Rule The Roost

Spurs missed the chance to open up a four point gap on West Ham this evening after one of the most shocking examples of officiating many of us will have ever seen took place. It felt like Spurs were in charge after Tel's wonder goal, but he went from hero to zero after his high boot in the box resulted in a penalty for Leeds and Spurs couldn't quite find a way back after that, despite James Maddison returning after more than a year away from the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can listen to more preview pods, evergreen content and get all pods ad free at patreon.com/rtrpod West Ham denied a last minute equaliser to keep the pressure on Spurs means that we can now open up a gap at the bottom of the table... but we have to take it. Surely we have every faith in Roberto De Zerbi now to equip these players to do what's needed in this crunch game against Leeds. We'll also hear from Keir Starmer and Adam Curtis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by football writer Sean Walsh for the Thursday Q&A to dissect yet another stressful week in the life of a Tottenham Hotspur fan. The pair kick things off by finding a silver lining in poor old Harry's Champions League elimination, noting the relief of being spared the nightmare scenario of watching him lose a European final to Arsenal. Confronting the grim reality of Arsenal actually reaching that final, Jack asks Sean if the all-consuming dread of a relegation scrap has completely numbed his ability to care about our rivals' success. The lads then debate just how far off Spurs are from replicating that level of squad building, before issuing a stark reality check: Tottenham are still in a highly perilous position, and a must-win clash against Leeds United awaits. The conversation then pivots to Roberto De Zerbi's latest press conference. We unpack his demand to sign Joao Palhinha permanently, his glowing endorsement of Archie Gray as a future club captain, and his concerning updates on the fi

Jack is joined by Baker to celebrate a genuinely massive, potentially season-altering victory as Tottenham Hotspur's win at Villa Park lifts them out of the Premier League relegation zone. Pushing back against the incredibly lazy outside narrative that a heavily rotated Villa side simply 'threw the game', the lads choose instead to focus on the undeniable tactical and mental improvements shown by Spurs. We explore the growing influence of Roberto De Zerbi, dissecting Conor Gallagher's revealing post-match comments about the manager's emotional intelligence and the one-on-one man-management that finally seems to be inspiring a broken dressing room. With the sheer terror of the drop slightly easing, Jack and Baker look ahead to the nerve-wracking final run-in. We compare Tottenham's remaining fixtures against Leeds, Chelsea, and Everton with West Ham's daunting schedule, asking when we can actually let ourselves believe that survival is secured. There's also time for debating whether the all-consuming, exhaus

Spurs are out of the relegation zone thanks to an accomplished and incredibly encouraging performance away at Villa Park... we've looked down and out at points this season, and injuries to key players threatened to derail it all even further, but Roberto De Zerbi has found a way to get this lot going. Come on you Spurs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Lara for the Thursday Q&A to preview a genuinely daunting fixture against Aston Villa. With Unai Emery's side still battling deep in knockout cup action, we desperately ask if our only real tactical advantage right now is hoping for opposition rotation. The conversation then turns to the painful reality of the current Premier League hierarchy, as we lament how Villa have firmly occupied the exact space Tottenham used to own, and debate what fundamental cultural reset is required to win our identity back. The dread deepens as we pivot to The Athletic's recent terrifying deep dive into the club's finances. Confronted by monumental pre-tax losses and the prospect of carrying a £255 million wage bill into the Championship, we discuss whether relegation would be an extinction-level event for the current structure, or if the lucrative non-matchday stadium events can genuinely shield us from complete financial ruin. Finally, we tackle a massive selection of your listener questions. We explore a fa

Jack is joined by Big Jon Bass from The Big Jon Bass Show to celebrate a genuine rarity this year: Tottenham Hotspur actually winning a football match. The pair dissect the massive, much-needed victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure our first Premier League win of 2026. We discuss why, despite West Ham's gutting late winner against Everton keeping Spurs firmly in the relegation mire, this result genuinely feels like the squad is finally turning a crucial psychological corner under Roberto De Zerbi. However, in true Tottenham fashion, the joy is incredibly short-lived as we react to the absolutely devastating news that Xavi Simons has suffered an ACL injury. We discuss the brutal reality of the Dutchman missing the World Cup and potentially facing a season in the Championship, before questioning just how Spurs will cope without the main catalyst for our recent upturn in form. The injury woes continue as we examine Dominic Solanke's latest muscular setback, despite De Zerbi's reassurances. Jack asks Jo

Spurs have won a game in 2026 - and what a time to win it!!! Keeping the hope of staying in the Premier League alive, João Palhinha's bundled stab at goal was the difference in an ugly game of football. Incredible effort from Tel to win the corner that resulted in the goal, and an overall solid, if at times slightly uninspiring game from Spurs. Truly matchwinning save from Kinsky at the end to deny Wolves the equaliser. Annoying that West Ham won. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to dive into another incredibly tense week for Tottenham Hotspur, kicking things off by examining the sheer chaos over at Chelsea. With Liam Rosenior sacked, we question whether a dreaded new manager bounce could derail our survival hopes, and ask if Spurs are now the canary in the coal mine for massive clubs completely losing their way. Staring down the barrel of the Championship, we also look at Leicester City's terrifying double drop down to League One as a something we shouldn't think we're too big for. Focus then shifts to the boardroom, unpacking the exclusive news that Sebastian Kehl is the leading candidate to become the new director at Tottenham. We ask why on earth he is supposedly being brought in to work alongside Johan Lange, rather than replacing him entirely, and what the mixed reaction from Borussia Dortmund fans means for our rebuild. The conversation then turns to the rumours surrounding Micky van de Ven. Following reports that the defender is actively making arrang

Jack is joined by Gavin to unpack the sheer emotional rollercoaster of Tottenham's devastating 2-2 draw with Brighton. The pair start by dissecting that crushing 95th-minute equaliser, questioning whether the squad was simply too emotionally burned out to see the game out. We discuss the wild celebrations that followed Xavi Simons' brilliant strike to put Spurs ahead, and ask if the team desperately needs to learn how to manage the occasion rather than getting completely swept up in the moment. Despite the late heartbreak, Jack and Gavin try to find some perspective, debating whether this vast improvement in performance is the turning point we need or if dropping two points means we have officially run out of road in the relegation fight. The conversation then addresses the vile online racial abuse directed at Kevin Danso after his mistake led to the equaliser, while breaking down the tactical reality of the goal to show how a lack of urgency and being outnumbered in our own box made it a collective, systemi

Tottenham suffer yet another heartbreak in a season of heartbreaks as Brighton score an equaliser deep into stoppage time to deny them their first league win in 2026. It looked like Xavi Simons' screamer was going to be enough for Roberto De Zerbi's men, but alas, it wasn't to be. Can they avoid relegation? There are some positives to take from the game, but it feels as if hope is all but gone now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by James Maw from The Athletic to try and make sense of another incredibly turbulent week at Tottenham Hotspur. The pair kick things off by exploring Roberto De Zerbi’s comments post Sunderland. We ask whether the famously intense tactician taking the squad for a lavish dinner and claiming they need a 'father' rather than a coach could be the Hail Mary we need right now. The conversation then turns to the news that Cristian Romero will miss the remainder of the season. Jack and James reflect on what could very well be the Argentine's final game in a Spurs shirt, asking if the mainstream media narrative has unfairly influenced how sections of our own fanbase view our first cup-winning captain in 17 years. Frustrations then shift towards the boardroom, as we vent about the deeply tone-deaf Tottenham executives posting personal corporate achievements on LinkedIn while the club's top-flight status hangs by a thread. We question whether this perfectly illustrates the absolute disconnect between th

Jack is joined by Adam Michie to pick through the wreckage of a miserable defeat at the Stadium of Light. The pair discuss the perceived lack of fight on display against Sunderland, asking if this squad has already accepted its Championship fate without so much as a whimper. The loss further compounded by the opposition manager’s brutal post-match assessment that Tottenham simply weren't strong enough to worry him. We then turn our attention to Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge. We analyse how De Zerbi Ball translated to the pitch and question the massive, surprising decision to leave Xavi Simons out of the starting lineup. The conversation inevitably shifts to the consistently poor officiating we continue to endure. Jack and Adam ask if it is time to buy into the conspiracy theories after the referee completely ignored Brian Brobbey's blatant push that sent Cristian Romero crashing into Antonin Kinský. With Romero now potentially out for the rest of the season and maybe missing the World Cup, we a

Tottenham are getting relegated and all of our players are useless tbh - leave me alone, I'm angry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Rosa from the Hometown Glory podcast to process yet another devastating blow in this miserable season, as we react to the news that Mohammed Kudus has suffered a fresh injury setback. We discuss the club's grim update, and Tom Barclay's confirmation, that the winger may now require surgery, before turning our ire firmly towards Johan Lange. We dissect the sheer ineptitude of his January claims that Spurs did not need to panic buy because of returning players, and ask what on earth the medical department is doing behind the scenes. The conversation then tackles the terrifying reality of tonight's clash between West Ham and Wolves. With a West Ham win set to plunge Tottenham into the relegation zone for the first time in 18 years, the pair debate whether dropping into the bottom three adds a whole new layer of psychological pressure, or if the squad is already drowning in anxiety. Looking ahead to the weekend, Rosa shares her expectations for Roberto De Zerbi's highly anticipated debut agains

Jack is joined by podcast royalty, Flav from The Fighting Cock, to process the goings on at Tottenham Hotspur over our extended break from the pitch. With Roberto De Zerbi officially through the door, the pair discuss whether the glowing reports from the training ground have genuinely changed our initial opinions of the volatile Italian. We explore the shifting power dynamic in the dressing room, arguing that while this squad infamously tuned on Thomas Frank, they simply will not be able to get away with ignoring De Zerbi's intense, demanding presence. The conversation then tackles the massive goalkeeper dilemma looming over the crucial trip to Sunderland. With Vicario out injured, we dive deep into the Antonin Kinsky debate. The pair ask if his disastrous Champions League debut can be quickly forgotten, and if his natural ability with the ball at his feet could kickstart a redemption arc under a manager who demands extreme bravery from his keepers. Finally, we wrap things up on a lighter, more desperate no

Jack welcomes Baker from the Above Average FPL podcast to make sense of the monumental news that Roberto De Zerbi is officially the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We explore our genuine surprise at the revelation that he has been handed a massive five-year contract completely devoid of a relegation release clause, and ask if he genuinely possesses the ability to hit the ground running to salvage this miserable campaign. Bringing his analytical expertise to the show, Baker adds a much-needed statistical dimension to the conversation. He walks us through the underlying numbers that paint an undeniably damning picture of the current Spurs side, highlighting the exact areas where De Zerbi will need to orchestrate rapid, drastic improvements if we are to survive the drop. As it is a Q&A episode, Baker also tackles a fantastic selection of your listener questions. We dive into the ever-present goalkeeping question, debating whether Antonin Kinsky, Guglielmo Vicario, or perhaps someone else entirely will emerge

Roberto De Zerbi has officially been appointed as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. We run through the details of his new long-term contract, focusing specifically on the incredible revelation that there is no relegation break clause included. We discuss his apparent commitment to completely rebuilding the club, regardless of whether we are playing Premier League or Championship football next season. However, the appointment is already completely dividing the fanbase. We address the immediate and very vocal displeasure from several Spurs fan groups regarding De Zerbi's previous comments and his support of Mason Greenwood during their time together at Marseille. We also explore the footballing concerns surrounding his notoriously erratic temper, questioning whether injecting that kind of volatility into a squad completely devoid of confidence is a recipe for total disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Conor back to the show to process the sudden departure of Igor Tudor. With only seven games left to save Tottenham from the drop, the pair ask if it was actually fair to sack the interim boss at such a critical juncture. The conversation quickly shifts to his seemingly imminent replacement, Roberto De Zerbi. We tackle the controversial appointment from all angles, starting with the very real off-pitch concerns that have left a significant section of the fanbase feeling uneasy about his arrival. From there, we explore our footballing reservations, questioning whether his notoriously fiery temperament and dogmatic style of play can actually work in a Spurs side that currently looks completely devoid of confidence and is lacking technical ability in key areas. Finally, we try our hardest to look for the silver linings. We explore what a De Zerbi appointment might actually mean for the long-term identity of the club, and discuss whether his chaotic, high-intensity energy is exactly the sort of sho

Days after the passing of his father, it has been confirmed that Tottenham have parted ways with interim gaffer Igor Tudor in a Sunday afternoon announcement. Who is next in line for Spurs, which route can the club take? Roberto De Zerbi heavily linked... will Mauricio Pochettino bin off the World Cup? Adi Hutter, is he the guy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices