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Stak

Welcome to Upfront, the dedicated women's football podcast brought to you by the Football Ramble! Join Chloe Morgan and Rachel O'Sullivan every week for reaction and analysis throughout the season. We'll also tell the cultural stories that matter across the women's game, from the grassroots to the very top. 
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Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

There might not have been any cupsets, but there were some impressive showings from the WSL2 sides in the Subway League Cup this weekend! Newcastle took Man City to the wire (what a game!), while Nottingham Forest took Everton to penalties, too.

Chloe and Rachel discuss the best of the action and the future of the tournament itself. How could (or should) it be changed? They also hear what you have to say about the competition!

Plus, European football expert and On The Continent regular Nicky Bandini joins the pod to talk about the big changes in Italian football after a game-changing summer for the national team.

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How we would change the League Cup, plus the state of Italian football since the Euros

We're back with an early edition of Upfront on the eve of Sarina Wiegman's first England squad since the Euros! And there's big news...

Chloe and Rachel look back on two vital wins for Arsenal and Chelsea – and how some of the same problems are persisting for both teams in front of goal.

Elsewhere, Leicester have a new manager, but is the pressure off for them as Liverpool struggle and West Ham continue to shoot themselves in the foot?

And finally, there's the small matter of Millie Bright's international retirement! We pay tribute to one of the Lionesses' finest ever players and leaders.

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal and Chelsea bounce back, Leicester's new gaffer, and Millie Bright retires from England!

Content warning: this interview features discussion of topics that some listeners may find triggering and distressing.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow, Rachel is joined by Spurs defender and vice-captain Molly Bartrip.

Molly has been one of the most prominent voices in the WSL on mental health. After own battles with anorexia nervosa, depression and anxiety, she has spoken frankly about her health and has strived to support her teammates.

Molly sat down with Rachel to reflect on her journey, the growing pressure on players and staff in the WSL, and how she looks after her own mind and body today.

You can find Molly's 2022 piece in The Players' Tribune here.

If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard on today’s episode or would like some advice, please visit mind.org.uk. 

Molly has also recommended visiting Common Goal, where you can find more stories and advice from figures across football – and for players, the PFA's website and their 24/7 helpline are brilliant resources, too.

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Spurs defender Molly Bartrip reflects on battles with her mental health and building a supportive dressing room

All eyes were on two huge games at the top of the table this weekend and they absolutely delivered! The difference was that Rach was getting absolutely soaked in Manchester on Friday night, while Chloe was watching it with a glass of Merlot. Or Rioja. Something red, anyway.

Chloe and Rachel pick apart another thriller between Man City and Arsenal, which has left Chloe believing that this is a new, shackles-off era for Man City. There's also plenty of love for a brilliant battle between Man United and Chelsea, with Jess Park starring in midfield. And there's even time to talk about FIFA's brand new Women's Champions Cup. The question is... is there enough time to play it?

Follow us on X and Instagram! Subscribe on YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A feast of WSL drama

What's that? People saying the title race is already over? Chloe and Rachel are here to provide a healthy dose of scepticism – as well as a healthy dose of 'what the hell is missing for Arsenal?!'

Chloe explains why Saturday's stalemate wasn't Renée Slegers' fault, while Rachel thinks people have been getting Aston Villa's start to the season all wrong. Plus, they take a closer look at Liverpool as their tough early season form continues.

And after exciting news of another huge takeover down in WSL2, what will Mercury13 do for Bristol City?

Our colleague Jacqui Oatley has launched a Just Giving page to support Matt Beard's wife Debbie with the funeral and living costs – you can donate here.

If you've been affected by the news over the past few days, then please visit mind.org.uk.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal drop precious points and a new era for Bristol City

Today, Chloe and Rachel pay tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who passed away on Saturday. He was 47 years old.

Matt or 'Beardy' was a giant of the women's game, who left an impact on players and fans at every club he went. He was known for his kindness, his warmth, and his generosity. He will be so sorely missed.

Chloe and Rachel also discuss Spurs' 5-1 defeat to Man City, the new Champions League format, and the Ballon d'Or, which was awarded last night.

Our colleague Jacqui Oatley has launched a Just Giving page to support Matt's wife Debbie with the funeral and living costs – you can donate here.

If you've been affected by the news over the past few days, then please visit mind.org.uk.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In memory of Matt Beard

Chloe and Rachel are back to discuss everything across the second week of the WSL! Man United might have had a nightmare in Norway, but they handed out another pasting in the league. The boots probably helped...

Elsewhere, Sam Kerr made her VERY anticipated return and – of course – she scored. Rach explains why we helped take the pressure off her, sort of. Plus, with reports of huge growth for the WSL overseas, we take a closer look at the numbers. What's behind it? And is the league neglecting its core, domestic fans?

Join our WSL Fantasy League here with the code FFFQUZ

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man United's wild week, Sam Kerr returns, and the WSL's international boom

Chloe and Rachel are back after an opening weekend packed FULL of storylines! Except Brighton vs Aston Villa...

We look back on Arsenal's victory over London City Lionesses – and the Kangster dropping a huge world record transfer fee for Grace Geyoro. Plus, will Sam Kerr really breeze back into this Chelsea team? What does Grace Clinton's exit say about Manchester United? And can there be a better debut than scoring a hat-trick in the Merseyside derby?!

Join our WSL Fantasy League here with the code FFFQUZ

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dream debuts, Chelsea edge Man City, and Rach's dark horses deliver!

Chloe and Rachel are here to lift the curtain on the 2025/26 WSL season! They answer your big questions across the league.

Can anyone stop the Chelsea runaway train? Are Spurs favourites for relegation? And who are the main candidates for our new disruptors?!

Come join us for all the answers to that and much, much more.

Join our WSL Fantasy League here with the code FFFQUZ

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previewing EVERY team in the WSL!

We're back! Chloe and Rachel catch up at Upfront's brand new HQ on everything that's happened since the Euros – which, somehow, was already a month ago.

We discuss Olivia Smith's record-breaking move to Arsenal and London City Lionesses' business so far: are they refreshing disruptors or bringing more imbalance to the league?

Plus, the WSL2 is pulling in stars from all over the place – we take a look at how this season's extra promotion spot is forcing clubs to go big or go home.

Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025

Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe. If you sign up before the end of August, you'll get 15% off an annual subscription: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olivia Smith, Michelle Kang's big bucks, and the WSL2 pressure cooker

Atlético crashing out of the Champions League represent the failings of Diego Simeone’s dated style, which now looks to be a relic from another time. Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney wonder what’s next for Los Rojiblancos and their fiery coach.

Things look slightly rosier on the Galaticos’ side of the city, as Real Madrid unconvincingly brushed aside Atalanta and drew comparisons to Zinedine Zidane’s last trophy-winning stint. We also cast an eye over an interesting story developing in northern Europe, as a proposal to merge the Belgian Pro League and Dutch Eredivisie gathers momentum.

Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com!

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** 

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On The Continent: The Fall of Diego Simeone, Real Madrid lumber on, and a potential BeNeliga merger

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