Brentford owner Matthew Benham on Smart Recruitment and the Future of Football Analytics: Running the Game 03/10/26

Big Weekend Preview returns as Rog and Rory Smith look ahead to a pivotal weekend across the Premier League. They start at Anfield, where Liverpool host a Tottenham side spiraling toward the relegation fight and searching for belief under Igor Tudor. Then it’s Arsenal welcoming Everton, with Mikel Arteta’s set-piece juggernaut facing a dangerous road-warrior side that could twist the title race. Attention then turns to Manchester City, who travel to West Ham after a bruising Champions League night and cannot afford to lose ground to Arsenal at the top. Plus, a quick blind ranking of Arteta’s best signings, and score predictions for the entire weekend.00:00:00 - English Teams European Struggles00:03:29 - Liverpool vs. Tottenham: Too Big to Fail?00:12:48 - Arsenal vs. Everton00:18:00 - Blind Rankings: Arteta's Arsenal Signings00:20:49 - West Ham vs. Manchester City00:25:38 - Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham00:26:35 - Best of the RestFootball is better with Friends. Join our Discord Community for conversation with fellow GFOPs, live match day chat, and to speak with Rog directly: https://discord.gg/DDDUcNWFHEOrder Rog's new book "We Are the World (Cup)" now!: https://mibcourage.co/3OJlfs0Link to the The Women's Game YouTube: https://mibcourage.co/4b5SXkcCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/4bH23EbSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rog and James Horncastle went live after Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matches to discuss Real Madrid dominating Manchester City behind Federico Valverde’s hat trick performance, PSG dismantling Chelsea in Paris, Arsenal surviving Bayern Leverkusen with a late draw…and Tottenham’s misery continuing after another loss, this time to Atletico Madrid.Plus, Rog and James take listener calls, discuss Atalanta’s supporters cheering their club on after getting torn apart by Bayern Munich, and Liverpool falling to Galatasaray. Order Rog's new book We Are the World (Cup) today!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/3OwXrHT See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the latest episode of Running the Game, Rog sits down with Brentford owner Matthew Benham at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference to explore how data, culture, and smart decision-making transformed a small West London club into a Premier League contender. Benham explains how his background in statistical modeling and betting markets shaped Brentford’s recruitment strategy, why the club focuses on collective decision-making instead of superstar managers, and how identifying inefficiencies in transfers and set pieces helped fuel their rise. He also reflects on Brentford’s striker production line, the role of data versus scouting, and why football still has untapped analytical frontiers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the latest episode of European Nights, Rog and Rory break down the Lamine Yamal conundrum currently facing Barcelona...is he headed towards greatness or burnout? And can his career survive the herculean minutes he's played at such a young age? Then, we head to Bayern Munich, where Harry Kane is quietly having one of the greatest seasons of his storied career....but how much longer can he sustain this level of play? Is there an end in sight to one of England's all-time great number 9s?Order Rog's new book We Are the World (Cup) today!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/3OwXrHT See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rog and Rory are back to break down a wild FA Cup weekend and the latest Premier League chaos. They start with Tottenham, where relegation fears are suddenly very real as Spurs stare down a terrifying run of fixtures. Then attention turns to Wrexham, whose Hollywood-script FA Cup battle with Chelsea delivered drama, heartbreak, and a reminder of just how far the club has come. Liverpool also take center stage after finally responding against Wolves following their midweek stumble. Plus, Arsenal survive a scare at Mansfield, Manchester City keep rolling, and the magic of the FA Cup continues.00:00:00 - Future of football?00:08:10 - Tottenham Hotspurs, relegation?00:12:00 - Wrexham vs. Chelsea recap00:36:21 - Wolves vs Liverpool recap00:45:56 - Mansfield Town vs. Arsenal recap00:56:38 - Newcastle vs. Manchester City recap01:02:35 - Port Vale vs. Sunderland recap01:06:15 - Leeds vs Norwich recap01:06:50 - Fulham vs. Southampton recap01:09:27 - Letter from a GFOP: shin padsOrder Rog's new book We Are the World (Cup) today!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/3OwXrHTWatch our interview with Eberechi Eze here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFwKMKugnzU&t=1091sSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Weekend Preview returns as Rog and Rory Smith look ahead to an FA Cup fifth round packed with intrigue. They begin with Arsenal, who continue to pull clear at the top of the Premier League as debate grows around their pragmatic, set-piece fueled march toward the title. Then attention turns to Manchester City, who travel to Newcastle facing a tricky FA Cup test while juggling a brutal run of fixtures across multiple competitions. Finally, Wrexham take center stage as they host Chelsea in their biggest FA Cup moment in decades, while Liverpool look to fend off Wolves as they search for redemption after their midweek loss. Plus, score predictions and one more big thing to watch.00:00:00 - Basque Country Rory00:02:02 - Arsenal playing anti-football?00:10:05 - Arsenal vs. Mansfield Town preview00:12:50 - Quiz Time! Footballer or GBBO contestant?00:16:33 - Newcastle vs. Manchester City preview00:22:05 - Tottenham Hotspurs, relegated?00:26:40 - Liverpool fans turning on Slot?00:32:00 - Leeds vs. Norwich preview00:33:48 - Wrexham vs. Chelsea previewFootball is better with Friends. Join our Discord Community for conversation with fellow GFOPs, live match day chat, and to speak with Rog directly: https://discord.gg/DDDUcNWFHEOrder Rog's new book "We Are the World (Cup)" now!: https://mibcourage.co/3OJlfs0See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Men in Blazers Countdown Tour returns, this time to Houston, where Rog is joined by Houston Texan great and part-owner of Burnley JJ Watt to discuss where VAR has gone awry, the pleasures of Premier League football, and the best (or worst) that British food has to offer. Plus, Rog sits down with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon to talk his footballing roots and love of Buc-ee's. Rog is also joined by former NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, plus a special appearance from Jane Campbell and Yazmeen Ryan of the Houston Dash. Presented by Bank of America, the Official Bank of U.S. Soccer and the FIFA World Cup 2026.Order Rog's new book We Are the World (Cup) today!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/3OwXrHTCheck out the Men in Blazers Shop: https://mibcourage.co/4qIb2L1Sign up for our newsletters: https://mibcourage.co/4nyEGQ1See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rog and Rory are back to break down another wild weekend of Premier League action, including Arsenal's nervy win over Chelsea in a game dominated by set pieces. Are Arsenal barely hanging on or doing just enough to lift the trophy? Plus, another game, another red card for Liam Rosenior's squad...how does Chelsea buck this trend? Then, Michael Carrick's Manchester United have been unbeatable...is Carrick a lock to be United's manager come opening day next season? Plus, the Benjamin Sesko renaissance adds another chapter to its books.Order Rog's new book We Are the World (Cup) today!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGCome see Men in Blazers LIVE in Atlanta! Tickets on sale now: https://mibcourage.co/3OwXrHTWatch our interview with Antoine Semenyo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA-urbkImX8Check out the Men in Blazers Shop: https://mibcourage.co/4qIb2L1Sign up for our newsletters: https://mibcourage.co/4nyEGQ1See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Weekend Preview returns as Rog and Rory Smith break down a weekend with title-race tension and relegation dread. They start at the Emirates, where Arsenal face Chelsea with Manchester City looming. Then it’s off to Elland Road, where City walk into a ferocious Leeds atmosphere in a match that could reshape the table. Finally they touch on Tottenham’s slide as they travel to Fulham with relegation fears no longer a joke. Plus, score predictions and one more big thing to watch.Football is better with Friends. Join our Discord Community for conversation with fellow GFOPs, live match day chat, and to speak with Rog directly: https://discord.gg/DDDUcNWFHEPre-order Rog's new book "We Are the World (Cup)" now!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGSign up The Correspondent with Rory Smith here: https://the-correspondent-rory-smith-newsletter.beehiiv.com/Watch our interview with Marcus Mumford here: https://youtu.be/a7MiCKV4B9wSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy Award winning musician Marcus Mumford joins Rog to talk all things music and football. Marcus reflects on the release of Mumford & Sons’ new album Prizefighter and the creative process behind it. He opens up about the pain of England’s semifinal heartbreaks, his deep connection to AFC Wimbledon’s supporter-led rebirth, and how that club’s fight for survival still shapes his identity as a fan. Marcus also goes deeper into his England fandom, including how England's World Cup schedule shaped Mumford & Sons' summer tour. Plus, he explains why he believes Jude Bellingham could be the player who finally changes England’s fortunes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.