Rule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast

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• England’s Semi-Final Heartbreak, The Romero & Spence Dilemma & The £50m Bergvall Valuation (feat. Baker) 16.07.2026 58dk

  Jack is joined by Baker to digest a dramatic few days of international heartbreak and Tottenham Hotspur transfer news. We open the show with a painful autopsy of England's 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, questioning Thomas Tuchel's in-game management and whether he is to blame for the team dropping too deep after Anthony Gordon's opener. We then switch our focus to Spurs, tackling the massive squad dilemmas facing the club regarding Cristian Romero and Djed Spence. With Luka Vuskovic officially heading to Brighton, did Romero's performance against England prove he is simply too good for the club to even consider selling? And with Spence in such incredible form on the international stage, would letting him leave this summer be a huge mistake? We also marvel at Pedro Porro's unbelievable Team of the Tournament-worthy form for Spain, reflecting on how inspired of a move it was to keep hold of him. Finally, we look at the breaking news regarding Nottingham Forest's rejected £38m bid for Lucas Bergvall. With Spurs reportedly holding out for closer to £50m, we debate whether the club should rinse Forest for every penny or just keep hold of the talented midfielder. We wrap up by briefly touching on our forward options, highlighting Will Lankshear and Mikey Moore as exciting prospects we are desperate to see feature under Roberto De Zerbi this season. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Bellingham's Zidane Vibes, Media Stirring & Why I Hate The Argentina Fixture 13.07.2026 53dk

  Welcome back to the Rule the Roost World Cup Digest! We have reached the final four. Gavin joins me to unpack an incredibly strong set of quarter-final results, dissect the manufactured media narratives, and look ahead to a deeply personal and highly charged semi-final for England. France's Flaws: Morocco’s incredible World Cup run ends in a rather forgettable match. France get the job done and are brutally clinical, but do they actually look invincible? We're not so sure. Spain Squeeze Through: A hard-fought 2-1 win for Spain over Belgium. The Belgians showed up and gave a great account of themselves, but Spain’s relentless possession game sees them through—even if Lamine Yamal and the squad look to be lacking a little bit of magic right now. Surviving the Miami Heat: England beat a very handy Norway side in gruelling 34-degree heat. It is funny how quickly the media narrative shifts to downplay the opposition the absolute minute we get a result. Bellingham the Monster: Jude Bellingham is simply operating on another level. Gavin compares his swagger and low centre of gravity to Zinedine Zidane, and we look at how his immense maturity is actively lifting up teammates like Djed Spence. Manufactured Media Drama: Why are Gabriel Clarke and certain sections of the press so desperate to create friction between Thomas Tuchel and the squad? We call out the gutter journalism and offer a timely reminder of the massive foundation Gareth Southgate built to get us here. The Argentina Semi-Final: Argentina take Switzerland to extra time before finally putting them to bed. With my dual English and Argentinian heritage, I explain exactly why I utterly despise this fixture, the toxic historical narratives that always surround it, and why the Falklands chants from the Argentinian players are a total disgrace. A Spiritual Lift: Beyond the football, we discuss why this England team going all the way could provide the exact unifying, positive lift the country desperately needs right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• A Day in the Life of a Spurs Fan | Chris Thatcher on Finding the Spurs Family, Leão Links & Trusting the Ownership 09.07.2026 1sa 13dk

  Jack is joined by lifelong Spurs fan and actor/puppeteer Chris Thatcher for a wide-ranging chat about finding the funny side of following Tottenham Hotspur. We kick off by discussing his brilliant Instagram series, "A day in the life of a Spurs fan," and he shares how creating those comedy videos during the absolute misery of last season's relegation battle actually helped him feel much more attached to the wider Spurs community. We look at the start of a massive new era at Tottenham. With Sandro Tonali officially unveiled and Mateus Fernandes already secured, we spend a good chunk of time discussing the massive potential signings still being linked to the club. From Rafa Leão and Savinho to Cody Gakpo and Antonio Nusa, we debate our dream additions as Spurs finally act like a big club in the market. We discuss whether it's time to truly trust the Lewis family's vision now that they are opening their wallets, and what the expectations should be for Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.Attention then turns to the World Cup, where we discuss the immaculate vibes coming out of the England camp. We chat about Djed Spence hilariously gatecrashing Morgan Rogers' press conference, before touching on a more serious point about how Spence has been unfairly vilified by the media throughout the tournament and what that says about certain press narratives. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Haaland Dismantles Brazil, Trump's Intervention & A Messi Escape 08.07.2026 1sa 27dk

  Welcome back to the Rule the Roost World Cup Digest! It is a massive Round of 16 bumper edition today, and I am thrilled to be joined by Phil to go through the thrills, spills, and the biggest talking points from an absolutely wild knockout stage. On today's 15-minute briefing: Morocco's Fear Factor: Canada gave it a valiant effort, but it is safe to say their race was run. Meanwhile, Morocco are officially announcing themselves at the top table—they are truly a team to be feared now. Are France the New Brazil?: France seem head and shoulders above the rest of the competition right now against Paraguay. But the South Americans showed that there might just be a glimmer of hope for the other nations. Trump's USMNT Intervention: The USA vs Belgium match was completely overshadowed by Trump intervening to have Balogun play. Has this set back the global perception of US football, and who are the real victims of that? On the other side, Belgium seem to be growing into this competition—perhaps leaving their so-called 'golden generation' behind is the best thing that has ever happened to them. Ronaldo's Embarrassing Exit: A total snorefest between Portugal and Spain. Did Portugal sacrifice their own tournament ambitions just to see Cristiano Ronaldo bow out in fairly embarrassing fashion? Honestly, it might be a good thing he's gone now for them. As for Spain, they've been underwhelming to watch, but they are quietly having a strong tournament and haven't conceded a single goal yet. Could they go all the way? Haaland's Majesty: Brazil were ruthlessly put to the sword by a majestic performance from Erling Haaland. After completely dismantling them, where does he now rank amongst the pantheon of world greats? The Swiss Wall: Another snorefest between Switzerland and Colombia, but the Swiss look organised and decent enough. The big question: could they be the team to stop a stuttering Argentina? Argentina Survive Egyptian Masterclass: A sublime performance from the Egyptians, who just couldn't quite get it over the line. But just how good are Argentina actually? Do they have what it takes to go all the way through sheer force of will alone? A Different England?: Are England genuinely a different beast now after getting past Mexico? Jude Bellingham at 23 is already one of the greats, and the chance to see Harry Kane lift the trophy and be immortalised is a joy to behold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• King Kane Strikes Again | An Azteca Classic, Tonali to Spurs & Acting Like A Big Club 06.07.2026 53dk

  Jack is joined by Gavin for a jam-packed episode covering all the drama on the international stage and the latest movements at Hotspur Way. We kick things off with a deep dive into the World Cup, reacting to England's absolute heroics in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. We discuss the tantalising prospect of Harry Kane lifting the trophy and being immortalised as a World Cup-winning captain, and debate where this brilliant tournament ranks among the best in recent years. We also tackle the bizarre political backdrop of the competition, looking at the troubling reports of FIFA seemingly being coerced into allowing Folarin Balogun to play following pressure from Donald Trump. Attention then turns back to Tottenham Hotspur, as we share our sheer excitement over the impending arrival of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. We break down how he will mesh with Mateus Fernandes in Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield, what this new-look engine room means for the season ahead, and the wider implications of the Lewis family finally embracing a free-spending approach. Are we finally witnessing the dawn of a massive new era for the club? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• TONALI BOMBA... FERNANDES BOMBA... Spurs aren't stopping! 01.07.2026 24dk

  David Ornstein has dropped the bomba this evening that Spurs are spending around the £100m mark for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle... THEY SHOULD HAVE RELEGATED US!! Finally, we're acting like a big club... unreal times!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• From Crisis to Brighter Days with Alasdair Gold: De Zerbi's Rebuild, Fernandes, Tonali & Life on the Spurs Beat 01.07.2026 1sa 2dk

  Jack is joined by football.london’s Alasdair Gold to escape the sweltering UK heatwave and take a welcome step back from the frantic transfer window. In a relaxed, wide-ranging discussion, we explore Alasdair's personal journey on the Tottenham beat, looking at what it really takes to cover the club through recent turbulent seasons and finding reasons to look forward to brighter days ahead. We chat about the shifting landscape at Hotspur Way following the confirmation of the Mateus Fernandes deal and the ongoing pursuit of Sandro Tonali. We also reflect on the broader strategy behind Roberto De Zerbi’s squad rebuild, touching on the breaking news of Luka Vuskovic’s move to Brighton and what it means when a manager is given the backing to shape a squad in his own image. From debating whether fans can place their long-term trust in the Lewis family’s ultimate vision for the club, to exploring Alasdair's deep love of cinema and his passion project YouTube channel Gold Goes To The Movies, this is a close-season conversation focused on the bigger picture. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• Will Lankshear Stays? | The Harry Kane Media Narrative, Mateus Fernandes Danger & Alex Scott (feat. Ricky) 29.06.2026 1sa 19dk

  Jack is joined by Ricky from Lads Anon and The Fighting Cock to digest the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer news and international talking points. We kick things off with some England World Cup chatter, focusing on the frustrating media fallacy that Harry Kane is only now being recognised as a truly great player because he left Spurs, completely ignoring the world-class levels he consistently hit during his time in N17. We also discuss exactly what this England side needs to do to go all the way and win the competition. Attention then turns back to Tottenham, starting with the news that the club has turned down several serious bids for young striker Will Lankshear. Does this show a commendable faith in youth, or is it a worrying sign that we aren't in the market for a new number nine? We evaluate whether a striking rotation of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Lankshear is enough firepower for the upcoming campaign. We also dive into our midfield hunt following the news that Manchester United have entered the race for Mateus Fernandes after Manuel Ugarte's injury at the World Cup. Does this signal game over for Spurs? We look at the wider strategy of putting all our eggs into the Sandro Tonali and Fernandes baskets, and debate whether a pivot to Bournemouth's Alex Scott—a boyhood Spurs fan—might be the smarter move. Finally, we wrap up the show as Ricky answers your listener questions. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Cape Verde’s Glamour Tie, USA’s Reality Check & Dutch Dark Horses? 27.06.2026 21dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: The Pepe Mystery: Côte d'Ivoire secure a 2-0 win over Curaçao, lit up by a couple of absolute belters from Nicolas Pépé. Watching him strike them makes me wonder all over again: why on earth was he so poor during his time at Arsenal? Germany Stunned: Ecuador confirm their place in the Round of 32 with a thoroughly impressive 2-1 victory over Germany. This is exactly the kind of result that Scottish fans would have had a very keen eye on as the groups shake out. Dutch Dark Horses?: The Netherlands pick up a 3-1 win over Tunisia, featuring a lovely goal from Jan Paul van Hecke. It begs the question: are the Dutch quietly turning into genuine dark horses for this competition? Elanga's Math Blunder: A 1-1 draw sees both Japan and Sweden confirm their places in the next round. The funniest moment came from Anthony Elanga, who genuinely thought Sweden were knocked out at the whistle... spoiler alert, Anthony, they weren't! A Bump on the Nose for the USA: Turkey finally show the world what they are actually about, giving the USA a proper bump on the nose on their way out of the tournament with a 3-2 win. It's a timely reminder for Pochettino's men that they absolutely have to stay sharp if they want to go deep. Get In, Australia: A gritty 0-0 draw against Paraguay means the Aussies are officially through to the knockout stages! Well in. They’ve lined up a tie against Egypt next, which promises to be a cracking game. Norway’s Bizarre Rotation: Norway, with qualification already secured, decided to rotate their entire starting eleven against France and got soundly beaten 4-1. I have to ask: isn't the entire point of being at a World Cup having the opportunity to flex your best lineup against one of the greatest sides on the planet? Baffling decision. Senegal Smash Iraq: Pape Gueye hit a couple of eye-catching screamers as Senegal gave themselves every chance of a best third-place berth, dismantling Iraq 5-0. I can confirm their progress was officially locked in a few hours later following the conclusion of the Group G fixtures. Cape Verde’s Glamour Tie: A 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia means Cape Verde's absolute fairytale World Cup dream continues. They have lined up a massive glamour tie against Messi's Argentina in the Round of 32... and honestly, who knows? The way this tournament is going, maybe they could spring a monumental surprise. Bielsa in Meltdown: Spain navigate a tricky 1-0 match against Uruguay to top the group, a result that completely sent Marcelo Bielsa into absolute meltdown on the touchline. Belgium Finally Show Up: A comprehensive 5-1 routing of New Zealand sees the Belgians finally look like a football team, driven by an inspired, top-tier performance from Leandro Trossard. Injury Time Chaos for Iran: High, unadulterated drama between Egypt and Iran. Iran have more than likely secured their place in the Round of 32, but it was pure chaos at the death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• Are Spurs Acting Differently? | Van Hecke's World Cup Records & The Tonali Transfer Saga 26.06.2026 47dk

  Phil and Jack brave the sweltering UK heatwave to bring you a comprehensive update on all things Tottenham Hotspur. We kick off by reflecting on England's stuttering World Cup campaign before diving into Jan Paul van Hecke's outrageous, record-breaking performance for the Netherlands. After smashing tournament statistics for touches and passes, did Spurs pull off a masterstroke by paying a premium to secure him before his value skyrocketed? We then unpack some defensive dilemmas, discussing reports that Cristian Romero is encouraged by Roberto De Zerbi and wants to stay, and what Micky van de Ven's awkward left-back appearances mean for his structural role at Spurs. We also look at the latest on the Sandro Tonali saga following Craig Hope's exclusive update, question whether Newcastle's stubbornness will ultimately break, and analyse the stats behind West Ham's Mateus Fernandes to see if he's the perfect technical engine for our midfield. Finally, we wrap up with thoughts on Martin Dubravka arriving as our new passing goalkeeper. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Ronaldo Answers the Critics, Mexico’s Home Advantage Warning & South Africa History 25.06.2026 22dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: Hate Watchers in Disarray: Portugal completely dismantle Uzbekistan 5-0. The big talking point? Cristiano Ronaldo finally gets himself on the scoresheet, leaving the hate watchers in absolute disarray. England Frustrated by Ghana: A tricky, frustrating goalless draw for England as Ghana dug incredibly deep to earn a well-deserved point. It leaves me with one major question: should Ghana have actually had a penalty in this one? Croatia Keep the Dream Alive: Croatia did exactly what they needed to do against Panama. A narrow 1-0 win, but it puts three vital points on the board to keep their World Cup campaign alive. Colombia’s Goalkeeping Obstacle: Colombia spent the match rifling long shot after long shot against DR Congo, only to eventually settle it with a bit of a tap-in. We saw some more spectacular goalkeeping on display, and despite having three separate goals disallowed, Colombia get the win and march into the Round of 32. Host Nation Joy Continues: A fairly uneventful 2-1 win for Switzerland over Canada, but the big news is that both teams are safely through to the next round. Huge well done to Canada for keeping the host nation joy alive and kicking. Alajbegovic — Remember the Name: Bosnia and Herzegovina progress with a 3-1 win over Qatar, lit up by an absolute screamer from Kerim Alajbegović. Remember the name. At 2-1 Qatar were piling on some serious pressure, but ultimately it wasn't enough to stop the Bosnians going through. Goal of the Tournament?: Morocco were made to work hard for their 4-2 win over Haiti, but it was illuminated by a strike from Wilson Isidor. Is that the goal of the tournament thus far? No Joy for the Tartan Army: A harsh 3-0 defeat for Scotland against Brazil, which leaves them all but out of the competition. I don't feel the scoreline is an entirely fair reflection of how the game actually went, but Brazil were utterly clinical with the chances they created. Historic South African Shock: Surely one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far. South Africa secure a famous 1-0 win to cruise into the Round of 32 for the first time in their history, dumping out a South Korea side who have looked largely underwhelming throughout this World Cup. Mexico’s Home Warning: Another massive 3-0 result for Mexico on home soil against Czechia. Luis Chávez’s first international goal was an absolute beauty. They are looking dangerous—I certainly wouldn't want England drawing them anytime soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Messi the GOAT, Rain Delays & Cape Verde's Dream 23.06.2026 21dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: Spain Kick Into Gear: Spain are finally looking the part against Saudi Arabia. Dani Olmo is just such a wonderful player, and with Lamine Yamal in the side, they can probably pose a massive problem to absolutely anyone. Belgium Underwhelm: Belgium underwhelm yet again, but I have to give a massive shout out to Iran, who dug deep to pick up a huge point. The Story of the Tournament: Are Cape Verde the story of the World Cup? Going toe-to-toe with Spain and now Uruguay—it is incredible to watch. Egypt Get the Job Done: Egypt show up and get a result against New Zealand that was probably expected of them, but you have to give credit to NZ, who made them work incredibly hard for it. Messi Makes History: Lionel Messi becomes the outright World Cup leading scorer with two great finishes against Austria, surely solidifying himself as the GOAT. He did miss a penalty though, which makes me wonder: did he miss it on purpose because he didn't want to break the record with a pen? Either way, Argentina are safely through to the next round. France Battle the Elements: Despite a chaotic two-hour rain delay against Iraq, Kylian Mbappe just keeps the goals coming. But once again, Michael Olise is looking like one of the best players in the world right now. France also book their spot in the next round. Haaland vs Mbappe Awaits: Erling Haaland bags two against Senegal, who are genuinely a good side and managed to cut right through Norway's defence. That vulnerability is going to be fascinating to watch in their upcoming clash with France—it is officially Haaland vs Mbappe. Jordan Say Goodbye: Finally, Jordan officially exit the competition after their result against Algeria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• Bergvall's Bombshell & Fixture-List Defiance | Stand-up Aidan Jones on his Spurs Survival Viral Video 22.06.2026 1sa 3dk

  Jack is joined by touring stand-up comedian and Spurs fan Aidan Jones to talk all things Spurs and stand-up. We kick things off by talking to Aidan about his viral video where he stopped a live gig to celebrate Spurs surviving relegation, before diving into how his critically acclaimed show Chopin's Nocturne blends classical piano with raw comedy, and how an Aussie in London ended up adopting the club. The conversation then pivots to the massive news broken by David Ornstein over the weekend: Lucas Bergvall has reportedly asked to leave N17. We debate whether it was naive to think we could develop both him and Archie Gray at the same time, question if Roberto De Zerbi is simply acting as a brutal hand for course correction, and ask if we are cashing in just to fund moves for Sandro Tonali and Mattheus Fernandes. Finally, we look at the newly released fixtures—specifically that horrifying end-of-season run-in—before getting into a brilliant round of listener feedback. We pass on some high praise from Ben Haines, share our intrusive thoughts during Spurs matches, and tackle your questions, including which Chopin piece perfectly soundtracks Tottenham Hotspur. Find info for and buy tickets to Aidan's shows here: https://linktr.ee/aidanjonescomedy Follow his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aidanjonescomedy/ Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: USA March On, Brazil Bounce Back & The End of the Road for Turkey 21.06.2026 21dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: Pochettino's Magic: The battle of the jocks saw the USA come out on top against Australia. Mauricio Pochettino simply continues to work his magic, and the hosts are looking seriously impressive. Scottish Heartbreak: A really difficult one to swallow for the Scots against Morocco. Looking back at the crucial moments, I have to ask: should they have had at least one penalty in that game? Brazil Bounce Back: A good result for Brazil against Haiti, showing they can absolutely put the so-called lesser nations to the sword. But do they actually have enough quality for the real monsters of the tournament? I am not entirely convinced yet. Turkey Tumble & Almiron's Red: Miguel Almirón was sent off for covering his mouth against Paraguay—honestly, this is the sort of no-nonsense officiating I can get behind and something the authorities should have been doing for a while. As for the game itself, the result caps off a very disappointing World Cup for Turkey, whom many were expecting so much more from. Dutch Delight: A huge result in what many expected to be an evenly contested fixture between the Netherlands and Sweden. The Dutch played some scintillating football at times, which makes me wonder: perhaps they have been written off too soon? Heartbreak for Côte d'Ivoire: Absolute heartbreak for Côte d'Ivoire, who were genuinely brilliant against Germany. There is a lot of talk around Diomande at the moment, and he is definitely good value for it—a great player. But Deniz Undav was the hero for Germany, showing great composure to secure the winner. Wasteful Ecuador: Eloy Room continued the tournament's theme of standout goalkeeping performances for Curaçao, but you have to say Ecuador were incredibly wasteful in front of goal. Japan Show Up: Japan are showing more signs of being the team everyone said they were ahead of this tournament, putting in a great attacking performance to ruthlessly punish Tunisia. Tournament Update: Qualified Teams: Mexico, USA, and Germany. Eliminated Teams: Haiti, Tunisia, and Turkey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Is It Finally England's Year? Plus: Qatar Chaos & Ronaldo Off The Pace 19.06.2026 20dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: Ronaldo Holding Portugal Back: A brilliant result for DR Congo, and a massive well done to Yoane Wissa. But the main talking point has to be Cristiano Ronaldo—he is looking way off the pace right now and genuinely seems to be holding this Portuguese side back. Hope for the Three Lions: England getting it done against Croatia. It begs the question: are things finally different for the Three Lions? It really feels like they finally have the team to cause serious problems deep into this tournament. Ghana Make Hard Work of It: Ghana made things look far more difficult than they probably should have, but you have to give credit to Panama, who looked incredibly handy. Diaz Dazzles for Colombia: A historic moment for the Uzbeks, but the story of the game was an absolutely incredible opening goal for Colombia—definitely worth checking out if you haven't seen it. Luis Díaz was the undisputed star of the show, which really makes you wonder what on earth Liverpool were thinking getting rid of him to Bayern Munich. South Africa Grind It Out: A largely uneventful but quite open game between Czechia and South Africa. Well done to South Africa for grinding out a solid point against very tough opposition. Dying Stages Drama: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina exploded into life in the dying stages with some great finishes. Honestly, I don't expect an awful lot from either of these teams going forward, but it is completely mad to see Edin Džeko still playing at this level. Host Nation Chaos: A big, big result for Canada against Qatar, which is great for the momentum of the tournament. However, it was a really feisty affair featuring what looked like a leg-breaking challenge. Qatar were pretty dirty throughout, and things properly kicked off at full-time. Mexico Progress: A very boring game between Mexico and South Korea, complete with boos ringing out at half-time. Still, Mexico get the job done and go through to the next round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• Kane Puts Croatia to the Sword | Vuskovic's Reality Check, Levy, Van Hecke and Tottenham's pants 18.06.2026 55dk

  Jack is joined by Conor Mummery where the lads kick things off by checking in on England’s World Cup campaign, celebrating Harry Kane reaching 10 tournament goals as he puts Croatia to the sword, and reflecting on his legendary status. Attention then turns to young defender Luka Vuskovic’s recent performance, evaluating reports of friction between the youngster and Roberto De Zerbi, who reportedly feels the teenager is still a few years away from first-team readiness. We celebrate Jan Paul van Hecke officially getting the "Here We Go" confirmation, before breaking down an incredible bit of off-air drama on talkSPORT. With Ben Foster revealing that Daniel Levy texted Simon Jordan claiming Spurs "had their pants pulled down" on the financial terms, we question if this confirms years of suspicion that Levy’s obsession with "winning" negotiation squabbles has held the club back—and whether the hierarchy are finally moving differently. Finally, we talk about Sandro Tonali, sharing our honest ratings of him as a player, how he fits into the modern game, and what his addition would mean for our midfield. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: The Messi Show Begins, Mbappe or Olise & Vozinho's Exploding Insta 17.06.2026 21dk

  On today's 15-minute briefing: Messi Makes History: The main event. Lionel Messi just does it again. He bagged a sensational hat-trick against Algeria and actually looks fitter now than he did during the 2022 run, even if he probably should have been sent off. He is now the joint-record World Cup goalscorer alongside Miroslav Klose with 16 goals. Can Argentina retain the trophy? Mbappe's Aura & the Olise Show: Senegal are a seriously great side, and Nicolas Jackson is definitely a much better player than he ever gets credit for. Up front for France, Kylian Mbappe is undeniably an incredible player, but he has that somewhat unpalatable aura reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo. Is it because he feels threatened by the quiet star of Michael Olise? Spain Stunned & Vozinha's Viral Boom: A completely mad result, and to be honest, I’m just not sure I'm having this Spanish side right now—they seem to completely lack a spark. Still, it's early days; Argentina lost their opener to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and went on to win the whole thing. The real story was Cape Verde keeper Vozinha. He was an absolute sensation and a total brick wall. His Instagram growth has been absolutely ridiculous, shooting up from around 50k to 7.6 million followers over the course of the game. Nice stuff. Egypt Grind with Belgium: Mohamed Salah is looking a bit washed to me, suffering from the exact same issue as Sonny—two remarkably similar, elite players who have simply been run into the ground. Egypt looked like a thoroughly competent side, and while there's nothing to suggest this post-'golden generation' Belgium team are anything special. Saudi Arabia's Minnow Myth: Another match completely defined by the shot-stoppers. Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais was phenomenal, and I felt genuinely gutted for them when they finally conceded, though they at least held on for a well-deserved point against Uruguay. With the explosive growth of their domestic league and the financial focus from the PIF, you have to wonder how much longer we'll consider them a minnow nation. Haaland Terrifies & Iraq's Disallowed Screamer: Antonio Nusa looked lovely out there, and I can completely see why Spurs have been heavily linked with him. As for Erling Haaland, it’s become so routine and almost boring to see him bag goals in the Premier League that the impact has faded a bit. But watching him on a completely different stage, terrifying a fresh set of international defenders, just reaffirms exactly how terrifyingly good he is. Meanwhile, Iraq scored an absolute screamer that was somehow not actually a goal. Austria’s Vintage Bangers: Jordan and Austria treated us to a few absolute bangers, capped off by a great performance from Marko Arnautovic, who is still doing the business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• De Zerbi Backed: The Tonali Links & The Vuskovic Dilemma | Pedro Porro's New Deal & Pape Matar Sarr to Brentford? (feat. Baker) 16.06.2026 1sa 4dk

  Jack is joined by Baker from the Above Average FPL podcast to break down a fascinating week of Tottenham transfer strategy as the summer rebuild begins to take shape. The lads dive straight into the sensational links bringing Sandro Tonali to N17, evaluating how his technical profile perfectly aligns with Roberto De Zerbi's tactical vision. We also look at the massive optics of the deal—after a gruelling relegation battle, does buying a star player directly from a near rival like Newcastle represent a massive show of dominance from the Spurs hierarchy? Attention then turns to a massive boardroom dilemma following Brighton's bid for teenage centre-back Luka Vuskovic. We debate whether using one of Europe's most sought-after young assets in an effective swap deal for Jan Paul van Hecke—who only has a year left on his current contract—makes long-term sense. Plus, we celebrate Pedro Porro's big new contract extension, explaining why his elite fitness and availability make him the ultimate weapon for De Zerbi, before questioning if a rumoured move to Brentford means the end of the road for Pape Matar Sarr. Finally, the show wraps up with some World Cup scouting as Baker highlights the players who have taken his fancy during the tournament so far. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Ordinary Brazil, Aussie Joy & Water Break Drama 15.06.2026 20dk

  An Ordinary Brazil: Morocco proved they are a genuinely good side, but Brazil looked decidedly ordinary. I take a moment to reflect on the legendary Brazilian teams of years gone by and ask where the magic has gone. Scottish Pride: Well done to Scotland on getting the job done! I loved the brilliant rendition of Flower of Scotland, which really shines a light on our rather dreary English anthem, God Save the King. Credit to Haiti as well—they looked very tidy in places and I think they're arguably quite unlucky to be stuck in such a tough group. Aussie Joy: A huge 2-0 result for the Aussies against Turkey, with the added element of Greek-Aussie joy making it an even sweeter victory down under. Water Break Controversy: Did the mandated water break ruin the flow of the Germany vs Curaçao game? Curaçao had just equalised and were aggressively pressing a genuinely rattled German side, only for Germany to recoup and reassert themselves after the pause. It begs the question: are FIFA fundamentally changing the landscape and rhythm of how the game is played? Underwhelming Oranje: Despite the late drama in the 2-2 draw, it was a fairly underwhelming game between the Netherlands and Japan. Japan were overly defensive for large spells, whilst the Dutch struggled to find that killer pass and ultimately switched off at the back. Plus, I look at Micky van de Ven, who really doesn't look well-suited to operating at left-back. Côte d'Ivoire Grind It Out: A massive three points on the board for Côte d'Ivoire against Ecuador. Picking up hard-fought wins against fairly evenly matched sides is exactly the name of the game in tournament football. Super Swedes: Sweden absolutely smash Tunisia to get their campaign underway. When I look through the Swedish squad, there is an abundance of quality. They might not be looked at as a classic favourite, but they are absolutely a team who could cause serious problems for anyone in this competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• WORLD CUP DIGEST: Poch's USA Balling Out, Sonny's Struggles & Brazil Nostalgia 13.06.2026 20dk

  Welcome to the very first episode of the Rule the Roost World Cup Digest - your 15 minute morning wrap-up of the biggest talking points from across the tournament. On today's 15-minute briefing: Opening Day Reflections: Lovely opening ceremony—unapologetically LATAM and a massive spectacle to get us underway. It is just a shame the referee didn’t get the carnival brief, marring the Mexico vs South Africa clash with a terrible performance and red cards aplenty. South Africa looked a bit sluggish, but it was a great moment for Raúl Jiménez - a feel good World Cup story. Poch is Cooking: Mauricio Pochettino has the USA absolutely balling out. In their match against Paraguay (who are absolutely no pushover), they looked exactly like peak 2016/17 Spurs. Well done. Canada's Spursy Vibe: Canada played some brilliant stuff that felt incredibly familiar. Plenty of style but perhaps lacking those killer final balls and ruthless finishers. However, that Cyle Larin goal was undeniably great. South Korea & Sonny: South Korea are playing some fantastic football, but is Son Heung-min starting to look a bit washed? Plus, I lament the fact that Lee Kang-in doesn't want to follow in Son's footsteps and make the move to N17. Brazil vs Morocco Preview: Looking ahead to tonight's massive matchup. After revisiting some classic matches from the 90s and 00s and seeing just how brilliant they were, it begs the question: have the broader tactical changes in modern football been the main reason for Brazil's struggles of late? Scotland's Late Night: It is a shame that the World Cup kick-off times are so late here in Europe, but we are wishing Scotland all the best as they get underway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices