The Big Interview

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Peter Crouch from season two, when the striker was still playing football, at Stoke City.

There was a myth about Peter: that he had a good touch for a big bloke. In reality, he just had a fabulous touch, period. He gives us an amazing insight into the relentless practice – as well as the instinct – behind some of his most famous goals, including an extraordinary overhead kick which he netted for Liverpool against Galatasaray.

Peter speaks about his sheer joy for the game, and how he was inspired by watching guys like Roy Wegerle who played in an exciting QPR team. He waxes lyrical about Gareth Bale – a player he always knew would make it at the highest level, and explains ‘The Stoke Effect’ – how top sides like Arsenal choke whenever they visit The bet365 Stadium.

Brilliant stuff

Graham

Last season, our Socios at Patreon got an exclusive interview with Shay Given. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

In part two, Shay speaks about the loneliness of life between the sticks, who the world’s best No1s are and why, and why we now live in such a golden era of goalkeeping.
Former Newcastle stalwart Shay also describes his best-ever save, denying Kevin Phillips with his fingertips in a Tyne-Wear derby, and the ecstasy of narrowly clinching a World Cup place in front of 100,000 passionate Iranians.

If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio

Last season, our Socios at Patreon got an exclusive interview with Shay Given. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

Ever heard about the one about the Irish coastguard getting called out to ‘rescue’ Damien Duff? Shay relates this story, and others, from his time as goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland, for whom he won an incredible 134 caps. He also tells how hard graft on the family farm during his early years made him the man he is, and why he considers socialising so crucial to team bonding.

If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio

In part two of our conversation, Tim Sherwood delves into Blackburn’s incredible league win of ’95.

The race between Kenny Dalglish’s side and Alex Ferguson’s great Manchester United team was epic, and no love was lost between the Glaswegian managers. It was a nerve-racking, ding-dong affair between real men which went down to the final day. Tim admits that Rovers would never have recovered if they had blown it. Incredibly, Blackburn had to train on a public park, regularly pausing their drills to let funeral corteges through to a nearby cemetery.

Tim is also great talking about his coaching and managerial career, not least identifying and developing youngsters. In his view, fledgling players need to go out on loan to toughen up and learn the ropes, but he prefers League One where they will get a game, rather than the Championship where they will warm the bench. Tim was foiled in his efforts to bring Isco and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Tottenham, but he was the sole voice at Spurs who kept the faith in a teenage Harry Kane.

Fascinating stuff from a great guy.

Graham

Tim Sherwood is a true football man. An accomplished, intelligent midfielder and a natural leader, he captained Blackburn Rovers to their famous Premier League title win in season 1994-95.

In part one of our chat, he describes how a coach at Norwich changed his attitude; he gave up on showboating and grew up, into a team player. The transformed Tim was hot property, and he explains how Kenny Dalglish recruited him for his Blackburn project from under the noses of Derby County. Glory beckoned.

Rovers had hard, winning players like David Speedie and Gordon Cowans. Tim himself could be tough – he once pulled out Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit’s hair band and made him cry. Seriously, that actually happened.

Enjoy

Graham