Jimbo’s joined by Michael Cox and Tim Spiers as the knockout stages of the World Cup get underway. Argentina make their way past a spirited Australia with Lionel Messi turning it on. But is it their defensive steel that could take them all the way? The Netherlands impress as they brush aside USA with the wing-backs flourishing and Memphis Depay opening the scoring from a 20 pass move. As for America, Paul Tenorio tells us the striker search starts now. England battle Senegal and the ITV curse on...
Dec 04, 2022•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Jimbo, Tom Williams and Sasha Goryunov on the pod after Day 13 of the World Cup. South Korea score an unbelievably late winner to progress from Group H leaving Uruguay to do some Seoul searching. Korean journalist Sungmo Lee gives us his reaction. Uruguay’s win over Ghana wasn’t enough for them and the Black Stars were awarded another penalty against the South Americans...which the they missed. Just a little bit of history repeating… In Group G, Serbia succumbed to Switzerland 3-2 despite t...
Dec 03, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Jimbo, Lynsey Hooper and Duncan Alexander on the pod after Day 12 of the World Cup. Japan and Morocco make surprise progressions and Belgium and Germany make surprise exits. The reigning runners up Croatia progress despite some uninspiring performances so far. Juraj Vrdoliak gives us the perspective from Croatia. Germany are one of two big teams to go out today and Rafa Honigstein gives us his reaction from the bowels of the Al Bayt Stadium. We look back to look ahead as Ghana and Uruguay p...
Dec 02, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Jimbo, Maram AlBaharna and Tim Spiers on the pod after Day 11 of the World Cup as Australia, Argentina and Poland advance to the knockout stages. Samantha Lewis joins us after Australia pulled off a shock knockout stage progression at Denmark’s expense. Argentina make early fears of a premature exit after their defeat to Saudi Arabia seem premature after a comfortable win over a Poland side who started counting yellow cards to avoid elimination. Mexico so nearly made it through but a conser...
Dec 01, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Jimbo, Adrian Clarke and Matt Davies-Adams in the pod after Day 10 of the World Cup as England and USA advance to the knockout stages. Alex Abnos joins us on the final whistle after USA win the tactical battle with Iran and show they have players for the big occasion. It’s a stroll for England against Wales with the recalled Rashford and Foden grabbing the goals. A good night for Southgate and for Rashford, unrecognisable from where he was a year ago Next up for the Three Lions, steely Sene...
Nov 30, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Sasha Goryunov and Duncan Alexander gather to summarise Day 9 of the World Cup. We had two contenders for game of the tournament on the same day! Cameroon took the lead against Serbia but the Serbs scored three in succession to lead 3-1 only for Cameroon to drag it back to 3-3. The result probably means both sides are out but Vincent Aboubakar did score a lovely lob. Ghana looked like they were sailing to victory with a 2-0 lead over South Korea heading into half time. Then two goals in t...
Nov 29, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Tim Spiers and Adrian Clarke gather to summarise Day 8 of the World Cup as Germany stay alive. It’s all about the supersubs for Spain and Germany as the spoils are shared in Qatar. Is Niclas Fullkrug the long awaited answer to Hansi Flick’s striking problems? Morocco upset underwhelming Belgium in Group F. Maher Mezahi joins us to celebrate manager Walid Regragui. Canada become the second team to exit the competition after defeat to Croatia. They’re creative but why were they naive? And a...
Nov 28, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo’s joined by Michael Cox and Dom Fifield to dissect a pivotal Day 7 of World Cup action. Argentina stay in the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Doha. Is this the start of something special? Or are they too reliant on Messi magic? And elsewhere in Group C, it’s a big day for Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczesny. France are the first nation through to the last 16 with the irresistible Kylian Mbappe leading the holders to victory over Denmark. And it looks like Australia could ...
Nov 27, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 6 of the World Cup and Jimbo’s joined by Tom Williams, Liam Thame, Omid Djalili and more! England and USA battle to a goalless draw as The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio once again rues missed opportunities for the US. And why can’t Gareth Southgate find room for Phil Foden? The early game between Wales and Iran highlights the agony of sporting defeat, the ecstasy of sporting victory and as Omid outlines, the grief surrounding what’s happening back home in Iran. But can progress to the last 16 help...
Nov 26, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes Carl Anka and Adrian Clarke into the studio on Day 5 of the World Cup. Favourites Brazil opened their campaign by seeing off Serbia 2-0 courtesy of two goals from Richarlison. ESPN Brazil’s Natalie Gedra says aloha from Doha to give her reaction. Uruguay and South Korea brought us yet another 0-0 in this World Cup. Switzerland edged past Cameroon 1-0 as goalscorer Bree Embolo didn’t celebrate netting against the land of his birth. Plus Portugal beat Ghana in a thrilling 3-2 victor...
Nov 25, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes Duncan Alexander and Sasha Goryunov into the studio on Day 4 of the World Cup. The less said about Morocco versus Croatia the better but after that there were some amazing games. Japan pegged back 2014 world champions Germany to produce the biggest shock of the tournament… had Saudi Arabia not beaten Argentina. The German players showed that a protest is actually possible at this World Cup with hands over their mouths and rainbows on their laces. Spain smacked Costa Rica for seven...
Nov 24, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo is joined by Jay Harris, Liam Tharme, James Horncastle, Joshua Kloke and Wael Jabir after a historic day 3 in Qatar. Saudi Arabia shock the world by coming from behind to beat Argentina. How far can the Saudis go? How much did the lack of a plan B expose Lionel Scaloni? We look ahead to Wednesday’s action as The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke previews the biggest game in the history of the Canadian national team as they prepare to take on the number 2 ranked team in the world Belgium. Canada don’...
Nov 23, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes Carl Anka and Tom Williams into the studio on Day 2 of the World Cup, a day that generates as much conversation off the field as on it. England hammer Iran 6-2 with Gareth Southgate throwing caution to the wind with his high full-backs and Bellingham showing why he might be a player that shapes the next decade. But it’s a colossal missed opportunity as England and other European nations back down from their previous stance of wearing the One Love captain’s armband for fear of sanc...
Nov 22, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Duncan Alexander and Matt Davies-Adams take in the opening day of the 2022 World Cup. Ecuador ease to a comfortable victory over the hosts. Are Qatar among the worst teams to compete at a World Cup or were they just overawed by the occasion? Monday sees England open their campaign against Iran as they look to score some goals for once, while pale horse the Netherlands take on Mane-less Senegal. Tom Williams sings Wales’ prospects ahead of their fixture with the USA while Sam Stejskal tell...
Nov 20, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes Raphael Honigstein, Duncan Alexander, Liam Tharme and many more into the studio to dissect the final 4 groups of the Qatar World Cup. Group E includes Germany and their bogey team Spain. Rapha expects Musiala to shine while Alvaro Romeo is waiting for big things from Pedri. Group F contains the hipster clásico of Canada v Belgium, the best midfield in the tournament and the best full-back pairing in the tournament. In Group G, Natalie Gedra tells us why it’s not all about Neymar f...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Mauricio Pochettino, Michael Cox and James Horncastle study two groups that feature two of the favourites - France and Argentina. Mauricio gives us his insight into managing the famed front three of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. Hear why he got unlucky with Messi, wanted more consistency from Mbappe and loved every second of Neymar. As for Argentina, will the confidence gained from having won the Copa América power them on to a first World Cup since 1986? We check in with Julien Laurens on th...
Nov 17, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Michael Cox, James Horncastle and former Spurs and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino sit down to pick the bones out of Groups A and B as we count down to Qatar. Can England settle on a style and go all the way? Can Iran put the controversy back home behind them? Bassil Mikdadi tells us more. Are the Netherlands dark horses for the tournament under the guidance of special guy Van Gaal? Will Qatar prove to not actually be rubbish? Are we better off playing now than in June? And we ask Maher M...
Nov 16, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the final time in 2022, the Euro crew of Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo saddle up and ride again across the continent. Napoli look to be unstoppable at the top of Serie A, while Jose Mourinho shocks everyone by severing ties with one of his own Roma players. Union Berlin continue to tumble down the Bundesliga table after getting thrashed by Freiburg. Christian Streich’s side move up to 2nd as they look to chase down Bayern. Marseille win a thrill...
Nov 15, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the final time before Christmas, Jimbo reviews the Premier League weekend in the company of Rory Smith, Jay Harris and Tim Spiers. Limping, wounded Brentford produce possibly the best result in their history by winning at the Etihad. Were Man City some way off full tilt ahead of the World Cup? And will the 5 point lead for Arsenal prove crucial ahead of two head-to-heads with City in the second half of the season? When we last spoke to The Athletic’s Rob Tanner, Brendan Rodgers was on the br...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Athletic has a brand new documentary series following Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk. Here is an introduction to the series. In this episode, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton speaks to Taras Stepanenko, the captain of Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk, as he and his young family take refuge in an underground shelter when war breaks out in Ukraine. Adam also meets with Shakhtar's Croatian head coach, Igor Jovicevic, who was separated from his family when Russia invaded. Meanwhile,...
Nov 13, 2022•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes back Charlie Eccleshare, Lynsey Hooper and Duncan Alexander ahead of the last Premier League weekend before the World Cup. Gareth Southgate names his England squad for Qatar with James Maddison, Ben White and Callum Wilson the big picks. The panel are just hoping Kieran Trippier doesn’t get injured this weekend. Wolves v Arsenal and Newcastle v Chelsea are the headline fixtures this weekend. Will we see full intensity from the World Cup-bound players? Will the likes of Haaland and...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo and the gang of Raphael Honigstein, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo review all the big Euro stories. The Champions League draw threw up some mouthwatering last 16 ties. Are Choupo-Moting's Bayern the worst possible opponents for PSG? Hear why Napoli shouldn’t underestimate Eintracht Frankfurt. Gerard Pique plays his last game at the Camp Nou after announcing his immediate retirement. We discuss the on-field and off-field legacy of one of Spain’s best ever defenders. Bayer...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Daniel Storey, Maram AlBaharna and Jobi McAnuff pore over the drama and the data of another hugely significant Premier League weekend. Elite coach Unai Emery gets off to a winning start at Villa, with a first home league win over Man United for 27 years. And Arsenal show maturity beyond their years as they see off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to return to the top of the table. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle continue to be underestimated by opponents as Southampton react by sacking Ralph Hasenhuttl....
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo ushers Michael Cox, Dom Fifield and Duncan Alexander into the Totally pod ahead of a blockbuster Premier League weekend. Arsenal travel to Chelsea with a chance to assert dominance over their London rivals, while a depleted Spurs host an unpredictable Liverpool. Elsewhere, we pay homage to Marco Silva, look ahead to Unai Emery’s first match at Villa and ask if Jesse Marsch would have been better off if Leeds went down. The Champions League group stage wraps up in dramatic style, with Benfi...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Euro crew of Jimbo, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens, Alvaro Romeo and Raphael Honigstein convene to assess another dramatic weekend. Napoli make it 13 wins in a row while Inter also turn on the style. But the ultras at San Siro enforce a walk-out among the fans whether they like it or not, a reminder of their power. There’s more 99th minute misery for Atletico in La Liga as we ask just how much of this decline is on Diego Simeone? There’s a 97th minute winner from Union Berlin to stay top o...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo welcomes Daniel Storey, Adrian Clarke and Ahmed Shooble into the pod after another momentous weekend in the Premier League. It’s a miserable return to Brighton for Graham Potter with Chelsea. Andy Naylor tells us about an afternoon where De Zerbi made the former Seagulls manager look a bit foolish. Leeds are shock winners at Anfield as they show that they’re playing for Jesse Marsch. Meanwhile Liverpool continue to look awful out of possession. Arsenal blitz a feeble Forest to stay top of ...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo’s joined by Raphael Honigstein, Duncan Alexander and Colin Millar after a frantic midweek in the Champions League. Three Spanish sides are knocked out, with Barcelona forced to face the financial repercussions of group stage failure, while the climax to Atletico’s draw with Leverkusen will live long in the memory. The Premier League weekend serves up potentially Jesse Marsch’s last game at Leeds, as they head to Anfield. Graham Potter returns to the Amex with Chelsea. Can the Seagulls snat...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Alvaro Romeo and Julien Laurens are back for another continental feast of football. Champions League matchday 5 approaches with Barcelona and Juventus on the verge of elimination and Salzburg looking to spring an upset against Chelsea. In France, Lille are turning on the style under Paulo Fonseca, as is Lionel Messi, looking like a truly great midfielder. There are some crucial away wins in Italy, for Napoli, Inter and Lazio who keep keeping clean she...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Natalie Gedra, Tim Spiers and Daniel Storey bring you the calm after the storm of another Premier League weekend. Managerless Wolves are hammered by Leicester, on a day surrounded by Terry Connor vibes, and criticism of Scott Sellars subs. There’s similar unrest at Leeds towards Jesse Marsch and at Spurs towards Antonio Conte. But Newcastle are in the top 4 with Eddie showing he knows Howe to defend. Forest get back on track in spectacular fashion, as do Aston Villa. Dan Bardell tells us ...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimbo, Carl Anka, Duncan Alexander and Matt Davies-Adams discuss a midweek short of goals and a weekend full of drama. Probably. Manchester United put in their most impressive performance, possibly in years, as they ease past Spurs. And while results have been good, why does the football under Antonio Conte have to be so uninspiring? And what do Graham Potter’s Chelsea have in store for United on Saturday? This weekend it’s Nottingham Forest v Liverpool, a fixture that throws up memories of Edwa...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
