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 Game
Why can't refs answer back?
David Coote’s career as a referee looks to be over; but do we have unrealistic expectations of referees? If referees are berated by players, fans and coaches…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Millwall and Middlesbrough on the up
After slow starts Millwall and Middlesbrough sit seventh and eighth in the Championship. Millwall haven’t looked back since they went back to the future and…
- The Game
Ipswich win! And Liverpool go clear
Liverpool are top, why aren’t more people talking about them? Alyson Rudd and Tom Allnut think they know why. Ipswich won in the topflight for the first time…
- The Game
Manchester City stalling; Liverpool soaring
Manchester City lost for the third time in a week. That hasn’t happened since 2018. Is it more serious than a blip? Martin Samuel thinks it could be. He joins…
- The Game
Arsenal and Man City Shocked
What’s going wrong at Arsenal? Was this a freak result for City? After both lose again is it down to better opposition, poor performance, lacklustre management…
- The Game
Is Amorim the man for Manchester United?
Is Ruben Amorim the man to bring the good times back to Manchester United? As the current Portuguese coach is set to be named the new man in charge at Old…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Is Sunderland's start sustainable?
On the latest whistle-stop tour of the EFL, Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke discuss Sunderland's surprise surge (which is starting to look less surprising)…
- The Game
Ten Hag sacked - midway through the show!
The big talking point from the weekend was Arsenal's draw at home to Liverpool, until it wasn't. Midway through today's episode, news broke that Erik ten Hag…
- The Game
“Arsenal won’t beat Liverpool playing like that!”
Is Arsenal’s mounting injury list going to derail their title bid? Not according to Martin Samuel or Hamzah Khalique-Loonat who both think teams that win…
- The Game
Are Liverpool and Chelsea serious contenders?
Liverpool passed their first serious test of the season and Chelsea looked good even in defeat. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and…
- The Game
Will Tuchel win England the World Cup?
England have appointed one of the world’s best coaches. What does he bring, how does he manage, and will it be enough to win the big one? Tom Clarke, Gregor…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?
Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as they assess the Championship, League One and League Two. Leeds, Norwich, Plymouth. Wycombe, Exeter, Port Vale and…
- The Game
Fantasy Football - better than the real thing?
Where now for England? A failed experiment; Carsley might not want it full time and is Pep waiting in the side-lines? Gregor Robertson thinks his selections…
- The Game
Who really won…? And is Bellingham a centre forward?
Was it Man City 1-0 Premier League? Jonathan Northcroft has reappraised and thinks it could be a score draw. Martin is sticking to his guns and Gregor sees…
- The Game
Manchester City 1 - 0 Premier League: Special reaction show
Manchester City have won the first of their legal cases against the Premier League. What does it mean for City and for the rest of the Premier League? Tom…
- The Game
Who are the real big six?
This could have also been called: “Why are Spurs so Spursy?” as Ange Postecoglou’s team blew a two-goal lead at Brighton. Was it the Seagulls brilliance or a…
- The Game
Villa Rockin’ and easy does it for Liverpool, City and Arsenal
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 Munich –…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Flying high, changing manager and lofty ambition
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 the promoted…
- The Game
Manchester United - terrible; Liverpool – untested?
“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 Alyson Rudd or…
- The Game
Should players go on strike? And tough times for West Ham and Newcastle
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? Plus…
- The Game
Nasty Nasty Arsenal..?
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 have done any more?…
- The Game
New Champions League – brilliant or rubbish?
Champions League, striking players, dodgy kits and card happy refs. It’s a busy episode. Martin Samuel and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat agree on the Champions League…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Rising stars
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 and David…
- The Game
Arsenal on song, City on trial
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 happen. Tom…
- The Game
"It's Carsley's job to lose."
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 they assess…
- The Game
Are Gordon and Grealish better than Foden and Palmer?
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 Alyson…
- The Game
Carsley’s England; Cascarino’s Ireland
Who would you keep – Casimiro or Ten Hag? Trent, Salah or Van Dijk? Tony Cascarino, James Gheerbrant and Jonathan Northcroft join Tom Clarke to decide who…
- The Game
EFL Extra: How can a league one club afford a £15million striker?
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), Wrexham's…
- The Game
Is there anything new to say about Manchester United?
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…
- The Game
Could this be the wildest transfer deadline day yet?
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 bring?…
- The Game
How can Arne Slot get Liverpool fans "squealing"?
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 Rudd and…
- The Game
Cult heroes and a crazy club
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 Sterling and…
- The Game
EFL Extra: Storming starts and poaching players?
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 teams who…
- The Game
The Premier League is back
Imperious, confused, blunt. Just some of Gregor Robertson’s first impressions of Premier League teams after the opening weekend of fixtures. Gregor is joined…
- The Game
The Big Premier League Preview – Part Two
Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat join Tom Clarke for the second part of the big Premier League season preview. What is ‘mid table’ and…
- The Game
The Big Premier League Preview – Part One
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 top, will…
- The Game
The Big EFL Preview: “It could be anything.”
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 League Two…
- The Game
The Game replay: How to fix VAR...
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 to a…
- The Game
Pre-season special: United, Arsenal and City on tour
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 he has…
- The Game
Euros Daily #33: Is Eddie Howe the answer?
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 Clarke…
- The Game
Euros Daily #32: Heartbreak for England - immediate reaction
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 Rudd and…
- The Game
Euros Daily #31: 'I really, really want England to win'
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 back. Tom…
- The Game
Euros Daily #30: What's the Spanish for 'it's coming home?'
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 dive in…
- The Game
Euros Daily #29: Joy, defiance and terrible eggs
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 turned up…
- The Game
Euros Daily #28: England are in the final!
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, yes!…
- The Game
Euros Daily #27: Bring on the penalties...
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 Spanish 16 year…
- The Game
Euros Daily #26: France or Spain, who would England prefer?
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 Gregor Robertson…
- The Game
Euros Daily #25: England; flamboyant or ’filthy’?
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 football. Gregor…
- The Game
Euros Daily #24: Are England the new Germany?
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 but is very…
- The Game
Euros Daily #23: England: Is a back three the answer?
Here we go again…do England have a ‘performance’ in them? If so, will it materialise today? Gregor Robertson, Ian Hawkey and Hamzah Khalique Loonat join Tom…
- The Game
Euros Daily #22: Are England about to change system?
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 an…
- The Game
Euros Daily #21: Is Bellingham 2024 the Rooney of 2004?
Another pause between rounds allows for some reflection, this time with Matt Lawton, the chief sports correspondent of The Times. Having covered 15 major…
- The Game
Euros Daily #20: Stick in the mixer & get the big man on the end of it, dude!
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 a round…
- The Game
Euros Daily #19: England; “…don't cry, we’re still in it.”
The England inquest continues; if they pick the same team, will they beat Switzerland? The resounding response is no. But is Southgate, a pragmatic manager…
- The Game
Euros Daily #18: England – The Debrief (put someone on the left!!)
One moment of brilliance saved England from humiliation. Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick helped secure England’s unlikely win, but it doesn’t paper over the…
- The Game
Euros Daily #17: England, don't do what the Italians did...
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 Robertson to…
- The Game
Euros Daily #16: 'There is no life without football'
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: Which…
- The Game
Euros Daily #15: Play the kids and eat kebabs
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…
- The Game
Euros Daily #14: Have England got lucky?
Are England the luckiest team in football? They have somehow contrived to avoid France, Germany, Portugal and Spain; only playing them if they reach the final…
- The Game
Euros Daily #13: Who starts for England in the last 16?
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 Northcroft…