The J-Talk Podcast

Episode 314 - Some Hard Truths

After we reveal the winner of the 2020 Levain Cup, Sam and Ben are joined by budding novelist Scott McIntyre for a hard-hitting look at the prospects of a mid-June return for the J.League, and an anytime-in-2020 resumption of the ACL.

Look out for Scott's debut novel 'Love In The Time Of Corona' on bookstands at an airport near you when it is safe to resume air travel.

Follow us on twitter:

Scott - @mcintinhos

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

The Pod - @JTalkPod

With the K-League returning this weekend, follow Sam's Football Radar colleague Alex Lee.

J-Talk: Extra Time - Room 101

Room 101 - from George Orwell's seminal 1984, or Nick Hancock's BBC TV show depending on your level of interest in English literature. 

Stuart & Jon decided to build a J.League themed Room 101 and put our Japanese football pet hates in - although I (Stuart) did go a bit off piste. Still, maybe you agree with us or maybe you think we're being pedantic. As long it provokes discussion I'm all for it. 

So what do you think? What deserves to go in the J.League Room 101? Let us know. 

Thank you to all the Patreons who support the pod. It is great to see such support and we hope you enjoy these episodes amidst all the other bad stuff happening in the world now. 

• Stuart - @sushi_football
• Jon - @J2KantoBites
• Big Pod Ben - @JTalkPod
• Big Pod Sam - @FRSoccerSam
• Patreon - https://patreon.com/jtalkpod 

Episode 313 - Tosu In Trouble

There were two teams he mentioned were in trouble a month ago, and on this episode Dan Orlowitz from The Japan Times returned to the pod with Tosu in serious financial danger. Is it Sayonara Sagan?

Also, the format of the 100th edition of the Emperor's Cup continues to flummox - even in these uncertain times - and we fix the Levain Cup, although it would probably be better if we just got rid.

Follow us on twitter:

Dan - @aishiterutokyo

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

The Pod - @JTalkPod

At the start of this episode we mention the Patreon-exclusive Ultimate XIs Draft episode that featured Cesare Polenghi and Alan Gibson, to listen to that banger of a pod - and check out other posts and a poll centred around it - please join our growing band of true believers on Patreon: patreon.com/jtalkpod

J-Talk: Extra Time - The Book Club

Jon & Stuart return for a Sunday spectacular (ok, that might be a bit hyperbolic) for your listening delights. We talk:

• J.League with a very special guest
• The competition formerly known as The Emperor's Cup
• Bad financial results

And we open the J-Talk: Extra Time book club with recommendations for those who like football and reading. Enjoy. 

Thanks to the Patreons - you people rock. Thank you for supporting what we do. 

Episode 312 - J.League Fan Culture

We took an idea/topic/question from a patron, and Stuarts Woodward and Smith were the right men at the right time to handle it, as they joined Sam and Ben to discuss their impressions of, and experiences of interacting with, the active support at their favourite J.League clubs - Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Gifu, respectively.

Follow us on twitter:

Stuart Woodward - @stuartcw

Stuart Smith - @sushi_football

The pod - @JTalkPod

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

There's another special Patreon-only episode of the pod coming later this week, for access to that, and all of our other exclusive content for our patrons, climb on board (there's plenty of room!) at patreon.com/jtalkpod.

J-Talk: Extra Time - Kit Chat

Yes! "Have a break, have a kit chat!"

Jon Steele & Stuart Smith discuss the clangers & bangers in this year's J2 & J3 kit race - referencing Parma, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Rick Astley, Stan Smith's and redcurrant along the way. 

By the way, there is a weird high pitched noise on Stuart's side of the recording that couldn't be edited out. Apologies for that. 

Stay safe out there. 

• @sushi_football
• @J2KantoBites
• Patreon - patreon.com/jtalkpod 

We appreciate all of you that help support this podcast. We know that times are lean and difficult for a lot of you in various parts of the world, but we hope this brings at least a little entertainment along for you all. 

Episode 311 - Top 10 Stadiums & J1 Kit Draft

Chris Hough joins us for a chat about his terrific new Top Ten Stadiums in Japan video on YouTube and then sticks around for our first ever J1 kit draft, as we select our favourite top flight shirts from the 2020 season.

Who put together the best line up of kits? I hope to have some tweets or a website post done very soon with them all laid out, but wanted to get the pod posted as soon as I could.

Follow us all on Twitter:

The Pod - @JTalkPod

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

Chris - @LiFJapan

Lost in Football Japan

#311# As this is Ep.311, I nicked a bit of music from 311, a band I like. Please don't sue me, 311.

Party like it is.....2008?

Come for the Covid-19 talk - but stay for the riveting events of the final day of the 2008 J1 season!

Honestly, it is crazy. But here is what you need to do to really appreciate it: 

1. Cue up this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjVM1jxf0Nw
2. Listen to our podcast from 9:55
3. Be amazed!

Thank you so much to all the Patreons - we know that there are many other things in the world that you could spend your hard-earned money on at this particular time. But we really appreciate it and we hope that you enjoy this special episode. 

 

 

 

Episode 310 - A Welcome Return

Don't want to get your J.League hopes up with the episode title, but it refers to our friend Cesare Polenghi, who joins Sam and I on the pod after a lengthy absence.

After an initial catch up, we dive in to a few J.League-resumption contingency proposals, a 20 team top flight, and discuss Monday's announcement that (at the time of recording) seven prefectures were entering a state of emergency with the worst of the coronavirus seemingly yet to come here.

If Cesare's impassioned plea at the end of the episode has inspired you to join our growing band of over 30 true believers and become a supporter of the podcast on Patreon, please head to patreon.com/jtalkpod and sign up for as little as $1 a month.

Follow us all on twitter:

The Pod - @JTalkPod

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

Cesare - @CesarePolenghi

Where art thou, J.League?

Jon Steele & Stuart Smith don't have a lot of football to talk about, but that doesn't mean there is NOTHING to talk about.

Player mindsets, training regimes, future projections, and when we think the J.League will resume are all discussed, as are Avispa Fukuoka fashion, Go West and the things we do when drunk. Enjoy!! And more importantly, stay safe out there. 

• Stuart - @sushi_football
• Jon - @J2KantoBites
• Patreon - patreon.com/jtalkpod

A special thank you to the Patreons of the podcast. We know that during these times especially that money/enthusiasm can be a bit scarce, but we thank you for allowing to try and bring a little light relief into your listening routine.