This week's Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Does a manager's age matter? Can an older coach be a better coach regardless of their experience, or can a fresh face now garner as much respect? The food: cup cakes and flapjacks, bought by Andy (Nicky), eaten loudly by Steve. Get in touch via twitter @setpiecemenu and email setpiecemenu@gmail.com Subscribe via iTunes and Soundcloud and download the previous 39 episodes for instant, non-weekly fun...
Sep 06, 2017•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Manchester City's new Tunnel Club. Why? For whom? And what does it say about the current culture of fan engagement? The food: frittata and cous cous. Very healthy, unless you a) have four helpings (Rory), b) wolf it down almost aggressively (Steve), or c) have a Partridge-sized plateful (Andy). Thanks to everyone who has rated and reviewed on iTunes - keep them coming! And a reminder the deadline fo...
Aug 30, 2017•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's the latest Set Piece Menu! This is the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Is the future of the game somewhere other than Europe? Can the money of China, or the glamour of the USA, compete with Europe's history? The food: Pizzas. But not just any pizzas. These are M&S pizzas. Get in touch via twitter: @setpiecemenu or at setpiecemenu@gmail.com Enter our Premier League Table Predictions Contest at www.tinyurl.com/setpiecemenu - the deadline to register your gues...
Aug 23, 2017•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: When will it all end? A £200 million footballer, £5billion TV rights, investment from sovereign funds in the middle east and Chinese consortia, will the football cash bubble ever burst? The food: we raid Rory's sweet cupboard (again). He has had no time to prepare a proper meal owing to his many high-profile media appearances. Get in touch via @setpiecemenu and setpiecemenu@gmail.com Enter our Premi...
Aug 16, 2017•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome in the new Premier League season with Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends (together again!) talk football over food. The football: Will the billions make it better? With all the money being spent by Premier League clubs, will the competition, or its quality, improve? The food: a Danish brunch by Steve, with, according to Rory, the best toast, like, ever. Play our new Premier League Table Predictor Game! Follow @setpiecemenu on twitter and click on the link to join in! Get in ...
Aug 09, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is the latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. It's time for the final summer special edition! The football - Loyalty: Part Two. Do we expect too much of it from footballers? The food - Build a Breakfast Workshop (still trademarked, and now officially endorsed by a hungry three year old).
Aug 02, 2017•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast The final summer special from Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Loyalty - Part One. Does it still exist? The team discusses the modern reality facing fans of players who may not hold their club in the same esteem. The food: Build a Breakfast Workshop (healthy, and trademarked). Other summer multi-part specials on English football and transfers available via iTunes - thanks for your continued support! Contact: @setpiecemenu setpiecemenu@gmail.c...
Jul 26, 2017•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest edition of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Transfers - Part Two. In a world of such mind-blowing figures, is there such a thing as value in football? And how did we get to a point where agents are making £40m on a deal? The food: the controversy has made way for grudge-bearing, as the stomachs remain empty. Ahem. Steve. Thanks for making Transfers - Part One our fastest downloaded episode ever! You can catch up if you haven't alre...
Jul 19, 2017•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast The summer continues on Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Transfers - part one. We break down how a transfer is reported; what and who should you believe? The food: Controversial, as crossed wires means we are left only with chocolatey snacks. Don't forget to download our four part special on English football, and all the other episodes too! And get in touch @setpiecemenu or setpiecemenu@gmail.com
Jul 12, 2017•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast The fourth, and final, part of the Set Piece Menu Summer Special in which we've asked "What is English football?" This week: Do other nationalities ponder their footballing identity in the same way? The food: Steve provides a tart, of the Raspberry and Almond variety, which he most definitely baked himself, honestly... Parts one through three are still available if you still have some catching up to do. Plus, get in touch via @setpiecemenu and setpiecemenu@gmail.com
Jul 05, 2017•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Time for part three of Set Piece Menu's Summer Special asking "What is English football"? This week: How does English football reclaim its identity, and is that even desirable? The food: More pizza, plus the part two leftovers that Andy Hinchcliffe found a little too spicy for his palate. Parts One & Two, plus the rest of the back catalogue, are still available. You can get in touch via @setpiecemenu and setpiecemenu@gmail.com
Jun 28, 2017•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's Part Two of Set Piece Menu's Summer Special asking the question "What is English Football?" The football: How has English Football changed, and if it has, has it changed for the better or worse? The food: The pizzas, having been chosen and not-at-all universally accepted, are now being cooked anyway. Check out Part One on Episode 28, and get in touch! @setpiecemenu - setpiecemenu@gmail.com
Jun 21, 2017•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the first of a series of four Set Piece Menu Summer Specials asking: "What Is English Football?" The football - Part One: What do we mean by English Football, and when did it exist? The food: The selection of, and disregarding of as too spicy by Chinch, a number of Tesco's Finest Pizzas.
Jun 14, 2017•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Does money make you less of a success? If you have a war chest of billions, should any achievements be marked with an asterisk? The food: doughnuts, albeit briefly. Warning: this podcast contains the slightest hint of a disagreement between the group. Just thought we should let you know.
Jun 07, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Why do teams often appear to lack a Plan B? So asks a listener. It's the jumping off point for a discussion about the subtleties of tactical variation, and whether players or coaches are to blame if they don't work. The food: Not just brunch, but an M&S inspired brunch. Sensationally prepared by Nicky Hinchcliffe. And fruit juice featuring the word 'doughnut'....
Jun 01, 2017•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest edition of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: it's the last refuge of players trying to deflect criticism, and managers trying to avoid hard questions. But do you really need to have played the game - at the highest level, no less - to understand it? It can't be that complicated, after all, because Andy understands it, and he is famously dim. The food: some delicious chocolate bites, infused with caramel and/or orange that Rory bough...
May 24, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 24 of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Is it ok to support a second team? The food: None. Ask Rory to explain.
May 17, 2017•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest episode of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: three at the back - how and why does it work? The food: enough pretzels and fresh fruit to appear almost bohemian. Get in touch via @setpiecemenu and setpiecemenu@gmail.com!
May 10, 2017•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 22 of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: the experience sweet spot... How a player's body often doesn't hold up long enough to take advantage of what their mind has learned. The food: bacon and poached egg muffins, expertly crafted by Steve, while the rest of the team perform parenting duties.
May 03, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Time for Episode 21 of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Real, Barça and Bayern - is this the end of an era for the big three? The food: pastries (both savoury and sweet), and a sinister amount of red grapes.
Apr 26, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest episode of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where, this week, three friends talk football over food, as Rory is on a high-profile European gallivant. The football: Which ideas should football steal from other sports? The food: a typically impressive and healthy breakfast (including avocado), provided once again by the impressive and healthy Mrs Hinchcliffe.
Apr 19, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest episode of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: is it fun anymore, for fans or players? The food: a continental breakfast, featuring saucisson sec, and Rory failing to eat a strawberry.
Apr 12, 2017•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast The latest episode of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Stockpiling young players - are some clubs preventing their progress by not offering a realistic path to the first team? The food: an elephant in the room (not literally), after Hugh's dismissive comments about the rest of the team's previous culinary efforts...
Apr 05, 2017•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 17 of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: How long is too long for a manager? The food: Rory's springtime spread of crudités, and French biscuits, both summarily disrespected by Hugh, as always.
Mar 29, 2017•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the latest edition of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: does a spell as an international manager make you a better club boss? The food: cheesecake. Oh, the cheesecake.
Mar 22, 2017•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's another Set Piece Menu! Enjoy Episode 15 at your leisure as once again four friends talk football over food. The football: Is there a script, and if there is, who's writing it? The food: afternoon tea, with an argument over the pronunciation of 'scone'.
Mar 15, 2017•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is the latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: referees - what are they doing? The food: michelin star quality lamb stew and dumplings, courtesy of Nicky Hinchcliffe. Andy didn't even buy the ingredients.
Mar 08, 2017•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Introducing the latest episode of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: player power. The food: breakfast in a bap, with limited double entendres. Please follow us @setpiecemenu and leave us a review on iTunes!
Mar 02, 2017•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the latest edition of Set Piece Menu - the football podcast where four friends share their love of the game over food. The football: Football's lost art of defending. The food: cinnamon swirls, pain au chocolat, a selection of berries and (after a late night & early morning) coffee, lots of coffee.
Feb 23, 2017•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sit back and enjoy Episode 11 of Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: Do Premier League clubs care as much about the Champions League as they used to? The food: a blueberry and apricot crumble cake, which Steve takes a while to get through.
Feb 15, 2017•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
