As the opening weekend of the 2014-15 English Premier League season rapidly approaches, The Roar is excited to announce a new addition to the website.
EPLextra is a fan-made podcast devoted to all things English Premier League and the broader issues that affect the beautiful game.
So what’s it all about?
Each episode, the panel regulars and their guests debate the week that was in the EPL and discuss some of the key issues in football from around the globe. The podcast will be available on The Roar every Tuesday morning, starting on 5 August 2014, with the first of two season preview episodes.
On each show, Part 1 (The main game) will be an in-depth look at some of the key results from the weekend that was, while Part 2 (The rest of the round) will wrap up of the remaining games. Part 3 (Extra time) will give the panel a chance to discuss other hot topics and feature some of our regular segments.
One of the regular segments to look forward to is Article of the week where the panel members will pick an article from the last seven days on The Roar, written by the crowd, and discuss the issues it raises.
Other regular segments will include Six degrees of Mario Balotelli, Notable quotables and EPLextra’s top 5. To find out more, listen in each week.
So, as terraces from around the world’s stadiums have asked since time immemorial, ‘Who are ya?’
Isik
A loyal Manchester United supporter and eternal footballing optimist, Isik guides the panel each week through all the issues that matter, while making sure his incisive views and opinions get their time in the spotlight.
Lachlan
A true Spurs die-hard, Lachlan brings his authoritative view of the game to EPLextra which he has garnered while playing everywhere on the pitch – from goalkeeper to striker – so he knows the game of football from back to front, literally.
Marko
A long-suffering Aston Villa fan, Marko is fond of a footballing statistic or two to back up his argument while trying to convince his fellow panel members that there really is life in the Premier League below the Europa spots.
Listen in each week. Write comments. Tweet the panel members @eplextra, or like them on facebook at EPLextra.
This is a fan-made podcast, created by people who know the unique experience of supporting a team on the other side of the world. They know what it’s like to set an alarm and get up in the ungodly hours of the morning just to make sure they don’t miss kickoff.
EPLextra is always looking for suggestions for topics to discuss, new segments and your views about what the panel members have said.
The football community has always been a vibrant part of The Roar. EPLextra is another opportunity for you to voice your opinions and engage with followers of the beautiful game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Thanks Marko, I'll look it up, and I'll keep an eye out for this new one as well, cheers.
AZ_RBB
Guest
If you really want to catch my attention and potentially others as well. some coverage for each of the top 4 or 5 leagues in Europe would be great. Eurosport has an awesome fortnightly podcast covering the top 5 Euro leagues but weren't able to keep it going. It's a huge ask as very few people have the time to follow so many leagues closely but it would buy my vote :)
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
AZ_RBB, Thanks for the comment. The Roar provides a great avenue for coverage of football, both domestic and overseas, and through the podcast we hope to add to it. We are always on the look-out for suggestions for new segments and issues to cover. One regular segment will be Article of the Week where we will discuss an article written by the Crowd. We already have a couple of contenders published by the last 24 hours so we will have to narrow it down to one by next week. Marko
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi Mister Football, The Roar does have another podcast (The Cheap Seats) which covers multiple sports, but football seems to get missed a bit which is hopefully where we come into it. Many sports websites seem to be moving into podcasts and video so we see this as an opportunity to enhance the coverage and content provided on the Roar. Marko
AZ_RBB
Guest
Sounds good to me. Last season A-League focus on this page almost completely pushed out EPL coverage. This might help create something of a balance although I expect at best it'll be 90% A-League 10% everything else. I generally use foreign websites for my EPL news but I'll give this a shot.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Is this the Roar's first foray into podcasting? seems a natural progression. I think an all-sport podcast should be considered, could be weekly all year round round.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
One piece of advice I would give to anyone considering the Guardian's podcast is to give it a number of listens before passing judgment. I recommended it to a work colleague who couldn't get their in-jokes and quite UK-centric references, he also found a number of the regional accents difficult to interpret too. Stick with it though, it's worth it!
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi Griffo, We will definitely be highlighting the Australians flying the flag in the EPL. Unfortunately there are less playing regularly than we would like, but we can guarantee that we will be mentioning them every chance we get. And I can recommend checking out the Guardian guys. The very best in football podcasts and the standard we will be aiming to achieve. Marko
Griffo
Roar Guru
Good luck fellas. While an A-League pod one one day would be good, you can never have too much football. Will you be highlighting the Aussies in the EPL? The Guardian one sounds like it's getting a bit of a wrap, will check that and yours out.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
You and I both Michael. For me any pod has a lot to do so as to compete with AC Jimbo and his team, but I'll definitely give this one a go. It may be worth the team here having a listen to the Guardian's pod to see how well they balance English football (and not just the Premier League) with European and other leagues, Internationals, and UEFA competitions. I reckon they cover the lot pretty well, in an informative and amusing way, and their international guests offer brilliant insights too. They've even mentioned the A League at times, and for a brief time had regular input from someone based here. Of course, I may be a little biased as Jimbo did once refer to me as, during one of the times that they mentioned one of my comments, as having the "nomenclature of the week"; and a number of their regular panelists are, like me, Sunderland supporters.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi Michael, James Richardson and the Guardian guys are the gold standard when it comes football podcasts and whilst I can't say we will be at that sort of level as they are professionals, they are a big influence (which should be plain to hear once the episodes are up online). We will of course be bringing our own style to the podcast which is more like the old Fans Corner with Les Murray and Damien Lovelock with informed banter between fans rather than the drier technical analysis of the game. Marko
Michael
Guest
The 442 Insider podcast seems to have died, which is a shame. Fox does one during the season which is well listenable too, covering A-League and other o/s leagues. Good luck lads and I'll probably have a listen when I've finished listening to Jimbo and the team at the Guardian for my European news.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Are you guys living in Australia, or England? I sincerely wish you the very best for success this venture. It's terrific to have more football discussion available. But, for me, football issues within Australia are the primary focus: ALeague, Asian Cup 2015, WC Qualifiers for 2018, u17 & u20 Asian Cup & World Cup, 2016 Olympic Qualifiers, ACL, FFA Cup, National Teams, NPL, grassroots, etc. etc.
Scott
Roar Pro
RBB I'm a Brisbane fan. You must know at least one Sydney fan who is bearable. We can have a show via Skype. Basically 30 mins hanging shit on each other and explaining why are teams are the best. We can call it HAL2&1/2 men podcast.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi guys, Thanks for the comments. In terms of why we decided to focus on the EPL, Lachlan, Isik and I thought it was the league which, as whiskeymac has alluded to, is the one we are most passionate about and that we feel most comfortable talking about. That is not to say that we won't be talking A-League (Isik and Lachlan's rivalry as Sydney FC and Mariners fans respectively will definitely come to the surface during the season), but we are grateful to the Roar for giving us this opportunity to add a new element to the Roar's football coverage. As the article alludes to, football fans are passionate about the game both here and overseas and through the podcast we are hoping to provide fans with some insightful comments, some enjoyable lighter segments and add to the already diverse commentary on the game we all love. Marko
whiskeymac
Guest
As an arsenal fan I agree. Always welcome more content but local focus is what most regulars are passionate about. Royston vasey local.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Meh EPL. Can you do one for the A-league.