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The Game

The Game

By: The Times
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About this listen

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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The Times Football (Soccer) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Should Heading be Banned? And the real Roy Keane?

    Should Heading be Banned? And the real Roy Keane?
    Jan 29 2026

    Tony Cascarino was a team mate of Roy Keane, he's been to see the film about Keane and his Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, he gives his version of their relationship.

    Is heading in football about to be banned? Following recent headlines around ex players suffering from dementia, what are the risks that footballers take? Tony Cascarino - known for his heading ability is worried at the prospect of a brain scan.


    And Jose Mourinho wound back the clock as his Benfica goalkeeper scored the goal that took them into the next round of the Champions League. He'll join Newcastle in the play offs with the four other english teams already through. Is the Premier League now tougher than the Champions League?


    Tony Cascarino, gregor robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke

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    57 mins
  • United's Carrick bounce exposes Arsenal’s nerve

    United's Carrick bounce exposes Arsenal’s nerve
    Jan 26 2026

    Manchester United make it two statement wins under Michael Carrick — but are they really back? Arsenal’s lead at the top is down to four points after a 3–2 defeat at the Emirates… so why were fans booing a team still top of the table?


    Elsewhere, Liverpool’s unbeaten run ends in chaos at Bournemouth, Chelsea and the chasing pack keep the race for Europe wide open, and pressure grows on Tottenham and Crystal Palace towards the bottom.


    Plus, two strikers thriving in very different worlds: Alyson Rudd visits Bromley to meet League Two’s unlikely star Michael Cheek, and Hamzah Khaliq-Loonat travels to Germany to decode Harry Kane.


    Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.

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    54 mins
  • EFL Extra: Big changes in the Championship

    EFL Extra: Big changes in the Championship
    Jan 23 2026

    Nothing stays the same for long in the Championship.

    Coventry were having a wobble but two wins a signing some injury returns have put that to bed. Likewise, Middlesborough have got back to winning ways after a Christmas stumble. Hull are on fire and Norwich have turned things around at the bottom. West Brom though are in freefall.

    Five points separate sixth and fourteenth…so who will be aiming for the play off’s?

    In League One, are teams having their seasons written off by loanee’s being recalled to their parent clubs?

    Plus, Liam Manning is in at Huddersfield, and a top of the table clash in League Two.

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    28 mins
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