You might be wondering why I've written one article for the entirety of January so far. You might not have even noticed, or you might be here for the first time wondering why you should stay. Well, first, I'll take you back to my childhood.
Category: Most Recent
Unai Emery – Aston Villa – Tactical Analysis (2023-24 Edition)
Just shy of the halfway mark inside the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, Unai Emery's Aston Villa have been the surprise package. In with a real shot of the top four, Emery's Villa are even within touching distance of the Premier League title chase, currently sitting a single point behind Arsenal in the lead. With that, we analyze what has made Unai Emery's Aston Villa so remarkable this season.
Replacing Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund – Tactical Analysis
The British midfielder made his debut for the Black & Yellows as a 17-year-old, and went on to captain the team as a 19-year-old in a historic final season for him at the club. Borussia Dortmund are now not only losing one of the most talented footballers on the planet and their best player, but a real leader in the team even despite his youth. With that, we aim to find the next man who could step up to the plate at Borussia Dortmund in his stead.
Why Randal Kolo Muani is perfect for Manchester United
To find someone who can both link-play and bang in the goals is a difficult task, but it's one that won't be all that difficult if they turn to Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. Here is why United should sign the Frankfurt man, and why Kolo Muani is turning the heads of all the European elites.
The next evolution of my ‘Role Continuity Evaluation System’ one year later
At the beginning of 2022, I established twenty-two player roles that footballers often adopt on the pitch. One of the objectives of the RCES and the presentation of 'IQ scores' pertaining to a player's specific role was to present an alternative to the statistics sites that use data as their sole metric for evaluating players. But in creating a less subjective and more sustainable approach to the evaluation model, data must continue to be the centrepiece. As I always preach, we can then use that data to follow-up with an eye test before dissecting deeper or recommending a player to a club. So with that, 'Role Continuity' evolved.
Game of Numbers #21: How to play as the ‘Target’ like Sébastien Haller
Sébastien Haller has been one of the key difference makers to Borussia Dortmund in another title-chasing campaign for the Black & Yellows. They've been brilliant under Edin Terzic since the turn of the year, and some of that success has been down to the resurgence of cancer-free Sébastien Haller into the team.
How I create scouting reports for pro clubs
Scouting seems to be one of those professions that just about anyone thinks they can get into. And to an extent - with good reason! With a knowledge and passion for your sport of choice, it's not incredibly difficult to take the necessary courses and begin the path toward being a scout. But talent identification goes far beyond just the ability to watch matches and identify talent. Most of the time, it's not difficult to identify talent. What's difficult is to identify talent that will transfer over to a new environment, under new circumstances, repeatedly over time.
