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
Euros Daily #12: England – hopes and fears
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 speculation is that…
- The Game
Euros Daily #11: Scotland limp out and how to fix England
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 with a bang?…
- The Game
Euros Daily #10: Attitude, aggression & a spine-tingling national anthem
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 Belgium's…
- The Game
Euros Daily #9: The inquest continues...
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 joined by…
- The Game
Euros Daily #8: It's still coming home, right?
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. Jonathan…
- The Game
Euros Daily #7: Scotland fight on and England expect
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…
- The Game
Euros Daily #6: The best game of the Euros so far?
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 had some…
- The Game
Euros Daily #5: Who are the favourites now?
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 look at…
- The Game
Euros Daily #4: England – more questions than answers
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? Martin Samuel, Gregor…
- The Game
Euros Daily #3: Laying down a marker & experience over youth?
Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Italy all made their presence known with wins (some more impressive than others) in their first games of the Euros. But how…
- The Game
Euros Daily #2: Germany good; Scotland bad.
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 hosts. Were…
- The Game
Euros Daily #1: It's finally here...
The excitement builds for tonight's mammoth opener: Germany v Scotland. Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Gregor Robertson to make…
- The Game
Euros preview 2: Germany awaits and Southgate's future
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 the first…
- The Game
Euros preview: Are England and Scotland ready?
Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke to select England's starting line up. After some surprising squad selections and a…
- The Game
David Moyes and the Famous Tartan Army
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 is alongside…
- The Game
Who makes England’s final squad? And the greatest ever club side…?
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 players in…
- The Game
Are all modern managers the same?
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 goes where?…
- The Game
Managers on the move and a Ten Hag triumph
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 result…
- The Game
Managerial merry-go-round and how to beat City…
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 Cascarino and…
- The Game
Is it ever ok not to support your team?
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 Monday night…
- The Game
The best alternative team of the season ever!
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 title race…
- The Game
Ancelotti masterless; Ten Hag car crash.
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…
- The Game
What's the future for Ange-ball and are Chelsea good?
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 stays in the…
- The Game
Can Sancho and Dier make Euro squad?
English players star in Europe, but not the ones you might think. Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss the fluctuating…
- The Game
Title down to two and will Salah leave?
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 Clarke to pick…
- The Game
Klopp crushed
Martin Samuel and Tom Allnutt join Gregor Robertson to console Tony Cascarino as Liverpool’s title challenge hits the buffers. What can Liverpool’s bad form be…
- The Game
A Wembley rollercoaster and does it matter who the officials support?
Gregor Robertson joins Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to look back on a remarkable FA cup semi final. Did the last gasp VAR decision…
- The Game
What’s the future for Haaland and City?
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 league. Did…
- The Game
Is the title race over?
Liverpool to finish fourth. Arsenal stumbling. Villa masterclass and City…back on top. Liverpool and Arsenal lose at home - is that the final twist in the…
- The Game
Will it be a City v Arsenal semi final?
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 quarter…
- The Game
Squad strength and who is the most adaptable player in the Premier League..?
Has Pep ruined football? Arsenal’s proper squad, the leagues most adaptable players and ‘treadmill to oblivion’. Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Henry…
- The Game
Advantage Liverpool, will they hold on..?
Pep gave up, Thomas Frank is special, and goals galore…despite VAR. Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tony Cascarino contrast the snooze fest at…
- The Game
Who starts for England at the Euros?
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 surprising…
- The Game
How to make England better..?
England disappointed, but does it matter? Gareth Southgate and his team conspired to lower expectations after a lacklustre display at Wembley; Tom Clarke, Tony…
- The Game
Is Mainoo the answer to England's midfield issues?
Are points deductions fair, what's the point of a football regulator, and should Kobbie Mainoo start for England? Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Tony…
- The Game
The best game of the season...?
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 seen what…
- The Game
The Dark Arts…
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, Gregor…
- The Game
The best title race in years – so who wins?
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 Robertson join…
- The Game
Is European football becoming boring?
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 talking…
- The Game
Who is better than Phil Foden?
Tom Clarke reviews a bumper weekend of Premier League talking points with Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Paul Hirst... ... What level are Manchester…
- The Game
Fathers, sons, money and mavericks
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 education…
- The Game
Klopp's kids triumph and dealing with mardy managers
Was it Captain Colossus, Klopp’s charisma or just really good academy players that got Liverpool over the line? Alyson Rudd was Nostradamus, highlighting last…
- The Game
George Elokobi: "We dance one more time."
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 a team…
- The Game
"We’re Manchester United and we’re coming to get you." Really…?
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 his teams win…
- The Game
The title race, Kane's understudy and Lemon Meringue Pie
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 race? Which…
- The Game
Who owns your club? Kane’s trophy hunt, and Man Utd’s big signing
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 season, is…
- The Game
Arsenal for the title? Spurs for fourth? But what is Scott McTominay?
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 Stadium mean for…
- The Game
Sin bin's and the celebration police
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 Tony…
- The Game
Gunners fire, Liverpool stall. United hope, Chelsea despair
Arsenal are back in the title race, but are Liverpool suffering the delayed effects of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement last week? Tom, Alyson, Gregor, and Tony…
- The Game
Defying expectations: Luton, Eze, Tevez and Bradley
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 that many…
- The Game
Liverpool’s next manager, Maidstone’s current manager and the Rashford mystery
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 Gregor…
- The Game
League Cup repeat, transfer troubles and Beyonce make Spurs rich
No signings in the window but Beyonce makes Spurs rich Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel for more football discussion and a crash…
- The Game
Toney is back, Arsenal bounce back, VAR back again and Liverpool back to the front.
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. A statement…
- The Game
Points deductions, Toney's point to prove and what's the point of José Mourinho?
Tom Clarke is joined by Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Premier League punishments, Ivan Toney's return and Jose Mourinho's…
- The Game
Ratcliffe's game plan, Reading's misery and unnerving pressbox encounters
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 and what…
- The Game
Poch pressure and what next for Mbappe, Werner and Sancho
Gregor Robertson, Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke for the Thurs edition of The Game. Is Mauricio Pochettino under pressure at Chelsea? After a…
- The Game
Gunners misfire, replay rows and free pints
Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Hardy join Tom Clarke to discuss why Arsenal are stumbling, who paid for the Newcastle beers and if we should…
- The Game
Rooney blues and the winners and losers of Christmas
It's a Happy New Year from Jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson as they join Tom Clarke for the first 2024 edition of The Game. It was a new…
- The Game
Christmas crackers and end of year awards
The Christmas spirit is alive and well as Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Molly Hudson dial in from all parts of the country to join Tom Clarke for an…
- The Game
And so this is Christmas... power to the people right on!
Jonathan Northcroft, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke for the final pre-Christmas edition of The Game. First on the agenda is the super…