Listener sentiment
The Game continues to command a loyal audience that prizes its mix of Times-quality football journalism, witty banter, and rotating panel of contributors, with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson drawing consistent praise as a hosting partnership. The most recent reviews introduce a fresh concern, however: several listeners feel the show's World Cup coverage has slipped into unfocused "pub chat," citing tired-sounding presenting, excessive VAR discussion, and panellists spending time congratulating each other on their written work rather than delivering sharp analysis. Long-standing frustrations persist alongside this — panellists frequently talking over one another remains the single most repeated grievance, and Alyson Rudd continues to sharply divide the audience, with some calling her a standout and others finding her takes biased, contrarian, and grating. Perceived club partisanship, particularly a lean toward Liverpool and recurring criticism of Arsenal, is another persistent thread, as is the sense that coverage gravitates toward a handful of elite clubs at the expense of the rest. Despite these recurring flaws, the podcast's most satisfied listeners still rank it among the best football podcasts available, valuing its insight, humour, and the depth of journalism that distinguishes it from less substantive alternatives.
Apple2.6 · 665
Summary generated Jul 19, 2026
