The Game

Is it different this time…? Is the Premier League as open as it appears – Bournemouth, Sunderland, Palace and Everton are in the top ten. Has the power balance changed, or will it revert to type and by Christmas it will be the same old top four and the promoted clubs in the relegation zone? Who has been the signing of the season so far? Kudos, Truffert, Mosquera, Grealish?As England prepare to play Wales who is in pole position to play number ten And Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given an interview to The Times in which he suggests Manchester united are making good progress, Ruben Amorim has three years, and the press have unrealistic expectations. The assembled members of the press – Jonny, Martin, Gregor and Tom discuss Tom Clarke is joined by Jonathan Nrthcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL.Coventry City top the Championship and Stevenage top League One…did anyone see that coming?Frank Lampard has his team scoring for fun, and they’re not the only surprise in the Championship with Preston, Stoke and QPR all flying high. Does it sign post a change in football style or will the money and ‘progressive’ football of Ipswich, Birmingham or Wrexham eventually rise to the top?In League One, two managerial changes as Blackpool and Luton ditch Steve Bruce and Matt Bloomfield. Was it coming and who is likely to fill the vacancies?In League Two Walsall are back on top - can they stay there this time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea beat Liverpool to send Arsenal top. The top ten are separated by six points and it seems anyone can beat anyone. It could be a vintage season or will it revert to type?Moises Caicedo was at the heart of Chelsea’s performance, how good is he? For Liverpool where do the problems lie? How will Arsenal respond to being front runners?Elsewhere, Ange Postecoglou is under pressure having not won in his first seven games. Have Man United found a goal keeper and who are the Premier League's best one touch finishers?Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Tom Allnutt and Pete Rutzler with A LOT to talk about.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Arne Slot facing his biggest test yet as Liverpool manager? After back to back defeats is his team in transition or in deeper trouble? Many felt the period of transition should have been after Jurgen Klopp left, but has it come 12 months later? Martin Samuel wonders if there is another factor at play, one perhaps being over looked.Arsenal won again and are gaining momentum, but people don’t seem too pleased for Mikel Arteta….After the break; Rory McIlroy gave a bit back to abusive American fans at the Ryder Cup and he was praised for it. But if a footballer did it what would happen?Gregor Robertson is joined by Pete Rutzler, Alyson Rudd and Martin Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland and Palace beat the so-called bigger clubs has the Premier League ever been stronger?Crystal Palace could have won by more as Oliver Glasner once again showed he knows how to beat the Champions. For Arne Slot and Liverpool does he have a problem with one of his marquee signings?While Chelsea and Man Utd came unstuck, Arsenal showed championship winning mentality as they left it late to win at a raucous St James Park. Could this be a turning pint for Mikel Arteta’s team?And as West Ham change manager again, will Nuno be the right man? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gary Jacob and Martin Hardy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plus: Forest, Villa and Liverpool’s striker problemsNottingham Forest returned to Europe with an impressive draw away at Betis, are Forest fans warming to Angeball?Was Hugo Ekitike stupid or passionate? Do his actions speak to the wider cult of young players, looking for Instagram moments and perhaps thinking less about the team?After the break Jonathan Northcroft outlines his thoughts on the changing face of modern coaches – one type who wants to be seen as the author or controller of everything and an alternate style which offers more freedom and decision making to players. And has Unai Emery been strengthened or weakened at Villa?Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Jonathan Northcroft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What has happened to the really Pep Guardiola, he put out a team which ended with his lowest even percentage of possession. But a cautious Mikel Arteta didn’t set his side up to capitalise so in the end who should be happier with the point shared at the Emirates? Liverpool won again, but again they looked shaky towards the end of the game. Is it the sign of champions, a team in third gear or a problem that needs solving? Chelsea have lots of wingers but no top goalkeeper, did Man Utd turn a corner and how long has Graham potter got? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Paul Joyce Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the EFL.Will Chris Wilder – and all his coaching staff – return to Sheffield United be enough to arrest the slide at Bramall Lane?Did anyone predict that Middlesborough, stoke and Bristol City would be at the top of the Championship after five games – will any of them stay the course?In League One Bradford City are making the most of their impressive home support and a big change at Wycombe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool left it late again, is it a winning habit or a worrying trend? Or to quote Gregor, can both things be true? With Isak making his debut after his record-breaking transfer Liverpool now have a array or attacking options but with Wirtz, Ekitike, Salah and Gakpo all wanting to start could they have problems ahead?Harry Kane scored two against Chelsea, is he the best striker in Europe? For Arsenal, another impressive display away to Bilboa. While Liverpool are top and might have the best starting eleven, do Arsenal have the best squad in the league? If they do, then its time they won something thinks Martin Samuel.Finally, what’s wrong at Aston Villa?  Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City won the derby. Ruben Amorim took the blame. Is he really the right man for the job. Manchester reporter Paul Hirst thinks he looks like he wants to be as far away from it as possible. If Amorim doesn’t change his football philosophy will he still have the job by Christmas. For City it was a return to form for Foden and Rodri.As the Champions League returns which of the English teams are best placed to succeed?Arsenal have attacking options in abundance and a solid defence, Spurs are pragmatic under Frank and Liverpool and Chelsea have invested heavily…so who could win it?Plus, old school football is making a comeback and Gregor loves it. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and The Times Manchester football reporter Paul Hirst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Tuchel knew what he was doing all along...didn't he?After an impressive five nil away win without many of his 'big names' will the England manager have the nerve to keep playing the likes of Rogers, Madueke and Gordon in place of stars like Bellingham, Saka and Foden? With Reece James playing so well at right back is Trent now in reserve?The Premier League returns this weekend and so does Ange Postecoglou - taking over at Nottingham Forest. Will he change his style or play the same football that created so many problems for him at Spurs? Plus, who’ll be in goal for the Manchester derby..?Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonny Northcroft and Martin Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have England gone backwards under Thomas Tuchel, does he know his best starting XI?The team pick their best teams if the World Cup was starting tomorrow…is there a case for no Kane or no Bellingham…?After the break could football be facing a doping problem. In a special report The Times Chief Sports correspondent Matt Lawton joins the pod to discuss if football’s drug testing systems are fit for purpose. He calls football's current commitment to anti-doping pathetic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the window shut what difference will it all make? Who has done the best business, who has done panicked business. Martin doesn’t think Arsenal can win it from the back this season, they’ll need to score more goals. But with Isak still to come who can outscore Liverpool? Did Villa panic on deadline day? Have Chelsea had a lucky or a good start?With player power in the spot light Gregor has sympathy as players turn the tables on clubs. After the break - as Ederson leaves who have been the Premier Leagues best keepers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a high spending end to the transfer window in the Championship with Southampton, Ipswich, Birmingham and Middlesborough all spending big. Wrexham finally flexed their financial muscle with a net outlay at nearly thirty million pounds.  On the pitch Rob Edwards has his new Middlesborough side top and looking very strong, Frank Lampard has a free scoring Coventry team with a home to call their own and what’s going wrong at Sheffield United?In League One who saw did Cardiff being this good and tough times at Plymouth.And hats off to and Truro City fans making the long trip to Carlisle this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool edged past Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash, thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick - but will Mikel Arteta ever win at Anfield? Plus, we break down the biggest transfer news as Liverpool finally land Alexander Isak in a British-record £125m deal - can Arne Slot’s team be stopped now? Elsewhere, we analyse Manchester City’s defeat to a fearless Brighton, as 39-year-old James Milner scored a record-setting penalty before a late winner sealed the upset.Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd, James Gheerbrant and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to round up a dramatic weekend in the Premier League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.