The Totally Football Show with James Richardson

The Athletic
  • 4.6 (950)
  • Sports
  • Updated Semiweekly

James Richardson and Team Totally are here four times a week throughout the season with all the football news and chat you need - and plenty that you don’t. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3h ago

    World Cup preview: The hosts and the dark horses… like Scotland!

    World Cup excitement has reached fever pitch with the Totally Team, who this time round sit down to discuss the hosts and those all-important dark horses. Jimbo is alongside JJ Bull, Colin Millar and Felipe Cardenas for our second preview show ahead of the tournament. Only two host nations have ever failed to make it out of the group stages, so how far will the triumvirate of Mexico, USA and Canada go this year? Team USA are hoping to reach a Quarter Final for the first time in 22 years; Mexico haven’t gone that far since 1986. Meanwhile Canada are still looking for their first ever win at the Finals. Morocco were the shock story of 2022, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. Maher Mezahi drops in to tell us if there’s likely to be a repeat of that feat this time round. Japan also caused a stir four years ago, beating Spain and Germany in Qatar. Dan Orlowitz joins us to discuss whether they can upset more odds this year. And what about the hipster choices? Will Erling Haaland and Norway continue to score freely after notching up more goals than anyone else in European qualifying? Or will the hotter climate mean a South American country has a better chance of going deep? Ecuador don’t concede goals; Colombia score lots. And of course there’s the other home nation to look out for: Scotland playing in their first World Cup for 28 years. Might the Tartan Army make it out of a tournament group stage for the first time ever? Produced by Charlie Jones and Xavi Bird. RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: It’s nearly here… (03:00) • PART 2: The hosts – USA, Canada & Mexico (8:00) • PART 3: Scotland (22:00) • PART 4: Who’s going furthest from Africa with Maher Mezahi (34:00) • PART 5a: Dark Horses – Ecuador, Colombia & Norway (48:00) • PART 5b: Japan with Dan Orlowitz (58:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m

  2. 2d ago

    World Cup preview: England and the other favourites

    The World Cup is almost upon us so before we fly off to America it’s time for the Totally Show to discuss who might be winning the Final in mid-July. Jimbo is joined by Duncan Alexander, Natalie Gedra and Liam Twomey in the studio to talk about who the favourites might be. Argentina are looking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their title. Brazil themselves come into the tournament off the back of their worst qualification run ever. Pol Ballus joins us to give the lowdown on why European Champions Spain can become World Champions for a second time, but do France have the best squad again? We hear from Tom Williams on the chances for Didier Deschamps’ men, as well as discussing how Julian Nagelsmann and Germany may get on. FIFA have overlooked a suspension so that Ronaldo can play for Portugal, but will he actually play? And how far can his country go? And what about the small matter of England… can Thomas Tuchel’s side end what’s now 60 years of hurt this summer? Produced by Charlie Jones and Xavi Bird.   RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Who are the World Cup favourites? (03:00) • PART 2: England (5:30) • PART 3: Spain with Pol Ballus (20:00)  • PART 4a: Brazil (27:00) • PART 4b: Argentina (38:00) • PART 5: France with Tom Williams (46:00) • PART 6a: Rule changes? (53:00) • PART 6b: Portugal (56:00) • PART 6c: Germany (1:04:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  3. 6d ago

    PSG pip Arsenal to Champions League on penalties, as Liverpool sack Slot

    Paris Saint-Germain retain the Champions League via a shootout after drawing with Arsenal in Budapest. Jimbo has Daniel Storey, Tom Williams and Adrian Clarke for company as the club campaign draws to a close. It's heartbreak for the Gunners as the wait for a first Champions League trophy goes on. PSG on the other hand join Real Madrid as the only teams to keep hold of the European Cup in the Champions League era. Huge news elsewhere as Liverpool decide to part company with Arne Slot, with Andoni Iraola seemingly set to take over at Anfield. Produced by Charlie Jones RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: PSG beat Arsenal in the Champions League final on pens (01:00) • PART 2: Liverpool sack Slot - Iraola in? (31:00) • PART 3: Farewell club season (37:30)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  4. Inter Totally Cup semi-finals!

    May 30

    Inter Totally Cup semi-finals!

    Quizmaster Jimbo is back in the hotseat as he hosts the semi-finals of the 2026 Inter Totally Cup. Semi final no.1 sees one of the tournament's hot favourites, Michael Cox up against the serial finalist, Tom Williams. And the second semi-final pits tournament debutant Colin Millar against the holder, Producer Charlie. Will it be 4 English representatives taking home the big European trophies this month? Or can the plucky Welsh and Northern Irish outsiders make it to the 2026 final? Produced by Charlie Jones and Jesse Howard, questions by Nick Miller. RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: The Inter Totally SF draw (0.45) • PART 2: Michael Cox Vs Tom Williams (2.15) • PART 3: Collin Millar Vs Producer Charlie (13.50) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  5. May 28

    Palace win Conference League - can Arsenal beat PSG in the Champions League?

    Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano to win the UEFA Conference League in Leipzig. It’s a third trophy in 12 months for the Eagles, who’d previously never won any major competition.   Special guest Reuben Pinder dials in from Germany to join Jimbo, Duncan Alexander, Jack Lang and Colin Millar.   Palace will be in the Europa League next season, the competition they were kicked out of last summer. Outgoing boss Oliver Glasner says the ultimate parting gift is getting to watch the club in the competition they deserved to be in this season. Does he deserve a statue outside Selhurst Park?   The Champions League Final is up next with Arsenal playing PSG in Budapest. Can the Gunners win the competition for the first time ever and make it a clean sweep for English sides in European cups? Or will the Parisians become only the second team in the Champions League era to retain their title?   All this plus Anthony Gordon is off to Barcelona and Nuno Espirito Santo is staying at West Ham.   Produced by Charlie Jones and Xavi Bird.     RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Palace celebrations (03:00) • PART 2: Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano with Reuben Pinder (06:30) • PART 3a: Gordon to Barcelona (21:00)  • PART 3b: Nuno staying at West Ham (26:00) • PART 4: Who’s going to win the Champions League Final? (31:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  6. Como & Roma in the Champions League as Milan crash out of top four

    May 26

    Como & Roma in the Champions League as Milan crash out of top four

    It’s the final Euro show of the season and Jimbo is joined by the usual gang of Pol Ballús, James Horncastle, Tom Williams and a flying visit from Seb Stafford-Bloor to discuss how it’s all panned out on the Continent.   In Italy, AC Milan let Champions League football slip on the final day, letting go of a 1-0 lead against Cagliari to lose 2-1 and allow Roma and Como to finish in the top four. It’s the first time Como have ever qualified for Europe! But there are grim scenes at the Turin derby, where kick off between Juventus and Torino is delayed for an hour due to clashes between fans.   Spain have named their World Cup squad without any Real Madrid players for the first time ever. Are they one of the favourites for the whole tournament? The domestic season finishes with Girona and Mallorca being relegated alongside Real Oviedo, but there’s still more to come for Rayo Vallecano who face Crystal Palace in the Conference League Final on Wednesday.   Lens have won the Coupe de France for the first time in their history, beating Nice 3-1 in the Final. The team also look ahead to Ligue 1 winners PSG’s Champions League Final against Arsenal.   Harry Kane is yet again the man for Bayern Munich as he scores a hattrick in the DFB Pokal Final against Stuttgart to secure a domestic double for the Bavarians.   Plus – second division side Torreense shock Sporting CP to win the Taca de Portugal.   Produced by Lucy Oliva & Xavi Bird.   RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Moments of the weekend (3:00) • PART 2: Serie A review – Joy for Como and Roma, but what’s going on at Milan? (15:00) • PART 3: La Liga review – No Real Madrid players for Spain and final day heartbreak for Mallorca & Girona (34:00) • PART 4a: Harry Kane wins the Pokal (49:00) • PART 4b: Torreense shock Sporting (52:00) • PART 4c: Lens win Coupe de France (55:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. May 24

    Spurs stay up as West Ham drop down to the Championship

    It’s salvation for Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi as they beat Everton. But Nuno’s West Ham are relegated despite victory over Leeds. Jimbo has Daniel Storey and Tom Williams for company after the conclusion of the 25/26 Premier League season. Elsewhere, Sunderland are the big winners on Matchday 38, claiming a spot in the Europa League alongside Bournemouth. Victory for the Black Cats means no European football for Xabi Alonso at Chelsea next season. Brighton will play in the Conference League, despite a 3-0 defeat to Man United in which Bruno Fernandes claims the all-time Premier League assists record. Champions Arsenal are winners at Palace while Pep Guardiola’s final game as Man City manager ends in defeat to Europa League winners Aston Villa. Plus Hull City will be in the top-flight next season after their play-off final victory over Middlesbrough. Produced by Charlie Jones RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Final day thoughts - how would you rate this season? (02:00) • PART 2a: Tottenham 1-0 Everton (08:30) • PART 2b: West Ham relegated with Roshane Thomas (15:30)  • PART 3a: Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea with Chris Weatherspoon (25:00) • PART 3b: Forest 1-1 Bournemouth (33:00) • PART 3c: Brighton 0-3 Man United (36:00) • PART 3d: Liverpool 1-1 Brentford (38:00) • PART 3e: Man City 1-2 Aston Villa and the rest of the action (41:00) • PART 4a: Hull promoted to the Premier League with Baz Cooper (48:00) • PART 4b: The England World Cup squad (53:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  8. May 21

    Villa win the Europa League - will former winners Spurs go down on Sunday?

    Aston Villa make light work of Freiburg to claim their first trophy in 30 years and Unai Emery’s 5th Europa League. Jimbo, Duncan Alexander, Charlie Eccleshare, Jay Harris and Jacob Tanswell take in another marquee achievement from Villa under Emery and ponder the power the Premier League now has. Last year’s winners Spurs are 90 minutes from salvation or relegation. They need to avoid defeat to Everton and hope that West Ham don’t beat Leeds. Which 60,000 seater stadium will be in the Championship next season? There’s a heck of a race for Europe which could see Bournemouth or Brighton qualify for the Champions League. The Championship play-off final takes place at Wembley on Saturday between Hull City and Southampton substitute Middlesbrough. Elsewhere, will Slot select Salah? And what lengths will Bruno Fernandes go to for the Premier League assist record? Produced by Charlie Jones RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Arsenal celebrations (01:00) • PART 2: Aston Villa 3-0 Freiburg with Jacob Tanswell (03:00) • PART 3: Who will go down? Spurs or West Ham? (21:00)  • PART 4a: Who’s qualifying for Europe? (31:00) • PART 4b: Championship play-off final preview (42:00) • PART 4c: Quiz question answer (45:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
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James Richardson and Team Totally are here four times a week throughout the season with all the football news and chat you need - and plenty that you don’t. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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