Hand Of Pod

The fifth episode of Hand Of Pod is a bumper, one-hour(ish) end-of-year special. Uploading was delayed by a couple of days due to delays editing, but now Sam, Dan and Dan guide you through the climax of the Argentine league campaign and Independiente's dramatic Copa Sudamericana win with the help of tamed Independiente fan Fran. There's also an aside on players' goal celebrations in which Zombie (pictured) has a part to play. Sound quality isn't what it normally is this week, due to having to record over Skype thanks to Sam's Christmas holiday in England, but we'll be back to normal when we return in mid-late January 2011.

This week's podcast is the last live-recorded one of 2010, and sees Sam, Dan and Dan discuss the upcoming denouement of the Torneo Apertura, as well as the squad list for Argentina's Under 20 South American Championship campaign which will kick off in January in Colombia. We also look back on the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final last week. Oh, and there's a special guest dog.

In the third episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan shelter from the Buenos Aires rain whilst discussing the veterans of the Argentine league, why River Plate might be the season's most frustrating team to watch, All Boys supersub Cristian Fabbiani's waistline, and Independiente's chances of upsetting local neighbours Racing by winning the Copa Sudamericana (dented since we recorded by a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the final). Farmyard noises also included.

In the second episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan return to discuss last week's superclásico and Argentina's Lionel Messi-inspired win over Brazil. Last week's River Plate-supporting guest Gerardo is back to give us his take on both. We also look at the race for the league title, and the Copa Libertadores qualification spots, and there's praise for the brilliant season newly-promoted All Boys are having. The dogs, mercifully, were quieter this week, and the sound quality ought to be considerably better. Enjoy. The Hand Of Pod theme music is composed, performed and produced by Nick Ball.

In the first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan talk to River Plate fan Gerardo and Boca Juniors supporter Pablo about the upcoming superclásico between Argentina's two biggest clubs. We also discuss the Copa América group stage draw and the future of the national team ahead of this week's Argentina vs Brazil friendly in Qatar, which brings the startling revelation from Gerardo that he feels a Uruguayan would be best placed to manage the Argentine national side. Oh, and there are some dogs. Sound quality WILL improve in future episodes, I promise.