Football Writers Podcast

Mike Calvin is joined by former players David Preece and Adrian Clarke, who foresee a special season for Manchester City. They feel it will take five years for Frank Lampard to rival Brendan Rodgers, doubt that Sam Allardyce will keep WBA up, and have mixed feelings about Wayne Rooney's move into management.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Dominic Fifield assess the title race as Manchester United face a pivotal game at Anfield. They discuss whether Liverpool's trophy window is closing, how Phil Foden symbolises Manchester City's development, and if Jose Mourinho is his own worst enemy, Plus : is football's "no-hug" protocol realistic?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Miguel Delaney and Glenn Moore believe,on balance, the football season should continue,but that the calendar is unsustainable. They disagree about the merits of the FA Cup, but are unanimous in suggesting that the European Championships should be postponed. In domestic terms, Manchester City are emerging as potential champions.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Melissa Reddy and David Preece consider Jurgen Klopp's options before Friday's televised third-round tie against Aston Villa. They highlight Spurs and Everton as potential FA Cup winners, but foresee problems for Brighton at Newport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this, the 300th episode, Mike Calvin is joined by John Cross and Seb Stafford Bloor. They discuss the pressure on Frank Lampard, dwell on Manchester City's title chances, but criticise Pep Guardiola's defence of Benjamin Mendy. They also focus on Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal, and football's issues with social media abuse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Darren Lewis review football in 2020. They reveal their choices of player, young player and breakthrough player of the year, They also talk about memorable matches, the biggest disappointments, and the one thing in the game they would happily consign to the dustbin of history.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Darren Lewis and Jonathan Northcroft assess a title race that's suddenly at sixes and sevens, They caution against writing off Spurs, expect Manchester City to move for Erland Haaland, and fear for the future of Mikel Arteta.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Ade Oladipo and Richard Amofa consider the significance of the champions' consistency and character. They defend Jose Mourinho from charges that he employs anti-football tactics, but suggest WBA would have been better retaining Slaven Bilic, instead of bringing in Sam Allardyce.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Dominic Fifield assess the European draws. They foresee few problems for Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League and relish a return to Chelsea by Diego Costa. They predict more pain for Arsenal and Manchester United, this time in the Europa League.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Art de Roche and Jonathan Northcroft discuss deep problems facing Manchester United and Arsenal. They call for greater leadership from the football authorities on the issue of racial, and dwell on the lessons of Jean Marc Bosman, whose plight is featured in a BT Sport documentary.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Melissa Reddy and Anne Marie Batson preview another critical week for Manchester United. They assess what lessons Liverpool give them, and consider the title potential of Tottenham and Chelsea, before having a powerful discussion about racism in football and society.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are due to face one another, for possibly the final time, on Dec 8. Mike Calvin is joined by Miguel Delaney and Adrian Clarke to decide which of the two icons of modern football is the best.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, John Cross and Jordan Jarrett Bryan are joined by Anton Ferdinand in a special edition of the Football Writers' podcast. They discuss Anton's documentary about racism in the game, and respond to the worrying news that Raul Jiminez has fractured his skull. Will football fulfil its duty of care?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, who covered the Hand of God game in Mexico in 1986, is joined by Miguel Delaney, Glenn Moore and Ade Oladipo in a special edition, commemorating the life and times of Diego Maradona. They reflect on his genius, consider how he would fare in the modern game, and name their choices as the greatest footballer of all time.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Darren Lewis and Art de Roche weigh up the managerial reputations of Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp. They see Chelsea as title challengers, believe Lionel Messi is an avoidable distraction for Manchester City, and draw parallels between goalscoring problems suffered by Manchester United and Arsenal.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Miguel Delaney and Dominic Fifield analyse Liverpool's capacity to overcome injuries and infections. They praise Brendan Rodgers, dwell on the promise of Mason Mount and look forward to the measured return of crowds. Speaking before news of Pep Guardiola's new City contract, they also examine the challenges facing the Manchester clubs.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Glenn Moore and Richard Amofa analyse the consequences of a crowded season. They hail women's football weekend, envisage Arsene Wenger as FA chairman, and predict a revolution in recruitment.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Anne Marie Batson and Dominic Fifield assess Leicester's chances of repeating their 2016 title triumph. They suspect Liverpool and Manchester City will reassert themselves, but praise the progress made by Southampton, Spurs and Chelsea. International football, though, is becoming difficult to justify.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Adrian Clarke and Jordan Jarrett Bryan believe Liverpool have the ingredients required to develop a dynasty. They predict Everton will add to deep-seated problems at Manchester United, suggest Chelsea are coming together quickly, and feel Arsenal could make the top three.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin and Ade Oladipo do not share Darren Lewis's confidence in Frank Lampard's squad, even in this, the most unpredictable of seasons. The panel draws a damning contrast between Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, and sees the logic of Pep Guardiola returning to Barcelona. They also identify Leicester's Wes Morgan as a leader of the future.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.