Wrighty's House

With European club competitions returning and an international break on the horizon, Ian is joined by Ryan Hunn to look ahead at the potential chaos facing the Premier League fixtures and how it could affect things at the top and bottom of the table (00:56). Then, it’s time for the first-ever mailbag segment, where they answer questions on strikers Wrighty wishes he had played with (26:38), playing a football tournament with David Rocastle when they were kids (29:59), and playing behind closed doors (32:06). There are also questions on moments of joy during a difficult year (38:09), lying down behind the wall (45:13), duetting with Alan Shearer (48:05), and what it’s like being in EA Sports’ FIFA video game (49:03). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Ryan Hunn of 'Stadio' and Carl Anka of 'The Athletic' to chat about the transfer deadline (03:43) and online abuse in the wake of more footballers being racially abused on social media (08:02). They then look at some of the finishing in the draw between Arsenal and Manchester United (26:18) before breaking down Mo Salah’s touch and some of the other great finishes from the weekend (36:43), and then flowers go to Patrick Bamford (48:51). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Musa Okwonga for what we’re now calling an "Uncle Special." They begin by chatting about Wrighty’s coat, which was memed after the weekend’s FA Cup coverage (01:03) then move on to discuss Musa’s new book, 'In the End It Was All About Love' (03:12). They reflect on living in Berlin, the parallels in their respective careers, the role of sacrifice, and whether they would have changed anything on their journeys (10:23). They also cover Manchester United's statement win over Liverpool (17:09), Jesse Lingard’s imminent departure (22:58), Frank Lampard leaving Chelsea (28:27), flowers for Steph Houghton following her 150th Barclays FAWSL appearance (38:38), and the arrival of Martin Odegaard to Arsenal (42:41). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Ryan Hunn to chat about the current state of the Premier League (01:02) as well as the pros and cons of there being so much football. There are flowers for John Stones (11:35), talk about the Barclays FA WSL after Chelsea inflicted a first defeat of the season on Casey Stoney’s Manchester United (15:55), and a look back at Mesut Özil’s time at Arsenal (26:28). They wrap up by handing out more flowers, this time to Wayne Rooney (39:39). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Jeanette Kwakye and Ryan Hunn to discuss the Premier League's FA Cup on full show (01:07) thanks to Spurs’ trip to Marine and upsets by Chorley and Crawley. They also discuss how surroundings and conditions can affect an elite athlete’s performance and mindset (07:29), Emile Smith Rowe’s continuing emergence, and the time Ian wound up his good friend Alan Shearer (13:47). Louie Barry and a young Aston Villa get a shout-out for their showing against Liverpool (19:33), as do Sheffield United, who won in the midst of a poor run (24:55). Fran Kirby gets her flowers for her four goals for Chelsea following a difficult period of her career (27:26). Finally, there’s some talk about what everyone’s watching, and Ian gives a detailed, tactical breakdown of 'Shrek Forever After' (36:19). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Musa Okwonga to discuss Southampton’s win over Liverpool and there being a genuine Premier League title race (01:15). They then move on to Mauricio Pochettino being named head coach of PSG (13:54) and give flowers to Eberechi Eze following his brilliant goal over the weekend and his impact at Crystal Palace (22:30). They also chat about Arsenal’s improvement over the festive period, with some love for Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe (35:41) before taking a look at some of the Premier League’s best players for December (44:51). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final 'Wrighty’s House' of the year, Ian is joined by Jeanette Kwakye, Musa Okwonga and Ryan Hunn (Carl Anka couldn’t be there but was there in spirit) for an unscripted chat over a drink or two. They begin with tales of Christmas, parenting and dinner pressure (01.14), plus the first time Musa and Ryan met Ian (12.15). There’s chat about the science and artistry of being an elite athlete (19.14), sporting intelligence (27.50), and Jeanette tells a story about competing in an Olympic final (35.33) and the pressure of performing on the biggest stage. Ian shares his experience of playing against Italy in 1997 (39.13), and they discuss some of their favorite moments of the year (47.14). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this festive episode of 'Wrighty’s House,' Ian is joined by Jeanette Kwakye and The Athletic’s Carl Anka to discuss their Christmas plans (01.17) and what non-football gift they would give to Premier League managers (07.09). Then they discuss Christmas rituals as a footballer, athlete, and journalist. There’s some Arsenal chat (15.20), plus who would make their Premier League team of the season so far (30.13). Then they look back at the final round of the Barclays Women’s Super League before Christmas (53.28). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Ian is joined by Stadio’s Ryan Hunn to chat about France’s Ballon d’Or dream team—which selections they agree with and who they feel missed out (01:15). Next, in the wake of Lucien Favre’s sacking from Dortmund, Ian gives insight into what it’s like for a player during a managerial change at a club (17:34), and flowers are given to Scott Parker and Ademola Lookman for a great turnaround in performances at Fulham (32:53). There are also flowers for Ralph Hasenhüttl, whose Southampton side visits Arsenal (37:24). Lastly, Ian gives his thoughts on the current situation at Arsenal (42:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian is joined by Stadio's Ryan Hunn and The Athletic's Carl Anka to discuss Paul Pogba's current situation and agents' role in football following Mino Raiola’s interview about the French World Cup winner wanting to leave Manchester United (1:06). They also talk super subs, give flowers to Jermain Defoe (15:05) and Son Heung-min, and commend Spurs’ continued improvement (24:54). They also discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent comments about playing at Anfield and the importance of fans (40:54), reflect on Millwall fans booing players taking a knee and why the gesture remains important (56:12), and wrap up with some chat from the Barclays WSL (59:48). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices