The Game

Epizodai

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  The BIG Football League season preview 13.08.2026 1val 2min

  Tom Clarke is joined by the Times Joe Harston and Kit Shepard and EFL stalwart Gregor Robertson to preview the start of the EFL season which kicks off this weekend!Can anyone stop West Ham? And is Jarrod Bowen going to run away with the Golden boot? We discuss how the Hammers will cope with the pressure of having to win every week having just dropped into the ChampionshipElsewhere we look at how well equipped the other two relegated sides, Burnley and Wolves are to have an immediate return to the Premier League.How much of an impact will spygate have on Southampton's season? It may be last season's story but the scandal is still set to have a prominent role in the terraces and the media throughout the season.And Tom tells us why his beloved Lincoln will silence their doubters and remain in The Championship following their promotion from League One.Elsewhere we look at how Leicester will cope in League One and is this finally the year that Salford City get their coveted promotion from League Two? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Who can challenge Arsenal this season? Rejuvenated Spurs, and Glasner's Forest 10.08.2026 56min

  Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino to continue the build up to the new Premier League season which is less than two weeks away!Bruno Guimares has signed for champions Arsenal, we ask what impact the Brazilian will have on the Gunners midfield and we herald the return of experienced and sensible transfers after they shelled out £75 million for the 28 year old.One Brazilian in the door, but another one will be staying in Madrid, we ask who the Gunners should turn to now that Vinicius Jnr has chosen to stay in Madrid, and if Marcus Rashford is a realistic option to fill the void on the left wing.Elsewhere Tony tells us why he's so excited by what Chelsea can do under Xabi Alonso, we ask if Spurs can get back into top 5 under Roberto De Zerbi and can Oliver Glasner last the full season under Evangelos Marinakis? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside 06.08.2026 42min

  Tom Clarke check's in with the Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler who brings us right up to speed with all the latest surrounding under pressure FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He remains in charge.....for now, following an emergency meeting in Morocco, but he has apologised for his handling of the FFE proposals which rocked the football world last week.Martyn explains why Infantino won't go away without a fight and tells us why he's confident this saga will spell the end of any future proposals to sell off part of the World Cup by Infantino and whoever ends up replacing him.Away from all the FIFA chaos, we hear from The Times man in Merseyside Paul Joyce who tells us why Andoni Iraola has a lot of work to do to get Liverpool contending for the Premier League next season after a frustrating summer of transfer activity at Anfield.And we hear why David Moyes could be under pressure at Everton if they fail to get off to a decent start to the new season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Infantino finished? Mourinho's Madrid & Iraola's Liverpool challenge 03.08.2026 48min

  What next for Gianni Infantino and FIFA? Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnut and Tony Cascarino to discuss what the future holds for the controversial FIFA President after a number of FA's across Europe publicly withdrew their support for him following his attempt to sell off a stake in the World Cup.We ask if we have really seen the end of this story for good and compare the similarities with UEFA's introduction of a new Champions League format in the wake of the failed Super League.Away from the FIFA scandal, Tom Allnut talks us through hs article on Real Madrid and how new manager Jose Mourinho will get the best out of England's Jude Bellingham.And we ask which teams are we excited by, intrigued by and worried by, with the new Premier League season less than three weeks away! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  FIFA Special: What now for Infantino? 31.07.2026 10min

  Another huge day in the biggest story in football - Tom Clarke is joined by Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter at The Times and the man who broke the news of FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the tournament.In this special, snap episode Martyn offers an update on who has spoken out against the plans, why they will not proceed and whether it could be the end of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  FIFA, Howe, Henderson and Barcola 30.07.2026 57min

  What a dramatic day! Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tom Allnutt and James Gheerbrant to discuss FIFA, Gianni Infantino and their plans to sell the World Cup.The panel call for action and a strong response and before we could finish editing we got that strong response, as UEFA announce they will boycott all future FIFA competitions - Tom rejoined the show to give us the latest.As if that wasn't busy enough, in part two the team discuss Eddie Howe's shock departure from Newcastle, Chelsea's surprise pursuit of Jordan Henderson and wonder if Xabi Alonso's team will be title challengers.There is also transfer talk too as Tottenham vow to make another 'bomba' signing and Liverpool eye Bradley Barcola. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  TIMES EXCLUSIVE: FIFA - Football for sale 28.07.2026 17min

  Tom Clarke speaks to The Times Chief Sports reporter Martyn Ziegler - following his exclusive story in detailing FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to offer 'stakes' in the World Cup.What are the plans? Why does it matter and what happens next?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  On tour with Liverpool and Chelsea 27.07.2026 50min

  The Game is back on tour, speaking with Pete Rutzler who is following Chelsea (and Spurs) down under. The Blues have been spending big, will there be any out goings and how will new manager Xabi Alonso deploy his new talent?Ian Whittell is in America following Liverpool's tour and saw their first preseason game against Sunderland. Who caught the eye, how is Iraola adapting and will there be more signings?After the break Tom Clarke joins Ian Hawkey to break down the international manager scene with Klopp and Tuchel already in post could Guardiola or Conte be joining them? And how will Mourinho get on at Madrid?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  TRANSFER LATEST - and who is better Rogers or Anderson? 23.07.2026 56min

  While the World Cup has been on there has been plenty of transfer activity in the Premier League. The record fee has been broken twice by Elliot Anderson to Man City then Morgan Rogers to Chelsea - so is £100 million now the going rate for a midfielder? Spurs are spending big, Villa are selling big and Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool have done nothing big ... yet.There have been managerial changes at Fulham and Forest and injuries are the changing which clubs need to do what business all the time.Tom Clarke runs through all the latest news with Alyson Rudd, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 39: Argentina got what they deserved and "England players must think for themselves." 20.07.2026 54min

  Well, it is finally over. World Cup 2026 didn't get the final it deserved but it was a fabulous festival of football. Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Tom Allnutt assess the final - a disgraceful display from Argentina but a footballing triumph for Spain.Then we pick our team of the tournament, reflect on England and hear from Tom Allnutt who suggests England players could learn from Spain by producing players who are better at thinking for themselves in pressure situations. Plus best moments, worst teams and favourite memory.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 38: Big final preview, as England take bronze 19.07.2026 40min

  Well, if the final is as much as fun as that we're in for a treat. England beat France 6-4 in a frankly bonkers match to take the bronze medal and finish third, their best World Cup performance since lifting the trophy in 1966. Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Lawton and Ian Whittell who offer their thoughts on whether this helps ease the pain for Thomas Tuchel and what it means for France. And then it is onto the big one: Spain vs Argentina. Tom speaks to Paul Hirst in the Argentina camp and Spanish football expert Ian Hawkey to assess both sides, discuss the two managers and get excited for Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal. And of course there are some predictions too. We can't wait. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 37: The big one! No, really... 18.07.2026 28min

  It's time, for the biggest game of the tournament, France vs England... well, we tried. But whilst the world might not be excited about the third-place play-off, we have still got loads to talk about. Tom Clarke is joined by Jonathan Northcroft in Manhattan to discuss England's footballing DNA, what 'shocked' him about the Argentina defeat, thoughts on the final and more nonsense from FIFA. Tom also chats to our European Football expert Ian Hawkey about Didier Deschamps legacy as France coach and who might follow in his footsteps.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 36: England Defeat Debrief 17.07.2026 37min

  Did Thomas Tuchel tell his players to sit back and defend, or were they just not able to maintain their pressing...the England inquest is gathering pace. There seems unity of opinion that manager Thomas Tuchel has questions to answer. Will he step forward or will the FA wait until their review is complete ?Tom Clarke chats to Matt Lawton for the latest on Tuchel's future and Martin Samuel discusses England's wider problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 35: England throw it away as Tuchel loses nerve 15.07.2026 41min

  In the end England fell shore, again. One up with half an hour to go England sat back, ceded ground then succumbed as Argentina seized the initiative and scored two late goals. Where did it go wrong this time? Did Tuchel lose his nerve, was it all down to Messi do England have an inferiority complex? Jonathan Northcroft and Paul Hirst bring immediate reaction from the ground before Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd dissect a disappointing night for England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 34: Will it be England or Argentina to play 'brilliant' Spain? 15.07.2026 37min

  Two camps, two journalists, both predicting England wins. What could possibly go wrong? Tom Clarke is joined by Jonny Northcroft in the England camp and Paul Hirst in the Argentina camp to discuss the second big semi-final and gets the latest news and predictions. In part two Tom is joined by Gregor Robertson to discuss Spain's impressive win against a disappointing France and ask what went wrong for the favourites? And can anyone stop Spain in this form?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 33: Why Mbappe is a great captain 14.07.2026 21min

  He's a World Cup star and one of the best in the world but Kylian Mbappe's leadership has shone at this World Cup, on and off the pitch. Martin Samuel joins Tom Clarke to discuss the France forward and preview their semi-final with Spain. Martin also offers his thoughts on Jude Bellingham, Thomas Tuchel and why he believes England can beat Argentina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 32: Semi-Finals preview 13.07.2026 57min

  How do England beat Argentina? Both teams looked exhausted after their quarter final wins, will recovery be the key? Gregor Robertson thinks the battle is out wide, Tom allnutt thinks Argentina have more in the tank. Does the post game spat between Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham really matter, Tony Cascarino thinks it is a sign of a healthy dressing room?In the first semi-final France play Spain. France are the dominate team of the last decade but are Spain the team best placed to beat them?Tom Allnutt explains how the unique mix of cultural diversity, street football and french football academies have laid the ground to create this outstanding French team.Plus, is this the best World Cup ever? Who is your cult hero of the tournament and score predictions for the semi finals.Tom Clarke is in the chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 31: Bellingham drags England to the Semi Final 12.07.2026 33min

  That was tense! England beat Norway thanks to another brace from Jude Bellingham and possibly a bit of help from a spider cam. Tom clarke is joined by The Times head of Sport James Restall and Gregor Robertson for immediate reaction to England reaching a World Cup semi final.In part two Paul Hirst was there on another tough night for Argentina. They're through to face England but they made hard work of beating Switzerland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 30: "Don't miss this chance" - The Big England preview 11.07.2026 30min

  Four Times journalists, four assertions that England are favourites. But can Thomas Tuchel's side deliver? Tom Clarke talks to Matt Lawton and Tom Allnutt about England v Norway and also hears from Alyson Rudd - the writer who backed the Norwegians to win the tournament - about any conflict she may feel for this one. The Tom Tom Club also analyse Spain's win against Belgium and debate whether they need to improve to beat France and if it is time Mikel Merino got a start.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  WORLD CUP DAY 29: Why England should make the final 10.07.2026 28min

  The hype and excitement is building for England's quarter-final with Norway and our Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft can see a route to the final for Thomas Tuchel's side. In part two he joins Tom Clarke to discuss the latest news from the England camp and the emergence of Anthony Gordon as a vital player. Tom also shares his worries about the England stars who are one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.In part one Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant chat to Tom about France's 2-0 win in the quarter-final against Morocco.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.