The Sound of Football

On Saturday morning, Graham Potter became the second managerial casualty of the still new Premier League season, and was almost immediately replaced by the first, Nuno Espirito Santo. Of course, while some managers struggle, others thrive. Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner's on-going achievements at their clubs have put them in line for some of the best jobs, if and when they become available. The Crystal Palace head coach's contract is up at the end of the season. If he could keep the Eagles where they are in the early table - in the top five - might it better for him to stay at a well-run club rather than be tempted to go to a more glamorous but unstable alternative? pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_626.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Chelsea and Liverpool face each other after both suffering defeats. There's also the battle of the promoted documentary streamers in the Championship as Wrexham host Birmingham. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's a feature of modern fandom that some lovers of the game are followers of players rather than clubs. For these fans, is the Ballon D'or their World Cup? Based almost entirely on vibes, speculation regarding potential winners of the venerable, journalist-voted award is perfect fodder for very online fans and those who are convinced they know better. Also this week, we speculate on a potential future of coverage of football matches for the TikTok generation: Vertical Format Football. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_625.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Can Sunderland's good start of the start continue against A Forest side looking for a first win under Age? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

There are plenty of things to have opinions on right now. This week we ask important questions, such as: “is Chris Wilder the new Barry Fry?”, “is one long international break better or worse than two normal ones?” and “what would happen if Manchester United were relegated?” Also this week, we ask whether or not it’s right to punish the new owners of Chelsea for misdemeanours perpetrated by the previous ownership, after the club was charged by the FA with 74 rule breaches regarding payments to agents between 2006 and 2022. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_624.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will this weekend's Merseyside derby be more of a contest than last weekend’s Manchester derby? Will City’s improvement in form continue when they visit the Emirates? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Daniel Levy's 24 year reign as executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end. Despite overseeing the construction of one of the finest stadiums in the world, in recent times he became the sharp focus of dissatisfaction for many fans. So what does the future hold for the club now he is no longer pulling all the strings? Also this week, we discuss the newest club in the WSL, the London City Lionesses, who in their six seasons, despite their name, have yet to play a home game in a London postcode. Are they the disruptive force they claim to be or merely a soulless franchise in a multi-club structure. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_623.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Spurs' first match after Levy is a local derby away to West Ham. Meanwhile the last manager he sacked, Ange Postecoglu, has his first game in charge of Forest at Arsenal. If that's not enough, there's also the Manchester derby. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

We didn't even make it out of August before VAR messed up enough to warrant the PGMOL to issue yet another apology for the flawed system. Fulham fans should rightly be incensed that the system chalked off a perfectly good goal at Stamford Bridge, and all football fans should be equally as angry that VAR is allowed to continue to do this kind of thing. Also this week, we look at how, within the space of five days three former Manchester United managers were sacked from their latest jobs. Erik ten Hag was shown the door just three games into his tenure at Leverkusen and just days after both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were sacked from their respective Turkish Super Lig clubs, Fenerbahce and Besitkas. It couldn't be more than a coincidence. Could it? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_622.mp3

This week we reached an important milestone for the podcast when Max Dowman made his Arsenal debut, coming on as a substitute against Leeds. The 15-year-old became the first player born after the release of our first podcast to play in the Premier League. We take a moment to feel very old. And in another busy week for Crystal Palace, Terry reports back from his visit to see the club’s first match in European competition and gives his reaction to the departure of Eberechi Eze. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_621.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will Max Dowman feature alongside Eberechi Eze for the Gunners in their trip to Anfield? The hosts have their own teenage sensation, Rio Ngumoha. Also the BBC iPlayer is where you need to be on Friday night for the big city derby of Hamburg v St Pauli. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Premier League is back. Newly-promoted Sunderland defied the doomsayers (for a week at least) by winning their opening fixture at home to West Ham in one of the standout results in a weekend of surprises, exciting new signings and, of course, a few VAR controversies. But not all the stories are taking place on the pitch. After failing to get a move away from Newcastle, Alexander Isak has vowed to never again play for the club. Effectively, he's now on strike. After the landmark victory for Lassana Diarra in the European courts, challenging the imbalance of player contracts, could we see more players taking matters into their own hands? Could it eventually bring an end to the whole system of transfers in football? pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_620.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Leeds will be hoping to hoping to add to their winning start when they travel to the Emirates on Saturday evening. It's also the start of the season in Germany and Italy. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Our 17th season starts after a succesful summer for England with both the Lionesses and the Young Lions retaining their European crowns. It's a bittersweet start of the season for Crystal Palace. After taking part in their first ever Community Shield on Sunday (and winning on penalties) the following day they lost their appeal to remain in this season's Europa League, confirming their place in the Conference League. Palace's first ever European campaign should be a cause for celebration, but many fans feel rightly robbed. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_619.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? In another twist of fate Palace's season begins against the Conference League holders Chelsea. Arsenal and Manchester United get the chance to test out their new strikers as they face off at Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Women's Euros kicks off in Switzerland tomorrow, we're here to give you the low down on who to look out for and who might prove to be the darkest of horses. To help us out with perhaps the toughest Euros to predict, we're delighted to be joined by Clare McEwen, author of She Can Kick It, The History of Football Across the World via a Girl in Love with the Beautiful Game. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_618.mp3

Everyone on the pod is in jubilant mood at the end of what's been a particularly memorable season. Jan has still yet to come back down to earth after Sunderland won promotion back to the top flight in the play-off final, while Graham is giddy having returned from Lisbon, where he watched Arsenal secure a famous win in the Women's Champions League final against Barcelona. Having missed last week's podcast, Terry returns to give his thoughts on Crystal Palace's history making FA Cup win. Next season will see all three of our clubs in the Premier League, the first time that's happened since 2017. Given how tough it's been for promoted sides to stay up in the past two seasons, what can the clubs going up do to stay in the top flight? pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_617.mp3

Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup, with their goalkeeper Dean Henderson being a one-man narrative machine. Whether he should have been sent off or not (he probably should have) will be forever woven into the mythology of a rare, memorable FA Cup final. We also look ahead to the upcoming play-off finals and what is still to play for on the final weekend of the Premier League. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_616.mp3

We spent our Sunday at Wembley, cheering on our non-league side AFC Whyteleafe in the final of the FA Vase. Sadly, for us, the result didn't go our way with Whitstable Town winning 2-1. Despite the result it was an unforgetable day at the home the football. Also this week, we talk about the play-off between the worst non-relegated Premier League teams, otherwise known as the Europa League final. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_615.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's Cup final weekend in England. Saturday you can watch Crystal Palace take on City in a bid to win their first ever major trophy. On Sunday Manchester United look to retain the Women's FA Cup against treble-chasing Chelsea. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's rare that we get to the month of May with all of us on the podcast supporting clubs that are still chasing prizes. Terry's Crystal Palace are in the FA Cup final, Jan's Sunderland are in the Championship play-offs, and Graham's Arsenal are still in with a (slim) chance of winning the men's and the women's Champions Leagues. Perhaps more notable though is the side that we all follow, AFC Whyteleafe, who make their Wembley debut this weekend in the FA Vase final against Whitstable Town. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_614.mp3 Also this week, with an all-English Europa League final looking an near certainty, it looks like there will be six Premier League sides in the Champions League next season (there's even a scenario where it could be seven!) The extra fifth spot, won by the combined performances of English clubs in Europe this season, will go to whoever finishes in fifth in the Premier League. Is there an argument that this bonus place should instead go to the winner of the FA Cup? Terry thinks so, and Graham, using UEFA's own thinking, explains why perhaps it should. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's still to be confirmed but should a broadcaster be carrying the FA VAse final then it will definitely be in this weekend's previews along with a number of EFL play-offs. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

As the end of the season approaches we're starting to get a clearer idea of who'll be where next season. After a hectic Easter weekend, Leeds United and Burnley have secured their return to the Premier League, but how will they get on next season? Also in the last week, Virgil van Dijk confirmed that he will be staying at Liverpool, just a few days after Mo Salah confirmed he had signed a new two year deal to stay. Speculation still hangs over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, after a frustrating season, Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his surprise that City have shown no interest in keeping him at the club. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_613.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. First up at Wembley on Saturday evening is Crystal Palace up against Aston Villa. Sunday lunchtime sees Manchester City, in a seventh straight semi-final, taking on Nottingham Forest, who are at this stage for the first time since 1991. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Thanks to the success of English clubs in Europe, there will be five Premier League clubs in the Champions League next season. Cause for celebration but how many of the five clubs remaining in European competitions this season will make next month's finals? Never afraid to hold ourselves hostage to fortune, we do our best to predict how things will turn out this week for those clubs involved in quarter finals. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_612.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? There are two rounds of Championship fixtures across the Easter weekend which could go a long way to settling who's going up and who's going down. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The three teams that were promoted to the Premier League last season look certain to be going back down to the Championship - just as they did last season. Southampton are already down and Ipswich and Leicester could join them with as many as five rounds of fixtures to play. Also this week, Graham and Jan try to come back down to earth after their non-league team AFC Whyteleafe secured their place in the final of the FA Vase, to be played at Wembley Stadium in May. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_611.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Hopefully this weekend's Manchester derby will be a lot better than last weekend's - the women's sides face each other in the FA Cup semi-final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The FA Cup quarter-finals were short on surprises. Who out of Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are best placed to challenge Manchester City's dominance of the competition? Forest will be the first to try to stop Pep's side reaching a third consecutive final but will they be distracted by their push for Champions League football? Aston Villa meanwhile have the pressure of a Champions League quarter-final against Unai Emery's former side, PSG, and a potential semi-final against another of his old sides, Arsenal, or Real Madrid. Palace it is then. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_610.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Back in the Premier League, City still have work to do to secure Champions League football next season. They face United at Old Trafford without the injured Erling Haaland. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Harry Kane scored his 70th England goal on Friday in a comfortable 2-0 win against Albania, in their opening World Cup qualifier. Will he still be Thomas Tuchel's choice as captain and main striker by the time the final tournament comes around next summer? Also this week it seems that Trent Alexander Arnold took a step closer to being a Real Madrid player next season, with a pre-contract agreement reportedly having been made. If this move is soon confirmed, will decisions regarding the other players on contract countdowns, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, be far behind? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_609.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup quarter final weekend with City the only side left in the competition to have won it in the last 65 years. Can Bournemouth stop them reaching a seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Newcastle United have finally won a trophy, beating Liverpool in this weekend's League Cup final. A fairytale story of plucky underdogs, owned by an oil state - the true Geordie nation, Saudi Arabia. Also this week, we look ahead to the weekend's World Cup qualifiers and discuss Thomas Tuchel's first squad as the new manager of England. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_608.mp3

Some people (not us) will tell you that the FA Cup doesn't mean much any more, but you wouldn't think that from the passions that boiled over on the field during this weekend's FA Cup fifth round. In total there were three straight red cards. The cards shown to Anthony Gordon and Matheus Cunha came from frustration but the card shown to Millwall's goalkeeper Liam Roberts, while perhaps the most unintentional, was by far the most dangerous. VAR, which made its return to the FA Cup for this round, was making headlines again: taking 8 (EIGHT) minutes to deny Bournemouth a goal, and doing Michael Oliver's job for him. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_607.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Mark Robins returns to Coventry, Ruben Amorim's United host Arsenal, trying to avoid yet another home defeat . Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.