Podcast
The Game
Hosted by The Times · EN
The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday.
Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR.
Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups.
We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that.
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94episodes
Episodes
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TRANSFER LATEST - and who is better Rogers or Anderson?
5d ago00:56:11Tap to summarizeWhile 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."
1w ago00:54:50Tap to summarizeWell, 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
1w ago00:40:23Tap to summarizeWell, 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...
2w ago00:28:33Tap to summarizeIt'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
2w ago00:37:56Tap to summarizeDid 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
2w ago00:41:45Tap to summarizeIn 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?
2w ago00:37:30Tap to summarizeTwo 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
2w ago00:21:20Tap to summarizeHe'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
2w ago00:57:00Tap to summarizeHow 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
2w ago00:33:42Tap to summarizeThat 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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