In some recent interviews, Simon Kuper has suggested that Liverpool established a data-driven style of play focussed around crossing last season. He theorised that Liverpool attempted to cater to Andy Carroll’s heading strengths by buying players with good crossing statistics, such as Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. Kuper then goes on to state that such an approach [...]

With Luka Modric seeming set to leave Tottenham in search of Champions League glory with Real Madrid, there has been plenty of discussion amongst Tottenham fans as to how important a player he is. I have been surprised to see that there are some people that seem to think that Modric is easily replaceable. He [...]

Steven Pienaar is edging ever closer to a third stint at Everton. Sometimes, footballers find a club that allows them to express themselves. For Steven Pienaar, that club is Everton. Before he returned to Tottenham, the player spoke fondly of his second spell at Goodison, “I just want to say thanks for the support from [...]

Fabio Borini officially signed for Liverpool on July 13th and even before he joined there was immense speculation on the future of Andy Carroll. A loan deal for Liverpool’s most expensive signing is looking likely although there have been many fans that believe that Andy should be kept. This article will look at Borini’s stats [...]

INTRODUCTION: the foundations (part 1/5) This is a five-part series of articles that aims to introduce football coaches and fanatics to basic concepts in a systems football approach (such as tiki-taka). The systems approach to football is founded upon a system of complexity and unity On a daily basis I get emails asking questions about [...]

West Ham have been linked with a range of players: Milos Krasic, Eljero Elia, Andy Carroll, but it appears as if FC Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga will become Sam Allardyce’s first big name signing of the summer: following Mohamed Diame, Jussi Jaaskelainen, George McCartney & Stephen Henderson through the famous Upton Park gates. Maiga, 25, is a [...]

Friday the 13th July 2012 represented the start of a new career for one player starting his journey at Liverpool FC. As Fabio Borini passed his medical and was announced as a new signing Maxi Rodriguez ended his two and a half-year stay at Liverpool FC. Maxi will now be returning to his old club [...]

Since Brendan Rodgers took over at Liverpool, there’s been a lot of speculation about Andy Carroll’s future, with Rodgers himself saying he’d have to “look at” the possibility of loaning out the striker. Could Andy Carroll fit into the Rodgers style? Swansea’s passing game last season was well documented, so that’s where I started – [...]