Evolution of Football: Long Throws, Pep Ball & Has Data Officially DESTROYED the Game?

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids take a hilariously chaotic deep dive into how football has evolved — from Sunday League chaos to Pep-inspired tactical revolutions. The lads debate how analytics, player freedom, and “DNA” have changed the game forever, reminiscing about the days when defenders could “absolutely destroy” someone without a hundred cameras watching.Expect sidetracks galore — from Center Parcs chaos, dodgy camera angles, and “missionary” score predictions to the invention of Crouchy’s Skill of the Week. There’s also a serious football chat about how big clubs influence playing styles, why corners are “ruined forever,” and how long throws are making a comeback.To top it all off, the boys pitch their next big idea: turning their paint colours into reality… any paint companies out there fancy it? Chumbawamba 00:00 – Chris’ chaotic intro from the floor at home02:00 – Sidwell’s “in memoriam” photo mix-up07:00 – The new time-wasting punishment no one understands09:00 – Why Brits go wild for corners (and why Crouchy won’t stand anymore)14:00 – United’s fan who won’t cut his hair until 5 wins in a row16:40 – Shoutouts and hilarious name readings from Instagram24:00 – A profound metaphor about “trusting your first wipe”34:30 – The changing face of football and Pep’s influence36:30 – Why copying City’s system ruins smaller clubs38:30 – Club DNA vs Manager DNA – has football lost its roots?45:00 – Have players lost freedom because of over-analysis?51:30 – The ‘Skill of the Week’ idea is born55:30 – The lads pitch a Peter Crouch football training camp01:03:20 – Why long throws are making a comeback01:12:00 – The ‘Tancock’ paint idea takes over the podcastWith my code CROUCH30, new customers get 30% OFFat uk.huel.com/therapycrouch30. Please check the description for terms andconditions. Unlock a lighter, easier way to fuel your day with Huel Lite, soyou can focus on what really matters. MOV is £39 and that the code is forLite only for a limited amount of time.Follow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Sids, and Chris are joined by James Tarkowski, the no-nonsense centre-back for Everton Football Club. Known for his leadership, resilience, and heart-on-sleeve playing style, Tarkowski opens up about life at Goodison Park, Sean Dyche’s influence, and what it’s really like to play in Merseyside derbies.He shares stories from Burnley’s golden years, the chaos of Everton’s survival seasons, and his thoughts on football’s return to big number 9’s, directness, and long balls. The lads also dive into dressing room psychology, VAR frustrations, and post-football plans — from coaching to business ventures. Expect honest football chat, great banter, and a few unexpected laughs (including Tarky’s Frozen piano moment). Chumbawamba 00:00 – Tribute to Stuart Pearce’s son00:35 – Opening banter and intro with the lads08:45 – Sunday League chaos & Crouchy’s DM prank16:20 – Dyche and managing “grenade” club owners18:40 – Maguire’s redemption & tournament talk35:00 – James Tarkowski joins the pod36:10 – Settling into Everton and the chaotic seasons38:31 – Goodison Park vs. the new stadium41:10 – Grealish’s form and personality off the pitch44:05 – Tarkowski vs. Van Dijk: The Derby Battle48:06 – The famous last-minute volley and the wild celebrations50:35 – Tarkowski’s journey from non-league to Premier League54:05 – Inside Burnley’s dressing room culture57:25 – Sean Dyche’s mind games and Burnley mentality1:03:10 – Life after football & finding new passionsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids are joined by free agent and Crystal Palace legend Joel Ward. From lifting the FA Cup to living in a Bible college, Joel dives deep into the highs, lows, and surprises of his footballing journey.The lads chat about Ward’s free agent life, what it’s really like being on the sidelines after a long stint at a club, and how he's mentoring the next generation at Palace. They also get stuck into proper dressing room stories, the real power of player faith groups, and one of the most intense atmospheres in football — Fratton Park on a European night.Oh, and things take a serious left turn into 18-hour brisket smoking sessions and barbecuing like a pro. Is Joel Ward the best footballing pitmaster in the country? You'll have to listen to find out. Chumbawamba 00:00:00 – Episode opens: remote setup and Ibiza hangover chat00:02:14 – Sids explains how bad weather justified a heavier night out00:03:08 – McDonald's recovery mode: international break confessions00:04:34 – “Three nights in a row is heavy at this age” – big night consequences00:06:10 – Fantasy football standings update: Sid storming into the lead00:07:09 – Cheating Chris out of points?00:10:17 – Ange & Forest: “It’s not going to end well”00:12:54 – Arsenal's mental hurdle: “They have to win a league title NOW”00:19:11 – Crouch’s bet builder: Mo Salah to score first00:25:11 – Steve Bruce story: “His dad asked, ‘How do you stand in that box?’”00:30:53 – Joel Ward joins the pod00:31:15 – Life as a free agent and staying fit at Palace00:33:13 – Winning the FA Cup: “You couldn’t write it”00:34:46 – “I knew we were going to win” – the surreal moment before victory00:35:48 – What it meant for lifelong Palace fans00:36:03 – How the team mentally prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime shot00:38:17 – Why the Palace system works, even without stars00:40:01 – Ward on changing roles and mentoring at Palace00:42:34 – Coaching, faith, and media aspirations00:43:24 – Growing up in a Bible college with 30+ residents00:45:42 – Faith in football: pre-game prayers and support groups00:49:04 – WhatsApp groups with Eze, Trent, and other believers00:52:00 – Coming through the ranks at Portsmouth01:00:00 – Facing AC Milan: “I saw Maldini in the tunnel”01:04:09 – The great football BBQ debate beginsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to ‘And The Award Goes To…’ In this bonus episode - Pete’s been on another pod! Pete swung by the brand new podcast - ‘And The Award Goes To…’ - the podcast that’s also an awards show, as he handed out five awards, across five categories, that Joel made up just for him.Listen in as Pete picks his winners for awards such as Best First Sip of a Pint, Best Goal Celebration of All Time, and The GOAT Indian Order.Follow ‘And The Award Goes To…’On Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotify-and-the-award-...On Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/and-the-award-goes-toOn Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-and-the-award-g...On TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/tiktok-and-the-award-g...On Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/Insta-And-The-Award-Go...On YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTube-And-The-Award-...Brand new episodes of ‘And The Award Goes To’ drop every Friday.Brought to you by Argos and Acast Creative.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Argos or any of its group companies. Descriptions of the products mentioned in this podcast are accurate as at the time of recording. Check your local store or argos.co.uk for product availability, which may vary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids welcome Kasabian frontman Sergio Pizzorno, the creative force behind one of Britain’s most iconic rock bands. The lads dive deep into Sergio’s world — from his legendary songwriting process in “The Sergery,” to the chaos and glory of performing Fire in front of tens of thousands.Serge opens up about Kasabian’s new music, what drives him as a frontman, and his unique parallels between music and football. They also relive Leicester City’s miraculous Premier League triumph, wild gigs at CrouchFest, and why Sean Dyche might owe him for Crouch’s transfer to Burnley.Expect stories of flares, service station meetups, and rock ‘n’ roll philosophy — all with that unmistakable Crouch Pod banter. Chumbawamba 00:00 – Intro banter & Sid’s hair chat02:00 – Pete teases the arrival of Sergio Pizzorno03:00 – Crouch’s “Home Olympics” with Serge06:00 – The lads’ league and “horny draws”17:00 – Sergio Pizzorno joins the pod18:00 – Memories of listening to Kasabian’s album on a yacht in France20:00 – Chaos at CrouchFest & performing Fire live21:00 – Writing “Hippie Sunshine” and the Elton John-inspired breakdown23:00 – How Kasabian blend rock and rave into one sound25:00 – The art of reading a crowd & touring America27:00 – Life on tour, staying sober, and “living life backwards”30:00 – How Fire became the soundtrack to football33:00 – Glastonbury, flares, and Kasabian’s stadium moments36:00 – Sean Dyche, service stations, and transfer stories41:00 – Leicester City’s miracle season memories45:00 – Jamie Vardy stories & the Champions League trophy moment50:00 – Football trivia battles & the “3-day question” saga53:00 – Sergio on the new album and what’s nextFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids sit down with Sir Gary Oldman – one of Britain’s greatest actors, an Oscar and BAFTA winner, and the man behind unforgettable roles in Dracula, Harry Potter, The Darkest Hour, and Slow Horses.A lifelong Manchester United fan, Oldman opens up about his first experiences watching football in the 1960s, his friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson, and why he misses the old-school loyalty of players who stayed at clubs for decades.He also dives deep into the craft of acting – from the grueling physical toll of roles like Churchill, to getting nicotine poisoning while filming, to his pride in movies like JFK. Along the way, Gary shares stories about recent knighthood, Oscar night nerves, fart gags on Slow Horses, and his admiration for George Best.This one’s a proper crossover of football and film.00:00:00 – Intro: Pete, Chris & Sids kick things off00:01:12 – Sitting with Turkish fans & reminiscing at Anfield00:03:29 – Debate over Ryder Cup crowds & respect in golf00:05:03 – Golfers celebrating like Sunday league lads with beers00:08:32 – Football tactics going “full circle”: long throws & direct play00:10:23 – Newcastle heartbreak & Premier League predictions league00:12:04 – Sunderland shoutout00:13:09 – Gareth Southgate rumours & whether he’d suit Man United00:18:11 – Big preview: Chelsea vs Liverpool00:22:13 – Bournemouth vs Fulham preview & stadium expansion chat00:32:24 – Score predictions: United vs Sunderland00:32:45 – Introduction of special guest: Sir Gary Oldman00:33:43 – The infamous farting scene in Slow Horses explained00:39:01 – Oldman on The Firm & 1980s hooliganism00:40:51 – Where Gary was when he found out about his knighthood00:42:17 – Gary’s most proud film role00:43:17 – Playing Churchill & winning the Oscar00:53:02 – Gary’s football roots & becoming a Man United fan00:55:22 – Nostalgia: Best, Charlton, Giggs, and loyalty in football00:59:29 – The loss of “first eleven” continuity01:02:01 – Sir Alex nearly cameoing in Slow Horses01:03:30 – Critiquing Rooney & Giggs’ acting in adverts01:05:01 – Which Oldman character could rescue Man United’s dressing room01:07:46 – What’s next for Gary: more Slow Horses Chumbawamba Follow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Peter Crouch, Chris Stark, and Steve Sidwell dive into the ins and outs of loan moves: the good, the bad, and the brutally honest. Drawing from personal experience, Sids opens up about being sent out on loan early in his career and how it shaped his future, while Crouchy shares the highs and harsh realities of being loaned to clubs to fight for game time. The lads also get into the unique pressure young players face, the role of managers during these periods, and how loan spells can make, or break, careers.The lads dissect a big weekend of Premier League action, including Arsenal vs Man City and Liverpool vs Everton, while unpacking the bizarre booking of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for taking a quick free kick and why sprinting around the back of the goal is a tactical masterpiece.Fourth official respect, a genius Sunday League campaign featuring Sids himself, surprise matchday moments next to Joe Gomez, and a deeper dive into the wild plan to make Refs famous.It's soup season. It's prediction season.#FootballLoans #PremierLeague #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast #Podcast #PeterCrouch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s bonus episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids dive into a big batch of brilliant listener messages — from unfortunate road names and tall-teen fashion dilemmas, to the mystery behind why players get booked for taking their shirts off.Alongside the laughs, the lads give their predictions and analysis on a huge weekend of Premier League fixtures, including Arsenal vs Man City, Liverpool vs Everton, and United vs Chelsea. Expect bold calls, heated debates, and some outrageous analogies…Elsewhere, Sids reveals his chaotic Lime bike journey, gasps at a surprise message from NBA legend Steve Nash, and why Fulham handed him “the keys to the cottage.” There’s even soap star walk-ons and comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo, plus a cheeky free-agent chat which we’ve decided will be best left to a full episode with a current free-agent… stay tuned for that one. Chumbawamba 00:00 – Crouchy’s Lime bike chaos on the way to City Airport00:02:15 – Surprise shout-out from Steve Nash and Fulham Forever Fulham day00:04:13 – Fulham vs Leeds horror show & Portsmouth-Southampton derby memories00:05:37 – Chris at Doncaster races and Crouchy’s BBQ weekend00:06:14 – Guest-free episode twist: talking free agents00:12:18 – Tottenham’s MLS free agent training story00:13:32 – The awkward reality of running contracts down00:15:44 – Leaving Reading for Chelsea & Fulham negotiations00:18:35 – The “romantic” idea of finishing your career at a smaller club00:20:33 – Mental battles of training alone while waiting for a call00:24:53 – Prediction league update & hilarious “tight as a raccoon’s nutsack” moment00:29:14 – Crouchy on Ted Lasso cameos & behind-the-scenes chaos00:34:47 – “Mike Bassett” meltdown comparisons in football management00:41:22 – Salah shirt-off celebration predictions00:49:16 – The debate on shirt-off bookings being about sponsors vs footballFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids welcome Owen Hargreaves — former England international, Champions League winner with both Bayern Munich and Manchester United, and one of the few players to represent England after developing abroad.Known for his versatility and tireless midfield work, Owen opens up about growing up in Canada, life at Bayern, sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham, Scholes, and Gerrard, and the brutal realities of top-flight football. The lads dig into forgotten legacies, dressing room cliques, and Champions League glory, while Owen reflects on injuries, criticism, and what it takes to compete with the very best.Expect candid stories from training bust-ups to iconic finals, plus the usual mix of laughs, tangents, and behind-the-scenes honesty only this pod delivers. Chumbawamba 00:00:00 – Opening banter: mascot forfeit, selfies, crossbar challenge at Farnham Town00:06:02 – Sidwell’s Indian restaurant photo wall spotted by fans00:11:28 – Predictions league table update (Crouch, Chris, Sids)00:13:35 – Crouch recalls being ruthlessly told he was leaving Tottenham00:17:12 – Owen’s teenage Golden Boot feats remembered00:19:19 – Sponsored segment: City vs United derby odds and predictions00:25:00 – Arsenal vs Forest preview and predictions00:27:04 – Everton vs Villa preview and predictions00:31:21 – Hargreaves enters – first meetings with Crouchy, Milk Cup memory00:38:04 – First trial in Germany, arriving at Bayern aged 1500:46:03 – Brutal Bayern training: bust-ups, tear-ups, winners only00:47:14 – Manager Ottmar Hitzfeld’s advice: “They must hate you to respect you”00:48:12 – Effenberg’s respect moment: “You’ll be my successor”00:55:22 – Playing with Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard – the impossible midfield balance01:05:25 – Facing Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Brazil’s 2002 side01:10:32 – 2001 Champions League Final at 20 years old01:13:23 – Celebrations after winning Champions League (or lack of)01:18:28 – Beating Chelsea and Barcelona with Manchester United01:22:07 – Playing with Ronaldo: training habits and obsessive mindset01:25:42 – United dressing room: Rooney, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez01:30:15 – Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or hunger – “he was obsessed with being the best”01:33:02 – Why Ronaldo left United for Madrid01:35:11 – Quickfire round: favourite stadiums, toughest opponents, best playersFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris and Sid welcome former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack, who enjoyed a wild career with clubs including Reading, Wolves, Hibs, Barnet, and Kerala Blasters. Known as much for his no-nonsense style as his shot-stopping, Stack lifts the lid on some of football’s most infamous behind-the-scenes moments, including what really happened in the dressing room during Arsenal’s 03/04 season.Stack reflects on the chaos and camaraderie of his playing days, including infamous training ground bust-ups, dressing-room scraps, and wild fan encounters abroad. He also reveals his latest venture—organising a one-of-a-kind boxing night where ex-footballers swap the pitch for the ring, raising funds for charities close to his heart such as the Willow Foundation. Expect Stack’s infamously outrageous stories, brutal honesty, and the kind of behind-the-scenes insight only a journeyman goalkeeper with tales from Arsenal’s Invincibles to non-league can deliver. Chumbawamba 00:00:00 – Opening banter: moths, holidays & random chaos00:09:52 – Alan Shearer vs. Crouchy on the golf course00:16:40 – The lads debate VAR decisions & refereeing standards00:24:18 – How player fines spiral out of control00:29:14 – Graham Stack joins the show00:30:00 – Stack explains his footballers’ boxing night idea00:34:55 – The charity causes behind the boxing event00:41:42 – Arsenal days: Invincibles training scraps & bust-ups00:46:08 – Thierry Henry vs. Lauren fight story00:49:15 – The “dark side” of Dennis Bergkamp00:50:32 – Crouchy’s worst fight ever told00:51:36 – Comparing modern goalkeepers to his era00:53:21 – Stack’s career journeys: from Arsenal to Barnet & beyond01:00:42 – Kerala Blasters: the madness of Indian football crowds01:09:55 – Lower-league realities: brutal scraps & survival mode01:17:38 – Crouchy recalls his nastiest on-pitch fight01:24:12 – Final reflections & push for Stack’s charity boxing nightTo book your table or sponsor a boxer, visit the Pro Project Promotions website today: https://www.proprojectpromotions.com/Follow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.