Soccer 101

On this week's episode, Taylor (who could be sacked at any moment) and Graham (waiting to take over as Interim Podcast Host) discuss Interim Managers. When should a club appoint one? Are there different types? Is it always a bad sign when one comes in? And who are the most successful examples in soccer history? Graham also manages to get in multiple shots at Manchester United, much to Taylor's chagrin. Enjoy!

Graham and Taylor don their tin foil caps to discuss soccer's greatest conspiracy theories, and attempt to determine which ones are completely fictional (most of them) and which ones have some truth to them (some of them). Topics covered include.....

This week, Graham and Taylor make sure not to record on Saturday at 3pm, so they aren't in violation of any sort of blackout rules. Is that how it works? Well, if you aren't certain either, this episode is for you! What is The 3pm blackout? What's the logic behind it? How is it enforced? Does it still serve a purpose? Those and many more questions answered on this week's episode!

This week, Graham and Taylor delve into the history of the Asian Cup, and there's a lot of surprising history there for the delving. When did it first begin? Who are its most successful competitors? What are the factors holding it back from getting the billing it deserves?

Graham and Taylor discuss everyone's favorite hype-train-generator: the wonderkid! Why is there such fascination with these players? What are the pitfalls of being one? Who are some of the most memorable wonderkids in soccer history, and which ones actually came good? That and much more… including the mention of the name Freddy Adu.

With the 2024 (but actually 2023) iteration of the Africa Cup of Nations about to kick off, Graham and Taylor spend some time on the history of the tournament itself. When was the first AFCON? How has the tournament grown over the years? Why does it take place in the middle of the season? Which countries and players have had the greatest successes at the competition? We answer those and several more questions on this week's episode!

On this episode, we get into the past, present and future of Gianni Infantino's current favorite child: The Club World Cup! What is it, how has it evolved over time, who are its most successful competitors, and what will future iterations of the tournament look like? Plus, does it actually need to change? Will it ever be a "marquee" tournament? How much of the tournament will Graham end up watching? Spoiler alert: the answer to that last one is "way too much."

With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points deductions. What are they, who hands them out, and why do they feel like the nuclear option? Plus, historical examples of their usage throughout English football history, and the rest of the world too!

On this episode, Graham and Taylor toss themselves into the world of the throw-in. It's more interesting than it sounds, I promise! What is a throw-in? What is its history? Who are the great Champions of the Throw? How could throws evolve in the future? All that and more!

Graham and Taylor discuss a moneymaker... the expansion of the record transfer fee over the years. Why did the transfer record grow so quickly? Which ones have worked out and which ones weren't exactly a bargain? Which ones are responsible for inflating the market? What is the history of the transfer fee, while we're on the subject? All that and more on today's episode!