REACTION: Spurs 1-1 Sunderland | Big, Big Issues at Spurs

Content Warning: This is a severely moany podcast. Jack is joined by Jon Bass to pick through the wreckage of the shambolic performance against Sunderland. But if you are on the hunt for catharsis, this is the place to find it. We discuss Thomas Frank’s dreary outlook and demeanour, arguing that he is dragging the club down and simply has to go. But we also acknowledge that the buck doesn't stop with him, even with Daniel Levy gone, where is the vision from the club's hierarchy? It feels like the same old story. We then look ahead to the summer and debate the rumours of a Mauricio Pochettino return, weighing up the pros and cons of one last dance with El Jefe. Finally, we look ahead to tomorrow's opponents, Bournemouth, and ask if Spurs missed a trick with Antoine Semenyo seemingly off to Man City, or if we were right to pass. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After some promising opening exchanges, Spurs failed to keep the lead at home to Sunderland - a game that our manager Thomas Frank heralded as a 'tricky one' - Sunderland at home. The welcome inclusion of Mathys Tel gave us some much needed attacking invention, but as the game went on, we reverted to type and tried our best to hold onto the lead at home to Sunderland...and failed. This can't go on, can it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke to dive straight into the terrible display at the G-Tech Community Stadium. We ask if JPB has been surprised by how Thomas Frank's tenure has unfolded thus far, and address the scenes in the away end, did the manager deserve to be heartily booed? We discuss whether Frank is failing to read the room and if he is dangerously out of tune with the emotional beat of the fanbase. Crucially, we debate the big decision: should Spurs stick with him until the end of the season, or is it time to look for a replacement now? Listener questions cover whether Frank understands the correlation between ticket prices and fan patience, and if Spurs are now only capable of fishing in the "Frank pond" rather than attracting elite names like Xabi Alonso or Julian Nagelsmann. Finally, things get lighter as we find out Jack’s darts nickname and walk-out tune. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs grind out a 1-1 draw with Brentford on New Years Day. An uninspiring game in which Spurs registered ONE shot on target. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quizmaster Foins is back for the most eagerly anticipated moment of the Tottenham quiz calendar. It is time for the annual send-off. Grab a drink and play along at home as Foins delivers his brain-busting Spurs trivia to see who really knows their stuff. The reigning champions, "The Journalists" (Dan Kilpatrick and Sean Walsh), are back to defend their crown. Standing in their way are Rosa and Billie from the Hometown Glory podcast, while Jack steps out from behind the host's desk to compete against them all for the ultimate bragging rights. Thank you to everyone for your incredible support throughout the year - have fun with this one, and we will see you in 2026! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to discuss the 1-0 win away at Crystal Palace. We explore why so many Spurs fans feel unhappy despite the result and debate the current mood of the fanbase. We ask the difficult questions about the style of play: are we seeing the progress we want, and where can we find the glimmers of hope that we are building towards something bigger? There is also an impassioned discussion about VAR. What is it taking from the game, who is it serving, and is it hampering the pure joy of football? Finally, we react to the big news from Alasdair Gold that Vinai Venkatesham is set to lift the wage ceiling at Spurs. We discuss if this is the game-changer the club needs to attract a higher calibre of player, and whether we are currently in a position to lure that elite talent to N17. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to discuss the 1-0 win away at Crystal Palace. We explore why so many Spurs fans feel unhappy despite the result and debate the current mood of the fanbase. We ask the difficult questions about the style of play: are we seeing the progress we want, and where can we find the glimmers of hope that we are building towards something bigger? There is also an impassioned discussion about VAR. What is it taking from the game, who is it serving, and is it hampering the pure joy of football? Finally, we react to the big news from Alasdair Gold that Vinai Venkatesham is set to lift the wage ceiling at Spurs. We discuss if this is the game-changer the club needs to attract a higher calibre of player, and whether we are currently in a position to lure that elite talent to N17. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs win! It's a Christmas miracle! It doesn't always have to be pretty, sometimes it can be ugly - a reversal in fortunes was needed, and getting a win away at Selhurst is no small feat, especially under the guidance of Oliver Glasner. Archie Gray the hero after TWO of Richarlison's efforts were adjudged to have been offside as football becomes the snake eating its own tail. Isn't this game supposed to be exciting? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merry Christmas from Rule The Roost. Whether you are avoiding conversations with your racist uncle, on a post-dinner dog walk, or just trying to escape the washing up Jack is here with a festive stocking filler. Yeah, things haven't been great, but as it's Christmas, let's focus on the good times. Jack has asked friends of the show, familiar voices from the Rule The Roost universe, and the wider Spurs podcasting community to send in their absolute favourite Tottenham memories. It is a compilation of nostalgia, joy, and a necessary reminder of exactly why we love this lump of coal of a football club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to reflect on the weekend's loss to Liverpool. While losing to Liverpool is fairly commonplace for Tottenham, we discuss why the continued poor results and wretched home form are now a cause for major concern. We ask the uncomfortable question: Are Spurs actually too big to go down? We then dive into the psyche of the fanbase and the debate around "purity of ethos" versus winning at all costs. Does a rigid focus on playing a certain way hamper the club's ambition, or is that identity the only thing that matters? Finally, we delve into the Tottenham career of Fabio Paratici, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to Fiorentina. We question whether we will actually feel his loss, and run the rule over the signings made under his stewardship. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices