Rob and Blakey's Commentary Box

Rob and Blakey's Commentary Box

Join former BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips and ex Welsh international and Premier League player Nathan Blake, as they bring their expert analysis and cast their eagle eyes over the main talking points from all levels of football in Wales.

Episodes

December 20, 2025 61 mins

Swansea City host Wrexham in the league for the first time in more than two decades. Swansea's Lee Trundle and Wrexham's Andy Morrell join Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake to have their say on the 'Welsh derby' plus Cardiff City, Newport County, Merthyr Town and more domestic football talk.

00:00:00 Intro00:02:03 Welcome Andy Morrell00:02:23 Good relationship between Morrell and Lee Trundle00:05:30 Late to professional...

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Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake are joined by Cameron Toshack to talk coaching, selection and the insights and influence of father John.

00:00:00 Introduction 

00:02:38 Cameron Toshack 

00:04:14 Decision to move based on growing as a person

00:11:00 Why do some coaches get opportunities and some don't?

00:13:54 Didn'...

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Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake. In this episode, Merthyr's Lewys Twamley is in the house.

00:00 Introduction and special guest

02:10 Lewys Twamley - Merthyr Town

06:43 Setting targets as a player

08:47 Merthyr is a football enclave in a rugby valley

13:27 Chester

16:10 Does the manager love you?

17:35 Ricardo Rees on fire

...

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Brian Barry-Murphy has a famous father and a famous wife. He was a relative unknown when he was unveiled as Cardiff City's new coach in June 2025. But, he's certainly made his mark among the Bluebirds. A former Manchester City academy coach, the Irishman was assistant manager to Ruud Van Nistelrooy at Leicester City when he decided to make the move to Cardiff, his second job as a number one - his first was at Rochdale in 20...

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Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake - always loud, clear and uncompromising on Welsh football. After Wales' emphatic 7-1 over North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifiers, which secured a home tie in the play-off semi-final, there's cautious optimism ahead of the draw. But, there's real concern from Blakey over Newport County's chances of retaining the League Two status following the departure of manager Dave Hughes. Bella...

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Loud and clear on Welsh football. Find out who Blakey would shortlist if he was appointing the next head coach in SA1. Do managers need more time, regardless of what the statistics say? Can Santa help Wales? Why Wrexham's physicality is making the difference. 00:00: Intro and coming up01:16 Big talking point - Swans sack Sheehan06:04 Blakey's thoughts on managerial changes06:23 Analysis of Ipswich defeat - players not coach...

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The duo are loud and clear on Welsh football - but Rob Phillips & Nathan Blake are not always in agreement! Is there harmony on the pod? Probably not for the duration ...00:00:00 Introduction00:02:08 Dan James is back and everyone is happy00:06:28 Wales not in great form lately00:12:13 Blakey on why football is cyclical - and is changing00:13:58 Ramsey returns from Mexico - what's next?00:23:00 Frank Lampard00:24:13 Brennan...

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Loud and clear on Welsh football from Rob Phillips, the man used to talking about it and Nathan Blake, the one who played it at the top level. This week our dynamic duo are not so dynamic, well one of them isn't anyway, (you decide who!), there's talk of the biggest team in Wales, (controversial, much?) the need for less passive football and why sometimes it takes a new striker to bring out the best in the old one.Third yea...

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00:00 Introduction

01:15 Farewell Jess Fishlock

05:51 A superwoman who has achieved so much

07:54 Women footballers still not getting recognition they deserve

13:00 Blakey calls for statues for Jess Fishlock and Gareth Bale

13:30 Jess Fishlock herself

15:30 No regrets

18:00 "I'm such a proud Welsh person ...."

20:30 Proudest moment

25:30 Management changes for some of the women's sides

27:10 Robbie Savage says abuse is ...

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October 10, 2025 69 mins

Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake. They're joined this week by Roopa Vyas of Her Game Too and USW Sports Journalism third year student, Ben Thomas.00:00:00 Introduction, inc guest Roopa Vyas of Her Game Too00:01:40 Blakey's on the move, this could be a bumpy ride 00:04:00 Wales conceded 'avoidable goals'00:...

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Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level - Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake talk all things Welsh football. On episode 10:00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:06 Ramsey returns00:09:44 What about Rubin Colwill?00:18:41 Bellamy's passion & wanting to take on the best00:20:43 Pros and cons of playing England00:23:53 David beat Goliath00:25:52 Mature performance by W...

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September 25, 2025 66 mins

00:20 The perils of taking your shirt off - Arne Slot's reaction to Hugo Ekitike’s goal celebrations and Blakey on what happens to a footballer when they score goals.08:42 Cardiff's bounce-back win and where they're expected to finish12:05 Wrexham aggression 15:53 Broadhead different type of player to Moore17:51 Style of play is always going to divide some fans22:56 Are Swansea playing 'the Sheehan way'?25:11 Th...

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September 17, 2025 67 mins

Loud and clear on Welsh football ...

Welcome to episode 8.

00:02:00 Football ahead of rugby as the national sport

00:04:10 Blakey the bee keeper?

00:05:35 Ashley Williams referencing Cardiff City Stadium as 'home' for Wales international side - they will be playing at the Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028.

00:07:38 Bolton Wanderers move from Burnden Park to the Reebok Stadium

00:08:30 Stadium atmospheres - Wolves v Sheffie...

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September 10, 2025 62 mins

Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips, former BBC Wales football correspondent, and ex Wales and Premier League player, Nathan Blake.In episode 7, Wales' defeat to Canada takes centre stage and Newport County's disappointing start to the season gets Blakey animated. And he's got some suggestions for chair Huw Jenkins, including whi...

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September 3, 2025 84 mins

Loud and clear on Welsh football from the man used to talking about it and the one who played it at the top level, Rob Phillips, former BBC Wales football correspondent, and former Wales and Premier League player, Nathan Blake. In episode 6 Rob is joined in studio by an ex Welsh international with a remarkable pedigree - he's the only one to play for all four of our EFL clubs. He is of course, David Giles. And his other guest is Fo...

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We're approaching the end of the transfer window and there's a BIG story in the Premier League as Alexander Isak is battling with his current club, Newcastle United, for a move to Liverpool. He's effectively on strike, and never one to be outdone, our very own Blakey downed tools as a youngster at Cardiff City. All is revealed in episode five of the podcast. Rob and Blakey also discuss what our four EFL clubs need to en...

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August 19, 2025 57 mins

The spotlight is on Swansea City at the start of episode 4 of Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake's Commentary Box - loud and clear on Welsh sport. The former BBC football correspondent and ex Wales international and Premier League player are tackling the main talking points as the Swans add to their squad, look to capitalise on the influence of their investors and build on the 'buzz' around the club. Blakey has some friendly...

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In the third episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. Two great friends, many years, miles and games covered - and they're sharing their experiences, their views (often opposing!) and their contacts books with podcast viewers and listeners. In Ep 3, as well as offering their expert opinions on recent games for our EFL and Cymru Premier sides, they talk...

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August 6, 2025 83 mins

In the second episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. Two great friends, many years, miles and games covered - and they're sharing their experiences, their views (often opposing!) and their contacts books with podcast viewers and listeners. And today, one of Blakey's great mates makes a guest appearance. She's a living legend in Welsh football...

Mark as Played

In the first episode of a brand new podcast, Rob Phillips and Nathan Blake bring you their take on Welsh football, loud and clear. From the Premier League and Wales at international level, Blakey has some tales to tell. Have you heard the one about him nearly signing for The Mighty Reds under Kenny Dalglish? And how does he think Wales' four EFL clubs will fare this season?Seasoned sports journalist Rob is in a new chapter of h...

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