The topical sports show that discusses the week's issues with insight, analysis and (occasionally) wit - there's also a bit of betting, too
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Episode 21 | Pep and Jose’s Tactics and Why Troy Deeney is Perfect for England | Guest: The Front 3’s Dave O’Brien
Excellent transfer business and intelligent tactics are why Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have made successful starts to life at Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.
That’s according to Dave O’Brien from the Front 3 podcast – also known as @SquawkaDave on Twitter or as Dave Talks on YouTube – who joins host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger in the studio to discuss the changes both managers have made.
Dave also explains how Antonio Conte is likely to use David Luiz at Chelsea and why Sam Allardyce should have selected Troy Deeney for England’s first World Cup qualifier.
Alan, meanwhile, attempts to start his Wise Al title defence with a win, and also reveals which very worthy cause his profitable bet of the weekend will be donated to this season.
Episode 20 | Premier League Clubs Throwing Money Around Like Drunken Sailors | Guest: Darren Lewis
The astronomical sums that Premier League clubs are prepared to pay this summer has surprised Darren Lewis, although he does not expect the English top flight’s TV-money bubble to burst anytime soon.
Joining host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger in the studio for the last episode of the current series, the Mirror football writer reveals the deals sides such as Arsenal, West Ham and Everton hope to do this summer… and the numbers that need to be met in order to get them done.
Lewis also praises the business completed by Tottenham and especially Manchester United, who he believes should be favourites to win the title – especially if Jose Mourinho succeeds in bringing Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.
Episode 19 | France, Arsenal and Great Rubbish Games at the Euros | Guest: Philippe Auclair
There have been some rubbish matches at Euro 2016, says Philippe Auclair, but the togetherness and emotion shown by the tournament’s most successful sides – including his own nation France – has shown the importance of international football in the modern game.
Joining host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger in the studio, the acclaimed football writer and broadcaster discusses how there has never been a player like Antoine Griezmann, the redemption of Olivier Giroud and why Paul Pogba should join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Auclair also explains how it is not just English footballers who speak in clichés and why he thinks Arsene Wenger would be very interested in becoming England manager when his Arsenal contract expires next summer.
Episode 18 | Hodgson’s Cabinet, England’s Next Boss and Klopp’s Land of Chocolate | Guest: Tony Evans
Having once described Roy Hodgson as having a “bigger bathroom cabinet than trophy cabinet”, ESPN and Evening Standard writer Tony Evans was not especially surprised by England’s Euro 2016 implosion under their now ex-manager.
The former Times football editor joins host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger in the studio to explain what attributes the new boss needs to have, who the best candidates are… and why he has no faith in the FA’s decision-making process.
In addition to discussing Cristiano Ronaldo’s “explosion of vanity” and Antonio Conte’s chances of Chelsea success, the lifelong Liverpool supporter also reveals how the club’s owners are following Jurgen Klopp like Homer Simpson “in the land of chocolate”.
Episode 17 | A Joyous Euros, Hodgson’s Masterplan and Slaven the Life Coach | Guest: Ian Stone
Euro 2016 has overtaken Ian Stone’s life, although the comedian – who blogs about it daily – is still remembering to eat breakfast and change his underwear. (For now, anyway.)
Stone joins host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger in the studio for a comprehensive debrief of the tournament so far, including why the extended format has been a triumph and the brilliance of the Home Nations and Ireland supporters in France.
And the broadcaster and England fan not only defends Roy Hodgson, but reveals why he wants the national side to be successful more than his beloved Arsenal… and Slaven Bilic to manage his life.
Episode 16 | England’s Striker Conundrum and Hodgson Going All Balls Out | Guest: Nick Miller
His line-up was probably too passive to begin with, but football writer Nick Miller believes Roy Hodgson should be commended for going “balls all the way out” when throwing Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford on against Wales.
Miller tells host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger which two of those three strikers should start against Slovakia, and ponders whether Sturridge’s late winner will propel England to bigger and better things at Euro 2016.
The Guardian, Football365 and Set Pieces contributor discusses what he has learned from the tournament so far, the future of football journalism and the apathy he feels towards the club he supports, Nottingham Forest.
Episode 15 | Hodgson’s Nous, Vardy’s Life-Changing Decision and English Defenders That Can’t Head It | Guest: James Scowcroft
Roy Hodgson is very astute, says James Scowcroft, who spent time listening to the England manager at a coaching conference earlier this year.
That is why the former Premier League footballer and current Ipswich Town academy coach is confident the diamond formation will be deployed correctly at Euro 2016, which means Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane leading the line.
The lifelong Manchester United supporter also tells host Tom Bowles why the captaincy should not be enough to guarantee Wayne Rooney’s place in the national side, and explains how the art of English defending is being lost at youth-team level.
Scowcroft also hails the rise of Marcus Rashford, especially with “the best youngsters this country’s ever seen” being “miles away from the first team” at other clubs.
Episode 14 |That Great Soundtrack of Three Lions and a Well-Liked England Team | Guests: Dion Dublin and Tom Williams
The diamond formation probably isn’t forever, but AFP London correspondent Tom Williams believes we shouldn’t be disheartened by England’s laboured Euro 2016 preparations.
Along with host Tom Bowles and resident tipster Alan Alger, Williams reflects on when football came home 20 years ago and explains why Roy Hodgson’s side can reach the last four this summer.
The French football expert also reveals what travelling supporters are likely to experience in France, while Dion Dublin discusses how the Three Lions have to play to make the country proud, being left out of the 1998 World Cup by Glenn Hoddle and, of course, Homes Under the Hammer.
Episode 13 | Auras and Egos, Including Mourinho, Ibrahimovic, Guardiola and Zidane | Guest: Gavin Hamilton
Jose Mourinho has returned to the Premier League and World Soccer magazine’s Gavin Hamilton is pleased to see him back.
But the editor of football’s oldest publication tells host Tom Bowles why he does not expect the Special One to be the Changed One at Manchester United next season… and discusses the factors that could thwart his quest for success.
Hamilton also explains how Zinedine Zidane has been able to prioritise tactics over politics at Real Madrid, while resident tipster Alan Alger reveals the country that can surprise at Euro 2016 when rounding up the latest prices.
Episode 12 | Candles and Bubble Bath, But John Barnes Never Went Tap End | Guest: Kevin Day
Crystal Palace’s FA Cup final against Manchester United is making Kevin Day so nervous that even his cat is avoiding him.
Having seen the club almost go out of business, though, the award-winning comedian tells host Tom Bowles why he would accept his beloved Eagles never going to Wembley again if it meant they remained in the Premier League forever.
The award-winning comedian also discusses his most interesting experience while working on Match of the Day 2… and selects a former England footballer when asked to name the sportsperson with the best comic timing.
Episode 11 | The Men in the Golden Boots | Guest: Clive Allen
Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy are vying to be the Premier League’s top scorer and Clive Allen is eager to see both start up front for England at this summer’s Euros.
Allen – who once struck 49 times in a single season for Tottenham – joins host Tom Bowles in the studio to discuss the art of finding the net, plus the emotions he experienced when Bobby Robson overlooked him for the same tournament in 1988.
The former PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year also plays for family pride when challenging resident tipster Alan Alger in the weekly predictions… and reveals what joining Bordeaux taught him on and off the pitch when reflecting on the greatest moments of his career.
Episode 10 | Hello Tony Cottee, Goodbye the Boleyn | Guest: Tony Cottee
West Ham are planning something special to ensure the Boleyn Ground gets the send-off it deserves, says Tony Cottee, who first visited the famous old stadium in 1972.
The Hammers legend joins host Tom Bowles in the studio to reminisce about playing for his boyhood side – and reveals his regret at not becoming a one-club man.
Cottee also attempts to better resident tipster in weekly prediction game ‘Wise Al’ before selecting his all-time Boleyn starting line-up. But does he pick himself?
Episode 9 | Packed Lunches at 7 in the Morning | Guest: Chris Powell
The Premier League title is all but Leicester’s following the remarkable exploits of Ranieri, Vardy, Mahrez and co this season.
But the Foxes’ owners also deserve recognition, says Chris Powell, who was playing for the club when the King Power group first took over in 2010.
Joining host Tom Bowles in the studio, the former England left-back contrasts their management style with those in power at ex-side Charlton – and explains why supporters at the Valley are right to protest.
As well as taking on resident tipster Alan Alger in Wise Al, Powell also reflects on his experiences as a player, manager and ambassador of the game.
