Rule The Roost - A Tottenham Hotspur Podcast

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 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack shares his thoughts on Tottenham’s first point of the season at a hostile City Ground. The scoreline doesn’t really convey what was a fairly good, tense affair. Plenty of positives for Tottenham to take from that, despite the lack of cutting edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Jack taking a cautious approach to his recovery, Tom Foins is joined once again by long-time collaborator Dan Kilpatrick (The Athletic) for a special reunion to dissect a historic £400 million transfer window. The duo look back at the chaos of the summer and ask whether this unprecedented spending spree is a genuine statement of intent or simply a necessary correction to keep Spurs competitive in the modern Premier League. We discuss the early impressions of Jan Paul van Hecke following Daniel Levy's alleged comments on his fee, heap praise on the massive potential of Mateus Fernandes, and question whether Sandro Tonali's lack of fitness is a legitimate cause for concern. Attention then turns to the bizarre deadline day loan signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Chelsea. Tom and Dan debate whether this is a Roberto De Zerbi vanity project that risks blocking the pathway for young homegrown talent. We also look at the notable departures, asking if the club bungled the Kevin Danso exit, before analysing the massive gamble of placing all our faith in Antonin Kinsky as the undisputed number one goalkeeper. Finally, we hand out our overall ratings out of ten for the window and discuss what a realistic and successful season looks like from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack returns to the microphone following emergency throat surgery to deliver a raw, honest debrief on Tottenham's disappointing home defeat to Newcastle and the chaotic final days of the transfer window. We break down what went wrong against Newcastle, examining why teams still arrive in North London believing Spurs can be easily turned over. Jack questions whether Antonin Kinsky is ready to be a Premier League number one, raises fitness concerns around Sandro Tonali, and reflects on the frustrating injury to Savio alongside the bright spark of Omar Marmoush. Attention then turns to deadline week drama. We discuss the exhausting circus surrounding Richarlison, the potential arrival of Iliman Ndiaye, and Kevin Danso wanting out, which exposes a glaring lack of aerial dominance across the backline. Jack also shares his heartbreak over Pape Matar Sarr departing for Juventus. Finally, we address the lingering cultural scars of the past two seasons, explaining why Roberto De Zerbi's side must ditch the "Soft Touch FC" tag, embrace a nastier edge, and start laying down markers against the rest of the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Jack sidelined recovering from throat surgery, Oly and Rosa of Hometown Glory take the reins to dissect a hectic week of Tottenham Hotspur action and transfer business. We kick off by reviewing the confidence-boosting 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton. We dish out heavy praise for Matheus Fernandes, ponder Mikey Moore's place after an impressive performance, marvel at Savio's instant goalscoring impact, and ask whether conceding a late goal highlights a lingering aerial vulnerability in the squad. Next, we look at the arrival of Omar Marmoush from Manchester City. We discuss whether his time stuck behind Erling Haaland has masked his true potential, and analyse De Zerbi's glowing praise for the Egyptian's tactical intelligence. We then unpack De Zerbi's latest press conference. With the boss hinting at one final signing, we ask if Cody Gakpo is the missing piece. We also read out De Zerbi's ruthless, no-nonsense quotes regarding player departures and squad discipline, debating whether this is exactly the culture shift fans have been begging for. Finally, we preview the crucial clash against Newcastle United, asking how Sandro Tonali will handle facing his former club and who should fill the third midfield spot alongside him and Fernandes with James Maddison out injured. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Windy from The Extra Inch podcast to digest a miserable opening weekend for Tottenham Hotspur following a heavy defeat to Brentford. We dissect everything that went wrong. Are we simply watching a rebuilt team suffering teething problems under Roberto De Zerbi, or did the physical mismatch expose a deeper cultural rot that still lingers at the club? We look closely at Lucas Bergvall's struggles and ask whether De Zerbi deliberately threw him into the deep end to prove a point, before discussing the ongoing concern of Archie Gray having to fill in as a makeshift right-back. We also examine the worrying lack of dynamism in defence, as Jan Paul van Hecke endured a shocking debut alongside Marcos Senesi. With Micky van de Ven's injury record, how does De Zerbi fix this partnership going forward? Finally, we turn to the transfer market. With the Brentford game exposing a desperate need for attacking reinforcements, we react to Fabrizio Romano's "here we go" for a massive double swoop for Manchester City's Savinho and Omar Marmoush. Are they the right profiles to elevate our front line, and with Cody Gakpo still linked, do we need even more firepower before the window slams shut? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is back to pick apart that opening day defeat to Brentford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to a special bonus episode of Rule the Roost! Following our main chat with Spurs presenter and broadcaster Ben Haines, we open up the mailbag to put your questions directly to the man himself. Ben tackles a brilliant mix of the serious, the insightful, and the completely absurd from our listeners and patrons. We dive straight into the media's anti-Spurs bias, discussing how the club internally views narratives like last year's nonsense that Tottenham getting relegated would be good for the Premier League. On the footballing side, we look at Antonin Kinsky's incredible mental recovery since his early exit in Madrid, and explore the general mood heading into the new season, including who has shown the most behind-the-scenes resilience. We also probe whether the players treat media duties as an obligation or if they view Ben as a genuine part of the club fabric. Then, things get a little lighter. We try to extract exactly how much water cooler transfer gossip Ben actually overhears at Hotspur Way, ask the hard-hitting question of which player smells the best, and praise his unflappable professionalism during a near-drenching from the sprinklers alongside a smirking Chris Hughton. Oh, and we also need to know how long it would take him to realise he put his pants on backwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by broadcaster and Spurs presenter Ben Haines for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the mood, standards, and cultural shifts taking place at Hotspur Way. Ben shares his unique perspective from behind the microphone, reflecting on what it was really like navigating post-match interviews during the toughest moments of last season and the stark turnaround in energy the moment Roberto De Zerbi walked through the door. We discuss De Zerbi's calm and laser-focused approach day-to-day, how the squad balances immense ambition with hard graft, and why it is time for everyone around the club to kill off the tired, self-deprecating tropes for good. We also dive into some brilliant behind-the-scenes stories from the summer, including Ben's impromptu gym session with Antonin Kinský, filming with Xavi Simons, and first impressions of new arrivals Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dúbravka. Finally, we explore the conscious effort to heal and strengthen the bond between the club and the stands, the recent first-team and legends lunch, and what it genuinely means for a lifelong fan to represent and tell the story of the club he grew up supporting. (Note: Our patron and listener Q&A with Ben will be released as a standalone bonus episode tomorrow!) Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Rosa from the Hometown Glory podcast to dissect a massive week of Tottenham Hotspur news, transfers, and pre-season action. We kick things off with the confirmed departure of Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid. Jack has been highly critical of the Argentine recently, but Rosa steps up to fiercely defend his legacy—expect a heated debate on how his time in North London will be remembered. Next, we review the weekend's pre-season double-header against Hoffenheim. We marvel at Sandro Tonali's brilliant performance and discuss what the midfield hierarchy looks like for the likes of Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall, and Gray sitting behind Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. We also look at the attacking prospects, asking whether the club should still pursue moves for Savinho and Cody Gakpo if it means blocking the pathways of Mathys Tel and Mikey Moore. Defensively, with Andy Robertson tipped for a massive assist haul and Van Hecke and Senesi looking solid, are we comfortable with our depth after selling Djed Spence? Finally, we discuss the breakout potential of 17-year-old Lucá Williams-Barnett, before assessing the massive goalkeeper gamble: with Guglielmo Vicario loaned to Juventus, what happens if Antonin Kinsky fails to step up, and is Martin Dubravka a reliable enough safety net? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to break down a mammoth week of outgoing and incoming transfer business at Tottenham Hotspur. We kick off with the massive news that Manchester City's Savinho is edging ever closer to a move to North London. While we are still waiting for the official confirmation, we discuss the excitement surrounding his seemingly imminent arrival and what he will bring to Roberto De Zerbi's frontline. We then turn to the headline exit: Cristian Romero sealing a move to Atletico Madrid. We reflect on his turbulent career at the club, weighing up the undeniable highs against the disciplinary lows, and discuss how his relationship with Spurs deteriorated so drastically towards the end. Attention then shifts to a more surprising departure, with Djed Spence heading to Inter Milan. We debate whether the fee represents a cut-price bargain or standard market value once World Cup recency bias is removed, and ask whether letting him leave without immediate cover is a massive risk. We also discuss Micky van de Ven’s lucrative new contract extension. Is making him one of the highest earners at the club a dangerous precedent, or is it simply essential business? Finally, we answer your listener questions, tackling Folarin Balogun's potential North London derby celebrations, phantom transfer targets of years past, and ranking Premier League era captains. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Iain from Poddenham Podspur to dissect the latest online Spurs discourse, transfer rumours, and pre-season action. We start with a meta-look at the Tottenham podcasting landscape over the summer before diving straight into the shocking rumours linking Cristian Romero with a move to Arsenal. Is a deal across North London utterly unacceptable, or is there an uncomfortable, pragmatic "hear me out..." angle to be explored? Next, we reflect on a fiery pre-season clash against Getafe that laid bare Tottenham's current lack of dynamic options in the final third, gauging Iain's anxiety levels as the transfer deadline looms. We also discuss Conor Gallagher following his goal against Getafe, looking at whether his no-thrills, high-workrate style is turning out to be precisely what Roberto De Zerbi needs in the final third. Finally, we assess the fresh links to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun. Living in the States, Iain offers his perspective on whether Balogun would be a commercial shirt-selling exercise or a genuine solution to Spurs' attack. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack jumps on live to chat about Spurs' preseason fixture against Getafe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Billie T to break down all the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer chaos, fitness updates, and media narratives. We open by weighing up the surprising transfer links surrounding Djed Spence and his reported interest from Liverpool. We dive into the pros and cons of letting him go, alongside Billie's general take on our summer window so far—including why he isn't sold on Cody Gakpo and whether it's time to start worrying about the Savinho deal. Next, we react to exciting training ground footage of Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus putting in full-throttle sprints. With Deki back on the grass, can he be relied upon to hit the ground running in Roberto De Zerbi’s system? Then, we call out the persistent negative media agenda surrounding Spurs. From Darren Lewis claiming we overpaid for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to TalkSPORT's Van Hecke comments and Football Ramble questioning our use of non-football revenue—why is the narrative always framed against Tottenham, and are rival fans starting to get scared of our financial clout? Finally, we dive into the listener mailbag to answer your questions, tackling Richarlison vs Solanke, a full squad Battle Royale, ranking managers in a scrap, and whether you'd take a fully fit Maddison or Kulusevski for the entire season. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is back with Tom Hayward to break down all the key talking points following Tottenham's pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand. We kick off with a dive into the true value of these far-flung summer tours. We call out the puritanical backlash against overseas pre-seasons, highlighting the hypocrisy of ignoring the global nature of modern squad compositions and the commercial realities that sustain top-flight clubs. We also celebrate Mathys Tel's standout pre-season displays, before assessing Antonin Kinsky's performances and debating Henry Winter’s claim that Spurs still desperately need a new number one. Next, we tackle the transfer rumour mill. We break down the Victor Osimhen links and explain why his post-tax wage demands make a move to the Premier League completely non-viable, before turning our attention to the intriguing reports linking Cody Gakpo with North London. Then, we dissect Roberto De Zerbi’s astonishingly open quotes regarding Richarlison’s future as the Brazilian enters the final year of his contract. Is it time to cash in, or can De Zerbi unlock his best form once again? Finally, we answer a listener request to rank Tottenham's Brazilians from best to worst, featuring everyone from Lucas Moura, Sandro, and Heurelho Gomes to Paulinho, Carlos Vinícius, and Gilberto. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack jumps on to discuss this games gone of a preseason fixture between Chelsea and Spurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Flav from The Fighting Cock to react to a massive week of pre-season news and breaking press conference quotes from Roberto De Zerbi out in Australia. We kick off with De Zerbi's wild "transfer shark" comments, breaking down his declaration that another transfer "bomba" is imminent and speculating on which marquee attacker could be heading to North London next. We then react to the huge news that Dejan Kulusevski is back in full training. Just how vital is a fully fit Kulusevski to Spurs' ambitions this season, and how does his unique creative profile fit into De Zerbi’s tactical setup? Plus, we dissect De Zerbi's astonishingly candid comments regarding Lucas Bergvall's positional demands. This sparks a broader discussion on the vibe shift under the new manager: why Spurs desperately needed a leader who isn't afraid to have uncomfortable conversations, make ruthless decisions, and set uncompromising standards for the squad. We also briefly touch on Mathys Tel’s wonder strike against Sydney FC and why the youth pathway is far from dead at Hotspur Way, before diving into the listener mailbag for your questions! Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham's pre-season rolls on with a win over Sydney FC... on penalties, but a wins a win. It was a largely rotated side, giving a number of youngsters a chance to show their skills. Tel with a wonderful strike to open the scoring, and a frustrating second half with Andy Robertson showing what he's about, nearly creating two more goals. Luca Williams-Barnett also a highlight, as per usual. Ultimately, it's more minutes in the legs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by football writer Jack Gallagher to dive into the massive cultural and tactical shifts happening at Tottenham Hotspur under Roberto De Zerbi. We kick off by looking at the heavy Italian influence running through the club, from the dugout to the blockbuster signing of Sandro Tonali, and ask whether our guest finally has a soft spot for Spurs. Attention then turns to the transfer market and De Zerbi’s ruthless new streak. We discuss the manager's stark ultimatum regarding Lucas Bergvall's future and debate whether letting the highly-rated Swede leave would be a massive mistake or simply an inevitable consequence of Mateus Fernandes' arrival. We also dissect Micky van de Ven’s recent quotes, exploring what his comments reveal about the gloomy atmosphere under Thomas Frank last season and the much-needed injection of passion and offensive football De Zerbi has brought to the group. Finally, we look at the missing pieces of the puzzle. With De Zerbi wanting more attacking talent through the door, we assess our current forward line and discuss whether reported targets like Savinho and Eli Junior Kroupi are the players who can truly move the needle. We wrap up by getting Jack's ultimate predictions for Tottenham in the season ahead. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices