Strain on the game

Why are Premier League clubs under-performing in Europe this season?

Why are Premier League clubs struggling in Europe this season? In this episode of Strain on the Game, Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb break down why four English clubs crashed out of the Champions League last 16, despite such a strong start to the campaign. With only Liverpool and Arsenal left in the quarter-finals, the conversation turns to fixture overload, player fatigue, lack of recovery time, squad rotation, and whether the intensity of the Premier League is now working against English teams in Europe. The hosts dig into the data around games played, minutes logged, creativity levels, and why clubs in other leagues may be better protected when it matters most. They also ask whether the Premier League needs to rethink its schedule, its style, and even how the game is being refereed. Plus, Stephen tells the story of finally landing a hole in one. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe.

Inside Injury Rehab in Football: Dave Fevre on Scans, Setbacks and Getting Players Back

In part two of this special with Dave Fevre, the conversation turns to the work fans rarely see: what really happens when a player goes down injured, how decisions are made in those first critical moments, and what the rehab process actually looks like behind the scenes. Drawing on decades of experience across the professional game, Dave explains the pressure of pitch-side assessments, why staying calm matters most, and how quickly a “simple” injury can become something far more serious. He also shares why he still believes in clinical judgement over over-reliance on scans, the dangers of treating the MRI instead of the player, and how lifestyle, stress and even alcohol can impact recovery. From Roy Keane’s rehab mentality to working with top-level professionals like Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic, this episode is packed with stories, insight and hard-earned lessons from one of football’s most experienced physios. A fascinating look at the balance between science, instinct, psychology and trust — and why getting a player back on the pitch is about far more than just healing the injury.

From the Treatment Room to the Treble: Dave Fevre Tells All (Part 1)

In part one of this episode, Stephen Warnock and Adrian Lamb sit down with one of the most respected figures in elite sports medicine, Dave Fevre. A chartered physiotherapist with more than 30 years at the highest level, Dave has worked with Manchester United’s treble-winning side, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester City in the WSL. In this conversation, he looks back on his journey from rugby league into top-level football, the realities of working in elite sport before the modern era of huge performance departments, and the principles that shaped his approach to player care. Dave shares stories from behind the scenes at Manchester United, explains how sports medicine and rehabilitation have evolved, and gives a rare insight into the relationships, trust and decision-making that sit behind every return to play. A fascinating first part with one of the game’s most experienced voices.

From the Farm to the Premier League: Adrian Lamb’s Journey Through Elite Football

In this special episode of Strain on the Game, Stephen Warnock turns the spotlight onto co-host Adrian Lamb — the performance coach whose career has taken him from a farm in Cumbria to some of the biggest environments in world football. Adrian shares the remarkable journey that led him into elite sport, beginning with his upbringing on a working farm next to the Sellafield nuclear plant in the Lake District. From the values of hard work and resilience learned there, to joining the Merchant Navy as a teenager, Adrian explains the unexpected path that eventually took him into sports science and professional football. Along the way he reveals the defining moments that shaped his career — including the university lecture that changed everything, the opportunity that brought him into Newcastle United, and the lessons learned working with world-class players and managers across the Premier League, MLS, international football and beyond. Adrian and Stephen also revisit some brilliant stories from their time together at Blackburn Rovers, discuss the reality of working behind the scenes in elite sport, and reflect on the people and moments that shaped their careers. From dressing room characters to career setbacks, unexpected opportunities, and the philosophy that “luck is where preparation meets opportunity,” this is a fascinating look at life inside the high-performance side of professional football. It’s honest, insightful, and packed with stories from a career spent helping athletes perform at the very highest level.

Football’s Hardest Transition: Stephen Warnock on Retirement

In this special “Meet the Presenters” episode of Strain on the Game, Adrian turns the mic on Stephen Warnock — to unpack the story behind the voice. Stephen and Adrian kick off with a bit of life catch-up (Utah, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur), a few birthday shoutouts… and then get properly stuck into Stephen’s journey: coming through Liverpool’s academy, the influence of iconic youth coaches like Steve Heighway, and what it’s really like stepping into a first-team dressing room packed with elite names and expectation. From there, it’s the full, honest timeline — loans that toughened him up, the realities of rotation at a giant club, and the difficult call to leave Liverpool. Stephen opens up about adapting to constant managerial change, the whiplash of football politics, and the brutal “bomb squad” experience that can break even the most professional players. The heart of the episode goes deeper: Stephen speaks candidly about the mental toll of those years, retirement, losing structure, and the moment he realised he was struggling — plus the unexpected conversation that helped pull him back from a dark place. Adrian and Stephen also dig into what clubs and the PFA should be doing to support players before and after the final whistle. They finish with quickfire questions (Rooney, Ronaldo, Big Sam, Anfield…), a favourite performance he’d relive, and a message Stephen would give his 18-year-old self: train your mind like you train your body.