Tag: 2020-21 Premier League Season

Scott Parker – Fulham – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

Although Fulham currently sit in the relegation zone, it could be argued that Scott Parker's start to his managerial career could hardly have gone better. After retiring from the game in 2017, Parker took over toward the tail-end of their horrendous 2018-19 season. He then secured the full-time managerial role for the start of the 2019-20 EFL Championship season, earning promotion via the playoffs in his first season at the club. Although 2020-21 might end in relegation, Scott Parker has immensely improved Fulham from the last time they were in the league and has kept them within a fighting chance of survival throughout the season. This is a tactical analysis of Scott Parker's Fulham.

The 5 Best & Worst Premier League Goalkeepers by Saves per Goal (2020-21 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Goalkeeper, Premier League

Season after season in the Premier League, two of the biggest topics of debate involve refereeing and goalkeeping. We've already written about one of those two debates in our rant about the handball rule at the beginning of the season, and now it's time to examine the good and the bad of the Premier League's goalkeepers this season. Jordan Pickford, David De Gea and Alisson have all received criticism and attention for their recent performances, but this article attempts to assess how these players have actually performed, using data analytics. This is our analysis of the five best and worst goalkeepers in the league this season, utilizing saves per goal conceded as a statistical metric for our assessment.

West Ham United – 4-2-3-1 – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League

Recently, I did a second Aston Villa Tactical Analysis discussing how Dean Smith's side went from narrowly escaping relegation in 2019-20 to now being genuine contenders for the Europa League in time for next season. The same could be said of West Ham United. Although David Moyes' side escaped relegation by a greater margin, they've also been better than Villa by a narrow margin again this season, just in a much different place in the table for both. Like Aston Villa, West Ham United are also contenders for a place in next season's Europa League with their performances in the league in 2020-21. With Villa being one of their top challengers for a top six finish, doing the double over the Lions has also boasted well for the Hammers as they go into the final third of the season. Here is a tactical analysis of West Ham United since they shifted from a 5-4-1/3-4-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

Why Aston Villa Will Qualify for Europe by 2023 – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

After surviving relegation by a single point in 2019-20, few would have imagined Aston Villa to have such a stellar season in 2020-21. Instead of battling for relegation, they've been battling for a place in Europe, beating the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester City along the way. Perhaps most impressively out of anything, beyond the results which have unequivocally been spectacular, Dean Smith's side have just been so much fun to watch. They've been tactically intriguing in their shifting systems and styles of play, but also just so full of life this season with Grealish and co leading their charge toward European football. Here is our latest Tactical Analysis all about Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, including why the Lions look destined for European football next season.

Liverpool’s Tactical Concerns (2020-21) – TMS Podcast

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Podcast, Premier League, The Mastermind Site Podcast

Much of the dialogue going into this weekend’s Liverpool-Manchester City match centered around the fixture as a potential title decider for Liverpool. The assumption was that if Liverpool lost, their hopes and dreams of winning the title would dash before their eyes. As it turns out, Liverpool didn’t just lose, but were badly beaten and bruised by a terrific Manchester City side. With all of their struggles this season, not just against City, we take an in-depth look at where Liverpool have gone wrong tactically and beyond. Guest: Russell Tho is a Liverpool and Barcelona fan and friend of the show. You can find him on Instagram @russelltho96. Host: Rhys Desmond is the creator and owner of TMS. He is lifelong lover and educator of the beautiful game. You can find him on Twitter @DesmondRhys.

How To Boss The Midfield Like Kovacic and Jorginho – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Coaching, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, World Football

Thomas Tuchel currently remains unbeaten in his first three matches in charge of Chelsea. During that time his team have kept over 70% of the possession and haven't conceded a single goal. One of Tuchel's most impressive tactical implementations has been his reliance on Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as a double-pivot in a highly functional 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 system that transforms into a 3-2-5 in attack. Jorginho and Kovacic are playing just about as well as any central midfielders in the world at the moment, and might just be the pair of players that can bring Chelsea to greater times. This article will explore how players of any age can boss the midfield like Kovacic and Jorginho.

Chelsea 2-0 Burnley – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Match Analysis, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

Thomas Tuchel's second match in charge went more to plan than his first, and after a fantastic team performance against Burnley we take an in-depth look at the tactics he used to blow the Clarets away. Here is our Tactical Analysis of Chelsea's 2-0 win over Burnley.