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.
656 Episodes
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A bit later than usual, I try my best to break down what exactly went wrong yesterday... what bits did we get right? My fears for Spurs going forwards and just a general sense of trying to get my emotions in check after what was a miserable, miserable defeat. Just when you think the pain that club dishes out on us has maybe stopped, it always seems to find a way to make itself known.
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Jack is joined by Sean Connell, Editor at The Sponsor, to dive deep into the business and commercial reality of Tottenham's current existential spiral.
We start by looking at the elusive stadium naming rights. Following Sean's recent research on the fair market value of European stadiums, we ask if Daniel Levy and the current hierarchy missed the boat by holding out for unrealistic valuations while producing inconsistent results on the pitch.
The conversation then tackles the recent bombshell report from Matt Law, suggesting that long-standing commercial partners are cutting ties due to the ongoing chaos and relegation fears. We get Sean's expert view on what actual power sponsors hold in these scenarios. Can they force the club into making better footballing decisions, and what can the likes of Vinai Venkatesham do to repair the toxic commercial environment?
Finally, we discuss the front-of-shirt dilemma and the massive financial hit Spurs might take if they had to renegotiate their prime real estate in the current climate.
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Jack welcomes Paul O Keefe back to the show to discuss the latest happenings at Tottenham and ask the ultimate question: is everything really as big a mess as it seems from the outside?
We start by looking back at the decision to keep Thomas Frank in post for as long as the club did. Whose idea was it to delay the inevitable, and what does that hesitation say about the current power structure?
Conversation then turns to Igor Tudor stepping into the hotseat. What does Paul make of the appointment? We discuss whether a strict disciplinarian can actually exert proper control over this group of players when everyone knows he is only a temporary fix.
Finally, Paul answers your listener questions, including:
Have the club already spoken to Mauricio Pochettino about a summer return?
Will Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham be the next ones fired?
What are our favourite North London Derby memories?
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Jack welcomes Tom Foins back to the pod to mull over the news that the majority of Thomas Frank's backroom staff have been given the chop.
We discuss the brutal nature of the clearout, specifically Johnny Heitinga departing after just 33 days at the club, and the loss of highly-rated coach Justin Cochrane. Tom reflects on why this is probably for the best in the long run, but acknowledges that the saga is once again reflective of the chaotic decision-making plaguing the club.
The futures of Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange are firmly in the spotlight. We ask if the club would be better off without them, and whether a total uprooting of the hierarchy is needed to put this miserable period behind us.
Attention then turns to the appointment of Igor Tudor. We discuss what we can hope and expect from him during his time as Spurs boss, especially with such a depleted squad, will he be forced to tap into the youth team resources?
Finally, we look ahead to the summer: Mauricio Pochettino seems to be the most obvious pick right now, but is he actually the right one?
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Jack jumps on an impromptu call with Gazzetta dello Sport's Tommy Milanese to react to the breaking news that Igor Tudor is all but confirmed as Tottenham's new interim manager.
We dig into Tudor's reputation in Italy to find out exactly what we are getting. Tommy gives the lowdown on his mixed spells with Lazio and Juventus (including that recent 8-game winless run), and we discuss whether his abrasive, high-intensity tactical style can actually blend with this specific group of players, or if it's a disaster waiting to happen.
We also ask the big questions: will he be willing to incorporate the youth players Spurs are so reliant on? And crucially, is he the man to save us from the drop?
Tommy also shares some fascinating insight into Fabio Paratici’s reputation in Italy, and shares a brilliant anecdote about an impromptu lunch date with Jose Mourinho during his time working for the club.
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Jack is joined by Jon Bass to discuss the sacking of Thomas Frank.
We look back on his time at the club and ask the burning question: why on earth did it take the board this long to remove a man who was clearly incompetent for the role? We reflect on the damage done and the "existential spiral" the club now finds itself in.
Attention then turns to the future. We mull over potential alternative appointments, both on an interim basis to save our season, and the long-term vision required to fix the mess.
Jon also answers your listener questions, including a deep dive into whether the injuries are actually being caused by the stadium's retractable surface, and a shout for a "left-field" appointment with a little-known coysy affiliation.
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Thomas Frank is gone - official announcement.
Tottenham's worst manager of the Premier League era and one of their worst managers of all time... but is it all his fault?
Whatever the case, something had to change... but who now? Cochrane? Heitinga? Mason?
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Say it again, Jack... Tottenham lose again.
Surely the game that seals Thomas Frank's fate?
Results around Spurs conspiring to give the league table a very concerning glow.
Where are the wins coming from?
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Jack welcomes Con back to the show to reflect upon the defeat at Old Trafford that pushes Spurs perilously close to the relegation zone.
We ask the uncomfortable question: is this actually going to happen? Do we have enough about us to avoid the drop, or is the club sleepwalking into disaster? We discuss the failings of Thomas Frank, his system, his demeanour, and the uninspiring displays that seem to be dragging the club down.
The conversation goes deep on Cristian Romero's red card. Was it a red? Is he refereed differently to other players due to media narratives? We also address the growing calls from some Spurs fans who label the vice-captain a "liability" and ask if they are right or simply buying into the external noise.
We couldn't record this without talking about Mauricio Pochettino's appearance on the High Performance podcast, where he seemed to be fluttering his eyelashes at Tottenham once again. Is a return destiny, or just emotional wistful thinking when we need a proper strategy?
Finally, we look ahead to Tuesday's crunch game against Newcastle at White Hart Lane, a match that feels like a must-win for both the manager and the club's survival hopes.
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Spurs lose again. Something I'm getting bored of typing. Sure, Manchester United have been reinvigorated by Michael Carrick, but it's still frustrating to see Spurs put in such a meek showing against a side that we beat four times last season. The Cristian Romero debate will rage on, was it a red, wasn't it? Either way, the timing is somewhat ironic, giving his bemoaning of the team being short of players. Udogie limping off again, completed a miserable afternoon for Spurs that again asks the question...where are the points coming from?
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Jack welcomes Billie T (When The Whistle Blows) back to the podcast to pile into the post-transfer window anguish at Tottenham.
We start on a lighter note with a story about Billie virtually rubbing shoulders with Xavi Simons, and explore the unlikely connection between the Dutch playmaker and the joys of Chas & Dave.
Conversation quickly turns serious as we discuss Cristian Romero's inflammatory Instagram post. Was he right to air his frustrations, or should the club captain keep the dirty laundry private? We ask if this is the beginning of the end for his time at Spurs and if we would consider selling him in the summer.
We also analyse Johan Lange's interview on the club channels after the window closed, discussing why the Technical Director cuts such an uninspiring figure during a time of crisis.
Finally, Billie answers listener questions, including a chat around Change For Tottenham's attempted 75th-minute walkout protest against Man City, and how the group might change their tactics in the future.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 🙏