The Game

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.

Martyn Ziegler joins Nat & Gregor in what is a crucial week for the return of football in England, and why we could be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.More on this, why the EFL could turn to the government for help, and the panel mark 15 years to the day since the miracle of Istanbul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Henry Winter to discuss problems at Watford as Troy Deeney stays away from training over safety concerns.The panel discuss this, whether personality traits of footballers make them more likely to struggle with mental health, and a look back at one of England's finest performances as they thrash Holland at Euro 96. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyson Rudd joins Nat & Gregor to look at the likes and dislikes from the return of the Bundesliga. Is this what we want English football to be when it returns?More on this, the evolution of refereeing, and Paul Gascoigne. Was he really as good as everyone says he was? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss the future of Leagues 1 and 2, and whether footballers should be back at work at the same time as everyone else.And with two Scots on the panel it's time for Euro 96 revisited! Does the pain of England's victory over Scotland still hurt 24 years on? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd to discuss the mental health issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic, and whether football can do more to help tackle this.They also give their verdict on the latest developments on Project Restart, and look back on the bizarre reign of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times' Chief Football Writer Henry Winter joins Natalie Sawyer on The Game Podcast to tell us why football should not be returning anytime soon, and why he hates Wembley Stadium!Tom Roddy also has a trip down memory lane to mark 4 years since Leicester lifted the title, and the panel tackle one of football's great debates...half and half scarves! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to discuss Kevin De Bruyne's possible exit from Man City, the latest on project restart, and yet more unpopular football opinions.Have England really overachieved as a football team? And has the country ever produced a decent manage? More on this and much much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our new free daily news podcast, Stories of our times. It takes you to the heart of the stories that matter, with exclusive access and reporting. Published for the start of your day, it is hosted by Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch.Cheltenham Festival was the last major sporting event to take place prior to the national lockdown in the UK. But should it ever have happened? The four-day fixture took place in March and has since become a lightning rod for criticism around perceived government inaction on the coronavirus crisis. We talk to people who were there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to discuss bad news for Newcastle fans as Mauricio Pochettino declares his "dream" to manage Spurs again one day!Plus the panel have a game of unpopular football opinions....should England really have achieved more as a football team? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Lawton to discuss "Project Restart" which aims to get the Premier League back up and running. But is it a restart or a non-starter?More on this, where Phil Neville could be heading next and a look back to a tweak in the laws of the game that revolutionised modern football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by The Times' Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler for an in depth look at UEFA's executive committee meeting and what it means for next season's Champions League.`Martyn also does a deep dive into Newcastle's potential new owners, and whether Steve Bruce should be a worried man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to cast their expert eyes across inventive ways to make football behind closed doors work. Virtual season tickets, fake crowd noises and even drive through football!All that plus more on Wayne Rooney insisting he's not a natural goalscorer, and Gregor tells us what it's like to face Andres Iniesta on the pitch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd to look back on the rocky road of Mike Ashley at Newcastle as his time nears an end.They also discuss 'invisible geniuses' in football, and Alyson pays a touching tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster on the week of the 31st anniversary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Jonathan Northcroft to pay tribute to Chelsea goalkeeping legend Peter Bonetti who passed away on Easter Sunday. They discuss the impact he had on English football as he pioneered the game in his position.And with a new proposal to finish the Premier League season at Wembley and St George's Park, Gregor tells us why top players may have changed their minds on leaving their families to get back to football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Alyson Rudd following the news of the Premier League players initiative to help the NHS, so are we too quick to judge high earning footballers?More on this, whether Sadio Mane should be in the running for the Ballon d'Or, and anyone for a game of football scrabble? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat & Gregor are joined by Matt Dickinson to discuss Liverpool's much publicised decision to furlough some of their staff! So should the club reconsider?More on this, Wayne Rooney's must read column in the Sunday Times, and a look back on the 2006 World Cup in Germany from Matt and his 'moles in the camp!' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.