but should display the spirit within this squad to fight until the end.
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Jack is joined by Bardi from The Extra Inch to unpack Tottenham’s Champions League win over Villarreal, a result that has split the fanbase. Are Spurs right to prioritise clean sheets, or is the lack of creativity a growing concern?
The pair dig into the Joao Palhinha debate and whether he’s a valuable presence or, as Bardi has been known to call certain midfielders, a “cement mixer.” They also look ahead to Brighton, asking whether Thomas Frank has struck the right balance between pragmatism and progressiveness in his Spurs setup.
Listener questions include whether or not Frank lives up to the “Swiss army knife” manager Bardi once wished for during the Ange era? What’s the long-term plan for Archie Gray? And, most importantly, what are Bardi’s top five cheeses?
All that and more.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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It may have been a struggle at times, but Spurs have kicked off their Champions League campaign with a win and a clean sheet.
In Thomas Frank's first Champions League match, Tottenham's young side played with real purpose and got the job done against a well organised and difficult opponent in Villarreal.
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Jack is joined by Billie T to reflect on Tottenham’s 3-0 win at West Ham and what feels like the start of a proper new era under Thomas Frank.
The pair discuss how Spurs are looking more organised, the growing debate around João Palhinha’s place in midfield, and the rise of Pape Matar Sarr who’s emerging as one of the league’s brightest young talents.
They also praise Lucas Bergvall’s superb headed goal before turning attention to Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Villarreal and daring to dream of biggest of European glories.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Tottenham thrash West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium as Thomas Frank becomes only the third Spurs manager in the Premier League era to win his first two away games. Jack is on hand to react to what has ended up being a glorious result for Tottenham after early refereeing/VAR frustrations. Full post-match analysis, fan reaction, and more on Rule the Roost podcast. UP THE SPURS
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Jack is joined by Ben Bowman during the international break to ask the big question: do Spurs fans really enjoy supporting England, and does the number of Arsenal players in the squad take away from it? The conversation moves on to Tottenham talking points, including why Randal Kolo Muani may have been an under-appreciated signing and the excitement around Xavi Simons stepping up as the face of the club and a genuine franchise player.
Ben then fields your questions: what will be the biggest change in a post-Levy era, will Thomas Frank face added pressure to win silverware under the new regime, and how did a joke about Viktor Gyökeres in jeans end up going viral after his appearance on The Overlap?
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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On this episode of Rule the Roost, Jack and Phil reflect on Daniel Levy’s Tottenham career following last week’s announcement of his departure. Levy built a reputation as a ruthless and cut-throat chairman, but why do we feel strangely sympathetic now he’s gone?
We also look at the latest Spurs takeover rumours, with reports that two bids have already been turned down, and ask whether a buyout could be on the horizon or if ENIC Tavistock will cling on to power.
Elsewhere, we discuss Mathys Tel speaking out after being omitted from the Champions League squad and why we’re backing him to bounce back. And for some reason Tom Hardy’s Bane voice gets a mention.
Theme tune is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Daniel Levy is out after nearly 25 years as Tottenham chairman and we are live with instant reaction to this massive breaking news. Spurs have confirmed his departure with Vinai Venkatesham stepping in as CEO and Peter Charrington as Non Executive Chairman. What does this mean for the future of Tottenham Hotspur Where does this leave Thomas Frank and the squad and what comes next for the club Join us live to have your say on the end of the Levy era and the start of a brand new chapter for Spurs.
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Jack is joined once again by Paul O Keefe to reflect on Tottenham’s transfer window. With several proven, ready-made additions arriving, should Spurs fans be content with the business done, or is the hunger for more signings a generational trait of modern football support? The pair also weigh up whether outgoings could have been handled better, and debate the situation of Mathys Tel, who finds himself left out of the Champions League squad. Should we feel sympathy for him or expect him to rise to the challenge like others before him?
Paul also takes on a range of listener questions, from Bentancur’s contract situation to stadium naming rights, whether Lange has dropped the ball with the Champions League squad, and even shares the funniest Daniel Levy story he’s heard.
The theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Jack is joined by Iain from Poddenham Podspur to make sense of Tottenham’s first Premier League defeat under new boss Thomas Frank. Did the manager get it wrong? Maybe so, but with Spurs still at the very beginning of this journey and basking in the glow of a European trophy, there’s little reason for panic.
The conversation turns to new arrival Xavi Simons, what makes him such an exciting signing, and how his interviews reveal a mature young player ready to carry on the legacy of Son Heung-min’s number 7 shirt. Jack and Iain also look ahead to transfer deadline day. Who Spurs need, who they’d like to see, and what it all means for the season ahead.
Finally, Iain talks about his own project, Poddenham Podspur – a podcast about Spurs podcasts. What began as a tongue-in-cheek idea has grown into something far more meaningful.
The show's theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Tottenham have tasted defeat in the Premier League for the fist time under Thomas Frank after a hugely disappointing performance against Bournemouth at White Hart Lane.
Not even the pre-match unveiling of Xavi Simons could inspire this Tottenham team to victory as they registered just one shot on target across the entire match. The international break curse lives on.
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Tottenham look set to pull off the most unlikely deal of the summer, bringing in Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in a move agreed overnight. Most fans woke up to the news this morning and the reaction has been nothing short of delight.
Jack is joined by Kish from Lilywhite Lab to discuss why this is a genuine statement signing. It’s the star factor Spurs have been craving all summer and a huge lift after the collapse of the Eze deal.
We break down what makes Simons such an exciting addition, how his positivity and ambition fit perfectly into this Spurs project, and the impact he could have on the pitch alongside the likes of Sarr, Kudus and Solanke.
You can hear more from Kish on the Lilywhite Lounge podcast and follow him across YouTube, TikTok and everywhere else at Lilywhite Lab.
Theme tune is ‘Ghost Cat’ by Gillen.
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In part two of our special with The Athletic’s Dan Kilpatrick, Jack puts your questions to him in a wide-ranging Q&A.
Dan reflects on whether he misses the “tier one” status of being a Spurs beat reporter, shares the story behind his most accurate piece of transfer news, and talks about how his final exchange with Ange Postecoglou might have influenced his reporting.
He also gives his verdict on Ange’s reaction to “Clowngate,” discusses Daniel Levy’s relationship with the media compared with fan protests, and considers whether Vinai Venkatesham will make a difference at Tottenham.
Other listener questions cover which Spurs manager he most enjoyed interviewing and whether he regrets leaving the beat just as Thomas Frank arrived.
Part one of this conversation looked back on Dan’s time covering Spurs; this second half is all about your questions and his candid answers.
The show’s theme tune is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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In the first of a two-part special, Jack sits down with Dan Kilpatrick, now an editor at The Athletic, to look back on his years covering Tottenham as a beat journalist.
They discuss how the job changed as Spurs grew into a modern superclub, how the wider football media landscape evolved over the past decade, and what it was like reporting during the Mauricio Pochettino era — including an anecdote about a chance encounter with Poch and Jesús Pérez in Russia.
Dan also reflects on Daniel Levy’s deep involvement in all areas of the club, whether it’s ultimately damaging, and shares his impressions of both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank.
Part two — where Dan answers your questions — will be out soon. For now, enjoy part one of this deep dive into Tottenham Hotspur with one of the most familiar faces in Spurs journalism.
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Jack is joined by Phil in the wake of Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Manchester City to reflect on why things feel so different under Thomas Frank. With the era of Lloris, Kane and Son now firmly in the past, it feels like the stage is set for a new generation of players to become the figureheads of the club.
We dig into the brilliance of Pape Matar Sarr, his outstanding start to the season and why he still isn’t quite being spoken of as one of the very best young midfielders in Europe.
Joao Palhinha’s arrival has brought a new level of steel to Spurs’ midfield, giving freedom to the likes of Sarr and Bentancur to flourish. There’s also chat about the Eberechi Eze deal that never was, whether his allegiance to Arsenal softens the blow, and the continuing frustration around how Spurs operate in the market.
A weekend of positives, but as ever, still plenty to chew over.
The show’s theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Aged badly in a handful of hours Jack... Great pod. City up next #facup 😁 x
my fav spurs mouth pieces :)
My first stop for Tottdngam nonsense. love your shit mate...and it only costs me a coffee.... 👊🏼🔥❤️
love this Jack... you passed doofbag
Hard times Jack.... keep it up fella👊🏼
Best line re Richarlison and Yves...so true
Nice one Jack..... keep 'em coming ✌️
Conte stubbonness is cokjng to the fore. Refusing to swap out his preferred players will drive the fans mad. Early days but.... I forsee the first signs of a painful divorce. We are playing poorly and scrapping through. No real threat from Royal ever, and keeping Son on. The boy needs a few games rotated. Deki and Doherty or Djed needs to be tried asap.... arghhhhhh
Good ramble chat Jack.... 👏
Pod class 🍺👍✌️
Pretty much my favourite spud pod x
love you pod dude x keep it up
Dele broken hearts
That was good chat lads... more please 🙏