Football Weekly Extra – "Was this the best week of the season so far?"

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson, Paul Watson
Main Theme:
A celebratory look at a packed and joyous international break—the greatest in recent memory—before turning to a preview, with trademark wit and warmth, of a returning Premier League and domestic action.

Episode Overview

The panel revels in the narrative high-points of a dramatic international football week, focusing on emotionally charged qualifiers from across the globe, notably unexpected World Cup spots for Haiti and Curacao. They discuss the contrasting experiences of footballing nations—both minnow and giant—before pivoting to Premier League previews, squad depth, and ongoing club drama. The tone oscillates between light-hearted banter, in-depth analysis, and nostalgia, true to Football Weekly’s signature style.

1. The Joys of International Football

[00:43 – 16:54]

Key Points:

• Panelists express overwhelming joy at the exuberant international fixtures, dominated by underdog stories and infectious celebrations—especially for Scotland, Haiti, and Curacao.
• Discussion on how expectation shapes fan experience. For smaller football nations, unexpected victories bring unbridled joy, while for giants like England, routine qualification breeds only relief or disappointment.
• A meandering debate on the “tiers” of football happiness, with Paul Watson reflecting:

“You have to watch a lot of terrible football to watch international football. But when it comes to its season finale, there is nothing like it. It’s like watching…a very slow building box set that just gets better and better each season.” (05:01, Watson)

• The panel expresses love for the “chaos” of late-stage World Cup qualifying, savoring the drama for minnows and established teams alike.

Notable Quote:

“Expectation ruins football. When it’s good and you’re not expecting it, it’s just unbelievable.” (03:36, Rushden)

2. International Highlights and Stories

[09:10 – 24:36]

Curacao’s World Cup Qualification

[09:10 – 14:21]

• Curacao's progress is dissected—an extraordinary feat for a tiny Caribbean nation (mainly fielding Dutch-born players).
• VAR drama: Jamaica denied a last-minute penalty, securing Curacao’s qualification.
• Dick Advocaat’s quirky path to becoming manager, and his emotional absence from their qualifier.

Quote:

“None of the Curacao players in that team were born in Curacao...these primarily European-based players of Curacao heritage who are born in the Netherlands...that is part of the story that needs to be told.” (14:21, Watson)

Haiti’s Return since 1974

[16:37 – 19:10]

• Haiti win a decisive match played in exile and only realize their qualification after another game’s result—heartwarming scenes of players huddled around a phone waiting for confirmation.
• Celebrating against the odds, given Haiti’s political turmoil and inability to play at home.

Quote:

“They won, but they needed a game between Costa Rica and Honduras to pan out a certain way...they were all standing in the middle of the pitch, huddled around a phone, waiting for the final whistle to go in this other game. And then as soon as it did, all hell broke loose.” (16:54, Glendenning)

Other Wild Card Moments

[19:10 – 24:36]

• Suriname snatch a playoff spot via a meaningless-feeling last-gasp own goal they barely celebrate, not realizing it's decisive.
• Iraq’s breathless playoff win over UAE—penalty drama, with manager Graham Arnold unable to watch, relying on his assistant’s reaction.

Quote:

“He starts to walk away...He’s walking towards the stands...As Amir Al Amari runs up to take the penalty, he’s not watching...he just jumps into his arms...that’s how he finds out they are in the intercontinental playoff. The entire stadium absolutely erupts.” (21:47, Watson)

Über-Upsets, Streak-Breakers & Diaspora

• Somalia end their 40-game winless streak (new record holders: Eswatini).
• British Virgin Islands get two wins in a week after years of defeat, led by non-league striker Javon Splatt.

3. Premier League Returns: Key Fixtures Preview

[27:09 – 53:45]

Arsenal vs. Tottenham (North London Derby)

[27:09 – 31:34]

• Arsenal: Heavy favorites, but Gabriel’s injury is a blow both defensively and offensively.
• Spurs: Depth issues as several regulars are injury doubts.
• Discussion about whether Arsenal’s “depth” is truly sufficient as injuries mount.

Quote:

“How deep is your depth really? It comes a point where it’s too much.” (29:43, Hutchinson)

Man City at Newcastle

[32:27 – 36:45]

• Newcastle poor form and absentees vs. Man City’s ominous mode and relentless strength—City’s likely to be relentless in the title chase.
• Talk about the volatility of the table; City’s ability to turn seasons around.

Liverpool vs. Forest

[36:52 – 40:26]

• Liverpool’s recent poor run, extended discussion about the squad’s ongoing emotional impact from Diogo Jota’s death and whether fans and media should just give Klopp’s men a “pass” for the year.

Quote:

“It’s not for anybody to ever tell you when you should stop grieving for somebody.” (39:24, Hutchinson)

Man United vs. Everton

[40:26 – 42:14]

• United fans perhaps overestimating progress; expectation outstripping current performances.
• Everton’s dismal Old Trafford record.
• The consequences of no European football: “Monday Night Football” team.

Elsewhere in the Premier League

[42:14 – 53:45]

• Wolves v Palace: Rob Edwards’ managerial switch, sympathy for personal reasons over fan outrage.
• Leeds v Villa: Leeds' lack of investment ("just haven't done it") and risk of relegation.
• Sunderland’s impending AFCON crisis—losing a swathe of first-teamers.
• West Ham’s upturn; Fulham’s need to win overlooked games.
• Chelsea’s quietly improving domestic form; Brighton’s fortunes possibly dictated by the touchline sartorial choices of coaches.

4. Community & Listener Segment

[53:45 – End]

Kitmas Appeal

[53:45 – 56:02]

• Paul Watson launches the annual Kitmas drive: collecting and distributing new and “as new” shirts to children in need.
• Personal anecdote: a listener inspired by Barry’s “fat cats in football” rant donated £2,000, providing shirts to 100 children.

Quote:

“When we do a little plug on the Guardian Football Weekly, we always get the best response—one person donated £2,000…said, ‘I heard Barry on the pod say there’s a lot of fat cats in football…it’s amazing that £2,000 would buy 100 kids a football shirt.’” (53:58, Watson)

How to Help:

• Donate at Crowdfunder.co.uk/kitmas2025 or find links via Paul Watson on Twitter.
• Donate new/as-new shirts (preferably neutral European teams).
• Clubs can start their own local Kitmas collections.

Listener Email: Vasectomy Chronicles

[57:39 – 59:41]

• Listener Kyle details his memorable vasectomy experience, especially the unexpected “thoroughness” of pre-op antiseptic prep.
• Panel reacts with trademark Football Weekly mirth.

Quote:

“While I consider myself…open-minded, I have to say this is by far the most intimate experience I’ve had with another man…and the eye contact we shared is not something I will find myself forgetting anytime soon.” (57:39, Listener email)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s just the being there and the festival and the party. Maybe Scotland, we can have one for Scotland as well.” – Seb Hutchinson [17:58]
• “Suriname, they played terribly…and the players do not care at all. But what they don’t realize is that goal is the difference between sending them to the playoffs…and the players only realize afterwards when they leave the pitch.” – Paul Watson [19:10]
• “I want to live in the same house as [my kids]. Just…an hour in the shed on Zoom, talking about football when they’re awake.” – Max Rushden [44:57]
• “The Wolves motto is ‘Out of the darkness comes light’. So, I…hope Rob Edwards brought a torch from Middlesbrough.” – Barry Glendenning [45:50]

6. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 – 05:23: Introduction and international football joy
• 09:10 – 14:21: Curacao’s World Cup story
• 16:37 – 19:10: Haiti’s dramatic qualification
• 21:47 – 24:03: Iraq v UAE playoff drama
• 27:09 – 31:34: Premier League – Arsenal vs Spurs
• 32:27 – 36:45: Newcastle v Man City preview
• 36:52 – 40:26: Liverpool coping with grief
• 42:14 – 45:50: Wolves/Edwards debate
• 53:45 – 56:02: Kitmas annual charity drive
• 57:39 – end: Listener vasectomy story

7. Tone & Style

The panel combines informed punditry, irreverent banter, and a focus on football’s emotional and community impact. The episode is part celebration, part gentle mockery, always keeping football’s joys and sorrows firmly in the foreground.

For more information on Kitmas or to donate, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk/kitmas2025.

End of summary. Football Weekly returns Monday with more domestic and international action.