Football Writers Podcast

Mike Calvin, Miguel Delaney and Art de Roche deliver overdue praise for the Manchester United manager. They believe it is now or never for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and back Jurgen Klopp to steer Liverpool safely to the international break. They also consider the merits of British coaches, Marcelo Bielsa's influence at Leeds, and the danger of Slaven Bilic becoming the Premier League's first managerial casualty of the season.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, John Cross and Glenn Moore have faith in Liverpool's ability to overcome the loss of Virgil Van Dijk. They feel Manchester City are flat, Manchester United are fallible and Chelsea face a delicate balancing act. Also on the agenda : VAR, athletes as activists, and the England women's team.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Anne Marie Batson and Jordan Jarrett Bryan analyse managerial matters at Manchester United and Chelsea. They assess Liverpool's defensive options, consider Manchester City's title credentials, and disagree on the merits of Mesut Ozil. They also praise Marcus Rashford, and make a powerful plea for change.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Dominic Fifield believe the Champions League is more open than ever, in a compressed season shaped by injury to key players. Manchester City have the easiest group, Liverpool will struggle due to the loss of Virgil Van Dijk, Manchester United are vulnerable at PSG, and Chelsea cannot afford more poor defending against Sevilla.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Adrian Clarke and Richard Amofa believe Everton will never have a better chance of winning the Merseyside derby. They also call for Harry McGuire to be taken out of the firing line, hail Thomas Partey as a key Arsenal signing, and look at the future of the game, following the rejection of Project Big Picture.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Sarah Shephard and Ade Oladipo consider the implications of Project Big Picture, the secretive plan for far-reaching change driven by Liverpool and Manchester United. They believe some proposals are "horrible" and "cynical", but can see the benefits in other aspects of the initiative. They also fear for international football, and the potential consequences of more players testing positive in the pandemic.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Miguel Delaney and Glenn Moore believe we should expect the unexpected due to a unique set of circumstances. Liverpool's thrashing by Aston Villa is a blip, but Manchester United have deep-seated problems. There's praise for Jose Mourinho, Marcelo Biesla and Carlo Ancelotti, and a preview of two key WSL games, on BT Sport next weekend.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Anne Marie Batson express their faith in Frank Lampard, but consider Manchester United's transfer dealings "an embarrassment." They fear that football has lost the Government's trust, call for fans to be readmitted to grounds, and believe that international football is being marginalised  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Darren Lewis and Art de Roche believe the new laws are damaging the game. They support Tottenham's complaints about a fixture pile up, call for greater support for the football pyramid, and analyse how Arsenal have stolen a march on Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Dominic Fifield and Adrian Clarke assess the extent of the crisis confronting football. They believe the PFA is betraying its members, and that Premier League clubs, preoccupied by a potential breakaway to form a European Super League, must do more to help those in the EFL.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin. Miguel Delaney and Richard Amofa highlight the flaws in United's transfer policy, and the lingering doubts about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's management. They examine the mounting pressure on Frank Lampard, the instant impact of Thiago, and the potential of new front threes at Spurs and Everton.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Anne Marie Batson and Jonathan Northcroft analyse the challenge facing Frank Lampard at Chelsea. They hail the return of Gareth Bale, discuss Mason Greenwood’s treatment by sections of the media, and call for change to protect football’s future.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Ade Olapido and John Cross review the opening weekend of the Premier League season. They foresee problems for Jose Mourinho, praise Arsenal's progress under Mikel Arteta, and call for greater financial help for EFL clubs.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Adrian Clarke and Jordan Jarrett Bryan name their winners and losers in the new Premier League season. Top four, bottom three, surprise sides, biggest flops and best signings. Will you agree?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Dominic Fifield and Miguel Delaney suggest only Arsenal have a realistic chance of breaking into the top four. Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United's weakest link? What does Frank Lampard need to achieve to survive at Chelsea? With Liverpool restricted financially, will Lionel Messi be Manchester City's Christmas present?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Darren Lewis and Art de Roche throw a spotlight on England, and the relevance of international football. They look forward to this weekend's return of the WSL, hail Marcus Rashford as football's most powerful role model, and name their signing of the summer, so far.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Sarah Shephard and Richard Amofa consider the implications of City signing Lionel Messi. They also analyse the latest England squad, the Community Shield, and the chances of Premier League footballers refusing to play in protest at racial inequalities.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Ade Oladipo and Adrian Clarke discuss Neymar's tears, Bayern's team ethic, and what Premier League clubs can learn from Champions League disappointment, They also ask whether our teams should take the Europa League more seriously.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Jonathan Northcroft and Anne Marie Batson look forward to Sunday's final. Their six to watch? Neymar, Mbappe, Di Maria, Lewandowski, Gnabry and Davies, They praise Europa League finalist Romelu Lukaku, and analyse the task facing Arsenal Women, the only remaining English team in European competition.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Calvin, Alyson Rudd and Jordan Jarrett Bryan call for Pep Guardiola to commit himself, long term, to Manchester City. They consider the merits of Mauricio Pochettino over Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, analyse   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.