Rule The Roost

Jack is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke for a monumental episode of Rule the Roost, as we finally breathe a massive sigh of relief: Tottenham Hotspur have stayed up. We kick things off by discussing the bittersweet nature of our survival, admitting that while we shouldn't really be celebrating avoiding the drop, the sheer emotional release makes it impossible not to. The conversation quickly shifts to the magnificent job done by Roberto De Zerbi. Having spoken to him in recent press conferences, Jack Pitt-Brooke shares his firsthand reflections on the manager's immense emotional intelligence. We dissect how De Zerbi managed to take a squad that looked completely dead in the water and turn them into a combative, resilient unit for the final stretch, and ask the golden question: has this late surge inspired the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to actually stay and fight next season? Attention then turns to the boardroom, as we unpack the open letter issued to fans today by non-executive

I LOVE THIS FOOTBALL CLUB Never in doubt.... Give Roberto De Zerbi whatever he wants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WARNING: This episode contains an unfiltered, emotional and deeply cathartic discussion about the state Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves in. If you’re after a clean-cut rallying cry ahead of the weekend, this probably isn’t the energy you need right now. But if you’re feeling drained, furious, disconnected, bewildered, or simply need to hear a couple of Spurs fans say out loud what so many of us are thinking, then this one might hit home. Jack and Phil unpack absolutely everything as best they can: Arsenal’s title win, Tottenham’s long-term decline, the club’s failure to properly back Mauricio Pochettino, the obsession with commercial growth over football, fans increasingly being treated like “the problem”, the Everton game, the very real fears around where this all goes next, and how it’ll feel when the dust finally settles, whatever happens. It’s an honest attempt to make sense of a football club that currently feels completely broken. This one is angry. It’s emotional. It’s passionate. It’s r

Jack is joined by Billie T to dissect yet another miserable defeat at Stamford Bridge, kicking things off by trying to make sense of the latest refereeing controversy. With images clearly showing the ball was in play for the penalty that wasn't given, we vent our frustrations at the officials before confronting the harsh reality of our own underlying numbers. Spurs once again displayed a total lack of quality upfront and in the final delivery. This leads into a painful discussion about Randal Kolo Muani, debating whether he will go down as one of our worst ever signings and what his failure says about the utter lack of care in our recent scouting and transfer policy. Attention then turns to Sunday and the terrifying prospect of the biggest game of our lives against Everton. Knowing we only need a single point to secure survival, we discuss the sheer dread of relying on our rotten home form against a competent side. We examine the recent statement from Change for Tottenham calling for total support for 90 min

You didn't really think Tottenham would get something at Stamford Bridge did you? Spurs getting done by Chelsea, making our end of season even less comfortable, as Arsenal win the league - truly the nightmare timeline. It was a game that never really got going, and yet another example of why we're in the mess that we're in... quite simply, we're not very good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Gavin for a Thursday Q&A to dissect the frustrating fallout from Tottenham's clash with Leeds United. The pair kick things off by venting about the baffling VAR decision to deny James Maddison a clear foul, reacting to the midfielder's own frustrations posted on Instagram. We ask the broader question of whether the current implementation of VAR is fundamentally ruining the sport, before finding a much-needed silver lining in Maddison's return to the pitch. We discuss how, despite lacking full match fitness, his sheer step up in quality was glaringly obvious and ask if he is the missing piece required to secure safety. Attention then turns to the relegation battle and the absolutely monumental weekend clash between Newcastle United and West Ham. Jack asks Gavin just how heavily our survival hinges on that specific result, while trying to nail down exactly what Tottenham need to do to save themselves. Finally, Gavin tackles a massive selection of listener questions, covering everything from t

Spurs missed the chance to open up a four point gap on West Ham this evening after one of the most shocking examples of officiating many of us will have ever seen took place. It felt like Spurs were in charge after Tel's wonder goal, but he went from hero to zero after his high boot in the box resulted in a penalty for Leeds and Spurs couldn't quite find a way back after that, despite James Maddison returning after more than a year away from the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can listen to more preview pods, evergreen content and get all pods ad free at patreon.com/rtrpod West Ham denied a last minute equaliser to keep the pressure on Spurs means that we can now open up a gap at the bottom of the table... but we have to take it. Surely we have every faith in Roberto De Zerbi now to equip these players to do what's needed in this crunch game against Leeds. We'll also hear from Keir Starmer and Adam Curtis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by football writer Sean Walsh for the Thursday Q&A to dissect yet another stressful week in the life of a Tottenham Hotspur fan. The pair kick things off by finding a silver lining in poor old Harry's Champions League elimination, noting the relief of being spared the nightmare scenario of watching him lose a European final to Arsenal. Confronting the grim reality of Arsenal actually reaching that final, Jack asks Sean if the all-consuming dread of a relegation scrap has completely numbed his ability to care about our rivals' success. The lads then debate just how far off Spurs are from replicating that level of squad building, before issuing a stark reality check: Tottenham are still in a highly perilous position, and a must-win clash against Leeds United awaits. The conversation then pivots to Roberto De Zerbi's latest press conference. We unpack his demand to sign Joao Palhinha permanently, his glowing endorsement of Archie Gray as a future club captain, and his concerning updates on the fi

Jack is joined by Baker to celebrate a genuinely massive, potentially season-altering victory as Tottenham Hotspur's win at Villa Park lifts them out of the Premier League relegation zone. Pushing back against the incredibly lazy outside narrative that a heavily rotated Villa side simply 'threw the game', the lads choose instead to focus on the undeniable tactical and mental improvements shown by Spurs. We explore the growing influence of Roberto De Zerbi, dissecting Conor Gallagher's revealing post-match comments about the manager's emotional intelligence and the one-on-one man-management that finally seems to be inspiring a broken dressing room. With the sheer terror of the drop slightly easing, Jack and Baker look ahead to the nerve-wracking final run-in. We compare Tottenham's remaining fixtures against Leeds, Chelsea, and Everton with West Ham's daunting schedule, asking when we can actually let ourselves believe that survival is secured. There's also time for debating whether the all-consuming, exhaus

Spurs are out of the relegation zone thanks to an accomplished and incredibly encouraging performance away at Villa Park... we've looked down and out at points this season, and injuries to key players threatened to derail it all even further, but Roberto De Zerbi has found a way to get this lot going. Come on you Spurs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Lara for the Thursday Q&A to preview a genuinely daunting fixture against Aston Villa. With Unai Emery's side still battling deep in knockout cup action, we desperately ask if our only real tactical advantage right now is hoping for opposition rotation. The conversation then turns to the painful reality of the current Premier League hierarchy, as we lament how Villa have firmly occupied the exact space Tottenham used to own, and debate what fundamental cultural reset is required to win our identity back. The dread deepens as we pivot to The Athletic's recent terrifying deep dive into the club's finances. Confronted by monumental pre-tax losses and the prospect of carrying a £255 million wage bill into the Championship, we discuss whether relegation would be an extinction-level event for the current structure, or if the lucrative non-matchday stadium events can genuinely shield us from complete financial ruin. Finally, we tackle a massive selection of your listener questions. We explore a fa

Jack is joined by Big Jon Bass from The Big Jon Bass Show to celebrate a genuine rarity this year: Tottenham Hotspur actually winning a football match. The pair dissect the massive, much-needed victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure our first Premier League win of 2026. We discuss why, despite West Ham's gutting late winner against Everton keeping Spurs firmly in the relegation mire, this result genuinely feels like the squad is finally turning a crucial psychological corner under Roberto De Zerbi. However, in true Tottenham fashion, the joy is incredibly short-lived as we react to the absolutely devastating news that Xavi Simons has suffered an ACL injury. We discuss the brutal reality of the Dutchman missing the World Cup and potentially facing a season in the Championship, before questioning just how Spurs will cope without the main catalyst for our recent upturn in form. The injury woes continue as we examine Dominic Solanke's latest muscular setback, despite De Zerbi's reassurances. Jack asks Jo

Spurs have won a game in 2026 - and what a time to win it!!! Keeping the hope of staying in the Premier League alive, João Palhinha's bundled stab at goal was the difference in an ugly game of football. Incredible effort from Tel to win the corner that resulted in the goal, and an overall solid, if at times slightly uninspiring game from Spurs. Truly matchwinning save from Kinsky at the end to deny Wolves the equaliser. Annoying that West Ham won. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Phil to dive into another incredibly tense week for Tottenham Hotspur, kicking things off by examining the sheer chaos over at Chelsea. With Liam Rosenior sacked, we question whether a dreaded new manager bounce could derail our survival hopes, and ask if Spurs are now the canary in the coal mine for massive clubs completely losing their way. Staring down the barrel of the Championship, we also look at Leicester City's terrifying double drop down to League One as a something we shouldn't think we're too big for. Focus then shifts to the boardroom, unpacking the exclusive news that Sebastian Kehl is the leading candidate to become the new director at Tottenham. We ask why on earth he is supposedly being brought in to work alongside Johan Lange, rather than replacing him entirely, and what the mixed reaction from Borussia Dortmund fans means for our rebuild. The conversation then turns to the rumours surrounding Micky van de Ven. Following reports that the defender is actively making arrang

Jack is joined by Gavin to unpack the sheer emotional rollercoaster of Tottenham's devastating 2-2 draw with Brighton. The pair start by dissecting that crushing 95th-minute equaliser, questioning whether the squad was simply too emotionally burned out to see the game out. We discuss the wild celebrations that followed Xavi Simons' brilliant strike to put Spurs ahead, and ask if the team desperately needs to learn how to manage the occasion rather than getting completely swept up in the moment. Despite the late heartbreak, Jack and Gavin try to find some perspective, debating whether this vast improvement in performance is the turning point we need or if dropping two points means we have officially run out of road in the relegation fight. The conversation then addresses the vile online racial abuse directed at Kevin Danso after his mistake led to the equaliser, while breaking down the tactical reality of the goal to show how a lack of urgency and being outnumbered in our own box made it a collective, systemi

Tottenham suffer yet another heartbreak in a season of heartbreaks as Brighton score an equaliser deep into stoppage time to deny them their first league win in 2026. It looked like Xavi Simons' screamer was going to be enough for Roberto De Zerbi's men, but alas, it wasn't to be. Can they avoid relegation? There are some positives to take from the game, but it feels as if hope is all but gone now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by James Maw from The Athletic to try and make sense of another incredibly turbulent week at Tottenham Hotspur. The pair kick things off by exploring Roberto De Zerbi’s comments post Sunderland. We ask whether the famously intense tactician taking the squad for a lavish dinner and claiming they need a 'father' rather than a coach could be the Hail Mary we need right now. The conversation then turns to the news that Cristian Romero will miss the remainder of the season. Jack and James reflect on what could very well be the Argentine's final game in a Spurs shirt, asking if the mainstream media narrative has unfairly influenced how sections of our own fanbase view our first cup-winning captain in 17 years. Frustrations then shift towards the boardroom, as we vent about the deeply tone-deaf Tottenham executives posting personal corporate achievements on LinkedIn while the club's top-flight status hangs by a thread. We question whether this perfectly illustrates the absolute disconnect between th

Jack is joined by Adam Michie to pick through the wreckage of a miserable defeat at the Stadium of Light. The pair discuss the perceived lack of fight on display against Sunderland, asking if this squad has already accepted its Championship fate without so much as a whimper. The loss further compounded by the opposition manager’s brutal post-match assessment that Tottenham simply weren't strong enough to worry him. We then turn our attention to Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge. We analyse how De Zerbi Ball translated to the pitch and question the massive, surprising decision to leave Xavi Simons out of the starting lineup. The conversation inevitably shifts to the consistently poor officiating we continue to endure. Jack and Adam ask if it is time to buy into the conspiracy theories after the referee completely ignored Brian Brobbey's blatant push that sent Cristian Romero crashing into Antonin Kinský. With Romero now potentially out for the rest of the season and maybe missing the World Cup, we a

Tottenham are getting relegated and all of our players are useless tbh - leave me alone, I'm angry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices