In this FA Cup special episode of In Focus, Aaron Paul goes to the West Midlands to speak to Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield. The 22-year-old joined the Blues permanently in the summer of 2024 for a reported £15 million, a record deal for a club in League One, having been on loan from Fulham the previous season. The striker talks about his journey to now, the feeling it brings at the club being owned by Tom Brady and how his team will setup in their FA Cup 4th round tie against Newcastle....
Feb 08, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast John Murray and Ian Dennis are joined by Jacqui Oatley to lift the lid on life behind the microphone. Jacqui reveals how she got into football media and the pressure that came with being the first female commentator. Jacqui takes on John in a one-off Clash of the Commentators exhibition match. Will any of Jacqui’s Americanisms make the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? And rugby union correspondent Chris Jones joins the pod to talk about commentating at the Six Nations. 04:45 How Jacqui got...
Feb 07, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Reaction from Anfield after Liverpool beat Tottenham to set up an EFL Cup-final meeting with Newcastle United at Wembley. Conor Bradley gives his thoughts on Liverpool reaching their 15th League Cup final, and Arne Slot reflects on booking his own first trip to Wembley. Dion Dublin, Stephen Kelly and John Murray are with Kelly Cates to assess Liverpool’s low-key reaction to the win, and Mo Salah adding another goal and assist to his tallies for the season. Plus, where did it go wrong for Spurs? ...
Feb 07, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Crossman is alongside Chris Waddle & Ian Dennis at St James’ Park, and Matthew Upson for analysis of Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Arsenal (4-0 on aggregate) to book a place at Wembley in the EFL Cup Final. They discuss Eddie Howe’s starting tactics which nullified Arsenal, as well as the performances of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. Hear reaction from Newcastle boss Howe, as well as goalscorer Gordon, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Thursd...
Feb 05, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's 72+, hear from Derby manager Paul Warne on the club's run of 7 games without a win. BBC Radio Derby commentator Ed Dawes drops by to explain what's going wrong at the club. Shrewbury manager Gareth Ainsworth joins Aaron and Jobi this week to talk about his side's January transfer business and the takeaway of choice on deadline day! They debrief the latest managerial changes as Steven Schumacher replaces Ian Evatt at Bolton, and Gareth gives his take on Mike Dodds, the new man in a...
Feb 05, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and James Horncastle. How has Cristiano Ronaldo elongated his career? The Portuguese striker is still scoring in Saudi Arabia so a former Manchester United performance coach tells us how he’s done it. Which team in Europe was the busiest in the January transfer window? Which winter window buys could prove a win for the buying clubs? They discuss Mathys Tel and Rennes' deadline-day dash. Also, is Ousmane Dembele finally fulfilling his pote...
Feb 04, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast From Chloe Kelly to Keira Walsh, it was one of the biggest Women's Super League transfer windows in history! Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are all together for the first time to digest the ins and outs of January 2025. WSL leaders Chelsea have strengthened even more, adding England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona in another big-money move. Can anyone stop Sonia Bompastor's team and what does this side need to achieve in order to reach their potential? After posting a couple of em...
Feb 04, 2025•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast ‘Bricklayer’ Arteta lays foundations and will Rashford use the M6 Toll? Mark Chapman is joined by Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Theo Walcott to break down Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Manchester City. Hear from Jack Wilshere on Arsenal youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The panel also discuss Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa and whether Ruben Amorim has gone too experimental at Man Utd. 07:05 Arsenal-Man City ‘weird rivalry’ delivers 17:00 Does Haaland need to get involved more? 22:2...
Feb 03, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Arsenal put five past Man City as Myles Lewis-Skelly makes his mark. Darren Fletcher is joined by Clinton Morrison and Nigel Reo-Coker to reflect on the Premier League weekend. Also hear from Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga after their 7-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. 01:00 Fletch has padel problems 03:55 Mikel Arteta after Arsenal 5-1 Man City 15:05 Pep Guardiola: ‘I thought we played good’ 29:00 Man Utd lose again at Old Trafford 39:25 Glasner ‘turns ...
Feb 02, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alan Shearer makes the short trip to Newcastle United's training ground to speak to in-form striker Alexander Isak. The Swedish international explains why he's been scoring so many goals this season. He discusses his journey in football and how he grew up watching Spanish football. He sheds light on his future plans in football, short term and long term and where he sees Newcastle finishing this season.
Feb 01, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gary Lineker visits Liverpool's training ground Melwood to speak with manager Arne Slot. The Liverpool manager talks about his success at the club so far since taking charge from Jurgen Klopp in the summer. He praises the former Liverpool boss for how he left the club. Slot also discusses the difficulty of being away from his family in the Netherlands and the similarities between his former club Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Jan 31, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball lift the lid on life as 5 Live commentators. They reflect on the table-watching drama of the final round of Champions League and Europa League games. There’s off-field controversy. Who will go top of the table in Clash of the Commentators? And Ali’s Shrewsbury story finally gets told. 00:45 John’s trip to the dentist 04:00 Striking pre-match displays 07:30 All eyes on the table, not the match? 15:00 Man City/Celtic vs Bayern Munich/Real Madrid 18:3...
Jan 31, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Man Utd, Spurs & Rangers progress to the last 16 of the Europa League. Steve Crossman has reaction to a dramatic night of European football that saw all British sides through. Alistair Bruce-Ball, Rene Meulensteen and Paul Robinson join Steve to reflect on Man Utd's win in Bucharest that gave them a third-place finish in the new format Europa League. Hear from United boss Ruben Amorim. Gavin Wallace has reaction from Ibrox as Rangers progress to the last 16 in dramatic fashion, and Andy Stev...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague, Rafa Honigstein and James Horncastle. Did the new format of the Champions League work? Did it favour the bigger clubs? Will it stop clubs dreaming of a European Super League? And what would they tweak about the format? The team unpick the league phase of the competition. Plus, with the transfer window just days from closing, what are the possible moves to keep an eye on? TIMECODES 0 mins – Intro – what TV shows are the team watching right now? 1 min –...
Jan 30, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Man City scrape into the play-offs while Aston Villa & Arsenal reach the last 16. Steve Crossman has all the reaction to a dramatic final round of Champions League games and how the knockout rounds are shaping up. Liverpool top the group phase despite losing, and Celtic are also through. Hear from Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, Arne Slot, Mikel Arteta and Brendan Rodgers. 02:25 Man City survive Brugge scare 08:20 Pep Guardiola on facing Bayern Munich or Real Madrid 09:55 Aston Villa beat Celtic ...
Jan 30, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are Walsall missing Nathan Lowe after two consecutive defeats? Watford fan Jacob Culshaw discusses whether Watford will stick with Tom Cleverley amid speculation over his future. After Darren Ferguson called his Peterborough team the “softest group of players” he’s ever coached, what next for them? Also hear the latest discussions on the transfer window – who needs to strengthen? Will Wycombe allow Richard Kone to leave and if he does, who might they turn to as a replacement? Colchester forward ...
Jan 29, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Pep Guardiola says he's confident Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League knockout stages when they take on Club Brugge on Wednesday. But is that confidence justified? Kelly Cates is joined by correspondent John Murray, ex-Man City midfielder Michael Brown and former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger to preview the final round of matches. They also look at Aston Villa's attempt to secure a Top Eight spot against Celtic, and see if Liverpool and Arsenal are in for a straightfor...
Jan 28, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk the record signing of US defender Naomi Girma who has joined Chelsea from San Diego Wave for £900,000. Is there any stopping Chelsea who go seven points clear at the top of the table and what does this mean for the rest of the WSL. Ben caught up with Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn who gave an insight into recruitment and how he would like to see more female coaches coming through. Plus the team talk strikers and Vivianne Miedema on firing form once again....
Jan 28, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast What’s going so well for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth? Does Marcus Rashford need to make a sacrifice? What is the answer to Tottenham’s problems – will they stick with Ange Postecoglou? And after Chelsea broke the women’s world-record transfer fee on defender Naomi Girma, what does that mean for the rest of the WSL? Mark Chapman is joined by Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and former England captain Steph Houghton to reflect on the weekend’s biggest football stories. TIME CODES: 01:05 – Bournemouth 18:4...
Jan 27, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tottenham turns toxic as Leicester end their losing run. Aaron Paul is joined by former Premier League players Michael Brown and Don Hutchison. Also hear from Ange Postecoglou on his future, and a relieved Ruud van Nistelrooy. The panel discuss the Arsenal red card, Man City’s new signings and Bournemouth battering Nottingham Forest. And… it’s been a weekend of housery! 01:20 Tottenham turns toxic 11:55 Ange Postecoglou on his future 17:15 Ruud van Nistelrooy on end of losing run 22:45 Will Lewi...
Jan 26, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dion Dublin visits Old Trafford to chat with Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt. The 25-year-old talks about United’s season so far since Ruben Amorim took charge at the club, and where there is room for improvement. He opens up on the success of his career so far, having started out at Ajax, where he reached the Champions League semi-final in 2018 and then his big money moves to Juventus and Bayern Munch.
Jan 25, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball tell the stories you don’t normally get to hear. From the delights on offer at the Parc des Princes to Ian getting called out by Gareth Southgate for his dinner party getup. Gigi Salmon and Russell Fuller reveal what it’s like commentating at the Australian Open tennis. And can Ali go level at the top with John in Clash of the Commentators? 00:30 Ali’s Monaco memories 09:10 Champions League snakes & ladders 12:30 John’s Pari...
Jan 24, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Manchester United narrowly beat Rangers 2-1 to boost their chances of qualifying for the last 16 of the Europa League. The result also means that Philippe Clement's side are all but through to at least the knockout play-off round. Steve Crossman presents reaction to Thursday's night's game from Old Trafford, alongside former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and commentator Ian Dennis. Former United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen also joins to provide his view on the game, while you can hear t...
Jan 23, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following an exciting penultimate round of Champions League group stage action, the panel discuss Bayern Munich and whether their defeat to Benfica was just a bump in the road? Could Xabi Alonso be the next manager in the dugout at Real Madrid? And after Luis Enrique described his PSG side as a “complete team”, what’s next for them? Plus, who next for Borussia Dortmund after the club sacked Nuri Sahin? And the panel discuss who might be the next Belgium manager. And hear all the latest from the ...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Manchester City's Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after a 4-2 defeat at Paris St-Germain. Steve Crossman presents reaction to all of Wednesday night's games, with Football Correspondent John Murray alongside former England defender Matt Upson at the Parc des Princes. Champions League winner Gary Cahill joins to give his analysis, before the podcast moves on to Celtic's 1-0 victory over Young Boys, which guarantees that Brendan Rodgers' side will play in the knockout play-off ro...
Jan 23, 2025•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast After Ian Evatt leaves Bolton Wanderers, Marc Iles from ‘The Bolton News’, joins the podcast to look at what’s gone wrong for him at the club, and who they may turn to next. Also, hear from Tony Mowbray on his return to management, and his return to West Brom – Baggies fan and 5 Live presenter Adrian Chiles drops by to give his thoughts on the new man in the dugout. Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined this week by Kidderminster Harriers manager Phil Brown to reflect on another busy week in th...
Jan 22, 2025•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Liverpool qualify for the Champions League's last 16 but Aston Villa have work to do. Kelly Cates is joined by senior football reporter Ian Dennis, former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock and former Tottenham forward Andros Townsend to reflect on Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Lille and Mo Salah scoring his 50th European goal for the club. Aston Villa remain in the top eight, on goal difference, despite their 1-0 defeat at Monaco and Barcelona have booked their place in the knockout stages after a ...
Jan 22, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk Jen’s announcement that she is retiring from football. The team take a look back at Jen’s career, the highs and lows and what the future looks like post football. Ben sat down for a conversation with the Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor and discussed how it feels to have a target on her back, the environment she’s created at the club and her perfect start. Plus Jen and Ellen share why they think Renee Slegers is the right fit to be the permanent manage...
Jan 21, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast After Ruben Amorim called his Manchester United team “maybe the worst” in the club’s history, how will his players react? And what is the sports science behind Ange Postecoglou’s playing style at Tottenham? Mark Chapman is joined by Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Shay Given on the Monday Night Club to react to the weekend’s biggest stories. How will the Manchester United dressing room react to Ruben Amorim’s criticism after another home defeat? What are the challenges of adapting from a back four ...
Jan 21, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr Tottenham cures Everton and Liverpool go six clear at the top. Hear from Ange Postecoglou and Arne Slot as Darren Fletcher is joined by Nigel Reo-Coker and Glenn Murray. Also catch up with Ruben Amorim as he describes his Man Utd team as "maybe the worst" in the 147-year history of the club. Also, are Forest in the title race? Are Man City back? And what about Bournemouth winning at Newcastle? 02:15 Ange Postecoglou: ‘Great way to start an interview’ 17:40 Everton get first win of Moyes' seco...
Jan 19, 2025•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
