The Lab (Tottenham Hotspur Podcast)

The Fighting Cock

Brought to you by the lads at The Fighting Cock, The Lab is a Football podcast that encourages in depth conversation on subject matter that ranges from tactics, to transfer deals, how injuries are treated, to an agent's role, to content creators, to coaches, and much more.

Essentially The Lab is a podcast that talks about everything around the pitch, not just just what happens on it.

Play

Open in

28 episodes
Avg 52 min
English

Episodes 28

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Wednesday · 1 hr
S4E12 | ENIC’s Cash, City’s Case and Tottenham’s Next Move
Ben White joins us to unpack Tottenham’s finances. Why are Spurs reporting losses when the stadium generates so much money? What does ENIC’s cash injection actually mean? And how much room is there for another big transfer window? We discuss the difference between cash and accounting losses, how player sales help fund spending and whether there’s any substance to calls for Tottenham to be investigated. We also look at the potential fallout from the Manchester City case, whether Spurs could pursue compensation and our frustrations with Chelsea’s treatment. Plus, January spending possibilities and how qualifying for Europe could change the financial picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
October 2 · 52 min
S4E11 | Me, My Dad, and Tottenham
Please consider donating to Blood Cancer UK James Harris joins us to talk about his dad, their shared love of Tottenham and what it means to follow Spurs without him. From childhood trips to White Hart Lane and arguments over favourite players to watching their final game together in hospital, James shares the memories that made Tottenham inseparable from their relationship. We talk about grief, missing the post-match phone calls, reconnecting with his brother and how writing about his dad helped him process his loss. An honest, moving conversation about the club we inherit, the people we share it with and appreciating the time we have together. Read James' article here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
September 29 · 35 min
S4E10 | 30 Minutes With Ledley King
Welcome to The Lab. For this episode, I sat down with someone who means an enormous amount to this club and to all of us who support it: Ledley King. An academy graduate, our captain, a one-club man and now a member of Tottenham’s Hall of Fame. On a personal level, I’m incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. We spend so much time talking about Spurs and the people who’ve shaped our lives supporting it. Getting to have this conversation with Ledley was really special. We spoke about his bond with the fans, the years when Spurs started believing again, and what it took, physically and mentally, to keep pulling on that shirt. A huge thank you to Ledley for his time. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
September 8 · 52 min
S4E09 | Richarlison Exit, Mudryk Gamble & Spurs’ Injury Reset
We’re joined by Dan Kilpatrick for a wide-ranging Tottenham Hotspur discussion. We assess Richarlison’s uncertain future and whether Spurs have handled his potential exit well, before looking at the club’s major change in approach to injuries and player fitness under Roberto De Zerbi. We also discuss whether Tottenham’s £400m rebuild has genuinely lifted expectations, the logic behind the Mykhailo Mudryk move, why the squad still feels uncertain in key areas, and the midfield selection debate between Bentancur, Tonali, Fernandes and Gallagher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 25 · 51 min
S4E08 | Why Tottenham HAVE to Continue to Spend Big
Anatole Pang returns to The Lab to explain what’s really happening with Tottenham’s extraordinary summer spending. Why is net spend such a misleading way of judging ambition? Have Spurs actually spent far less than their Big Six rivals where it really matters? And after years of investing in the stadium and the club’s commercial infrastructure, are we finally seeing the payoff? We look at Tottenham’s estimated £700m–£1bn spending deficit, why buying three £20m players isn’t the same as buying one £60m player, how Spurs can afford to keep spending, and whether Daniel Levy deserves more credit for building the financial machine now being unleashed in the transfer market. Plus: PSR and SCR, football ownership, Manchester City, Chelsea, Abramovich, the future of the Premier League and why £100m transfers might not actually be as crazy as they look. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 19 · 41 min
S4E07 | What Pre-Season Has Taught Us About De Zerbi-Ball
Tottenham’s pre-season has been messy, but beneath the injuries, absences and disrupted preparation, are we beginning to see what Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs will eventually look like? I'm joined by Kish from LilywhiteLab to break down the first signs of De Zerbi-ball, why Luca Williams-Barnett looks ready for first-team football, how Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali could transform Tottenham’s midfield, and the big question still hanging over the number nine position. Plus, we look ahead to Brentford, try to work out De Zerbi’s first Premier League XI and ask how patient we need to be as Spurs fans with a team that could look very different once everyone is fit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 17 · 53 min
S4E06 | The Johan Lange Reappraisal
Was Johan Lange really the problem at Tottenham, or was he simply working within the restrictions imposed by Daniel Levy? We’re joined by the Athletics' Dan Kilpatrick to reassess Lange’s time at Spurs, from the club’s controversial focus on young players and a succession of questionable transfer windows to the dramatic change we’ve seen this summer. We discuss how much freedom Lange actually had under Levy, whether Spurs’ recruitment strategy left the squad dangerously unbalanced, the influence of Roberto De Zerbi, and who deserves the credit for Tottenham now attracting players such as Sandro Tonali and Mateo Fernandez. Plus, we rate each of Lange’s transfer windows and ask whether a man who looked vulnerable just months ago is finally proving his worth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 11 · 40 min
S4E05 | Tottenham’s Retractable Pitch: Genius or a Problem?
What are the numbers behind Tottenham Hotspur’s extraordinary stadium, and could the technology that makes it such a commercial success have an unexpected downside? We are joined by Patrick from By the Numbers' instagram account to dig into the business, science and technology behind modern football. We look at Spurs’ incredible retractable pitch, how it disappears beneath the South Stand in around 30 minutes, and how the stadium has helped transform Tottenham’s commercial potential. But there’s another side to the numbers. With Spurs suffering a succession of serious injuries, could the unusual construction of the pitch be playing a part, or is the evidence simply not there? And just how much does an injured Premier League player actually cost a football club? Football, by the numbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 31 · 52 min
S4E03 | Pre Season, Players In Coming & The Pull Of De Zerbi
We discuss Roberto De Zerbi's growing influence over the squad, why Lucas Williams-Barnett looks ready for first-team football, the players who have enhanced their reputations, and whether results really matter at this stage. We also debate Archie Gray's leadership, Mathys Tel's impressive summer, Djed Spence's future, transfer ambitions, and why there's a genuine feeling that Spurs are building something different. Finally, we ask the big question: what counts as a successful first full season under De Zerbi? Top five, Champions League qualification, or simply seeing a recognisable Tottenham identity return? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 29 · 38 min
S4E02 | The Beautiful Rivalry: The People, Pubs and Pavements of Spurs vs Arsenal
We’re joined by Adam Catterall, broadcaster, storyteller and host of Fight Disciples, to discuss his new football documentary series, The Beautiful Divide. The opening film explores the rivalry between Tottenham and Arsenal, not simply through results and famous matches, but through the supporters, pubs, families and streets that give the North London derby its identity. Adam explains why he wanted to look beyond the commercial version of modern football and find the emotion, tribalism and genuine human stories that still exist beneath it. We discuss the characters he met around Tottenham, the importance of places such as the Bill Nicholson pub, a tense encounter while filming in Finsbury Park, and the unforgettable claim that while Arsenal may have dominated on the pitch, Spurs have “dominated the pavements”. We also ask whether the two clubs, for all the hatred between them, ultimately need one another. It’s a conversation about rivalry, belonging, working-class football culture and why Spurs against Arsenal remains one of the most authentic divides in the game. As Adam puts it, making the film reminded him what football felt like before VAR, commercialisation and everything else began getting in the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 18 · 58 min
S4E01 | How Tottenham Became A Super Club
Are Tottenham finally operating like one of Europe's biggest clubs? Anatole Pang joins The Lab to unpack the dramatic change in Spurs' transfer strategy, why the club suddenly has the financial power to compete for elite players, and whether Daniel Levy's departure was the catalyst or simply the final piece of a much bigger plan. We discuss Simon Jordan's comments, the Lewis family's role, De Zerbi's influence on recruitment, why Spurs may be making up for a decade of underinvestment, and how PSR, Squad Cost Ratio and the stadium all fit into the bigger picture. If you've wondered why Tottenham can suddenly spend £100m on players while other clubs are tightening their belts, this episode explains why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 2 · 48 min
S3E58 | Fernandes, Tonali & De Zerbi's Tactical Masterplan
Kish from Lilywhite Lab joins us for a deep tactical dive into Tottenham's remarkable summer rebuild. One of the sharpest tactical analysts in the Spurs community, Kish breaks down exactly why Roberto De Zerbi wanted players like Mateo Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, and how they fit into the football he's trying to build. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 30 · 44 min
S3E57 | Has Tottenham Finally Left the Levy Era Behind?
Dan Kilpatrick of The Athletic joins us to discuss why Tottenham suddenly feels like a very different football club. We look at the structural changes behind the scenes since Daniel Levy stepped away, Roberto De Zerbi's growing influence on recruitment, and whether Spurs are finally operating like one of Europe's biggest clubs. We also dive into the club's ambitious pursuit of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, concerns over the futures of Luka Vuskovic and Lucas Bergvall, and what Tottenham's spending says about the club's new ambitions. We also explore how transfer reporting really works at The Athletic, the standards required before publishing a story, and why separating genuine information from online rumours has become harder than ever. A fascinating conversation about Tottenham's fu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 26 · 1 hr 5 min
S3E56 | The Spurs Finance Q&A - Why Cash Is King
On this episode of The Lab, Flav is joined by football finance enthusiast Ben White to answer your questions on Tottenham Hotspur’s finances. We dig into the new Squad Cost Ratio rules, what happens as PSR fades out, whether Spurs really can spend 115% of revenue, and why that so-called “loophole” is not quite what it seems. There’s also discussion on the Lewis family’s cash injections, Daniel Levy’s legacy, player sales, amortisation, free transfers, wage structure, cash flow, and whether Tottenham are finally in a position to properly attack the transfer market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 16 · 1 hr 7 min
S3E55 | Why Spurs Can Finally Spend Like a Top Club...Potentially
We dig into the reported sale of Daniel Levy’s stake in ENIC, what it means for Tottenham’s ownership structure, and whether new investors could have any real influence over the club. We also break down the Lewis family’s investment, how Squad Cost Ratio rules actually work, why cash flow matters as much as transfer budgets, and just how aggressive Spurs can be in the market this summer. Plus, we discuss Romero, Vuskovic, player trading, and whether the club is finally backing its words with action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 9 · 1 hr
S3E54 | Excitement, Skepticism and Spurs' Summer Rebuild
Thumbnail art was shot by the incredible Frederiike Jensen. We’re joined by Harry Brooks to make sense of Tottenham’s increasingly busy summer. With Andy Robertson through the door and moves for Senesi, Van Hecke and Savinho gathering pace, we ask whether Spurs are finally behaving like a club with a clear plan. We discuss the impact of the Lewis family’s ownership, De Zerbi’s influence on recruitment, the need for leadership and experience in the dressing room, and what the future holds for Romero, Van de Ven, Vuskovic, Danso and the rest of Spurs’ crowded defensive group. We also dive into Savinho, Adam Wharton, Hayden Hackney and the profile of midfielder Tottenham still seem to be missing, before asking the big question: are Spurs finally building a squad capable of matching their ambitions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 3 · 42 min
S3E54 | Inside The Fall Of Daniel Levy
This week we’re joined by senior news reporter for The Athletic, Matt Slater, to unpack one of the most dramatic periods in Tottenham Hotspur’s history. We discuss Daniel Levy’s departure, the power structures that shaped Spurs for decades, the role of the Lewis family, takeover speculation, the Gibb River review, and whether Tottenham are genuinely for sale. We also explore the realities of modern football ownership, why American investors may be the club’s most likely future owners, and what Spurs fans should make of examples such as them lot, Bournemouth and Chelsea. A fascinating look behind the curtain at how football clubs are really run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 27 · 53 min
S3E54 | Do You Trust The Lewis Family?
We’re joined by Anatole Pang to dig into what’s really happening behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur following the departure of Daniel Levy and the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi. We talk about the club’s restructure, the role of the Lewis family, the significance of the Gibb River review, and whether Spurs have abandoned the modern football model to build around one coach. We also discuss Peter Charrington’s statement to fans, ownership responsibility, governance, recruitment, leadership vacuums and whether Tottenham finally have a proper football structure in place… or whether we’re simply witnessing another reset dressed up as revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 21 · 44 min
S3E53 | Survive First, Ask Questions Later
Tottenham head into the final day needing a point against Everton to avoid relegation, but none of us quite know how to feel anymore. We’re joined by Dan Kilpatrick to talk through the dread, the strange emotional numbness around survival, and whether staying up would bring relief, celebration, or anger at how we got here in the first place. We discuss Roberto De Zerbi’s calming influence, the pressure around Sunday, Spurs’ broken squad, recruitment failures, Kinsky, Romero, VAR paranoia, media narratives, and what the summer rebuild might actually look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 19 · 55 min
S3E52 | What Players Say To Their Agents During A Relegation Battle
An honest conversation with former football agent Jim Erwood about what the game is actually like behind the scenes. We talk about whether footballers truly love their clubs, what players say to agents during a relegation battle, why loyalty in football barely exists anymore, and how modern players are pushed to think about themselves first. Jim shares incredible stories from his time as an agent, including signing Ashley Williams through Friends Reunited, the reality of dealing with young players and ambitious parents, intimidation and the criminal element around football, and the bizarre John Carew/Milan Baroš swap deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Showing 1–20 of 28 episodes