Tag: 2021-22 Premier League Season

Why Manchester United should play 3-4-1-2

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

The current dialogue around Manchester United is boring. Every week, it's the same story in the media, whether or not they win, lose or draw. It's obvious that Manchester United are not at their best, but very few are discussing tangible ways for the Red Devils to fasten their seatbelts and shift the car into overdrive. So with that, today we take a look at why Manchester United should shift away from a back-four, and into a 3-4-1-2. Don't get us wrong, United need to drill several loose bolts. But, a change to the formation may help to mitigate several of their greatest issues.

Why Bruno Guimaraes is being tracked by Europe’s elite

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Data Analysis, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

These days, every single club in the world is in search of a top quality defensive midfielder, either to provide back-up to an already existing world star, or to transform their team in completely new ways. It seems inevitable that players like Declan Rice or Yves Bissouma will make a step up to one of Europe's elite clubs soon, but another lesser known name that's been catching the eye this season is Olympique Lyonnais' Bruno Guimaraes. Here is an analysis of why the Brazilian is turning heads, and why he should be on the radar of every single top club in Europe.

Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool – Tactical Analysis (2021-22 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

With 23 matches gone, Manchester City are evident favourites for the title. But Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool haven't been too far off, and still have both a game in hand and a game against City to play. The Reds have been brilliant this season, regardless of their competitors, scoring the most goals in the league and returning to their best under the return of Virgil Van Dijk, and other players restored to their normal positions. Through it all, Jurgen Klopp's team have continued to perform to the highest standard in all the areas expected of them, from their heavy metal pressing to meticulous methods of playing out from the back. Here is our tactical analysis of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in 2021-22.

Steven Gerrard – Aston Villa – Tactical Analysis

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

Gerrard remains a relatively inexperienced manager, but with a clear sense of tactical knowhow, the former Liverpool legend appears to be long for this world. Gerrard's won four from his first ten in charge, and added his first draw to the mix this past weekend against Manchester United with an extraordinary comeback. New additions in Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho have also entered the frame, providing the perfect time to take a look at how Gerrard has settled into life at Villa Park so far. Here is our tactical analysis of Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa in 2021-22.

Antonio Conte – Tottenham Hotspur – Tactical Analysis

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

It is now two months since Antonio Conte put pen to paper with Tottenham Hotspur, and the signs of improvement are clear. Spurs sit fourth in the table as things stand, in with a real shout of reclaiming Champions League football after three seasons away. Meanwhile, just about every player has upped their game under the influence of the Italian, most importantly, Harry Kane - who is finally firing in front of goal again. So as Conte gets accustomed to his role and his newly inherited squad, we take a look at the Italian's tactics with Tottenham so far in 2021-22.

Fred – Manchester United – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League

Since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2018, Fred has been under a microscope with each and every passing minute. Every action he takes on a football pitch seems to be scrutinized by those trying to justify his shortcomings, or those, like me, trying to justify why those shortcomings aren't actually so short. In recent weeks, the calls for Fred to be crowned one of United's most important players have only grown, as he performs a more attack-minded role within the team's double-pivot. So today, I present to you a dossier all about Manchester United's Fred, and why Manchester United would be worse without him.

Can Newcastle avoid relegation under Eddie Howe?

by TMS Staff, posted in Premier League

Newcastle United, after 12 games, are yet to register a win in the Premier League this season, and face the very real prospect of relegation to the Championship. But after securing new billionaire ownership at the start of October, the club is doing everything it can to avoid the drop. With hundreds of millions of dollars being pumped into the club, the Magpies now have a considerable war chest to bolster their squad during the upcoming January Transfer Window. But as January draws closer, Eddie Howe's team continue to sit rock bottom in the table, dangerously close to making their situation unrecoverable.

What Newcastle fans can expect of Paulo Fonseca and his tactics

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

After sacking Steve Bruce on October 19, it appears that Newcastle United are now inching closer to selecting their next manager. With Paulo Fonseca still, shockingly, out of a job following a successful year with Roma last year, Newcastle are taking heavy interest in bringing the highly touted manager into their ranks. So with that, we take a look at what Paulo Fonseca could bring to Newcastle and why the move could be exactly what Newcastle fans have been calling out for.