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Another thriller involving free scoring Cardiff City...are they really eyeing the play offs? West Brom and Wolves certainly are - with a mix of youth and experience the West Midlands are going under the radar. Norwich are charging and can Birmingham stay top...? At the bottom vital wins for Preston, Derby and Charlton but more trouble for Burnley and Bristol City. In the the FA Cup fog grabs the headlines - what is the worst weather Gregor ever played in? All the latest from the Championship and the FA Cup first round with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pierre Sage at Palace and Michael Carrick at Man Utd are both under severe pressure, could one or both go in the international break. With both teams facing squads either underpowered or assembled by multiple managers will a change in the dugout make any difference? Oliver Glasner and Regis Le Bris had big wins to ease the pressure on them and place the spotlight on there opposite numbers in Enzo Maresca and Xabi Alonso The Sunderland and Forest wins were both spearheaded by 'powerhouse centre forward' displays; hats off to Brian Brobbey and Liam Delap Is it time to give credit to Leeds' Daniel Farke and their defensive solidity? Arsenal look easy at the top, who cares about flare and Brighton march on. Gregor Robertson James Gheerbrant and Tom Allnutt join Tom Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A better week for Michael Carrick as an academy star inspires a come back at Old Trafford and their first win in fifty five days. Aside from Shea Lacey's cameo Matheus Cunha stole the show with two goals and a red card - an inspiration or a liability? For Liverpool is £125 million striker Alexander Isak coming good after scoring his sixth of the season. That and the form of Trey Nyoni were the bright spots in defeat for Liverpool. After the break is Thierno Barry the best career turnaround story of the season, the Everton striker now has four league goals this season. Jack Grealish's career is going in the opposite direction, why? A quick look at Scott Parker joining West Ham, the dangers of football following the tragic death of Jesus De Miguel and how is Harry Kane's back up? Tom Clarke is joined Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Gregor Robertson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL. Was there ever a more obvious choice for a club than West Ham asking Scott Parker to replace sacked Nuno Espirito Santo...can the former hammer get the team back to the Premier League? Birmingham City are on a charge with six goals in two games and up to second in the table, Tom thinks they're not even in top gear yet. Stoke continue to surprise sitting in third after their fourth away win in a row at Blackburn, but have they had an easy run of fixtures. Are Norwich finally proving Tom and Gregor right, are they heading for the play off mix? A statement win from Huddersfield in League One, putting three past miserly Bradford City. Dave Challinor got Sheff Wed up and running and some pantomime play at Wigan. League Two is as tight as the Championship with three points covering third to thirteenth. Fleetwood had a great win off the back of beating Arsenal in the cup and flat caps and sendings off at Swindon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in sixteen attempts. The Champions showed a familiar resilience, is their defence as good as they have ever had? For Liverpool they have only scored four home league goals all season, what isn't working going forward? Is it time Brighton were in the conversation with Arsenal as title contenders. After winning at Man City - also for the first time in sixteen attempts - they are a side getting results and topping many data metrics which suggests being third is no fluke. Michael Carrick remains enormous pressure at Man Utd but he is not the only manager under pressure; which of Le Bris at Sunderland, Carrick at Man Utd, Sage at Palace and Glasner at Forest will still be in post after the international break? Lastly, is James Hill at bournemouth in line for an international call up? Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Pete Rutzler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United latest in part two. Part One Fleetwood, Dowman and Kane In front of a raucous five thousand fans at Highbury Fleetwood Town beat Arsenal on penalties - did the cold rainy night cliche play a part? Fleetwood managed to get under the skin of young star Max Dowman, was his red card a valuable lesson or unfair? England captain Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or - and it couldn't have happened to a better man. Michael Carrick is staying at Manchester United - for now. Was he saved by the fans and if so did sentimentality get the better of reality? Paul Hirst brings us the latest as Carrick makes peace with Bruno Fernandes, could he be in line to stay longer than anyone thought? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd, Paul Hirst and Martin Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Middlesbrough look set for another charge at promotion this season as Kim Hellberg's side put on a masterclass away at Bolton. They might have competition from Southampton who would be in second but for their points deduction and their defender James Bree thinks they can win the league. Burnley looked woeful in Nicky Hayen's last game in change, could they follow Leicester and Luton with a double drop into League One In League One good times at Mansfield and Plymouth. Managerial change at Sheffield Wednesday and is Dave Challinor about to get a return to management? Fleet footed brilliance from Exeter City's Luca Woodhouse in League Two and another managerial change as bottom of the pyramid Crawley sack their manager. And remember Ryan Reynold's mate Paul Mullin...? He's still scoring goals at Rotherham. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another weekend, another disastrous result for Manchester United who slumped to a 3-0 defeat against an impressive Bournemouth side. At the final whistle, Old Trafford delivered its verdict – support for Michael Carrick, resounding boos for his players. But is this the end for United’s beleaguered manager? Could Eddie Howe be next in line to take on this most poisoned of managerial chalices? More importantly, will it make any difference? Meanwhile, there were big results for both Liverpool and Tottenham - whose was more impressive? Pierre Sage is under pressure at Palace and Arsenal are good at set-pieces again. Then it’s all aboard the Villa hype train after they inflicted Manchester City’s first defeat of the season. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, James Gheerbrant and Gary Jacob to discuss all that and look ahead to tonight’s Ballon d'Or ceremony in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It goes from bad to worse for Manchester United. A humiliating loss to Como followed by captain Bruno Fernandes turning on the manager. Is this now a power struggle between player and manager...if so, who wins? Aside from the chaos off the pitch what is the problem on it, is it about players not trying, poor coaching or just a simple lack of ability? Will Michael Carrick still be manager in a weeks time? Elsewhere, Harry Kane shows why he's in line for the Ballon D'or, Liverpool's up and down performance, another PSG masterclass and a big weekend for Spurs and Chelsea. Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Times journalist and former football league player Gregor Robertson cover all the latest from The Championship, League One and League Two. Are Birmingham City's ambitious plans finally coming to fruition? The big time American owners have long talked about reaching the top flight, they are now fourth in the table and looking very strong. what chance they are in the promotion spots come May? West Ham, Middlesbrough and possibly West Brom look very likely to be in the mix who else is going to join them? And did you see Isaac Price's penalty for West Brom!? Can Jamie Vardy lead Burnley out of the relegation zone, he got his first goal, but the clarets still lost their problems are at the back. Plus a tough week for Charlton, Preston and Bristol City. In League One it's back to back wins for Russell Martin at Leicester, win of the weekend goes to Huddersfield and goal of the weekend Gbemi Arubi with a half way line strike for Burton Albion. League Two and Matt Taylor is turning things around at Exeter, Salford keep winning and a goalkeeper assist for Jed Ward at Walsall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brighton can't stop scoring. twenty three goals in the opening seven games is the fourth best in Premier League history. Are Fabian Hurzeler's team serious top four contenders? In beating local rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 they have piled the pressure on manager Pierre Sage, could he be the first managerial casualty of the season? Diego Gomez scored a stunning fifty metre goal for Brighton's second, where does it rank in the great long distance goals? Fulham got a much needed win at home to Hull who are now winless in five. But Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is still to win over the Craven Cottage faithful. Who has created the most chances this season...? Liverpool's hundred million pound flop Florian Wirtz...was his and Liverpool's win a Brentford a turning point or just a reflection of playing against ten men for a half? Plus, a hard earned point for Michael Carrick at Elland Road, a Chelsea clean sheet and will Arsenal ever be free scoring? Tom Clarke join Gregor Robertson, Kit Shepard and Pete Rutzler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisandro Martinez chucked a hand grenade into the Man Utd dressing room when he questioned the quality of the clubs signings and the man responsible - technical director Jason Wilcox - Why is Britain's 'biggest' club incapable of stability? Did PSG produce the best football played since Pep Guardiola's all conquering Barca side? in the second half Man City then showed their quality and strength in depth as they put in a barnstorming performance. The independent football regulator report has been released, its findings suggest the majority of English football clubs are on the edge of financial disaster. Will the report change anything or is it another toothless measure... Plus, great wins for Liverpool and Villa and a tail of two strikers in Victor Gyokores and Nicolas Jackson Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of a full set of midweek fixtures a quick catch up on the EFL with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson run the rule over the weekend results, Tonda Eckert, Robbie Savage and an 'absolute exocet' of a goal in League Two. A suspended ban and a small fine puts spygate behind Tonda Eckert and Southampton, the decision celebrated with a win over local rivals Portsmouth. Swansea, Stoke and QPR showed they are not going away with impressive performances against Norwich, Bolton and West Ham. Burnley got their first win of the season, but at Preston Graham Alexander couldn't mark his first game in charge with a win as his side lost at home to Millwall. In League One the 'flowing locks' derby saw Robbie Savage win his first game in charge at Peterborough, piling the pressure on Leicester boss Russell Martin. In League Two look out for as pure a strike as you will see at Barnet and Salford go from strength to strength. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man City looked worth every penny of the money spent on them as they beat Liverpool at Anfield. But the result left a strange taste as many wondered what it meant. Is the integrity of the league at stake as all results involving Man City have an asterix until the punishment is announced. Could city 'win' the league only to then be relegated? Liverpool had a front line including two hundred million pound players, neither produced. How worried should the club be about Florian Wirtz? Jordan Henderson showed he wasn't just a 'vibes' signing when he scored twice and brought some calm to Chelsea's midfield. Fulham contrived to lose again, Palace nicked three points and Brighton continue to impress. Spurs took a lot of encouragement from a ten man draw with Man Utd. Not so Manchester United though - six points from the opening six games and a team lacking identity...how much pressure is Michael Carrick under? And six games in the table has a refreshing look with Brentford and Brighton in the top four and Hull in 8th...can it last? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Premier League returns, Man City punishment needs carful thought and where do Bellingham and Kane rank? Are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in your top five England greats? Martin Samuel picks the best England players he's seen and Tony Cascarino picks the best five he's played against. Manchester City plan to appeal, but if they are not successful could their punishment sink them as a club? Messi retired in front of 80,000 adoring fans. Cristiano Ronaldo left in protest at being an used substitute, will his career end in a whimper? And the Premier League finally returns with some big games this weekend - Liverpool City, Man Utd Spurs and will Gyokores replace Havertz for Arsenal? Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson join Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.