Why are Premier League clubs struggling in Europe this season?

In this episode of Strain on the Game, Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb break down why four English clubs crashed out of the Champions League last 16, despite such a strong start to the campaign. With only Liverpool and Arsenal left in the quarter-finals, the conversation turns to fixture overload, player fatigue, lack of recovery time, squad rotation, and whether the intensity of the Premier League is now working against English teams in Europe.

The hosts dig into the data around games played, minutes logged, creativity levels, and why clubs in other leagues may be better protected when it matters most. They also ask whether the Premier League needs to rethink its schedule, its style, and even how the game is being refereed.

Plus, Stephen tells the story of finally landing a hole in one.

If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe.

In part two of this special with Dave Fevre, the conversation turns to the work fans rarely see: what really happens when a player goes down injured, how decisions are made in those first critical moments, and what the rehab process actually looks like behind the scenes.

Drawing on decades of experience across the professional game, Dave explains the pressure of pitch-side assessments, why staying calm matters most, and how quickly a “simple” injury can become something far more serious. He also shares why he still believes in clinical judgement over over-reliance on scans, the dangers of treating the MRI instead of the player, and how lifestyle, stress and even alcohol can impact recovery.

From Roy Keane’s rehab mentality to working with top-level professionals like Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic, this episode is packed with stories, insight and hard-earned lessons from one of football’s most experienced physios.

A fascinating look at the balance between science, instinct, psychology and trust — and why getting a player back on the pitch is about far more than just healing the injury.

In part one of this episode, Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb sit down with one of the most respected figures in elite sports medicine, Dave Fevre.

A chartered physiotherapist with more than 30 years at the highest level, Dave has worked with Manchester United’s treble-winning side, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester City in the WSL. In this conversation, he looks back on his journey from rugby league into top-level football, the realities of working in elite sport before the modern era of huge performance departments, and the principles that shaped his approach to player care.

Dave shares stories from behind the scenes at Manchester United, explains how sports medicine and rehabilitation have evolved, and gives a rare insight into the relationships, trust and decision-making that sit behind every return to play.

A fascinating first part with one of the game’s most experienced voices.