Rule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast

Jack welcomes Baker from the Above Average FPL podcast to make sense of the monumental news that Roberto De Zerbi is officially the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We explore our genuine surprise at the revelation that he has been handed a massive five-year contract completely devoid of a relegation release clause, and ask if he genuinely possesses the ability to hit the ground running to salvage this miserable campaign. Bringing his analytical expertise to the show, Baker adds a much-needed statistical dimension to the conversation. He walks us through the underlying numbers that paint an undeniably damning picture of the current Spurs side, highlighting the exact areas where De Zerbi will need to orchestrate rapid, drastic improvements if we are to survive the drop. As it is a Q&A episode, Baker also tackles a fantastic selection of your listener questions. We dive into the ever-present goalkeeping question, debating whether Antonin Kinsky, Guglielmo Vicario, or perhaps someone else entirely will emerge as the undisputed number one by the end of the season. Finally, looking at things from an FPL perspective, we ask the golden question: does the arrival of De Zerbi make any current Tottenham players viable targets for your FPL squads? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roberto De Zerbi has officially been appointed as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We run through the details of his new long-term contract, focusing specifically on the incredible revelation that there is no relegation break clause included. We discuss his apparent commitment to completely rebuilding the club, regardless of whether we are playing Premier League or Championship football next season. However, the appointment is already completely dividing the fanbase. We address the immediate and very vocal displeasure from several Spurs fan groups regarding De Zerbi's previous comments and his support of Mason Greenwood during their time together at Marseille. We also explore the footballing concerns surrounding his notoriously erratic temper, questioning whether injecting that kind of volatility into a squad completely devoid of confidence is a recipe for total disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Conor back to the show to process the sudden departure of Igor Tudor. With only seven games left to save Tottenham from the drop, the pair ask if it was actually fair to sack the interim boss at such a critical juncture. The conversation quickly shifts to his seemingly imminent replacement, Roberto De Zerbi. We tackle the controversial appointment from all angles, starting with the very real off-pitch concerns that have left a significant section of the fanbase feeling uneasy about his arrival. From there, we explore our footballing reservations, questioning whether his notoriously fiery temperament and dogmatic style of play can actually work in a Spurs side that currently looks completely devoid of confidence and is lacking technical ability in key areas. Finally, we try our hardest to look for the silver linings. We explore what a De Zerbi appointment might actually mean for the long-term identity of the club, and discuss whether his chaotic, high-intensity energy is exactly the sort of shock therapy this squad needs to survive the final weeks of the season or if it's all too little too late. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Days after the passing of his father, it has been confirmed that Tottenham have parted ways with interim gaffer Igor Tudor in a Sunday afternoon announcement. Who is next in line for Spurs, which route can the club take? Roberto De Zerbi heavily linked... will Mauricio Pochettino bin off the World Cup? Adi Hutter, is he the guy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Big Jon Bass back to the show to discuss how we desperately need to brush ourselves off and go again after the Forest disaster. We start by addressing the deeply uncomfortable feelings directed towards the squad this week. Seeing the players post jubilant, smiling social media updates while away on the international break has struck a massive nerve with a fanbase still reeling from a relegation scrap. The conversation then turns to the people running the club. With the pressure mounting, we analyse the massive decision Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange have on their hands regarding Igor Tudor's future. If they pull the plug on the interim boss, who is actually brave or foolish enough to step into the dugout right now to save us from the drop? Finally, Jon answers your listener questions. We debate what it will actually take to spark full-scale protests against the owners, ask how Vinai and Lange are still in their jobs given the current mess, and end on a necessary lighter note by getting Jon’s favourite whiskies to help soothe the pain of yet another Tottenham defeat. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Gavin back to the podcast to pick through the rubble of the absolute disaster against Nottingham Forest. After such an incredible show of support from the fans on the High Road before kick-off, the 3-0 collapse feels like a crushing blow. We discuss how it remains vital to keep the faith, even when the on-pitch performances make it increasingly difficult to do so week in, week out. The conversation then turns to a familiar frustration: the refereeing. We vent about the officiating Tottenham continually receive, asking why the tight decisions always seem to go against our favour, especially when we are fighting tooth and nail for our top-flight survival. Facing the grim reality of our situation, Jack and Gavin also look ahead to the unthinkable. We consider what life might actually look like for Spurs in the Championship, and debate the ultimate question: if the worst does happen and we drop down a division, would the owners actually see fit to sell the club? It is a tough, heavy discussion that isn't overly optimistic, but right now, as a severely struggling fanbase, we simply need a space to lick our wounds. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the best efforts of the fans, Tottenham are battered at home by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest - an embarrassing and deeply alarming result, that begs the question - where do we go from here? With an international break now thrust upon us, there will be talk about Igor Tudor and his position at the club after some questionable decisions today. It's hard to fathom how we get back from this, but we have to keep believing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Stu and Jay to try and harness some desperately needed positivity ahead of a monumentally important weekend for Tottenham Hotspur. We kick things off by reflecting on a surprisingly uplifting night in the Champions League. Despite crashing out on aggregate, the 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid showcased a squad genuinely fighting for the shirt. We discuss Igor Tudor finally securing his first win, the brilliance of the Archie Gray and Xavi Simons. We also touch upon that controversial refereeing decision right before Julian Alvarez's equaliser. Attention then quickly turns to the grim reality of our domestic campaign and the prospect of a relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest this Sunday. Stu and Jay take us through the motivation behind their incredible fan-led movement, 'Show Up. Sing Up. Stay Up.' We explore the mental shift required to put our deep-seated anger towards the board to one side for 90 minutes, simply because the alternative of dropping into the Championship is completely unthinkable. The lads lay out the exact logistical plan for Sunday, urging everyone to gather at The Bricklayers from 11:30 AM. We talk about the sheer impact a massive, vocal crowd can have when the team coach arrives what it will do to both our players and the opposition before kick-off. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs go out of the Champions League, but win on the night - restoring some pride and keeping their momentum going ahead of a crucial game against Nottingham Forest on the weekend. Once again, a performance full of promise, heart and desire... you have to ponder if Igor Tudor might actually be pretty good at his job after all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Phil back to the pod to bask in the glory of a Tottenham win. Well, it wasn't actually a win, but it certainly felt like one. The pair discuss the sheer relief of taking a glorious, precious point away from Anfield, the scene of so many historic horrors for Spurs, after relegation Richarlison popped up at the back post to silence the Kop. We dissect just how vital this point, and more importantly the performance, is in the wider context of this miserable season. The players finally did exactly what we asked of them and showed some genuine fight on the pitch. Huge credit is also handed to Igor Tudor. After navigating a particularly unpleasant post-match interview with flying colours, we ask if the interim boss is finally starting to win the fanbase over. Attention then briefly turns to the Champions League return leg against Atletico Madrid. We debate whether the fixture holds any real importance anymore, and if Antonin Kinsky should be given the chance to avenge his disastrous away leg. Finally, Jack and Phil reflect on the massive part the fans have to play in keeping Tottenham in the top flight, with the crucial domestic clash against Nottingham Forest looming on the horizon. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of Tottenham's best performances in months, of course, came at Anfield? Who could have expected that - a precious point picked up on the road against Liverpool, and a level of fight and courage that many of us thought these lads were incapable of. Come on you Spurs! Fight to the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes stand-up comic James Regal to the podcast to dissect the absolute humiliation we suffered in Madrid at the hands of Atletico. We start by discussing the bizarrely slippery pitch and the catastrophic impact it had on the game, before turning our attention to Antonin Kinsky. The pair express their deep sympathy for the young player, whose dream Champions League debut brutally morphed into a living nightmare on the European stage. The conversation then shifts to the manager's dugout. We ask if Igor Tudor is entirely to blame for the tactical mess, and debate whether he needs to be replaced immediately if we have any hope of saving Tottenham from the impending drop. Trying to find a sliver of dark comedy in the situation, Jack and James even discuss whether there are actually any hidden positives to Spurs going down to the Championship. As it is a Q&A day, James also dives into your listener questions. We explore the ultimate financial conundrum of what it would actually take to force ENIC to sell the club, and finish on a lighter, self-deprecating note by discussing which lower-league stadia James is most looking forward to visiting in the event of our relegation. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An absolute farce of a match in the Champions League for Spurs that must surely signal the end of the Tudor era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Billie from the When The Whistle Blows podcast back to the show to reflect on the current doom spiralling at Tottenham Hotspur. With board neglect, mounting injuries, and a general feeling that the universe is conspiring against us, we try to find a reason to remain hopeful. We ask if the fans are now the last bastion keeping the club in the Premier League. The pair explore the heavy emotional toll of constantly rallying behind a team that has let the supporters down so often over the past couple of years, and discuss how we can possibly muster the energy to keep going when times are this tricky. Billie also touches on a fascinating conversation he recently had with renowned journalist Henry Winter on Last Word on Spurs alongside Ricky Sacks. We discuss how disarming, yet incredibly validating, it was to have somebody with such vast footballing knowledge from outside the Tottenham bubble notice the exact same structural failings that Spurs fans have been screaming about. Finally, attention turns to the Champions League and the upcoming clash with Atletico Madrid. Despite the sad reality that this could be the last game Spurs play in Europe's elite competition for quite some time, we debate whether the fixture simply feels like an unwelcome distraction from the terrifying and all-consuming threat of domestic relegation. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Adam Michie to confront the terrifying emotions swirling around the ether after Spurs lost their absolute 'must-win' game to Crystal Palace, making the threat of relegation a harrowing reality. We dive straight into the criticisms of the current squad. While it has undoubtedly been a difficult season with plenty of mitigating circumstances, we ask why these players consistently fail to shoulder their share of the blame when things get tough. The ire then shifts firmly towards the ownership. We dissect how ENIC have managed to take their eye off the ball at nearly every opportunity, consistently choosing to prioritise the business side of the club over the actual product on the pitch. To help make sense of the growing disconnect between the club and the fanbase, we discuss Adam's brilliant book, Orientation. Adam shares his own fan odyssey, detailing his disillusionment with top-flight football and how swapping the Premier League corporate machine for a season ticket at Leyton Orient helped him rediscover the true soul of what it means to support a football club. Adam also tackles a great selection of listener questions, offering his best 'mental health playbook' for surviving our current existential crisis. We debate the provocative idea of whether winning trophies might actually be bad for Tottenham in the long run, before finishing with a definitive ranking of the biggest derelictions of duty from the owners this season. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs lose to Crystal Palace. Micky Van de ven sent off. This is darkest hour stuff. Is there any saving us? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Phil back to the microphone in the wake of yet another painful Tottenham defeat, this time a 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage. The pair unpack the frustrating Fulham performance, dissecting the problems that were entirely of our own making, whilst desperately trying to cling to the few positives we can take forward. However, there is an elephant in the room that simply cannot be ignored. Jack and Phil don their tinfoil hats to dive into the growing feeling of a conspiracy against Tottenham, sparked by the referee's refusal to penalise Raul Jimenez for a blatant push on Radu Dragusin in the build-up to Fulham's opener. The sense of victimhood goes into overdrive as the boys discuss the utterly bizarre decision by the Premier League's official social media accounts to post a video openly mocking Guglielmo Vicario. They indulge their frustrations at the disrespect before trying their hardest to bring some level-headed rationality back to the situation. Attention then turns to Thursday night under the lights against Crystal Palace. What is quickly turning into one of the most important games of our Premier League lives is analysed in depth. The pair discuss whether Spurs can finally turn the tide, exactly what needs to change on the pitch, and ask the terrifying question: would another loss spell certain death for Tottenham's top-flight survival? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a spirited end to the game, once again we were nowhere to be seen for large periods of this match. Tottenham and Igor Tudor need to shape up quickly. Don't overcomplicate things, get players in their correct positions and fight. Tel has to start. Richarlison has to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Lara back to the show to try and make sense of the seemingly hopeless situation at Tottenham right now. We ask the big questions: what exactly is going wrong, who is ultimately to blame for this mess, and where on earth do the club go from here? Lara also tackles a selection of listener questions, diving into some fascinating debates. We discuss which of the 'best worst' players of yesteryear you would happily take back in the current side, and explore the paradox of whether Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are simultaneously the best and worst things to happen to the club in the last 10 years. The conversation then shifts to the media landscape, asking if Spurs podcasters and creators need to be less negative to help lift the club out of its current strife. Finally, we look at actionable steps and discuss how fans can get better organised to effectively protest the current state of affairs at the club. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Con back to the show, and he is angry. After specifically requesting to come on purely to vent his frustrations, the pair pick through the rubble of another painful North London Derby defeat. With the dust having settled slightly on the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, we desperately try to see if there are any positives to take forward as Tottenham find themselves thoroughly entrenched in a relegation battle. We ask the big questions: do these players actually have the stomach for a scrap at the bottom of the table? Can this squad be trusted when the pressure is truly on? We also take a microscope to some of the individual performances on the day, and speculate on the uncomfortable truth: if the unthinkable happens and Spurs do go down, who will be the first players to jump ship? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bit later than usual, I try my best to break down what exactly went wrong yesterday... what bits did we get right? My fears for Spurs going forwards and just a general sense of trying to get my emotions in check after what was a miserable, miserable defeat. Just when you think the pain that club dishes out on us has maybe stopped, it always seems to find a way to make itself known. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Sean Connell, Editor at The Sponsor, to dive deep into the business and commercial reality of Tottenham's current existential spiral. We start by looking at the elusive stadium naming rights. Following Sean's recent research on the fair market value of European stadiums, we ask if Daniel Levy and the current hierarchy missed the boat by holding out for unrealistic valuations while producing inconsistent results on the pitch. The conversation then tackles the recent bombshell report from Matt Law, suggesting that long-standing commercial partners are cutting ties due to the ongoing chaos and relegation fears. We get Sean's expert view on what actual power sponsors hold in these scenarios. Can they force the club into making better footballing decisions, and what can the likes of Vinai Venkatesham do to repair the toxic commercial environment? Finally, we discuss the front-of-shirt dilemma and the massive financial hit Spurs might take if they had to renegotiate their prime real estate in the current climate. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Paul O Keefe back to the show to discuss the latest happenings at Tottenham and ask the ultimate question: is everything really as big a mess as it seems from the outside? We start by looking back at the decision to keep Thomas Frank in post for as long as the club did. Whose idea was it to delay the inevitable, and what does that hesitation say about the current power structure? Conversation then turns to Igor Tudor stepping into the hotseat. What does Paul make of the appointment? We discuss whether a strict disciplinarian can actually exert proper control over this group of players when everyone knows he is only a temporary fix. Finally, Paul answers your listener questions, including: Have the club already spoken to Mauricio Pochettino about a summer return? Will Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham be the next ones fired? What are our favourite North London Derby memories? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Tom Foins back to the pod to mull over the news that the majority of Thomas Frank's backroom staff have been given the chop. We discuss the brutal nature of the clearout, specifically Johnny Heitinga departing after just 33 days at the club, and the loss of highly-rated coach Justin Cochrane. Tom reflects on why this is probably for the best in the long run, but acknowledges that the saga is once again reflective of the chaotic decision-making plaguing the club. The futures of Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange are firmly in the spotlight. We ask if the club would be better off without them, and whether a total uprooting of the hierarchy is needed to put this miserable period behind us. Attention then turns to the appointment of Igor Tudor. We discuss what we can hope and expect from him during his time as Spurs boss, especially with such a depleted squad, will he be forced to tap into the youth team resources? Finally, we look ahead to the summer: Mauricio Pochettino seems to be the most obvious pick right now, but is he actually the right one? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack jumps on an impromptu call with Gazzetta dello Sport's Tommy Milanese to react to the breaking news that Igor Tudor is all but confirmed as Tottenham's new interim manager. We dig into Tudor's reputation in Italy to find out exactly what we are getting. Tommy gives the lowdown on his mixed spells with Lazio and Juventus (including that recent 8-game winless run), and we discuss whether his abrasive, high-intensity tactical style can actually blend with this specific group of players, or if it's a disaster waiting to happen. We also ask the big questions: will he be willing to incorporate the youth players Spurs are so reliant on? And crucially, is he the man to save us from the drop? Tommy also shares some fascinating insight into Fabio Paratici’s reputation in Italy, and shares a brilliant anecdote about an impromptu lunch date with Jose Mourinho during his time working for the club. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Jon Bass to discuss the sacking of Thomas Frank. We look back on his time at the club and ask the burning question: why on earth did it take the board this long to remove a man who was clearly incompetent for the role? We reflect on the damage done and the "existential spiral" the club now finds itself in. Attention then turns to the future. We mull over potential alternative appointments, both on an interim basis to save our season, and the long-term vision required to fix the mess. Jon also answers your listener questions, including a deep dive into whether the injuries are actually being caused by the stadium's retractable surface, and a shout for a "left-field" appointment with a little-known coysy affiliation. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thomas Frank is gone - official announcement. Tottenham's worst manager of the Premier League era and one of their worst managers of all time... but is it all his fault? Whatever the case, something had to change... but who now? Cochrane? Heitinga? Mason? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Say it again, Jack... Tottenham lose again. Surely the game that seals Thomas Frank's fate? Results around Spurs conspiring to give the league table a very concerning glow. Where are the wins coming from? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Con back to the show to reflect upon the defeat at Old Trafford that pushes Spurs perilously close to the relegation zone. We ask the uncomfortable question: is this actually going to happen? Do we have enough about us to avoid the drop, or is the club sleepwalking into disaster? We discuss the failings of Thomas Frank, his system, his demeanour, and the uninspiring displays that seem to be dragging the club down. The conversation goes deep on Cristian Romero's red card. Was it a red? Is he refereed differently to other players due to media narratives? We also address the growing calls from some Spurs fans who label the vice-captain a "liability" and ask if they are right or simply buying into the external noise. We couldn't record this without talking about Mauricio Pochettino's appearance on the High Performance podcast, where he seemed to be fluttering his eyelashes at Tottenham once again. Is a return destiny, or just emotional wistful thinking when we need a proper strategy? Finally, we look ahead to Tuesday's crunch game against Newcastle at White Hart Lane, a match that feels like a must-win for both the manager and the club's survival hopes. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs lose again. Something I'm getting bored of typing. Sure, Manchester United have been reinvigorated by Michael Carrick, but it's still frustrating to see Spurs put in such a meek showing against a side that we beat four times last season. The Cristian Romero debate will rage on, was it a red, wasn't it? Either way, the timing is somewhat ironic, giving his bemoaning of the team being short of players. Udogie limping off again, completed a miserable afternoon for Spurs that again asks the question...where are the points coming from? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Billie T (When The Whistle Blows) back to the podcast to pile into the post-transfer window anguish at Tottenham. We start on a lighter note with a story about Billie virtually rubbing shoulders with Xavi Simons, and explore the unlikely connection between the Dutch playmaker and the joys of Chas & Dave. Conversation quickly turns serious as we discuss Cristian Romero's inflammatory Instagram post. Was he right to air his frustrations, or should the club captain keep the dirty laundry private? We ask if this is the beginning of the end for his time at Spurs and if we would consider selling him in the summer. We also analyse Johan Lange's interview on the club channels after the window closed, discussing why the Technical Director cuts such an uninspiring figure during a time of crisis. Finally, Billie answers listener questions, including a chat around Change For Tottenham's attempted 75th-minute walkout protest against Man City, and how the group might change their tactics in the future. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to unpack another transfer window of frustration as the deadline SLAMS shut. Spurs failed to get any significant last-minute deals across the line, leaving the fanbase refreshing their feeds only to see more youthful acquisitions rather than the first-team ready starters we desperately need. We ask if this is a major worry for the remainder of the campaign. With the squad looking threadbare to say the least, have the club taken a massive gamble by refusing to strengthen the senior ranks when we needed it most? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is officially a social experiment... with about five fit players at our disposal, we still somehow managed to avert disaster at home to Man City in a game that at half time looked like it was set up to be a cricket score... Yes, it may have given Arsenal a slightly advantage, but this is about Spurs getting precious points. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Gavin to reflect on the joys of European football and ask why Tottenham aren't more loud and proud about their pedigree in continental competition. We discuss the bizarre duality of the current season: finishing in the top 4 of the Champions League phase, yet languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League with the threat of relegation breathing down our necks. Does the European success buy Thomas Frank more time, or is his number up regardless of our continental adventures? The pair also discuss the ownership, looking for any clues in their recent behaviour, before answering your questions. Topics covered include whether it is now compulsory for the Spurs transfer committee to prioritise "old hard men" over technical footballers, and we finish on a lighter note with a chat about our favourite non-alcoholic drinks. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices