My Mate's A Footballer BBC Radio 5 Live
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- Sport
Joe Wilkinson has always wanted a professional footballer to be his mate. Step forward Patrick Bamford, who has signed up to this podcast to work out if the pair really can become true friends. Joe is a lifelong Gillingham supporter and wants to discover what it takes to play the game at the highest level because you can't support a friend without understanding what they've gone through and the challenges they face. Pat has agreed to answer any question that Joe thinks of so they will cover plenty of ground and you get to hear insight and stories from inside the dressing room at a professional football club as the two hosts get to know each other by spending time together recording this podcast.
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Arm round the shoulder or a kick up the…?
Patrick and Joe talk about the qualities that make a good manager, if you can be friends with a manager outside of football and if it’s possible for a manager to be both feared and loved. Joe finds out from Pat what kind of player he is; an arm round the shoulder or if he needs a few harsh words from the gaffer to perform and Pat reveals which English superstar he’s been texting recently and Joe declares his love for a Man City winger.
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The Secret to Playing at Wembley
Joe and Patrick are reunited the day after Leeds thumped Norwich to make the Championship play off final. Pat waxes lyrical about the atmosphere at Elland Road as Joe reveals the rather bleak setting where he watched the game and also wants to find out if Joe if footballers get overtime when their club has a playoff run. Pat describes his injury frustration and his hope of making the trip to Wembley as well as giving some sage advice for his teammates about playing at the home of English football.
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How Do Footballers And Managers Deal With Pressure?
After a brief hiatus, Joe and Pat are reunited to discuss pressure and the birth of Pat’s second child. The work/life balance of a football manager is assessed as Jürgen Klopp looks to take time away from the game and Pat discusses Kalvin Phillips' time at West Ham.
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Is Joe Wilkinson Actually Good at Taking Free Kicks?
Joe has regretted mentioning this ever since the first episode of the podcast, but now let’s all find out whether Joe Wilkinson could actually become a set-piece specialist. You’ll hear how he embraces getting into the full kit, trying to play mind games with the Leeds United goalkeeper who he’s about to face and Patrick reveals the surprise for Joe that he believes will become the ideal motivator as he attempts to score 5 free kicks past Karl Darlow.
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Joe and Patrick Finally Meet at Leeds’ Training Ground
After recording almost an entire series of a pod together, Joe and Patrick finally meet in the flesh at the Leeds training ground where the stage is set for Joe to take a free kick. First though, he gets free rein to wander around the building speaking to whoever he bumps into and asking the kit man questions like: “What do you mean you melted everyone’s trainers?”