Whistleblowers - The Football Podcast

The new fangled Premier league break is in full swing, but the Whistleblowers stops back in early to check in on the state of the league through the joint prisms of the FA Cup 4th round this weekend and the recent end of the January transfer window. Is this now a rebuilding season for Manchester United? Did Spurs do good business and should they be worried about taking on Brighton this weekend? Are cup holders Leicester going to come a cropper against East Midlands foes Nottingham Forest? And are Plymouth and Kidderminster our gems for this weekend? All this and more on this week's Whistleblowers pod. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2022 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The three occasionally wise men are back! After fulfilling their traditional Christmas duties of bringing gifts to a stable, Mark Smith reconvenes with Gritts and Gareth to discuss an eye-popping round of fixtures that starts with a tasty Thameslink derby between Brighton and Crystal Palace and ask which set of fans should be more excited about their clubs future. The biggest game of the week is then discussed and we debate whether it's already a formality for Man City to win the title again before looking forward to what the next iteration of Chelsea's midfield looks like in 2022. Manchester United's continued shortcomings are analysed and the ask if the clock is running down on this group of players before looking at the Champions League yardstick that is the North London derby to close out the weekend. All this and more on your triumphantly returning Whistleblowers podcast. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2022 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Football has a case of the bah humbugs going into the festive period with COVID-striken players dominating the headlines and the sort of casualty list not since since the day after the big Christmas game on the Somme. The three bunkering men of the Whistleblowers convene to sift through the remaining games this weekend and focus on woes for Leeds, a sprig of joy for Arsenal and an unerring suspicion that Sean Dyche is the grinch that is here to ruin Aston Villa's Christmas. All this and a small amount more on a fun-size episode of the Whistleblowers that's more mini Bounty than tiny Malteaser. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The Whistleblowers' three-headed monster of buffoonery return from their personal international break to deep dive into Chelsea v Leeds and ask whether Lukaku and Werner are Chelsea's solutions or problem, and debate if Leeds should just take Christmas off. Ralf Rangnick's early impact at Manchester United is assessed and we ponder if their opponents Norwich have a glimmer of hope with their new manager as well. The big narrative of the weekend is the return of Steven Gerrard to Anfield, giving us an opportunity to wonder if this Liverpool team is the best iteration under Klopp so far. All this and more on this week's Whistleblowers. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Special guest alert! The premier league is back after what feels like the 20th international break of the season, and whilst most of the Whistleblowers return, one of us is still waiting for their private jet to land in time for match day 12. Thankfully for you we bring in comedian extraordinaire Stuart Law to assess the recent managerial chances in the league and to immediately argue as to whether Gerrard will be deity or disaster. It's non-plussed faces abound when it comes to Newcastle's appointment of Eddie Howe and we ask it'll be enough to keep them up, starting with this weekend's must-win game versus Brentford. Liverpool vs Arsenal and Leicester v Chelsea get the Whistleblowers once-over and we finish up asking how gutted Spurs fans will actually be if West Ham take a Champions League slot above them this year (hint: very). All this and more in your ever-forward facing Whistleblower's podcast. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

After a raucous midweek of European football the three unwise men gather together once again to debate whether Conte has immediately put Spurs in contention for a Champions League spot, ponder who will be their Victor Moses and if need to send Man Utd a bouquet for doing them a favour last week. No one has a single clue as to which Man Utd will turn up for the Saturday lunchtime derby with Pep's collective but they all assume it will involve Fred and not Pogba, while there are murmurations of belief that West Ham can take Liverpool all the way on Sunday afternoon. All this and more on your latest forward-facing episode of The Whistleblowers. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week the Whistleblowers triage convene to discuss the P45 Derby between Spurs and Manchester United and idly speculate as to who goes first and when. That's after declaring West Ham your 2021/22 Carabao Cup winners and celebrating the end of Manchester City's vice-like grip on everyone's favourite midweek trophy. Eyes glance towards future Arsenal manager Brendan Rodgers' Leicester team hosting the Gunners in the lunchtime kick off and then we get philosophical as Championship's Mark Smith declare that Norwich City should be banned from the Premier League for at least three seasons for failing to even bother. All this and more scurrilous chat on this week's Whistleblowers. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Fresh from an international break that only saw one club bought by a foreign superpower with limitless cash, the Whistleblowers return to cast their eye over the defensive crisis at Manchester and ask whether Leicester can put them in a tailspin. After mulling over whether Brentford can continue their unlikely run of form while hosting Chelsea, we ask which team is more 4 REAL: Everton or West Ham. The pod ends on a upbeat note by declaring the end of football as we know it, and an inevitable Spurs defeat up at St James at the hands of a newly minted Newcastle United. All this and more on this week's Whistleblowers Pod. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

As the evenings begin to draw in and the season begins to take shape, the autumnal gloom descends on a few teams and your Whistleblowers trio debate who is most likely to enter the international break after GW7 looking over their shoulders. We consider whether another defeat could be catastrophic for Spurs, if Brendan Rodgers might be a little concerned by a game against Palace and if Benitez could send Ole into a tailspin. Looking at teams in better shape, we marvel at the difference between Big Game Pep and ‘Oh It's Bloody Watford' Pep and ask if Liverpool will shake off the Brentford defeat from last week. Throw in some snide comments about your favourite team and it's another derisive and action packed Whistleblowers. Check out Review From The Terrace that kicks off with distinctly Scottish view of Braveheart. You'll love it! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

A whistlestop Whistleblowers this week as we ask: is Chelsea's hoodoo over Man City now irrelevant given that they might be the better team? We are also reminded by our ex-professional footballer that eating chicken and pasta at 9.30am is absolutely awful. The middle part of the podcast is spent debating whether derby days are actually fun - they are not, and why, even if we hate them, such singular football moments are scorched onto our brains. We then specifically break down the forthcoming North London Derby and Gritts remembers his old man's sociopathic love of Celtic v Rangers games. To finish up we talk about West Ham's ambitions on all fronts and pick from the other most interesting games of the weekend. All in this week's forward thinking Whistleblowers. Check out Review From The Terrace that kicks off with distinctly Scottish view of Braveheart. You'll love it! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Mark and Gritts are joined by football writer (and self proclaimed Man Utd fan) Sam Pilger, to preview the weekend fixtures. Will Ronaldo make an appearance? Are Arsenal in a relegation battle v Norwich? Can Dan James make Leeds better? Will West Ham's form continue away at Southampton? Plus a chance to talk to Sam about ghost writing for the legend Jaap Stam. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Hours after the transfer window simply closed, this week's Whistleblowers podcast assessed the business done in and outside of the Premier League and we ask if the surrounding teams have done enough to catch up with Manchester City, condemn the inactivity of others and anoint Crystal Palace as a side that's made some good moves. Afterwards we conduct a root and branch investigation as to the state of the top tier three games in and make early snap judgements to define everyone's entire seasons. Bouquets are handed out to the likes of Conor Gallagher and Mason Greenwood, and P45s are chucked in the post for Steve Bruce, Daniel Farke and of course everyone's Arsenal favourite. Looking forwards it's time to lazily brush off the forthcoming international break as a waste of time for everyone and it's the part of the pod that everyone particularly excels at. Come celebrate host Mark Smith's birthday with us on this week's on-a-plate Whistleblowers. Check out Review From The Terrace that kicks off with distinctly Scottish view of Braveheart. You'll love it! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Football as chess? Wipe your Tsimakis off the board early? This week's Whistleblowers dives into the biggest game of the season so far and we debate whether this is Chelsea's time or if Van Dijk can keep a Lukaku in his pocket. Much is made of Kane's ‘decision' to stay with a club he had no choice but to stay with, and Mark Smith attempts to use as many variations of ‘embarassing climbdown' as possible. Gritt's joins us to fire Ateta's Arsenal career out of a cannon into the ether and raise the flag on his house of Aston Villa love. Gareth doesn't backtrack on last week's Southampton backtrack, but probably could if he'd had time. All in this week's game week 3 preview packed Whistleblowers. Head to beer52.com/whistle and use code “WHISTLE” for your free case of 8 beers! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week's forward looking edition of The Whistleblowers lays the bouquet of chat at the feet of West Ham v Leicester in tribute to the most exciting match of Game Week 2, while asking special guest Tom Rennie what the Hammers need to do to match last year's heroics. Mark Smith and Gareth Dobson debate whether Arsenal vs Chelsea can really be considered a marquee match up anymore and the trio ask if Wolves v Spurs will deflate any false optimism in the Lillywhites end. Gareth rounds things off by backtracking on last week's prediction that Southampton are a 2021/22 dark horse in frankly embarrassing fashion and Tom Rennie explains how a plate of carrots and broccoli can last a full half of football if you really try. Head to beer52.com/whistle and use code “WHISTLE” for your free case of 8 beers! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

A Whistleblowers Season Preview! Your faithful football-adjacent heroes return to preview the upcoming Premier League season and attempt to sort the order of finishing behind Man City, condemn a handful of poor teams to certain doom before a ball is even kicked and to each nominate a dark horse much to the derision of the others. Plus Gritts reveals his worst pre-season training experiences and gives top tips to trialists (bring your running shoes) while Smudger starts the campaign to get Grealish out of the Etihad before it's too late. All this and more on the kick off pod to the new season. Head to beer52.com/whistle and use code “WHISTLE” for your free case of 8 beers! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Imagine a comedy quiz show where all the contestants watched the same matches that you did last night and then makes you giggle as we recap it with quickfire rounds, weird commentary clips and more. That's basically it, in the form of a podcast called Never Write Off The Germans. Subscribe now, by clicking one of these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/never-write-off-the-germans-euro2020/id533872834 Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3MuYWNhc3QuY29tL25ldmVyd3JpdGVvZmZ0aGVnZXJtYW5z Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YnlO6vtRGnadt04YgSxVK thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The fat lady is lumbering up to the stage, as the doomed teams are confirmed and the title all but won. But there is still a bit to be decided - Gritts, Smudger and G-Dob mull over Leicester's lingering 4th place status and Spurs possible new boss, as well as picking their respective managers of the year. Who has what it takes to come straight back up? Is the Championship as disgusting as it looks? And who is our favourite F2 Freestyler? All this and more, in a thoroughly entertaining episode, and when do we ever promise that? thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Slightly later than scheduled this week the Whistleblowers trident return to look forwards rather than cast their eyes back over the prior weekend, which is of some relief to those not wanting to remember Spurs’ tepid attempts at winning a trophy again. Instead we look to Liverpool’s do-or-die potential Champions League place decider against Manchester United and ask whether a United fan would rather win the Europa League or watch Liverpool have to compete in it themselves next year. Thoughts then turn to whether City and Chelsea can fulfil their Champions League ambitions following positive midweek results and why on earth Chelsea’s policy of dumping managers at the drop of the hat manages to provide continually good results. Throw in a soupçon of summer movement chat involving Haaland, Hasenhüttl, Brendan Rodgers and Kane, and it really is an informative, action packed and insightful episode of the Whistleblowers. For once. Listen to Season 2 Trailer from Middle Please, Umpire - a Cricket Podcast on the Acast app https://aca.st/ae002b thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

A super exceptional podcast from the Whistleblowers crew this week that began with the end of football as we knew it, and then 35 minutes later saw the European Super League dream crumble in real time. For the duration of that dramatic interval though, messrs Gritts, Smith and Dobson waded through the existential crisis that has overtaken football and found that no single club, entity or institution would emerge from the wreckage unscathed. Plus we speculate as to the most cynical reason possible for the dismissal of Jose Mourinho and enjoy naming every remote sporting outpost that he could find himself in come next autumn, while making note that Chris Powell is a very nice and decent man indeed. All this and absolutely nothing more on your finest hand-wringing episode of the Whistleblowers. Listen to Season 2 Trailer from Middle Please, Umpire - a Cricket Podcast on the Acast app https://aca.st/ae002b thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2021 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week the Whistleblowing three get forensic on Brendan Rodgers and ask what he needs to do to get Leicester City over the line in the wake of their seismic defeat to West Ham this weekend, while lavishing Moyes’ men with due praise too. The rest of the brickbats and bouquets are reserved for United’s almost inevitable second half comeback against United and we ask if this is the best version of Paul Pogba, and of course start writing Jose Mourinho’s legacy. Gritts pours one out for Scott Parker’s Fulham and we ask what crisis? at Newcastle United. Finally Mark Smith begrudgingly allows the pod regulars to heap praise on Leeds for their unlikely win at Man City. All this and a heck of a lot of fine additional chat on this week’s Whistleblowers. Listen to Season 2 Trailer from Middle Please, Umpire - a Cricket Podcast on the Acast app https://aca.st/ae002b thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Following a series of delayed flights and missed connections as they returned to the training ground after the international break, the front three finally reunite to cast their eyes over the Easter weekend’s sporting hoo-hah and to look ahead to this week’s bonanza. Mark Smith asks if the honeymoon is over for Tuchel after Allardyce puts the willies up him, Gritts is incredibly uncharitable about Newcastle’s performance against Spurs and Gareth asks if West Ham are the new Leicester, just in time for West Ham to play Leicester this weekend. We question the likelihood of Spurs drubbing Man Utd 6-1 again, and decide it’s an even bigger outshot than Villa dropping seven on Klopp’s men. On top of that we ask what would Man City be like if currently managed by Big Sam, and we urge Crystal Palace to keep the good ship Roy sailing on its course. All of this on your post-Easter bank holiday Whistleblowers. Listen to Season 2 Trailer from Middle Please, Umpire - a Cricket Podcast on the Acast app https://aca.st/ae002b thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The wholesome threesome reconvene to consider who the real winners of the FA Cup Quarter finals were - beyond the four teams who literally won. After taking time to praise the complete performance of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, the pod wracked their brains to think of players they remember having worse games than Man Utd’s Fred and Gritt’s reminisces on his single most awful performance as a pro. Arsenal v West Ham is declared one of the games of the season and as ever Gareth revels in Spurs miserabilia and declares their win over Aston Villa to be completely irrelevant. All this and some seasoned international chat for you to dig into on this weeks Whistleblowers. This podcast supports SAFEBAND. For more information visit safeband.me thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The fearsome threesome reunite this week just in time to pummel Gareth’s Spurs for a typically timid display in the North London Derby and ask the big questions such as ‘will Mourinho ever learn?’. Grits spills the beans on what sort of managerial disciplinary approach worked during his playing days and then the pod crew lament the absence of Pablo Fornals in the big Man Utd v West Ham clash. Mark Smith suggests that United need an entire new spine to their team while Gritts performs a soliloquy in honour of man mountain defender Craig Dawson. Less time is spent lamenting Sheffield United’s shortcomings following their giving the short shrift to Chris Wilder, while we ask if Leicester’s Vardy replacement is already in-house in the form of Ihenanacho. All this and genuinely quite a bit more in this week’s Whistleblowers podcast. This podcast supports SAFEBAND. For more information visit safeband.me thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Gritts and Smudge are joined this week by friend of the pod (and LFC fan) Alfie Brown. In a further act of cruelty to Alfie, Liverpool’s defeat to Fulham is dissected in great detail, along with what might be needed for The Red’s recovery. The Manchester Derby is the other main topic, as Ole impresses against Pep (again). Also, is Luke Shaw the best left back in England? It was agreed that Wan-Bissaka is the best at whatever he does. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to cause Gritts pain, Mark brings up the Scottish title and blah blah blah. We look forward to Gareth joining us again soon. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

He said he was too strong, had too much willpower and could handle anything they threw at him, but this week refereeing decisions and VAR have finally broken Mark Smith. Smudge runs through the rubble of WBA vs Brighton and Man Utd vs Chelsea while the rest of the pod debate whether Gareth Bale is all the way back, or just on his way to the Euros. A decimated Leicester’s Champions League push gets uncharitably cancelled and the depths of Ole’s title ambitions are fairly questioned, before we ask whether Man City can actually pick up a European pot this season. All that and certainly a little bit more on this week’s Whistleblowers. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week’s podcast sees the rise of the underdog, as we celebrate the achievements of Everton and West Ham in particular. Of course for every happy yin there is a doom laden yang and we question why Liverpool’s title defence has been so poor, and if we’re now in the Mourinho endgame? Props are given to Leicester for consistency and staying power, and we ask if Fulham can do the same and beat out Newcastle for Premier League survival - well, except Gareth who continues to push the unpopular notion that Brighton are actually for the chop, up the third rail. All this and #GrealoChat of course. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week the three unwise men of the Whistleblowers focus the debate on whether Liverpool are already at the end of their current journey following emphatic defeat at the hands of a settled City team. Over in West London opinion is mixed as to Tuchel’s initial impact and we offer the opinion that Manchester United and Everton might be identical sides of the same coin. It does work as an analogy, honest. Throw in some truncated FA Cup 5th round chat and this week we’re the Shaqiri of the football pod world - a diminutive number that still packs some heft. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

A good podcast sometimes looks forward as much as it does back, so this week we concentrate on a forthcoming Gameweek 25 that is positively lip smacking. We decide to give Leeds’ season some headline consideration, try not to dismiss Arsenal’s chances against City and wonder exactly how Everton will drop their britches in a comedy style against Liverpool. In between such madness Gritts grossly exaggerates the size of Steven Gerrard, Gareth attempts to introduce ‘Hassenhuttl’d’ as a verb while claiming that WBA have grown half a foot in a month and Mark Smith surprises everyone by talking fondly of Aston Villa. It is a quintessential Whistle Blowers episode. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

It’s all coming to a head In the Premier League this week as the true contenders emerge and the also-rans fade into the rear view mirror like your new year resolutions. Dry January has thankfully ended so your regular trio can be funny again, and Mark Smith’s opprobrium is focussed on the failures of Messrs Bale and Martial this week. On top of that we ask is Salah the key piece at Liverpool, will the bottom three change for the remainder of the season and will Daniel Levy ever fall out of love with his Jose? All that and a comprehensive run through of every team’s weekend except for Chelsea and Burnley. Sorry about that. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Of course the sacking of Lampard is the headline news on this week’s edition - your regular trio debates whether his sacking was premature or even fair, and asks what it means for Mason Mount among others. Additionally Gritts explains what really happens when footballers read their ratings in the newspapers, Mark Smith defends the honour of the FA Cup fourth round and Gareth claims he’d rather watch a season of Southampton than Aston Villa. Plus a look ahead to the two Premier League game weeks this week in a packed pod. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week the question of who will wear the crown hangs heaviest, as we discuss whether Manchester City are now the team to beat and whether key personnel changes by Pep Guardiola are at the root of their upturn. The trio also discuss how Liverpool can improve their attack and if it’s time for fresh forward blood at Anfield, and then get shirty at the idea that Tanguy Ndombele didn’t mean his wonder goal against Sheffield United. Throw in tales of fake Martin Samuels on twitter and it’s a jam packed Whistleblowers. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The stalwart trio of fifth tier podcasting outperform their league standing to shine on FA Cup 3rd round analysis as they decide that Chorley defeating Derby wasn’t even an upset, that Jose Mourinho should be a boxing promoter and collectively wonder if Leeds are the worst FA Cup team in recent history. Plus Gritts reflects on his short time wowing Marine manager Neil Young in his Chester days. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

In this week’s edition of The Whistleblowers we state the case for the entire top half of the Premier League to win the title, ask if the Man City points machine is grinding into life, and set Spurs a do-or-die trophy target. Plus Mark Smith attempts to dismiss every great solo goal ever scored, ever. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

This week the three unwise podders discuss a distinct lack of momentum at the ever shifting top of the Premier League table and ask if the heat is being turned up on Frank Lampard. Additionally Gritts runs his eyes over who are the stone cold killers in front of goal right now and Mark’s brain explodes trying to reason with recent refereeing decisions. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Tis the season to conduct your business professionally - this week as well as discussing whether Chris Wilder is regressing to the mean and how Liverpool are just mean, we delve into the world of football’s Christmas parties and mull over their impressive code of silence. Featuring The Independent’s Miguel Delaney and author Dan Trelfer. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Gareth took great pleasure in Spurs’ victory in the north London derby, and rightly so. We all got stuck into Arsenal, Smudger gushed over Giroud who is Inevitable and Gritts was lucky enough to be at West Ham’s game with the first fans of the Premier League season. All the rest and lots more, as ever, so have a listen. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now, so that you don't miss the first, explosive episode. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The intrepid trio discuss an upside down weekend in the Premier League including whether Kai Havertz is now a problem, why Mourinho needs to be braver and have absolutely nothing to say about the Manchester Derby. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now! thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

That was a busy one. We lost one of the greats in Diego, United and Cavani staged one of the comebacks of the season, Jose and Frank sparked a new rivalry, LFC were left reeling and Fulham proved the fight back is on. All this and lots more from your local friendly pod. Mark Smith, Gareth Dobson and Martin Gritton your hosts. If you're interested in cricket and heard the ad at the start of this podcast for Middle Please, Umpire, get over to middleplease.com and subscribe now, so that you don't miss the first, explosive episode. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Well, Spurs are the real deal after all? Liverpool refuse to be not good, Utd’s coming of age story still short of a lead character, Chelsea impress, Everton hang in there. What is the Spanish for George Graham? All this and more from Mark Smith, Gareth Dobson and Martin Gritton. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

It’s the international break, and not just any international break. Scotland finally qualified for a major tournament allowing Gritts to gloat... he’s joined by Gareth Dobson and authors of Second Yellow, Dan Trelfer and John Smith, the follow up to Booked! which compiled the best stories from our footballing heroes autobiographies. Over 250 read so far, and counting... The four discuss some of the best stories from the book, which is well worth a listen, as you might imagine. You can get hold of a copy here: https://tinyurl.com/y5jyvtap thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Mark Smith and Martin Gritton are joined by football writer Sam Pilger, for some analysis of Man Utd and a round up of the other stories from this weekend. Three teams occupied top spot, briefly, with Southampton, Spurs and Leicester in focus. Some Grealish, a bit of Zaha, in the oven for 20 mins at gas mark 4. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Mark Smith, Gareth Dobson and Martin Gritton discuss the highs and lows from last weekend’s games. Villa, Southampton, Chelsea, Leicester in focus, no Man City or Liverpool for a change. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

A big week for the challengers, valuable lesson or confidence knocked? Everton and Villa on the receiving end, Southampton and Leeds impress. Alan Alger joins Gareth and Gritts, to lament Arsenal’s defeat and give some cracking insight into the rest of the weekend’s action. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Can we be sure of anything anymore? In the time of Covid all bets are off. Well who would bet on the Premier League anyway, AMIRITE. Mark Smith, Gareth Dobson and Martin Gritton try to pick the bones out of last weekend’s games. Heartbreak for VVD, Chelsea’s chutzpah, a new United, Bale back but how about them Hammers?! Join us for a listen, wherever you get your podcasts. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Putting the band back together, with John Brewin joining Gareth Dobson and Martin Gritton to talk through the mentalness of the weekend. United’s woes, lacklustre Liverpool, and the all new Everton™. Credit to Villa, Leeds and the super Spurs, it was quite the week. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

The Whistleblowers returned to semi-normality with an in the person pod, featuring the legends Mark Webster and Kevin Hunter-Day joining Gritts. The trio chatted about the season so far, with Palace and West Ham getting a good go. As expected the chat went off in tangents, culminating in some stories that made the pages of KHD’s book “Who Are Ya?”. Link somewhere below... enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Our old friend Mark Smith returns to joins Gritts and G-Dob to discuss the, quite frankly, ridiculous weekend of Premier League action. Spurs did a whumping, Palace look fit for kings, up the Toffees, plus all the other good stuff. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Alan Alger joint Gareth and Gritts to talk about the season openers, with some absolute nuggets of ITK detail on what went on in the betting world across the games. Arsenal and Spurs get a good chat, as does Liverpool v Leeds, as you might expect. Would you bet against Vardy? Not just yet... thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Welcome back, did you miss us? Gareth Dobson and Dan Trelfer join Martin Gritton in a romp through the grubby news from the England camp, a prediction of winners and losers for the upcoming season, plus a chat about Dan’s awesome new book + G-Dobs excellent work in the music world. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

North West is best, as we spend a good bit of the pod chatting about Manchester. The resurgent Red Devil’s and the Champions League reprieve for City. Sam Pilger joins us to inform the chat. We also do the relegation dogfight, with 4 out of the bottom 5 winning, it’s still all up for grabs. Smith & Gritton back on host duties. Enjoy. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

Jose back to his same old tricks with Spurs, underwhelming and over talking. Will Kane stick around? What about Grealish at Villa? The word on the streets is he’s off. Anyway, we talk all this and more, Gritson Smudge feat G Dobbz. thewhistleblowers.net @footballpodcast Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2020 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright