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