Episode 230: Previewing the new season & Jonathan Wilson on his new book

At long last, the Hand Of Pod 2016-17 season preview is here! Sam is joined by Andrés and Tony to look over the main transfer moves and some of what we can expect from the main contenders on the pitch in the coming months, as well as explaining why we can only be definitely assured of football until December, for the moment. We also preview Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers at home to Uruguay and away to Venezuela, since there will be no HOP next week as Sam’s off to Mendoza to cover the former. And there’s a chat with Jonathan Wilson, who tells us a bit about his new book on the history of Argentine football, Angels With Dirty Faces – why he wrote it, some of the things he uncovered and more.

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Mystic Sam’s first round predictions
Sarmiento v Arsenal
Godoy Cruz v Huracán
Gimnasia v Vélez
Central v Defensa y Justicia
Racing v Talleres
Atlético Tucumán v Atlético de Rafaela
San Lorenzo v San Martín
Tigre v Estudiantes
Quilmes v Newell’s
Belgrano v Independiente
Unión v Olimpo
River v Banfield
Lanús v Boca
Aldosivi v Colón
Temperley v Patronato

Episode 27: The Copa América review special with Jonathan Wilson

The twenty-seventh episode of Hand Of Pod is our look back on an eventful and historic Copa América Argentina 2011, and Sam, Australian Dan, English Dan and Seba are joined by award-winning author, journalist and editor and co-founder of The Blizzard, Jonathan Wilson, who shares his thoughts on the tournament with us over some fernet and empanadas. Jonathan gives us a tactical breakdown of why Brazil’s defence isn’t what it once was, why Argentina will never be able to replicate Barcelona, and we discuss the importance of silly hair to the Argentine footballing psyche. There are players of the tournament, praise for Uruguay and their brilliant manager Óscar Washington Tabárez, and Mister Wilson’s thoughts prior to the World Youth Cup, which he’s since travelled on to Colombia to cover. And of course, we kick it all of by discussing the AFA’s frankly ludicrous plans for the Primera División. We couldn’t ignore that.