On The Ball - A show about Norwich City-logo

On The Ball - A show about Norwich City

The Athletic

The Athletic's Michael Bailey is joined by a host of guests to bring you all the latest insight from Norwich City every single week. Hear interviews from big names, entertaining discussion and breaking news that you won't get anywhere else.

Location:

United States

Networks:

The Athletic

Description:

The Athletic's Michael Bailey is joined by a host of guests to bring you all the latest insight from Norwich City every single week. Hear interviews from big names, entertaining discussion and breaking news that you won't get anywhere else.

Language:

English


Episodes
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#162 Heaven and Hull

10/8/2024
It's the feelgood pod of the year! Sometimes it's difficult to be anything but positive - and after a 4-0 win for Norwich City over Hull City, with some free-flowing, progressive football under a new coach, The On The Ball podcast has come over all glass-half-full. Host Steve Sanders, and guests Dan Brigham, Ryan Livermore and The Pink Un's Connor Southwell, get the joy of talking high presses, winning midfield battles, wind-assisted penalty misses, Sainz's explosion in form and Kamara's less than warm welcome. Plus, breaking our silence on the unsilence, The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke becomes the first person ever to pick out Frankie & Benny's as a Norwich highlight, Connor talks corners (specifically his hatred for short ones), we remember Dion Dublin's farewell tour and Javier Garrido's one great cross, and Dan promptly forgets everything that was discussed in the previous hour during Ryan quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:14:05

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#161 The kids are alright

9/3/2024
The contracts have been signed, the transfer requests have (hopefully) all been handed in and the window has shut. The On The Ball podcast assesses whether an eventful window went well or not for the new look Norwich City and their eight fresh-faced signings, or whether they'll miss the newly departed Jonny Rowe and Abu Kamara. Of course the optimism levels of host Steve Sanders, and guests Ryan Livermore and Craig Draycott, were helped by a 1-0 win for the Canaries at Coventry, their first in the league this season. The panel discuss some no-nonsense Doyle defending, the new fad of looking composed in possession, and the delight of half-time subs who can change a game. Elsewhere, features old and new as Craig makes a case for seedless cup draws, and Ryan is forced to choose between Glenn Roeder and Dean Smith in 'Gunn To The Head'. Plus the Croatian for 'buttons', the Spanish for 'Ken Aboh' and a couple of nice reminders of the existence of Dani Pacheco - all in the latest episode of On The Ball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:06:19

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#160 Putting the fun in dysfunctional

8/20/2024
13 goals in a week! Most of them for Norwich City! The On The Ball podcast glosses over last week's dodgy start at Oxord to pronounce the Hoff era as up-and-running, with a 4-3 win against Stevenage and a 2-2 draw with Blackburn. And it's all change in the presenter's chair, with Ryan Livermore stepping in as host and Steve Sanders joining Zoe Morgan on the panel. The three of them discuss the heralding of youth, Forson forcing his way in, the problem with Shane Duffy, and the rise of Good Vibes FC for 2024/25. Plus, Derby County fan Ryan Dilks of The Second Tier podcast shares what the point of Norwich City is (spoiler: lots of love for Wes Hoolahan), our Ryan's quiz is all about the Onel drought, all the Idah stuff we missed out last week, changing the headbutt law, and a very shallow dive into the life and times of Richard Ressler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:19:13

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#159 Kick it offal: a new era beckons

8/13/2024
It's not that often that the On The Ball podcast gets to react to big on-the-day Norwich City news but the announcement that Delia and Michael would be passing ownership over to Norfolk Holdings (not a haulage company) was just that. The dawning of a shiny new era, and the sun setting on a truly historic one. It all gave Steve Sanders, Zoe Morgan and Dan Brigham a handy distraction from the sad stuff - things like the first-day humbling at the Kassam, Grant Hanley and Shane Duffy still being a thing, and Jonny Rowe heading to the naughty step (or, as it's more accurately known, the U21s training ground), and possibly the south of France. Plus, football author and broadcaster Daniel Gray tells us 'What Is The Point of Norwich City?', managerial fashionistas, Notting Hill, and the start of new feature 'Brad Hills To Die On', featuring Zoe going in two-footed on players who won't use two feet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:17:36

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#158 Hoff to a flyer

8/6/2024
The On The Ball Norwich City Podcast is back and readying itself for The Hoff Era with a pre-season preview. Steve Sanders, Dan Brigham and Zoe Morgan assess the last couple of months, taking in the highs of the arrival of Thorup and new pod favourite Glen Riddersholm and the lows of the St Pauli defeat and Adam Idah not getting on no plane, and offer a healthy dose of realism/deranged optimism (pick your pundit) ahead of Norwich City's new Danish adventure. Plus, Spurs fan James Bugg from The Football Book Club podcast offers some sensible thoughts on the Canaries (as well as asking if the club's first chairman was a bird) as part of new feature What's The Point of Norwich City, a tearful goodbye to lovely Gabriel Sara, no-one can decide on whether Jack Stacey will be good or bad, and an On The Ball podcast first as one panellist phones in from the bath. Quite the way to kickstart a new season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:22:26

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#157 Signing Hoff for the season

5/24/2024
It’s end of season party podcast time! The campaign is finally over, and the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast will see you to the conclusion in style, with a supercharged episode to round off the season. This feature-length episode stars Steve Sanders, Dan Brigham and Zoe Morgan, and takes in tragedy (Norwich City’s crushing 4-0 defeat to Leeds), comedy (revisiting the panellists’ start of season predictions), suspense (just who did win the On The Ball Podcast Player of the Season award?) and features all your favourite heroes from a kind-of memorable season (Sara, Kenny, Hwang). Plus, the panellists assess the era of Wagner and whether they agree with his dismissal, run the rule over the pretenders to his crown (including William Stilliam), check in on the departed – and possibly soon-to-be departed – members of the squad, and hand out their inimitable and coveted end of season prizes, such as the ‘He’s Dead To Me’ award and the ‘Ashley Barnes Moment of the Season’ award. Truly saving the best episode until last! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:42:35

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#156 A tight podcast on a tight 90

5/14/2024
Let's be fair, that wasn't what we'd hoped for. The On The Ball Norwich City Podcast takes stock at the halfway stage of the play-off semi-final between Norwich City and Leeds United, with no goals to speak of. That didn't stop Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dan Brigham and Zoe Morgan from having plenty to discuss though, with the trio soaking up another electric Carrow Road atmosphere, lauding the return of Dimi and the continued excellence of Nunez, and sweating on the fitness of the probably-absolutely-fine (according to David Wagner's post-match assessment) Josh Sargent. Plus curries, Call The Midwife slander, other clubs' owners taking our sage advice, and the reasons why we're actually going to bloody do it and Elland Road and make it to Wembley. OTBC! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:53:53

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#155 A double date with Daniel

5/7/2024
Call off the trepidation - the top six spot is booked and the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast can start looking ahead to a date with the ex, as Daniel Farke arrives with Leeds on Sunday for a play-off semi-final. Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dave Powles and Connor Southwell try and work out what sort of position the Canaries will need to be in heading to Elland Road, attempt to care more about Norwich City's defeat at Birmingham more than David Wagner, and look back at the topsy-turvy campaign that's led us to here. Plus, referees kissing the badge, pitch invasions, selflessly giving up a ticket, and a healthy dollop of impromptu 2010s NCFC player nostalgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:00:16

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#154 Don't say 'we made it' yet...

4/30/2024
You will hear no presumptions made on this penultimate/not-penultimate On The Ball Norwich City Podcast for 2023/24. That's because the Canaries are nearly in the play-offs but not quite rubber stamped yet - with a 2-2 draw with Swansea at the weekend, along with Hull's draw with Ipswich, meaning that only an eight-goal swing in Hull's favour would see Norwich City drop out of the top six. Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dan Brigham and Ryan Livermore ensure not to break any mirrors or walk under any ladders, as the panel once again pay homage to the magnificence of Gabriel Sara, try and remember the five shots of Duffy, and at least allow Sydney van Hooijdonk more air time than he gets game time. Plus, Kenny wins player of the season and immediately slips into apology mode, finding ways to avoid next Saturday's game, and a lot of agonising noises over answers in Ryan Livermore's player-of-the-year quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:13:50

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#153 Top Gunn and praying for sun

4/23/2024
It's eight and out for the Canaries, as the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast assesses the game that ended the winning run at Carrow Road, the 1-1 draw with Bristol City. Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers) bravely soldiers through cold with Dan Brigham and Dave Freezer, as the panel give overdue praise in the direction of Gunn Jr, question the timing of that Sainz run, get the abacuses out to work out what Norwich City need to nail down a top-six spot, and talk through the impact on fans of the new Sky Sports EFL deal. Plus, Allan Russell meets Russell Allan, dreaming of Westy on the pitch at Wembley, why warmth equals wins, and the best anecdote involving Mark Barham and a tortoise you'll hear all season... Get it while it's hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:03:56

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#152 Tears, cheers and 15 years

4/9/2024
Well...what were we worried about? An On The Ball Norwich City Podcast to enjoy about a game worth remembering, as the Canaries got (another) one over their old rivals Ipswich Town with a 1-0 win on Saturday. A panel of Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dan Brigham, Zoe Morgan and Ryan Livermore relive the supercharged atmosphere on a memorable day at Carrow Road, sing the praises of free-kick hero Marcelino Nunez, laud Wagner's grown-up tactics, and mention the 15-year run quite a lot. Plus, the poor man's Paul Lambert and the Ben Pearson tribute act, crying and booing through an enjoyable game of football, and Ryan's quiz goes all Film 2009. Post-derby day joy from beginning to end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:19:11

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#151 Cornering the set-piece market

4/3/2024
For the first time in quite some time, the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast does not follow a win, after the Canaries' 3-1 Easter Monday defeat at Leicester. The panel of NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders), Dan Brigham and Dave Powles review that, before moving on to the positivity of the comeback win over Plymouth, Gabriel Sara's free-kick nearly moment and Norwich City's new role as the Championship's new corner routine kings. And then there is, of course, the look ahead to quite an important derby game... Plus, a look back at those Stuart Webber comments, a new horse-based celebration idea for Ashley Barnes, being sick in tube carriages, and answer to the age-long question: 'What Are Norwich City Actually Good At?'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:03:42

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#150 A statement win for a landmark pod

3/19/2024
The On The Ball Norwich City Podcast turns 150 episodes old! And celebrated by doing what it's done for the previous 149 episodes: talking about the football. Luckily the Canaries obliged with a thumping 3-0 win at Stoke for the anniversary pod, so it was celebrations all round. NCFCNumbers (aka Steve Sanders), Zoe Morgan, and Radio Norfolk Sport Editor & Norwich City commentator Phil Daley revisit the away win that put the Yellows firmly in the top six, rejoice in the wonder of Sara, ask if Stoke is still a difficult place to go, and debate who's getting Player of the Season. Plus...playing Snog, Marry, Avoid with the Norwich City defence, a review of Onel & Jonny on the mic from one of their peers, Iwan's mystery sit-down goal, and lots of people not called Chris being called Chris. It was a chaotic way to turn 150! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:06:18

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#149 S-caping to victory

3/12/2024
Five goals, five goalscorers beginning with S - some sort of sorcery... Episode 149 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast deals with the alliterative, but also revels in a thumping 5-0 win for Norwich City over Rotherham on Saturday that lifted Norwich City into the top six. NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders) is joined by Ryan Livermore and Radio Norfolk Norwich City commentator Chris Goreham to run the rule over the Canaries and their historically poor opponents, dish out a bit of praise to Jack Stacey and Jacob Sorensen, and discuss who did it better: Sainz or Sara. And they're still not over THAT red card either, so the Sainz-Howson brush off gets the On The Ball treatment too. Plus, life as Cinderella's understudy, some new kids on the commentary block for Chris, and stick around until the end for Quiz Boreham - quite possibly Ryan's finest quiz to date... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:10:52

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#148 Sargent's on fire

3/5/2024
...and Sunderland's defence, for one passage of play at least, were terrified. Episode 148 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast focuses squarely on Norwich City's American beauty of a striker, Josh Sargent, who has turned his goalscoring fortunes around and proved to be the Canaries' matchwinner in their 1-0 victory on Saturday. NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders), Dan Brigham and consummate debutant Dave Powles discuss whether he might be Norwich City's most important player for the run-in, and whether or not he'll be part of a top-six squad come May. He's not the only one experiencing an upturn in form, and the panel also take the time to praise a few Norwich City squad members and one Norwich City head coach. Plus Keir at the curry house, Kenny McLean hurrying South Stand season ticket holders through their grocery shopping, and 90s hardman Lee Howie and the greatest autobiography title of all time... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:55:58

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#147 Adam and the eve of deadline day

1/30/2024
The transfer window will dramatically slam shut on Thursday, and all the talk is suddenly about an Adam Idah move to Verona in Serie A. So naturally that's what a lot of the talk in Episode 147 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast was about the potential deal as well. NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders), Zoe Morgan and Ryan Livermore didn't manage to totally avoid Norwich City's two games this week though, taking in the cavalier defending at Anfield, Borja's banger, Sara's miss at Elland Road, Kenny in FIFA mode and bending it like Barnes. Still, at least they didn't lose to Maidstone... Plus a stellar FA Cup quiz from Ryan, shaved circus bears, trying not to incur the threat of legal action from Webber, and the unbridled fury of seeing Laura Woods clapping opposition goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:08:52

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#146 Play-off choices and panto voices

1/23/2024
Episode 146 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast falls on that rarest of occasions: a two-win week for Norwich City. The most recent of those came in an improved performance over West Brom on Saturday, and NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders), Dan Brigham and Ryan Livermore pick the bones out of the 2-0 triumph, lay some praise at Kenny McLean's door and do their damnedest not to get talked into top-six optimism, as well as looking ahead to a couple of tricky looking away fixtures in league and cup, at Leeds and Liverpool. Elsewhere, the trio lament the shortness and not-so-sweetness of the Adam Forshaw era, Ryan brings a five-star five-second quiz, everything you never needed to know about yoyos, and a panto star is born in Buttons, who stars from beginning to end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:08:06

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#145 Rowe-ing to Hull and back

1/16/2024
So just how much do you allow a performance to gloss over a result? That's the main debate on Episode 145 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast, which focuses on the Canaries' eye-catching 2-1 win at Hull, which was achieved with a slightly less eye-catching display. Elsewhere NCFCNumbers, aka Steve Sanders, Zoe Morgan and ITV Anglia's Andy Ward kick off the year in OTB pods with a discussion on whether it'll be time to go for Jonny Rowe, Gunn's form, Rosenior being happy, the Aaron Connolly vendetta, and Andy relives a tense Q&A with Delia and Michael at the AGM. Plus Dimi starting a superhero cult, Tony Gary is on the move and spending all that lovely coach money on Kalvin Phillips. 2024's off to a flyer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:00:58

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#144 'Tis the season to be Jonny

12/19/2023
Episode 144 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast has more than one reason to be festive, after Jonathan Rowe's finest hour to date kept their unbeaten run in the East Anglian derby going. Naturally the 2-2 draw against Ipswich, and all the surrounding shenanigans, was the main topic of conversation for NCFCNumbers, aka Steve Sanders, Dan Brigham and Zoe Morgan. But, in the final podcast of the year, the panel also found time to hand out their 2023 End of Year Awards (in which Todd Cantwell bags a few), look ahead to a set of Christmas fixtures and even take in a surprise cameo from a very special guest in a cupboard! Plus Shane Duffy as Dorothy, the impending return of Sarge, and chatting about mustard just to fit in with everyone else. A real end of year treat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:13:35

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#143 Derby day memories and derby day dread

12/12/2023
The return of the East Anglian derby looms large over Episode 143 of the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast, as the team pick some of their favourite games and moments from derby duels gone by. The alternative for host NCFCNumbers, aka Steve Sanders, Dan Brigham and Craig Draycott was a long debrief the weekend's 0-0 with Preston North End, but the team move swiftly over that to preview the big game against Ipswich Town this Saturday, plus ruminate on what may not have been Delia and Michael's finest hour in front of the media at the club's recent Annual General Meeting. Plus Kenny in defence, Gibbs up front, Idah coming in to form(?) and the Norwich City player you'd most like to be stuck in a cupboard with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:05:42