Just over four years ago, I wrote How I watch football matches for tactical analyses. Since then, I've done a significant amount of work for professional clubs, coaches, and players. Much of my approach has stayed the same, but as time evolves, so does knowledge, expertise and systems. So I thought now seemed like as good of a time as any to detail what's changed and evolved over the last four years. Here is how I watch football matches for my tactical analyses, and how you can too!
Rest-defense continues to evolve with the best teams in the modern game. It's become so much more than just what happens behind the ball. It's also much to do with the structures and shapes teams use at the very back-end of their possession in the attacking half. As you will see, "resting" players aren't really resting at all. Here is how the best teams in the world use their rest-defense to create chances.
Some like to approach games in a disciplined structure, intentionally and meticulously dictating games to their own tempo. Others opt for a more emotionally-charged philosophy, reliant on the belief, energy and willpower of their trusted eleven on the field.
For the unfamiliar, Forge FC are the Manchester City of the Canadian Premier League. They play a possession-based 4-3-3, stacked with ball-savvy savants, and a culture that embodies winning. The Canadian Premier League's been around since 2019 now. Forge have won the Playoffs in four of the five seasons, and lost the final in the one other at the hands of players they recruited to their team immediately after.
It might be wrong to credit this tactical approach to Pep Guardiola. After all, the origin story to the 'fullback' is because the defender was fully back. However, in operating with a centre-back that steps up into midfield, Guardiola also created a construction within his team that regularly positioned centre-backs out wide. From then on, this approach has only become more popular. It's been the top tactical trend of 2023, and often one that's allowed the best teams in the world to thrive.
The best strikers in the modern era are able to combine a vast array of skillsets. We've seen this play out in the CPL this season, with those unable to fully combine all the necessary skillsets also failing to turn their talents into goals. Here is my analysis of four of the next best centre-forwards in the CPL.
The best strikers in the modern era are able to combine a vast array of skillsets. We've seen this play out in the CPL this season, with those able to combine this 'all in one' approach excelling to new heights this season. Terran Campbell and Myer Bevan have been the two that have set the league on fire the most, but Shaan Hundal has also enjoyed a promising start to the season up front through being more than just a 'Target'.
As young players develop their game and often get pigeon-held into certain positions and roles, I often encourage them to develop variety and versatility within the number of roles and positions they can play.
