Football Writers Podcast

Mike Calvin, Paul Hayward and Glenn Moore foresee England at least reaching the final of the European Championship. Gareth Southgate is a shrewd, statesmanlike manager. His squad is deep, prepared in the modern manner, and is the most likeable in a generation. Dare to dream.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Art de Roche predict a narrow England win at Wembley next Tuesday, if Gareth Southgate trusts in Bukayo Saka, and resists the temptation to be too conservative. Wales' team spirit will be tested to the limit against Denmark, and Romelu Lukaku will confirm his importance to Belgium in a potentially classic last 16 match up against Portugal.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and David Preece expect a comfortable England win at Wembley on Friday night. They praise the unlikely heroes of Italy's resurgence, hail Gareth Bale as the manifestation of Welsh spirit, and suggest Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Euros for Portugal, if he operates as an out and out striker.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Ade Oladipo and Adrian Clarke assess England's chances on the eve of the European Championships. They make their predictions, point out the pitfalls and the potential surprises, and end with a powerful look at the debate triggered by England players taking the knee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Glenn Moore and Seb Stafford Bloor expect English clubs to spend big this summer, and seal a spell of European domination. They discuss promoted clubs, their team of last season, and, as Gareth Southgate finalises his England squad, name their winners of the European Championships.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Miguel Delaney and Daniel Storey assess the Champions League final, and the potential of Chelsea's counter-attacking style against favourites Manchester City. They consider the implications of Manchester United's failure to win the Europa League, and raise questions about the management of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, John Cross and David Preece look forward to Wednesday's Europa League final, and the respective merits of rival managers, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Unair Emery. They name their England squad for the European Championships, which includes a surprise goalkeeping choice and an area of inevitable controversy. Finally, each panellist names his most memorable moment of a unique sqason.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Richard Amofa look forward to the final day of the Premier League season. They see Liverpool and Chelsea making the top four, but argue that Leicester represent a long term threat to the so-called big clubs. Harry Kane deserves his transfer from Spurs, who have many problems to solve.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Paul Hayward and Art de Roche reflect on a weekend for the ages, Leicester's FA Cup win reminded us of the importance of fans, and the shallowness of the so-called Super League. Allison Becker's response to his headed goal for Liverpool emphasised football's humanity, and Chelsea Women discovered the harshest lessons are delivered on the biggest stages.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Seb Stafford Bloor reflect on the development of Brendan Rodgers, and the significance of the FA Cup to Leicester City, and their fans. They also dwell on the possibility of a distinctive double for Chelsea being completed in the women's Champions League final against Barcelona on Sunday.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Seb Stafford Bloor reflect on Chelsea's third WSL title in four years, and hail Emma Hayes as one of the most influential coaches in English football. The rivalry with Manchester City, in both the men's and women's game, seems set to endure  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin Miguel Delaney and Dominic Fifield believe the final foreshadows another era of sustained rivalry between Chelsea and City. They contrast two coaches at the peak of their powers, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel, with one in gradual decline, Jose Mourinho.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Anne Marie Batson and Adrian Clarke reveal who they are voting for in the FWA Footballer of the Year poll. They also dwell on the possibility of an all-English Champions League final, and welcome a huge cash boost for the women's version of the competition.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Anne Marie Batson and Adrian Clarke mark the launch of BT & BT Sport's Draw the Line campaign, designed to tackle online abuse, by sharing their own experiences. They support a zero-tolerance policy, and will join this weekend's Bboycott to pressurise social media companies into more effective action.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, John Cross and Paul Hayward stress the importance of the Champions League at a time in which football has the chance to benefit from fundamental change. They believe Thomas Tuchel will steer Chelsea to this season's final, but suggest that PSG, the only semi finalists not to support the Super League, have been galvanised under Mauricio Pochettino.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Seb Stafford Bloor assess the fallout from the collapse of the planned Super League. Liverpool have come out of the controversy most badly, though fan protests, like those against the Glazers, Manchester United's owners, must continue at all six clubs. Tottenham can't expect redemption in the League Cup final at the end of one of the most 'Spursy' weeks in their history.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Darren Lewis and Ade Oladipo mull over a momentous few hours for football. They react to shock news of Jose Mourinho's departure from Tottenham, and doubt whether he will manage in the Premier League again. The rest of this edition is devoted to an impassioned debate about plans for a Super League.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Dominic Fifield and Miguel Delaney assess Leicester's challenging build up to Sunday's FA Cup semi final against Southampton. and praise the strength of Brendan Rodgers' management,They preview a potential Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City, and believe Jose Mourinho will probably be replaced in the summer, when Liverpool's squad must be overhauled.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Art de Roche and David Preece discuss whether Liverpool can make the Champions League semi finals without the emotional intensity traditionally supplied by their fans. Will there be another twist in Paris, where PSG protect their lead against Bayern Munich? Manchester United are tipped to win the Europa League, but , like Liverpool, Arsenal have their season on the line.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Richard Amofa and Glenn Moore put Saturday's coaching match-up between Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa into the context of Manchester City's attempt to win four trophies this season. They feel Liverpool can still make the top four, hail Mason Mount's increasing impact, and warn that time is running out if Fulham are to avoid relegation.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.