The England B Team Football Podcast

We pit our obscure football knowledge against each other thanks to our friends over at The Football Game Co. How many forwards who played for Aston Villa can you name in 7 seconds? Does Adam Lallana count as a striker? And how did we forget Neil Mellor!?If you fancy a copy of the game, remember to use our code ENGLANDB20 for a tasty wee discount. Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer's European Championships are coming to our adopted country of Germany, so join us as we discuss how football is coming home, the eternal dark horses of Croatia, how the Germans will line up and a few tips for those of you travelling to Köln for the games.Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters:0:00 - Reflection on Bayer Leverkusen's last week6:50 - How Football Comes Home11:43 - Germany and France15:07 - Dark Horses 27:41 - Best Player, Young Player and Top Scorer35:16 - Advice for Fans Travelling to Köln/Germany Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember way back on August 9th when we predicated what was to come for this Premier League season? Well, here at the England B Team, we don't shy away from responsibility. So join us as we hold our hands up and admit where we might have went a little wrong (and in some cases, even a little right) as we look back at our predictions and another Premier League Season.Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rules are simple; a combined, All-Time XI from Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. A maximum of 4 players from each nation, and a minimum of 2. Some names on this list have picked themselves (Georgie Best, we're looking at you) however others had us arguing a bit (Robertson at left-back!?)Give it a go yourselves and let us know what you'd do differently.Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Vollborn to Hradecky, to Kirsten and Havertz; Bayer 04 have never been short of a World-Class player or 2. But can we fit them all into an All-Time Greatest Eleven?With Gareth taking the more historic route, and Joe opting for the club's recent success; we've built our own individual teams of the finest players Die Werkself has ever had. (We might have to come back and update this list come end of May, but for now this is how it stands)Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gareth Southgate is, in almost every measurable sense, England's most successful manager. On this episode, we're looking at common criticism of Southgate, and debunk them one by one. We look at how Didier Deschamps faced identical issues as France manager yet proved the nay-sayers wrong, and the historic role of the English Media in lambasting their National Managers. We're firmly Team Southgate here on The England B Team Podcast; give us half an hour and you will be too. Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters: 0:00 - Welcome back, you lovely lot2:52 - The English Media and THAT Flag Controversy6:30 - Providing Context; Previous Managers13:46 - A likeable England team!?19:22 - Southgate v Deschamps24:47 - Alternatives?31:45 - A Final Passionate Plea to the English Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tradition of a team song for the FA Cup Final was a great one; images of uncomfortable players in a recording studio, headphones on, joined by a local pop star are iconic. But where did the tradition actually start, and when did it officially end?From the 1970s hit “Blue is the Colour” right through to Arsenal's Hot Stuff and the infamous Anfield Rap; we take a look at the FA Cup Final Song tradition and our personal favourites from it. Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhoustonflute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters: 0:00 - England B and The BBC3:52 - What is an FA Cup Final Song?5:30 - Blue is the Colour and Maggie Thatcher10:15 - Our Top 511:02 - Spurs with Chas and Dave13:08 - United with Status Quo14:35 - The '97 Final 18:17 - Arsenal's Hot Stuff20:58 - The Anfield Rap29:04 - Sergio Ramos and other Music Careers35:00 - An Update to The England B Team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Shevchenko at Chelsea, to Nacho Novo at Glentoran; nobody is ever prepared for a football flop. But what causes a player to "flop"? And is the term overused?This week we take a dive into the factors contributing to a player's underperformance, and what the criteria are to be considered a flop.Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters: 0:00 - What's on the menu today?3:35 - Factors that cause flopping7:20 - Biggest Transfers of all time, flops?13:45 - Empathy on the England B Team14:50 - Nacho Novo and Djemba-Djemba19:10 - Freddy Adu23:04 - Andriy Shevchenko26:05 - Kerlon (The Seal Dribble) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Season 2 of The England B Team Podcast! We've got a new set of threads as we gear up to take this podcast to the next level in 2024. But to kick the New Year off, we've got a topic very close to our wee adopted German hearts; Crazy German Goalkeepers.From Oliver Kahn getting arrested three times in one day for speeding (in 2 different countries) to Jens Lehmann taking a chainsaw to his neighbours tree, the Germans do an unhinged keeper better than anyone. Also a huge thank you to Gareth Gra for our new logo, intro video and anything else you see new in our graphic designs. You can find his website at ggra.me or hit him up on IG @garethgraCheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters:0:00 - New Year, New Threads, New Us2:30 - Germany and Goalkeepers3:47 - Why are goalkeepers unhinged?9:28 - The Psychological Competencies of a keeper13:28 - German Football Culture doesn't help18:20 - Jens Lehmann23:25 - Oliver Kahn27:08 - Hans-Jörg Butt28:08 - Sepp Maier28:26 - Harald Schumacher29:29 - Tim Wiese32:40 - Manuel Neuer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate making it all the way to Episode 10, we've taken a more personal approach to this week's episode; today we're talking about Football Moments that changed our lives. We'll talk about our own experiences (similar events but very different outcomes) as well as some of our listeners favourite moments from The Beautiful Game. Champions League finals, German mega derbies and throwing up on live TV; it's all in here. We'll be back in 2024 with new episodes and content, with some very big things planned. See you all then,Cheers,Joe and Gareth xIG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters:0:00 - Very different ideas on the task 5:25 - Joe's CL 2012 experience15:25 - Tyler's Liverpool Comeback17:50 - Luca and Italia 200619:52 - Kieran and the Leicester miracle22:55 - The Argentinian Rangers fan27:30 - Tiago in Porto30:05 - Oisín and Dortmund32:10 - Gareth's Live TV boke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this mini-episode, we take a look at Chelsea's tumultuous start to the season and some of the reasons behind it, including transfer policy, tactics and injuries. We also chat about the slim glimmer of hope that remains for the future. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and Gareth xChapters:0:00 - Intro0:30 - Inconsistency2:08 - Highlights of the season3:00 - Chelsea's Strongest XI4:50 - The Captaincy5:58 - Worst moments7:00 - Chelsea champions!?7:40 - The Future8:30 - Positivity? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We took a look at all the things that are making Xabi Alonso's Werkself the hottest team in Europe at the moment. We analyse the return to form of Jonathan Tah, the depth of the midfield, Florian Wirtz's standout role and everthing else that's making Bayer 04 tick. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and Gareth xChapters:0:00 - Intro0:29 - Xabi Alonso1:37 - Potential problem?3:37 - Simon Rolfes and Transfers4:18 - Alejandro Grimaldo5:40 - Florian Wirtz7:22 - Season higlights so far9:10 - Biggest Surprise of the year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of football's greatest rivalries, or overhyped hysteria from the British tabloids? England v Germany has always had a media furore surrounding the fixture, but today we're gonna take a look at a more positive side. Being 2 adopted Germans, we'll be discussing our combined England and Germany team from our lifetimes (late 90s - present.) The two-man goalkeeper debate was fierce but spoiler alert; neither of them are English.If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and Gareth xChapters:0:00 - Intro and context of the "rivalry"4:45 - Goalkeepers7:15 - Right back8:32 - Central Defenders10:30 - Left back11:45 - Central midfielders16:10 - Attacking midfielders23:07 - Number 929:40 - English Silverware!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Geordie Best, to Freddie Ljunberg, via Rudi Völler and Abel Xavier; this week we take a look at the history of football's most famous haircuts. Players have came a long way since Bobby Charlton's comb-over, so join us as we trace the path through the turning point of Italia '90, right up to the modern day, with our favourites along the way. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and Gareth xChapters:0:00 - Intro3:10 - The England B Team go International6:01 - Georgie Best, "The Fifth Beatle"8:44 - The 80's mullets10:50 - Italia '9016:45 - 80's Bundesliga Barnets17:42 - King Rudi Völler19:05 - Eden Hazard's Confidence Cut21:05 - Joe Cole's red streak22:00 - Beck's controversial mohawk24:13 - Freddie Ljunberg's red mohawk24:50 - Gareth's Gudjohnsen confession26:30 - Abel Xavier27:40 - Mount and Havertz's failed buzz cuts29:30 - Football haircut facts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the topic we've been saving up for (or tentatively avoiding) as Chelsea fans; this week we're taking a look at the Todd Boehly era of Chelsea FC. Firstly, we'll be looking all the way back to May 2022 and the feelings we both had towards the new era beginning at Stamford Bridge. We'll then analyse how it's went so far, including a look at the transfer policy (including how the money spent and FFP) and the managers that have taken the helm in this time. We round it up with a chat about the club identity, the relationship between the owner and fans, and what's next for the West Londoners. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joefutbol96TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers, Joe and GarethChapters:0:00 - Motto, Stevenage and what's on the menu.4:03 - Initial expectations of the Boehly era12:25 - The (or lack of?) transfer policy26:30 - FFP - Chelsea "saving" money?34:26 - The Managers of Boehly's Cheslea43:55 - Club identity and the future45:20 - Feeling like a break-up? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, you'll all have to let us indulge ourselves, as we discuss something that's became very close to our hearts; Bayer Leverkusen. In these uniquely positive 50 minutes, we'll be going through all the things that have led to us falling hopelessly in love with Die Werkself. From the fan scene and history of the club, to their romantic European adventures and nearly moments, we wax lyrical on all things that make Bayer 04 the (German) team for us. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joeedwards01TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and GarethChapters:0:00 - Why Bayer 04?9:39 - First experiences with Leverkusen15:28 - Always the bridesmaid, never the bride24:03 - The Fan Scene at Bayer 0435:07 - Cult Players: A Leverkusen Tradition42:10 - 2023/24, tying the knot? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we're getting stuck in to the topic of sponsorship in football. Firstly, we chat about the history of shirt sponsors, and then some famous cases where two rival teams shared the same shirt sponsor, as well as the benefits/negatives attached. We then take a look at our own favourite, all-time shirt sponsors, before wrapping up with a chat around the impact gambling/betting sponsorship has on a team and it's fans. If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joeedwards01TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers, Joe and GarethChapters:0:00 - Intro (and a grand merci!)5:00 - The history of shirt sponsorship8:20 - Rival clubs sharing sponsors10:10 - Rangers and Celtic shared sponsorships14:25 - UEFA ban on identical shirt sponsors17:42 - Our favourite ever shirt sponsors26:32 - The impact of gambling sponsorship32:31 - The future and past of gambling sponsorship33:30 - Alcohol sponsorship Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we take a look ahead to the upcoming 2023/2024 Premier League season, and give our predictions for every single team. Where will they finish? Have they done enough in the transfer window? Will they improve on last season's place?We also give some tips for surprise outfits such as Villa and Bournemouth, and one of us has tipped Chelsea (!) to win the league.If you want to hear about a specific team directly, check out the chapters below in the description here to skip straight to them!If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joeedwards01TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPodCheers,Joe and GarethChapters0:00 - Intro and a look ahead1:28 - Arsenal3:00 - Aston Villa5:04 - Bournemouth7:04 - Brentford9:10 - Brighton & Hove Albion10:52 - Burnley12:28 - Chelsea15:54 - Crystal Palace17:34 - Everton19:32 - Fulham21:05 - Liverpool23:28 - Luton Town25:04 - Manchester City26:37 - Manchester United29:03 - Newcastle United31:09 - Nottingham Forest32:45 - Sheffield United32:52 - Tottenham Hotspur36:00 - West Ham United37:38 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 41:38 - Teams to watch 42:55 - POTY and YPOTY predictionsCheers x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we take a deep dive into the economical differences between the Premier League and the Bundesliga, and the cultural effects related to it. Joe also takes us through an academic paper he wrote on TV sponsorship in the two leagues, whilst Gareth goes head first into the German 50+1 rule of club ownership. We also have another go at some Wikipedia football career challenges (no prizes for guessing which one of us is still nailing these.)If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss (or if you just wanna swing by and say hi), here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joeedwards01TikTok: @englandbteampodcast,@joefutbol96 and @garethhoustonfluteTwitter: @EnglandBTeamPod Chapters:0:00 - What's on the menu this week8:52 - Wikipedia Career Challenge 110:55 - Wikipedia Career Challenge 212:00 - Wikipedia Career Challenge 314:00 - Wikipedia Career Challenge 414:45 - Bonus Wikipedia Career Challenge16:45 - Comparing German and English football structures20:42 - Richest clubs in Germany and England27:00 - Cultural reflections27:55 - The 50+1 Rule41:25 - German or English football? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, follow us down a rabbit hole as we take a look at the imaginary header during the tunnel walk. Where did this phenomenon go, and are developments in sports science and psychology responsible for it's demise? We also take a look at famous footballing superstitions, and ask whether or not they're a force for good.If you have any questions, football trivia or topics you want us to discuss, here's all our socials;IG: @EnglandBTeamPod, @garethhouston_flute and @joeedwards01TikTok: @englandbteampodcast and @joefutbol96Twitter: @EnglandBTeamPodChapters:0:00 - Intro2:23 - Danke, Austria5:29 - What is The Imaginary Header?8:47 - Theory 1: Children Mascots12:32 - Theory 2: Sports Science14:55 - Theory 3: Sports Psychology23:55 - Trivia Pause24:45 - Wiki Career Path Game 126:19 - Wiki Career Path Game 228:09 - Wiki Career Path Game 329:11 - Wiki Career Path Game 429:42 - Santi Cazorla's Magical Return31:46 - Wiki Career Path Game 532:25 - Wiki Career Path Game 635:07 - Famous Footballing Superstitions48:28 - The Imaginary Header Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come and get to know us as we introduce ourselves and the England B Team Podcast (including that title!). We also take a look at one of football's budding relationships; Chelsea and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Running Order:0:00 Introductions23:20 Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 124:38 - Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 226:54 - Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 328:32 - Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 429:28 - Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 530:55 - Wikipedia Career Path Trivia 633:09 - Chelsea to Leverkusen34:25 - Callum Hudson-Odoi41:16 - Michael Ballack48:56 - André Schürrle53:54 - Kai Havertz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.