Episodes
Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake. In this episode, Merthyr's Lewys Twamley is in the house. 00:00 Introduction and special guest02:10 Lewys Twamley - Merthyr Town06:43 Setting targets as a player08:47 Merthyr is a football enclave in a rugby valley13:27 Chester16:10 Does the manager love you?17:35 Ricardo Rees on fire21:54 Mum 22:45 People should be fearing us27:35 Wales Women 31:32 Swansea - Blakey maintains their 'soft'39:22 Winning your battles & application needed at Swansea42...
Brian Barry-Murphy has a famous father and a famous wife. He was a relative unknown when he was unveiled as Cardiff City's new coach in June 2025. But, he's certainly made his mark among the Bluebirds. A former Manchester City academy coach, the Irishman was assistant manager to Ruud Van Nistelrooy at Leicester City when he decided to make the move to Cardiff, his second job as a number one - his first was at Rochdale in 2019-2021. He explains to Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake what his footballing philosophy is and why principles of play matter to him. He also talks players, pathways and the...
Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake - always loud, clear and uncompromising on Welsh football. After Wales' emphatic 7-1 over North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifiers, which secured a home tie in the play-off semi-final, there's cautious optimism ahead of the draw. But, there's real concern from Blakey over Newport County's chances of retaining the League Two status following the departure of manager Dave Hughes. Bellamy's boys defied the doubters and got the job done but will the same be said of the Exiles at the end of the season? Who better to ask than former County manager, Mike Flynn. 00:...
Loud and clear on Welsh football. Find out who Blakey would shortlist if he was appointing the next head coach in SA1. Do managers need more time, regardless of what the statistics say? Can Santa help Wales? Why Wrexham's physicality is making the difference. 00:00: Intro and coming up01:16 Big talking point - Swans sack Sheehan06:04 Blakey's thoughts on managerial changes06:23 Analysis of Ipswich defeat - players not coaches make decisions on the pitch10:43 Why the change had to be made13:36 Blakey the philosopher16:33 Blakey's done his research - and has a list of managers to fit Swansea'...
The duo are loud and clear on Welsh football - but Rob Phillips & Nathan Blake are not always in agreement! Is there harmony on the pod? Probably not for the duration ...00:00:00 Introduction00:02:08 Dan James is back and everyone is happy00:06:28 Wales not in great form lately00:12:13 Blakey on why football is cyclical - and is changing00:13:58 Ramsey returns from Mexico - what's next?00:23:00 Frank Lampard00:24:13 Brennan Johnson first ever British player to score and be sent off in the same UEFA Champions League game.00:28:00 Cardiff City - it's all about the league00:34:02 Strikers happ...
Loud and clear on Welsh football from Rob Phillips, the man used to talking about it and Nathan Blake, the one who played it at the top level. This week our dynamic duo are not so dynamic, well one of them isn't anyway, (you decide who!), there's talk of the biggest team in Wales, (controversial, much?) the need for less passive football and why sometimes it takes a new striker to bring out the best in the old one.Third year Sports Journalism student Ben Thomas makes another guest appearance to report on Wales Women's eleventh defeat and why investment is the key to a parity in the Cymru Pr...
00:00 Introduction01:15 Farewell Jess Fishlock05:51 A superwoman who has achieved so much07:54 Women footballers still not getting recognition they deserve13:00 Blakey calls for statues for Jess Fishlock and Gareth Bale13:30 Jess Fishlock herself 15:30 No regrets18:00 "I'm such a proud Welsh person ...."20:30 Proudest moment25:30 Management changes for some of the women's sides27:10 Robbie Savage says abuse is 'crossing a line'.32:00 Blakey speaks from experience about the impact of verbal abuse34:45 Cardiff City back on top - and BBM not afraid to ring the changes42:05 Newport County's lat...
Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake. They're joined this week by Roopa Vyas of Her Game Too and USW Sports Journalism third year student, Ben Thomas.00:00:00 Introduction, inc guest Roopa Vyas of Her Game Too00:01:40 Blakey's on the move, this could be a bumpy ride 00:04:00 Wales conceded 'avoidable goals'00:09:03 Fans' concerns after the England defeat 00:15:51 Why Wales needed momentum ahead of Belgium00:24:45 Euro 2016 encouraged a new generation of fans00:29:40 Mark Evans of FAW'...
Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level - Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake talk all things Welsh football. On episode 10:00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:06 Ramsey returns00:09:44 What about Rubin Colwill?00:18:41 Bellamy's passion & wanting to take on the best00:20:43 Pros and cons of playing England00:23:53 David beat Goliath00:25:52 Mature performance by Wrexham against Leicester00:28:14 Franco's goal for Swansea was something else00:32:32 Cardiff disallowed goal00:35:27 Referees and decisions00:38:48 VAR causes controvers...
00:20 The perils of taking your shirt off - Arne Slot's reaction to Hugo Ekitike’s goal celebrations and Blakey on what happens to a footballer when they score goals.08:42 Cardiff's bounce-back win and where they're expected to finish12:05 Wrexham aggression 15:53 Broadhead different type of player to Moore17:51 Style of play is always going to divide some fans22:56 Are Swansea playing 'the Sheehan way'?25:11 The Ethan Galbraith factor28:38 Swansea play-off contenders33:14 The boxer 37:17 Fan reaction to Newport's poor run38:55 Why investors might be put off40:30 Blakey loves Harry Wilson44...
Loud and clear on Welsh football ...Welcome to episode 8. 00:02:00 Football ahead of rugby as the national sport00:04:10 Blakey the bee keeper?00:05:35 Ashley Williams referencing Cardiff City Stadium as 'home' for Wales international side - they will be playing at the Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028.00:07:38 Bolton Wanderers move from Burnden Park to the Reebok Stadium00:08:30 Stadium atmospheres - Wolves v Sheffield United00:12:00 Wrexham's poor start00:20:00 Sheffield United returning to Chris Wilder00:21:18 Colin Todd at Bolton00:22:41 Cardiff City's game management00:30:58 Swan...
Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips, former BBC Wales football correspondent, and ex Wales and Premier League player, Nathan Blake.In episode 7, Wales' defeat to Canada takes centre stage and Newport County's disappointing start to the season gets Blakey animated. And he's got some suggestions for chair Huw Jenkins, including which out of contract player he could pick up to help the side out. 00:00 What's coming up on the pod02:53 Blakey highlights the impact eight different starters was likely to ha...
Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips, former BBC Wales football correspondent, and former Wales and Premier League player, Nathan Blake. In episode 6 Rob is joined in studio by an ex Welsh international with a remarkable pedigree - he's the only one to play for all four of our EFL clubs. He is of course, David Giles. And his other guest is Football Association of Wales Domestic Leagues Development Manager, Sian Cousins. And, despite a long journey to Kazakhstan and very little sleep, Blakey joined rem...
We're approaching the end of the transfer window and there's a BIG story in the Premier League as Alexander Isak is battling with his current club, Newcastle United, for a move to Liverpool. He's effectively on strike, and never one to be outdone, our very own Blakey downed tools as a youngster at Cardiff City. All is revealed in episode five of the podcast. Rob and Blakey also discuss what our four EFL clubs need to ensure they're in the best shape when the window closes and they give their verdicts on the Carabao/League Cup second round results, which saw Swansea, Wrexham and Cardiff all ...
The spotlight is on Swansea City at the start of episode 4 of Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake's Commentary Box - loud and clear on Welsh sport. The former BBC football correspondent and ex Wales international and Premier League player are tackling the main talking points as the Swans add to their squad, look to capitalise on the influence of their investors and build on the 'buzz' around the club. Blakey has some friendly advice for Liam Cullen & Joe Rodon & an invitation for recently retired Joe Allen. There's a debate about which goalkeeper is Wrexham's 'first choice' and what that could me...
In the third episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. Two great friends, many years, miles and games covered - and they're sharing their experiences, their views (often opposing!) and their contacts books with podcast viewers and listeners. In Ep 3, as well as offering their expert opinions on recent games for our EFL and Cymru Premier sides, they talk Merthyr Town, Blakey offers insights into what its like as a player to know you're not in the manager's plans and Rob explains why he thinks its a BIG season for Wel...
In the second episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. Two great friends, many years, miles and games covered - and they're sharing their experiences, their views (often opposing!) and their contacts books with podcast viewers and listeners. And today, one of Blakey's great mates makes a guest appearance. She's a living legend in Welsh football and she's spilling the beans on life in Seattle, her assessment of the Euros and the question on everyone's lips, including Blakey's, is she going to hang up her internation...
In the first episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. From the Premier League and Wales at international level, Blakey has some tales to tell. Have you heard the one about him nearly signing for The Mighty Reds under Kenny Dalglish? And how does he think Wales' four EFL clubs will fare this season?Seasoned sports journalist Rob is in a new chapter of his career, free to share his opinions and insights, so what does he really think about the Hollywood influence on Wrexham and the difference Snoop Dog will make at Sw...