Set Piece Menu Football Podcast

The football: The team asks a question of the Premier League, and it's simple. "What are you doing?" Amidst relative clarity elsewhere, the Premier League seems to be awash with indecision regarding a possible restart post-pandemic, and while the constitutional makeup of the league makes its position harder than most, why does there appear to be such an inability to forge a path forward? The food: Still in lockdown, the food offerings are becoming more and more unimpressive. Steve cooks eggs, Rory has soup, while Chinch is forced into the rare position of having to make his own lunch. After negotiating the troublesome conundrum of what it is that pitta bread does, he simply spreads peanut butter on it. ***We are planning a special upcoming show called SPM Live! (It's not Live) - and we want you to be involved. If you'd like the chance to be involved (via Zoom) email us now: setpiecemenu@gmail.com Disclaimer: numbers will be limited and if your name is not on the door you won't be let in!*** All other corre

The football: Lockdown has taken real football away, but for many a football fan, it has provided more time for virtual football. For closing in on three decades, Football (previously Championship) Manager and FIFA have not only been entertaining us, but particularly for younger generations, offering a gateway into the game. We discuss (at great length, suggesting we are as addicted to our own voices as millions are to the two games) how they have affected and influenced us, and football. The food: Macaroni cheese, prepared by Mrs Hinchcliffe for her granddaughter. The dish can also be eaten by adults, which is news to Mr Hinchcliffe. All emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com And you can find us on twitter @setpiecemenu and www.facebook.com/setpiecemenu

The football: The SPM Draft. The team each attempt to pick a team's worth of players, following the rules of a draft. Which positions are prioritised, and what strategies are adopted as players come off the board? There is a lot of bickering, and bullying of Hugh, who despite doing all the work to prepare for the draft, turns out to be terrible at it. The food: Steven is responsible for this week's food the rest of the pod crew can't eat. It's a cheese, chorizo, ham and red pepper omelette, which his family apparently very much enjoyed. Let us know what you think of our teams - we'll post them on twitter @setpiecemenu Email: setpiecemenu@gmail.com

The football: We discuss the what, who and why now of the potential takeover of Newcastle United in large part by the Saudi Arabian royal family's sovereign investment fund. With all football, never mind the Premier League, in a state of some financial uncertainty, is this proof that money remains king, regardless of those who might be concerned that the deal represents another example of 'sportswashing'. The food: A banana and pecan cake, baked by Hugh, and because of the lockdown, entirely eaten by Hugh. Thanks for all your emails, and we hope you're staying safe. Send any correspondence to setpiecemenu@gmail.com, or @setpiecemenu on twitter.

The football: The coronavirus pandemic has revealed two truths about football, particularly in England, that were perhaps previously hidden. Some of those within the game might be a little too self-serving, and many clubs' finances are very fragile. So the team suggests that football needs one voice, and better accountants. The food: Lunch in four different places. One is simply an apple and a twirl, while another is pitta bread filled with turkey, avocado, egg and salad. You'll probably be able to guess who is responsible for those two at least... Thanks for all your emails and tweets! Continue to keep us company during the lockdown by sending them to: setpiecemenu@gmail.com or @setpiecemenu

The football: It's time for the SPM ESL. After many requests to speculate which teams might fill a European Super League, and the (kinda) successful precedent of our reset Premier League in pods gone by, it's time for us to use our trademarked criteria to pick the 20 clubs that'll doubtless annoy everyone. Remember: geographical spread!!! The food: Steven has stockpiled successfully enough to still have some bagels and bacon, which leads to bacon bagels. Send any emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com Or tweets to @setpiecemenu

The football: Part two of our conversation about conversations. In this episode we talk about the erosion of trust between fans and the media, and lay blame squarely (if not equally) at the door of both. The food: A coconut cake, which Hugh is a little disappointed with, but Steven still eats very loudly. Email us at setpiecemenu@gmail.com Twitter: @setpiecemenu

The football: Part one of two about how fans talk about football, or as is becoming more apparent, everything but. Why do fans engage with others fans less about the game, but more about, as Marina Hyde put it, football-adjacent topics? And how is this a symptom of a greater malaise in the sport, and society? The food: Sandwiches from Burton Road Bakery, consumed in record time, particularly by Rory, even though he didn't get the crawfish he asked for. Emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com Tweets to @setpiecemenu Part 2 about fans and the media comes next week!

The football: Such is the fast-moving nature of the coronavirus situation, last week's pod was rendered out of date pretty quickly, but that's not going to stop us making the same mistake again this week. We consider how and when the postponement of all football might eventually be resolved, with several hastily-constructed solutions offered. The food: Fudge. Perfect for a crisis, and still available in shops. Plus kit-kats, and a 'promise' from Steve of something more substantial, one as vague as the date we'll all have football back in our lives. Thanks for all your emails (setpiecemenu@gmail.com) and tweets (@setpiecemenu)!

The football: Behind closed doors, a temporary postponement, or a full cancellation? We discuss how the coronavirus outbreak might affect the rest of the European season, and potentially Euro 2020, and ask how much football's response, particularly in England, has been shaped by its desire not to lose money. The food: Biltong. South African dried, cured meat which has been provided by Hugh, although he'd already polished off around 75% of it prior to the pod recording. Please keep all your emails coming in to setpiecemenu@gmail.com And post us a 5-star review on iTunes!

The football: As it enters its 25th year, and with a new team partly owned by David Beckham, we talk about MLS. Is it still encumbered by the negative narratives that has dogged its past; or with an aggressive expansion, competitive consistency, and better stadium solutions, should we take MLS more seriously? And if we aren't, is that our problem, not theirs? The food: Rory has been on his travels, so we welcome him back with something that screams Manchester: some salami from his favourite Italian deli. Thank you for all your contributions to this episode via email (setpiecemenu@gmail.com) and twitter (@setpiecemenu) - keep them coming on any subject!

The football: With the season about to enter its most crucial stage, how important is the preparation the players do, and the mindset they're in ahead of big games? Is it more mental than physical, and how is it affected by the manager, either in training, or with what he says to the media? The food: Hot cross buns. Given that the provision of said seasonal snack is universally popular, there is a surprising amount of discord about how they should be presented. Send your emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com and please head to iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts to give us five stars and a ridiculously sycophantic review!

The football: Is there a footballer in the team you hate that you don't hate that much? Which player rises above the tribal fury of the age to remain likeable, even if he turns out for your rivals? We attempt to collate, and then arrange a team which appears to contain far too many diminutive Spanish playmakers. The food: York Fruits. A blast from everybody's past, provided by Hugh, and devoured by everyone else, leaving not nearly enough for Hugh's wife Gemma. Our weekly request for emails can be responded to thusly: setpiecemenu@gmail.com Also please head to iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts to give us a 5 star review, accompanied by a few words that drip almost unpleasantly with flattery

The football: 2020 has been almost exclusively spent considering the enduring value of England's domestic cup competitions, and so we thought we'd weigh in. Do they still matter, and what do they mean to clubs, players and fans in the modern era? The food: Rory delivers baked eggs, that have previously appeared on the pod, but in their Mexican form, so he's not repeating himself. Please give us 5 star ratings and senselessly sycophantic reviews on iTunes! Also send us an email, literally about anything, to setpiecemenu@gmail.com

The football: Do professional footballers actually enjoy playing the game as much as amateurs? Us mortals love a kick about, and if we're lucky enough, scoring a rare goal. But if those activities and achievements are your job, and part of your daily routine, does it thrill as much? The food: Steven has been inspired by his local haunt the Burton Road Bakery, and delivered some impressive chicken, mozzarella and red pesto toasted sandwiches. Email us! setpiecemenu@gmail.com Rate us! Head to iTunes and give us five stars!

The football: Captaincy. What makes a good captain, how much does the on- and off-field role differ, and why was English football accused of obsessing about the role too much by Fabio Capello? Also, we reveal how many games for which Chinch had the role. Hint: He's had both more England caps, and indeed wives. The food: Stroopwaffles. Yes, not for the first time. Hugh's wife has been to Holland with work before and brought back this Dutch delicacy for the pod crew. But this time they're APPLE flavour. So there. Send us an email on setpiecemenu@gmail.com

The football: Charisma. Can a manager be successful without it? And what forms does it take in football beyond the dictionary definition? We talk about all the people you're thinking about now, and also Nigel Pearson. The food: Crumpets. The offer of savoury or sweet toppings by Hugh produces one single answer: bacon. The accompaniments vary however; with cheese (Chinch), maple syrup (Rory), and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (Steve, obviously) chosen by the team. Get in touch via email on setpiecemenu@gmail.com

The football: Does the media treat Manchester City and Liverpool differently? Is there an #agenda against or for either when you compare the coverage of the two? We consider the complaints made by fans and suggest what the remedies might be. The food: Cake, in duplicate. Rory's made a St Clement's cake, which makes a first appearance, while there's a return for the Ferris family Christmas cake, which Hugh has very much not made. All emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com and please head to iTunes and give us a 5 star review!

The football: The last decade brought about a significant power shift in the Premier League, so what are the chances of the 2020s providing more of the same? We consider that predictions of Manchester City's continuing dominance have already turned out to be wrong, so it's likely that everything we say in this episode will be wide of the mark too. The food: Pastries, provided not by Andy, but by his step-daughter Carly, who insisted on going to Budgens so she could sneak in a cheeky smoke on the way. 2020 is the year of rating and reviewing. Or at least, we'd like it to be. Please head to iTunes and give us 5 stars! Any emails to setpiecemenu@gmail.com

Happy New Year from Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. The football: New year, new you, old us. Instead of looking ahead to a prosperous 2020, we are filling the final of our festive pod slots with the culmination of an idea we had at the end of 2019, by bringing together your suggestions for a not-yet trademarked Select XI of players that didn't live up to their hype. NB: We are dissatisfied with one player, so your help is still needed... The food: Just like millions of households all over the world, we are picking our way through something sugary that might have been given as a cheap and easy Christmas present. You can't remember who it was from, and you're regretting eating it almost immediately. In our case, it's some salted caramel pretzels. Your suggestions to what we'll call our 'JAB' problem and other correspondence to setpiecemenu@gmail.com and @setpiecemenu