The Athletic FC Podcast - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Ayo is hands down the best facilitator on any soccer pod I’ve listened to. The guests are thoughtful and interesting, and I’m always learning more about the wide world of football through this show. Cheers!

I listen to this podcast each episode, but without Mark Chapman as host I’ve noticed the conversation becomes more “banter” and less journalistic and insightful. I can understand if I’m in the minority - my favorite era of this podcast was when Mark and Matt Slater hosted the business of sport every Thursday on this channel (intro music included) - but think the feed could use some more long form or in depth coverage in that vein (which may just mean we need more Adam Crafton)

I refrain from giving this show a five-star rating only because of the weekend preview which is unlistenable. Awful. I haven’t finished a single episode. I loved the odds on last season show (even though I’m not a betting man) and especially the weekend quizzes which I always paused the pod to try and answer. I literally looked forward to Fridays. Bring Dan Bardell and the crew back, please.

Ayo’s hosting has been consistently excellent. He brings in the right guests and maintains a positive atmosphere, although at times he could delve deeper into challenging questions.

While most journalists associated with the show are impartial, there are a couple of exceptions. George Caulkin’s comparison of Newcastle’s history to Manchester United’s and Simon Hughes’ assertion that Liverpool winning the Premier League would rank among the greatest achievements ever has to be one of the worst takes for me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions though.

This show is appointment listening for me each morning, in no small part because the conversational production style. The latest episode seemed to be experimenting with a presentation like ‘The Daily,’ with annoying, unnecessary musical interludes and tv coverage sound bites. Don’t wreck this show by trying to turn it into ‘The Daily: Football!’ Please! These production elements add nothing to the shows they are used in other than distraction.

This Athletic show underperforms compared to its other club specific offerings. Ayo is a solid host but they have too many guest hosts that are a big drop off. Dan in particular is just unpleasant. Constant snide remarks and has nothing nice to say about any club. He strikes me as the kind of English fan that actually takes more joy in other clubs losing than his club winning. If that’s your thing ok but it’s not for me. The show is obsessed with City acting like they are entitled to win the league and constantly run down other clubs like their wins are lucky. Honestly the show is just boring unless you’re a casual bandwagon fan who cheers for whomever is winning the league. There is very little insight or counter narrative provided in this show. Better options out there that are balanced and more interesting.