Yule The Roost | A Christmas Special: Favourite Spurs Memories & Why We Love This Club

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

Jack reflects off the back of yet another home defeat and defeat to Liverpool - something you'd think we're accustomed to be now, but still the frustration grows. From bad refereeing to questionable decision making from the players - it still felt like a largely uninspiring affair, aside from a rousing ending spearheaded by Richarlison. It needn't be all negatives, but we seriously need to start winning games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Billie T to dive back into the shocking performance against Nottingham Forest, lamenting the wheels coming off the previous (minor) upturn in form. We ask if Spurs fans are being too hasty and emotional in calling for Thomas Frank’s head now? Should we stick with him and ride this out, or is it only right that we hold dear to our identity as an attacking side and refuse to compromise? We try to find some positivity amidst the mire of the season, touching on the growing partnership between Xavi Simons and Archie Gray, and why the increased inclusion of the latter shouldn't become a culture war. Billie then answers your questions, discussing the idea of Mohammed Kudus playing a central midfield role to emulate Mousa Dembélé, and which fixture we would choose to play without VAR. Things then get a bit festive as we find out Billie’s all-time favourite Christmas present and his definitive Christmas dinner side. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Mark Nesbit to discuss the fallout from Tottenham's humbling at the hands of Nottingham Forest. We dive into the "who was to blame" debate between Archie Gray and Guglielmo Vicario, which leads to a wider conversation about the goalkeeper spot. Is it imperative we replace him? And if the backup options aren't good enough either, is this just another sign that the recruitment and talent ID at the club is broken? We discuss whether this is Daniel Levy's legacy playing out before our eyes, and why the Lewis family need to address this sooner rather than later to stop the club sliding into a death spiral. Finally, we get onto Thomas Frank, should he be sacked? Would it be unhealthy to replace another manager so soon, and if we did, who on earth would take over? Theme Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After some promising form, a strangely abysmal performance from Spurs at the City ground. Forest fans will no doubt be revelling in this one after the summer's bitter back and forth between the clubs - but once again this felt like the sort of performance that Spurs might have lost, whoever the opposition was. Do Forest have better players at their disposal? Is Spurs' technical floor too low? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GET YOUR PREVIEW PODS AND AD-FREE PODS ON PATREON.COM/RTRPOD Jack previews Forest, as the title would suggest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Adam Nathan from An Echo of Glory to react to another great night in Europe as Spurs dispatched Slavia Prague. We discuss whether Thomas Frank is finally turning the corner, fuelled by the burgeoning synergy between Xavi Simons and Archie Gray and how pivotal that partnership will be for the rest of the campaign. Conversation then shifts to Mauricio Pochettino, who told the BBC this week that he has "unfinished business" in the Premier League. We ask the big question: would we actually have him back? Is the romanticism worth the risk, or should that door remain closed? Adam then tackles listener questions, including a deep dive into the pros and cons of Pedro Porro... is his attacking output enough to justify the defensive questions? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack welcomes Phil back to the pod to bask in the glory of the perfect weekend: a Tottenham win and an Arsenal defeat. We discuss this specific brand of joy, how football dictates our mental health, and the unique "shine" the world takes on when results go our way. We then dive into the performance against Brentford, specifically the 'redemption' of Xavi Simons. Has he finally staked his claim and he absolutely ran the show? Conversation moves to Thomas Frank, his willingness to change his stance on Simons, the newfound aggression in the side, and why we must remember that he is learning on the job. We also touch on a fantastic showing from Archie Gray, look ahead to the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague, and close with a word on Mo Salah’s incendiary comments at Leed and why they make us all the more grateful for the graceful way Sonny bowed out. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finally, Spurs win a game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium! Xavi Simons was star of the show as Spurs overcame Thomas Frank's old side at a time when the knives were well and truly out for the Danish manager. Spurs played with more intent and purpose than we've seen in a while (outside of the PSG game) and it paid off - there surely can be no reason to not play Xavi from now on? Jack dives into his feelings on the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices