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Xabi Alonso has fallen, vanquished by the monster-egos in the Real Madrid dressing room. But where will he go next? We speak to three different experts about three different destinations…and we rule a couple out along the way. Plus, how do you solve a problem like VAR? By destroying it. Problem solved. Presenter: Iain Macintosh Audio Producer: Helena Fremantle Guests: Chris I’Anson-Miller, Lol...

Crystal Palace had their pants pulled down in front of everyone on Saturday by a heroic Macclesfield Town, but what does it really mean? Will it have any effect on Oliver Glasner and the big decision he has to make this summer? Comedian and podcast host Jim Daly joins us to discuss the matter further. And what on earth happened to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend? They were one of the best teams...

Seriously. They were on the fringes of the relegation battle five minutes ago, but an astonishing run of form has left them to the brink of the Champions League. And have you seen their next four fixtures? How long can this last? We’ve got Sammy James in from the Fulhamish podcast. And speaking of small clubs doing outlandish things in big leagues, look at Villarreal in Spain. They’re third wit...

That’s it now, isn’t it? West Ham haven’t won in ten, they’re seven adrift, they’ve only won three all season and they’ve shipped nearly as many goals from set pieces alone as Arsenal have conceded all season. But who’s to blame? We sift through the wreckage. And speaking of blame, wreckage and teams beginning with the word ‘west’, we’re also chatting about West Bromwich Albion, who sacked thei...

Well, we did have a big West Ham show for you today. We’d recorded it and everything. But Ruben Amorim just had to shout his mouth off, didn’t he? Sigh. Sorry West Ham fans…. But there’s still time after United to bravely ask Jim Burke of the RGC podcast how he’s feeling after the weekend. From a safe distance… Plus, we’ve got loads of interesting bits and bobs from around Europe, included Le...

Welcome to the last episode of Route One in 2025 and the last in our current format. We’re returning to three episodes a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we’ve got all sorts of exciting plans lined up for audio, video and written content, we really can’t wait to tell you about them. But we’re going to have to because we also need to tell you about all the games coming up this weekend, we nee...

Yes, we have ourselves a threeway title race, it appears. Aston Villa fought back three times to beat West Ham away and that is a thing that title challengers do. Manchester City have dropped careless points, but it’s a careless season and they’re still better than most other teams. And Arsenal, as we learned, are not unstoppable. Also, what’s going on in Spain, in Germany, in Italy, in France ...

There is a dark corner in the psyche of every Arsenal fan where all of their fears and anxieties lurk and it is here where you will find the thought, “Oh God, we’re not going to somehow lose to Wolves, are we?” Listener, I am certain they will not. Indeed, it could be a bit messy. It’s not the game of the week though, that’s West Ham vs Aston Villa, we just put Arsenal in the headline because t...

Liverpool were in enough trouble already having thrown away two points at Elland Road. Mo Salah decided to make everything much, much worse. That story is so big that it’s obscured Aston Villa entering the title race with an late win over Arsenal. But was anything as big this weekend as Thierno Barry’s smile? Route One is here with everything you need to know from another massive weekend of foo...

It’s a big, but curiously low key weekend in the Premier League. Aston Villa’s clash with Arsenal will, we suspect, be more intruiging than exciting, but after three games in a week, the same could be said for most of the division. Listen now for the most concise, but comprehensive round-up of the biggest games in Europe. Presenter: Iain Macintosh Producer: Helena Fremantle Links: And check ...

Chelsea fans must have feared the worst when they were reduced to ten men early in their clash with Arsenal, but their players were equal to the task. This was an excellent point for the Blues. Elsewhere, it was a good day for struggling giants as Liverpool and Manchester United both won, Barcelona won in La Liga, but Hansi Flick didn’t seem to happy at the end. And Paris St Germain lost in Fra...

Liverpool have lost again. It’s getting weird now. That’s nine in 12, that’s worse than any run since 1953. Lola Katz Roberts join us to weep quietly while rocking backwards and forwards. Adrian Clarke is much happier though and why not? Arsenal look impregnable right now, not even Bayern Munich can get through their armour. This is a fifteen minute podcast, but we’ve packed absolutely everythi...

Welcome to the first Great Big Round Up episode of Route One’s new look as we shift to a twice weekly schedule. Neil Atkinson of the Anfield Wrap joins us to discuss Liverpool’s sixth league defeat of the season and, call me crazy, but I think that’s it for their title ambitions. Plus, we’ve got everything you need to know about the weekend, it’s the perfect podcast for anyone who went out and ...

Who’s coming out on top in the North London derby then? We speak to Tim Stillman (Arsenal) and Chris I’Anson Miller (Spurs) as the big one approaches. And why is Route One changing? Nobody likes change, do they? Except this sort of change. Because this sort of change is good. Find out more by listening. Presenter: Iain Macintosh Audio Producer: Helena Fremantle Guests: Chris I’Anson Miller, Ti...

They did it. I don’t know how they did it, but they did it. Scotland are through to the World Cup courtesy of the most bizarre selection of goals I can recall in a single game. JJ Bull reflects on a night of high drama. Wales did it too, though it wasn’t quite so tight over there. Tom Williams gives us his best, ‘never in doubt’ vibes. And we’ve got all the results from elsewhere, plus some mor...

Scotland could make history tonight, they could reach their first World Cup since 1998. How is JJ Bull? We check in with our man north of the wall and we’ve got a bit of his new single too. Wales have got a job on as well, Tom Williams is here to discuss that. And who’s the new Bryan Robson, currently tearing it up as Serie A’s most complete midfielder? Heavy Metal Football Statistics has the a...

Italy’s plunge into the play-offs was confirmed last night when they lost to Norway, but could Germany be about to join them? We speak to Seb Stafford Bloor about tonight’s crunch game with Slovakia. We’ve got a full round up of all the football you may have missed at the weekend and another big slice of Heavy Metal Football…statistics, including the revelation that Middlesbrough, currently sec...

After Cristiano Ronaldo foolishly got himself for the first time for Portugal, we ask Daniel Storey how much of the World Cup 2026 he’s likely to miss. Patrik Syk is on hand to assess Sweden’s seemingly slim chances ahead of a huge double-header that will decide their World Cup fate. We turn the focus of Heavy Metal Football Statistics onto goalkeepers with some surprising findings, and some no...

As Thomas Tuchel lays down the law regarding England’s surplus of number 10s, Adrian Clarke assesses the tactical implications of Tuchel’s words. We’re joined by JJ Bull as we ask the question: Can Scotland possibly be as bad again and still get away with it? Heavy Metal Football Statistics is back and today we take a look at midfielders, digging deep in particular on PSG’s Vitinha. We have new...

Elizabeth Barnard from the Fulhamish pod is with us today to discuss the Cottagers’ short-term, and potential long-term, slump. Tom Williams is back to bring us up to speed with Emanuel Emegha, the Strasbourg star who may find himself in Chelsea’s first team squad next year. We have news of a potential high-profile loan move, an update from Turkish football’s gambling investigation, and the Xab...

Rob Conlon joins us to analyse Leeds’ doomed outlook with an incredible tough set of fixtures ahead. Feargal Brennan is back on the pod to discuss Valencia’s similarly bleak plight as Carlos Corberán comes under pressure at the Mestalla. Heavy Metal Football Statistics returns! We take a look at who’s overperforming and underperforming their xG. And we will, as ever, highlight some standout fix...

Adam Bate is on the pod today to discuss whether Man City are now functioning at full capacity following Sunday’s comprehensive win over Liverpool. Bayern Munich finally failed to win, so Seb Stafford-Bloor is on hand to explain what Union Berlin did that no other team this season could. We have news of a new contract for an England international, and a potential curse for an up-and-coming Ital...

Lola Katz Roberts is back on the pod to preview the biggest game of the Premier League weekend, Man City vs Liverpool. Simon Lillibury makes his Route One debut to do the same thing for the Championship as Coventry face former manager Mark Robins and his Stoke side on Saturday. Seb Stafford-Bloor discusses whether one of the surprise standouts of the 2025/26 Bundesliga, Luka Vušković will be re...

George Caulkin shares his insight into Newcastle’s inconsistency after the Magpies followed up a wretched defeat at West Ham with a win over Athletic Club. Feargal Brennan is back to discuss Girona’s surprise dissent from being a Champions League side last season La Liga’s bottom side this season. Adrian Clarke is on hand to analyse Liam Manning’s dreadful start at Norwich… and to potentially f...

Neil Atkinson shares his insight into Liverpool’s return to form after last night’s impressive win over Real Madrid. Tom Williams tackles the question of whether PSG are as good as they were last year or if their levels have dropped. Si Watts gives us the lowdown on Mark Robins’ fine work at Stoke ahead of their clash with Coventry this weekend. We have two gun-related news items to update you ...

Everton’s poor start has gone under the radar so we speak to the Blue Room’s Matt Jones to see if our fears about the Toffees’ short-term future are justified. Ahead of the Rhine Derby, Borussia Monchengladbach got their first Bundesliga win for a long, long time. Green shoots of recovery or just a one-off? Seb Stafford-Bloor gives his take. We have news of some emotionally symbolic graffiti ...

With Wolves reportedly considering replacing Vitor Pereira with the man he replaced, Gary O’Neil, we speak to Steve Madeley to sift through the rumours. We also pick through the bones of another sacking. Will Still is out at Southampton and George Rees-Julian is back on the show to discuss what went wrong. We have a roundup of all Europe’s major leagues ahead of some heavyweight clashes in th...

A home derby with Chelsea has yielded some awful moments for Tottenham in recent years. We speak to Chris I’Anson about Spurs’ chances of putting that right this weekend. After finishing fifth in La Liga last season, Villarreal have been third pretty much from the get-go in 2025/26. Feargal Brennan is back on the show to discuss their chances of staying there, at Atletico Madrid’s expense. Ou...

With six defeats in seven behind them, and Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Man City ahead, we ask Lola Katz Roberts to look at Arne Slot’s role in Liverpool’s slump. Bayern Munich have made the best ever start to a European top five league season ever, so Seb Stafford Bloor is back on board to tell us how they’ve done. It’s the second Old Firm clash of the season on Sunday and Danny Röhl appear...

Fighting with fans, losing to promoted sides, managerial uncertainty despite a new contract - amid the various disasters, we ask Steve Madeley if Wolves have any hope of avoiding relegation. We run our theory that Strasbourg have unearthed a gem in Joaquín Panichelli past Ligue 1 expert Tom Williams who offers his insight. Adrian Clarke returns to discuss one of the stories of the Championshi...

It’s Brendan Rodgers out, Martin O’Neill at Celtic - not exactly a surprise, but an eyebrow-raiser all the same. Jim Burke gives his view of the latest developments. Seb Stafford-Bloor is back on the pod to tell us everything we need to know about the new Bayern Munich hero who’s named after not but two Simpsons characters. We speak to Michael Graham about whether the story of the season so f...

With Bournemouth up to second and impressing onlookers on a weekly basis, we invite Daniel Storey to make his Route One debut and explain what Andoni Iraola is getting so right. The Clasico was a riot… literally. After Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at the weekend, all hell broke loose. Dermot Corrigan is on hand to explain to talk us through the carnage. Can Hearts really win the Scottish Pr...

With Manchester United looking genuinely decent at Liverpool and searching for a third straight win against Brighton, Adam Bate discusses whether Ruben Amorim is finally showing signs of turning it around. After Nottingham Forest won only their second game of the season, inflicting Porto’s first defeat, we ask Matt Davies-Adams how Sean Dyche’s first week at the helm has been. It’s the first ...

Tottenham picked up a good point last night, but that’s really only half the story. They were under the cosh for most of the game and only escaped a drubbing thanks to Vicario between the sticks. Danny Kelly assesses the situation for us. And do you remember when Southampton beat Wrexham on the opening day of the season? They’ve only won a single Championship game since then. Is Will Still in ...

With Marcus Rashford flying for Barcelona, we speak to The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan to explain his early impact in Spain. Norwich were preparing for a promotion push in the summer and may well be in a relegation battle now. Si Watts is on hand to talk us through their rapid decline. We have all the details from a historic night of Champions League action, a great victory for collective prot...

After West Ham were brutally reacquainted with reality by Brentford, we ask Benji Lanyado if this is the nadir for the Hammers. As Rangers finally end their managerial search with Danny Röhl, we get Joe Crann’s perspective on what kind of manager the Gers are getting. We have news of an historic title win in Europe, details of perhaps the greatest Sunday League side of all time, and an update...

Liverpool have been defeated again and it doesn’t get much more painful than losing to Manchester United at Anfield. So what’s going wrong? Is it the formation, the players, the managers? We ask Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap. Harry Kane seemed to be playing in every position at once during Der Kalssiker; what was that all about, Seb Stafford Bloor? And are Inter the new favourites for t...

Arsenal were dealt a rough hand by the fixture computer, but it’s levelling out now. They face Fulham tomorrow, the first of a decent run of games up to the next international break. Can they take advantage and take control of the title race. Tim Stillman is here to discuss. It’s Der Klassiker in Germany this weekend and we’ve just got the slightest inkling that there might be a shock on the c...

Liverpool face Manchester United this Sunday and we’re talking formations with Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap. Is the 4-2-3-1 a problem? Is it actually a 4-2-3-1? Is this even anything to do with tactics? It’s a big weekend for Ange Postecoglu as well, Nottingham Forest face Chelsea and his job is on the line. What are his chances of survival, Matt Davis Adams? Plus, we take a look at th...

England have been excellent in qualifying, but they’re only going to be second favourites at best next summer, aren’t they? Spain have played four, won four, scored 15 and conceded none, and they’ve done it all with scores of key players missing. Dermot Corrigan gives us the lowdown. And is Graham Potter set to take over at Sweden? We’re chatting to Patrick Syk of Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet...

While other nations are scrapping about trying to secure World Cup qualification, England could have the whole thing wrapped up two games before the end. All they have to do is not mess up in Latvia tonight…So how good are they? Will they be second favourites next summer behind Spain? Adrian Clarke is here to discuss. And what sort of week has it been for Wales? One of courage under fire, or o...

Jack Wilshere is the new manager of Luton Town, so how do we think that’s going to go? He’s had a good apprenticeship, he’s worked with young players, he’s done his coaching, he’s got a fine assistant in Chris Powell. Adrian Clarke gives his thoughts. Scotland have done it again; by which I mean played appallingly and still won. JJ Bull returns to give his verdict. And we’ve got all the news ...

Thomas Tuchel took a swing at England’s fans last night for not creating a good atmosphere at Wembley. Has he got a point? We speak to England regular James Welham. And how on earth did Scotland beat Greece? JJ Bull is here to, well, be just as confused as everyone else. And we’ve got another round of Heavy Metal Football Statistics. And you’ll never believe who the dirtiest team in the Premi...

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said that Ruben Amorim needs three years at Old Trafford, but is that plausible? Or even desirable? Does time guarantee success? Plus, we talk to Seb Stafford Bloor about Germany, who seem to be sleep walking into a very dangerous situation. And we’ve got more heavy metal football statistics. But don’t worry. This time, we’ve plugged the guitar...

Things are looking really bleak at Sheffield Wednesday. We speak to Joe Crann from The Sheffield Star to see if there’s any chance that the situation will improve. The situation has certainly improved at Aston Villa. After six games without a win, they’ve won four on the spin. What changed? We asked Sam Tighe from ESPN. And we’ve got more Heavy Metal Football Statistics for you, largely focus...

Harry Kane has said that he’s no longer so keen on a return to the Premier League, but why? We ask Seb Stafford Bloor why he might be staying at Bayern for a while longer yet. And how has Nick Waltemade settled into life at Newcastle? Pretty well, according to George Caulkin, Plus, Watford sack another manager and we’ve got a great big pile of heavy metal football statistics for you. Present...

Liverpool lost again, but is it really as bad as some people are making out? We don’t think so and we got Tony Evans, host of Walk On, to give his verdict. Barcelona had a bad week too, beaten by PSG and thrashed by Sevilla, what’s happened there is precisely the question we asked The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan. Plus, we say farewell to Steve Bruce, sacked by Blackpool at the weekend and prob...

This was shaping up to be a tough week for Chelsea, but has it become a much tougher week, and fixture, for Liverpool? Neil Atkinson gives his view. What will happen first… Ange Postcegolou wins a game at Nottingham Forest or Evangelos Marinakis wielding his axe for the second time this season? Matt Davies-Adams discusses that one. Can Borussia Dortmund keep their unbeaten start to the season...

Mikel Arteta’s defence-first strategy has received a lot of flak this season. Rather than being a problem, is it actually a unique strength no one else has? We ask Tim Stillman. Frank Lampard is proving Coventry’s great form last season was no fluke. Adrian Clarke joins us to discuss whether Lampard has now fully restored his reputation? We ask which of the recently departed Man Utd players h...

How much change is too much change? Maybe this much for Liverpool. We ask Jon Mackenzie to discuss the Reds’ tactical problems. Will Still was without a win at Southampton since opening day until last night when they beat Sheffield United. We ask George Rhys-Julian whether Saints can now kick on. In today’s Rock and Roll Statistics, we take a look at Santiago Mourino, Villarreal’s free signin...