Category: Premier League

Game of Numbers #34 – Dribbling lessons from Jérémy Doku

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Winger

Gotham FC finished the 2023 NWSL season in sixth place, narrowly scraping into the playoffs on goal differential over the Orlando Pride. They were far from the favourites to make the playoff final, let alone win the whole thing over a star-studded team like OL Reign. Yet thanks to a double-assist from Midge Purce, the NJ/NY team claimed the highest honour the NWSL has to offer. Here is a dribbling masterclass featuring lessons from the electrifying Midge Purce and Manchester City's new kid on the block Jérémy Doku.

Game of Numbers #33 – Nicolas Jackson & the art of extra touches to score goals

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker

Chelsea's greatest crux over the past few years has been the lack of a goal-scoring centre-forward up front. Nicolas Jackson came into the club this season to not only be their goal-scoring '9', but to be someone that could offer so much more in producing for others in Pochettino's system. He's delivered on both fronts this season, even if struggling to score and assist to the same heights as some of the best strikers in the league. Here is what Nicolas Jackson offers Chelsea at the age of 22, and where he can still improve from here.

Game of Numbers #31 – Scoring goals from central midfield like Scott McTominay

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League

Throughout his time as a starting character for Manchester United, Scott McTominay repeatedly faced doubt. No one could ever question his heart and desire to play for a club of the stature of Manchester United. But many questioned his ability, and continuously called for the Red Devils to bring new men into their midfield. However, McTominay has something special about him, and that something special has started to manifest in 2023 in the form of goals galore. Here is Game of Numbers #31, first detailing how to score goals from midfield like Scott McTominay.

Game of Numbers #30 – Defending the world’s best striker – Gabriel Magalhães

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Coach Education, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Striker

We all know just how good Erling Haaland is at football. He only needs one chance, and more often than not, he'll score. But what makes him such a powerhouse is the combination of traits (pace, power, strength, hold-up, playmaking, etc.) that intertwine to make him the most frightening striker in the world. In order to defend against the world's best in Erling Haaland, you have to fully believe and embody the role of someone who can go toe-to-toe with the City man. Perhaps most importantly, you have to throw Haaland off his game, without stepping over a certain line of aggression. It might have gone under the radar as Arsenal claimed their first win over the Citizens in the Arteta era, but that is exactly what Gabriel accomplished on Sunday. Here is Game of Numbers #30.

Game of Numbers #29 – Scoring goals is easy! – Ollie Watkins & Lautaro Martinez

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Serie A, Striker

Scoring goals is not always as easy as it looks! The best strikers in the world make it look oh so simple, but like the Wizards of Waverly Place theme song, it's not what it seems. Yet some players seem to find their way out of any situation. After this weekend's round of fixtures, I analyze two of those players who make scoring look oh so easy - Ollie Watkins and Lautaro Martinez. Here is Game of Numbers #29, featuring a pair who notched seven goals between them at the weekend.

Thomas Frank – Brentford – Tactical Analysis (2023-24)

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis

Thomas Frank's Bees are attacking their third season in the Premier League and despite the common pre-season misperception that they would be scrambling for survival, Brentford are again defying expectations. Six points in six games doesn't do their performances justice, having lost just twice so far. They may not be the most beautiful possession-based side in the world but the marginal gains targeted by Frank and his staff is why their overall game far exceeds the majority of English competitors. There may just be another top half finish in store for the Bees. Here is our 2023-24 analysis of Brentford under Thomas Frank, brought to you by Charlie Ellis.

Game of Numbers #28 – The magic touch of fullbacks with Kieran Trippier & Joao Cancelo

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League

It's been well established over the past decade that fullbacks have grown in prominence and importance in the final third. Just about every team will have their fullbacks involved as active members of the attack, if not one playing high up the pitch as another stays more reserved. Two of the leading figures over the past five-ten years have been Kieran Trippier and Joao Cancelo, each of whom had excellent performances this past weekend. Here is the magic touch of fullbacks as part of Game of Numbers #28, featuring Kieran Trippier and Joao Cancelo.

Ange Postecoglou – Tottenham Hotspur – Tactical Analysis

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Managers, Masterclasses, Premier League, Team Analysis

Spurs fans have endured a disorderly four years since Mauricio Pochettino's exit, but some stability may finally have come in the form of Australia's most prized coach, Ange Postecoglou. The Postecoglou era is in full flow just one month into the Premier League season as Spurs have claimed ten points from a possible twelve.