Rule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast

Jack is joined by Ricky (from The Fighting Cock and Lads Anonymous) to revel in the alien feeling of Tottenham Hotspur winning three Premier League games on the bounce following a dominant 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace.

We kick things off by contrasting the mood around the club now to the dark days of the corresponding fixture under Igor Tudor last season, when relegation felt like a certainty—and why the South Stand needs to start planning a massive "You Should Have Relegated Us" tifo if Roberto De Zerbi's side keep climbing the table. We also unpack the chaos going on behind the scenes at Selhurst Park, from Evangelos Marinakis lawsuits to the disbanding of the Holmesdale Fanatics.

Attention then turns to the pitch and why De Zerbi's system feels built on far more solid foundations than the Ange Postecoglou era. We wax lyrical about our £180m midfield engine room of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes—comparing Tonali to a "cultured Gattuso", Fernandes to a young Luka Modrić, and asking if this is officially our best pairing since peak Mousa Dembélé and Victor Wanyama. We also discuss Archie Gray's growing maturity and why De Zerbi's refusal to instantly drop him for Pedro Porro proves he is building a proper meritocracy.

Finally, we celebrate the fearless Premier League debut of 18-year-old academy wonderkid Luca Williams-Barnett (affectionately christened "Barry" by Ricky's dad), debate Mohammed Kudus' end product after that glaring miss, and wrap up with a truly horrific listener story from Ricky's Lads Anonymous podcast.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs win AGAIN! I could get used to this... it was a Halloween horror show at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium... but not for Spurs. Three wins on the bounce now for De Zerbi's men as Palace's terrible start to the season continues. Just how far can Spurs' momentum take them this season?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Adam Nathan from the An Echo of Glory podcast as Tottenham Hotspur continue to bask in the afterglow of an unforgettable weekend at Stamford Bridge.

We kick things off by looking back on Saturday's victory over Chelsea through a rational lens, asking how it stacks up against the famous 2018 win under Mauricio Pochettino and celebrating the fact that Spurs finally put in a complete, no-caveat big-game away performance. We then dive into the midfield revolution: with Sandro Tonali getting up to full speed alongside the metronomic Mateus Fernandes, has Roberto De Zerbi finally unlocked his dream midfield setup—and could this be the most dominant Tottenham engine room we've seen in years?

Attention then turns to Munich and Paris, as former Spurs talisman Harry Kane is officially crowned the winner of the Ballon d'Or. We unpack the complex emotions surrounding his victory—balancing immense pride for an academy graduate against the lingering resentment of his departure, the narrative that he "needed" to leave Tottenham to become world-class, and the frustration that the previous regime failed to build a title-winning squad around him and Son Heung-min. We also ask the ultimate hypothetical: now that he has his hands on the biggest individual prize in football, is there any chance he returns to North London to chase down Alan Shearer's record?

In the final part of the show, we tackle your listener questions ahead of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace. We discuss whether an injury-free James Maddison or a clinical January striker is more important to our season, re-evaluate Cristian Romero's legacy at the club, and cast the inevitable Hollywood biopic of the Pochettino and Harry Kane era (featuring Javier Bardem, Will Poulter, and Paul Giamatti).

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by a jubilant Lara to bask in the glory of Tottenham Hotspur ending their Stamford Bridge hoodoo with an utterly dominant away victory over Chelsea.

We kick things off by asking if this was one of the greatest away performances in Spurs' modern history—not a smash-and-grab fluke, but a composed, mature display where Tottenham completely bossed possession and kept a historic clean sheet. We discuss why this statement win feels like Roberto De Zerbi's equivalent of Mauricio Pochettino's famous turning-point victory at Aston Villa, and how a frank pre-Man United team meeting and the recent Marbella bonding trip have visibly shifted the squad's mentality.

Attention then turns to our new midfield engine room. After weeks of crying out to see Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes start alongside one another, the duo delivered an absolute masterclass. We ask whether we have finally found a double pivot to rival the peak Mousa Dembélé and Victor Wanyama era, and why Fernandes is already showing shades of Luka Modrić in a Lillywhite shirt.

We also celebrate Mathys Tel's sensational, Sonny-esque individual strike and argue why the 21-year-old has earned an extended run in the starting eleven, alongside praising Archie Gray's maturity out of position. Plus, we laugh at Cole Palmer completely losing his head (and somehow escaping an earlier straight red card), sweat over James Maddison hobbling off, and debate whether the Lewis family's summer spending has finally banished Tottenham's banter era for good.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham have gone to Stamford Bridge and absolutely BATTERED the hosts in a totally dominant performance. We'e been building something pretty decent the past few games, but this was truly the icing on the cake - a venue known for being the place where dreams go to die for Tottenham might have truly been the place where this new era began truly flying. Fernandes and Tonali were absolutely dominant in midfield. Mathys Tel with surely his best performance in a Spurs shirt was inspired. What a win! What is De Zerbi cooking here?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Jon Bass (host of The Big Jon Bass Show) to bask in the glory of Tottenham Hotspur finally securing their first Premier League win of the season against Coventry.

We kick things off by recalibrating our expectations for the season and explaining why Roberto De Zerbi's tactical flexibility—shifting to a back three to nullify Coventry's counter-attack—proves he has the pragmatic edge that Spurs have sorely lacked in recent years. We also compare his growing stature as a club statesman to the likes of Martin Jol and Mauricio Pochettino.

Attention then turns to the standout performers on the night. We discuss why James Maddison is the ultimate "remote control" that makes the entire Tottenham attack tick, how his presence visibly unlocked Sandro Tonali in midfield, and why Tosin Adarabioyo's slick passing and aerial dominance could make him a vital fixture in the starting eleven. We also celebrate the spine-tingling return of Dejan Kulusevski and react to Johan Lange's recent interview in the Danish press regarding his job security and the rebranding of the Hotspur Way hotel.

In the second half of the show, we dive into your listener questions. We debate whether Mathys Tel or Wilson Odobert should head out on loan in January, how much Spurs need to "overspend" in future windows to catch up with the elite, whether the upcoming trip to Chelsea is a free hit, and recall our favourite Spurs players with bizarre running styles—from Mousa Dembélé's effortless glide to Vedran Ćorluka's knee-bound shuffle.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs have won their first game of the season - a worldie from James Maddison on his first start in quite some time sent Spurs on their way. Marmoush popped up with goal as did Ben Davies. There was also the special moment that Dejan Kulusevski stepped back onto the pitch following his injury hell. An eventful match, and one we're all glad ended up the way that it did. Onwards and upwards!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes the legendary Billie T back to the podcast to reflect on Tottenham's season so far, fresh from a spirited comeback with ten men at Old Trafford.

We kick things off by looking at the massive positives from the Manchester United clash, asking if the first-half display proves that Roberto De Zerbi's system has finally clicked—and whether a clinical striker is now the only missing piece of the jigsaw. We also unpack the bizarre Richarlison situation as he turns out for the Under-21s against Cheltenham, questioning how a clash of fiery personalities left Spurs without a proven goalscorer registered for the Premier League squad.

Attention then turns to the January striker market, the runaway success of Troy Parrott and Will Lankshear, and De Zerbi's decision to take the squad (including exciting youngsters like Luca Williams-Barnett and Malachi Hardy) on a mid-season bonding trip to Marbella. Plus, we vent about the stale state of ex-pros in football media and Sean Dyche's recent comments.

The second half of the show is dedicated to a massive listener mailbag. Billie reveals his iconic two-litre Pepsi Max and Aldi Disaronno away-day train concoction, recounts the infamous, chaotic 2018 away trip to Burnley, and defends the £85m signing of Mateus Fernandes. We also debate the aesthetics of future Spurs shirt sponsors, whether we should splash £100m on boyhood Tottenham fan Alex Scott, and wrap up with a deep dive into cheese boards, AI anxiety, and watching Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in 70mm.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back from holiday, Jack is here to discuss the draw with Manchester United at the weekend, and what it might mean for Spurs... and United!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack and Con reunite after a tedious three-week international break, determined to keep the vibes upbeat as Tottenham prepare for a massive trip to Old Trafford.

We kick things off by discussing Harry Kane matching Peter Shilton's England caps record. We ask why the striker's incredible legacy is still so under-appreciated by rival fans, and put to bed any lingering rumours of a spectacular return to North London. Attention then turns to the academy: with European giants reportedly circling 18-year-old wonderkid Luca Williams-Barnett, we debate whether Roberto De Zerbi needs to start trusting the youth and finally offer him a clear pathway into the first team.

We also tackle the ultimate Spurs time machine question. If you could travel back and change just one moment in Tottenham's history, what would it be? From Moussa Sissoko's raised arm in Madrid to the barren 2018 transfer window and the Battle of the Bridge, we debate the sliding doors moments that could have altered the club's trajectory.

Finally, we look ahead to the Manchester United clash, answer listener questions—including a hilarious debate on which widely disliked former player we would bring back to the current squad (featuring a passionate defence of Hossam Ghaly)—and wrap up with some essential film and TV recommendations.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the unprecedented three-week international break mercifully drawing to a close, Jack and Gavin reunite to reflect on a deeply frustrating start to the Tottenham season.

We kick things off by questioning whether the club has lost a piece of its soul. With hundreds of millions spent on new players, why does it feel harder than ever to connect with this squad compared to the organic, passionate teams of the Mauricio Pochettino era? Jack admits his creeping 'weasel' doubts over Sandro Tonali's £100 million arrival, fearing another Tanguy Ndombele situation, while Gavin explores why the scars of past transfer failures make it so difficult for fans to trust the current regime.

We also catch up on the international break news, including Antonio Conte's explosive new interview detailing Daniel Levy's alleged apathy towards winning, the double Dutch injury blows to Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, and Dele Alli's surprise phone call to Harry Kane on Twitch.

Finally, we look ahead to a massive trip to Old Trafford. With Spurs still searching for a spark, is the clash against Manchester United the perfect opportunity to ignite the season, or will a defeat plunge the club further into the abyss?

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Dan Kilpatrick from The Athletic to react to the seismic breaking news that an independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of 114 of their 115 financial charges.

We break down the Premier League's damning statement regarding sham contracts and artificially inflated revenues, alongside City's immediate plans to appeal. We then dive into the potential sanctions—ranging from multi-year points deductions to total expulsion—and ask what this historic verdict means for the integrity of the last decade of English football.

Dan explains why Tottenham Hotspur might be the club most heavily impacted by City's financial doping, having missed out on multiple Champions League qualifications during the affected period (2009-2018). We discuss whether Spurs will seek financial reparations and speculate on how Daniel Levy would have reacted to the news compared to the current regime.

Finally, we react to Pep Guardiola's defiant message to the fans, debate whether state ownership has caused football to lose its soul, and reflect on how City's artificial dominance robbed the Premier League of organic title races between the likes of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the international break providing a welcome respite from the current Premier League season, Jack and Phil hit pause to retreat into a happy place and talk about one of the most uniquely brilliant players to ever wear a Spurs shirt: Dele Alli.

Sparked by his recent training videos, the duo take a misty-eyed trip down memory lane to celebrate Dele's alien-like talent and his unbelievable highlights reel. From the jaw-dropping flick and volley against Crystal Palace to his dominant brace against Real Madrid and that impossible Ajax assist, we recount the moments that made him a genuine sensation.

We also tackle the complex narrative surrounding his career. We re-evaluate his infamous interaction with Jose Mourinho in the All or Nothing documentary, arguing that the editorial narrative feels unnecessarily grim given the immense personal hurdles Dele has overcome. We push back against the "wasted career" tag, celebrating the fact that despite his struggles, Dele achieved more before turning 21 than many do in a lifetime, cementing himself as a beloved icon for an entire generation of Spurs fans.

Finally, we read out a massive selection of listener memories and ask whether the sheer romanticism of that 2016/17 era can ever be replicated.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by professional football coach Harry Brooks to take an unfiltered, black-and-white look at the reality of Tottenham Hotspur sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table.

We kick things off by addressing Harry's reputation for being 'negative' online, explaining why his analytical coaching perspective prevents him from blindly clapping along to the club's unprecedented summer spending. We dissect the "utterly disgraceful" squad building that saw Spurs spend hundreds of millions without securing a dominant presence in either the attacking or defending penalty boxes, leaving the team with a physically struggling Dominic Solanke as the only recognised centre-forward.

Attention then turns to the defensive and midfield gambles. Harry explains why selling Luka Vušković could be a generational mistake, arguing that Jan Paul van Hecke is simply a downgrade on Cristian Romero. We also dive into the Sandro Tonali debate, questioning whether a reliable 7/10 player is enough for a team with elite ambitions, while comparing his ceiling to the raw potential of Lucas Bergvall and discussing the frustrating shoehorning of Mateus Fernandes.

Finally, we explore the mental fragility of the squad following the collapse against Aston Villa. We debate whether Roberto De Zerbi is right to call out the team's soft underbelly, and ask if the unprecedented three-week international break will destroy any lingering rhythm or provide a desperate, much-needed reset.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs lose again, this is becoming a theme. Don't expect much joy or bright-siding on this one. You've been warned. Pitiful home performance to a Villa side facing their own problems at the moment. Something has to change, and quick.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs lose to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Another loss at Anfield. It was looking like a joyless evening, until a few subs saw things start to get going... until a Szoboszlai screamer sealed the deal.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack and Baker reunite to unpack Tottenham's agonising 407-minute goal drought and figure out exactly where the attack is misfiring.

We dive deep into the underlying numbers, revealing that despite leading the league with 111 take-ons and dominating penalty box touches, Spurs have generated an abysmal 2.22 xG from open play. Baker argues it is time for fans to embrace "FC Stinky" and rely on grinding out set-piece goals, especially with centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke currently topping the squad's expected goals charts. We also put Dominic Solanke's lack of aggression under the microscope, asking if he possesses the killer instinct required to lead the line.

Attention then turns to Roberto De Zerbi's shifting demeanour. We debate his performative on-pitch scolding of Mathys Tel, analyse his defensive defiance regarding consecutive clean sheets, and question his decision to field an entirely new starting eleven for the upcoming cup clash against Liverpool. Finally, we close out the show with a bizarre detour into the viral Chinese Hyrox event to discuss the true meaning of a win.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack jumps on to discuss Tottenham vs Everton, the first goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Spurs controlled the game for the most part, but still, no goals. Is it the lack of a quality striker? Is it the lack of a creative number 10? Or is it becoming ever more apparent that the ground is built upon a Saxon burial ground and vengeful, disturbed spirits plague our fortunes?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack sits down with James Maw from The Athletic for a Thursday catch-up and a huge listener mailbag.

We kick things off with Mauricio Pochettino's latest comments, as the former boss claims he would return to manage Spurs in any division. We also unpack his explosive demand that Chelsea be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title for financial breaches and the trophy be handed to Tottenham. James shares exactly how he would feel about a retrospective title parade, before giving his verdict on Roberto De Zerbi's start to the season.

The second half of the show is dedicated to your questions. Sean Leahy asks James to explain his tendency to self-edit his opinions on View From The Lane, Houston Reveaux flags Keith Hackett's bizarre social media meltdown over the Forest match, and THFC Podcast asks whether the media's double standards towards Spurs have reached breaking point. We also ask sidford20's question on whether Mykhailo Mudryk is already the worst loan signing in club history, and DM wants to know if James has heard from Danny regarding his thoughts on Tottenham's slow start.

Finally, we look at the tactical dilemmas facing De Zerbi. MJBhotspur asks for Dejan Kulusevski's best position, Matt Cipolla wants to know the ideal front four to get the attack firing, and Jack C alongside James Reed address the collective fan PTSD by asking what run of results is acceptable against Everton, Liverpool, and Aston Villa before the international break.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is back behind the mic! After recovering from throat surgery, he joins Gavin to recount his viral away-day experience travelling from Tottenham to Nottingham ONLY using public buses.

Attention then turns to the pitch, where Spurs finally stopped the rot against Nottingham Forest with a largely controlled performance. We break down Rodrigo Bentancur's standout display, exploring how an injury-free run and Sandro Tonali's combative presence helped him thrive in midfield. We also discuss Conor Gallagher's impressive outing, whether the online hate he receives is forced, and why the omission of Mateus Fernandes felt strange given De Zerbi's pre-match comments.

Elsewhere, we examine Oliver Glasner's pre-game mind games and debate whether De Zerbi's emotional volatility is becoming a concern. Finally, we praise Savio for getting up to speed and ask where it is going wrong for Mathys Tel amidst unwarranted abuse.

Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices