The Game

It's a double Wembley weekend!

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie and Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke to discuss Brentford booking their place in the Championship playoff final in the final game at Griffin Pa...

The longest Premier League season ever!

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie and Gregor are joined by Tom Roddy to take a look at one of the most remarkable Premier League seasons in history. Gregor's cat makes a cameo ...

The Championship finale!

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Roddy joins Nat & Gregor after the most dramatic of finishes to the Championship season! Gregor tells us which club has "bottled it" this seas...

Leeds United - the best Championship side ever?

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Ben Machell after his beloved Leeds United secured their promotion to the Premier League, but can Leeds cut it back in ...

The EFL special

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by James Restall for an EFL special looking at the race for promotion to the Premier League, an inquest into what has happ...

How City fought the law, and then won

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor for an in-depth look at how Manchester City successfully appealed their 2-year European Ban. So where next for Fina...

The irreplaceable David Silva...

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Roddy to discuss one of the final David Silva masterclasses at The Etihad, and how he should be honoured when he de...

Is the tide turning in Manchester?

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson after contrasting weekends for either side of Manchester. So should City fans be worried? And how soon w...

Are Bournemouth doomed?

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor fresh from her trip to see Bournemouth humbled at home to Newcastle. So has time run out on Eddie Howe? More on thi...

Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock - underappreciated or over the hill?

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson following the weekend's FA Cup action. Was Newcastle's defeat to Man City the end of the road for Steve ...

Time to get excited about Man United?

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Anthony Martial becoming the first Man United player to score a Premier League hat-trick...

Arsenal, bad enough to make your blood boil!

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to look back on the first weekend of the Premier League's restart.Arsenal are in the firing line after another abje...

Referees, wrong decisions and red cards...football is back!

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to try and work out exactly what happened for the "ghost goal" at Villa Park in the restart's first...

Let the football feast begin!

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to welcome back Premier League football!Hear why they're backing Norwich to perform a great escape, which 'dysfunct...

The Cherries' sticky situation, and why we're wrong to write off Norwich

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Northcroft joins Nat & Gregor to discuss The Cherries sticky situation as Ryan Fraser looks set to depart Bournemouth, but is it ever ok ...

2020: the year we see a female Premier League manager?

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Dickinson joins Nat & Gregor to look back on a good weekend for Chelsea football club. Timo Werner agrees to join Frank Lampard's side, whils...

Black Lives Matter. So can football do more?

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Times Chief Football Writer Henry Winter joins Nat & Gregor to explore the need for football to lead from the front in the battle against raci...

Why it's ok to refuse to play, and spot kicks go under the spotlight...

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor with news that The Championship will be back on the 20th June, but how many players out of contract at the end of t...

Premier League football is back! June 17th here we come...

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Northcroft joins Nat & Gregor with news that Premier League football will return on the 17th June. But are we ready?The panel debate this...

Reasons to be cheerful?

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Martyn Ziegler joins Nat & Gregor in what is a crucial week for the return of football in England, and why we could be seeing the light at the end...

Back to work? Or back to the drawing board?

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Henry Winter to discuss problems at Watford as Troy Deeney stays away from training over safety concerns.The panel disc...

Football is back! But at what cost?

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to look at the likes and dislikes from the return of the Bundesliga. Is this what we want English football to be wh...

Project Restart.... meet Player Revolt

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss the future of Leagues 1 and 2, and whether footballers should be back at work at the sam...

Football and mental health. Can we do more?

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd to discuss the mental health issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic, and whether football can do more...

Football's waiting game, and is Wembley worth it?

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Times' Chief Football Writer Henry Winter joins Natalie Sawyer on The Game Podcast to tell us why football should not be returning anytime soon, a...

Could it be goodbye De Bruyne? And who was the last great English manager?

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to discuss Kevin De Bruyne's possible exit from Man City, the latest on project restart, and yet more un...

Introducing Stories of our times - Hold your horses: should Cheltenham Festival have gone ahead?

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing our new free daily news podcast, Stories of our times. It takes you to the heart of the stories that matter, with exclusive access and rep...

Pochettino, Project Restart and unpopular football opinions...

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss bad news for Newcastle fans as Mauricio Pochettino declares his "dream" to manage Spurs ...

Time to rethink Project Restart?

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Lawton to discuss "Project Restart" which aims to get the Premier League back up and running. But is it a restart ...

If the Premier League campaign is over - who should be in Europe next season?

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by The Times' Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler for an in depth look at UEFA's executive committee meeting and what it ...

It's football, but not as we know it...

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to cast their expert eyes across inventive ways to make football behind closed doors work. Virtual seaso...

Mike Ashley - the pantomime villain

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd to look back on the rocky road of Mike Ashley at Newcastle as his time nears an end.They also discuss 'invi...

A Peter Bonetti tribute...and have we changed our minds on sanitised football?

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to pay tribute to Chelsea goalkeeping legend Peter Bonetti who passed away on Easter Sunday. They d...

Do we give footballers a hard time? And the incredible tale of Sadio Mane...

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd following the news of the Premier League players initiative to help the NHS, so are we too quick to judge h...

Oh Liverpool, what have you done...

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to discuss Liverpool's much publicised decision to furlough some of their staff! So should the club reco...

Football and morality, a very unhappy marriage

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss whether there really is a "moral vacuum"in football, as billionaire owned Premier League...

Is Harry Kane right? Is it time we said enough is enough...

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to discuss Harry Kane's proposal of the end of June being the moment that enough is enough and it's good...

Should the players get us out of this hole? And what is the best football film of all time...

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd to discuss where the money should come from to fill the current financial void in football, and how the Nat...

Jock Stein - the best ever?

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to debate who the greatest manager of all time is! Sir Alex Ferguson, Bob Paisley and Jose Mourinho all ...

The Game podcast is back!

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are back as the beautiful game comes to terms with the most ugly of times.They're joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss what no Pr...

A bad night in Europe for the Brits, and is football really football without the fans?

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie and Gregor are joined by the Times very own Alyson Rudd to look back on an awful week in the Champions League for Liverpool and Tottenham.Rebe...

Sorry Ole, but United will win nowt with you at the wheel!

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by James Restall to discuss Man United's derby win at Old Trafford! But are the good times back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer...

Olivier Giroud. Unappreciated genius? Or lucky to be where he is?

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor have Tom Roddy and Tom Clarke in to discuss Eric Dier hurdling seats to get involved in an altercation at Tottenham!And after the Gir...

Let's talk about Phil Foden...

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson to discuss Phil Foden's masterclass at Wembley! But has he got enough time to make Garet...

All hail King de Bruyne, and a cautionary tale for Villa

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Molly Hudson & James Restall to look back on Man City's incredible win at The Bernabeu, and discuss whether Kevin d...

Reasons to be cheerful for Arsenal? And some Sean Dyche appreciation...

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No Natalie this week so Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor and Alyson Rudd for more on whether Arsenal's win over Everton proves they are well and truly b...

Dele's strop and a bad night for Klopp

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd fresh from her trip to Madrid to see Liverpool's superstars humbled by a dogged Atletico Mad...

Should I Stay Or Should I go?

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this edition of The Game podcast Natalie and Gregor are joined by James Restall and Tom Roddy!They'll be chatting Sean Dyche, changing room talk, I...

Dan Gosling...get a grip

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gregor is back! As he and Natalie discuss who was 'having one' on Sunday in the high profile bust up between Bournemouth's Dan Gosling and referee Jon...

Are Leeds falling apart? and, what's the problem at Palace?

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gregor Robertson is back alongside Natalie Sawyer this week for the latest episode of The Game. They are joined by The Times very own, Matt Dickinson,...

John Stones - where did it all go wrong?

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No Gregor this week, but Natalie is joined by Alyson Rudd, Jonathan Northcroft and Tom Clarke to discuss John Stones' troubles under Guardiola at Man ...

A Mourinho masterclass? And the curious case of Gareth Bale...

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Molly Hudson and James Restall to discuss whether we can truly call Tottenham's win over Man City a Mourinho masterclas...

The Emptyhad and the scrap for survival

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pep Guardiola has picked a fight with the Man City faithful over not selling out The Etihad - but has he got a point?Nat & Gregor are joined by Mo...

Klopp's cup conundrum, and Cantona's kung-fu kick!

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jurgen Klopp says none of his Liverpool stars will play their FA Cup 4th round replay against Shrewsbury. Fair enough or out of order?Nat & Gregor...

The end of the road for Ole at the wheel?

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss whether it's the end of the road for Ole at the wheel, and whether Edinso...

Liverpool 2020 v Man United 2008 - who wins? We decide...

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nat & Gregor are joined in the studio by James Gheerbrant & James Restall to discuss Liverpool's win against Man United at Anfield.But would t...

Time for change at Tottenham, and England's sticky situation...

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie & Gregor are joined by James Restall and Tom Roddy to discuss England's sticky striker situation with injuries to both Kane and Rashford.T...

Aguero, Shearer or Henry? And why we need orange cards...

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sergio Aguero has now scored more Premier League goals than any other foreign player. But is he really better than Thierry Henry?Nat & Gregor are ...

Jack Grealish - another maverick England have forgotten?

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There was only one winner in the Grealish v Maddison battle this week, but will the maverick midfielder be another talent ignored by England?Nat &...

A few small steps for Michael Oliver, but surely one giant leap for VAR?

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd for a look back on an FA Cup weekend that threw up plenty of talking points!A pitchside monitor in use ...

We're back! And so it appears, are Arsenal

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was lift off for Arsenal at The Emirates as Mikel Arteta secured his first win as Gunners boss against old rivals Manchester United.Natalie & G...

Rejuvenated Everton and Liverpool in Qatar

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson bring you your final instalment of The Game podcast for 2019! Joining them we have The Times' very own Molly Hudso...

A De Bruyne masterclass - and what's gone wrong at Chelsea?

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A Kevin de Bruyne masterclass saw Manchester City sweep aside a hapless Arsenal at The Emirates as their search for a full time boss continues. B...

Is Ancelotti the answer? And, are City stumbling?

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are back, and they are joined by The Times very own, Alyson Rudd to discuss who needs who on the managerial merry-...

Can anyone stop Jamie Vardy? And why Man City need a rethink...

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's 8 in 8 for Jamie Vardy as Brendan Rodgers' rampant Leicester City refuse to lie down in their pursuit of the most unlikely of titles. Heard this ...

Ole back at the wheel, and The Toffees sticky situation

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

No fairytale return for Jose Mourinho as his Tottenham side were beaten at Manchester United. So could this be a turning point for Solskjaer? Natalie ...

New boss, same old Arsenal...

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Freddie Ljunberg's first game in interim charge of Arsenal ended in an entertaining draw at Norwich - but should he get the job full time?Natalie Sawy...

Newcastle's faltering front-line, and Why would Santo move to Arsenal?

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer, and Gregor Robertson are joined by The Times very own, Tom Roddy to look back on a week of Champions League action, and they ask wheth...

United's kids are alright, and should Everton pull the plug on Silva?

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Premier League sack race really hotted up this weekend as Unai Emery, Manuel Pellergrini and Marco Silva all lost to heap more pressure on themsel...

Jose Mourinho is back.

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are back... And so is Jose Mourinho.We hear from Jose Mourinho speaking for the very first time as the new Head Co...

England's Qualifying Campaign and The WSL Smashes Records!

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are here once again for The Game Podcast! This episode they are joined by the Times very own Deputy Sports Editor,...

Sorry Sterling, England at 1000, and Lampard's late penalty

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by the Times very own, Tom Roddy to look back at what's been a rocky week for England and Raheem Sterli...

Can Liverpool blow it from here? And why Leicester could be their closest rivals

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After an action packed top of the table clash, Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by James Restall for all the fallout from Anfield includ...

All eyes on Anfield, and has Watford's luck finally run out?

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer, Gregor Robertson and Tom Roddy preview the big one at Anfield as champions Manchester City take on leaders Liverpool.They're joined by...

Liverpool leave it late again, and Get well soon Gomes

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by the Times very own, Alyson Rudd to look back on an action packed weekend of football.Gregor describe...

The EFL cup is Five Alive, UEFA's pitiful punishment, and Leicester's legacy

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by the Times very own, Molly Hudson to take a look back at an incredible week in the EFL Cup.Paul Hirst...

Mutiny at The Emirates, and let's talk about Dele Alli...

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A tough weekend for both halves of North London with incredible scenes at The Emirates as captain Xhaka goes to war with The Gunners faithful!Natalie ...

Lampard: A coming of age story, King Kane, and Who's following Wilder's

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by The Times very own, Henry Winter and James Gheerbrant to look back on a great week of Champions Leag...

Has Klopp got a point about VAR? The Old Trafford verdict...

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Has Jurgen Klopp got a point about VAR? Or is he trying to cover up Liverpool's shortcomings?Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by James G...

A sad day for football, and England's young Lions

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by the Times very own, Henry Winter, and Tom Roddy who were both in Sofia to witness the shocking racis...

The John McGinn appreciation society, and has James Maddison done anything wrong?

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

James Maddison has hit the headlines before his England career has even started, but has he really done anything wrong?Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Rober...

Inside the Lions den, and are we wasting Alexander-Arnold's talent?

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Townsend are joined by The Times very own Bill Edgar, and Henry Winter as England head on the road to the Czech Republic and...

Is the title slipping away from Man City? And let's talk about Matty Longstaff...

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On a weekend where Liverpool's lead at the top of the table stretched to 8 points from 8 games - can they really blow it from here?Matt Dickinson join...

The only way is Chelsea for Southgate and Gnabry paints North London red

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by James Gheerbrant to take a look back at a bad night for Tottenham as they are broken by Bayern. The ...

Newcastle's identity crisis and the curious case of Chris Wilder

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Newcastle's horror show at Leicester has left many questioning Steve Bruce's methods already - but is it too early to judge the new Toon boss?Molly Hu...

A 'Hammer' blow as Spurs say see-ya to silverware again, and how to stop Stoke's sorry slide

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by the Times very own, Tom Roddy and Henry Winter to look back at an interesting week in the EFL Cup wh...

How do you solve a problem like United? And Lampard's trouble at home

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Manchester United are under the microscope again after a humbling defeat at West Ham. But why Solskjaer may not be the problem - is he the answer they...

A bad week for Britain in Europe, and Liverpool's trip to Chelsea

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It was a bad week for English side in the Champions League after such a fantastic season last time around, so is there cause for concern?Alyson Rudd j...

Pep under pressure and Arsenal are at it again

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What a weekend of Premier League action including THAT defeat for Man City at Norwich and a weird and wonderful game at Watford.Natalie Sawyer and Gre...

England's strange night at St Mary's as Scotland are left sad again, and are Strikers really the 'Alpha Male' in the dressing room?

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What a strange night it was for England as they took the show on the road to Southampton. The Times very own James Gheerbrant and Alyson Rudd joined N...

A wacky weekend for Watford and why Keane has a point about Fergie

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson look back on an impressive win for England against Bulgaria, and a night to forget for Gregor's beloved Scotland a...

Owen v Shearer and why the English kids are alright

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer is back alongside Gregor Robertson as they dissect Gareth Southgate's England squad, ask whether Tyrone Mings is the real deal and what...

Trouble in the top six and disruptive VAR

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a weekend full of football Gregor Robertson is here to analyse all the ups, downs and that 'disruptive' VAR.Alongside Gregor we have The Ti...

Bury fold while the Premier League wheel keeps turning

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a week when Bury went to the wall while Manchester United paid almost £6 million for Alexis Sanchez to play for someone else, Gregor Robertson ana...

Why Pochettino is the new Mourinho, Gary Cahill reborn, and that strike from Harvey Barnes

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd, James Gheerbrant and Paul Joyce to look back on an action packed weekend including Liverpool dismantling a ...

A social issue in football, Arsenal's first real test, and Bolton & Bury's battle

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are joined by James Gheerbrant, and Bill Edgar to look ahead to a mouthwatering weekend in the Premier League. Ear...

Who likes VAR? Why Arsenal might be the best team in North London, and where next for Newcastle

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer & Gregor Robertson are joined by Matt Dickinson & Alyson Rudd to look back on a busy weekend of Premier League action dominated...

Klopp's second piece of silverware, Celtic's European demise, and another early Premier League treat.

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Henry Winter Joins Gregor Robertson and Natalie Sawyer to look back at the all-English Super Cup in Istanbul, with the Premier League continuing to do...

Are Manchester United really back?

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and Gregor Robertson are back with The Game brought to you by the Times. On this episode, they are joined by The Times' Molly Hudson &a...

Season Preview Part 2

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Sawyer and her new co-host Gregor Robertson are back with The Game brought to you by the Times. On this episode, they are joined by The Times ...