The Sound of Football

This week we reached an important milestone for the podcast when Max Dowman made his Arsenal debut, coming on as a substitute against Leeds. The 15-year-old became the first player born after the release of our first podcast to play in the Premier League. We take a moment to feel very old. And in another busy week for Crystal Palace, Terry reports back from his visit to see the club’s first match in European competition and gives his reaction to the departure of Eberechi Eze. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_621.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will Max Dowman feature alongside Eberechi Eze for the Gunners in their trip to Anfield? The hosts have their own teenage sensation, Rio Ngumoha. Also the BBC iPlayer is where you need to be on Friday night for the big city derby of Hamburg v St Pauli. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Premier League is back. Newly-promoted Sunderland defied the doomsayers (for a week at least) by winning their opening fixture at home to West Ham in one of the standout results in a weekend of surprises, exciting new signings and, of course, a few VAR controversies. But not all the stories are taking place on the pitch. After failing to get a move away from Newcastle, Alexander Isak has vowed to never again play for the club. Effectively, he's now on strike. After the landmark victory for Lassana Diarra in the European courts, challenging the imbalance of player contracts, could we see more players taking matters into their own hands? Could it eventually bring an end to the whole system of transfers in football? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_620.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Leeds will be hoping to hoping to add to their winning start when they travel to the Emirates on Saturday evening. It's also the start of the season in Germany and Italy. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Our 17th season starts after a successful summer for England with both the Lionesses and the Young Lions retaining their European crowns. It's a bittersweet start of the season for Crystal Palace. After taking part in their first ever Community Shield on Sunday (and winning on penalties) the following day they lost their appeal to remain in this season's Europa League, confirming their place in the Conference League. Palace's first ever European campaign should be a cause for celebration, but many fans feel robbed. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_619.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? In another twist of fate, Palace's season begins against the Conference League holders Chelsea. Arsenal and Manchester United get the chance to test out their new strikers as they face off at Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Women's Euros kicks off in Switzerland tomorrow, we're here to give you the low down on who to look out for and who might prove to be the darkest of horses. To help us out with perhaps the toughest Euros to predict, we're delighted to be joined by Clare McEwen, author of She Can Kick It, The History of Football Across the World via a Girl in Love with the Beautiful Game. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_618.mp3

Everyone on the pod is in jubilant mood at the end of what's been a particularly memorable season. Jan has still yet to come back down to earth after Sunderland won promotion back to the top flight in the play-off final, while Graham is giddy having returned from Lisbon, where he watched Arsenal secure a famous win in the Women's Champions League final against Barcelona. Having missed last week's podcast, Terry returns to give his thoughts on Crystal Palace's history making FA Cup win. Next season will see all three of our clubs in the Premier League, the first time that's happened since 2017. Given how tough it's been for promoted sides to stay up in the past two seasons, what can the clubs going up do to stay in the top flight? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_617.mp3

Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup, with their goalkeeper Dean Henderson being a one-man narrative machine. Whether he should have been sent off or not (he probably should have) will be forever woven into the mythology of a rare, memorable FA Cup final. We also look ahead to the upcoming play-off finals and what is still to play for on the final weekend of the Premier League. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_616.mp3

We spent our Sunday at Wembley, cheering on our non-league side AFC Whyteleafe in the final of the FA Vase. Sadly, for us, the result didn't go our way with Whitstable Town winning 2-1. Despite the result it was an unforgetable day at the home the football. Also this week, we talk about the play-off between the worst non-relegated Premier League teams, otherwise known as the Europa League final. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_615.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's Cup final weekend in England. Saturday you can watch Crystal Palace take on City in a bid to win their first ever major trophy. On Sunday Manchester United look to retain the Women's FA Cup against treble-chasing Chelsea. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's rare that we get to the month of May with all of us on the podcast supporting clubs that are still chasing prizes. Terry's Crystal Palace are in the FA Cup final, Jan's Sunderland are in the Championship play-offs, and Graham's Arsenal are still in with a (slim) chance of winning the men's and the women's Champions Leagues. Perhaps more notable though is the side that we all follow, AFC Whyteleafe, who make their Wembley debut this weekend in the FA Vase final against Whitstable Town. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_614.mp3 Also this week, with an all-English Europa League final looking a near certainty, it looks like there will be SIX Premier League sides in the Champions League next season. The extra fifth spot, won by the combined performances of English clubs in Europe this season, will go to whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League. Is there an argument that this bonus place should instead go to the winner of the FA Cup? Terry thinks so, and Graham, using UEFA's own thinking, explains why perhaps it should. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's still to be confirmed but should a broadcaster be carrying AFC Whyteleafe's FA Vase final then it will definitely be in this weekend's previews, along with a number of EFL play-offs. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

As the end of the season approaches we're starting to get a clearer idea of who'll be where next season. After a hectic Easter weekend, Leeds United and Burnley have secured their return to the Premier League, but how will they get on next season? Also in the last week, Virgil van Dijk confirmed that he will be staying at Liverpool, just a few days after Mo Salah confirmed he had signed a new two year deal to stay. Speculation still hangs over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, after a frustrating season, Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his surprise that City have shown no interest in keeping him at the club. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_613.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. First up at Wembley on Saturday evening is Crystal Palace up against Aston Villa. Sunday lunchtime sees Manchester City, in a seventh straight semi-final, taking on Nottingham Forest, who are at this stage for the first time since 1991. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Thanks to the success of English clubs in Europe, there will be five Premier League clubs in the Champions League next season. Cause for celebration but how many of the five clubs remaining in European competitions this season will make next month's finals? Never afraid to hold ourselves hostage to fortune, we do our best to predict how things will turn out this week for those clubs involved in quarter finals. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_612.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? There are two rounds of Championship fixtures across the Easter weekend which could go a long way to settling who's going up and who's going down. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The three teams that were promoted to the Premier League last season look certain to be going back down to the Championship - just as they did last season. Southampton are already down and Ipswich and Leicester could join them with as many as five rounds of fixtures to play. Also this week, Graham and Jan try to come back down to earth after their non-league team AFC Whyteleafe secured their place in the final of the FA Vase, to be played at Wembley Stadium in May. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_611.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Hopefully this weekend's Manchester derby will be a lot better than last weekend's - the women's sides face each other in the FA Cup semi-final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The FA Cup quarter-finals were short on surprises. Who out of Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are best placed to challenge Manchester City's dominance of the competition? Forest will be the first to try to stop Pep's side reaching a third consecutive final but will they be distracted by their push for Champions League football? Aston Villa meanwhile have the pressure of a Champions League quarter-final against Unai Emery's former side, PSG, and a potential semi-final against another of his old sides, Arsenal, or Real Madrid. Palace it is then. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_610.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Back in the Premier League, City still have work to do to secure Champions League football next season. They face United at Old Trafford without the injured Erling Haaland. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

On Friday, Harry Kane scored his 70th goal for England in a comfortable 2-0 win against Albania, their opening World Cup qualifier. Will he still be Thomas Tuchel’s choice as captain and main striker by the time the final tournament comes around next summer? Also this week it seems that Trent Alexander Arnold took a step closer to becoming a Real Madrid player next season, with a pre-contract agreement reportedly having been made. If this move is soon confirmed, will decisions regarding the other players on contract countdowns, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, be far behind? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_609.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup quarter final weekend with City the only side left in the competition to have won it in the last 65 years. Can Bournemouth stop them reaching a seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Newcastle United have finally won a trophy, beating Liverpool in this weekend's League Cup final. A fairytale story of plucky underdogs, owned by an oil state - the true Geordie nation, Saudi Arabia. Also this week, we look ahead to the weekend's World Cup qualifiers and discuss Thomas Tuchel's first squad as the new manager of England. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_608.mp3

Some people (not us) will tell you that the FA Cup doesn't mean much any more, but you wouldn't think that from the passions that boiled over on the field during this weekend's FA Cup fifth round. In total there were three straight red cards. The cards shown to Anthony Gordon and Matheus Cunha came from frustration but the card shown to Millwall's goalkeeper Liam Roberts, while perhaps the most unintentional, was by far the most dangerous. VAR, which made its return to the FA Cup for this round, was making headlines again: taking 8 (EIGHT) minutes to deny Bournemouth a goal, and doing Michael Oliver's job for him. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_607.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Mark Robins returns to Coventry, Ruben Amorim's United host Arsenal, trying to avoid yet another home defeat . Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It might still be February but in the Premier League both the title race and the relegation battle already look to be over. Now all that's left is the race for Europe. While that may not seem that exciting, with the likely prospect of a fifth Champions League place on offer the likes of Forest and Bournemouth have an excellent chance of playing on the biggest stage next season. On the subject of slim pickings, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is at again at Old Trafford, now removing free meals for the non-playing staff. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_606.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's the FA Cup fith round weekend. Plymouth go looking for another miracle at the Etihad, Palace host local rivals Millwall and Fulham head to the Portal To Hell. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Does the continuing good form of big target men like Chris Wood and Jean-Philippe Mateta signal a shift back towards more direct forms of attack in the top flight of English football? Playing as an old-fashioned centre forward can't be that difficult, Mikel Merino hasn't played in that position since he was a small boy but scored twice in 20 minutes as Arsenal's number nine in their win at Leicester on Saturday. Also this week we discuss the news that DAZN is now part-owned by Surj, the sports arm of PIF. After years of loss-making, is the streaming platform finally set to become a major player in the British football market as it is has in Germany where it is already challenging Sky's dominance. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_605.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Two bang in form number nines go up against each each other as Newcastle face Forest in a battle for Champions League places. Will City go direct against Liverpool? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

This weekend's FA Cup fourth round had more than its fair share of surprises, none bigger than bottom of the Championship Plymouth Argyle knocking out top of the Premier League Liverpool. There were upsets, amazing goals, some industrial language and technology-free controversies. All that was missing was the replays but somehow we still ended up with a game on a Tuesday night. With so many of the usual suspects already out, it feels like there could be a different name on the famous trophy this season, but will the final just end up being a third successive Manchester derby? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_604.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? We have some of the biggest matches in European football this weekend: Sunday sees the Turin Derby d'Italia while in Germany Bayern look to build an unassailable lead in the table by beating champions Leverkusen. Meanwhile in England it's the battle of the glory, glory bin-fires: Spurs v United. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

After all the excitement of the last week's frantic final round of fixtures in the Champions League and Europa League maybe it's for the best that the close of the transfer window has been quite sedate. This week we cast our eyes over the key movers in a quiet winter transfer window, we also try to assess the entertainment value of thefina l day of the Champions League group phase. In between we find time to celebrate our non-league side reaching the FA Vase quarter finals. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_603.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? We have an FA Cup fourth round special this weekend including the holders United hosting their most recent caretaker's new side, Leicester. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's been a frustrating weekend for fans of the North London clubs. On Saturday, Arsenal were enraged by the decision that saw Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off against Wolves. The following day, Tottenham fans watched their team lose at home again, this time to Leicester. The red card sparked outrage amongst pundits as well as Gunners' fans, for as much as anything because it didn't feel like a decision you should see in the Premier League. Tottenham's fans showed their dissatisfaction with recent results by unfurling a banner reminding the club of the lack of meaningful success during of the 24 years of Daniel Levy's administration. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_602.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Tottenham face another stern test when they travel to the Gtech to play Brentford, and Forest look to get their hopes of European football back on track against Brighton. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.