Episodes

  • Are Arsenal Still a Side on the Up?

    Are Arsenal Still a Side on the Up?
    May 8 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Where else to start than Arsenal’s defeat to PSG in the Champions League. While Mikel Arteta’s side showed glimpses of quality, the lads make the point that poor recruitment ultimately cost them. Tune in for a debate on their campaign as a whole, and chat about whether they’re still an improving side. We get into the nitty gritty of the frustration from some sides of the Liverpool fanbase at Trent’s decision to go and discuss whether Arne Slot should play him versus Arsenal on Sunday. Ian and Chris continue naming their teams of the season, this week, it’s the back four. And, once again, Ian has a quite extraordinary shout. AND they reflect on Claude Makelele’s claim that John Terry was never supposed to step up for his fateful penalty versus Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final. Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • ‘Anyone who doesn’t wish Trent well at Madrid hasn’t got a warm bone in their body’

    ‘Anyone who doesn’t wish Trent well at Madrid hasn’t got a warm bone in their body’
    May 5 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Nathan Salt joins Ian today, with Chris unable to make the show. The lads reflect on Harry Kane’s debut trophy, after the England captain secured the Bundesliga title at the second time of asking… but will he be content with his decision to go to Germany? Or does his future lay away from Bayern Munich in the hunt for European glory? There’s chat about the lack of jeopardy in the bottom half of the Premier League, Cole Palmer’s form since the turn of the year and the legacy Trent Alexander-Arnold will have at Liverpool, after he announced he’s leaving (while we were recording) Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Nathan Salt Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • ‘I wasted a year of my life!’ Chris Sutton on Life as a Manager

    ‘I wasted a year of my life!’ Chris Sutton on Life as a Manager
    May 1 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ In today’s episode, Chris Sutton opens up on his time as a manager, detailing the extent to which it took over his life for a year. There’s chat about the crazy state of the Championship and the relegation and promotion permutations. PLUS, Ian rants about ‘Guards of Honour’ and whether they’re still welcome in the modern game. Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Are Liverpool Now England’s Premier Club?

    Are Liverpool Now England’s Premier Club?
    Apr 28 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ After a not so nail biting title race, Liverpool have been crowned Champions of England for the 20th time. Ian and Chris delve into what made Arne Slot’s side so effective, and look ahead to how they can kick on. Have they taken Manchester United’s title as the country’s most elite side? We also chat about Graham Potter’s struggles at West Ham, after the ex-Chelsea boss appeared to be feeling the pressure after a bitter loss to, another one of his former clubs, Brighton. Is this a man who can’t handle the heat? And we break down the age old issue of Wembley semis. Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Why Bruno Fernandes is the Premier League Player of the Season!

    Why Bruno Fernandes is the Premier League Player of the Season!
    Apr 24 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ On today’s episode, Ian amends an error that sharp-eared fans would’ve picked up on in Monday’s episode… with even Producer Henry catching strays. The lads then get down to the nitty gritty, naming their player of the season. As you can see in the headline, Ian’s one really is quite something to behold. Perhaps he’s forgotten about the Egyptian winger at Liverpool who’s had a half decent campaign. They also get stuck into the reports, as broken by our Chief Sports Reporter, Mike Keegan, that Leeds are considering replacing Daniel Farke, despite overseeing their promotion campaign. Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Did Trent’s Celebration Really Scream of a Man Destined for Madrid?

    Did Trent’s Celebration Really Scream of a Man Destined for Madrid?
    Apr 21 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Ian and Chris are back together once more, as they bring you the latest from the footballing world, this bank holiday weekend. They analyse Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impassioned celebration, after the fullback secured three points for the club he’s seemingly leaving. Do you reckon he’s had second thoughts? We chat about the latest comments made by Kevin de Bruyne, who voiced his surprise at the lack of a contract offer by Manchester City. And there’s natter about: the quality in the Premier League as a whole, whether Ruben Amorim should be playing weakened teams and if Fabian Hurzeler has been treated a bit harshly by Brighton fans. Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Is Marcus Rashford REALLY the Man to Spearhead Aston Villa’s Attack?

    Is Marcus Rashford REALLY the Man to Spearhead Aston Villa’s Attack?
    Apr 17 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ Neither Ian, nor Chris could join for this episode, but fear not… we’ve brought out the big guns and drafted in our Chief Sports Reporter, Mike Keegan, and our Manchester United Correspondent, Nathan Salt. We kick off by praising Arsenal’s two-legged dominance over Real Madrid, singling out Declan Rice for his immense contributions. Is this where the fun ends for Mikel Arteta’s side, or does Munich glory await them? Nathan claims that Marcus Rashford’s spell at Aston Villa, while decent, has been far from outstanding, and that the forwarded has benefited from being away from the Manchester United spotlight. The lads reignite the debate that’s brought Ian Ladyman’s social media into turmoil, after he claimed that Europa League success shouldn’t result in a Champions League place. AND we have our say on which Championship sides would benefit the Premier League the most. Presenters: Henry Williams, Mike Keegan and Nathan Salt Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Does UEFA Favour Europe’s Elite Clubs?

    Does UEFA Favour Europe’s Elite Clubs?
    Apr 14 2025
    Welcome back to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ After the lads break down Sunday night’s gripping Masters conclusion, Ian slams the UEFA that grants the Europa League winners a place in the Champions League. Is it fair that elite clubs have a ‘get out of jail card’, despite bombing in the league? We give Arsenal some stick for falling well short of Liverpool, barely giving Arne Slot’s side any reason to look over their shoulder. Ian reckons Gunners fans are getting really tired of second place… And there’s chat about: Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea shortcomings, Walsall’s continued disappointment and the Brit abroad who’s smashing his Spanish… Presenters: Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton Producer: Henry Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins