The J-Talk Podcast

Episode 453 - J1 Season Previews Part 4B - Yokohama FC & Yokohama F.Marinos

We wrap up our previews with the final two teams, with the help of some special guests.

In Part 1, after a brief review of Saturday's Super Cup, we welcome first time guest Manny Padovan to chat about Yokohama FC, who returned to the top flight at the first time of asking in 2022. Has their busy offseason in the transfer market steered them in the right direction, and can they defy expectations by surviving in J1 (to 34:55)?

Then in Part 2, Pratik, Tony and Stuart from the Tricolore Pridecast give us their rundown of defending champions F.Marinos. Can they cover for some key departures and maintain their spot at the sharp end of the table?

Finally, your co-hosts give their thoughts on some F.Marinos players to watch (to 1:06:30), before previewing some of the big games kicking off the season in Matchday 1.

Episode 452 - J1 Season Previews Part 4A - FC Tokyo, Shonan & Kawasaki

We look ahead to the new top flight season for FC Tokyo, Shonan and Kawasaki.

In Part 1 Alex Bishop from FC Tokyo Kai-Guys presents a thorough preview of the capital club in a solo Kai-Guys mini-pod, before your hosts give some brief thoughts and a couple of Tokyo players to watch (to 28:25).

Then in Part 2 we discuss Shonan: Can they follow-up last season's 12th-placed finish, how long can they hang on to Shuto Machino, and is Song Bum-keun the signing of the season (to 47:00)?

And finally, Neil Debnam returns to the pod to discuss the departure of Shogo Taniguchi, a potential change in formation by manager Toru Oniki, and the season ahead for Kawasaki.

JTET - J3 Season Preview 2023 (Part B)

Mike 'The Magic' Innes, firm but fair supremo of the 'J-Talk: Short Corner' mini-pod, continues his J3 season preview series with a look at five more sides who will be battling it out in Japan's third tier over the forthcoming campaign. 

As usual, in-depth analysis awaits!

Timecodes

01:00 to 04:20 - Nagano Parceiro

04:20 to 07:20 - Matsumoto Yamaga

07:20 to 10:15 - Kataller Toyama

10:20 to 13:45 - Azul Claro Numazu

13:45 to 16:50 - FC Gifu

Parts C and D are coming soon - in the meantime, be sure to follow Mike on Twitter @GoGoOmiyaArdija!

Episode 451 - J1 Season Previews Part 3B - Nagoya & Hiroshima

As we edge closer to the start of the new J1 season, we wrap up our third week of previews by discussing Nagoya and Hiroshima.

Grampus are first cab off the rank in this episode: After an underwhelming first season in charge for Kenta Hasegawa, a lot hinges on loanee Kasper Junker's performance, fitness and attitude - could his goals spur Nagoya up the table, or will he clash with Hasegawa as he did with his former boss at Urawa (to 34:00)?

Then Sanfrecce look to kick on after a stirring rise up the table under Michael Skibbe. With a seemingly settled, deep and versatile squad, can Hiroshima swat aside talk of regression and be genuine title contenders this season?

JTET - J3 Season Preview 2023 (Part A)

With the new J3 season kicking off on March 4th, it's time to start previewing the 20 clubs that will be battling it out in Japan's third tier in 2023. 

In a 'J-Talk: Short Corner' takeover, Mike 'The Magic' Innes will be running the rule over the division in a series of 4 preview mini-pods, taking a forensic look at 5 teams in each episode.

In Part A, it's Hachinohe, Iwate, Fukushima, YSCC, & Sagamihara that find themselves under the Mike-roscope (I'm bringing this pun back for increased validation that it's actually funny and clever). 

Hope everyone enjoys the episode - the remaining 3 parts are on the way!

Timecodes:

01:00 to 04:30 - Vanraure Hachinohe

04:30 to 07:50 - Iwate Grulla Morioka

07:50 to 11:20 - Fukushima United

11:20 to 14:40 - YSCC

14:40 to 18:00 - SC Sagamihara

Episode 450 - J1 Season Previews Part 3A - Fukuoka & Tosu

The J-Talk Podcast reaches 450 episodes with first-time guest Daniel Hawkins joining the pod to chat about Fukuoka, who suffered through a pretty severe case of second season syndrome in 2022, but could their rally out of danger at the end of last season auger well for this go-round, and how much of an impact will their new signings make (to 30:20)?

Then J1's great survivors, Tosu, are on the docket, fresh from defying more pessimistic expectations, and looking to maintain their midtable status. It happens season after season, so which youngsters will come to the fore in 2023 and thrive in second year manager Kenta Kawai's system?

JTET - J2 Season Preview 2023 (Part 2)

With the new J.League season fast approaching, Jon Steele and James Taylor (plus some very special guests) continue their preview of the second tier for 2023.

In this episode, the focus is on a quartet of clubs from the Tohoku region (Akita, Yamagata, Iwaki, and Sendai), as well as a triumvirate of teams from Shizuoka (Fujieda, Iwata, and Shimizu).

Special thanks to Martin Spivey (@bantam84) for his Akita preview, and to 'new signing' Fin (@VegaltaPotter) for his thoughts on Sendai!

Part 3 of the big JTET J2 Season Preview is coming soon!

Timecodes:

02:00 to 17:45 - Blaublitz Akita (from Martin Spivey)

18:50 to 26:45 - Montedio Yamagata

26:45 to 33:30 - Iwaki FC

33:40 to 41:20 - Vegalta Sendai (from Fin)

41:20 to 49:10 - Fujieda MYFC

49:10 to 55:40 - Jubilo Iwata

55:40 to 01:02:00 - Shimizu S-Pulse

Episode 449 - J1 Season Previews Part 2B - Sapporo, Niigata & Kashiwa

Three more clubs go under the microscope in Part 2B of our J1 Season Previews with guest Jonny Nicol (though he's basically part of the furniture these days).

In Part 1 (to 27:40) we chat about one of the league's great entertainers (both for good and bad reasons), Sapporo.

In Part 2 (to 48:40) we cover the welcome return to J1 of second tier champions, Niigata.

And finally on this episode, we discuss last season's surprise packets, Kashiwa.

JTET - J2 Season Preview 2023 (Part 1)

After a short (and cold) winter break, Jon Steele & James Taylor kick off their J2 season previews with a focus on 8 clubs in the Greater Kanto area (with help from special guests)!

Timecodes:

02:00 to 09:30 - Machida Zelvia

09:50 to 16:05 - Tokyo Verdy with Lewis (@illusionofease on Twitter)

16:05 to 22:30 - JEF United Chiba

22:55 to 52:20 - Omiya Ardija with Jon & Steve Fryer (@ardija01talk on Twitter)

52:20 to 58:50 - Thespa Kusatsu Gunma

58:50 to 01:05:00 - Mito Hollyhock

01:05:00 to 01:11:35 - Tochigi with Matt Bruce (@MatthewDBruce on Twitter)

01:11:35 to Finish - Ventforet Kofu

We asked our club correspondents to keep these questions in mind when recording their segments...

1)  What do you think of the new signings that your team has made, and who will be the most important in 2023?

2)  What do you think about the departures from your team this winter, and which player departure are you most disappointed by?

3)  If your team has a new manager, are you happy with the appointment? (If your team has the same manager, are you comfortable with them?)

4)  Where do you think your team will finish this season? (Head & heart!)

5)  What are you most looking forward to in J2 overall this year (this could be related to your team, or the division in general)?

Hope everyone enjoys Part 1 - the other season preview episodes are coming up soon!

Episode 448 - J1 Season Previews Part 2A - Urawa & Kashima

This week's five club preview is split into two separate pods, with two of the league's heaviest hitters featured first.

In Part 1 Ralf Seidl guests to chat about Urawa's 2022 campaign, their ins and outs in the transfer market, and expectations for the new season under (yet another) new manager, Maciej Skorza, plus some ones to watch in 2023 (to 32:50).

Then another giant, Kashima, the most successful club in the history of the J.League, are put under the microscope. After 2022 started so promisingly, the season petered out, so what can Daiki Iwamasa do to get Antlers back in title contention (leave, according to Sam!)?

Check out Jonny's terrific J1 Predicted Lineups piece and stay tuned for three more previews coming soon in Part 2B.