The Game

Liverpool got a much-needed away win at Inter Milan, but their hundred million pound star striker looked lost - why? Off the pitch will Mo Salah still be a Liverpool player come January?It was a good week for English clubs in Europe with Man City beating Real Madrid and Spurs and Arsenal also winning. Are the English teams starting to dominate, is the pace and physicality of the Premier League an advantage or is the competition just not very good in the early rounds?Tony Cascarino has a hunch that Noni Madueke can play centre forwardLastly, a look ahead to the Tyne Wear derby, the first in the Premier League in ten years – who are favourites going into Sunday’s game? Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaders Coventry suffered first defeat in sixteen games at Ipswich. Wil the result create doubt in Frank Lampard’s squad, or was it just a blip?For Ipswich the result takes them fourth in the table and a season which started falteringly is starting to gain momentum. Southampton and Sheffield Utd had dreadful starts to the season, but after managerial changes both are now looking at the playoffs – with strong squads will they makes late charges?League One remains tight but Cardiff look like they have the resources to stay at the top. Who will join them?And in League Two…Walsall, surely this season is different? Who else looks threatening? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Mo Salah dropped a bombshell on Saturday evening. After starting on the bench for the third game in a row he gave an incendiary interview after the match claiming to have been thrown under the bus, a scapegoat for recent poor form and said he had no relationship with coach Arne Slot. So, what happens next - will it be the end of Salah or Slot at Liverpool? Can any player be guaranteed a place in the team regardless of form as Salah seems to be suggesting? On the pitch Villa coach Unai Emery led his team to a win over Arsenal and third in the table - remarkable achievement after the start they had. Are there worrying signs for Arsenal, or were they just beaten by a better team on the day? After the break a valuable three points for Spurs and Thomas Frank, but an even more important performance; top quality at the Cottage and does Nuno like his players? Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join tom Clarke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 After what felt like a nine hour draw England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Scotland will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.Is there a group of death? What are the potential routes to the final?Over to Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a goal packed set of midweek fixtures what has changed? Chelsea’s title credentials were checked as a buoyant Leeds put three past them at Elland Road. Man City won but looked anything but assured. Villa are now only six points off top spot and play Arsenal at the weekend. And as for Arsenal - no change there, while others toil they won again.Elsewhere is Cristian Romero a defender or a striker and how good is Erling Haaland?Arne Slot and Liverpool continued to labour. Tony sees worrying signs as Salah, Van Dijk and Isak all struggle. But Sunderland continued to demonstrate what a well coached, well drilled side they are, taking points of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool already this season. Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino and Jonathan Northcroft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal went to Stamford Bridge without both first choice centre backs and took a point. Chelsea played the league leaders for sixty minutes with ten men and without their best player and took a point. Who will be happier?Liverpool finally won again and dropped Mo Salah in the process. Is this straight forward squad rotation or the beginning of a transition which doesn’t include the club legend?It’s happy times in the Northeast at the moment as Newcastle win away for the first time in over two hundred days and Sunderland come from behind to show their European credentials.And finally, it is tough times for Thomas Frank at the Tottenham Stadium. Was he right to criticise fans who booed their goalkeeper? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tom Allnutt, Martin Hardy and Alyson Rudd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are dominating the Premier League and now they’re doing the same in Europe. Can they win both the big titles? Gregor Robertson thinks their success is built on a rock solid defence.Chelsea are looking equally effective in Europe; their game against Arsenal at the weekend is set up for the blues marauding wingers to take on Arsenal’s galloping full backs.It was another tough night for Spurs, but there were some encouraging signs as they at least scored three. After the break Liverpool. How deep is the crisis? The effect of the death of Diogo Jota off the pitch is incalculable, but on the pitch his and Luis Diaz sale is very apparent. Does the spending of four hundred million pounds amount to mismanagement?Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and tony Cascarino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More new managers in the Championship as Swansea, Middlesborough and Norwich all appoint. In South Wales Vitor Matos wants to bring back the DNA of the club…but what does that mean? Are Birmingham starting to find their feet in the Championship? Off the pitch they have unveiled ambitious plans for a new stadium and redevelopment of the surrounding area.Coventry continue their free scoring run, with a goal difference of +28 and seven points clear at the top, can they keep it up?League One seems up for grabs this season with most teams capable of beating or losing to each other. Peterborough and Wycombe are on an upward trajectory while Port Vale are sinking and Bradford are still second but with no win in six. In League Two the Gregor Robertson derby ended in a draw and Christina Fuchs – a Premier League winner with Leicester City - has joined rock bottom Newport County. We wish him well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eberechi Eze scored a brilliant hat-trick to win the North London derby for Arsenal and proved he is now a certified star at the very top of the Premier League. Arsenal are six points clear but the 4-1 defeat leaves Spurs in ninth and further questions about Thomas Frank's suitability for the big job at Tottenham. Elsewhere Leeds missed another chance to pick up points at home as Morgan Rogers starred for Aston Villa. It was another defeat for Liverpool - how does Arne Slot turn around a disastrous season? We also hear about an interview with a commentator who had his big moment ruined by Gary Neville! Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Kit Shepard  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quick reflection on an epic night for Scotland, a big win for Wales and some of the surprises who have qualified for World Cup 26’Then it’s back to the Premier League. How much will Arsenal miss Gabriel? They have strength in depth but are any up Gabriel’s tag of ‘defender of the season’ ?Predictions; first for  the north London derby and Liverpool v Forest and then a much longer term -  how will the table look come the end of the season?Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was magic in the air said Scotland manager Steve Clarke as his team won a dramatic winner takes all qualifier against Denmark at Hampden Park.The victory means Scotland are going to a World Cup – for the first time in 28 years.It was a night which will never be forgotten and that’s before mentioning the three worldie goals that were scored.Tom Clarke is joined for former Scotland under 21 international Gregor Robertson and Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL.It has been a mad fortnight for managers in the Championship with Norwich, Swansea, Southampton and of course Middlesborough just some of those undergoing a change at the top.Who is in line for the vacancies and how will the teams respond? League One is proving why it’s arguably the toughest division – with six points separating the top twelve clubs!At Charlton Nathan Jones is getting impressive results; Gregor has been to meet him.In League Two it is a quiet but welcome return for Tom Lockyer, the former Luton Town captain who had two cardiac arrests whilst playing for the hatters is now a regular at Bristol Rovers.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's back in the squad but can Jude Bellingham cement his place in the England team by next summer? Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Tom Allnutt and Gregor Robertson to discuss why the Real Madrid star continues to clash with the England manager Thomas Tuchel, and to debate the other starting spots in the England squad that are up for grabs. They also discuss Ireland's heroics after securing a play-off place in dramatic fashion, and which Times columnist has a WhatsApp group dedicated to Ireland's historic World Cup success?Also on the agenda: Scotland's match against Denmark, Italy's continued struggles and the Wythenshawe Vets - the Sunday League team packed with Premier League stars.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Tuchel has boldly declared he won’t play Foden, Bellingham and Kane in the same team. The key question is will he be brave enough to stick to his decision?As Rob Edwards leaves Middlesborough after only ten months in charge to return to Wolves, is there any loyalty in football?Martin Samuel has met with David Kogan, the new chair of the independent football regulator. And amid the furore over corners, throw in’s and set pieces, is the Premier League in danger of being boring?Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City blew Liverpool away and closed the gap at the top of the table to just four points - can Pep Guardiola challenge his old friend Mikel Arteta and will this be his last season? Or does he have renewed energy? Sunderland's late equaliser denied Arsenal but was this an example of an exciting finish to a poor game of football? We debate whether the new, more direct style is killing the spectacle in the Premier League. Elsewhere we ask why can't Newcastle win away, look at the relegation battle and ask who will finish higher - Manchester United or Tottenham? We finish with a discussion about the striker who is still playing - and scoring - aged 50! Tom Clarke is joined on this show by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke is joined by former football league professional Gregor Robertson to discuss all the latest for the EFL. The Championship is thriving this season. Very competitive, tons of goals and arguably the top eight are all surprise packages. Stoke and Coventry can’t stop scoring and Preston and Charlton are confounding the pundits by threatening the play offs. Southampton had a much-needed win after sacking Will Still, Norwich need a win, but can under pressure Liam manning deliver it?In League One Luke Williams swaps the Airport for the Posh and Reading look for an Oasis in their season by swapping Noel for Leam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 There are four English teams in the top eight qualifying spots of the Champions League, Spurs and Chelsea are just outside. Are English clubs starting to dominate Europe again? Although Qarabag did try to derail the narrative.Trent alexander Arnold was booed on his return to Liverpool, is anyone really surprised? Is booing anything the new normal. Gregor Robertson asks the question - do players like fans? A quick look at what is happening at Wolves and what is the greatest ever solo goal…Maradona, Ronaldo (R9) Gemmill? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Thomas Frank under pressure already? Another home defeat for Spurs against Chelsea and a stale performance had home fans making their views clear on Saturday. He needs to silence some critics with two more home games to come. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Allnutt and Alyson Rudd to discuss Frank's future -- and other big stories.Also on the agenda this week: Pep Guardiola compared Erling Haaland to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo while Liverpool picked up an important win and Arsenal kept another clean sheet. Can Mikel Arteta's side compete for more than one trophy?At the bottom, Vitor Pereira paid the price for Wolves' terrible start - who would want the job of getting them out of the bottom three? West Ham's win against Newcastle gives them hope as Eddie Howe's side produce the worst away performance of the season. And the team discuss a battling draw between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Arne Slot right to play the youngsters? His Liverpool team have now lost six of their last seven games – are there similarities with Man City from last season?Chelsea beat Wolves but had another man sent off, do they have a discipline problem?North of the border an ugly row has broken out between Celtic share holder Dermot Desmond and ex manager Brendon Rogers…where does the truth lie?Finally, why does Spurs manager Thomas Frank want to play down his teams chances in the league? Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Administration, points deductions and the hunt for new owners - it's been a huge couple of days for Sheffield Wednesday and on this special episode of The Game we analyse the latest news and ask what might be next for the Championship club. Paul Hirst, a football reporter for The Times and Wednesday fan, joins Tom Clarke to outline the grim realities facing the club now and the brighter hope for a new owner and a better future, on and off the pitch.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.