The Imperfect Game

Leicester City started the 2015-16 season with 5000/1 odds to win the title. By February, the bookies were asking to buy out people who had bet Leicester to win the league. Bet a pound, win 5000. The shocking victory didn’t start in 2015, though. It started when the team was relegated in 2007 to the third tier of English football and slowly rebuilt with smart signings, strong leadership, and a dose of luck. What happened after the won the championship is why Leicester fans say supporting the club is a rollercoaster. Listen along as we talk about the lead-up to a championship and what has happened at the club since their historic championship.

Crystal Palace's history dates back to the 1860s, but after a 30 year hiatus, the club really got its start in 1905. It seems as if that throughout the club's history they have always been given the short end of the stick. Chelsea was granted a place in the football league and Crystal Palace wasn't in 1905. They hold the "honor" of being relegated with the highest point total in top flight history. Their highest finish ever, third place in 1990, was rewarded with European competition because of a stadium disaster five years prior. It might be too much to say this club is cursed, but there seems to be a bit of a jinxed vibe after looking into their past. To be a Crystal Palace fan is to be frustrated but hopeful and proud. Roy Hodgson has come along and settled the club down, creating an identity on the field of hard working, counter-attacking football. What does the future hold as the roster ages past their prime and Hodgson looks towards the end of his illustrious career? We have no idea, but we have some guesses. 

Everton is one of the most storied clubs in English football.  Their successes stretch more than a century and they are currently locked in a battle at the bottom of the league table. A new manager was just announced and a massive stadium might be on the horizon. Everton is on the outside of the "Top 6" and wants back in badly. In the 1980s, greatest collection of talent they ever had was robbed of European glory due to a stadium tragedy. A tortured fanbase, an interesting city and stadium, some excellent folklore, an incredible crest, and a bossy neighbor made this a really fun project.

Leeds United is a club of worldwide fame. This midlands club, the only one in Leeds, England, has reached the highest of highs, but have also experienced the lowest of lows in English and European football. Financial ruin, and a run of bad luck, nearly left Leeds in complete shambles at the turn of the 21st century. In this deep dive podcast, Sean and Both look at the history of Leeds United, along with their present day resurgence under the coaching of Marcelo Bielsa. This is the perfect time to learn about this club, as they chase promotion to the Premier League. 

The Sheffield Wednesday Owls hail from the Steel City in England. Their history runs deep, all the way back to 1867 when a cricket club was looking for something to do in the winter. As the soccer club grew, it went its separate way from the cricket club. They avoided their own extinction in 1887 when they decided to follow the crowd and begin to pay their players. Their stadium, Hillsborough, is infamous for a game Sheffield Wednesday wasn't even involved in; that event continues to haunt two clubs, and the victims, in the courts and the news. Presently, the club is in the Championship, fighting for promotion while their crosstown rivals, Sheffield United, play in the Premier League. Their club is in hot water due to some shady dealings around the sale of their stadium. An interesting pod that left us wanting to know more about Sheffield Rules Football, a match-fixing scandal in the 1960s, and the club's potential automatic relegation at the end of this season.

Sheffield, England is known at the Steel City. The new promoted Sheffield United Blades have done the city proud so far this season. The city is a tough one with an industrial history. The team hasn't won a trophy since 1925. But there's some history in this team, back in the day Sheffield United won leagues and cups. They play in a stadium that was built in 1855. Presently, The Blades are a home grown unit. English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish players abound. Their manager was a Sheffield United ball boy who also played for the team, who has injected new ideas to the team tactics. Tactics that other managers wouldn't imagine trying, especially with a newly promoted team. Foreign money made them "Giant Killers" in 2014/15, while  propelling The Blades back to the Premier League, even though they've made few transfer splashes; their success thus far has them hoping for a long run in the top division in English Football. 

In the second of their deep dive series, Both and Sean looked at West Ham United from all angles. Their past, built out of the hot steel and rivet hammers of the shipbuilders, to their present, a side looking for a new identity in a new stadium with some rather upset fans. Their Academy program arguably won England the 1966 World Cup and also flooded the Premier League with great players in the early 2000s. Hooliganism, songs about bubbles, youth development, and the eternal struggle to remain relevant among their London brethren marks this club's past and present. 

Sean and Both discuss last weekend's big game between Manchester City and Liverpool. Is VAR making the referees more of a focal point? What is a hand ball now? They ooze about Liverpool's finishing and their young wing backs. They touch on the Leicester City v. Arsenal game, as Both laments the poor showing of his Gunners. Why can't Arsenal find an identity? Could Arsenal be a better version of Leicester City?

Sean and Both decided it was time to learn about a non-Big 6 club, so they gave themselves some homework. Sean went all the way back to the 19th century and learned about the origins and history of Wolves; it's one of the OG clubs (and stadiums) in England. Both researched the present day club and how they have found success, particularly how they are targeting foreign players. 

Have a team you'd like us to spotlight in the future? Email your ideas to TheImperfectGamepod@gmail.com or find Sean at the twitter handle: BostonHomer.

Both joins Sean to talk about this week's English Soccer happenings. Son's horrible tackle, the new captain at Arsenal, the inevitability of the relegation zone already, and what matches are worth watching this week that aren't Manchester City v Liverpool. They wrap up with the Champions League insanity that occurred between Chelsea and Ajax on Tuesday.

Sean and Both are back at it to talk about the Premier League. The Arsenal captainship might be up for grabs after Granit Xhaka's, meltdown. As Sean and Both unpack what's going on at Arsenal, they discuss the power structures and decision making at other big clubs. Who is in charge? How do different teams handle their legacy and managerial changes (00:00-41:30). Liverpool's win over Tottenham on Sunday was a big boy victory, as they continue to set the pace in England. Liverpool's schedule, along with the other top clubs, will prove to be a challenge the next 8 weeks. How will Tottenham right the ship? On the other end of the table, Southampton suffered the worst home loss in history after a 9-0 loss in the pouring rain. But the players tried to make it up to the fans by doing something no pro athlete would ever do in the United States (41:30-58:00). They wrap up by looking at some games to keep an eye on this weekend, both in England and the rest of the soccer world.

Sean and a new guest, Both, talk about Liverpool v. Man United. Is there a tactical blueprint to stop Liverpool now? What was United's motivation on Sunday? Is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suited for the center of the pitch? What's going on with Paul Pogba (00:00-28:40)? Then they look at the developing trend of two team races in England and if it's something they think might become the norm. They look at the top 6 and top 4 over the last decade, and with managerial shifts, a lack of trophies and patience, and see a top heavy league, but with a growing middle class. Could the Leicester City championship be the season we look back on as a shift in the balance of the points shared in the top 4? 

Sean and Matt dip their toe into the China/NBA madness, then dive into some Eastern Conference topics: Will the 76ers figure out how to make Ben Simmons shoot? Is Embiid scarier than Giannis? Can the Bucks win the NBA Finals? Will Beal finish his year in DC? Is Jimmy Butler's solo act in Miami the perfect next chapter in his NBA journey?

Sean and Matt discuss a new trend Matt has noticed in the media's coverage of NBA stars. Afterwards, they steer the conversation to Matt's favorite team the Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard's rap battle with Shaq, the Anfernee Simons excitement, and more. Then Sean voices a concern over the Los Angeles Clippers, which naturally brings them to talk about the Lakers and... the Suns! 

Sean has Mike on to talk about the opening weeks of the college football season. They start by discussing their love of Saturday football, College Gameday, and the wide dynamics that can appear between team’s philosophies and the fanbases in general. Week 1 had a few exciting games, particularly the Oregon-Auburn game. Lincoln Riley continues his role as transfer QB whisperer. Sean poses a hypothetical at Mike where he’s the AD of his favorite athletic program in all the land. They finish up with a preview of the two biggest games of the upcoming week when LSU visits Texas and Clemson hosts Texas A&M.

Sean has Paul on for the first in his "... of the decade" series. 2020 is coming and it's time to start reflecting on the things we liked and disliked. 

In this episode, the guys start by talking about how they are filling their PGA Championship void with Korn Ferry Tour Finals and the US Amateur Championships. Then they dive in and discuss each of their top 5 picks, while sprinkling in their pick for the worst major of the decade. 

At the 57:00 mark, the guys wander off and talk about some honorable mentions, golf this decade, Golf.com's top majors list, the worst 18th holes losses, and Phil's sliding door quest for the grand slam.