In this end-of-year review episode, Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb look back at the biggest themes that shaped football in 2025 — and revisit the questions we’ve explored across the season.

We break down the long-term impact of the Club World Cup, using real injury data and availability trends to assess whether the tournament is already affecting squads — and whether the second half of the season could bring further consequences. We also return to one of our biggest ongoing debates: will injuries decide the Premier League title race? From squad depth and fixture congestion to how tactical systems can increase injury risk, we look at why “availability” might be the real competitive advantage.

Then we dive into episode eight’s big question: are we watching the game… or the data? With the Premier League becoming more direct, sprint demands are rising — and we explore why physical outputs (like sprint distance and repeat sprint ability) are increasingly linked to goals, decisive moments, and tactical evolution. Plus, a few trends catching the eye: late goals, headed goals, kick-off tactics, and the controversial rise of “goalkeeper cramps.”

To close, we look ahead to a massive 2026 lineup — featuring voices from inside the game including analysts, recruitment, physios, strength & conditioning, agents, kit men, CEOs, and current/former Premier League players — plus an honest conversation on player mental health.

A proper football deep-dive — with a few laughs along the way.

It’s Part Two of our Strain on the Game Christmas Special — and this one goes right into the chaos of the festive football calendar: AFCON, alcohol, and what Christmas is really like for players and staff.

First up, Stephen and Adrian break down AFCON’s ripple effect across the Premier League: who gets hit hardest, how clubs cope when key starters disappear for weeks, and why it can quietly tilt a title race (or a relegation fight). It’s not just “they’ll miss a few games” — it’s momentum, tactics, recruitment pressure, inflated January prices, and the added risk of players returning with knocks after long travel and different conditions.

Then it turns personal — the real-life sacrifices behind the Boxing Day tradition. From Christmas Day training schedules and early meetings, to trying to still be present for kids in the morning, the lads share what it feels like when the football calendar doesn’t pause… even when everyone else’s does.

And finally: alcohol — the enemy of performance, but also (sometimes) part of football culture. Adrian explains what drinking actually does to recovery: sleep quality, HRV, inflammation, hydration, and muscle repair — while Stephen shares stories from Christmas parties, fancy dress disguises, and why team bonding trips can genuinely change a season.

It’s our Strain on the Game Christmas Special, and we’re kicking it off with the bit we didn’t give enough airtime this year: supplements.

After Stephen gets hit with a proper dose of “man flu” and calls Adrian for help, the lads dive into why even a “good diet” doesn’t always cover you anymore — from the decline in the nutritional quality of food (and what soil depletion has to do with it), to the reality of winter in the UK and vitamin D.

Adrian breaks down the supplement basics in a way footballers (and normal humans) can actually use:

• Fish oils (what to look for, why sourcing matters, and how they support recovery and inflammation)
• Magnesium (sleep, stress, nervous system regulation — and why glycinate wins)
• Vitamin D (Northern Hemisphere problems… and why Adrian is “solar powered”)
• Creatine (performance benefits, plus Stephen’s horror story of “creatine gummies” that were basically just expensive sweets)

• • Plus quick hits on probiotics, tart cherry, turmeric, and why you’ve got to be careful with things like zinc (because more isn’t always better)