It’s been called everything from a “money grab” to a “pointless pre-season disruption,” but with a prize pot of over £1 billion on the table, is the Club World Cup really such a bad idea? Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb break down the real impact — from fixture congestion and player burnout to the lure of global exposure and financial rewards. We dig into whether the tournament is worth the strain it puts on already overloaded players, and what it means for the future of football at the very top level.

Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb return with the second part of their deep dive into pre-season. This week, they explore how modern football clubs use data, GPS tracking, and injury prevention strategies to get players ready for the season—without breaking them in the process. From red flags during testing to why some pre-seasons still go wrong, this episode reveals what really separates smart preparation from costly mistakes.

In the very first episode of Strain on the Game, hosts Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb dive into the brutal reality of pre-season in elite football. From gruelling training sessions to fitness testing, they break down what players really go through behind the scenes before the first whistle of the season.

Stephen reflects on his own experiences as a Premier League player, while Adrian explains the science and strategy that goes into building a squad’s physical foundation for the months ahead. This is a part of football fans rarely gain access to – and it’s where the real work begins.

Strain on the Game pulls back the curtain on elite football to reveal the physical, mental, and financial demands hidden behind matchday performances. Hosted by former Premier League player Stephen Warnock and top-level performance expert Adrian Lamb, this podcast goes beyond the headlines, diving into the science of fitness, the reality of injuries, the pressure to perform, and the millions riding on a player’s body. If you want to know what it really takes to stay match-fit at the highest level, this is the podcast for you.