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3 In The Middle Podcast

3 In The Middle Podcast

By: Chris Lumsdon Mark 'Skip' Boyd & Dylan McGeouch
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Chatting Carlisle United, football nonsense, honest opinions & star guests 🎙️🎧

© 2026 3 In The Middle Podcast
Football (Soccer)
Episodes
  • Who Should Manage Carlisle? James McClean Mental Health Row & Lummy’s Ultimate XI
    Oct 21 2026

    Who should manage Carlisle United for the rest of the season: Rob Elliott, Mark Hughes or Paul Simpson?

    Chris Lumsdon, Mark “Skip” Boyd and Dylan McGeouch return after an unforgettable trip to Celtic Park, where they watched a thrilling match, met some familiar football faces and experienced the Glasgow hospitality.

    The lads then discuss Carlisle United’s cup victory, Will Rafferty’s debut and the importance of winning promotion before the club risks losing its most promising academy players.

    Attention turns to the controversy surrounding James McClean’s comments about therapy and asking for help. The lads explain why seeking support should never be viewed as weakness but also question whether his comments were stripped of their full context.

    Lummy and Skip share their own experiences of homesickness and struggling after moving away to pursue professional football. They explain how speaking to family, teammates and trusted people helped them through some incredibly difficult periods.

    Lummy also names the greatest XI he played against, featuring Joe Hart, Stuart Pearce, Marcel Desailly, Steven Gerrard, Gianfranco Zola and Alan Shearer. He reveals what each player was really like to face including the former Real Madrid star who grabbed his shirt and shouted: “Madrid, Barcelona… Barnsley!”

    Plus, one listener shares an unbelievable Newcastle dating disaster involving missing memories, flying ice cubes, cheeky Vimtos and an attempt to climb a set of traffic lights.

    Also featuring:

    • The lads’ unforgettable day at Celtic Park
    • Kieran Tierney’s quality up close
    • Why Celtic’s young right-back could reach the top
    • Carlisle United’s squad depth
    • Will Rafferty’s first-team debut
    • Why promotion is crucial for Carlisle’s academy
    • James McClean’s controversial comments
    • Why asking for help is a sign of strength
    • Lummy and Skip’s experiences of homesickness
    • Who Am I?
    • The ultimate football-shirt sponsor quiz
    • A disastrous Newcastle date
    • Lummy’s greatest opposition XI
    • Facing Joe Hart, Stuart Pearce and Marcel Desailly
    • Robert Prosinečki’s incredible Barnsley outburst
    • What it was really like facing Alan Shearer
    • Rob Elliott, Mark Hughes or Paul Simpson?
    • James Maddison kissing the badge against Coventry
    • Carlisle Sunday League round-up

    TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 The lads recover from Glasgow
    00:17 Inside the Celtic Park experience
    01:00 Celtic’s unbelievable match
    02:16 Why Celtic Park belongs at the highest level
    03:21 The full Glasgow day out
    05:29 Jack Lettuce meal-prep delivery
    06:54 Charity raffle update
    07:43 Carlisle United’s cup victory
    08:02 Will Rafferty and Carlisle’s academy prospects
    08:28 Why Carlisle desperately need promotion
    09:34 James McClean’s mental-health comments
    11:13 Dylan responds to the controversy
    12:12 Why asking for help is not weakness
    12:43 Were James McClean’s comments taken out of context?
    16:14 Should Derry City have handled it differently?
    18:11 Lummy opens up about asking for help
    18:48 Skip nearly walked away from Newcastle
    20:54 The teammate who supported Skip
    21:35 Who Am I?
    29:41 Football-shirt sponsor quiz
    35:32 Question for Carlisle supporters
    37:26 The ultimate Newcastle dating disaster
    43:22 The date takes an unbelievable turn
    46:57 Lummy names the best XI he faced
    47:03 Joe Hart
    47:55 Wes Morgan
    48:35 Stuart Pearce
    49:43 Marcel Desailly
    50:19 Leon Osman and Steven Gerrard
    51:08 Robert Prosinečki’s Barnsley outburst
    53:02 Gianfranco Zola
    54:01 Andy Robinson
    54:49 Facing Alan Shearer
    56:30 Rob Elliott, Mark Hughes or Paul Simpson?
    59:43 Listener messages
    01:00:51 The lads reveal their dream jobs
    01:03:07 Carlisle Sunday League round-up
    01:05:11 Jack Lettuce taste test
    01:05:42 Charity raffle prizes
    01:06:34 Carlisle manager debate: cast your vote
    01:07:48 James Maddison kisses the badge against Coventry
    01:09:42 Final thoughts

    COMMENT BELOW: Who would you choose to manage Carlisle United for the rest of the season Rob Elliott, Mark Hughes or Paul Simpson?

    Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly football debates, dressing-room stories and honest opinions from Chris Lumsdon, Skip Boyd, Dylan McGeouch and guests from across the game.

    #3InTheMiddle #CarlisleUnited #JamesMcClean #FootballPodcast #MentalHealth

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Carlisle’s Confidence Crisis, Celtic vs the Championship & Murph’s Ultimate XI
    Oct 14 2026

    Are Carlisle United suffering from a confidence crisis at Brunton Park?

    Peter Murphy joins Chris Lumsdon, Mark “Skip” Boyd and Dylan McGeouch as the lads analyse Carlisle’s frustrating draw with Kidderminster and the problems holding Rob Elliott’s side back at home.

    They discuss Carlisle’s cautious passing, lack of attacking runs, Regan Linney’s late penalty miss and whether the players are becoming too concerned with taking the safe option. Murph explains how Kidderminster frustrated Carlisle and why changing the tempo is essential when an opposition team refuses to press.

    The conversation also turns to footballers’ social-media activity following poor results. Should players be posting nights out and lifestyle content when performances on the pitch aren’t good enough, or is it simply part of modern football?

    Elsewhere, a heated debate breaks out over where Celtic and Rangers would finish in the English Championship before Murph selects the greatest XI he played against.

    His team includes Joe Hart, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, Tom Huddlestone, Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Glenn Murray and Lee Trundle with stories explaining exactly why each player made the cut.

    Also featuring:

    • Would Celtic finish in the Championship’s bottom half?
    • The incredible intensity of Celtic versus Rangers
    • Should Carlisle’s singing section return to the Warwick Road End?
    • Why Carlisle look afraid to attack at home
    • Regan Linney’s missed penalty
    • Have Carlisle’s players become too cautious?
    • Players using social media following poor results
    • Does Rob Elliott need an experienced coach alongside him?
    • Murph’s greatest opposition XI
    • Facing a young Harry Maguire and Ross Barkley
    • Glenn Murray’s extraordinary improvement
    • The brilliance of Lee Trundle
    • Why Carlisle must increase their passing tempo
    • Who Am I?
    • Carlisle Sunday League round-up

    TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 Murph returns and the lads discover padel
    02:22 Welcome to Episode 37
    02:50 Clubhouse Property
    04:31 Celtic versus the English Championship
    07:50 The intensity of Celtic and Rangers
    08:26 Listener messages and unusual chocolate combinations
    11:13 The lads try pineapple Dairy Milk
    12:27 Football’s “exceptional human being” obsession
    14:00 Should players challenge managers after being dropped?
    18:18 Lummy and Murph recall being left out
    21:07 Carlisle United and the singing section
    23:19 Why negativity dominates after Carlisle lose
    24:16 Carlisle’s cautious home performances
    25:21 Murph breaks down Carlisle United's formation
    26:31 How Kidderminster frustrated Carlisle
    28:18 Carlisle player ratings and Azeez’s potential
    30:12 Footballers, haircuts and social-media pressure
    32:10 Should players post nights out after poor results?
    35:59 Does Rob Elliott need an experienced coach?
    38:36 Should Carlisle attack towards their own supporters?
    40:17 Regan Linney’s missed penalty analysed
    42:35 Who Am I?
    49:55 Murph selects his ultimate opposition XI
    50:08 Joe Hart
    51:16 Harry Maguire
    53:01 Richard Dunne and Colin Hendry
    55:18 Kyle Walker and Tom Huddlestone
    57:08 Ross Barkley
    58:47 Adam Lallana
    01:00:04 Rickie Lambert
    01:01:18 Glenn Murray’s remarkable rise
    01:03:49 The brilliance of Lee Trundle
    01:05:09 Why Carlisle’s passing is too slow
    01:09:07 Is a chocolate biscuit a biscuit or chocolate?
    01:11:40 Charity raffle update
    01:13:17 Carlisle Sunday League round-up
    01:15:02 Clubhouse Property
    01:16:25 Murph’s next move and the Celtic trip

    This episode is sponsored by Clubhouse Property, a property investment network helping people grow their portfolios and supporting athletes preparing for life after sport. Visit their website and Instagram page for more information.

    Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly football discussions, dressing-room stories and honest opinions from former professionals and guests from across the game.

    #3InTheMiddle #CarlisleUnited #CelticFC #FootballPodcast #PeterMurphy

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Are Carlisle United Back? Man City Relegation & Dylan’s Ronaldo Dream XI
    Oct 8 2026

    Are Carlisle United finally turning their season around?

    Chris Lumsdon, Mark “Skip” Boyd and Dylan McGeouch return to discuss Carlisle’s two crucial away wins and the dramatic change in performances following the defeat at Woking.

    The lads praise the commitment, physicality and defensive improvement shown against Fylde and Aldershot—but ask whether this is a genuine turning point for Rob Elliott’s team or simply a short-term reaction to mounting pressure.

    They also debate the possible punishment facing Manchester City. Could City really be relegated, should their players lose their medals, and has the Premier League made it impossible for ambitious clubs to challenge the established elite?

    Dylan then selects the greatest XI he played against, featuring Rangers and Celtic stars alongside Steven Gerrard, Kaká, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. He also reveals what it was like standing alongside Ronaldo in the tunnel before facing Real Madrid.

    Plus, the lads rank Britain’s best and worst chocolate bars, take on another round of Who Am I? and discuss the clubs and managers they would most like to have played for.

    Also featuring:

    • Carlisle United’s two vital away victories
    • Has Rob Elliott finally changed his approach?
    • The warning Carlisle players received from their agents
    • Can Carlisle still challenge for promotion?
    • Could Manchester City be relegated?
    • Should City’s players lose their medals?
    • Dylan’s greatest opposition XI
    • Facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid
    • Steven Gerrard, Kaká and Karim Benzema
    • Who Am I?
    • What’s the Crack?
    • Wrexham’s rise and unforgettable Las Vegas celebrations
    • Meeting Gazza, Snoop Dogg and other famous faces
    • Carlisle Sunday League results
    • The best and worst chocolate bars

    The charity raffle is now open again, with tickets costing £5. Prizes include signed Carlisle United and Manchester United items, match hospitality, football shirts and more.

    The money raised will support Rosehill Care Home, helping its staff and residents with improvements including the garden and wet-room facilities. Check our social media pages for the donation link and full prize information.

    TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 The charity raffle is back
    04:20 Could Manchester City be relegated?
    07:51 Welcome to Episode 36
    08:26 Carlisle United win twice in one week
    11:25 Has Rob Elliott changed Carlisle’s style?
    15:34 The pressure of playing at Brunton Park
    17:40 Carlisle’s goals and potential new signings
    18:47 Agents warn Carlisle’s players
    20:10 Can Carlisle still reach the play-offs?
    22:47 Jack Ellis, target men and Gary Hooper
    25:38 Scottish Masters football gets heated
    26:05 Dylan’s epic Scottish Cup away trip
    29:36 Weekend stories and a traumatised ball boy
    31:21 Things grown men should never do
    32:44 Dylan names the greatest XI he faced
    43:13 Benzema, Gerrard, Kaká and Ronaldo
    44:35 What Cristiano Ronaldo was really like
    45:40 Ranking the best and worst chocolate bars
    52:35 Who Am I?
    59:05 The viewers’ football challenge
    01:00:15 Quick-fire football quiz
    01:04:11 What’s the Crack?
    01:04:25 Clubs the lads wish they had played for
    01:06:10 Inside Wrexham’s incredible rise
    01:08:00 Meeting Gazza, Snoop Dogg and famous faces
    01:11:39 Carlisle Sunday League round-up
    01:14:00 Harry McKirdy retires at 29
    01:15:15 Charity raffle and final messages

    Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly episodes featuring former professionals Chris Lumsdon and Skip Boyd, current player Dylan McGeouch and special guests from across football.

    #3InTheMiddle #CarlisleUnited #ManchesterCity #CristianoRonaldo #FootballPodcast

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    1 hr and 16 mins
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