Hand Of Pod

The three hundred and eighth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés discuss a weekend of Superliga action in which River Plate flattered to deceive, Boca Juniors lost and thus ended a long run of being top or joint top, and Edgardo Bauza's Rosario Central got another 1-0 win thanks to a headed goal.

The three hundred and seventh episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, English Dan and Andrés look back on a Superliga opening round that was notable for three teams only drawing after going 2-0 up, and not an awful lot else apart from Huracán's atrocious pitch. There's some Copa Libertadores action to review as well, and we also tackle some of the likely names in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad, which was announced about 14 hours after we finished recording.

In the three hundred and sixth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés preview the 2018–19 Superliga season, which kicks off on Friday evening, and also have a look at the Copa Libertadores round of sixteen, which began on Tuesday evening with Estudiantes' surprise win over defending champions Grêmio.

The three hundred and fifth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés all excited because there are fewer than ten days remaining until the start of the 2018–19 Superliga season, and we've got some kickoff times to tell you about. We discuss which teams still have some work to do in the transfer market (including a bit of a fuss about whether Boca Juniors should be allowed to sign the left back they want), River Plate's rather lovely kit, which is free of sponsors on the chest until December, and the AFA's apparent decision to wait until December before deciding on a new manager; it seems youth team managers Lionel Scaloni and Pablo Aimar will be in charge of the Argentina team who will head to the United States for friendlies against Colombia and Guatemala next month.

The three hundred and fourth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés catching up with what's been going on in the Copa Argentina, which has seen a number of shocks this year but notably not in Independiente's or River Plate's matches since we last recorded – those two scored fifteen goals between them in seeing off Central Ballester and Central Norte respectively. There's also a look at the round of 32 of the Copa Sudamericana, which is well underway (indeed, for Lanús it's finished) and listeners' questions ranging from the national team to Argentines abroad to the structure of the Superliga and the mysterious Copa de la Superliga.

The three hundred and third episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by Andrés to discuss where the Argentine national team go next after parting ways with Jorge Sampaoli, and also to look forward to the upcoming Superliga season and go over the main transfer business of the window so far.

The inevitable has happened: Argentina are out of the 2018 World Cup after a 4-3 defeat to France in the second round. In the three hundred and second episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam is joined by Andrés and English Dan to pick over the bones of the defeat, and of the chaotic campaign that led to it. Listeners' questions cover what the next steps should be, who might come into the team in the next few years, whether Jorge Sampaoli should remain as manager, and much more besides.

For the three hundred and first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés are celebrating after Argentina's last-gasp 2-1 win over Nigeria saw them through Group D of the 2018 World Cup in second place behind Croatia, and into a second round tie against France. Were the players really picking the team? Was Javier Mascherano awful or amazing? Is Marcos Rojo the greatest footballer of all time? All these questions and more are up for consideration.

The three hundredth episode of Hand Of Pod is a less celebratory affair than we'd hoped for such a landmark, with Sam and English Dan picking over the bones of Argentina's second half catastrophe against Croatia, which leaves them needing to beat Nigeria – possibly comfortably – on Tuesday if they're going to advance. We ask what needs to change, when these problems first took root. Thanks to all our listeners for sticking with us through 300 episodes. We hope you continue to enjoy the show!

The two hundred and ninety-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan and Andrés to look back on a faltering start to the World Cup group stage for Argentina, who drew 1-1 with Iceland on Saturday. What changes is Jorge Sampaoli making? What changes should he make? And how much scope for improvement is there, really? Perhaps foolishly, we're remaining optimistic about the Croatia game, which we'll review in HOP300 on Friday.