Football Weekly – "England swipe Serbia aside and the return of Postecoglou"

The Guardian Football Weekly
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, John Bruin, Nikki
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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into England's emphatic 5-0 win away against Serbia under Thomas Tuchel, considers the rejuvenation of England’s squad, and discusses the challenges and managerial shakeups across other European national teams. The panel also covers club-level intrigues, notably Ange Postecoglou’s dramatic appointment at Nottingham Forest, and addresses listener questions with their signature humour.

England’s 5-0 Rout Over Serbia

Quick Recap

• England delivered an exhilarating 5-0 away win against Serbia, raising excitement among fans and the panel alike.
• Thomas Tuchel’s side displayed pace, directness, and a defined tactical plan, contrasting sharply with previous laboured performances.

[02:00] Key Talking Points

• Squad Refresh:

  • Morgan Rogers excelled in the No.10 role.
  • Madueke and Gordon brought directness on the wings.
  • Elliot Anderson shone at the base of midfield.

• Tactical Evolution:
  John Bruin highlights Tuchel's English football experience:

  “Tuchel, having been in the Premier League, realises what the best facets of an England team are and is trying to implement that.” [03:32]

Sober Enthusiasm

• Perspective on International Fixtures:
  Nikki tempers the excitement, underscoring the gap between qualifiers and tournament knockout stages:

  “None of it is really equivalent to the bit that matters. The bit that matters for England is quarterfinals, semi finals, final of a knockout tournament.” [05:34]

• Elliot Anderson’s Impact:
  Nikki lauds Anderson’s dynamism:

  “He has to be part of this, he has to be starting, because I think he brings a character to the team that it didn’t have before.” [07:41]

• Squad Depth and Meritocracy:
  Speculation arises on whether established stars (like Saka and Bellingham) have automatic starting places.

  • Max Rushden and Nicky Bandini float the idea of starting in-form players instead of returning stars (“give these guys the shirt next time and have Saka and Bellingham on the bench if they’re available…” [08:53]).

• Fractious Media Relations:

  • Barry quips:

    “I don’t think [Tuchel] particularly cares what the media make of him. He seems to have quite a fractious relationship with them, as most England managers do.” [09:03]

• Bellingham Conundrum:
  John Bruin notes:

  “Making him compete for his place – how would that go? … Morgan Rogers, you can't really drop him, as Barry said… he links play between the lines in a way that… we haven't seen Jude Bellingham do enough of.” [14:09–15:42]

• Team Identity and Defensive Solidity:

  • Fast, incisive play and improved partnerships at the back, especially with newcomers like Livramento and Konsa.
  • Clean sheets are building confidence, but judgement remains reserved due to the quality of opposition.

Memorable Quote

“England last night were everything they weren’t against Andorra … they were intense, ruthless, quick, showing a turn of foot and pace that they didn’t [show] against Andorra. … Everyone seemed to be on the same wavelength and that’s really important.”
– Barry Glendenning [16:07]

The State of England’s Group and Looking Ahead

["England in this group are absolutely in a different category… But it’s not easy to break down teams that do that, that do five, four, one, like that." – Nikki, 12:28]

• Panel agrees England's real test will come against elite opposition.
• Selection dilemmas loom as star players return from injury.

Around the International Scene

Ireland’s Shock Loss to Armenia

• Result: Armenia 2, Ireland 1

• Ireland "dreadful" and flattered by the scoreline; only standout was goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

• Barry delivers a typically blunt assessment:

  “It certainly wasn’t a shock. Maybe a little bit of a surprise about how bad the Ireland performance was, but it wasn’t a surprise that we lost because it is exactly the kind of rake I expected Ireland to step on Sideshow Bob style and get slapped in the face.” [24:50]

• Questions over Irish football’s direction and resources, especially after defeat to a side ranked below 100 in the world.

• John Bruin laments:

  “Appointment of Halgrimson was a surprise… but he has turned up and just thought, this is how we’re going to have to do it. The problem is the players aren’t doing the jobs that he’s picked them for.” [28:50]

Scotland’s Victory in Belarus

• Result: Belarus 0, Scotland 2
• Comfortable win in a “covidy” empty stadium; solid display praised by Barry and John.
• [32:14] Discussion of Scotland’s perennial striker shortage, despite solid team play.

Norway's Rout of Moldova

• Result: Norway 11, Moldova 1
• Erling Haaland scores 5, Taylor Åsgård comes off the bench to score 4.
• [34:27] Lars sends a rapid-fire rundown of all 12 goals:

  “Norway good, Moldova bad.”

Italy’s Wild Win Over Israel

• Result: Italy 5, Israel 4
• A “bonkers game” under new coach Gattuso—Italy throw away a big lead but win in injury time.
• Nikki:

  “It was absolutely that in microcosm because on the one hand in these two games Italy have scored ten goals… but my God, were they awful at the back.” [36:28]

Politics and Ethics in International Football

• Panel debates Israel’s continued participation amid war in Gaza, contrasting with Russia's ban post-Ukraine invasion.
  • Barry:

    “I don’t think they should be participating in these qualifiers. Russia are suspended… I think Israel should be suspended as well.” [38:21]

  • John Bruin:

    “UEFA are a pretty slack organisation… probably would let Russia back in if they could.” [39:19]

Club Corner: Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest

The Dramatic Sacking of Nuno & Arrival of Ange

• Nuno dismissed despite unprecedented Forest success (7th, European qualification, defensive solidity).
• Ange Postecoglou hired amid significant internal politics and disagreements between manager and sporting director Edu.

  “Evangelos Marinakis not afraid of slaying sacred cows, is he really?” – John Bruin [45:25]

Big Questions for Forest

• Can Ange succeed with this squad?

  • John: “Ange has one style of play and that’s what he wants to do… doesn’t really make much sense apart from… who knows who in football.” [50:38]

• Potential for Toxic Atmosphere:

  • Nikki: “It feels like it’s going to be an atmosphere that becomes very toxic very quickly if Ange isn’t able to walk in there and start winning right away because of all the goodwill that the fans have… for Nuno.” [50:17]

Notable Anecdotes

• References to squad composition, fan culture, and the importance of harmony at the City Ground.

Listener Questions & Comic Relief

[53:27] Wedding, Vasectomy, and “Barry’s Smooth Tones”

• Regular Football Weekly blend of listener life updates, including vasectomy chat and live-show banter.
• Barry’s deadpan:

  “I find abstinence works for me. Involuntary abstinence.” [53:45]

• Offers of live-show tickets for post-op listeners: “He could come along, pushing his swollen gonads in a wheelbarrow…” [53:52]

Notable Quotes

• "England last night were everything they weren’t against Andorra… they were intense, ruthless, quick…” – Barry Glendenning [16:07]
• “He has to be part of this, he has to be starting, because I think he brings a character to the team that it didn’t have before.” – Nikki on Anderson [07:41]
• “It certainly wasn’t a shock… it is exactly the kind of rake I expected Ireland to step on Sideshow Bob style and get slapped in the face.” – Barry [24:50]
• “Norway good, Moldova bad.” – Lars [34:27]
• “It was, it was absolutely that in microcosm… my God, were they awful at the back.” – Nikki on Italy [36:28]
• "I find abstinence works for me. Involuntary abstinence." – Barry [53:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – England’s performance dissected
• 08:53 – The selection dilemma: stars vs current form
• 13:24 – The Jude Bellingham “camp” and midfield options
• 17:20 – Defensive improvements; squad depth
• 24:50 – Ireland’s defeat and footballing malaise
• 31:07 – Scotland and stadium atmospherics
• 34:27 – Norway’s 11-1 win: comic summary from Lars
• 36:04 – Italy v Israel: “bonkers” match recap
• 38:21 – Politics: Israel, Russia, and UEFA
• 45:08 – Postecoglou introduced at Forest; legacy of Nuno
• 50:17 – Concerns about Forest’s direction and fan response
• 53:27 – Listener letters: live shows, vasectomies, and Barry’s “smooth tones”

Final Thoughts

The panel, with their trademark mix of humour and analysis, celebrate a new, dynamic England and investigate the worries and wonders across European football. The return of Postecoglou, political controversies, and classic Football Weekly banter ensure there’s something for every listener. England may be dreaming of New Jersey next summer, but as always, cooler heads on the panel urge caution – while revelling (just a bit) in a night when everything went right.