The Twelve: A WSL Podcast

Thom Bomb, Deepti, Treb Tracy, and Marc Nicholls
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Shades of Blue Network is proud to present to you…. The Twelve! The Twelve is a podcast focused on all things surrounding the English Women’s Super League. Our name signifies the twelve football teams in the league as well as the importance of “the twelfth player”, i.e. the fans. Coming to you from across four time zones, Deepti, Marc, Thom, & Treb will be breaking down games, spotlighting players, and highlighting stories both on and off the pitch — with a little (or a lot of) banter along the way. Whether you’re new to the WSL, new to woman’s football, or new to the sport in general, we’d love for you to tune in! Catch us weekly during this upcoming season ✌🏽

  1. FEB 13

    Episode 45 - Unlocking the Secrets of Women’s Football Power Dynamics—What Chelsea’s Crisis Reveals

    Most Chelsea fans are feeling like their dynasty is crumbling—and one of the highest-profile power struggles in women's football just exploded. Sonia Bompastor’s contract extension was announced just before Chelsea unexpectedly fired their sporting director, Paul Green. The timing and details reveal a deeper crisis: shifting power, internal conflicts, and strategic chaos that threaten to reshape one of the league’s giants. This episode dives into the upheaval at Chelsea, unpacking the behind-the-scenes tension between management and coaching, the impact on transfers and squad building, and what it all means for their quest to win the Champions League. You'll discover how recent decisions mirror larger struggles for control in women’s football—and why ignoring these issues risks falling further behind. We break down the ambitious—and sometimes reckless—moves at top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, revealing the broader consequences of a league in transition. 00:00 - Episode introduction and episode overview 02:00 - Chelsea's recent leadership upheaval and power struggles 12:00 - Impact of managerial and ownership changes at Chelsea 25:00 - Arsenal's Champions League dominance and player highlights 35:00 - League standings and title race outlook 45:00 - Relegation battle and team performance analysis 54:00 - Key transfers, injuries, and player performances 60:00 - Chelsea-WSL structure and ownership insights 70:00 - Matchday predictions and upcoming fixtures 80:00 - The broader state of women's football and league expansion 93:00 - Celebrating Kim Little’s 400th Arsenal appearance 95:00 - Final thoughts, listener engagement, and closing remarks

    2h 4m

  2. FEB 6

    E. 44 - Sweet Kerolin, bah bah bah!

    In this episode of The Twelve, Marc, Treb, Thom, and Deepti delve into the latest happenings in the Women's Super League, focusing on managerial changes, team performances, and standout players. They discuss Everton's struggles and the implications of their recent managerial change, the competitive match between Brighton and London City, and the dominant display by Manchester United against Liverpool. The conversation also touches on the relegation battle involving West Ham and Tottenham, and concludes with a review of Manchester City's impressive victory over Chelsea. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the recent performances of women's football teams, particularly focusing on Chelsea and Arsenal. They discuss the tactical aspects of offensive and defensive plays, highlight key player performances, and analyze the implications of managerial decisions on team dynamics. The conversation also touches on the Champions Cup, upcoming matches, and predictions for future games, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of women's football 00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League 00:31 Managerial Changes in the WSL 02:41 Everton's Struggles and Coaching Decisions 06:50 The Impact of Managerial Talent in Women's Football 10:57 Everton's Recent Match Performance 13:13 Brighton vs. London City: A Competitive Clash 18:30 Manchester United vs. Liverpool: A Dominant Display 29:17 West Ham vs. Tottenham: A Relegation Battle 44:07 Manchester City vs. Chelsea: A One-Sided Affair 46:29 The Art of Offensive Play 49:56 Defensive Struggles and Goalkeeping Controversies 56:27 Chelsea's Crisis and Managerial Decisions 01:06:44 Champions Cup Highlights and Arsenal's Performance 01:17:12 Upcoming Matches and Predictions

    1h 22m

  3. JAN 30

    The Twelve ep 43 - AFC and NWSL being cheap helps WSL

    Today's episode covers various aspects of women's soccer, including match distributions, player performances, team dynamics, and league comparisons. The speakers discuss specific matches, highlight player transfers, and analyze strategies while also addressing financial aspects such as prize money and the challenges faced by teams like Gotham. The discussion reflects on the current state of women's soccer leagues and their competitiveness. In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent matches in the Women's Super League, highlighting West Ham's unexpected victory over Leicester, Liverpool's first win of the season against Tottenham, and a competitive match between London City and Manchester City. They also touch on transfer updates, the implications for teams moving forward, and predictions for upcoming matches. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the state of women's football and the importance of maintaining player health during intense competitions. 00:00 Introduction and Match Distribution Discussion 05:59 Team Strategies and Player Transfers 15:22 Season Performance Analysis 20:25 Match Highlights and Team Dynamics 26:41 Financial Implications in Women's Soccer 33:31 Prize Money in Women's Football 48:02 Financial Disparities in Women's Competitions 01:10:22 The Need for Investment in Women's Sports 01:15:57 Everton's Struggles and Merseyside Dynamics 01:25:28 Chelsea's Lineup Controversies and Tactical Decisions 01:37:33 Manchester United's Resurgence and Impact of New Signings 01:52:10 West Ham's Hard-Fought Victory and League Positioning 02:01:25 The Relegation Battle Heats Up 02:07:20 Liverpool's First Win of the Season 02:17:58 London City's Promising Performance 02:24:30 FIFA Champions Cup Recap 02:29:55 Arsenal's Champions Cup Aspirations 02:38:35 Transfer Movements and League Dynamics 02:47:12 Tribute to Catherine O'Hara and Team Support 02:52:56 Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement

    2h 5m

  4. JAN 26

    Episode 42 - Subway Cup drama: Data crisis in Women's football

    In this episode, Deepti, Treb, and Marc discuss the significant impact of losing access to crucial football data on women's football coverage, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists and fans. They review recent game results from the FA Women's Cup, showcasing dominant performances by WSL teams. The conversation shifts to transfer news, focusing on player movements and the implications for teams like Arsenal and Liverpool. The episode emphasizes the need for better data access, investment in women's football, and the importance of upcoming matches in the WSL. 00:00 The Impact of Data Loss on Women's Football 17:20 Subway Cup semifinals review 41:45 Transfer News and Player Movements

    1h 16m

  5. JAN 17

    Ep. 41: Treb hates Aston Villa

    In this episode of The Twelve, Treb, Marc, Deepti, and Thom dive into the latest happenings in the Women's Super League (WSL), focusing on the January transfer window and its implications for various teams. Deepti, Mark, Tom, and Treb discuss significant player movements, including Arsenal's missed opportunity with Sam Coffey, who signed with Manchester City, and the implications of other transfers on team dynamics. The conversation highlights the competitive nature of the league, with teams like Chelsea and City making strategic moves to bolster their squads while Arsenal appears to be lagging behind despite their recent Champions League success.The hosts also recap recent matches, including Arsenal's frustrating draw against Manchester United, where they failed to capitalize on numerous chances, and Chelsea's dominant 5-0 victory over West Ham. The discussion touches on individual performances, such as Lauren James's pressing ability and Rachel Daly's resurgence for Aston Villa. The episode wraps up with reflections on the current state of the league, the challenges teams face, and the potential for upcoming matches to shift the standings as the season progresses. In this episode, the hosts dive into the latest matches from the Women's Super League (WSL), analyzing performances and discussing the implications for teams like Tottenham and Liverpool. They highlight Tottenham's decent performance and the challenges they face with player departures, particularly focusing on the impact of key players like Clearhunt and Koga. The conversation shifts to Liverpool's match against London City, where the hosts critique the new coach's debut and the team's struggles, emphasizing the need for a more aggressive mindset. The discussion also touches on the upcoming FA Cup matches, with predictions and insights on how teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa are faring in the league and cup competitions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League 01:01 January Transfer Window Overview 03:06 Key Transfers: Sam Coffey and Arsenal's Moves 07:14 Arsenal's Recruitment Strategy Under Scrutiny 29:37 Match Recap: Arsenal vs. Manchester United 34:24 Looking Ahead: Arsenal's Season Prospects 34:53 Champions League Aspirations 35:33 Arsenal's Struggles and Frustrations 37:08 Player Performances and Fatigue 43:23 Recent Match Reviews and Highlights 49:44 Chelsea's Dominance Over West Ham 58:29 Tottenham's Narrow Victory Over Leicester 01:12:01 Tottenham's Performance and Player Departures 01:13:17 Liverpool vs. London City: A Coaching Debut 01:17:25 London City's Scoring Struggles and Upcoming Matches 01:20:41 FA Cup Preview and Fan Support for Women's Football 01:31:59 The Importance of Local Matches 01:32:52 FA Cup Predictions and Insights 01:35:21 Upcoming Matches and Team Strategies 01:39:50 Final Predictions and Wrap-Up

    1h 47m

  6. JAN 2

    Ep. 40 - New Year, New League?

    In this episode of The Twelve, the hosts discuss the latest developments in the Women's Super League (WSL) as they welcome the new year with fresh changes in teams and players. They delve into the Frauen-Bundesliga's decision to break away from the DFB, highlighting the implications for women's football in Europe. The conversation shifts to recent coaching changes in the WSL, particularly focusing on Liverpool's struggles and Arsenal's resurgence. Chelsea's commanding victory over Brighton is celebrated, while London City's disappointing performance against Leicester raises questions about their management. The episode emphasizes the evolving landscape of women's football and the importance of taking risks on the field. In this episode, the hosts discuss the standout performances in the WSL, particularly focusing on Bunny Shaw's incredible four-goal match for Manchester City. They analyze the dramatic comeback of Manchester United against Tottenham, the current standings in the league, and the implications for the title race. The conversation shifts to the Champions League, highlighting key matches and results, before moving on to domestic cup performances. The hosts also delve into transfer news, discussing player contracts and potential signings, and conclude with a segment on the New Year Honors awarded to notable footballers. 00:00 Welcome to The Twelve: New Beginnings02:21 Frauen bundesliga's Bold Move12:35 Coaching Changes in the WSL18:33 The Impact of Managerial decisions27:38 Liverpool's Recent Struggles29:16 Liverpool's Struggles and Future Prospects35:12 Arsenal's Resurgence and Key Player Returns43:18 Chelsea's Dominance and Player Performances49:29 Brighton's Inconsistency and Managerial Challenges54:46 London City's Penalty Woes and Team Dynamics01:02:10 Manchester City's Offensive Power01:02:29 Bunny Shaw's Record-Breaking Performance01:06:12 City's Title Hopes and Team Dynamics01:11:45 The Thrilling Draw: United vs. Tottenham01:18:19 Champions League Roundup and Future Matchups01:25:11 Domestic Cup Insights and Team Priorities01:27:33 The Lee Cup and Its Implications01:28:40 Impact of Match Schedules on Teams01:29:32 Women's Champions Cup: A New Challenge01:30:37 Transfer News and Player Movements01:32:36 Arsenal's Contract Situations and Future Prospectsli...

    1h 50m

  7. 12/05/2025

    Ep. 38 - "I hate Tottenham so much" - Guess who!

    Give The Twelve a 5 star rating and leave a review to help our podcast get recommended to other fans of Women's football like you! In this episode, Treb, Deepti, and Marc delve into the latest happenings in the Women's Super League (WSL), discussing player rankings, key matches, and standout performances. They analyze the Guardian's top 100 female footballers list, highlighting its Eurocentric bias and the growing recognition of NWSL players. The conversation covers significant games, including the Manchester Derby, where City showcased their title contender status, and the surprising draw between Liverpool and Chelsea. The hosts also reflect on the rise of London City and Brighton's impressive win, while examining the struggles of Everton and Arsenal in their respective matches. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of women's football in England. In this episode, the hosts discuss Arsenal's ongoing struggles in the WSL, focusing on their lack of second chance opportunities and the impact of injuries on team performance. They highlight Leah Williamson's leadership as a key factor in the team's dynamics and express concerns about the roster's limitations compared to top competitors like Chelsea and City. The conversation shifts to match predictions for upcoming fixtures, including the Champions League and domestic cup results, while also addressing the evolving tactics of Chelsea and the ongoing controversies surrounding VAR technology in women's soccer. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League and Player Rankings 15:07 Game Recap: Manchester Derby and Player Performances 24:39 London City vs. Villa: Rising Contenders 32:55 Brighton vs. Leicester: A Statement Win 38:28 Liverpool vs. Chelsea: A Surprising Draw 47:45 West Ham vs. Everton: A Battle at the Bottom 54:56 North London Derby: Arsenal vs. Tottenham 01:06:30 Arsenal's Struggles and Second Chances 01:09:46 Injury Updates and Leadership Impact 01:12:52 Roster Limitations and Future Prospects 01:14:30 Match Predictions and Upcoming Fixtures 01:15:41 Champions League Highlights 01:20:15 VAR and Offside Controversies 01:24:34 Chelsea's Tactical Evolution 01:29:30 WSL Standings and Champions League Outlook 01:31:38 Domestic Cup Results and Surprising Outcomes 01:39:10 Upcoming Matches and Predictions

    1h 57m

  8. 11/14/2025

    Ep 37 - Referee blunders and dropped points

    Please subscribe, RATE the podcast 5 stars, and leave a review! Takes less than a minute but helps the podcast get recommended to other football lovers like yourself! Treb, Deepti, Marc, and Thom Bomb are back with another episode discussing a controversial week of WSL matches with terrible refereeing decisions, upsets, and Tottenham showing they are who we think they are!

    1h 58m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

The Shades of Blue Network is proud to present to you…. The Twelve! The Twelve is a podcast focused on all things surrounding the English Women’s Super League. Our name signifies the twelve football teams in the league as well as the importance of “the twelfth player”, i.e. the fans. Coming to you from across four time zones, Deepti, Marc, Thom, & Treb will be breaking down games, spotlighting players, and highlighting stories both on and off the pitch — with a little (or a lot of) banter along the way. Whether you’re new to the WSL, new to woman’s football, or new to the sport in general, we’d love for you to tune in! Catch us weekly during this upcoming season ✌🏽

Information

  • Creator
    Thom Bomb, Deepti, Treb Tracy, and Marc Nicholls
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Thom Bomb, Deepti, Treb Tracy, and Marc Nicholls
  • Show Website
    The Twelve: A WSL Podcast

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