Shows / The Game
The Game
The thinking fan's football podcast.
From previews to reviews, winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactics, stats and the dreaded VAR - join the best reporters covering the biggest sport on the planet.
Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson, The Game brings you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments.
We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that.
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Episodes
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 20: Mbappe and Olise shine, can Kane and Bellingham follow?
Is there a more iconic or productive World Cup duo than Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise? Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss another brilliant…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 19: Paraguay stun Germany
Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history as Paraguay produced one of the stories of this tournament so far. Tom…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 18: Round of 32 predictions and England update
From now on it's knockout football. Who goes through, who goes home? Tom, Gregor and Tony attempt to predict all of the remaining round of 32 ties...and work…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 17: England win but do they need to improve?
England top their group and progress to the round of 32. It was better than Ghana, there were some reasons to be cheerful, but let's be honest...it was a bit…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 16: Cape Verde heroics, now England expects
They did it! Cape Verde are into the knockouts after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia and will face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the next round. Ian Whittell…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 15: Ecuador joy as Brobbey becomes unlikely hero
Ecuador stunned Germany in an eventful round of final group stage games, as they qualified for the knockout stage. Tom Clarke hears from Times journalists…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 14: Scotland tortuous and why Mainoo needs minutes
They are not out, yet. That is about as good as it gets for Scotland after a 3-0 defeat against Brazil. Michael Grant and Gregor Robertson dissect another…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 13: England thwarted, Ronaldo invigorated
After brilliance in game one there was boredom in game two for England their fans as Ghana battled for a 0-0 draw. Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Lawton, Alyson…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 12: Greatest Golden Boot race ever?
Lionel Messi is the all-time record goalscorer at World Cups and he is leading the Golden Boot race for this tournament with five goals but Kylian Mbappe and…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 11: Cape Verde joy and Rashford's renaissance
They've done it again! Cape Verde have shocked the world once more, getting a brilliant and deserved 2-2 draw with Uruguay and become the story of the…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 10: Sweden stunned and stick with Ronaldo
A stunning win for Netherlands against Sweden has turned Group F on its head. Graham Potter's side were thrashed 5-1 and Tom Allnutt was in Houston to watch it…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 9: Hope for Scotland and big dreams for USA
Defeated but not downhearted. Scotland lost to Morocco but showed fight in the second half which offers hope for reaching the knockout stages. Gregor Robertson…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 8: McTominay mania and who is Anthony Barry?
Cometh the hour, cometh the man? Scotland are in need of a performance from their talisman against Morocco, can Scott McTominay deliver on the World Cup stage?…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 7: England and Kane deliver in style
England finally got their World Cup underway and it was worth the wait as they beat Croatia 4-2 in an entertaining game. Two goals for captain and talisman…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 6: Messi, Haaland and Mbappe shine - over to you, Harry
What. A. Night. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland showed their star quality with two goals each as France and Norway impressed but then along came Lionel Messi…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 5: Cape Verde joy and waiting for Messi
Four draws and our first 0-0 but when it's Cape Verde getting a point against Spain we don't care! Tom Clarke hears from Martyn Ziegler who spies some empty…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 4: 19 goals and teasing Tuchel
A thrilling night, loads of goals and familiar names making the headlines. Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 but maybe the newcomers don't care - Tom Allnutt was in…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 3: Scotland win, just, and water breaks dictate
Blimey, that was tense! But Scotland have a World Cup win and sit top of Group C thanks to John McGinn's winner against Haiti. Which players stepped up and…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 2: C'mon Scotland!! USA look good
The USA started their campaign in style, scoring four against Paraguay. The stadium was full, celebs were out in force and the team looked full of energy…
The GameWORLD CUP DAY 1: The Azteca, Team USA and a cave
The World Cup is up and running. The mighty Azteca stadium became the only stadium to host games in three different world cups. Its turf has seen Pele…
The GameWORLD CUP 2026 - Are you ready!?
It is finally here. Tonight Mexico will play South Africa in the opening game. Will it be a tournament for the ages or a step too far for over heated and over…
- The Game
WORLD CUP 2026: SCOTLAND PREVIEW
Scotland could not be happier going in t the World Cup. When was the last time you heard that - 1928!? Eight goals in two games and believe it or not even some…
- The Game
WORLD CUP 2026 - LIVE PREVIEW SHOW
As part of our build up to World Cup 2026 we hosted a live event at The Times building in London. Tom Clarke hosts the event with Martin Samuel, Jonathan…
- The Game
How far will England and Scotland go?
It is World Cup week! England treated their friendly against New Zealand as a training session...can we learn anything? Does Thomas Tuchel already know his…
- The Game
WORLD CUP 2026: THE CONTENDERS
If England don't win it who will? France, Spain, Portugal are all among the favourites, but only one European team has ever won in the Americas...can they…
- The Game
Managers, Transfers and England update
All the latest from a busy domestic scene. Silva leaves Fulham...is he Benfica bound? Crystal Palace look set to appoint the former Lens coach Iraola to…
- The Game
WORLD CUP 2026: BIG ENGLAND PREVIEW
World Cup 2026 is nearly here! Can England win it? Has Tuchel picked the right squad, what is England's base camp like and what will be England's biggest…
- The Game
Arsenal's big signing? Iraola to Liverpool?
Arsenal fell agonisingly short, was there anything they could have done differently or did they just come up against a generational team in PSG? What if…
- The Game
WORLD CUP 2026: Scotland special - Craig Levein
This is a one off special from our colleagues in Scotland who join former player and national team manager Craig Levein. They look at what reaching a World Cup…
- The Game
Arsenal v PSG - the key battles?
Arsenal have a chance to do the double on Saturday evening, but they have to face a PSG team which many believe are the best of their generation. Can they beat…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Play-off final reactions and end of season awards
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson wrap up the 2025/26 EFL season with a look back at the three play-off finals - and give their own end of season awards. They…
- The Game
Big season review and awards
Joining Tom Clarke are Tony Cascarino, Gary Jacob and Peter Rutzler to wrap up an astonishing Premier League season. What went wrong at West Ham and what do…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Play-off final predictions
Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke go over each of the Play Off finals - who is favourite, who is in form...who goes up, who stays down? And Gregor gets his say…
- The Game
ENGLAND SQUAD: IMMEDIATE REACTION
Jonathan Northcroft Chief Football Correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times joins Tom Clarke for immediate to the England squad. Who is in, who is out and…
- The Game
Villa, Arsenal and Spygate
Aston Villa added to a crazy week in English football last night, winning their first trophy in thirty years and their first european trophy in forty four…
- The Game
SPECIAL EPISODE: Arsenal are Champions and Pep leaves City
What a week in English football! Arsenal are Champions again after a twenty two year wait. How did they do it, what were the key moments, who were the key…
- The Game
Alonso and Carrick in; will Slot or Pep be leaving?
Xabi Alonso is in the Premier League, but not where many expected. As the Liverpool old boy joins Chelsea what can he expect and is it a huge positive for the…
- The Game
Is Carrick right for Man Utd? And Celtic v Hearts
It is the best Scottish title race in years and it got even spicier last night. Celtic were awarded a penalty for literally the last kick of the match - they…
- The Game
Has VAR decided the title and relegation?
Was it or wasn't it? Could one decision of foul or no foul have decided the title race AND relegation? It was the biggest moment yet for VAR, was the final…
- The Game
This is how Arsenal can beat PSG?
Arsenal are finding form at the right time. Four points clear in the title race and through to the Champions League final the double is still on. What has…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Round up and play-off Predictions
Ipswich did it on the last day...but with that squad were they always going to? Wrexham missed out to Hull City. That is Hull who stayed up on the final day of…
- The Game
All change...again
Have Spurs turned a corner with De Zerbi? Two wins and a draw in his first three games, took them out of the relegation zone after West Ham lost heavily at…
- The Game
Best game you've ever seen?
PSG v Bayern served up nine goals, but it was so much more than just goals. There were hardly any defensive errors and few shots outside of the goals actually…
- The Game
EFL Final Day - It's Massive!
Join tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson to preview the final regular weekend of a fantastic EFL season. What a weekend we have in store, there are so many…
- The Game
Who's staying up - West Ham or Spurs?
It is relegation central as we look at the fixtures and decide who stays and who drops? Spurs finally win but with two big injuries and other teams winning…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Leicester City Special
Where did it all go wrong? Premier League winners ten years ago; only four years ago FA Cup holders, Community Shield winners; last four in europe competition…
- The Game
Liam Rosenior gone, could Eddie Howe be next?
After five defeats and no goals Chelsea bit the bullet and sacked Liam Rosenior. Where do the problems lie at Stamford Bridge - the ownership, the players the…
- The Game
Will City or Arsenal stay unbeaten?
Where is your money now? Man City have made it a proper title race by beating Arsenal. What was the difference between the two teams, tactics, personal…
- The Game
PSG make it look easy. Arsenal make it look hard
Is this PSG team the best since Pep Guardiola's Barca team? They beat Liverpool showing they can defend as well as they attack. Arsenal managed only one shot…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Who has got the Play Off momentum?
The latest from the nail biting EFL with Tom Clarke and former player Gregor Robertson Could Southampton really grab second place in the Championship? Unbeaten…
- The Game
Is it panic stations for Arsenal and Spurs?
Arsenal are out of form and low on confidence, but they are still six points clear and very likely to be in the Champions League semi finals. Man City are in…
- The Game
Anfield can't save Liverpool from PSG
Liverpool suffered a 'chastening' defeat in Paris. Will the famed Anfield atmosphere be enough to save them from a dominant PSG team? Arne Slot tried a new…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Promotion chasing or relegation threatened - "The games are running out"
Tom clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL. Lincoln are promoted! Tom was there and reflects on a remarkable day. Just how impressive is…
- The Game
Pressure builds on Arsenal and Liverpool
Where does defeat to Championship side Southampton leave Arsenal? The positivity of Max Dowman's goal against Everton on 14th March seems a long time ago - out…
- The Game
Who would you pick in the England Squad?
Was Thomas Tuchel's experiment of playing Phil Foden as a 'false nine' a waste of time? Tony Cascarino thinks it was. Either way the attempt seems to have…
- The Game
EFL Extra: "Easter weekend is big!"
Tom Clarke and and former EFL player Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the football League. Easter is always pivotal. With two rounds of matches in the…
- The Game
Is De Zerbi right for Spurs? And did Tuchel learn anything?
All change at Spurs again. After only 44 days in change and one point from five Premier League matches Igor Tudor left the club on Sunday...but who on earth…
- The Game
Where does Salah rank among Premier League greats?
Mo salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. What is the Egyptians legacy - to Liverpool and to the Premier League ? does he make it into your top…
- The Game
Worst weekend; Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal or Newcastle?
What was the most significant result of the weekend? Could Arsenal losing in the cup final affect the rest of their season? Spurs losing to Nottingham Forest…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Southampton on a surge
With eight games to go time is running out for teams who want to climb out of relegation or into automatic or play off contention. So who is best placed?…