The Game
The Times
300 episodes
The thinking fan's football podcast.
More about the show
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes page 1 of 6
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EFL EXTRA: Southampton climbing, Burnley sinking and Middlesbrough magic
Middlesbrough look set for another charge at promotion this season as Kim Hellberg's side put on a masterclass away at Bolton. They might have competition from Southampton who would be in second but for their points…
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United dismal, Liverpool dynamic and Villa dreaming
Another weekend, another disastrous result for Manchester United who slumped to a 3-0 defeat against an impressive Bournemouth side. At the final whistle, Old Trafford delivered its verdict – support for Michael…
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Who's at fault - Carrick or Fernandes?
It goes from bad to worse for Manchester United. A humiliating loss to Como followed by captain Bruno Fernandes turning on the manager. Is this now a power struggle between player and manager...if so, who wins? Aside…
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EFL EXTRA: Could this be Birmingham City's year?
Tom Clarke and Times journalist and former football league player Gregor Robertson cover all the latest from The Championship, League One and League Two. Are Birmingham City's ambitious plans finally coming to…
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Can free scoring Brighton upset the top four?
Brighton can't stop scoring. twenty three goals in the opening seven games is the fourth best in Premier League history. Are Fabian Hurzeler's team serious top four contenders? In beating local rivals Crystal Palace…
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Are Manchester United a basket case?
Lisandro Martinez chucked a hand grenade into the Man Utd dressing room when he questioned the quality of the clubs signings and the man responsible - technical director Jason Wilcox - Why is Britain's 'biggest' club…
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Did Southampton and Eckert get away with it?
Ahead of a full set of midweek fixtures a quick catch up on the EFL with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson run the rule over the weekend results, Tonda…
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City win leaves bad taste and managers under pressure
Man City looked worth every penny of the money spent on them as they beat Liverpool at Anfield. But the result left a strange taste as many wondered what it meant. Is the integrity of the league at stake as all results…
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England greats and Manchester City punishment
The Premier League returns, Man City punishment needs carful thought and where do Bellingham and Kane rank? Are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in your top five England greats? Martin Samuel picks the best England…
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EFL EXTRA: Big games, new managers and pointless goals
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and…
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Will Man City's stars leave? And is Bellingham as good as Zidane ?
As expected MAnchester City are to appeal against the guilty verdicts handed down to them by the independent commision. But what does that mean...will the whole affair drag on for another eight years? Matt Lawton…
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Manchester City - What happens next?
The Premier League have released their statement regarding the findings against Manchester City and it is a scathing assessment. The independent commision referenced 'sham contracts' to reduce costs and inflate…
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How should Man City be punished?
Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges against them - what happens next? Relegation, points deduction, transfer embargo, financial fines...? What are the potential sanctions on…
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Tuchel needs to forget 'England DNA' and just coach
International football returns for the first time since the World Cup and England manager Thomas Tuchel isn't sure he can coach his players to play possession football - and some of his players seem to agree. Is that…
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EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country derbies
EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country Derbies All the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston. Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers…
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Brighton and Brentford upstage the 'big boys'
Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were…
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What is the problem with Manchester United?
Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael…
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EFL EXTRA: Who are the contenders to win the Championship?
All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages…
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Who can stop Arsenal, Man city and VAR?
Man City and Arsenal are joint top. Huil impress at Chelsea, Spurs can't score and centre halves sometimes score absolute screamers. But sadly, the headlines are all about VAR...again. This time an 'error of judgment'…
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"Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d'Or"
Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be…
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EFL EXTRA: West Ham are back as Swansea shine
A week is a long time in the football league, and West Ham used back-to-back matches to kickstart their season with two big wins. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as Nuno Espirito Santo's team finally get…
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Arsenal supreme, United stutter, Spurs struggle
Arsenal put on a dominate display to beat potential title rivals Chelsea. Despite going one down after only a minute the Gunners looked calm, confident and positive throughout. Was it the benefits of having a title…
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Which teams had the best and worst transfer window?
After a crazy summer transfer window in which 3.5 billion pounds was spent and multiple 100 million transfers between English clubs - has the transfer market gone mad? Inlafted prices, last minute deals... is the…
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EFL EXTRA: "Wolves and Southampton look scary"
Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. Wolves and Southampton already look to have so much strength in depth for Championship level "it is scary.". But…
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Hull's hopes, Tottenham's troubles and Mainoo's magic
Hull sit proudly at the top of the table. Is it a freak or have the Tigers, and the other promoted clubs been misjudged? Ipswich were thumped at Old Trafford, but their performance had many positive signs. While Man…
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What is 'value' in this crazy transfer market?
Forest pay fifty million for Liam Delap; City buy a teenager for eighty five million and Spurs sign second stringer Savio also for eighty five million. Has the Premier League transfer market gone mad? Xabi Alonso's…
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EFL EXTRA: West Ham worries and the goal of the season
Our weekly look at all the latest from the EFL with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Plenty of surprises in week two of the Championship. West Ham lost at home in front of sixty two thousand fans, are their players…
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Premier League is Back with a Bang!
The Premier League is back and if the opening weekend is anything to go by it could be an unpredictable season. Hull shocked Man United, Brentford reminded Roberto De Zerbi of the tough job he faces at Spurs and…
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PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART TWO
The 2026/27 Premier League season is here. So, it is prediction time. Who is going to win it, who is in the top four? Who's getting relegated, who could be looking over their shoulders? Plus who will be the surprise…
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EFL EXTRA: Lankshear shines and surprises galore
The Football League is back and as unpredictable as ever. Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss the opening weekend in The Championship, League One and League Two after plenty of reminders of why these…
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PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART ONE
Are Arsenal clear favourites to retain the title? Do Man City really need more players and are Chelsea dark horses? Just some of the questions we answer in the first of our Premier League Preview shows. Tom Clarke,…
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The BIG Football League season preview
Tom Clarke is joined by the Times Joe Harston and Kit Shepard and EFL stalwart Gregor Robertson to preview the start of the EFL season which kicks off this weekend! Can anyone stop West Ham? And is Jarrod Bowen going…
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Who can challenge Arsenal this season? Rejuvenated Spurs, and Glasner's Forest
Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino to continue the build up to the new Premier League season which is less than two weeks away! Bruno Guimares has signed for champions Arsenal, we ask…
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Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
Tom Clarke check's in with the Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler who brings us right up to speed with all the latest surrounding under pressure FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He remains in charge.....for…
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Infantino finished? Mourinho's Madrid & Iraola's Liverpool challenge
What next for Gianni Infantino and FIFA? Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnut and Tony Cascarino to discuss what the future holds for the controversial FIFA President after a number of FA's across Europe…
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FIFA Special: What now for Infantino?
Another huge day in the biggest story in football - Tom Clarke is joined by Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter at The Times and the man who broke the news of FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the tournament. In this…
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FIFA, Howe, Henderson and Barcola
What a dramatic day! Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnutt and James Gheerbrant to discuss FIFA, Gianni Infantino and their plans to sell the World Cup. The panel call for action and a strong response and…
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TIMES EXCLUSIVE: FIFA - Football for sale
Tom Clarke speaks to The Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler - following his exclusive story in detailing FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to offer 'stakes' in the World Cup. What are the plans? Why does…
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On tour with Liverpool and Chelsea
The Game is back on tour, speaking with Pete Rutzler who is following Chelsea (and Spurs) down under. The Blues have been spending big, will there be any out goings and how will new manager Xabi Alonso deploy his new…
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TRANSFER LATEST - and who is better Rogers or Anderson?
While the World Cup has been on there has been plenty of transfer activity in the Premier League. The record fee has been broken twice by Elliot Anderson to Man City then Morgan Rogers to Chelsea - so is £100 million…
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WORLD CUP DAY 39: Argentina got what they deserved and "England players must think for themselves."
Well, it is finally over. World Cup 2026 didn't get the final it deserved but it was a fabulous festival of football. Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Tom Allnutt assess the final - a disgraceful…
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WORLD CUP DAY 38: Big final preview, as England take bronze
Well, if the final is as much as fun as that we're in for a treat. England beat France 6-4 in a frankly bonkers match to take the bronze medal and finish third, their best World Cup performance since lifting the…
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WORLD CUP DAY 37: The big one! No, really...
It's time, for the biggest game of the tournament, France vs England... well, we tried. But whilst the world might not be excited about the third-place play-off, we have still got loads to talk about. Tom Clarke is…
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WORLD CUP DAY 36: England Defeat Debrief
Did Thomas Tuchel tell his players to sit back and defend, or were they just not able to maintain their pressing...the England inquest is gathering pace. There seems unity of opinion that manager Thomas Tuchel has…
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WORLD CUP DAY 35: England throw it away as Tuchel loses nerve
In the end England fell shore, again. One up with half an hour to go England sat back, ceded ground then succumbed as Argentina seized the initiative and scored two late goals. Where did it go wrong this time? Did…
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WORLD CUP DAY 34: Will it be England or Argentina to play 'brilliant' Spain?
Two camps, two journalists, both predicting England wins. What could possibly go wrong? Tom Clarke is joined by Jonny Northcroft in the England camp and Paul Hirst in the Argentina camp to discuss the second big…
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WORLD CUP DAY 33: Why Mbappe is a great captain
He's a World Cup star and one of the best in the world but Kylian Mbappe's leadership has shone at this World Cup, on and off the pitch. Martin Samuel joins Tom Clarke to discuss the France forward and preview their…
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WORLD CUP DAY 32: Semi-Finals preview
How do England beat Argentina? Both teams looked exhausted after their quarter final wins, will recovery be the key? Gregor Robertson thinks the battle is out wide, Tom allnutt thinks Argentina have more in the tank.…
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WORLD CUP DAY 31: Bellingham drags England to the Semi Final
That was tense! England beat Norway thanks to another brace from Jude Bellingham and possibly a bit of help from a spider cam. Tom clarke is joined by The Times head of Sport James Restall and Gregor Robertson for…
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WORLD CUP DAY 30: "Don't miss this chance" - The Big England preview
Four Times journalists, four assertions that England are favourites. But can Thomas Tuchel's side deliver? Tom Clarke talks to Matt Lawton and Tom Allnutt about England v Norway and also hears from Alyson Rudd - the…
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