Claim OwnershipRule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast
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Description
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.
632 Episodes
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Jack is joined by Paul O Keefe to pick through the debris of the current Tottenham Hotspur debacle.
We break down exactly what Thomas Frank is getting wrong, tactically and emotionally, but ask if he is merely one piece in a much larger puzzle of failure, with all roads ultimately leading back to the ownership.
Discussion turns to the January window: with the club seemingly obsessed with "prospects" and "possibles" for the future, will we actually see any first-team action to help us in the here and now?
Paul also fields your questions, so buckle up and enjoy.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Tottenham lose again - and of course Semenyo completes his hero's farewell narrative.
Spurs look like they're in terminal decline... is relegation just catastrophising or do we need to start seriously shaping up?
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Content Warning: This is a severely moany podcast.
Jack is joined by Jon Bass to pick through the wreckage of the shambolic performance against Sunderland.
But if you are on the hunt for catharsis, this is the place to find it. We discuss Thomas Frank’s dreary outlook and demeanour, arguing that he is dragging the club down and simply has to go. But we also acknowledge that the buck doesn't stop with him, even with Daniel Levy gone, where is the vision from the club's hierarchy? It feels like the same old story.
We then look ahead to the summer and debate the rumours of a Mauricio Pochettino return, weighing up the pros and cons of one last dance with El Jefe.
Finally, we look ahead to tomorrow's opponents, Bournemouth, and ask if Spurs missed a trick with Antoine Semenyo seemingly off to Man City, or if we were right to pass.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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After some promising opening exchanges, Spurs failed to keep the lead at home to Sunderland - a game that our manager Thomas Frank heralded as a 'tricky one' - Sunderland at home.
The welcome inclusion of Mathys Tel gave us some much needed attacking invention, but as the game went on, we reverted to type and tried our best to hold onto the lead at home to Sunderland...and failed.
This can't go on, can it?
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Jack is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke to dive straight into the terrible display at the G-Tech Community Stadium.
We ask if JPB has been surprised by how Thomas Frank's tenure has unfolded thus far, and address the scenes in the away end, did the manager deserve to be heartily booed? We discuss whether Frank is failing to read the room and if he is dangerously out of tune with the emotional beat of the fanbase.
Crucially, we debate the big decision: should Spurs stick with him until the end of the season, or is it time to look for a replacement now?
Listener questions cover whether Frank understands the correlation between ticket prices and fan patience, and if Spurs are now only capable of fishing in the "Frank pond" rather than attracting elite names like Xabi Alonso or Julian Nagelsmann.
Finally, things get lighter as we find out Jack’s darts nickname and walk-out tune.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Spurs grind out a 1-1 draw with Brentford on New Years Day.
An uninspiring game in which Spurs registered ONE shot on target.
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Quizmaster Foins is back for the most eagerly anticipated moment of the Tottenham quiz calendar.
It is time for the annual send-off. Grab a drink and play along at home as Foins delivers his brain-busting Spurs trivia to see who really knows their stuff.
The reigning champions, "The Journalists" (Dan Kilpatrick and Sean Walsh), are back to defend their crown. Standing in their way are Rosa and Billie from the Hometown Glory podcast, while Jack steps out from behind the host's desk to compete against them all for the ultimate bragging rights.
Thank you to everyone for your incredible support throughout the year - have fun with this one, and we will see you in 2026!
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Jack is joined by Phil to discuss the 1-0 win away at Crystal Palace.
We explore why so many Spurs fans feel unhappy despite the result and debate the current mood of the fanbase. We ask the difficult questions about the style of play: are we seeing the progress we want, and where can we find the glimmers of hope that we are building towards something bigger?
There is also an impassioned discussion about VAR. What is it taking from the game, who is it serving, and is it hampering the pure joy of football?
Finally, we react to the big news from Alasdair Gold that Vinai Venkatesham is set to lift the wage ceiling at Spurs. We discuss if this is the game-changer the club needs to attract a higher calibre of player, and whether we are currently in a position to lure that elite talent to N17.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Spurs win! It's a Christmas miracle! It doesn't always have to be pretty, sometimes it can be ugly - a reversal in fortunes was needed, and getting a win away at Selhurst is no small feat, especially under the guidance of Oliver Glasner.
Archie Gray the hero after TWO of Richarlison's efforts were adjudged to have been offside as football becomes the snake eating its own tail. Isn't this game supposed to be exciting?
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Merry Christmas from Rule The Roost.
Whether you are avoiding conversations with your racist uncle, on a post-dinner dog walk, or just trying to escape the washing up Jack is here with a festive stocking filler.
Yeah, things haven't been great, but as it's Christmas, let's focus on the good times. Jack has asked friends of the show, familiar voices from the Rule The Roost universe, and the wider Spurs podcasting community to send in their absolute favourite Tottenham memories.
It is a compilation of nostalgia, joy, and a necessary reminder of exactly why we love this lump of coal of a football club.
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Jack is joined by Phil to reflect on the weekend's loss to Liverpool.
While losing to Liverpool is fairly commonplace for Tottenham, we discuss why the continued poor results and wretched home form are now a cause for major concern. We ask the uncomfortable question: Are Spurs actually too big to go down?
We then dive into the psyche of the fanbase and the debate around "purity of ethos" versus winning at all costs. Does a rigid focus on playing a certain way hamper the club's ambition, or is that identity the only thing that matters?
Finally, we delve into the Tottenham career of Fabio Paratici, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to Fiorentina. We question whether we will actually feel his loss, and run the rule over the signings made under his stewardship.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Jack reflects off the back of yet another home defeat and defeat to Liverpool - something you'd think we're accustomed to be now, but still the frustration grows. From bad refereeing to questionable decision making from the players - it still felt like a largely uninspiring affair, aside from a rousing ending spearheaded by Richarlison. It needn't be all negatives, but we seriously need to start winning games.
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Jack is joined by Billie T to dive back into the shocking performance against Nottingham Forest, lamenting the wheels coming off the previous (minor) upturn in form.
We ask if Spurs fans are being too hasty and emotional in calling for Thomas Frank’s head now? Should we stick with him and ride this out, or is it only right that we hold dear to our identity as an attacking side and refuse to compromise?
We try to find some positivity amidst the mire of the season, touching on the growing partnership between Xavi Simons and Archie Gray, and why the increased inclusion of the latter shouldn't become a culture war.
Billie then answers your questions, discussing the idea of Mohammed Kudus playing a central midfield role to emulate Mousa Dembélé, and which fixture we would choose to play without VAR.
Things then get a bit festive as we find out Billie’s all-time favourite Christmas present and his definitive Christmas dinner side.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Jack is joined by Mark Nesbit to discuss the fallout from Tottenham's humbling at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
We dive into the "who was to blame" debate between Archie Gray and Guglielmo Vicario, which leads to a wider conversation about the goalkeeper spot. Is it imperative we replace him? And if the backup options aren't good enough either, is this just another sign that the recruitment and talent ID at the club is broken?
We discuss whether this is Daniel Levy's legacy playing out before our eyes, and why the Lewis family need to address this sooner rather than later to stop the club sliding into a death spiral.
Finally, we get onto Thomas Frank, should he be sacked? Would it be unhealthy to replace another manager so soon, and if we did, who on earth would take over?
Theme Ghost Cat by Gillen
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After some promising form, a strangely abysmal performance from Spurs at the City ground.
Forest fans will no doubt be revelling in this one after the summer's bitter back and forth between the clubs - but once again this felt like the sort of performance that Spurs might have lost, whoever the opposition was.
Do Forest have better players at their disposal? Is Spurs' technical floor too low?
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Jack previews Forest, as the title would suggest.
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Jack is joined by Adam Nathan from An Echo of Glory to react to another great night in Europe as Spurs dispatched Slavia Prague.
We discuss whether Thomas Frank is finally turning the corner, fuelled by the burgeoning synergy between Xavi Simons and Archie Gray and how pivotal that partnership will be for the rest of the campaign.
Conversation then shifts to Mauricio Pochettino, who told the BBC this week that he has "unfinished business" in the Premier League. We ask the big question: would we actually have him back? Is the romanticism worth the risk, or should that door remain closed?
Adam then tackles listener questions, including a deep dive into the pros and cons of Pedro Porro... is his attacking output enough to justify the defensive questions?
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Jack welcomes Phil back to the pod to bask in the glory of the perfect weekend: a Tottenham win and an Arsenal defeat.
We discuss this specific brand of joy, how football dictates our mental health, and the unique "shine" the world takes on when results go our way.
We then dive into the performance against Brentford, specifically the 'redemption' of Xavi Simons. Has he finally staked his claim and he absolutely ran the show?
Conversation moves to Thomas Frank, his willingness to change his stance on Simons, the newfound aggression in the side, and why we must remember that he is learning on the job.
We also touch on a fantastic showing from Archie Gray, look ahead to the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague, and close with a word on Mo Salah’s incendiary comments at Leed and why they make us all the more grateful for the graceful way Sonny bowed out.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Finally, Spurs win a game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium! Xavi Simons was star of the show as Spurs overcame Thomas Frank's old side at a time when the knives were well and truly out for the Danish manager.
Spurs played with more intent and purpose than we've seen in a while (outside of the PSG game) and it paid off - there surely can be no reason to not play Xavi from now on? Jack dives into his feelings on the game.
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Jack is joined by Kish from Lilywhite Lab to try and make sense of the trip to St James' Park.
We examine the reaction to the Newcastle game, trying to separate the emotional relief of the result from the rational assessment of the performance.
Discussion then turns to the confusing case of Xavi Simons. Is his continued omission a simple struggle to adjust to the Premier League, or a more worrying reflection of a clash with Thomas Frank’s style of play?
We also dive into the midfield engine room and ask if it is finally time for Archie Gray to permanently displace Rodrigo Bentancur.
Listener questions this week cover the Vicario Debate and whether it's time to upgrade or is the criticism overblown? And we find out who Kish would pick to replace Thomas Frank if the axe ultimately falls.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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brilliant pod - balanced and not a bitter person. A regular on my rotation.
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 🙏