Blog Archives

Wing battles of the international break

September 19, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Wing battles of the international break

There were many high profile matches during the international break but two lower key matches caught my eye. The two bigger teams seem to be having problems under their new managers and the other two seem to be really progressing under their new bosses. Brazil vs. South Africa In one of Gordon Igesund’s first interviews…

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Will Ghana’s new generation solve their creativity problem?

July 22, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Will Ghana’s new generation solve their creativity problem?

Since the 2006 World Cup, Ghana have generally played a more reactive style of football. Claude Le Roy’s short two year spell saw Ghana employ a slightly more proactive style of play using a basic 4-4-2. Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien took turns to go forward and hold in the middle of the park; Quincy…

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Case Study: Czech Republic 1-0 Poland 16/6/2012

June 17, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Case Study: Czech Republic 1-0 Poland 16/6/2012

In a tense match bereft of quality, the result was decided by Poland’s main flank: the right one. With Poland needing a win it was odd Smuda selected the same team that set out to stop a highly efficient Russia side playing on the counter, starting the match in a 4-1-4-1 with Robert Lewandowski up…

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Hodgson’s England: what can we expect?

May 28, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Hodgson’s England: what can we expect?

With Euro 2012 starting in roughly three weeks time, Roy Hodgson only has training sessions and two friendlies to assess who he thinks can fit into his system for the first fixture against France on the 11th of June. It is well known Hodgson favours a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 system. Jonatan Johansson said himself on Sky Sports,…

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Case Study: Germany 0-2 Italy 4/7/2006

May 6, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Case Study: Germany 0-2 Italy 4/7/2006

Theo Sakyi analyses the classic semi-final from six years ago.

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Case Study: Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana 17/6/2006

April 11, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Case Study: Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana 17/6/2006

After an impressive performance in a loss to Italy in their first World Cup appearance, Ghana would realistically need a win if they were to keep qualification to the round of 16 in their own hands. The Czechs were coming into this game on a high after a comfortable 3-0  win over the USA where,…

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Have Liverpool gone backwards since last season?

March 13, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Have Liverpool gone backwards since last season?

Liverpool have been in patchy form throughout this season. There have been games where Liverpool have looked absolutely dire (the recent Sunderland defeat and two months ago against Bolton come to mind) but there have also been matches where profligacy in front of goal have cost them, such as against Arsenal and Swansea.  However we…

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Short termism at Chelsea

March 7, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Short termism at Chelsea

I remember listening to Talksport after Chelsea had lost the first leg of their round of sixteen tie 3-1 to Napoli. Jason Cundy, although disappointed at the loss, talked about the fact that relieving Andre Villas Boas of his duties may not be the best thing to do, as he was slowly trying to evolve…

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Tottenham focus: Man United 4/3/2012

March 5, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Tottenham focus: Man United 4/3/2012

Theo Sakyi analyses what went wrong for Spurs in Sunday's match.

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Case Study: Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal 18/2/2012

February 21, 2012
By Theo Sakyi
Case Study: Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal 18/2/2012

Theo Sakyi analyses Arsenal's FA Cup defeat.

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