Sunday’s tie between Liverpool and Newcastle at Anfield will have Brendan Rodgers frustrated once again with his side’s inability to convert imposing possession play into goals. With Liverpool once again profligate in front of goal despite their 65% possession, and Newcastle failing to create consistent chances, it took moments of individual brilliance from Yohan Cabaye and [...]

The following analysis is simply to illustrate exactly where goals were scored from on the pitch and where each and every assist came from during the 2011/12 English Premier League season. The conclusions that can be drawn from the following are useful during the decision making stages of tactical strategies. How compact should a defence [...]

Several teams this season have been lauded for playing with fluidity and creativity. Take Everton or Tottenham, for example. Perennially pragmatic Everton have enjoyed plaudits from every direction this season for their style of play, while Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham side are finally beginning to look to observers like a team of genuine quality once more. [...]

*Part 5 now unavailable PLEASE FIND LINKS FOR PART I, PART II AND PART III AT END OF POST Introduction: the foundations (part 4/4*) – Midfield and Concluding Statement  This is a four*-part series of articles that aims to introduce football coaches and fanatics to basic concepts in a systems football approach (such as tiki-taka). [...]

Introduction: the foundations (part 2/5) – Positioning 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 Please read both the Andre Villas-Boas approach and Brendan [...]

If you haven’t read the review of Italy’s game, you should do it here.  «The kings of two footballing philosophies locked horns in the opening Group C game of Euro 2012: Catenaccio and Tiki-Taka; Italy and Spain.» According to Opta, this was the first time Spain started without a typical striker. They actually came out in a 4-6-0, with [...]

Revenge is a dessert best served cold. I never fully understood that quote until I looked it up a while back. In case you don’t know, what it basically means is that it’s better to get your revenge over somebody after a significant amount of time has passed, as you’ll enjoy it better having had [...]

In falling to a 1-0 defeat against Swansea at The Liberty Stadium last Sunday Manchester City – courtesy of cross-city rivals United’s win against West Brom – fell to second place in the Premier League table after a lengthy run in first place. In many ways it may have been some time coming. Despite maintaining [...]

Sometimes in football, you have to witness something with your own eyes just to assure yourself that what you just saw actually did happen. I refer of course to Swansea City’s complete demolition of a streetwise and experienced Barclays Premier side in the shape of Fulham, who entered yesterday’s game at Craven Cottage having won [...]

With the league leaders, and the cash balance giants of English football visiting Wales, this was another huge game for Swansea. Manchester City were expecting to win and getting anything from the game would really have been a bonus for the jacks. Swansea were coming into this game off the back of a very good [...]