The Lab (Tottenham Hotspur Podcast)

We dig into what De Zerbi ball could actually look like at Spurs, from build-up patterns and risk in possession to which players might thrive and which might struggle. We also get into his reputation, why the Marseille chaos might need more context, and whether Tottenham finally have a coach with enough clarity and force of personality to shape the club around him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We dig into the financial reality of what would happen if Spurs were relegated. From parachute payments and wage reduction clauses to player sales, stadium revenue and the Leeds comparison, we separate panic from fact and ask just how bad it would really be if the worst happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by journalist and broadcaster Julien Laurens to dig into Tottenham’s appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and why it feels both exciting and slightly terrifying. We talk through his time at Marseille, why his football can be brilliant, why things so often turn volatile around him, and whether Spurs have just hired a genius or lit the fuse on another explosion. There’s loads in here on his tactical demands, his clashes with players and the press, his need for control, and which Spurs players might thrive or struggle under him. A proper deep dive into one of the most fascinating managers in football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sit down with Ben White to break down the five pillars every successful football club needs: strategy and structure, manager alignment, money, recruitment, and patience. From Daniel Levy’s exit and the vacuum left behind, to why Spurs keep making the same mistakes, we get into what a modern club should actually look like and why Tottenham still feel miles off it. We also touch on stadium revenue, PSR, bad recruitment, and why money alone solves absolutely nothing. A proper look at the problems behind the problems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can buy Mike Donavan's wonderful book here We sat down with author Mike Donovan to explore the life and legacy of Danny Blanchflower, a man who helped define Tottenham Hotspur. We discuss Donovan’s journey, Blanchflower’s move to Spurs, and his influence on one of the club’s greatest sides. More than a brilliant footballer, Blanchflower was a modern captain ahead of his time. Thoughtful, articulate, and demanding of high standards, he shaped the dressing room and embodied what Spurs stood for. This episode looks at why his legacy still matters today, and why he remains the gold standard for leadership and identity at a football club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We chat to Stu and Jay about how the idea to greet the team bus before Forest came together, how quickly the club, police and fan groups got behind it, and why this week has felt completely different around Spurs. We get into the disconnect between players and fans, why the mood has shifted so suddenly, and why this match feels massive for the future of the club. Most of all, this is about what can happen when Spurs fans pull in the same direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Kilpatrick joins us to talk through the sudden change in mood around Tottenham after the Liverpool draw and the performance against Atletico Madrid. We get into whether Igor Tudor has finally found something that works, Romero’s growing influence behind the scenes, the renewed connection between fans and players, and why Archie Gray looks like a huge part of Spurs’ future. There is still plenty of nervous energy around, but for the first time in a while, it feels like there might just be a road out of this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by professional football coach Harry Brooks to look at Igor Tudor’s first few games in charge and ask the big question: is he making things too complicated at the worst possible time? We get into the Fulham and Palace line-ups, why simplicity might be the only way Spurs survive, which players have to start every week, and whether a more old-school arm-around-the-shoulder approach would give this squad a better chance of staying up. It’s tactical, a bit bleak, and probably more honest than is comfortable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by Anatole Pang in Hong Kong to talk through why this Spurs mess feels so much scarier than the 90s. We get into the “oil tanker” problem, the Levy exit and the vacuum it’s left, and why it’s suddenly hard to even work out who’s responsible for what. Then we dig into Romero speaking out, the director of football muddle, and why Spurs recruitment keeps feeling reactive. Finally, we look at takeover rumours, the kind of “tycoons” circling, and the grim question of whether relegation might actually make Spurs more attractive to buy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by Dan KP to talk through the weirdest Spurs season we can remember, from the genuine relegation dread to the strange comfort of just wanting boring mid table life again. We revisit Conte’s outbursts in order, including the Burnley wobble and the infamous Southampton rant, and ask whether he basically saw all of this coming. There’s also some overdue respect for those Bodo Glimt wins, a look at the run in, and a proper chat about who is actually pulling the strings at Tottenham now that Levy’s gone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by Michael Green, an elite-level physio who’s worked in professional football across different clubs and projects, including time with the FA and supporting players through PFA rehab pathways. We get into what actually happens after a “routine knock” turns into months out, why ACL timelines are never as simple as fans want them to be, and why hamstrings are basically their own medical universe. Michael also tackles the big Spurs talking points: pitch surfaces, fixture congestion, intensity of playing style, rotation, injections and why you sometimes need weeks to know if they’ve worked. Plus, the bit nobody talks about enough: how stress, sleep and mental load can quietly push players towards injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by Luca from JFTV to get the Juventus perspective on Igor Tudor and what Tottenham fans can expect over the coming months. We talk about how Tudor steadied Juve in a difficult spell, his strengths as a man manager, the tactical tweaks he tends to make, and whether he really is the right kind of character to guide Spurs through a tense run in. If you’re wondering who Tudor is and why he might work, this is a great place to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with Harry Brooks to talk through Tottenham’s next manager problem, and why it feels like two jobs in one: steady the ship now, then take us forward. We dig into Pochettino as the obvious unifier, Helberg as the exciting left field option, and what De Zerbi, Glasner and Iraola would actually mean in terms of style, control, chaos, and whether the club has the stomach for another intense rebuild. We also get into dressing room standards, why “environment” changes everything, and how modern football has drifted toward patterns, set pieces and safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We get into Romero’s Instagram post and whether “disgrace” was a translation issue or another not-so-subtle dig at the people running Spurs. From a historically dead January window to PSR reality, loan market weirdness, and why the club feels completely directionless, we ask the big one: did we actually try and fail, or just choose not to act? Plus: how much slack does Frank get when the squad is held together with tape, and does the lack of signings quietly buy him time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to talk about what’s really happening inside a player’s head when the pressure hits. Dan explains his “ANTS” idea (automatic negative thoughts), why mistakes snowball, and how crowd emotion can seep into decision-making. We also get into “game face” as a practical tool, the difference between high and low performance mindsets, and why culture matters if you want any of this to stick. Proper fascinating, and very Spurs-relevant right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We stop doing the “everyone’s rubbish” routine and actually audit the squad. What’s a genuine upgrade, what’s just frustration, and who simply doesn’t fit. Vicario and the modern keeper problem, Dragusin as the obvious sale, Udogie’s injuries, Porro’s trade off, midfield balance (and the Paulinha debate), the Kulusevski and Maddison contract time bomb, and why Tel is the one attacker we’re building around. Plus, we end with the uncomfortable truth: even if you bin Richarlison and send Kolo Muani back, you still need a proper number nine, and Jon’s punt is Osimhen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with Harry Brooks and we get stuck into Conor Gallagher to Spurs, why he’s basically plug and play, and why managers love him. We talk about what he actually gives Spurs off the ball, how he can become the press trigger we’ve been missing, and why his engine and discipline make him such a reliable week to week performer. There’s also a bit on Valiz likely heading back to Brazil, a quick Souza check in, and the bigger question of squad balance and what this means for Sarr, Gray and Bergvall. Plus, yes, Villa fans catching strays after Gallagher picks Spurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Brazilian fans are brutal… the training ground is being invaded… any kind of malcontent he will see in N17, he’s already been through it all in Santos.” We’re joined by South American football expert Tim Vickery as Spurs close in on 19-year-old Santos left-back Joao Souza. Tim explains why fans feel trepidation about South American imports, then makes the case for why this one’s different: Souza came through a brutal relegation scrap with training-ground invasions and still stood out because he doesn’t hide. We talk rawness vs readiness, how he compares to Udogie, what his game looks like (driving runs, cutting in or going outside, low deliveries), and whether Spurs should throw him in immediately. Plus Brazil’s wider issues at full-back and central midfield, and a big Richarlison chat about Ancelotti, and criticism in Brazil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sit down with The Athletic's Dan Kilpatrick to talk about the weird new Spurs emotion: numbness. Dan explains how a decade in the press box switched off the “fan brain”, why he’s now trying to work out what kind of supporter he even wants to be, and why watching Spurs can feel like booking time off just to be annoyed. From Romero’s captaincy posts and the club’s outside image, to Frank’s grip on the squad, the lack of leadership, and the muddled structure behind the scenes, it’s a proper zoomed out look at a club that feels riddled with Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with Anatole Pang to talk about the bit of Spurs you never really see: the structure, the decision-making, and why everything keeps looping back to the manager taking the heat. We get into the missing director of football role, how long proper turnarounds actually take, why the squad feels like it was built without a plan, and what has to change in the next 6 to 12 months if Spurs want a real football identity again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by Adam Rosenbaum, Brentford season ticket holder and fan culture photographer, after a grim nil nil where Spurs looked like they had no interest in winning. We talk about what Thomas Frank’s Brentford actually were, why none of it is showing up at Tottenham, and whether this is tactics, players, confidence, or just the job swallowing him whole. Plus we get into Brentford fans turning on Keith Andrews despite being ninth, why football discourse has gone fully binary, and the moment we knew Spurs were cooked when Vicario started time wasting after an hour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with coach Harry Brooks to deep-dive on wunderkid Luka Vuskovic and why the hype is getting silly for an 18-year-old centre-back on loan at Hamburg. We chat through what makes him so dominant, why his aerial numbers are outrageous, how he plays off both feet, and why he keeps popping up with goals like he’s a striker. We also get into the one obvious weakness in his profile, whether he can handle the Premier League right now, and what Spurs even do if he comes back when Romero and Van de Ven are already nailed-on starters. Plus a quick detour into what smart development actually looks like and why rushing the steps is rarely worth it. Sign up to Harry's incredible work here on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with Harry Brooks to talk about what football’s turned into, why so many players default to the safe option, and how control has started squeezing the life out of decision making, even at youth level. Then we drag it back to Spurs, what Thomas Frank might be getting wrong, why “process vs outcome” matters, and why the club feels like it’s trying routes and patterns without a real foundation underneath. We also get into what “risk” actually is, why U-shape football drives us mad, Brennan Johnson’s place in the system, and why every player Harry speaks to says the same thing about Archie Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by journalist Tom Barclay for a look behind the curtain. We start with Mo Salah’s explosive mix zone interview, the panicking Liverpool press officer and what life is really like in those corridors after full time. Then it’s Spurs: Vicario getting booed, Thomas Frank calling out “true Tottenham fans”, the tension around performances and why supporters still crave moments and vibes as much as XG. We finish on Brentford, Xavi Simons, Spurs’ search for a left winger, January rumours and a quick plug for Tom’s Spurs book Miracle in Bilbao. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We got Kish from LilywhiteLab on to dig into Thomas Frank and the big question around Spurs right now. Why are we so blunt in attack? Why are the tactics so conservative when we have the talent to play a more ambitious brand of football? We go through the double pivot obsession, the back five against Arsenal, and what Frank got wrong with Bentancur and Pallinia sitting in front of it. We ask whether this is about the manager, the personnel, or the hangover from finishing seventeenth last season. And most importantly, we talk about what needs to change if Spurs are going to look like a team that can create big chances again. Can Frank do it, and what would it take to unlock this squad? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 2021, Spooky and Flav sat down to try and figure out something that’s been baked into supporting Tottenham for generations: why do we hate Arsenal so much? This episode digs into the roots of it all, from the early days of the rivalry to how it plays out in the modern game. What’s interesting now is listening back with a bit of distance and asking whether anything has really changed since we recorded it. The context has shifted, the clubs have shifted, but that feeling between the two fanbases is still very real. We thought it was worth bringing this one out again because there’s still loads in here that stands up. If you’re into the history, the culture, or just the raw emotion of Spurs Arsenal, you’ll get something out of this. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this one we sit down with Spurs commentator Rob Daly, the voice living rent free in all our heads after Bilbao. We chat about how he finds the right words in the biggest moments, the art of shutting up and letting the crowd breathe, Clive Allen nearly in tears, academy kids changing games from nowhere, and why podcasts are his cheat code for understanding fan mood. It is a proper love letter to commentary, to Spurs, and to that night in Bilbao. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode on The Lab we took a little detour from our usual look into Tottenham Hotspur culture. We had the chance to sit down with Eddie Hearn and Spurs fan, Commonwealth title holder and British title challenger Sam Gilley. Sam is gearing up for his fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the undercard of Chris Eubank versus Conor Benn 2, so we got into everything around the event, the buildup, the atmosphere, and what it means for him at this stage of his career. Eddie gave us great insight into the promotion side and why this fight matters. It’s a different kind of episode for us but a really fun one to record, and a proper look behind the curtain of a big night in British boxing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sit down with journalist and author Tom Barclay to unpack Miracle in Bilbao: The Inside Story of the Europa League Triumph, Clowngate, and what really changed tactically in Europe. We talk press room dynamics, Ange’s spiky side, and why the Europa League run was more plan than player mutiny. We get into Thomas Frank’s pragmatism, creativity concerns, and the fan mood at home, plus the Levy shock and how it blindsided everyone outside the club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Lab we’re joined by Dan Kilpatrick from The Athletic to look at where Spurs are heading under Thomas Frank. We talk about the defensive foundations being built, the exciting talent still to come back, and how key players like Kulusevski can transform the attack. We get into midfield tweaks, Xavi Simons’ potential, and the big opportunities ahead in the January window with fresh backing from the Lewis era. Plenty of reasons to believe this can still turn into a strong season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billie joins us representing Change For Tottenham, discussing a fan-led movement to revive the home atmosphere at Spurs. Working alongside Return of the Shelf and THFCFlags, supporters are pushing for a unified singing section, better engagement from the club, and a stadium experience that reflects the passion of Tottenham Hotspur fans. From European away days with flags travelling alongside the team, to the legacy of the 1882 movement and grassroots mobilisation, we explore why the atmosphere has dipped, how ticket prices affect younger fans, and the massive opportunity presented by the Chelsea match. This is a movement built on unity, noise, and supporters taking the lead to restore Tottenham’s identity at home. Come on you Spurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Lab feed I’m sharing something a little different. Iain from the excellent Poddingham Podspur invited me on to talk about how The Fighting Cock began, why I started The Lab, and what drives me to keep making Spurs content. I wasn’t planning to release this here since it was recorded for someone else’s show and it can feel a bit self-indulgent to talk about myself. But listening back, I think dedicated Fighting Cock and Lab listeners might enjoy the behind-the-scenes chat. Hopefully it offers some insight and a few laughs. And go check out Poddingham Podspur too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs presenter Ben Haines joins The Lab to talk about the Europa League win in Bilbao, how the “Winners” documentary came together, and what changed inside the club under Vinai Venkatesham and Thomas Frank. We get into Ange’s standards, Thomas Frank’s culture work, analysts clipping live during matches, and why increased access has lifted trust among supporters. Ben also shares the story behind Sonny’s emotional farewell interview and what it takes to ask bold questions when you only have ten minutes with a player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined on The Lab by Anatole Pang to break down Tottenham’s rapid front-office rebuild. We unpack the Lewis family’s stance on takeover bids, why we believe Spurs have created twin “sporting director” roles for Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, how Vinai Venkatesham is centralising power as CEO, and what all this means for transfers, wages, set pieces, and Tottenham’s long-term football identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by author Gareth Dace to dive into Tottenham Hotspur’s most formative decade. From Keith Burkinshaw’s progressive blueprint and the revolutionary arrivals of Ardiles and Villa, to Archibald and Crooks igniting White Hart Lane, the sale of Chris Waddle to Marseille, Clive Allen’s 49-goal season, and that deafening 1984 UEFA Cup shootout, this is Spurs in the 80s in full color. We get into Irving Scholar’s vision, the PLC era, Hummel, the Shelf stand rebuild, hooliganism, and the Alan Sugar vs Terry Venables fallout. Gareth’s new book Hotshot Tottenham: Spurs in the 80s – Hoddle, Hummel and Hazards charts the glory and the chaos. He’s also launched a nostalgia pod, Is Gascoigne Gonna Have a Crack?, with Darren Anderton as the first guest. If you love Tottenham history, this one’s catnip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by football finance expert Ben White to unpack Tottenham’s £100 million capital injection from the Lewis family. We explain why it is being done as a share issue rather than a loan, how amortisation and PSR shape what Spurs can actually spend, the Macquarie cash-advance story, and why Chelsea’s model is risky. We also talk timing, ownership intent, January vs summer windows, and what success looks like over the next three to five years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined by The Athletic’s Dan Kilpatrick for a wide-ranging chat on Ange Postecoglou’s spell and the hangover at Forest, Thomas Frank’s pragmatic start, Xavi Simons’ early impact, Richarlison vs Tell, and what ENIC’s next move could look like. We also get into the US ownership question, Premier League voting blocs, and how the club’s summer hinted at a shift in ambition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello and welcome back to The Lab. Today we’re talking about something that’s uncomfortable but important: the ethics of who owns our football clubs. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Firehawk – and yes, ENIC/Tavistock. What do reputable human‑rights organisations actually say? What can PSR stop – and what can’t it? And what does any of this mean for Spurs? I’m joined by Jake Wieczorek, who works in human‑rights and democracy assessment. No lectures – just information, context and a conversation. Read Jake's article here: https://thefightingcock.co.uk/2025/09/success-at-all-costs-a-deep-dive-into-the-ethical-records-of-spurs-current-and-prospective-owners/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thomas Frank’s adaptability, Xavi Simons’ star power, and Spurs’ new set piece edge. In this episode of The Lab, we're joined by journalist and creator Adam Clery from The Adam Clery Football Channel to dig into what Tottenham’s summer really changed. We break down why Simons is a “nightmare” and a genuine floor raiser, how Frank’s flexible approach contrasts with Postecoglou’s, and why Spurs’ set piece surge is more Brentford blueprint than copycat. Adam explains why Mohamed Kudus feels like the signing big clubs should have made, and we stress test the optimism by asking what happens if Romero or Van de Ven get injured. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deep dive into Tottenham Hotspur as a modern business. Private equity professional and lifelong Spurs fan Anatole Pang joins to unpack what a £4–5bn football company should look like, why Tottenham still feels under-structured, the role a true Director of Football should play, how Paratici and Lange fit, what the Gibb River review signals, and how valuation and cash flow actually work in football. We also touch on whether the club is really “for sale,” how owners think about operational reform, and why governance and delegation matter as much as transfer spend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author Andrew Pettifer joins The Lab to talk about his new book When the Final Whistle Blows: Glory, Grief and Tottenham Hotspur. It is a season-long memoir of following Spurs with the OzSpurs community in Sydney, and a tribute to Cameron White, a beloved chapter lead whose final days coincided with European glory. We get into fandom from afar, why belonging matters more than trophies, the chaos of 5 a.m. kickoffs, and why Andrew is donating all proceeds to cancer research at a Sydney hospital. It is a conversation about football, friendship and what remains after the whistle. Listener note: This episode includes discussion of cancer and voluntary assisted dying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham’s summer 2025 transfer window was full of peaks and troughs, ending with a squad that feels reshaped and refreshed. The arrivals of Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Kōta Takai, Mohammed Kudus, João Palhinha, Xavi Simons, and Randal Kolo Muani addressed key areas, though questions remain about depth at centre-back and the absence of a true left winger. Kudus looks ready to make an immediate impact, Simons is viewed as a special talent, and Palhinha adds vital steel. Luka Vuskovic’s loan shows maturity, while Daniel Levy’s role in the window is still debated. Spurs now look positioned for a top-five challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sat down with Ben Bowman and Kish from Lilywhite Lab to dive into Tottenham’s huge capture of Xavi Simons. We break down what makes him such a special talent, why his ball-carrying, creativity, and mentality set him apart, and how Thomas Frank could build a side around him. We also look at where he fits with Brennan Johnson, Mohammed Kudus, and the rest of Spurs’ attack, what this means for breaking down low blocks, and how the signing changes our ambitions this season. Is this the shift Spurs fans have been waiting for? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve started the season with a bang under Thomas Frank, beating Manchester City and showing the kind of tactical adaptability we’ve been crying out for. Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha look like inspired signings, Richarlison is thriving, and for the first time in a while, we’re genuinely excited to watch Spurs. But alongside that optimism is the familiar frustration with transfers. We came close to landing Eberechi Eze only for the deal to collapse, leaving us short of creativity with Maddison and Kulusevski sidelined. Joining us to make sense of it all is Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent for The Athletic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Lab, we examine Daniel Levy’s place in the modern Premier League and whether his long-established approach can still deliver success for Tottenham Hotspur. With the transfer window in full swing, we assess Spurs’ business so far, the gap to their rivals, and the club’s ability to compete at the top under Levy’s cautious, opportunistic style. Joining us is Dan Kilpatrick, News Editor at The Athletic, who offers sharp analysis on Levy’s methods, Spurs’ squad building, and the challenges Thomas Frank faces in his first season. A frank, detailed look at where Tottenham stand and where they’re heading Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices