The Game

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, James Restall and Jonathan Northcroft. The big changes at the FA are under the spotlight as Greg Clarke leaves following his comments earlier this week. Who does the FA look to next? Liverpool’s defensive woes continue with Joe Gomez’s injury - will they be forced into the transfer market in January? Should international friendlies be taking place during lockdown and Scotland are one game away from Euro 2020 - but without Ryan Fraser, can they make it past Serbia?Subscribe to The Times and get a month free: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson. The weekend’s games get dissected, but are Liverpool and Manchester City already showing signs they may not be the top 2 at the end of the season? Aston Villa put in another impressive performance - but does the result tell us more about Arsenal’s problems? Do clubs have any right to complain about short turnarounds when they agree the television deals? Just when you think you’ve seen everything VAR has to offer, Patrick Bamford’s sleeve is ruled offside - how long can this go on? The Last Word centres around the curious use of the Panenka penalty (Sorry Ademola!)Subscribe to The Times and get a month free: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and James Restall. As we head back into lockdown, the pause on grassroots sport returns - but why is women’s football not considered elite when the men’s professional game continues? Brendan Rodgers is under the spotlight - is he underrated and what would prove his quality if so? As AFC Wimbledon play their first game back at Plough Lane, the team discuss their remarkable rise as a phoenix club. Diogo Jota’s impact at Liverpool has been remarkable, but which other players have had such an instant impact on a team?Subscribe to The Times and get a month free: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Clarke. As Ole Gunnar Solskjær takes his 100th game at Manchester United - will he be there for 100 more? Brighton and Sheffield United both look good, but need results - why aren’t they coming? There’s been no yellow cards for diving since the season started - are the lack of fans the reason? Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still scoring at 39, the team pick their favourite ‘older’ footballers who can still cut it!Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Jonathan Northcroft, Tom Roddy and the Times Chief Football Writer - Henry Winter. With Marcus Rashford impressing both on and off the pitch, the team discuss his impact on both the game against Leipzig and on the Government. Frank Lampard thanks he’s being treated unfairly because he’s English - does he actually get an easy ride? And do EFL clubs deserve a Government bail out as chief executive Rick Parry suggests?Flash Sale: Get The Times half price for 6 months: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson. With unexpected early leaders - is this the most open Premier League season ever? After losing to Leicester on Sunday - is the party already over for Arsenal or are they looking at the bigger picture? It’s been a year since Southampton lost 9-0 at home to Leicester - how far have they come in those 12 months? We’ve seen an EFL manager speak out about a player, telling him to ‘man up’ - what impact do these public humiliations have on the dressing room?Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft. The Mesut Özil situation has got even messier in the last few days - but is Mikel Arteta really a failure for not getting the best out of him? Footballers are using their positions for activism more than ever - does anyone have the right to tell them to ‘just get back to football’? The English success in Europe this week also falls under the spotlight. Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke and James Restall. West Ham’s comeback against Spurs is under the spotlight, did Gareth Bale show signs of positivity during his 18-minute cameo? Virgin Van Dijk is potentially out for the rest of the season - should Jordan Pickford have been sent off? A debate breaks out over the latest VAR controversy and the Champions League is back this week - which British sides will go the furthest? Ian Hawkey joins in the conversation..Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft. England are once again in focus after defeat to Denmark, with no sign of Jack Grealish and no Harry Maguire for the majority of the game. Does the Manchester United defender need a break or should he continue to play on? Does the demise of the short-lived 'Project Big Picture' mean the discussion about protecting the football pyramid is over and which Premier League games have got our attention this weekend? Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke. The big talking point is the proposal to overhaul English football as set out in ‘Project Big Picture’. The Times’ Chief Sports Reporter, Henry Winter joins us to give his thoughts on the proposed changes and look back on England’s win over Belgium. Molly Hudson brings us the latest from the women’s game and which Premier League matches would you actually pay £14.95 for? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd. As the dust settles on the European transfer deadline day, the Chief Sports Correspondent for The Times - Matt Lawton - gives his insight into how the window works as a journalist, with the team adding their thoughts on which teams had the best transfer window. England are in the spotlight, in particular the goalkeeping situation and Gregor gives his opinion on Scotland’s hopes of Euro 2020 qualification.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a podcast takeover with the Stories of our Times podcast. The decision by the government to prevent fans from attending football matches in the UK has left many lower league clubs facing an uncertain future. What's it like to play for a National League and just how important are local clubs to their towns?Guest: Gregor Robertson, Times Sport columnist and co-host of The Game podcast. Host: David AaronovitchClips used: GTFC OfficialMusic: 'Blue Lobster' by Daniel Birch is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (looped from original).More Stories of Our Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/stories-of-our-times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft and Gregor Robertson are joined by Tom Clarke and Matt Dickinson. After a weekend of surprising results, the debate gets heated when it comes to the problems at Manchester United, Aston Villa's impressive start to the season isn’t all that surprising and Arsene Wenger’s departure from the Emirates is in focus as The Times features an extract from My Life in Red and White: My Autobiography.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Clarke. They share their comfort break mishaps in solidarity with Eric Dier after his mid-game dash to the changing rooms, discuss Dominic Calvert-Lewin's thrilling start to the season and impending England call-up and look at the fascinating numbers behind first 200,000 league fixtures.Check out Bill Edgar's Numbers behind first 200,000 league fixtures: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/peter-shilton-preston-and-playing-without-nets-numbers-behind-first-200-000-league-fixtures-hcnvpbwk3Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson. Manchester City's humbling by Leicester City is dissected as praise is thrown in the direction of Jamie Vardy from all angles and is the controversial handball rule the end of football as we know it? Oh, and find out who Rodney Cucumber is..Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Jonathan Northcroft. After this week's Government announcement that limited numbers of fans won't be allowed into stadiums from October 1st as hoped, the team debate what needs to happen to protect the future of the EFL. The big question of 'what on Earth is going on at West Ham?' gets answered and famous faces are matched with football clubs as Ryan Reynolds looks set to invest in Wrexham AFC.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Matt Dickinson. After they lost to Crystal Palace over the weekend, the team discuss just who is to blame at Manchester United and whether Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the man to lead them forward, what does the future hold for Dele Alli after he was left out of the Spurs squad again as they thrashed Southampton and why are we seeing such high-scoring games this season? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Jonathan Northcroft. In a big week for both North London sides, they debate whether Gareth Bale's impending move back to Tottenham suits both parties and whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang re-signing with Arsenal shows a lack of ambition. They also discuss the situation surrounding Macclesfield and wider financial troubles in the EFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tom Roddy and James Restall to take a look back on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. They debate whether Leeds were great or if Liverpool were awful, how the player Spurs need was playing for the opposition and have The Last Word on Andy Carroll's elbows.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The football season is back and The Times has a new lineup for The Game podcast. Hugh Woozencroft is the new host of the show and makes his debut alongside Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Tom Clarke. On the show they debate whether Chelsea can take on Manchester City and Liverpool, why Arsenal are top-four contenders and how Fulham have learned from their bad planning.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/thegame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregor is back alongside Nat as they chat to Tom Roddy about more woes for West Ham, why Chelsea are like a bodybuilder skipping leg day, and the full story from Reykjavik as Foden and Greenwood land themselves in hot water with Gareth Southgate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie is joined by Tom Roddy and Tom Clarke for a trip back to Euro 2016 and England's humiliating exit at the hands of Iceland. Four years on they face them again with a point to prove ahead of next year's European Championships.More on this, why Harry Kane's place in the team could be under threat, and should Everton fans be excited for the new season? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Dickinson and Tom Clarke join Natalie Sawyer for more on yet another scalp and yet another trophy for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal! But is the Spaniard building something resembling Klopp's Liverpool at The Emirates?The panel discuss this, a Millie Bright stunner, yet more accolades for Lucy Bronze, and more on the transfer window's newest rebel... Lionel Messi! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie Sawyer is joined by Jonathan Northcroft and Tom Roddy to reflect on an incredible week that has seen Lionel Messi hand in a transfer request at Barcelona! The panel dissect the events and look at how Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will look to bring him to The Premier League!They also ask if Manchester United would be better off without De Gea, and how good is Ben Chilwell? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie is joined by Alyson Rudd and Tom Clarke to relive this season's Champions League final. Thiago Alcantara was one of the stars of the show - but could he be swapping Munich for Liverpool?More on this, and what to expect from next year's bumper season! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke to discuss Joe Hart's move to Tottenham, but will he get one more chance to show the Premier League the goalkeeper they've been missing?More on this, Sunday's Champions League final and the incredible story of Glasgow City FC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Northcroft joins Nat & Gregor to look at Man City's inferiority complex in the Champions League after yet another quarter-final exitMore on this, why even Van Dijk couldn't turn Man United into title contenders. And could Lionel Messi really be leaving Barcelona? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke on a week where Scottish football has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons! But are we expecting too much of footballers to lock themselves away for our entertainment?The panel discuss this, the plight of Macclesfield Town, and ask why some Man United fans are still not happy with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Dickinson joins Nat & Gregor to ask who can stop Man City from finally winning the Champions League, whether Chelsea have actually had a good season, and why doesn't Robert Lewandowski get the credit he deserves? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to reflect on Scott Parker's managerial masterclass in the play-off final, a controversial week for Arsenal and a look at what makes us football nerds! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Roddy joins Natalie Sawyer with all the fallout from Eddie Howe's departure at Bournemouth and some fighting talk out of the Brentford camp ahead of their play-off final with West London rivals Fulham! Plus Tom tells the story of our oldest FA Cup winner, 97 year old Reg Harrison! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie and Gregor are joined by Tom Clarke to discuss Brentford booking their place in the Championship playoff final in the final game at Griffin Park, the battle of the up-and-coming managers as Arteta takes on Lampard in the FA Cup Final on Saturday and the huge match at the same venue just 24 hours later, as Harrogate Town and Notts County play for a place in the Football League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie and Gregor are joined by Tom Roddy to take a look at one of the most remarkable Premier League seasons in history. Gregor's cat makes a cameo as the panel look at the winners and losers in 2019/20 and which sides could challenge Liverpool for their crown in 2020/21. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Roddy joins Nat & Gregor after the most dramatic of finishes to the Championship season! Gregor tells us which club has "bottled it" this season and should have a song named after them, and the panel ask which team are you on? Team Hendo....or team KDB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Ben Machell after his beloved Leeds United secured their promotion to the Premier League, but can Leeds cut it back in the big time?The panel discuss this, a weekend of managerial casualties and the 8 billion possible permutations at the bottom of The Championship! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by James Restall for an EFL special looking at the race for promotion to the Premier League, an inquest into what has happened at Hull following their 8-0 humbling at Wigan, and the panel discuss what makes Adebayo Akinfenwa so special. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor for an in-depth look at how Manchester City successfully appealed their 2-year European Ban. So where next for Financial Fair Play?More on this, the sorry state of the North London sides and the latest on what promises to be a thriller of a relegation battle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Tom Roddy to discuss one of the final David Silva masterclasses at The Etihad, and how he should be honoured when he departs Man City at the end of the season.The panel discuss this, some exciting news for Chelsea fans, and ask if it's ever ok to switch club allegiances? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson after contrasting weekends for either side of Manchester. So should City fans be worried? And how soon will United be back challenging for titles?More on this, the incredible story of Jamie Vardy and Gregor tells us what it was like to play against a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor fresh from her trip to see Bournemouth humbled at home to Newcastle. So has time run out on Eddie Howe? More on this, the happy hammers, and whether there is a road back for Wigan after going into administration this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson following the weekend's FA Cup action. Was Newcastle's defeat to Man City the end of the road for Steve Bruce? And do managers like him and Neil Warnock get enough credit?Gregor has been watching Warnock's new team Middlesbrough in the flesh to deliver his verdict, and the panel discuss where it's gone wrong for Leicester and oh so right for Liverpool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss Anthony Martial becoming the first Man United player to score a Premier League hat-trick in over 7 years! So is he finally the real deal?The panel discuss this, an action packed weekend of FA Cup action and ask how long until we see a high profile footballer come out as gay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to look back on the first weekend of the Premier League's restart.Arsenal are in the firing line after another abject performance, so how much further can they fall? And with all 4 bottom sides losing this weekend, have the panel seen anything to change their mind on who is going down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to try and work out exactly what happened for the "ghost goal" at Villa Park in the restart's first big talking point. David Luiz also goes under the microscope after a night to forget at The Etihad.Plus special reports from Henry Winter & Matt Dickinson on what football without fans is really like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to welcome back Premier League football!Hear why they're backing Norwich to perform a great escape, which 'dysfunctional' Premier League team is in the middle of another player contract dispute, and is one title good enough for this Liverpool side? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Northcroft joins Nat & Gregor to discuss The Cherries sticky situation as Ryan Fraser looks set to depart Bournemouth, but is it ever ok to refuse to play?More on this, a crazy week for the EFL, and the case for Norwich to stay up this season! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Dickinson joins Nat & Gregor to look back on a good weekend for Chelsea football club. Timo Werner agrees to join Frank Lampard's side, whilst Emma Hayes is handed the WSL title. So is it time Hayes was given a job in the men's game?The panel discuss this and the ever changing role of the captain, has British football become too obsessed with it's lion-hearted leaders? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Chief Football Writer Henry Winter joins Nat & Gregor to explore the need for football to lead from the front in the battle against racism across the globe.More vocal players, fearless protests and stronger sanctions are all up for debate as they ask whether football needs to be more proactive rather than reactive.All this plus more from Mark Noble and Jack Grealish, who Henry has been speaking to this week as we countdown the days to the return of The Premier League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor with news that The Championship will be back on the 20th June, but how many players out of contract at the end of the month will want to play?The panel discuss this, potential problems for the return of live action, and nominate their all time spot kick kings! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Northcroft joins Nat & Gregor with news that Premier League football will return on the 17th June. But are we ready?The panel debate this and ask....who is the Premier League's greatest import? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.