S2E6 · The Signal

With Roy (Brett Goldstein) joining as a coach, AFC Richmond has now won four games, improving their position. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) has a one-night stand with a man she met on a website, when she is visited by her mother, Deborah (Harriet Walter). Rebecca invites Ted (Jason Sudeikis) to lunch with her and Deborah, which he accepts. At the pub, Deborah announces that she is separating from Rebecca's father, although Rebecca notes that it happens quite often.

Meanwhile, Jamie (Phil Dunster) is angry that Roy refuses to coach him, despite his improved behavior with the club. When questioned by Ted, Roy claims that Jamie has become an average player who will not reach his potential unless he brings out his arrogant and antagonistic side from his first stint at the club - or, as Roy puts it, to "be a prick" - but only when the occasion calls for it. When Jamie asks how will he know when a situation calls for this behaviour, Roy says he'll give Jamie a signal. He refuses to disclose what the signal is but tells Jamie that he'll know it when he sees it.

AFC Richmond now competes with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to enter the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. As Richmond is struggling, Roy decides it is time for "the signal", and he, Ted, Beard (Brendan Hunt) and Nate (Nick Mohammed) proceed to give Jamie the finger. Understanding the signal, Jamie provokes an opposing player into fouling him and scores the subsequent free kick as the first half finishes. However, Ted has a panic attack, forcing him to leave the game with some minutes left. As Richmond is distracted, the Spurs seize the opportunity to score a goal via a corner kick, tying the score. As Beard and Roy debate what to do, Nate decides to substitute three of the players and be more defensive, which leads to Richmond's victory when Jamie scores another goal on the counter-attack.

Nate is hailed by the media for his role in the victory, earning him respect among the public. Higgins (Jeremy Swift) advises Beard to break up with his girlfriend Jane, as she may not be suitable for him, although Beard still goes out with her. Rebecca tries to find Ted, but he is not in the locker room or the offices. As she returns home, Rebecca finds that her mother left and again has reconciled with her father. While she prepares to meet with the man from the previous night, a message appears from her Bantr match, who is revealed to be Sam. As everyone leaves the stadium, Sharon (Sarah Niles) goes to her office and finds Ted, who asks for an appointment.