The Game
Episodes
Villa Rockin’ and easy does it for Liverpool, City and Arsenal
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A great week for English clubs in the Champions League with four wins from four.European master Unai Emery steered Villa to a famous win over Bayern M...
EFL Extra: Flying high, changing manager and lofty ambition
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our fortnightly look at the EFL. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson look at a flying Sheffield United, managerial changes at Stoke and the form of t...
Manchester United - terrible; Liverpool – untested?
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Manchester United look like a relic!” That is the blunt assessment of Gregor Robertson.Their rivals Liverpool are top, but it's not enough for Al...
Should players go on strike? And tough times for West Ham and Newcastle
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Rodri is ruled out could injuries decide the title? Will players go on strike this season? And will there ever be another summer without football?P...
Nasty Nasty Arsenal..?
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who’ll be happier after an enthralling draw at the Etihad? Arsenal are nasty and its impressive! Tough, gritty and hard to beat. Could City ha...
New Champions League – brilliant or rubbish?
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Champions League, striking players, dodgy kits and card happy refs. It’s a busy episode. Martin Samuel and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat agree on the Champ...
EFL Extra: Rising stars
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s EFL extra Gregor Robertson quizzes Hamzah Khalique-Loonat on his visit to St Andrews. Hamzah saw big names Tom Brady, Rob McElhenney ...
Arsenal on song, City on trial
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is D day for Manchester City as the hearing into the 115 charges against them begins. Matt Lawton Joins Gregor Robertson to explain what could happ...
"It's Carsley's job to lose."
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The England job is Carsley’s to lose, but are Finland and Ireland really a test?Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino as th...
Are Gordon and Grealish better than Foden and Palmer?
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Carsley shocked England fans by playing a left footer on the left, and it worked, for the first half at least. Charlotte Duncker, Tom Allnutt and ...
Carsley’s England; Cascarino’s Ireland
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who would you keep – Casimiro or Ten Hag? Trent, Salah or Van Dijk?Tony Cascarino, James Gheerbrant and Jonathan Northcroft join Tom Clarke to decid...
EFL Extra: How can a league one club afford a £15million striker?
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
4 games down, how are things shaping up away from the Premier League? Gregor and Tom's EFL tour takes in Sunderland's near perfect start (again), Wrex...
Is there anything new to say about Manchester United?
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liverpool, good? United, bad? Or is there more to it? Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson to dissect an e...
Could this be the wildest transfer deadline day yet?
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chelsea have about 20 players to sell and are still looking to buy. Liverpool have finally entered the market. What could Friday's transfer deadline b...
How can Arne Slot get Liverpool fans "squealing"?
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chelsea served up a humble pie for Gregor Robertson in the form of a 6-2 away win. It's on the table, but will he tuck in? He joins Tom Clarke, Alyson...
Cult heroes and a crazy club
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the agenda today, the crazy club, not Wimbledon circa 1980’s but Chelsea circa 2020’s.What does the future hold for their out of favour stars S...
EFL Extra: Storming starts and poaching players?
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first of our fortnightly EFL shows reflecting the best of the Football League. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson dive straight in looking at the tea...
The Premier League is back
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imperious, confused, blunt. Just some of Gregor Robertson’s first impressions of Premier League teams after the opening weekend of fixtures.Gregor i...
The Big Premier League Preview – Part Two
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for the second part of the big Premier League season preview. What is ‘...
The Big Premier League Preview – Part One
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for the big Premier League season preview.Who’ll be fighting it out at...
The Big EFL Preview: “It could be anything.”
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The football season is back. As the EFL kicks off this weekend Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke run the rule over the Championship, League One and Leag...
The Game replay: How to fix VAR...
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of the EFL starting this week and the Premier League hot on its heels The Game is taking a look at VAR. This episode is a chance to listen again...
Pre-season special: United, Arsenal and City on tour
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A bonus edition of The Game as Tom Clarke catches up with Paul Hirst who is in America following all the pre season action. Paul is based in LA where ...
Euros Daily #33: Is Eddie Howe the answer?
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You thought we were done, didn't you? No chance. Martin Samuel has returned to the office just to say hello (but mostly to get his laptop fixed). Tom ...
Euros Daily #32: Heartbreak for England - immediate reaction
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So near and yet so far…for the second Euros in a row England are runners up. A team and a nation left bereft.Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Ru...
Euros Daily #31: 'I really, really want England to win'
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's finally here: England v Spain. One more for European glory. All eyes on Berlin. Still, there's plenty of time to debate who should start at left ...
Euros Daily #30: What's the Spanish for 'it's coming home?'
13 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If it really is coming home, England will need to beat Spain. Tom Clarke is joined by Ian Hawkey, Tom Allnutt and Gregor Robertson for a Spanish deep ...
Euros Daily #29: Joy, defiance and terrible eggs
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chief sports writer Owen Slot is England’s lucky charm. He has covered the whole tournament but until the semi-final he hadn’t covered England. He...
Euros Daily #28: England are in the final!
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
They’ve done it, and what a way to do it! Another last minute, last gasp winner, this time from Ollie Watkins. Weston-Super-Mare to the Euros final,...
Euros Daily #27: Bring on the penalties...
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One semi down, one to go. Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to marvel at a very impressive Spani...
Euros Daily #26: France or Spain, who would England prefer?
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is semi-final day, dare we even consider who England would prefer to play out of France and Spain? Let’s indulge ourselves; Tom Allnutt and Grego...
Euros Daily #25: England; flamboyant or ’filthy’?
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A second look at England’s win over Switzerland. Some would call it resilient, a friend of Martin’s called it a ‘filthy’ win, but that’s foo...
Euros Daily #24: Are England the new Germany?
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Penalties... no problem. In his press conference, Gareth Southgate was asked if his side were the 'new Germany': the team that doesn't play well ...
Euros Daily #23: England: Is a back three the answer?
06 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here we go again…do England have a ‘performance’ in them? If so, will it materialise today? Gregor Robertson, Ian Hawkey and Hamzah Khaliq...
Euros Daily #22: Are England about to change system?
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rumours abound of England switching to a back three for their quarter final against Switzerland. Could this finally be the way to get the best out of ...
Euros Daily #21: Is Bellingham 2024 the Rooney of 2004?
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Another pause between rounds allows for some reflection, this time with Matt Lawton, the chief sports correspondent of The Times. Having covered 15 ma...
Euros Daily #20: Stick in the mixer & get the big man on the end of it, dude!
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's an England free zone today. But that might just mean it's more joyous than ever. Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for ...
Euros Daily #19: England; “…don't cry, we’re still in it.”
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The England inquest continues; if they pick the same team, will they beat Switzerland? The resounding response is no. But is Southgate, a pragmatic ma...
Euros Daily #18: England – The Debrief (put someone on the left!!)
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One moment of brilliance saved England from humiliation. Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick helped secure England’s unlikely win, but it doesn’t pa...
Euros Daily #17: England, don't do what the Italians did...
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
England's path to the final looks clearer than ever, what could possibly go wrong? Tom Clarke is joined by Ian Hawkey, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertso...
Euros Daily #16: 'There is no life without football'
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two days without football felt like a lifetime. But it's back! Martin Samuel, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to preview the last 16:...
Euros Daily #15: Play the kids and eat kebabs
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the group stage finished its time to step back, take a breath and have a considered look at Euro 2024. Which teams have impressed, which have dis...
Euros Daily #14: Have England got lucky?
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are England the luckiest team in football? They have somehow contrived to avoid France, Germany, Portugal and Spain; only playing them if they reach t...
Euros Daily #13: Who starts for England in the last 16?
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ok, so a 0-0 draw against a country smaller than Manchester doesn't sound great... but there are positives. Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Nor...
Euros Daily #12: England – hopes and fears
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will it be a convincing win, a team that clicks and all doubt banished…? Or another edgy one one draw followed by a three-day inquest? The speculati...
Euros Daily #11: Scotland limp out and how to fix England
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The dream is over for Scotland. It was Hungary who got the late winner, leaving Scotland bottom of group A. Did the Scots go out with a whimper or wit...
Euros Daily #10: Attitude, aggression & a spine-tingling national anthem
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's all still to play for, with only 3 teams qualified after 2 rounds of matches. Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss ...
Euros Daily #9: The inquest continues...
22 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's no sign of the debate around England's form cooling down. Square pegs in round holes, or is everyone just a bit tired? Gregor Robertson is joi...
Euros Daily #8: It's still coming home, right?
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've seen it all before, England playing out a drab, uninspiring 1-1 draw at a major tournament. But how bad was it, really? Well... quite bad. Jonat...
Euros Daily #7: Scotland fight on and England expect
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scotland finally turned up and gave their thousands of fans something to shout about in a spirited draw with Switzerland. Lose to Germany, draw with S...
Euros Daily #6: The best game of the Euros so far?
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have we just watched the game of the tournament... so far? Georgia and Turkey served up a thriller that had just about everything. But Martin Samuel h...
Euros Daily #5: Who are the favourites now?
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It turns out its not only England that can win one nil and be disappointed. Tom Clarke joins Charlotte Duncker, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson to lo...
Euros Daily #4: England – more questions than answers
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
England beat Serbia, but it wasn’t convincing. Does it matter? Who played well, who didn’t; and will there be changes for the next match? Ma...
Euros Daily #3: Laying down a marker & experience over youth?
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Italy all made their presence known with wins (some more impressive than others) in their first games of the Euro...
Euros Daily #2: Germany good; Scotland bad.
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke to reflect on a sorry night for Scotland, but a perfect start for the ...
Euros Daily #1: It's finally here...
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The excitement builds for tonight's mammoth opener: Germany v Scotland. Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Gregor Robertso...
Euros preview 2: Germany awaits and Southgate's future
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant join Tom Clarke for the first episode of ‘The Game: Euro pods.’ Martin is in Berlin ahead of ...
Euros preview: Are England and Scotland ready?
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke to select England's starting line up. After some surprising squad selections a...
David Moyes and the Famous Tartan Army
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a special edition of ‘The Game’ former player and Premier League manager David Moyes joins The Times team to discuss all things Scotland. David...
Who makes England’s final squad? And the greatest ever club side…?
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is this Madrid team the greatest ever in club football? After winning their fifteenth European cup could you argue they have three of the best five pl...
Are all modern managers the same?
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a long season…but it’s not over just yet.Some very big clubs are looking for new managers and some big managers are available. So, who...
Managers on the move and a Ten Hag triumph
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday Erik Ten Hag was supposedly out of a job. By Saturday evening the jury was out again. After a gripping FA Cup final, with a performance and ...
Managerial merry-go-round and how to beat City…
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two minutes in and player of the season Phil Foden puts City one up. Title race over. Great player, great team. Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd, Tony Cascarin...
Is it ever ok not to support your team?
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When is a fan not a fan? Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson discuss the bizarre atmosphere at the Tottenham stadium on Mon...
The best alternative team of the season ever!
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arsenal have taken the title race to the final week of the season. But as Man City find their form on the run in, will it matter…? Aside from the ti...
Ancelotti masterless; Ten Hag car crash.
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Madrid do it again. Do they have better players, a better coach? Is it the ground, their history or all of it rolled together? Martin Samuel, Jonathan...
What's the future for Ange-ball and are Chelsea good?
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Cascarino and Alyson Rudd took a road trip to see Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp’s penultimate home game in charge. Whatever happened in the car st...
Can Sancho and Dier make Euro squad?
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
English players star in Europe, but not the ones you might think. Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss ...
Title down to two and will Salah leave?
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
And then there were two… It’s no longer a three-horse race, much to Alyson Rudd’s regret. Alyson joins Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Tom Cla...
Klopp crushed
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Samuel and Tom Allnutt join Gregor Robertson to console Tony Cascarino as Liverpool’s title challenge hits the buffers. What can Liverpool’...
A Wembley rollercoaster and does it matter who the officials support?
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson joins Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonatto look back on a remarkable FA cup semi final.Did the last gasp VAR deci...
What’s the future for Haaland and City?
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson, Jonny Northcroft and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke to perform the post-mortem on Man City and Arsenal’s exit from the champions le...
Is the title race over?
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liverpool to finish fourth. Arsenal stumbling. Villa masterclass and City…back on top. Liverpool and Arsenal lose at home - is that the final ...
Will it be a City v Arsenal semi final?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh off the Eurostar having watched PSG v Barca Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke and Martin Samuel to review a thrilling set of Champions League qu...
Squad strength and who is the most adaptable player in the Premier League..?
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Has Pep ruined football? Arsenal’s proper squad, the leagues most adaptable players and ‘treadmill to oblivion’. Martin Samuel, Gregor Robe...
Advantage Liverpool, will they hold on..?
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pep gave up, Thomas Frank is special, and goals galore…despite VAR. Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino contrast the s...
Who starts for England at the Euros?
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Jonny Northcroft and Martin Samuel pick their England starting 11’s for the opening game of the Euros. There are some ...
How to make England better..?
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
England disappointed, but does it matter? Gareth Southgate and his team conspired to lower expectations after a lacklustre display at Wembley; Tom Cla...
Is Mainoo the answer to England's midfield issues?
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are points deductions fair, what's the point of a football regulator, and should Kobbie Mainoo start for England?Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and T...
The best game of the season...?
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A pulsating game won in the 120th minute with a raucous atmosphere and ending their arch-rivals fairy tale in the process - has Eric Ten Hag suddenly ...
The Dark Arts…
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are footballers stupid? Why do footballers cut holes in their socks? And how to write a match report in 2 minutes.Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft, ...
The best title race in years – so who wins?
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a three-horse title race, the first in years, so who did the result at the weekend benefit the most?Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Roberts...
Is European football becoming boring?
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson mediates as Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino discuss sabbaticals, John Peel and Yu-Gi-Oh!Oh, and some of the week's biggest football ...
Who is better than Phil Foden?
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Clarke reviews a bumper weekend of Premier League talking points with Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Paul Hirst...... What level are Manches...
Fathers, sons, money and mavericks
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Genes count as three sons of former players star for Liverpool. As academy players are in the spotlight the team discuss the modern player, private ed...
Klopp's kids triumph and dealing with mardy managers
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Was it Captain Colossus, Klopp’s charisma or just really good academy players that got Liverpool over the line? Alyson Rudd was Nostradamus, highlig...
George Elokobi: "We dance one more time."
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of a huge FA Cup tie for Maidstone United, a special edition of The Game.Ever wondered how a part time team prepares for a big cup game against ...
"We’re Manchester United and we’re coming to get you." Really…?
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A quick look at the mid-week fixtures and a bold claim, Arsenal have the best defence, and defences win leagues… City won again and Klopp likened hi...
The title race, Kane's understudy and Lemon Meringue Pie
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
City dropped points, Liverpool picked up more injuries and Arsenal are eleven nil up from their last two games. So where does that leave the title rac...
Who owns your club? Kane’s trophy hunt, and Man Utd’s big signing
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could Harry Kane really have another trophy-less season? If he does it won’t be for the lack of effort. The England captain has had a brilliant seas...
Arsenal for the title? Spurs for fourth? But what is Scott McTominay?
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For fifteen minutes it seemed Arsenal were the complete team, but was that down to West Ham’s passivity? What does the result from the London Stadiu...
Sin bin's and the celebration police
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are sin bins a good idea? It looks increasingly likely that they will be trialled in specific games/competitions next season. Tom, Martin, Gregor and ...
Gunners fire, Liverpool stall. United hope, Chelsea despair
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arsenal are back in the title race, but are Liverpool suffering the delayed effects of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement last week? Tom, Alyson, Gregor, a...
Defying expectations: Luton, Eze, Tevez and Bradley
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If Luton stay up is Rob Edwards the manager of the season? Tom, Martin, Gregor and Jonny discuss. Kenilworth Road has become the awkward advantage tha...
Liverpool’s next manager, Maidstone’s current manager and the Rashford mystery
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom gets the tissues out to console Alyson and Tony before they discuss who will replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Alonso is the favourite, but as Gr...
League Cup repeat, transfer troubles and Beyonce make Spurs rich
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No signings in the window but Beyonce makes Spurs rich Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel for more football discussion an...
Toney is back, Arsenal bounce back, VAR back again and Liverpool back to the front.
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke for Monday’s edition of The Game.Four games and four talking points from the weekend’s fixtures. ...
Points deductions, Toney's point to prove and what's the point of José Mourinho?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Premier League punishments, Ivan Toney's return and Jo...
Ratcliffe's game plan, Reading's misery and unnerving pressbox encounters
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Dickinson, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plan of action, why Reading fan's invaded the pitch an...
Poch pressure and what next for Mbappe, Werner and Sancho
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson, Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke for the Thurs edition of The Game. Is Mauricio Pochettino under pressure at Chelsea...