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Explore every episode of the podcast Football Unfocused

Dive into the complete episode list for Football Unfocused. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–50 of 77

TitlePub. DateDuration
Slugs v worms16 Feb 202400:41:40
Mark discusses the big spending of Manchester United; the travails of Roy Hodgson (get well soon!); and the spectacular final scenes of the Africa Cup of Nations.

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We're back! (AGAIN)26 Jan 202400:39:08
After another long, and unscheduled, hiatus, Mark and Matthew are back, and this time they really do promise to be more consistent in releasing weekly episodes! Today, Mark discusses the potentially unique, and concerning possibility of the three recently promoted Premier League clubs being relegated this season, and the three previously relegated clubs coming back up.

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This VAR is not for turning22 Nov 202300:49:31
After a full 3 months (or a quarter, in financial terms) Mark and Matthew return to chew over what's been happening. In a word... "VAR". Mark also discusses the financial irregularities of Everton, Man City and Chelsea, as well as the recent successes of Spurs!

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Transfer-you-like01 Sep 202300:45:28
As the current transfer window comes to a close, Mark discusses how he has become increasingly disengaged with the whole saga. He also touches upon the non-consensual kiss from the president of the Spanish football federation on Jenni Hermoso, and how out of touch footballing institutions still are about such matters.

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We need to talk about Mason23 Aug 202300:47:04
Mark addresses the deeply problematic process that has seen Mason Greenwood released from Manchester United, and how the football club seems to have made a terrible situation even worse. Mark also discusses the Women's World Cup final, which has marked a new height for the popularity of the women's game..

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Football and dressing gowns14 Aug 202300:48:22
Following another unscheduled month off, Mark and Matthew record their first episode of the football season, talking about the Women's World Cup, the departure of Kane from Spurs, and the shenanigans around someone called Caicedo,.

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Mo Money Mo Problems08 Jul 202300:50:46
Mark explores the trend of players moving to Saudi Arabia for the big money deals and the potential implications this could have on European football

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Living rooms and football10 Jun 202300:43:35
The season is over and Mark reflects on the final make up of clubs that were finally relegated, as well as some of the newly promoted teams that specialise in stadium entrances which involve navigating people's living rooms.

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Man does Google and reads results27 May 202300:46:02
Mark and Matthew examine how great a cheat Manchester City would be considered to be if found guilty under financial fair play rules, and how such cheating compares to cheats in other sports where cheating was already rife.

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Brexit means brexit20 May 202300:42:33
This week Mark tries his hand at predictions, and clearly, if his career as a podcast host doesn't take off, then he'll always have a life as a betting shop owner to fall back on.

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Red Leicester13 May 202300:41:46
This season's relegation battle feels like a gift that keeps on giving... and now with Big Sam added to the mix, the culmination of the Premier League this month is only going to get more and more fascinating.

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Live! Coronation Special06 May 202300:55:39
This is a special, live recording of Football Unfocused. What it lacks in sound quality, makes up in length! In addition, Mark and Matthew are joined today by a very special guest, making her first of what will hopefully be many appearances on the show,

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The Giro does not start on Sunday29 Apr 202300:41:34
Mark talks about the headline match between Arsenal and Manchester City, and how it has become increasingly difficult to mount a successful bid at winning the Premier League with standards being raised year on year. Matthew, the supposed cycling enthusiast, also claimed the Giro started this weekend - like with football, he is very much mistaken in his opinion on this.

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I'm not driving a Mini Metro22 Apr 202300:45:10
In-between weaving Partridge quotes into the podcast, and talking general nonsense, Mark finds time to explain why this Premier League season is so exciting, with the race for the title and relegation one of the tightest he can remember.

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The Rest Is Football18 Mar 202300:39:48
If you don't like your politics being mixed with your football - then you're probably best not listening to this episode. Today, Mark and Matthew discuss the fallout and impact of Gary Lineker tweeting his response to UK government's immigration policy.

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7 - 011 Mar 202300:43:18
After another unexpected hiatus, Mark and Matthew return to discuss the shellacking of Manchester United against their archrivals, Liverpool. They also squeeze in a quick chat about where Spurs will go next after getting knocked out the Champions League.

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Filthy rich04 Feb 202300:42:47
Mark discusses the recent woes of Everton and what their future may entail. He also looks at the vast sums currently being spent by Chelsea and the implications their creative accounting could have on the club long-term.

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Frankie boy28 Jan 202300:37:43
There's a time for all great managers to finally face the sack. There is also a time for massively overrated managers to get sacked too, and in this instance, it was Frank Lampard's at Everton.

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Huskie Love21 Jan 202300:36:28
Mark and Matthew make their overdue, yet uneagerly anticipated, return after near radio silence during which time some of the most iconic moments in the footballing calendar year have already occurred. Dedicated and professional, they very much are not.

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Ronald-who07 Dec 202200:43:41
Could England really win the World Cup? Probably not, but they've got a bloody good chance, as Mark discusses in today's episode, as well as some other footballing/World Cup tit bits..

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Anyone can play Qatar23 Nov 202200:40:02

The World Cup has started, so it only seems fitting that Mark and Matthew talk about everything other than the football.


And for anyone interested, the title of this episode is based on a Radiohead pun... or something.


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Dog days17 Nov 202200:48:39
This is the long-awaited, David Beckham takedown, which has been in the post for long enough, and to which Mark gives a full airing to this episode.

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Tenant doth not pay15 Oct 202200:41:16
Mark discusses the finer, and arguably, far more interesting aspects to Financial Fair Play. He also gives credit to the rise of Arsenal and Arteta; Newcastle and Howe; and Chelsea and Potter.

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A wicked sense of humour11 Sep 202200:37:12
Mark reflects on the passing of HRH and how it is, rightly, impacted the football fixtures this weekend in light of her love for the game.

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French knickers27 Aug 202200:40:01
Mark is in despondent mode this week after his dearest team were beaten by their greatest rival. If you're willing to bear his gripes about the match, then he does go on to discuss other recent footballing matters!

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There's no timer!13 Aug 202200:41:24
Mark reflects on the fantastic result of England's women winning the European Championship and how their achievements could pave the way for greater parity between the men and women's game. He also highlights the financial chaos that is currently engulfing Barcelona FC.

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Salted crackers23 Jul 202200:41:07
Mark reflects on the England v Spain match and how the support  of the Lionesses compares to that of the men's national team. He also gives his thoughts on the latest Premier League transfers and how some teams may already be spending beyond their means.

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"Do not listen"09 Jul 202200:39:45
With a small break in the men's Premier League, Mark and Matthew indulge a little more in the joys of summer. Mark also discusses some of the highlights from the transfer window and the women's Euros.

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This Is Wales11 Jun 202200:36:19
Mark speaks of his envy of Wales and their supporters, who have been celebrating their  World Cup qualifying win last weekend. In contrast, supporting England, particularly when they venture abroad, can be a more complicated affair.

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A stadium full of kids04 Jun 202200:39:11
Don't worry, it's nothing weird - though Mark and Matthew aren't entirely sure what a stadium of 30,000 kids will look like at the Puskás Aréna when England play Hungary in the UEFA Nation Cup League thingy. Hopefully, they just behave a bit better than the last time England played there.

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Scousers in Paris31 May 202200:58:25
Mark provides one of the most immersive footballing experiences recorded in podcast form....offering an insight into the highs, but particularly the lows, of his time attending the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

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Life of Mark21 May 202200:44:01
This week, Mark mainly focuses on himself and his ordeals trying to obtain a Champions League final ticket for Liverpool vs Real Madrid. Nobody would say that it has been anything other than a rollercoaster experience for him.

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The comeback....by Liverpool07 May 202200:36:36
Today's episode was recorded after Liverpool's dramatic Champions League comeback and before Man City's match against Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly, Mark is now looking forward to a final in Paris and hoping that, without any ill will,  it isn't just another all-English final.

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Are defenders getting worse?30 Apr 202200:36:56
Mark entertains a question from Matthew about whether the high scoring match between Man City and Real Madrid was an indication of defenders getting worse in football. Mark also discusses the latest European matches and explains why assaulting the opposing fans is not uncommon when celebrating a goal by your own team'.

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More ref chat and the achievements of MNC and LIV09 Apr 202200:34:50
Mark follows on from last week's discussion about referees, to highlight some of the recent bizarre decisions made by VAR, and why they could end up having a significant impact on certain teams this season. 

Mark also commends the achievements of both Man City and Liverpool, regardless of who ultimately wins the league, and despite what some critics will inevitably end up saying.

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Should ref's get £100k a week02 Apr 202200:39:39
Mark entertains Matthew's (not so original) suggestion that referee's should receive a significant increase in wages. This (Matthew believes) would help make the profession attractive to former players, who are often drawn to more lucrative and revered pursuits of management.

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Following an invasion, bid for the Euros26 Mar 202200:40:51
Mark highlights the farcical bid for the European Championship by Russia, just a month after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While UEFA are unlikely to entertain such a bid, it highlights the often uncomfortable relationship of FIFA and UEFA with numerous other authoritarian governments who they have happily awarded hosts of international  tournaments: most strikingly, the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

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Oligarch ethics19 Mar 202200:40:16
This week, Mark and Matthew return to form with one of them saying a lot more than the other - and, to be honest, the episode is better for it. Mark follows up on the continuing predicament for Chelsea FC, who have been left in a financially precarious position following the sanctions on their owner. If you wish to save time by not listening to this episode, then the the crux of the argument is Chelsea have made their bed, now its time for them to sleep in it.

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Matthew says stuff12 Mar 202200:46:10
In today's episode, Matthew takes centre stage (or as much as Mark allows) by giving his thoughts on a recent episode of Radio 5 Live's, Monday Night Club. Matthew is staunchly critical of the pundits who featured in the episode, though is unable to offer any unique footballing insight himself... Pots and kettles, some may say!

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When war breaks out, where does football stand?05 Mar 202200:44:43
Mark and Matthew give their thoughts on the inescapable and dire situation in Europe, and how it has shone an uncomfortable light on the ownership structures of certain clubs.  While Mark primarily focuses on Chelsea, they are unfortunately not the only club to have acquired resources from disreputable individuals and regimes. 

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Manager chat26 Feb 202200:38:08
Mark examines the latest sagas of various high-profile managers. Most recently, the antics of Conte, who  offered to leave Spurs if he was considered the problem for their run of inconsistent form. Mark also discusses his current favourite manager, Frank Lampard, and what may come of his time at Everton. Finally, Mark highlights Mark Hughes' unusual, yet inspired, decision to manage Bradford City.

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Testicular tension12 Feb 202200:41:25
This week, Matthew is overcoming some problems in his nethers, while Mark takes issue (again) with subpar commentators, the final of the African  Cup of Nations and the distribution of tickets to fans. All which vex him very, very much.

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The January transfer window, the FA Cup and Everton05 Feb 202200:39:38
Mark speaks about his interest in Everton and how their turbulent season could make them vulnerable to relegation. He also looks at some of their signings (including their new manager) and compares them to other club's signings in January. Finally, Mark highlights his nostalgia for the FA Cup, and what changes he would make to raise its profile further.

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How FIFA reached new lows29 Jan 202200:32:37
Mark highlights the recent comments by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who said that a biennial World Cup would help stop migrants drowning at sea. Mark struggles for words at times to condemn this self serving argument, and what is clearly an unashamed attempt to  promote a more powerful and financially lucrative FIFA organisation.

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Players who have suffered the biggest falls in performance22 Jan 202200:36:21
Mark discusses the most notable examples of players who, for one reason or another, have witnessed a significant drop in their performance. These include Eden Hazard, Deli Alli and Ángel Di María.

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The reign of Woodward and the stigma of big signings15 Jan 202200:36:27
LIVE EPISODE ALERT! LIVE EPISODE ALERT! For the first time, Mark and Matthew are recording the podcast live, and in-person. There are some footballing SPOILERS, so apologies in advance. The sound quality may also be a bit dodgy, as it wasn't checked beforehand. But apart from that, enjoy!

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The Premier League at half way08 Jan 202200:34:18
Mark reflects on the Premier League season so far; how Man City are effectively now unstoppable, which other teams have performed well, and which clubs are most likely to be relegated. 

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Aguero, Newcastle and COVID18 Dec 202100:27:59
Mark gives his thoughts on some recent developments, in a bumper festive edition of Football Unfocused, which unfortunately had to be cut short due to Matthew's poor sound quality. Apologies, though we hope you manage to garner some enjoyment nevertheless. 

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The world of football contracts11 Dec 202100:36:30
Mark reflects on the recent discussions around Mo Salah's contract renegotiation and how it can be a risky and complicated process. Footballers often only get one big contact in their career and it can be a perilous pursuit, with some notable footballers losing out.

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The art of the "sentimental" appointment04 Dec 202100:39:31
Matthew takes a starring role in today's episode as Mark didn't have time to think of a suitable discussion point. Needless to say, Matthew surpassed all expectations (particularly his own) by raising what some may say as "a half decent contribution" about the merits of appointing a manager on the basis of sentimentality.  

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