72+: The EFL Podcast
August 26, 2026 16:20
BBC Sport Football’s 72+: The EFL Podcast featured hosts Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff with Tranmere’s manager (named as Darrell Clarke in the episode description and as Darrell Clare in the timecodes) as an interview guest. The conversation covered a range of early-season EFL stories, including an explanation of how Tranmere defender Bobby Faulkner ended up playing in goal and a look at Bristol Rovers forward Bobby Kamwa’s celebration after scoring against his former club Newport.
The panel also reviewed the opening domestic picture: Millwall, Charlton and West Brom have set the early pace in the Championship, while Leicester are underperforming in League One, prompting debate over whether manager Russell Martin will be given time to reverse their form. The episode’s 72PLUS/72MINUS segment highlighted a Championship contender for the Puskas award and a comic “pantomime” moment in League Two.
KEY CONTEXT
- The episode is part of the 72+ series, which now has a dedicated weekly feed on BBC Sounds offering the same EFL-focused content, guests and highlights.
- Timecodes in the episode break the discussion into topic blocks (for example, the Tranmere interview begins around 01:21 and the Kamwa celebration is discussed around 09:56).
WHY IT MATTERS
- Early-season trajectories matter in shaping promotion and relegation races; the podcast’s identification of Millwall, Charlton and West Brom as early Championship pace-setters flags teams to follow.
- Leicester’s struggles in League One and the question over Russell Martin’s job security are notable because managerial stability and early results are often linked.
- Moments such as an outfield player in goal and standout goal contenders (Puskas candidates) capture the kinds of match-defining incidents that can influence fan and media narratives around clubs and players.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Millwall, Charlton and West Brom can sustain their early Championship form.
- If Leicester’s results improve and whether Russell Martin is afforded more time to change the club’s fortunes (the podcast raised this question explicitly).
- Any follow-ups on Tranmere’s goalkeeper situation and the Championship goal that was called a Puskas contender — both items featured in the episode and may reappear in future coverage.
- New weekly episodes on the 72+ BBC Sounds feed for ongoing EFL developments.
KEY FACTS
- Hosts: Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff.
- Guest: Tranmere boss listed as Darrell Clarke (timecodes also show the name Darrell Clare).
- Topics included Bobby Faulkner playing in goal and Bobby Kamwa’s celebration v Newport.
- Panel identified Millwall, Charlton and West Brom as early Championship pace-setters; Leicester are described as struggling in League One.
- The show’s 72PLUS/72MINUS segment featured a Championship Puskas contender and a pantomime moment in League Two.