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.
644 Episodes
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Jack is joined by Phil to unpack another transfer window of frustration as the deadline SLAMS shut.
Spurs failed to get any significant last-minute deals across the line, leaving the fanbase refreshing their feeds only to see more youthful acquisitions rather than the first-team ready starters we desperately need.
We ask if this is a major worry for the remainder of the campaign. With the squad looking threadbare to say the least, have the club taken a massive gamble by refusing to strengthen the senior ranks when we needed it most?
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is officially a social experiment... with about five fit players at our disposal, we still somehow managed to avert disaster at home to Man City in a game that at half time looked like it was set up to be a cricket score... Yes, it may have given Arsenal a slightly advantage, but this is about Spurs getting precious points.
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Jack is joined by Gavin to reflect on the joys of European football and ask why Tottenham aren't more loud and proud about their pedigree in continental competition.
We discuss the bizarre duality of the current season: finishing in the top 4 of the Champions League phase, yet languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League with the threat of relegation breathing down our necks. Does the European success buy Thomas Frank more time, or is his number up regardless of our continental adventures?
The pair also discuss the ownership, looking for any clues in their recent behaviour, before answering your questions.
Topics covered include whether it is now compulsory for the Spurs transfer committee to prioritise "old hard men" over technical footballers, and we finish on a lighter note with a chat about our favourite non-alcoholic drinks.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Spurs continue their hot form in Europe. There is nothing about this club that makes sense.
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Jack is joined by Billie T to react to Tottenham's last-gasp draw with Burnley.
We discuss how Cristian Romero turned goalscorer, a consistent theme this season, to snatch a point from the jaws of a terrible defeat. But the bigger question remains: how is Thomas Frank still in charge? We react to the particularly uncomfortable video of his interaction with fans after the final whistle, and discuss whether the board are ignoring the reality of a fanbase that is incredibly unhappy.
We delve into the "data vs context" debate, apparently the underlying numbers suggest a slight upturn, but does that matter when the team looks so uninspired and lacking direction?
Conversation moves to the ongoing experiment with Djed Spence in an attacking role, and the rumours linking Andy Robertson to the club. Have we become a donkey sanctuary for aging stars? We also weigh up the reports suggesting Guglielmo Vicario could be sold to Inter Milan.
Finally, Billie fills us in on the latest Change For Tottenham initiative ahead of further planned action at the Man City game.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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By the skin of their teeth, Spurs squeezed out a draw away at Burnley. Surely that's it for Thomas Frank? Also, why is it only our defenders that score goals?
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Jack is joined by Goal.com's Sean Walsh to discuss Tottenham's brilliant win over Borussia Dortmund.
We react to a refreshing approach and performance, trying to make sense of it within the context of an otherwise awful season, though nobody should be complaining about the result right now.
We analyse the tactical shift that saw Djed Spence utilised in an advanced role, praising his partnership with Destiny Udogie on the left and asking if this is a blueprint we will see more of going forward. The pressure on Thomas Frank was immense coming into this, could this be the springboard for a genuine turnaround, or is the writing already on the wall regardless?
Sean then answers your questions, covering the questionable transfer links to two underwhelming West Ham players, and a deep dive into Tottenham's injury record which sparks a wider conversation about whether football is in danger of eating itself by pushing players' bodies to the brink.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Spurs finally give the home support something to cheer about.
Some may worry that it’s saved Thomas Frank’s job, but the rest of us can just enjoy a Spurs victory in the Champions League.
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Jack is joined by Phil to discuss the seemingly inevitable exit of Thomas Frank that is... still yet to happen.
Despite an awful 2-1 loss at home to West Ham and intense gossip suggesting he would be sacked on Monday, the manager has apparently received a vote of confidence from the board, citing a "good lunch" with Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange. We ask how on earth they have come to this decision when Frank simply doesn't look fit for the role.
We also turn the spotlight on the squad. Do certain players need to take a long, hard look at themselves? Is there a culture at Tottenham that allows this group to constantly hide behind the manager or the board when things go wrong?
We discuss the rumours linking Xavi Hernandez to the job. Is he really the right man, or are there flags present already?
Finally, attention turns to the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. We question Frank's controversial decision to remove Mathys Tel from the European squad to reinstate Dominic Solanke, and pick through the key quotes from a defiant pre-match press conference.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Spurs lose again. This time against West Ham. You have to ask yourself, if we're not beating them at home, who are we beating? Tottenham in what appears to be terminal form, where not even the signing of Conor Gallagher could give us a lift. Dear oh dear... how does Thomas Frank survive this?
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Note: In classic Tottenham fashion, they've announced two new staff hires immediately after we stopped recording.
Jack is joined by the Athletic's James Maw to discuss the signing of Conor Gallagher. While some fans remain unconvinced, we discuss the definite positives he brings to the midfield and why he might be exactly what this side needs.
Conversation moves to the ownership's wider strategy. Does the decision to shift Brennan Johnson, combined with paying the necessary fee to land Gallagher, signal a genuine change in how the club conducts itself? We also acknowledge the departure of Fabio Paratici and discuss Aston Villa’s strange desperation to carve out a rivalry with Tottenham.
James then answers your listener questions, including whether he would take Xabi Alonso as manager, and if a return for Mauricio Pochettino would actually be good for the club.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen
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Jack is joined by Charlie Parrish to react to the FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa.
We start with the grim realisation that, once again, Tottenham's vague hopes of silverware have been all but extinguished in January. We discuss the apathy of facing the next five months playing for nothing but league position, and why this specific failure feels like the final straw for many.
Conversation turns to the toxic atmosphere inside the stadium, specifically the moment Spurs fans joined the away end in singing "You're getting sacked in the morning" at Thomas Frank. Is the relationship now terminally broken?
We then analyse the performance itself: a shambolic first half followed by a spirited second. We discuss the theory that Xavi Simons and the squad looked significantly better only when they seemingly stopped following the manager's rigid instructions and started playing with freedom.
Finally, we react to the news confirmed by David Ornstein that Fabio Paratici is set to leave the club for Fiorentina, and what that means for the structure of the club moving forward.
Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen.
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Spurs are out of the FA Cup - a spirited fightback in the second half, likely against the manger's wishes, wasn't enough to see us overcome a Villa side now rapidly overtaking us. What a miserable affair. Time to go?
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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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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 🙏