The Shirtless Plantain Show unites football, banter, seriousness and brings a fresh voice to the football world. Coming from immigrant backgrounds mixed with western culture, we are a football collective that does not play by the rules and colors outside the lines. Tune in to hear genuine stories and unique perspectives. We have conversations with amazing guests, using football as our canvas to paint stories from a unique lens.
The Shirtless Plantain Show podcast is an absolute gem for soccer enthusiasts who are tired of the usual drama and mundane topics that dominate sports media. When I'm looking to hear about what's really going on in the game, without people getting caught up in their emotions over trivial matters, this podcast is my go-to. I was initially drawn to the show because of their YouTube series, and I have to say, it's just as entertaining and enjoyable in audio format.
One of the best aspects of The Shirtless Plantain Show is the banter and camaraderie among Tosun and the crew. Their chemistry shines through in every episode, making it feel like you're sitting down with friends discussing your favorite sport. They manage to strike a perfect balance between insightful analysis and lighthearted fun. It's refreshing to listen to a podcast where hosts don't take themselves too seriously but still provide valuable insight into the game.
Another standout feature of this podcast is their ability to offer a unique perspective on soccer. Unlike many other shows that regurgitate the same conversations and topics, The Shirtless Plantain Show takes a fresh approach to discussing the sport. They bring on interesting guests who offer diverse viewpoints and inject new ideas into the conversation. It keeps each episode exciting and ensures that listeners are constantly exposed to different angles of analysis.
Now, as for the worst aspect of this podcast, there honestly isn't much to criticize. Occasionally, there may be moments when certain topics or discussions don't resonate with every listener, but that's simply subjective preference. The overall quality of content provided by The Shirtless Plantain Show outweighs any minor missteps or personal differences one may have with specific episodes or segments.
In conclusion, The Shirtless Plantain Show is a must-listen podcast for any soccer fan seeking an authentic and enjoyable experience. With their fantastic banter, unique point of view on the game, and intriguing guests, Tosun and the crew have created a show that stands out from the rest. It's a reckless and fun addition to any podcast rotation, especially for those who support Arsenal. Give it a listen, and you won't be disappointed!
Wow. Didn't see THAT coming! The Qatari Sports Investment's long odyssey to take European football reached its logical conclusion as Luis Enrique's Paris St. Germain destroyed Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale 5-0 in the Champions League final.Join Tosin and Deen for an in-depth discussion of the match, Dembele's Ballon D'Or campaign, thoughts on the future of the sport, and a few other bits and bobs from around European football over the last few days.Tap in!
Our teams didn't make the premier club game in world football, but it's only right that we previewed Saturday's matchup in Munich. Join Coach, Tosin, and Deen for some Inter vs PSG yapping, including Lautaro praise, manager salutes, and possible racial abuse. Tap in!
The domestic league season is finally over. Conte's Napoli are Serie A champions, but is he already moving on? Luka Modric's league career at Real Madrid is over, and we learned which clubs get to play in Europe next season and why some clubs aren't.Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for the SPS Weekend Review of the final weekend of league football. Tap in!
It's only right to dedicate the first portion of today's episode to Arsenal's fantastic 1-0 triumph over Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League final. However, the men also wrapped up their season with a 2-1 victory at Southampton, powered by goals from a departing Kieran Tierney and the captain, which we covered in the second half of the show. Join the full lineup for thoughts on the conclusion to the season, victorious or otherwise. Tap in!
Manchester United have officially hit rock bottom. 16th in the league, out of Europe next season, and losing to… Tottenham in the Europa League final. YIKES!Join Tosin and Tomi for their remix of the Book of Lamentations as applied to the club they (still) love.Tap in!
This episode's our debut as part of the Barber's Chair FC (the Footy Division of the Barber's Chair Network). Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen as they review some new kits, celebrate Crystal Palace's FA Cup triumph, discuss the drama in Serie A, and cover the best of the rest as the leagues reach their final or penultimate rounds.Tap in!
Arsenal wrapped up their home campaign with a lethargic, tense, and eventually comfortable win over their fake rivals, the state-funded Newcastle United. Join Coach, Gabby, and Deen for a review of the football (first half bad, second half good), Kai's return, and farewells to Kieran Tierney and Jorginho. Tap in!
Reasonable minds may differ on whether Liverpool fans should've booed Trent Alexander-Arnold last weekend, but there's no denying the fact that it was an ugly scene. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for thoughts on Anfield, along with updates from the Serie A title race, yet another win for Barca in the final El Classico of the season, and lots more on this SPS Weekend Review. Tap in!
Professional Pride (Liverpool 2–2 Arsenal) | SPS Podcast Episode 625
The Champions League final is set: PSG face Inter in Munich. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for thoughts on the second leg matches between 4 clubs that could all have been worthy winners. Tap in!
Michael Olise's been Bayern's best player in an awkward season that ended in hilariously awkward fashion… at least for first time trophy winners, Harry Kane and Eric Dier. Join Gabby, Coach, and Deen for ruminations on backing into a league title and the happenings in Serie A, La Liga, Ligue Un, and the Premier League. Tap in! PS: “F**k Chelsea” - Gabby.
Arsenal put in yet another lethargic league performance featuring lots of the annoying trends that have made this league campaign a frustrating watch, and Bournemouth took advantage. Join Gabby, Mitch, and Deen for an equally lethargic chat about the game, as well as thoughts about both legs of the PSG tie. Tap in!
The first legs of the Champions League semis were full of quality and we're no closer to knowing which pair of teams will make it to the final in Munich, after PSG's narrow win over Arsenal, and the crazy draw between Inter and Barca. Join Coach and Deen for a good ol' ramble about both games and the larger issues that came to mind. Tap in!
Liverpool finally clinched their record tying 20th league title with a win over some insignificant team at Anfield, but the real party this weekend took place in Seville as Barca deservedly won a dramatic Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid. Join Coach and Deen for thoughts on those games, as well as the big shake up at the top of Serie A, plus Arsenal and Barca making it to the UEFA Women's Champions League final. Tap in!
Simply put, that was Arsenal's sloppiest non-losing performance in a long minute. This Crystal Palace fixture was clearly just an obstacle to pass before the eagerly-awaited Champions League semifinal clash against PSG. Join Coach and Deen for a review of the performance, a preview of the PSG games, and some other current events at the Arsenal. Tap in!
Saint Scottie blew the Serie A title race open with a late header at Monza that put pressure on Inter, who in turn fell to a dramatic late defeat at Bologna. For the Serie A and more, join Tosin and Deen on this Easter edition of the SPS Weekend Review. Tap in!
Happy Easter, folks! Arsenal followed their triumphant European trip with a comfortable 4 goal win away at Ipswich, thanks to a nutmegged brace from Trossard and another pair from Martinelli and Nwaneri. Join Coach and Deen for a chat about a win that didn't require much from the guys, the PGMOL finally getting something right in an Arsenal match, and how Mikel Arteta's experiments in this game might affect the important remaining fixtures this season. Tap in!
Forgive the self indulgence, but Coach was in Madrid for what just happened to be one of the best nights in every Arsenal supporter's life. So we figured we'd ask him about his experience in Madrid and at the Bernabeu during Arsenal's famous win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Memories, jokes, and even travel advice. It's all here. Tap in you GOONERS!
The Champions League final four is set. Arsenal face PSG, while Inter matchup against Barcelona. Join Tosin, Deen, and for the first time in a minute, Wale, for a quick review of the second leg of each quarterfinal, including Arsenal stomping the Remontada dreams out, the German teams showing up too late, and Unai Emery's cowardice predictably raring its head again. Tap in!
Der Klassiker ended in a stalemate that Leverkusen still couldn't take advantage of in the race for the Bundesliga crown, while Mbappe went full Raphael in Real Madrid's win at Alaves. A ton more happened, so join Tosin, Coach & Deen for the usual roundup of all the action that mattered last weekend on the SPS Weekend Review. Tap in!
12 draws in one season is a bit much but that's Arsenal 24/25. Join Gabby & Deen for their analysis of the match and a preview of Wednesday's second leg at the Bernabeu. Tap in!
Man Utd disappointed their fans… again. Join Tosin and Tomi as they contemplate life without Man Utd and try to figure out precisely what is wrong. Stay for the Lyon analysis, Cherki praise, and questions about Andre Onana. Tap in!
The Champions League quarterfinals have begun and drama is nigh. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for screeds on midfield profiles, Desire Doue, Vincent Kompany's job security, Don Carlo's eyebrow & so much more. Tap in!
No Gabriel, no problem. The biggest football game in the history of The Emirates finally went down and Real Madrid were found wanting against Mikel's Tricky Reds. Join Coach, Mitch, and Deen for a joyous deep dive into a remarkable result for The Arsenal. Tap in!
Join Tosin, Coach, and Gabby as they navigate the weekend's fixtures and preview this week's Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matchups. Marcus Thuram scored again… barely. PSG won Ligue Un… again. Bayern won… at a cost. Fulham ran Liverpool ragged... emphatically? And the refs had some highs… and extreme lows. Tap in!
A heavily rotated Arsenal went to Goodison Park for the final time, and as has been the case all season, suffered more illogical injustice at the hands of the PGMOL. Join Gabby, Coach, and Deen for a review of a competent performance that deserved more than the point Arsenal got, and a preview of the big game against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Tap in!
Gooners! He's back. Bukayo Saka is really back! Join Gabby & Deen for the SPS review of Arsenal's win over their (sorta) bogey team, Fulham. We talked about a great Martinelli performance, Merino taking the initiative, Odegaard kinda redeeming a poor first half, and lots more. We even made some time for Andrea Berta cosplay and Gyokeres chatter. Tap in!
Marcus Rashford seems more like himself than he has in a while, and so will the football schedule… next weekend. This weekend was all about the FA Cup and the return of all the non-Premier League leagues. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for your Weekend Review. Tap in!
International breaks often feel long, but that's never for a lack of action. Unless you're on the USMNT. Join the SPS crew as we breeze through World Cup qualifiers all over the globe, the Nations League, friendlies, the return of club football, and lots more. Tap in!
International breaks don't care about your Arsenal obsession, but we do. Join Gabby, Coach, and Deen for an evaluation of the current squad, complete with (some) ratings and who we think is or should be on their way out of the squad over the summer. Keep your eyes and ears open for part 2, where we discuss what we hope for and expect in terms in terms of summer incomings. Tap in!
As promised, here's Part 2 of the Arsenal squad assessment featuring Gabby, Coach, and Deen cosplaying as Andrea Berta, aka, ‘Big Berta' next summer and fantasizing about what they expect (or hope) happens in the summer market. Isak? Zubimendi? Sesko? Ekitike? Bruno G? The options are endless when it's March and the money isn't yours. Tap in!
International breaks don't care about your Arsenal obsession, but we do. Join Gabby, Coach, and Deen for an evaluation of the current squad, complete with (some) ratings and who we think is or should be on their way out of the squad over the summer. Keep your eyes and ears open for part 2, where we discuss what we hope for and expect in terms in terms of summer incomings. Tap in!
Back to back wins for Ruben Amorim's Man Utd side! Has the tide turned? Is the start of good news? Join Tosin and Tomi as they discuss wins vs Real Sociedad, Leicester City, and talk of the new stadium. Tap in!
Newcastle ended their trophy drought at Liverpool's expense while the title races in Italy, Spain, and Germany got just a tad more interesting, depending on your rooting interests. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for the SPS weekend review. Tap in!
Mitch joins Deen for the SPS review of a perfunctory Arsenal win over an utterly toothless billion pound London football player trading club that wears blue. Join the duo for analysis on the match, as well as other Arsenal related topics (Andrea Berta & MLS) prior to the international break. Tap in!
The Champions League quarterfinals are set! Join Tosin, Coach & Deen for the SPS review of the action from the ‘Stadium Formerly Known as Anfield', the Euro-Madrid Derby, a couple of dead rubbers, and all the rest from the round of 16. Tap in!
No one had an easy go of securing three points anywhere in Europe last weekend. The top Bundesliga clubs all lost, both Milan clubs had to make dramatic comebacks, and Atleti got Atleti-ed by Señor Bordalas. Join Tosin, Coach, and Deen for the usual roundup of the weekend's best action from the top 5 European leagues. Tap in!
After the midweek goal explosion in Eindhoven a trip to Old Trafford was predictable motivation for Arsenal to revert to type. Join Coach, Gabby, and Deen for the SPS perspective on Arsenal's weak 1-1 draw away at the 14th place team. It's getting a bit peak for “Captain Fantastic” on the pod. Tap in!
Real Madrid won the GOLAZO battle against their local rivals, but Atleti and the magnificent Julian Alvarez are far from done in that tie. Meanwhile, Liverpool pulled off the perfect smash and grab in Paris, while strikerless Arsenal went goal crazy in Eindhoven. Join Coach and Deen for thoights on those games and much more on this weeks Champions League review and weekend preview. Tap in!
Ramadan Mubarak, fam! Gabby steps in for Coach for this Weekend Review and attempts to extend Black History Month, as well as discussing Isco and Johnny Cardoso's masterclass against Real Madrid. The Serie A title race, FA Cup, and some Bundesliga talent scouting happened too. Tap in!
Man Utd crash out of the FA Cup as the season from hell continues. Fulham beat Man Utd on penalties, but Tosin and Tomi found positives, ranging from Chido Obi to Zirkzee, and there were some moments of joy. It doesn't get easier, Man Utd fans. Real Sociedad and Arsenal are next. Tap in!
Midweek action and life commitments mean we had to combine the traditional club specific pods into one giant midweek review - please forgive us. Coach & Deen run through Copa Del Rey, Coppa Italiana, DFB Pokal & Premier League action, featuring Liverpool increasing their gap at the top & carnage between the big clubs in La Liga. Tap in!
Serhou Guirassy & Nico Williams both gave some fans a reminder of exactly what they're missing up front. Join Tosin, Coach & Deen for the rundown on all the title races, dead and alive, after another dramatic weekend of European league football. Tap in!
A come from behind draw at David Moyes' Everton at this stage of THIS season? That's honest work. Join Tosin and Tomi as they analyze the draw at Goodison Park, assess the squad, and try to make sense of the season & upcoming matches. Tap in!
WELP! That was just awful, Gooners. Feels like a home loss to West Ham is the right spot to yield on the mythical “title race” Arsenal are in this season. Join Coach, Mitch & Gabby for the postmortem on Arsenal's league prospects. Tap in!
The Champions League Playoff ties concluded with Kylian Mbappe reestablishing his & Madrid's primacy at the top of Europe's elite, while Serie A's representatives are going to have to have some hard conversations about the health of their league. Join Coach & Deen for all of that, alongside a quick detour to the Premier League's title race & a brief preview of the weekend's fixtures around the continent. Tap in!
The gang's back together again! Join Tosin, Coach & Deen for the SPS Weekend Review. Eliesse Ben Seghir gets the honors this week for scoring on his birthday, while the gang goes extra hard on Manchester as a concept, swearing at refs, and Inter's bluntness. Tap in!
Man Utd lost their 12th Premier League match, and Ruben Amorim is looking shakier as the days go on. Join Tosin and Tomi as they discuss another loss, relegation, and academy kids not getting minutes. Same song, different drums. Tap in!
No forwards, no problem. Arsenal went away to Leicester City and stole a win after the disastrous Dubai break that cost Mikel Arteta the final healthy member of his attacking triumvirate: Kai Havertz. Mickey Tets repurposed his fellow Basque man, Mikel Merino, into a big brace bagger and Gabby, Coach & Deen talked about that and much more. Tap in!
No Premier League, no problem. Join Tosin & Coach for analysison weekend's action in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and the FA Cup. Moise Kean is locked in, PSG found their groove, Bayern remain Bayern, the title races in Spain and Italy are on fire, and the FA Cup retains the proverbial “magic”. Tap in!
Coach and Mitch reflect on the 24/25 season so far, with chatter ranging from red cards and fixtures to injuries, form, and of course, Hale End! Tap in!