What tactical approach should the next Spurs manager adopt?
In the last piece, we summarized the brand of football Andre Villas-Boas was expected to bring to White Hart Lane and discussed the reasons it failed, which mostly came down to transfer policy and...
View ArticleTactical Analysis: Did AVB’s failure to utilize a 4-3-3 cost him at Spurs?
When football fans look back on the years 2008-2013 in football history, there will be two names that tower above the rest–Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. While it’s true that more established...
View ArticleIs Fiorentina’s Borja Valero the most under-rated midfielder in Europe?
When you think of elite Spanish playmakers, the first names that likely come to mind are David Silva, Juan Mata, Andres Iniesta, and Santi Cazorla. If you think a bit more, you’ll likely come up...
View ArticleTactical Analysis: How Should Roy Hodgson set-up England in Brazil?
Roy Hodgson has now named his 23 man squad to take to Brazil and as such we can get a rough idea about how he might set his side up. English fans and the media always have high hopes for…
View ArticleTactical Analysis: Where did it go wrong for Chelsea this season?
Jose Mourinho finished the season with Chelsea without a trophy in what he’d probably describe behind closed doors as a failure of a campaign for a manager of his unbelievable caliber. Chelsea...
View ArticleAre Chelsea making a mistake in selling David Luiz to PSG?
David Luiz is closing in on a £40 million (or £50 million, depending on what you read) move to PSG. The Brazilian defender was signed for around £20-25 million by Chelsea under Carlo Ancelotti and...
View ArticleTactical Preview: What can we expect from Italy at the World Cup?
During his tenure, Cesare Prandelli has shown that he isn’t the classic Italian coach. He is a good man manager but he is also more flexible and a better tactician than Marcello Lippi or Fabio Capello....
View ArticleTactical Preview: What can we expect from Holland at the World Cup?
“Louis gives his players instructions they need to perform to make the system work. And the system is sacred. All players are equal to Van Gaal, big names do not exist for him, and everyone is...
View ArticleIs England’s defence too weak for them to have an impact in Brazil?
In theory England’s defensve record in qualification was good. England let in just four goals on their way to topping Group H and making it to Brazil. That being said, their group was somewhat weak and...
View ArticleWould Signing Cesc Fabregas make sense for Chelsea?
Cesc Fabregas looks certain to leave Barcelona this summer and his former club Arsenal have decided against re-signing him (apparently). In recent days a curious situation has developed whereby Chelsea...
View ArticleDoes Wayne Rooney deserve a place in the England starting line-up?
Wayne Rooney was once lauded as the next great hope for English football. The Manchester United forward has been regarded as England’s best player for some time now and has scored 39 goals in 91 games...
View ArticleWhat role can Mario Balotelli play for Italy at the World Cup?
Giuseppe Rossi’s omission from manager Cesare Prandelli’s final 23-man squad has led to a lot of criticism in Italy. So, now more than ever, Italy and Prandelli’s hopes rely on Mario Balotelli, one of...
View Article5 ways the World Cup will alter tactics commonly deployed in club football
Football, in theory, is a very straightforward game. Kevin Keegan put this into perspective rather well- “My tactics for winning a football game are very simple, just score more goals than the...
View ArticleWill Louis van Gaal’s switch from a 4-3-3 to a 5-2-1-2 pay off for Holland?
Louis van Gaal has recently deployed his team using a 5-2-1-2 formation. He has been criticized for not using Netherlands’ preferred 4-3-3, which he is supposed to use under contract. Yet, according to...
View ArticleCan Jurgen Klinsmann’s 4-4-2 diamond get the USA out of Group G?
As my friend and fellow Nebraskan Scott Nelson pointed out in his preview, the pre-World Cup coverage of this year’s USMNT tells you all you need to know about the state of American soccer. Nelson...
View ArticleWill the tactical flexibility of sides like Chile & Holland be a key feature...
Brendan Rodgers’ tactical flexibility has been a crucial part of Liverpool’s success in the 2013-14 campaign. Prior to this teams were usually more rigid. Barcelona were committed to 4-3-3 under Pep...
View ArticleStatistical Analysis: How would Alexis Sanchez improve Man United’s options?
Louis van Gaal has been heavily linked with a move for Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez in recent weeks, with the Chilean apparently (and surprisingly) available for £20 million. Sanchez has been a...
View ArticleTactical Analysis: Did Chelsea get a good deal in signing Cesc Fabregas?
Chelsea’s move for Cesc Fabregas is bound to raise eyebrows. Arsenal fans might bemoan their former captain for moving to their city rival. Whilst some may claim their club didn’t need him. Fabregas is...
View ArticleShould Raheem Sterling or Danny Welbeck start for England?
Danny Welbeck is an injury doubt for the opener against Italy on Saturday. That being said, he could well be fit. If he isn’t, Raheem Sterling will come in for the Manchester United forward playing...
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