The Totally Football Show with James Richardson - podcast cover

The Totally Football Show with James Richardson

The Athletictheathletic.com
James Richardson and Team Totally are here three times a week throughout the season with all the football news and chat you need - and plenty that you don’t.

Episodes

City crisis deepens ahead of Manchester derby, plus the World Cup’s future

Jimbo welcomes Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Tom Williams into the studio for a bumper edition of the Totally Football Show. Champions League matchday 6 sees Man City lose for the 7th time in 10 matches, this time in Turin against Juventus. Does Pep regret signing that new contract ahead of the most uncertain Manchester derby in years? Elsewhere Real Madrid are victorious against Atalanta in perhaps the game of the season so far, and the Brest fairytale continues. The 2034 World Cup will tak...

Dec 12, 20241 hr 21 min

Defining week for PSG & Real in Europe while Atleti are on the charge

Jimbo’s joined by Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús, Seb Stafford Bloor and James Horncastle for a deep-dive into matchday six of the Champions League - plus a look back at all the weekend’s domestic action from around Europe. PSG are on their worst run of the season - three games without a win in all competitions and just one goal scored. They gear up for a crucial Champions League meeting with Salzburg, while in Ligue 1 Marseille and Monaco closed the gap at the top to five points. Serie A has a new ...

Dec 10, 20241 hr 10 min

Chelsea win 4-3 at Spurs after more embarrassment for Man United

Jimbo, Daniel Storey, Tom Williams and Tim Spiers gather to discuss a Premier League weekend packed full of drama and goals. It’s another sensational Spurs v Chelsea fixture with Enzo Maresca’s Blues running out 4-3 winners. They sit 4 points behind leaders Liverpool while many are questioning how long Ange Postecoglou has left at Tottenham. Man United are beaten for the second time in a remarkable week at Old Trafford and then part company with director of football Dan Ashworth the very next da...

Dec 09, 20241 hr 9 min

Chelsea & Arsenal cut the gap on Liverpool, ahead of the Merseyside derby

Jimbo welcomes Natalie Gedra, Duncan Alexander and Charlie Eccleshare into the studio in the midst of a week packed full of Premier League football. Liverpool drop some rare points after a classic 3-3 draw at St James’s Park. Will there be another slip-up on Saturday in what could be the last ever derby at Goodison Park? Arsenal cut the gap to 7 points after bombarding Man United with corners at the Emirates. Are we living in the golden era of set-pieces? Chelsea are also 7 points behind the lea...

Dec 05, 20241 hr 3 min

Barcelona falter again while Atalanta win eight in a row

Pol Ballús, Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford Bloor and James Horncastle are alongside Jimbo for your weekly fix of continental action. La Liga is getting rather interesting all of a sudden, as Barcelona fell to a shock 2-1 defeat by Las Palmas - their first victory away at Barca since 1971! Real Madrid took full advantage and bounced back from their midweek Champions League disappointment at Anfield with a 2-0 win over Getafe. It means they’re just a point behind Hansi Flick’s side with a game in ha...

Dec 03, 20241 hr 14 min

Liverpool sweep aside Man City - who are their most likely title challengers?

Jimbo assembles Duncan Alexander, Daniel Storey and Matt Davies-Adams onto the pod after a stunning and seismic weekend of Premier League football. Liverpool inflict a 4th successive league defeat on champions Man City at Anfield. Arne Slot’s serene start continues as the Reds go 9 points clear in the title race. Who are the most likely challengers? Is it Chelsea for whom Caicedo and Cucurella are playing sensationally? Or is it free-scoring Arsenal? And are we getting fooled into thinking Bukay...

Dec 01, 20241 hr 14 min

Liverpool conquer Real Madrid, ahead of meeting with fragile Man City

Jimbo welcomes Rory Smith, Duncan Alexander and Tom Williams into the studio after another incredible week in the football. Liverpool take down Real Madrid 2-0 to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League, as Kylian Mbappe has another nightmare night for the visitors. How many more Anfield nights will Mo Salah experience? Next up for the Reds, fragile Man City who are in full-on crisis after letting a three-goal lead slip against Feyenoord. Pol Ballus joins us to try and get inside the ...

Nov 28, 20241 hr 16 min

Liverpool take on Real Madrid as Napoli spoil Ranieri’s return

Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús, Seb Stafford Bloor and James Horncastle join Jimbo for a look ahead to matchday five in the Champions League - and a look back on the return to domestic action across Europe. All eyes on Anfield on Wednesday night as Real Madrid take on old friends Liverpool - having got right back into things in the La Liga title race with their commanding 3-0 win over Leganes which leaves them just four points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand. That’s after Hansi Flick’s ...

Nov 26, 20241 hr 7 min

Tottenham thrash Man City at the Etihad, as Cooper loses Leicester job

Jimbo is joined by Daniel Storey, Tim Spiers and Adrian Clarke after an incredible Premier League weekend full of plot twists. Man City suffer their 5th defeat in a row and possibly their most shocking ever under Pep Guardiola as Spurs run riot 4-0 at the Etihad. What’s going wrong? Could it be an era-defining result? Jay Harris was there. Next up for City, leaders Liverpool who are now 8 points clear despite being given a major scare by Southampton on Sunday. Leicester took the surprise decisio...

Nov 24, 20241 hr 10 min

Can Man City end their losing streak against rebranded Spurs?

Jimbo has Jack Lang, Tom Williams and Jay Harris for company in the studio as the Premier League returns. It’s official - Pep Guardiola will be at Man City until at least the summer of 2026. Can that news wake City from their slumber as they host a Tottenham team with a new badge and an excellent record against Guardiola? Sam Lee has more. A big weekend looms for Enzo Maresca who goes back to Leicester and Ruben Amorim who takes charge of Man United for the very first time, as they head to Ipswi...

Nov 21, 20241 hr 6 min

Which new England players are here to stay? And what’s going on at Lyon?

Jimbo is joined by Daniel Storey, Tim Spiers and Colin Millar as the Nations League group stage draws to a close. Lee Carsley’s tenure as England manager is also over but it was a memorable finale as the Three Lions beat the Republic of Ireland 5-0 to earn promotion back to the top tier. Which of the many new additions to the England squad will be sticking around under Thomas Tuchel? France get the two-goal win they need in Italy to finish top of their Nations League group. We talk to Julien Lau...

Nov 18, 20241 hr 7 min

Coote controversy, Kane criticism and the return of Ranieri

It’s the international break but Jimbo has a stellar cast of Rory Smith, Duncan Alexander and Charlie Eccleshare to accompany him through it. The headlines this week have been dominated by the suspension of Premier League referee David Coote after the release of several videos online. We discuss how VAR culture and social media have led to referees becoming main characters in the football soap opera. Harry Kane is upset at England players for pulling out of this Nations League squad. Will he see...

Nov 14, 20241 hr 6 min

An incredible Serie A title race, while Real close the gap on Barca

Jimbo’s got Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballús and James Horncastle alongside him for a deep dive into a fascinating weekend of action across the continent. It’s fair to say the Serie A title race is hotting up, with just two points separating Napoli in first and Juventus in sixth! That’s after Inter and Napoli shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the San Siro, while Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio and Juve all picked up big wins. Real Madrid clawed back some ground in the La Liga title ra...

Nov 12, 20241 hr 15 min

Liverpool go five points clear as Man City lose four in a row

Jimbo has Daniel Storey, Adrian Clarke and Matt Davies-Adams for company after another sensational Premier League weekend. Good times at Anfield with Liverpool extending their lead at the top after victory over Villa. Is Mo Salah better than ever? Man City lose for the 4th game in a row, as Brighton win 2-1 at the Amex. Hear why the champions are lacking in legs and goals. Arsenal slip 9 points off the lead after drawing at Chelsea, for whom Enzo Maresca has assembled a team in not much time at ...

Nov 11, 20241 hr 11 min

Liverpool top two leagues - can City & Arsenal get back on track?

Jimbo, Duncan Alexander, Natalie Gedra and Tom Williams gorge on a feast of football in the Champions League and Premier League. Liverpool are the only Champions League team on 4 wins out of 4 after Luis Diaz’s hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Leverkusen. Next up Aston Villa at Anfield. Jacob Tanswell’s in Bruges to tell us about the worst performance of the Emery era. Viktor Gyokeres monsters Man City in Lisbon, as Pep’s side suffer their 3rd straight defeat. When did they become so vulnerable to ...

Nov 07, 20241 hr 19 min

Inter face Arsenal, Bayern hit 50 and are Ajax back?

Pol Ballús, Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford Bloor and James Horncastle are alongside Jimbo for your weekly dose of action from across the continent. We’ve reached the halfway stage of the Champions League league phase, with some tasty matchday four ties to preview including Inter v Arsenal, Liverpool v Leverkusen and PSG v Atléti. Domestically, it was a reduced schedule in Spain following the devastating flash floods in Valencia. We discuss the reaction to any football at all being played following...

Nov 05, 20241 hr 23 min

Bournemouth beat Man City, Spurs thrash Villa and Forest are third

Jimbo is joined in the studio by Daniel Storey, Jay Harris and Mark Carey after a Premier League weekend full of cats and pigeons. Man City are beaten for the first time in almost a year. Sam Davis from the Back of the Net podcast tells us about the best result in Bournemouth’s history. Nottingham Forest are in dreamland, also known as 3rd in the table after hammering the Hammers. Just how long does Julen Lopetegui have left? It’s a wonderful weekend for Liverpool who go top while Arsenal also l...

Nov 04, 20241 hr 11 min

Man United v Chelsea and Newcastle v Arsenal headline Premier League weekend

Jimbo has Duncan Alexander, Adrian Clarke and Liam Tharme in tow to break down a massive week of football. The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are set after Spurs knock out Man City, while holders Liverpool and Arsenal also progress. Hear about 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri’s virtuoso performance. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Man United also let loose, putting five past Leicester at Old Trafford. Laurie Whitwell has the latest on how long it will be before Ruben Amorim is in the dugout. The Red Devils host Chel...

Oct 31, 20241 hr 9 min

Amorim set for Man United, while Barcelona thrash Real on a stunning weekend

Jimbo’s joined by his continental crew - Pol Ballús, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and Seb Stafford-Bloor - to look back on a seismic week of European action - and all the fallout from Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony which has left Real Madrid rather unhappy… We dive into the big news coming out of Old Trafford - that Manchester United are working on a deal to appoint Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as their new head coach. Portuguese journalist David Novo brings us the latest. There was p...

Oct 29, 20241 hr 17 min

Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool, as Man United lose at West Ham again

Jimbo welcomes Carl Anka, JJ Bull and Matt Davies-Adams into the studio after a bumper weekend full of late drama. Liverpool lose top spot to Man City but they come from behind twice to salvage a point at the Emirates. Are Arsenal’s players dropping like flies after playing too much football? Man United are beaten at West Ham for the 3rd year in a row. Will Erik ten Hag be denying this game as well after a very controversial late penalty? Chelsea edge past Newcastle with Cole Palmer in scintilla...

Oct 27, 20241 hr 12 min

Record-breaking Liverpool head to Arsenal, as Barcelona batter Bayern

Jimbo welcomes Duncan Alexander, Charlie Eccleshare and Colin Millar into The Athletic’s studios amid an epic week of football. Hansi Flick’s young Barcelona banish some Bayern demons with a 4-1 win in Catalunya. And Real Madrid come from 2-0 down to thrash Dortmund 5-2. Vinicius Junior takes the match ball. Next the Ballon d’Or? Elsewhere in Europe, high-spending Atletico are under pressure but it’s Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who are top of the Champions League. Arne Slot has made the best start ...

Oct 24, 20241 hr 15 min

Big week for Barcelona as they battle Bayern & Real Madrid

Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballús and James Horncastle are back with Jimbo to reflect on another busy weekend of European action - and look ahead to matchday three in the Champions League. In La Liga, Barcelona put five past Sevilla while Real Madrid extended their unbeaten league run to 42 games ahead of a tantalising El Clásico coming up on Saturday night when Los Blancos could equal the record - set by Barca no less! But there’s a stern test for Hansi Flick to navigate in midweek...

Oct 22, 20241 hr 16 min

Liverpool overcome Chelsea as Arsenal see red again

Jimbo is joined by Duncan Alexander, Daniel Storey and Tim Spiers in the aftermath of a dramatic and significant Premier League weekend. Liverpool pass a major test at Anfield as they beat Chelsea to stay top of the table. Can Slot’s side remain as composed and calm when they head to the Emirates on Sunday? Arsenal themselves are maybe lacking composure as they suffer their first defeat of the season at Bournemouth. Yet another red card for the Gunners - are they playing too close to the edge? I...

Oct 20, 20241 hr 10 min

England appoint Tuchel, as his old club Chelsea head to Liverpool

Jimbo welcomes Rory Smith, Duncan Alexander and Benji Lanyado into the pod after a seismic week in English football. Thomas Tuchel is the new manager of England. Should the job always go to an English coach? Are tournaments won by the best tactical coaches? And how has this gone down in Germany? Raphael Honigstein has the answer. The Premier League is back with Tuchel’s old club travelling to leaders Liverpool. Two impressive new managers in Slot and Maresca - who will come out on top? Elsewhere...

Oct 17, 20241 hr 11 min

Carsley’s authority diminishes - are the stars aligning for Pep and England?

It’s Jimbo, it’s Tim Spiers, it’s Adrian Clarke and it’s Colin Millar in the midst of a week chock-full of international action. England get back to winning ways in Finland after a humbling night against the impressive Greeks at Wembley. How much is Lee Carsley eroding his authority when he opens his mouth? And how likely is it that Pep will be the next England manager? It’s another valiant defeat for Scotland, a nightmare for one Welsh admin and a tough time to be a Northern Ireland fan. Plus w...

Oct 14, 20241 hr 8 min

Klopp joins Red Bull, Iniesta retires and other international affairs

Jimbo takes Jack Lang, Charlie Eccleshare and Tom Williams on a voyage across the international break. Plenty of news in the world of club football with Jurgen Klopp becoming the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull. It hasn’t gone down well. We speak to the man who wrote the book on Klopp - Raphael Honigstein. Man City’s case against the Premier League on associated party transactions reaches a conclusion. Matt Slater tells us who came out on top and whether this means anything for the 115 charges...

Oct 10, 20241 hr 14 min

A bad week for Bayern and PSG, plus penalty saves galore!

Jimbo’s got James Horncastle, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Julien Laurens and Pol Ballús alongside him to recap the latest action from across the continent. Serie A saw goals AND penalty saves aplenty - with David de Gea snatching the headlines in Fiorentina’s victory over Milan while Marcus Thuram and Mateo Retegui both bagging hat-tricks in big wins for Inter and Torino. Speaking of hat-tricks, Robert Lewandowski rolled back the years as he scored three of his own as Barcelona cruised to victory agains...

Oct 08, 20241 hr 9 min

Brighton comeback stuns Spurs as Liverpool stay top

Jimbo, Daniel Storey, Tim Spiers and Matt Davies-Adams review a Premier League weekend that thrills and bores in equal measure. Spurs throw away a 2-0 lead at Brighton as the Seagulls win 3-2 at the Amex. Why does it have to be all or nothing with Ange Postecoglou’s style of play? Liverpool stay top of the table with their victory at winless Palace. Why has the transition been so smooth under Arne Slot? Man City and Arsenal survive scares to win again, with Saka and Havertz in especially spectac...

Oct 06, 20241 hr 11 min

Villa victorious over Bayern - next up ten Hag’s Man United

Jimbo welcomes Rory Smith, Natalie Gedra and Duncan Alexander into the pod in a week packed full of Champions League and Premier League drama. Villa Park plays host to a historic win for Unai Emery’s side against the mighty Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Under-fire Erik ten Hag is the next visiting manager on Sunday. Arsenal make light work of the mighty PSG, thanks to Kai Havertz and his huge brain. A Ramsdale reunion is on the agenda this Saturday. Celtic suffered in Dortmund while Juv...

Oct 03, 20241 hr 9 min

Villa v Bayern and Arsenal v PSG headline Champions League week

Pol Ballús, Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford Bloor and James Horncastle are alongside Jimbo for your weekly dose of continental action. It’s matchday two in the Champions League and there are some particularly tasty ties to preview including 1982 European Cup final rematch Aston Villa v Bayern Munich and Arsenal v PSG. In terms of domestic fortunes, Barcelona’s perfect start is over! Hansi Flick’s tinkering doesn’t pay off as they’re beaten 4-2 at Osasuna - while the Madrid derby ended all square in...

Oct 01, 20241 hr 14 min