Rule The Roost

Jack is joined by club insider Paul O'Keefe for a massive Thursday Q&A, kicking things off by looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup and asking if tournament fever has finally managed to wash away the exhaustion of the domestic campaign. With the dust settling on Tottenham Hotspur miraculously staying up, Paul shares his honest reflections on surviving the drop and what the mood is really like behind the scenes. We then dive into a huge selection of your listener questions, starting with the latest updates on the sporting director search and whether Dougie Freedman is heading to N17. We debate if any top-tier Director of Football will actually want to join the club given the amount of power Roberto De Zerbi has amassed after keeping us up, and question if the hierarchy are genuinely humbled by this disastrous season or if their recent apologies are just a PR-driven play. The conversation then turns to the transfer market, examining which big-money midfielder we should be putting our money on, getting the latest gossip on our striker targets, and looking at the massive list of players the club is desperately trying to shift ahead of a crucial summer clearout. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by friend of the show Tom Hayward to unpack a surprisingly busy start to the week of Tottenham news that spans from boardroom takeover rumours to various movements in the transfer window. The lads dive straight into the madness surrounding Matt Law's latest report on a potential "crypto bro" takeover at Spurs, debating what this ownership model could mean for the future of the club and whether ENIC are finally plotting an exit strategy. Turning to confirmed business, we break down the pros and cons of Andy Robertson's official arrival on a free transfer, weighing up his elite mentality and experience against his age and fit for Roberto De Zerbi's system. We also get the latest on our ongoing pursuit of Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke, highlighting a brilliant piece of public tapping-up from Micky van de Ven, who openly admitted he's been telling his international teammate that N17 is the place to be. Plus, we address the divisive Harry Wilson discourse taking over social media, react to some surprisingly glowing praise from Thomas Frank about the inner workings of the club, and finish up by shifting our focus to the rapidly approaching World Cup as tournament fever finally starts to kick in. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the domestic season officially at an end, Jack is joined by Jon Bass to celebrate a massive weekend of collective relief across North London following Arsenal's defeat in the Champions League final. Drawing a definitive line under a chaotic campaign, the lads look ahead to a pivotal summer under Roberto De Zerbi. We dive straight into the breaking transfer news that dropped this morning regarding Tottenham's declined opening bid for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, contrasting it with highly positive updates on our moves for Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson. Jack and Jon closely analyse the tactical profiles of both Van Hecke and Senesi, questioning what their technically accomplished but less physically imposing styles tell us about De Zerbi's footballing vision for next season. We also tackle the growing transfer rumours linking Spurs with Bournemouth's Alex Scott, confronting the dilemma of whether bringing in the boyhood Tottenham fan makes sense given his overlapping profile with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Finally, the show wraps up by looking ahead to the rapidly approaching World Cup, debating whether the international excitement is finally starting to build. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Premier League survival officially secured, Jack sits down with Sean Connell, Editor of The Sponsor, to digest the sobering commercial reality facing the club hierarchy. Unpacking the data from the newly released Premier League Fair Market Sponsorship Values 2026 report, the pair discuss the massive 40% collapse in Tottenham's front-of-shirt sponsorship value, which has dropped to £29.8m following consecutive 17th-place finishes and a total loss of European exposure. With the club entering the final year of its deals with AIA and Kraken, Sean explains the potential uphill battle the commercial team faces in a fiercely competitive post-gambling market - but it's not all doom and gloom. The conversation takes a "fork in the road" look at what a Championship relegation would have done to our sponsorship inventory, and evaluates how heavily our identities as a London heritage brand, our stadium assets, and our NFL partnership insulate us from on-pitch rot. Jack and Sean also dive into the fascinating concept of the "franchise player"—debating whether chasing a globally recognised name like Marcus Rashford is a viable commercial necessity to instantly claw back the brand value lost when Kane and Son departed. Finally, they look ahead to the summer priorities, evaluating recent statements from Peter Charrington and Vinai Venkatesham and where Tottenham's priorities should lie going forward. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the season finally behind us, Jack is joined by Baker from the Above Average FPL podcast for a comprehensive, no-holds-barred Tottenham Hotspur squad audit. Following the sheer relief of surviving a second consecutive 17th-place finish, the lads take the opportunity to ruthlessly analyse exactly where the club has gone wrong over the past couple of years. Going player-by-player through the Premier League first-team squad and factoring in the promising youngsters returning from loan spells, Jack and Baker make the tough, necessary calls on who to keep, who needs a loan, and who must be binned this summer. The conversation then turns to the rebuild, outlining exactly what the hierarchy needs to do in the upcoming transfer window to properly back Roberto De Zerbi and ensure Tottenham never find themselves in this perilous position again. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Gavin for the Thursday Q&A, and the atmosphere is noticeably lighter now that Tottenham Hotspur have officially stayed up and this gruelling season is finally over. The pair kick things off by reacting to the incredible footage of Roberto De Zerbi looking towards the South Stand in full voice after Premier League survival was confirmed. We discuss the genuine glimmer in the manager's eye, debating whether he has truly realised the sheer size of the club and the great things he could achieve here if given the right platform. Attention then turns to the boardroom and the desperately needed cultural reset promised by CEO Vinai Venkatesham. Analysing his latest, brutally honest club interview—where he openly acknowledged the deep-rooted, "embarrassing" issues that caused this disastrous patch—Jack and Gavin question whether fans can actually believe his promises to fix the club, or if these are simply more hollow words from the hierarchy to pacify the fanbase. Finally, the lads dive into a massive selection of your listener questions. We evaluate the reported shrewd, zero-fee investments in Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, asking if fans should be encouraged by the early business or deeply concerned that the recruitment targets feel remarkably similar to previous windows. With the same personnel who have overseen our recent recruitment failures seemingly still running the show, we debate what tangible actions this summer would actually convince the fanbase that ENIC have changed and that Tottenham are genuinely moving in the right direction. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke for a monumental episode of Rule the Roost, as we finally breathe a massive sigh of relief: Tottenham Hotspur have stayed up. We kick things off by discussing the bittersweet nature of our survival, admitting that while we shouldn't really be celebrating avoiding the drop, the sheer emotional release makes it impossible not to. The conversation quickly shifts to the magnificent job done by Roberto De Zerbi. Having spoken to him in recent press conferences, Jack Pitt-Brooke shares his firsthand reflections on the manager's immense emotional intelligence. We dissect how De Zerbi managed to take a squad that looked completely dead in the water and turn them into a combative, resilient unit for the final stretch, and ask the golden question: has this late surge inspired the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to actually stay and fight next season? Attention then turns to the boardroom, as we unpack the open letter issued to fans today by non-executive chairman Peter Charrington. Reacting to his promises to address the deeply rooted issues that led to consecutive seventeenth-placed finishes, we debate whether his vow to compete at the very top once again provides genuine cause for optimism or if it is simply more cheap talk from the hierarchy. Finally, we look ahead to a pivotal summer, outlining exactly what the club needs to do to achieve that promised success and setting our realistic, grounded aims for next season. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I LOVE THIS FOOTBALL CLUB Never in doubt.... Give Roberto De Zerbi whatever he wants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WARNING: This episode contains an unfiltered, emotional and deeply cathartic discussion about the state Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves in. If you're after a clean-cut rallying cry ahead of the weekend, this probably isn't the energy you need right now. But if you're feeling drained, furious, disconnected, bewildered, or simply need to hear a couple of Spurs fans say out loud what so many of us are thinking, then this one might hit home. Jack and Phil unpack absolutely everything as best they can: Arsenal's title win, Tottenham's long-term decline, the club's failure to properly back Mauricio Pochettino, the obsession with commercial growth over football, fans increasingly being treated like “the problem”, the Everton game, the very real fears around where this all goes next, and how it'll feel when the dust finally settles, whatever happens. It's an honest attempt to make sense of a football club that currently feels completely broken. This one is angry. It's emotional. It's passionate. It's raw. It pulls absolutely no punches. Proceed with caution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Billie T to dissect yet another miserable defeat at Stamford Bridge, kicking things off by trying to make sense of the latest refereeing controversy. With images clearly showing the ball was in play for the penalty that wasn't given, we vent our frustrations at the officials before confronting the harsh reality of our own underlying numbers. Spurs once again displayed a total lack of quality upfront and in the final delivery. This leads into a painful discussion about Randal Kolo Muani, debating whether he will go down as one of our worst ever signings and what his failure says about the utter lack of care in our recent scouting and transfer policy. Attention then turns to Sunday and the terrifying prospect of the biggest game of our lives against Everton. Knowing we only need a single point to secure survival, we discuss the sheer dread of relying on our rotten home form against a competent side. We examine the recent statement from Change for Tottenham calling for total support for 90 minutes followed by a clear message of discontent towards the owners, before asking whether executives like Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham should be sacked immediately if we stay up, or if that would set the rebuild back even further. Finally, Billie tackles a brilliant and bleak selection of the listener questions we managed to squeeze in. We explore coping strategies for a doomsday summer scenario, debate if the club's culture is genuinely beyond repair, ask whether keeping Johan Lange makes relegation inevitable next season, pitch an alternate reality television show where Tottenham are actually functional, and wonder which retired players could genuinely do a better job leading our line right now. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You didn't really think Tottenham would get something at Stamford Bridge did you? Spurs getting done by Chelsea, making our end of season even less comfortable, as Arsenal win the league - truly the nightmare timeline. It was a game that never really got going, and yet another example of why we're in the mess that we're in... quite simply, we're not very good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Gavin for a Thursday Q&A to dissect the frustrating fallout from Tottenham's clash with Leeds United. The pair kick things off by venting about the baffling VAR decision to deny James Maddison a clear foul, reacting to the midfielder's own frustrations posted on Instagram. We ask the broader question of whether the current implementation of VAR is fundamentally ruining the sport, before finding a much-needed silver lining in Maddison's return to the pitch. We discuss how, despite lacking full match fitness, his sheer step up in quality was glaringly obvious and ask if he is the missing piece required to secure safety. Attention then turns to the relegation battle and the absolutely monumental weekend clash between Newcastle United and West Ham. Jack asks Gavin just how heavily our survival hinges on that specific result, while trying to nail down exactly what Tottenham need to do to save themselves. Finally, Gavin tackles a massive selection of listener questions, covering everything from the Premier League's potential refereeing conspiracies to the depressing four-year anniversary of beating Arsenal 3-0, debating whether Roberto De Zerbi would actually stick around for a Championship rebuild, and guessing which underwhelming players we will inevitably be linked to if the worst happens. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs missed the chance to open up a four point gap on West Ham this evening after one of the most shocking examples of officiating many of us will have ever seen took place. It felt like Spurs were in charge after Tel's wonder goal, but he went from hero to zero after his high boot in the box resulted in a penalty for Leeds and Spurs couldn't quite find a way back after that, despite James Maddison returning after more than a year away from the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can listen to more preview pods, evergreen content and get all pods ad free at patreon.com/rtrpod West Ham denied a last minute equaliser to keep the pressure on Spurs means that we can now open up a gap at the bottom of the table... but we have to take it. Surely we have every faith in Roberto De Zerbi now to equip these players to do what's needed in this crunch game against Leeds. We'll also hear from Keir Starmer and Adam Curtis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by football writer Sean Walsh for the Thursday Q&A to dissect yet another stressful week in the life of a Tottenham Hotspur fan. The pair kick things off by finding a silver lining in poor old Harry's Champions League elimination, noting the relief of being spared the nightmare scenario of watching him lose a European final to Arsenal. Confronting the grim reality of Arsenal actually reaching that final, Jack asks Sean if the all-consuming dread of a relegation scrap has completely numbed his ability to care about our rivals' success. The lads then debate just how far off Spurs are from replicating that level of squad building, before issuing a stark reality check: Tottenham are still in a highly perilous position, and a must-win clash against Leeds United awaits. The conversation then pivots to Roberto De Zerbi's latest press conference. We unpack his demand to sign Joao Palhinha permanently, his glowing endorsement of Archie Gray as a future club captain, and his concerning updates on the fitness of both Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison ahead of the Leeds game. Finally, Sean tackles a brilliant selection of your listener questions. We explore whether Tottenham Hotspur is simply an experiment in cosmic injustice and question if the mainstream media let ENIC entirely off the hook for this disastrous campaign. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Baker to celebrate a genuinely massive, potentially season-altering victory as Tottenham Hotspur's win at Villa Park lifts them out of the Premier League relegation zone. Pushing back against the incredibly lazy outside narrative that a heavily rotated Villa side simply 'threw the game', the lads choose instead to focus on the undeniable tactical and mental improvements shown by Spurs. We explore the growing influence of Roberto De Zerbi, dissecting Conor Gallagher's revealing post-match comments about the manager's emotional intelligence and the one-on-one man-management that finally seems to be inspiring a broken dressing room. With the sheer terror of the drop slightly easing, Jack and Baker look ahead to the nerve-wracking final run-in. We compare Tottenham's remaining fixtures against Leeds, Chelsea, and Everton with West Ham's daunting schedule, asking when we can actually let ourselves believe that survival is secured. There's also time for debating whether the all-consuming, exhausting dread of a relegation dogfight has actually provided a strange silver lining by completely numbing us to the pain of Arsenal's pursuit of major trophies. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs are out of the relegation zone thanks to an accomplished and incredibly encouraging performance away at Villa Park... we've looked down and out at points this season, and injuries to key players threatened to derail it all even further, but Roberto De Zerbi has found a way to get this lot going. Come on you Spurs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Lara for the Thursday Q&A to preview a genuinely daunting fixture against Aston Villa. With Unai Emery's side still battling deep in knockout cup action, we desperately ask if our only real tactical advantage right now is hoping for opposition rotation. The conversation then turns to the painful reality of the current Premier League hierarchy, as we lament how Villa have firmly occupied the exact space Tottenham used to own, and debate what fundamental cultural reset is required to win our identity back. The dread deepens as we pivot to The Athletic's recent terrifying deep dive into the club's finances. Confronted by monumental pre-tax losses and the prospect of carrying a £255 million wage bill into the Championship, we discuss whether relegation would be an extinction-level event for the current structure, or if the lucrative non-matchday stadium events can genuinely shield us from complete financial ruin. Finally, we tackle a massive selection of your listener questions. We explore a fascinating theory about our training ground pitches causing our endless injury woes, debate what actually constitutes 'smart business' for the likes of Romero and Van de Ven next season, and reflect on Mauricio Pochettino's recent transfer revelations to highlight Daniel Levy's role in our downfall. We also unpack a wild statistical anomaly regarding our complete lack of penalties this season compared to our rivals, before attempting to answer the ultimate doomsday question: is it genuinely time to fold the club if we get relegated at Stamford Bridge whilst Arsenal do the double? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Big Jon Bass from The Big Jon Bass Show to celebrate a genuine rarity this year: Tottenham Hotspur actually winning a football match. The pair dissect the massive, much-needed victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure our first Premier League win of 2026. We discuss why, despite West Ham's gutting late winner against Everton keeping Spurs firmly in the relegation mire, this result genuinely feels like the squad is finally turning a crucial psychological corner under Roberto De Zerbi. However, in true Tottenham fashion, the joy is incredibly short-lived as we react to the absolutely devastating news that Xavi Simons has suffered an ACL injury. We discuss the brutal reality of the Dutchman missing the World Cup and potentially facing a season in the Championship, before questioning just how Spurs will cope without the main catalyst for our recent upturn in form. The injury woes continue as we examine Dominic Solanke's latest muscular setback, despite De Zerbi's reassurances. Jack asks Jon if our desperation for positives has led us to clutch at straws with the striker, debating whether he is ultimately a prime example of the unimaginative, unambitious transfer culture that dragged the club into this mess in the first place. Finally, we pull back to look at the terrifying bigger picture of the relegation scrap. We ask Jon for his honest feelings on the drop from this point in the season, exploring whether Tottenham's lucrative non-matchday stadium events genuinely provide a financial safety net, or if the sheer terror of losing the Premier League broadcasting revenue makes the prospect of the Championship an apocalyptic scenario for the club's future. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs have won a game in 2026 - and what a time to win it!!! Keeping the hope of staying in the Premier League alive, João Palhinha's bundled stab at goal was the difference in an ugly game of football. Incredible effort from Tel to win the corner that resulted in the goal, and an overall solid, if at times slightly uninspiring game from Spurs. Truly matchwinning save from Kinsky at the end to deny Wolves the equaliser. Annoying that West Ham won. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to dive into another incredibly tense week for Tottenham Hotspur, kicking things off by examining the sheer chaos over at Chelsea. With Liam Rosenior sacked, we question whether a dreaded new manager bounce could derail our survival hopes, and ask if Spurs are now the canary in the coal mine for massive clubs completely losing their way. Staring down the barrel of the Championship, we also look at Leicester City's terrifying double drop down to League One as a something we shouldn't think we're too big for. Focus then shifts to the boardroom, unpacking the exclusive news that Sebastian Kehl is the leading candidate to become the new director at Tottenham. We ask why on earth he is supposedly being brought in to work alongside Johan Lange, rather than replacing him entirely, and what the mixed reaction from Borussia Dortmund fans means for our rebuild. The conversation then turns to the rumours surrounding Micky van de Ven. Following reports that the defender is actively making arrangements to leave the club, we debate whether our survival hopes demand dropping a player who clearly has one eye on the exit door. Looking ahead, we preview the absolute do-or-die fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, stressing just how crucial it is to finally break our psychological hoodoo against them. Finally, we tackle a massive listener Q&A, covering everything from the club's desperate, belated search for a lead psychologist, to deciding whether Destiny Udogie is worth keeping, and facing a horrifying binary choice regarding Arsenal's trophy hopes versus our own Premier League survival. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Gavin to unpack the sheer emotional rollercoaster of Tottenham's devastating 2-2 draw with Brighton. The pair start by dissecting that crushing 95th-minute equaliser, questioning whether the squad was simply too emotionally burned out to see the game out. We discuss the wild celebrations that followed Xavi Simons' brilliant strike to put Spurs ahead, and ask if the team desperately needs to learn how to manage the occasion rather than getting completely swept up in the moment. Despite the late heartbreak, Jack and Gavin try to find some perspective, debating whether this vast improvement in performance is the turning point we need or if dropping two points means we have officially run out of road in the relegation fight. The conversation then addresses the vile online racial abuse directed at Kevin Danso after his mistake led to the equaliser, while breaking down the tactical reality of the goal to show how a lack of urgency and being outnumbered in our own box made it a collective, systemic failure rather than just an individual error. Finally, taking Nottingham Forest's victory and West Ham's crucial fixture into account, we look ahead to a terrifying end of season run-in. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham suffer yet another heartbreak in a season of heartbreaks as Brighton score an equaliser deep into stoppage time to deny them their first league win in 2026. It looked like Xavi Simons' screamer was going to be enough for Roberto De Zerbi's men, but alas, it wasn't to be. Can they avoid relegation? There are some positives to take from the game, but it feels as if hope is all but gone now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by James Maw from The Athletic to try and make sense of another incredibly turbulent week at Tottenham Hotspur. The pair kick things off by exploring Roberto De Zerbi's comments post Sunderland. We ask whether the famously intense tactician taking the squad for a lavish dinner and claiming they need a 'father' rather than a coach could be the Hail Mary we need right now. The conversation then turns to the news that Cristian Romero will miss the remainder of the season. Jack and James reflect on what could very well be the Argentine's final game in a Spurs shirt, asking if the mainstream media narrative has unfairly influenced how sections of our own fanbase view our first cup-winning captain in 17 years. Frustrations then shift towards the boardroom, as we vent about the deeply tone-deaf Tottenham executives posting personal corporate achievements on LinkedIn while the club's top-flight status hangs by a thread. We question whether this perfectly illustrates the absolute disconnect between the suits and the terrifying reality on the pitch. Looking ahead to a monumental clash against Brighton, the lads discuss whether De Zerbi can actually pull off a desperate result against his former, highly in-form side. Finally, James dives into a massive selection of your listener questions. We explore the potential revisionist history surrounding Daniel Levy, debate whether we would actually dominate the Championship given our previous cup struggles against Tamworth, and question Tottenham's lack of progressive passers. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Adam Michie to pick through the wreckage of a miserable defeat at the Stadium of Light. The pair discuss the perceived lack of fight on display against Sunderland, asking if this squad has already accepted its Championship fate without so much as a whimper. The loss further compounded by the opposition manager's brutal post-match assessment that Tottenham simply weren't strong enough to worry him. We then turn our attention to Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge. We analyse how De Zerbi Ball translated to the pitch and question the massive, surprising decision to leave Xavi Simons out of the starting lineup. The conversation inevitably shifts to the consistently poor officiating we continue to endure. Jack and Adam ask if it is time to buy into the conspiracy theories after the referee completely ignored Brian Brobbey's blatant push that sent Cristian Romero crashing into Antonin Kinský. With Romero now potentially out for the rest of the season and maybe missing the World Cup, we ask the tough question: are we shedding tears for Tottenham losing our only competent defender, or for Argentina? Facing the very real prospect of the drop, we then dive into the terrifying financial realities of relegation. With over £831 million in net debt and a massive looming drop in revenue, Adam explores whether this is truly end-of-days stuff for the club, before we desperately try to find even the smallest glimmer of hope to cling to. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham are getting relegated and all of our players are useless tbh - leave me alone, I'm angry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Rosa from the Hometown Glory podcast to process yet another devastating blow in this miserable season, as we react to the news that Mohammed Kudus has suffered a fresh injury setback. We discuss the club's grim update, and Tom Barclay's confirmation, that the winger may now require surgery, before turning our ire firmly towards Johan Lange. We dissect the sheer ineptitude of his January claims that Spurs did not need to panic buy because of returning players, and ask what on earth the medical department is doing behind the scenes. The conversation then tackles the terrifying reality of tonight's clash between West Ham and Wolves. With a West Ham win set to plunge Tottenham into the relegation zone for the first time in 18 years, the pair debate whether dropping into the bottom three adds a whole new layer of psychological pressure, or if the squad is already drowning in anxiety. Looking ahead to the weekend, Rosa shares her expectations for Roberto De Zerbi's highly anticipated debut against Sunderland, and we discuss how Antonin Kinsky will cope in goal under the Italian's high-risk system as well as debating actually how good (or bad) Guglielmo Vicario is. As always, we dedicate the second half of the show to your listener questions. We explore whether there is any morbid curiosity about what relegation would actually mean for ENIC and the squad, debate whether a committee of podcasters could genuinely run the club better, and try to remember what it actually feels like to celebrate a win. We also cast the key roles for the inevitable drama mini-series of this disastrous campaign, and craft our most fanciful, silly fanfic scenarios for survival. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by podcast royalty, Flav from The Fighting Cock, to process the goings on at Tottenham Hotspur over our extended break from the pitch. With Roberto De Zerbi officially through the door, the pair discuss whether the glowing reports from the training ground have genuinely changed our initial opinions of the volatile Italian. We explore the shifting power dynamic in the dressing room, arguing that while this squad infamously tuned on Thomas Frank, they simply will not be able to get away with ignoring De Zerbi's intense, demanding presence. The conversation then tackles the massive goalkeeper dilemma looming over the crucial trip to Sunderland. With Vicario out injured, we dive deep into the Antonin Kinsky debate. The pair ask if his disastrous Champions League debut can be quickly forgotten, and if his natural ability with the ball at his feet could kickstart a redemption arc under a manager who demands extreme bravery from his keepers. Finally, we wrap things up on a lighter, more desperate note as Jack puts Flav on the spot, asking exactly what he would say if he was suddenly tasked with delivering the ultimate, backs-against-the-wall Tottenham team talk ahead of this weekend's relegation six-pointer. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Baker from the Above Average FPL podcast to make sense of the monumental news that Roberto De Zerbi is officially the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We explore our genuine surprise at the revelation that he has been handed a massive five-year contract completely devoid of a relegation release clause, and ask if he genuinely possesses the ability to hit the ground running to salvage this miserable campaign. Bringing his analytical expertise to the show, Baker adds a much-needed statistical dimension to the conversation. He walks us through the underlying numbers that paint an undeniably damning picture of the current Spurs side, highlighting the exact areas where De Zerbi will need to orchestrate rapid, drastic improvements if we are to survive the drop. As it is a Q&A episode, Baker also tackles a fantastic selection of your listener questions. We dive into the ever-present goalkeeping question, debating whether Antonin Kinsky, Guglielmo Vicario, or perhaps someone else entirely will emerge as the undisputed number one by the end of the season. Finally, looking at things from an FPL perspective, we ask the golden question: does the arrival of De Zerbi make any current Tottenham players viable targets for your FPL squads? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roberto De Zerbi has officially been appointed as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We run through the details of his new long-term contract, focusing specifically on the incredible revelation that there is no relegation break clause included. We discuss his apparent commitment to completely rebuilding the club, regardless of whether we are playing Premier League or Championship football next season. However, the appointment is already completely dividing the fanbase. We address the immediate and very vocal displeasure from several Spurs fan groups regarding De Zerbi's previous comments and his support of Mason Greenwood during their time together at Marseille. We also explore the footballing concerns surrounding his notoriously erratic temper, questioning whether injecting that kind of volatility into a squad completely devoid of confidence is a recipe for total disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Conor back to the show to process the sudden departure of Igor Tudor. With only seven games left to save Tottenham from the drop, the pair ask if it was actually fair to sack the interim boss at such a critical juncture. The conversation quickly shifts to his seemingly imminent replacement, Roberto De Zerbi. We tackle the controversial appointment from all angles, starting with the very real off-pitch concerns that have left a significant section of the fanbase feeling uneasy about his arrival. From there, we explore our footballing reservations, questioning whether his notoriously fiery temperament and dogmatic style of play can actually work in a Spurs side that currently looks completely devoid of confidence and is lacking technical ability in key areas. Finally, we try our hardest to look for the silver linings. We explore what a De Zerbi appointment might actually mean for the long-term identity of the club, and discuss whether his chaotic, high-intensity energy is exactly the sort of shock therapy this squad needs to survive the final weeks of the season or if it's all too little too late. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Days after the passing of his father, it has been confirmed that Tottenham have parted ways with interim gaffer Igor Tudor in a Sunday afternoon announcement. Who is next in line for Spurs, which route can the club take? Roberto De Zerbi heavily linked... will Mauricio Pochettino bin off the World Cup? Adi Hutter, is he the guy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Big Jon Bass back to the show to discuss how we desperately need to brush ourselves off and go again after the Forest disaster. We start by addressing the deeply uncomfortable feelings directed towards the squad this week. Seeing the players post jubilant, smiling social media updates while away on the international break has struck a massive nerve with a fanbase still reeling from a relegation scrap. The conversation then turns to the people running the club. With the pressure mounting, we analyse the massive decision Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange have on their hands regarding Igor Tudor's future. If they pull the plug on the interim boss, who is actually brave or foolish enough to step into the dugout right now to save us from the drop? Finally, Jon answers your listener questions. We debate what it will actually take to spark full-scale protests against the owners, ask how Vinai and Lange are still in their jobs given the current mess, and end on a necessary lighter note by getting Jon's favourite whiskies to help soothe the pain of yet another Tottenham defeat. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Gavin back to the podcast to pick through the rubble of the absolute disaster against Nottingham Forest. After such an incredible show of support from the fans on the High Road before kick-off, the 3-0 collapse feels like a crushing blow. We discuss how it remains vital to keep the faith, even when the on-pitch performances make it increasingly difficult to do so week in, week out. The conversation then turns to a familiar frustration: the refereeing. We vent about the officiating Tottenham continually receive, asking why the tight decisions always seem to go against our favour, especially when we are fighting tooth and nail for our top-flight survival. Facing the grim reality of our situation, Jack and Gavin also look ahead to the unthinkable. We consider what life might actually look like for Spurs in the Championship, and debate the ultimate question: if the worst does happen and we drop down a division, would the owners actually see fit to sell the club? It is a tough, heavy discussion that isn't overly optimistic, but right now, as a severely struggling fanbase, we simply need a space to lick our wounds. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the best efforts of the fans, Tottenham are battered at home by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest - an embarrassing and deeply alarming result, that begs the question - where do we go from here? With an international break now thrust upon us, there will be talk about Igor Tudor and his position at the club after some questionable decisions today. It's hard to fathom how we get back from this, but we have to keep believing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Stu and Jay to try and harness some desperately needed positivity ahead of a monumentally important weekend for Tottenham Hotspur. We kick things off by reflecting on a surprisingly uplifting night in the Champions League. Despite crashing out on aggregate, the 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid showcased a squad genuinely fighting for the shirt. We discuss Igor Tudor finally securing his first win, the brilliance of the Archie Gray and Xavi Simons. We also touch upon that controversial refereeing decision right before Julian Alvarez's equaliser. Attention then quickly turns to the grim reality of our domestic campaign and the prospect of a relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest this Sunday. Stu and Jay take us through the motivation behind their incredible fan-led movement, 'Show Up. Sing Up. Stay Up.' We explore the mental shift required to put our deep-seated anger towards the board to one side for 90 minutes, simply because the alternative of dropping into the Championship is completely unthinkable. The lads lay out the exact logistical plan for Sunday, urging everyone to gather at The Bricklayers from 11:30 AM. We talk about the sheer impact a massive, vocal crowd can have when the team coach arrives what it will do to both our players and the opposition before kick-off. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs go out of the Champions League, but win on the night - restoring some pride and keeping their momentum going ahead of a crucial game against Nottingham Forest on the weekend. Once again, a performance full of promise, heart and desire... you have to ponder if Igor Tudor might actually be pretty good at his job after all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Phil back to the pod to bask in the glory of a Tottenham win. Well, it wasn't actually a win, but it certainly felt like one. The pair discuss the sheer relief of taking a glorious, precious point away from Anfield, the scene of so many historic horrors for Spurs, after relegation Richarlison popped up at the back post to silence the Kop. We dissect just how vital this point, and more importantly the performance, is in the wider context of this miserable season. The players finally did exactly what we asked of them and showed some genuine fight on the pitch. Huge credit is also handed to Igor Tudor. After navigating a particularly unpleasant post-match interview with flying colours, we ask if the interim boss is finally starting to win the fanbase over. Attention then briefly turns to the Champions League return leg against Atletico Madrid. We debate whether the fixture holds any real importance anymore, and if Antonin Kinsky should be given the chance to avenge his disastrous away leg. Finally, Jack and Phil reflect on the massive part the fans have to play in keeping Tottenham in the top flight, with the crucial domestic clash against Nottingham Forest looming on the horizon. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of Tottenham's best performances in months, of course, came at Anfield? Who could have expected that - a precious point picked up on the road against Liverpool, and a level of fight and courage that many of us thought these lads were incapable of. Come on you Spurs! Fight to the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes stand-up comic James Regal to the podcast to dissect the absolute humiliation we suffered in Madrid at the hands of Atletico. We start by discussing the bizarrely slippery pitch and the catastrophic impact it had on the game, before turning our attention to Antonin Kinsky. The pair express their deep sympathy for the young player, whose dream Champions League debut brutally morphed into a living nightmare on the European stage. The conversation then shifts to the manager's dugout. We ask if Igor Tudor is entirely to blame for the tactical mess, and debate whether he needs to be replaced immediately if we have any hope of saving Tottenham from the impending drop. Trying to find a sliver of dark comedy in the situation, Jack and James even discuss whether there are actually any hidden positives to Spurs going down to the Championship. As it is a Q&A day, James also dives into your listener questions. We explore the ultimate financial conundrum of what it would actually take to force ENIC to sell the club, and finish on a lighter, self-deprecating note by discussing which lower-league stadia James is most looking forward to visiting in the event of our relegation. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An absolute farce of a match in the Champions League for Spurs that must surely signal the end of the Tudor era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Billie from the When The Whistle Blows podcast back to the show to reflect on the current doom spiralling at Tottenham Hotspur. With board neglect, mounting injuries, and a general feeling that the universe is conspiring against us, we try to find a reason to remain hopeful. We ask if the fans are now the last bastion keeping the club in the Premier League. The pair explore the heavy emotional toll of constantly rallying behind a team that has let the supporters down so often over the past couple of years, and discuss how we can possibly muster the energy to keep going when times are this tricky. Billie also touches on a fascinating conversation he recently had with renowned journalist Henry Winter on Last Word on Spurs alongside Ricky Sacks. We discuss how disarming, yet incredibly validating, it was to have somebody with such vast footballing knowledge from outside the Tottenham bubble notice the exact same structural failings that Spurs fans have been screaming about. Finally, attention turns to the Champions League and the upcoming clash with Atletico Madrid. Despite the sad reality that this could be the last game Spurs play in Europe's elite competition for quite some time, we debate whether the fixture simply feels like an unwelcome distraction from the terrifying and all-consuming threat of domestic relegation. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Adam Michie to confront the terrifying emotions swirling around the ether after Spurs lost their absolute 'must-win' game to Crystal Palace, making the threat of relegation a harrowing reality. We dive straight into the criticisms of the current squad. While it has undoubtedly been a difficult season with plenty of mitigating circumstances, we ask why these players consistently fail to shoulder their share of the blame when things get tough. The ire then shifts firmly towards the ownership. We dissect how ENIC have managed to take their eye off the ball at nearly every opportunity, consistently choosing to prioritise the business side of the club over the actual product on the pitch. To help make sense of the growing disconnect between the club and the fanbase, we discuss Adam's brilliant book, Orientation. Adam shares his own fan odyssey, detailing his disillusionment with top-flight football and how swapping the Premier League corporate machine for a season ticket at Leyton Orient helped him rediscover the true soul of what it means to support a football club. Adam also tackles a great selection of listener questions, offering his best 'mental health playbook' for surviving our current existential crisis. We debate the provocative idea of whether winning trophies might actually be bad for Tottenham in the long run, before finishing with a definitive ranking of the biggest derelictions of duty from the owners this season. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs lose to Crystal Palace. Micky Van de ven sent off. This is darkest hour stuff. Is there any saving us? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Phil back to the microphone in the wake of yet another painful Tottenham defeat, this time a 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage. The pair unpack the frustrating Fulham performance, dissecting the problems that were entirely of our own making, whilst desperately trying to cling to the few positives we can take forward. However, there is an elephant in the room that simply cannot be ignored. Jack and Phil don their tinfoil hats to dive into the growing feeling of a conspiracy against Tottenham, sparked by the referee's refusal to penalise Raul Jimenez for a blatant push on Radu Dragusin in the build-up to Fulham's opener. The sense of victimhood goes into overdrive as the boys discuss the utterly bizarre decision by the Premier League's official social media accounts to post a video openly mocking Guglielmo Vicario. They indulge their frustrations at the disrespect before trying their hardest to bring some level-headed rationality back to the situation. Attention then turns to Thursday night under the lights against Crystal Palace. What is quickly turning into one of the most important games of our Premier League lives is analysed in depth. The pair discuss whether Spurs can finally turn the tide, exactly what needs to change on the pitch, and ask the terrifying question: would another loss spell certain death for Tottenham's top-flight survival? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a spirited end to the game, once again we were nowhere to be seen for large periods of this match. Tottenham and Igor Tudor need to shape up quickly. Don't overcomplicate things, get players in their correct positions and fight. Tel has to start. Richarlison has to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Lara back to the show to try and make sense of the seemingly hopeless situation at Tottenham right now. We ask the big questions: what exactly is going wrong, who is ultimately to blame for this mess, and where on earth do the club go from here? Lara also tackles a selection of listener questions, diving into some fascinating debates. We discuss which of the 'best worst' players of yesteryear you would happily take back in the current side, and explore the paradox of whether Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are simultaneously the best and worst things to happen to the club in the last 10 years. The conversation then shifts to the media landscape, asking if Spurs podcasters and creators need to be less negative to help lift the club out of its current strife. Finally, we look at actionable steps and discuss how fans can get better organised to effectively protest the current state of affairs at the club. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Con back to the show, and he is angry. After specifically requesting to come on purely to vent his frustrations, the pair pick through the rubble of another painful North London Derby defeat. With the dust having settled slightly on the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, we desperately try to see if there are any positives to take forward as Tottenham find themselves thoroughly entrenched in a relegation battle. We ask the big questions: do these players actually have the stomach for a scrap at the bottom of the table? Can this squad be trusted when the pressure is truly on? We also take a microscope to some of the individual performances on the day, and speculate on the uncomfortable truth: if the unthinkable happens and Spurs do go down, who will be the first players to jump ship? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bit later than usual, I try my best to break down what exactly went wrong yesterday... what bits did we get right? My fears for Spurs going forwards and just a general sense of trying to get my emotions in check after what was a miserable, miserable defeat. Just when you think the pain that club dishes out on us has maybe stopped, it always seems to find a way to make itself known. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Sean Connell, Editor at The Sponsor, to dive deep into the business and commercial reality of Tottenham's current existential spiral. We start by looking at the elusive stadium naming rights. Following Sean's recent research on the fair market value of European stadiums, we ask if Daniel Levy and the current hierarchy missed the boat by holding out for unrealistic valuations while producing inconsistent results on the pitch. The conversation then tackles the recent bombshell report from Matt Law, suggesting that long-standing commercial partners are cutting ties due to the ongoing chaos and relegation fears. We get Sean's expert view on what actual power sponsors hold in these scenarios. Can they force the club into making better footballing decisions, and what can the likes of Vinai Venkatesham do to repair the toxic commercial environment? Finally, we discuss the front-of-shirt dilemma and the massive financial hit Spurs might take if they had to renegotiate their prime real estate in the current climate. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Paul O Keefe back to the show to discuss the latest happenings at Tottenham and ask the ultimate question: is everything really as big a mess as it seems from the outside? We start by looking back at the decision to keep Thomas Frank in post for as long as the club did. Whose idea was it to delay the inevitable, and what does that hesitation say about the current power structure? Conversation then turns to Igor Tudor stepping into the hotseat. What does Paul make of the appointment? We discuss whether a strict disciplinarian can actually exert proper control over this group of players when everyone knows he is only a temporary fix. Finally, Paul answers your listener questions, including: Have the club already spoken to Mauricio Pochettino about a summer return? Will Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham be the next ones fired? What are our favourite North London Derby memories? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices