Hand Of Pod

Hand Of Pod returns from an extended winter break, and in episode 263 Sam is joined by English Dan and Andrés to run the rule over Argentina's latest two disappointing World Cup qualifying performances. What went wrong against Uruguay and Venezuela? Is the problem solely tactical or are there, in fact, not really any of the right options even available for selection in the midfield? These are just two of the question we ask. In the second half, we take a very brief look at how the Superliga season began two weeks ago, in an opening round Sam didn't see and which Andrés and Dan have mostly forgotten. Don't worry, we'll be back up to full speed next week.

The two hundred and sixty-second episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés bid farewell to a memorable 2016-17 season which ended with Boca Juniors crowned champions of Argentina for the thirty-second time, and with Sarmiento, Atlético de Rafaela, Quilmes and Aldosivi being relegated. Sam takes you through the ins and outs of Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana qualification (still pending, because the Copa Argentina final isn't until the end of the year), and we discuss what made Boca worthy champions, what some of the other clubs will be thinking of their seasons, and our players of the season, including Sam's Domestic Argentina Squad, which you'll find on the HOP blogpost accompanying this episode. This is our last episode for a couple of months - we'll be back when Sam returns from his holidays, probably at the start of September.

In the two hundred and sixty-first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés look back on Jorge Sampaoli's first two matches as Argentina manager, which ended in two victories, seven goals scored and none conceded - although one was a lot closer as a contest than the other. We also cast our eyes forwards towards his competitive debut at the end of August, where they'll be no margin for error. As well as this, we've a title run-in to consider, with this weekend's matches followed almost immediately by a round in midweek; by the time we next record, Boca Juniors could very well be champions.

The two hundred and sixtieth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés looking back over a weekend which saw River Plate lose ground in potentially decisive fashion to Boca Juniors, whose win over Independiente - combined with River's defeat to San Lorenzo - sent them four points clear with just three matches remaining. It was also an interesting weekend for the relegation battle, and we look over the key results there. On Friday, Jorge Sampaoli's reign as Argentina manager begins in earnest with a friendly in Australia against Brazil, and we also preview that.

The two hundred and fifty-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, English Dan and Andrés discuss a fine clásico win for Racing against ten-man San Lorenzo and a victory for Talleres over a controversially under-strength Atlético Tucumán. The big stories, though, were dropped points for both Boca Juniors and River Plate, who drew away to Huracán and at home to Rosario Central respectively. Was Huracán's late penalty controversial? (Erm, no.) Should River be kicking themselves? (Perhaps.) And are Arsenal de Sarandí and Sarmiento both going down? (Yes, surely.)

The two hundred and fifty-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod comes after a weekend in which the relegation battle became significantly more heated, with most of the sides in or near the drop zone winning (in some cases significantly against expectations). Sam, English Dan and Andrés consider the weekend's key moments, and also look at a title race which is increasingly looking like a straight sprint between leaders Boca Juniors and second placed River Plate. We also have a roundup of all the Copa Libertadores groups, which come to an end this week, and in a HOP first, a head-to-head in this week's mystical predictions!

The two hundred and fifty-seventh episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, English Dan and Andrés gather to look back on a dramatic weekend of clásico action in which the biggest headline was River Plate putting the title right up for grabs (possibly for themselves) by defeating Boca Juniors 3-1 in La Bombonera in the superclásico. Boca's league lead is three points over San Lorenzo, but would be just a point were River to win their game in hand. San Lorenzo themselves got yet another clásico win against Huracán - because of course they did, come on - and Newell's Old Boys missed the chance to join in the fun at the top, losing 3-1 at home to Rosario Central. The relegation race is hotting up as well, and some Copa Libertadores groups are coming to a conclusion - shortly after we recorded, San Lorenzo secured top spot in Group 4 in highly dramatic circumstances.

pisode 256 of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by Andrés and Dan to look back on a weekend during which Newell's Old Boys failed to take advantage of yet more dropped points from league leaders Boca Juniors. More to the point, we're looking forward to a weekend full of clásicos in the Argentine Primera which could see Boca take a huge step towards the title - or, especially if a River Plate win in La Bombonera is combined with a win for Newell's in the Rosario derby, could breath new life into the title race just ahead of the run-in. The first attempt at uploading this episode was met with disaster due to a fault in the file - it was only online for a minute or two so hopefully subscription services won't have picked it up, but if you find the sound on your file cuts out after about 26 minutes, download again from here or our Soundcloud page - the version that's now online is the full show. Sorry.

The two hundred and fifty-fifth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés meet to discuss a weekend during which there was no change at the very top of the Primera: Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys both won, meaning Boca remain three points clear at the top. There was some re-ordering of the sides just below, though - partly thanks to yet another home draw for Independiente - and a dramatic shaking up of the relegation dogfight after shock wins for Atlético de Rafaela and Quilmes. We also look again at the Copa Libertadores and developments which have the potential to affect the immediate future of the Argentine national team, as well as explaining another new rumour about the next Primera championship. Oh, and HOP listeners within reach of London will want to listen out for a discount code to get 10% off tickets to the upcoming London Festival of Football Writing!

In the two hundred and fifty-fourth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés take you through a weekend of thoroughly entertaining matches, including two that ended 4-3, a convincing win (combined with a very unconvincing draw) that took Newell's Old Boys to within three points of league leaders Boca Juniors, and a frustrating draw that meant River Plate failed to go third. We consider Rodrigo Bentancur's form now his mega-money move to Juventus has been confirmed, and ask whether he (for Uruguay) or Ezequiel Barco (for Argentina) will be travelling to South Korea for the Under-20 World Cup. All this, as well as listeners' questions, and some predictions for the weekend to come from Mystic Andrés.