Football Weekly podcast: A nightmare debut for Fernando Torres

It’s an all-star line-up for your brand new edition of Football Weekly, with AC Jimbo joined by Sean Ingle, Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay and Gregg Roughley in a packed pod.

We start by dissecting Fernando Torres’s miserble debut for Chelsea as the Blues went down to resurgent Liverpool. Is the Spaniard the new Chris Sutton? Wiser people than us seem to think so.

Also in the podcast, we look back on the rest of the action from an amazing weekend in the Premier League. Manchester United’s unconvincing cloak of invincibility cames to an end with defeat at Wolves, Arsenal showed their title-winning credentials by throwing away a four-goal lead at Newcastle United, while another defeat for West Brom saw the Baggies part company with Roberto di Matteo.

Elsewhere, Sid Lowe fails to give us a La Liga round-up without going doolally about Messi and Ronaldo, and we hear about the rather tearful end to Fabrizio Miccoli’s afternoon against Lecce.

And mixed in with all that, like particularly juicy sultanas in a moist fruit cake, there’s discussion about Hi-NRG disco, James’ neighbour – who is dating a top Premier League footballer – and our favourite stadium caterers. According to Barney, journalists at Villa Park even get sweets and cakes. Can anyone beat that?

Have a listen and post your feedback on the blog below, or tweet us here.

James RichardsonBen GreenSean IngleBarry Glendenning

Football Weekly: Gyan tonics all round as Sunderland crush Chelsea

On today’s Football Weekly, James Richardson is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay and Gregg Roughley.

Up for discussion this week: how much can we read into Sunderland’s demolition of Chelsea? Why can’t Roy Hodgson manage an away win? Is Roberto Mancini trying to get the sack at Manchester City? And how did Bolton Wanderers get into so much debt?

Abroad, we ask how much longer does Rafael Benítez have at the San Siro after Internazionale lost the Milan derby – more on this in Paolo Bandini’s Italian football blog of course – while Sid Lowe brings us up to date on things in Spain’s La Liga.

Finally, we look at the England squad and wonder, is a front two of Carlton Cole and Jay Bothroyd really as good as it gets?

Tell us what you think on the blog below, and keep up to date with us on Twitter and via our tea-time email, The Fiver.

James RichardsonBen GreenBarry GlendenningGregg RoughleySid LoweBarney Ronay

Football Weekly: Upsets aplenty in the Premier League

James Richardson and the gang return for a jam-packed, bumper edition of Football Weekly, so make sure you have 48 minutes spare to enjoy it in all its majesty.

We begin with West Brom, who showed up Arsenal’s defensive deficiencies in a magnificent display at the Emirates. Other upsets at the weekend included Manchester City, who stopped the Chelsea juggernaut, and Bolton Wanderers, who were disappointed to finish with only a point against Manchester United. Sean Ingle shares his thoughts (and stats and betting odds).

Gregg Roughley gives us a Scouse eye view on that goal at Anfield against Sunderland, while Barney Ronay salutes the mighty Darren Bent and pays tribute to Avram Grant’s mini-revival as West Ham United beat Tottenham Hotspur.

Also in the podcast, Sid Lowe tells us about a hypnotising return of an old favourite to La Liga, while Rafa Honigstein fills us in on unstoppable Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga, and Paolo Bandini pops in to make the Serie A round-up more tolerable.

Finally, we welcome Paul Gascoigne back to football management and ask, how long before it all ends in tears?

We’re on Twitter, Facebook, and on old-fashioned email via The Fiver – or just post your comments on the blog below. We’re espeically interested in your karaoke requests for Sid …

James RichardsonBen GreenSean IngleGregg RoughleyBarney RonaySid LoweRaphael Honigstein