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Apr 9 7 tweets 4 min read
#ARSBAY Tactical Preview & Predictions [Thread]

Prediction: Leaning towards Gunners... but Bayern can hurt them if either counter via Sane or have too many periods where they set up camp in final third.

➡️ Bayern build up looks compromised with Arse press very strong, Pavlovic/Kimmi only routes out
➡️ Bayern should surprise press, not sustain it, as Raya to Havertz will cause issues
➡️ Arse must avoid allowing Bayern final third 'camping' as wide areas are vulnerable, too many box threats

See thread below for more points and in-depth details...

#FCBayern #Arsenal #UCLImage Arsenal if they select Zinchenko should be pretty strong at building up, unless they choke - Kane/Muller are not your go-to forwards for central pressing and I'd advise them to sit off and protect passes going into Zinny/Jorginho rather than put pressure on the CBs and tire themselves out.Image
Oct 3, 2023 5 tweets 2 min read
Manchester United v Galatasaray - Analysis

➡️ Hojlund, Mount can hold head up high - solid
➡️ United looked fluent for once in possession
➡️ Dalot - sell, not good enough.
➡️ Onana - atrocious. Taibi vibes atm, sort it out!
➡️ Gala were piranha-like, smelt blood.

#MUNGAL #UCL Image Honestly a tough pill to swallow that.

The United midfield actually functioned well, Mount, Hannibal as wide midfielders - it suited them, it made sense and the football was actually enjoyable.

The Dalot error for the Zaha goal epitomises everything that is wrong with him. He is just 'flimsy' and Lindelof is the same. They're too soft to play for United.
Sep 23, 2023 6 tweets 3 min read
Arsenal v Tottenham: NLD Preview

➡Outcome of the game may hinge on Spurs’ midfield rotations
➡Will Ange’s narrow rest defence be exploited?
➡Raya + Havertz combination from goal kicks
➡Saka v Udogie. Solomon v White. Who can isolate the fullbacks better?

[Thread]

#ARSTOT Image Spurs have been mightily impressive this season in circulating the ball during the build-up, despite not possessing top-tier ball progressors.

To compensating for this, they heavily rely on the off-the-ball movement. While maintaining a 2-1-2 structure, their players constantly swap positions to carve out spaces within their framework.

We’ve seen what happens they struggle to move the ball like in the first half against United, so it’s imperative they nail this part of the tactical battle.
Sep 20, 2023 11 tweets 4 min read
#FCBMUN [Tactical Thread]

➡️ Rather have Obama in goal than Onana
➡️ 5-4-1 shape off ball yet Sane walks past 3 players
➡️ Musiala sends Casemiro almost into retirement
➡️ Reguilon and Rash = good attacking chemistry, poor defensive chemistry
➡️ Kane v Hojlund

#MUFC #FCBayern Image So United started well. Generally proactive but dropping back into a 5-4-1 or 4-1-4-1 shape to frustrate Bayern with Casemiro floating between cb/cdm.

Whilst Sane was having moments, none of it was really coming off and Kane looked isolated. ETH's gameplan seemed to be working. Image
Sep 2, 2023 5 tweets 3 min read
NUFC - Last season, we were among the rare few to say they'd feel liberated by the Carabao Cup concluding, whether loss or not, and that Willock & Isak would provide them with a second wind for the tiring Joelinton & Wilson to ensure a top 4 finish. It's worrying that this is September, not February, but the need for changes is clear. Suggestions:

A) When your attack loses trust in the defence, the final ball is often forced, and vice versa. When the defence knows that the attack is too brawny, they'll not defend in tandem as a unit. Livramento needed to provide recovery pace in defence & thrust in attack to take the pressure off both sides of the pitch, no more Matty - who is a target for the opposition to pin their wingers on. Burn as LCB & Targeted LB is a recipe for relegtion.

#NUFC #NewcastleUnited B) Midfield rotation: Last season, the constant norm was Guimarães & the 2 slots were rotated between 3 players. Now it seems that Howe is sticking to a settled 3 - a bad idea, especially given the game style they go for - very taxing. With the UCL too, this needs to change. We did say that Tonali alone won't fix the midfield.
Aug 21, 2023 15 tweets 5 min read
Many young players become memes despite their overwhelming talent being quite obvious but it just seems nothing is going for them and they are on the verge of being written off…

Probably the best example of zero to hero is the rise of Gareth ‘Fail’ into Gareth Bale.

[Thread] Image I watched a young Bale feature for Saints vs WBA at the Hawthorns and was instantly bewitched. Magical left foot, so cultured… felt like an alien, a left back who just didn’t fit the mould of a British full back. I remember signing him on football manager that night 😂
Aug 1, 2023 15 tweets 5 min read
Tactical Dynamo: How Amrabat would redefine Manchester United’s playbook

➡️ Unraveling the veracity of long pass
➡️ Licha, Onana & Amrabat, build-up ensemble
➡️ Not as aerially dominant as Casemiro
➡️ Rice-esque dribbler
➡️ Ball-DAWG terrier in defence

#MUFC

[Tactical Thread] Image Long passing forms an important part of his game, and the stats suggest he's a world leader in this aspect. However, upon closer inspection, the eye test reveals that he's good but not great. Image
Jun 27, 2023 25 tweets 7 min read
Is Sandro Tonali A Good Tactical Fit For Newcastle? [Thread]

➡️Brings midfield support to Bruno G
➡️Trippier unleashed
➡️Tactical evolution in the long run
➡️However, Tonali’s presence doesn’t resolve the question of whether Bruno is still the ideal choice as the 6

#NUFC Tonali brings much needed support to Bruno G in midfield. Despite having success playing in a swashbuckling style, Eddie Howe knows against Europe’s elite, his side needs more balance in midfield.
Jun 16, 2023 5 tweets 2 min read
Rice and Lavia is a potentially gorgeous combination. Wet behind the ears at UCL level? yes but complementary. Rice weakness in build up is cancelled by Lavia's comfort in pivot and Rice can protect him defensively.

Ricedo is yesterdays news. Time for Lice.

#Arsenal

[Thread] Image We covered a lot of this in our Havertz tactical thread but Lavia would still enable the 3-2-2-3 formation as he can take over from Zinny/Partey as a conduit in the build up phase. His favourite thing to do is collect it off CB's and remain deep, controlling from the back. Image
Jun 14, 2023 12 tweets 4 min read
Is Kai Havertz A Good Tactical Fit For Arsenal?

➡️ May enable use of a box midfield alongside Ricedo
➡️ Can rotate with Jesus ingame, or fill in when absent
➡️ Needs runners to side & ahead, similar to Firmino
➡️ Tuchel enabled initial flourish but ends up killing him

[THREAD] Image The only way Havertz and Jesus can co-exist in the same side barring Jesus playing on the wing, is in a 3-2-2-3 and with Kai playing a more aggressive Xhaka role whereby he can play LCAM and interchange with Jesus up front. Image
Feb 14, 2023 17 tweets 5 min read
Dortmund v Chelsea - Preview [Thread]

➡️ Do not Cuc-kold Mudryk, get Chilly in.
➡️ Moukoko loss is a huge blow as with no Badiashile, Silva could have been vulnerable
➡️ Does Potter go with a back 5?
➡️ Who should partner Enzo?

CC: @Effmatch @KlipDraw

#BVB #ChelseaFC #UCL Not a huge fan of Cucurella... he looks pretty in the left midfield section but fails to make an impact in two key areas, zone 3 and 11... can't defend and lacks end product (for now).

Chilwell is sorely missed and as this is Chelsea's only shot of silverware, he has to start.
Feb 13, 2023 19 tweets 6 min read
Bayern v PSG - Preview [Thread]

➡️ No Mbappe robs PSG of 'vertical' penetration
➡️ Full Back Battle - Stalemate?🤤
➡️ Bayern lack CF to trouble Ramos/Marquinhos?
➡️ Can Kimi/Goretzka protect half spaces where Messi and Neymar operate?

CC: @Effmatch @KlipDraw

#PSG #Bayern #UCL It is tough to call the lineups in this first leg, with both managers renowned for their constant tinkering in shape and selection... not to mention injuries to players like Mbappe and Muller, both of whom may or may not start on Tuesday.
Jan 24, 2023 19 tweets 4 min read
Management Phases

To turn around a struggling club, first 3 are key.

Ten Hag in-between phase 1 and 2, Arteta moving out of phase 3, Pep scared of leaving phase 5 and facing phase 6.

➡️Bunker
➡️Planting
➡️Blossoming
➡️Flourishing
➡️Sustaining
➡️Refresh

[Thread]

#coaching When joining a new club in the midst of crisis, you have to survive. That means winning hearts and minds it means maximising the resources currently available. Pragmatism is key - i.e. what playing style/selections best maximises the personnel you have at your disposal...
Jan 22, 2023 15 tweets 5 min read
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟐-𝟏 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 [𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝]

➡️ Arteta-Ball dominates
➡️ Do Arsenal's right backs have a purpose?
➡️ Bobby Nketiah
➡️ Rashford aside - Where is the penetration?
➡️ Saka is Arsenal's John Barnes - Shaw abandoned him

#ARSMUN #Arsenal #MUFC This is not a ETH side... sitting back and hoping for moments of quality, but he is making do with what strengths the squad currently has which at the moment is relying on Rashford to conjure moments of magic as soon as United win the ball back and opponents are in disarray..
Dec 18, 2022 17 tweets 5 min read
Argentina 3-3 France - Analysis [Thread]

➡️ Scaloni springs another surprise with Di Maria down the left!
➡️ Enzo proving what a top DLP/CDM talent is meant to do ... pockets Griezmann and controls the build up phase
➡️ Why Kounde had a mare..

#Messi𓃵 #Argentina #WorldCup2022 A stunning tactical decision to bring back Di Maria into the fold and then stick him up against Kounde rather than Theo. On paper Kounde should be a 'defensive' right back but he's someone who we have described as a 'right-centre-back'...
Dec 18, 2022 15 tweets 5 min read
Argentina v France • Tactical Preview [THREAD]

➡️ Scaloni go 3-5-2/4-3-3/4-4-2?
➡️ Target Theo or protect against Mbappe?
➡️ Can Alvarez hurt Varane or will Kounde/Konate help
➡️ Paredes could help Enzo against Griezmann...

#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #ArgentinaVsFrance #Messi𓃵 The formation is any ones guess, Scaloni has not repeated his formation or lineup since the start of the tournament. He is the Tinkerman of the World Cup but more often than not, he gets the big calls right...
Dec 17, 2022 16 tweets 5 min read
The story of the 'Bare-Footed' Indians who rejected the opportunity to play at the 1950 World Cup...

➡️ Despite 8/11 players being barefoot, they nearly knocked out France in the 1948 Olympics
➡️ Beat Ajax 5-1 in a European tour

[Thread]

#India #WorldCup2022 #France The 1948 London Olympics was India's first major international tournament, where a predominately barefooted Indian team (containing Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims) lost 2–1 to France, failing to convert two penalties.
Dec 16, 2022 10 tweets 4 min read
World Cup Flop XI…

➡️ Should Neuer go in goal?
➡️ Does Ronaldo lead the line?
➡️ Did KDB finally prove why he will never be fit to tie the laces of the likes of Iniesta?

Scroll down to find out!

#WorldCup #Ronaldo𓃵 #WorldCup2022 This guy gave me butterflies for all the wrong reasons every time the ball went near his goal - even if it was a back pass…
Dec 14, 2022 9 tweets 3 min read
How The 1978 Gold winning Pakistan Hockey Team Inspired Argentina's 1978 World Cup Win!

Cesar Luis Menotti was inspired by the tactics of the legendary Abdul Waheed Khan and in particular the concept of 'Double Attack'...

[Thread]

#Argentina #WorldCup2022 #Pakistan ImageImageImage In 1978, hockey and football World Cups were held in Argentina. The hockey event was held first. Throughout the Hockey World Cup, a wonderful Pakistan team managed by Abdul Waheed Khan displayed a breathtaking attacking game which captivated crowds and connoisseurs alike.
Dec 13, 2022 9 tweets 3 min read
Beside major decisions going against one, what type of bad refereeing display impacts a team the most? I'll elaborate in thread
1) Overly lenient on fouls
2) Fouls called when clean tackles
3) Overly cheap yellows for an aggressive team
4) No yellows for opponent v a clean team 3-IMO quickdraw Mcgraw refs dishing out yellows for next to nothing for aggressive teams = doesn't happen so often anymore but this would probs be the worst, even refs in the champs league are more lenient than before. Argentina v Netherlands was a rare 1 off but for both teams.
Dec 12, 2022 12 tweets 7 min read
Argentina v Croatia - Tactical Preview [Thread]

➡️ Croatia to dominate possession but Argentina wont mind
➡️ Litmus test for Gvardiol
➡️ How do Argentina deal with Croatia wide threat? 3-5-2 or 4-4-2?
➡️ Croatia's Aerial Threat

CC: @Effmatch

#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ARGCRO Image @Effmatch Croatia’s slow style of play may suit Argentina as the latter will look to play on the break. Croatia don’t have rapid players, so they’ll look to build up slowly to allow their players to get into dangerous positions. Argentina are likely to forgo indulging a possession battle.