Such a notion may seem rather quaint in these troubled times, but there does exist a substitute for those starved of opinionated sport chatter from self-proclaimed experts.

It has been said that a really good podcast is like audio radox.

I forget which philosopher made this analogy - possibly Plato but more likely David Brent - but it is apt.

While some retreat to the haven of a warm bath to cope with social isolation, others need only to have their ears soothed and stimulated to achieve a similar degree of relaxation.

The only difference between chatting with mates over a Boag's and listening to a podcast tackle a similar topic is that the opinions have slightly more obligation to be informed.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:

Fresh off my thorough review of all sporting documentaries available on Netflix or Amazon Prime, I have conducted similarly extensive research into the field of sporting podcasts.

Again, none of this was done while I was supposedly working from home. Instead, I have selflessly given up my own time for the benefit of my employer for which some form of remuneration, perhaps in the form of the aforementioned James Boag's, might be nice.

Being a Pom and a devotee of the world game, I began to mine the extremely well-catered market of English football before eventually striking solid gold closer to home.

There is much on offer for intelligent, informed discussion on the game.

Fortunately, if you've ever pondered the whereabouts and shape of the 1990 Italian World Cup mascot Ciao's genitals, you're also well covered.

Quickly Kevin, will he score? and That Peter Crouch Podcast are the pick of the bunch.

Although best known here as Adam Hills' sidekick on The Last Leg, and despite being a fan of Plymouth Argyle, it turns out that Josh Widdicombe is something of a '90s football aficionado.

He fronts Quickly Kevin, which examines every aspect of football in that decade and takes its name from commentator Brian Moore's question to Kevin Keegan when David Batty was about to miss a penalty at the 1998 World Cup.

Niche doesn't do it justice, as the team take on such topics as the unique writing style of alleged author and former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce; the unexplained inclusion of DC Tosh Lines from The Bill in a Derby County kit unveiling photo call; the bizarre phenomenon of Fulham replacing retiring Scottish midfielder John Collins with promising Dutch teenager Collins John; and the celebration of the day Exeter City fans were treated to a visit, and lecture on the crimes of humanity, by king of pop Michael Jackson, accompanied by magicians David Blaine and Uri Geller.

That Peter Crouch Podcast ploughs a similar furrow, with the lanky former England striker overseeing such urgent projects as the campaign to fill an art gallery with pictures of famously short-tempered Irishman Roy Keane swearing every time fans ask him for a selfie.

For a slightly more high-brow approach, the FourFourTwo podcast offers less mascot genitalia japery and more considered analysis, highlighted by a fascinating union of former commentary rivals John Motson and Barry Davies over a liquid lunch.

The hunger for cricket is also well fed with the pick of the bunch seeing Tailenders following the Peter Crouch model by building the production around a well-known England international, in this case George Bailey's favourite sledging adversary Jimmy Anderson.

However, if it's misdirected, passionate sporting anger you're after, Australia has the world leader.

It may just be the recording of their weekly Saturday show on the ABC, but Roy and HG's Bludging on the Blindside podcast is unmissable entertainment.

Who else could trace the coronavirus outbreak to Port Adelaide playing AFL games in China and therefore personally blame David Koch for a global pandemic?

Apparently, the Gold Coast Suns are just an ongoing weeping sore - a hole that buckets of money are being hurled into week after week for no return.

Difficult to argue with.

Drawing a natural line between what to do with out of work footballers and a dire lack of fruit-pickers, the veteran broadcasters suggest a reality television show: AFL v NRL, Seven v Nine, raspberry v strawberry.

Sharing a dream of introducing pokie machines into schools while never fully explaining their irrational dislike of Max Verstappen, Roy and HG also highlight the lack of leadership from Gillon "The Murderer" McLachlan, the way his NRL counterpart Peter V'Landys pronounces "rugba league" and Donald Trump's masterful and minimalist handling of the coronavirus.

With audio radox as soothing as this, who really wants to go back to work?