Newcastle’s defensive set-up against Tottenham Hotspur

August 30, 2019September 23, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

After just two games, Steve Bruce’s position as manager of his boyhood team Newcastle was already under question by some. In response, he goes and secures a superb win over Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur with a well-organised, disciplined defensive performance. The game doesn’t really merit a match report –…

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Long time followers of Serie A will know about Gian Piero Gasperini from his time in charge of Genoa, but the new-found interest in his work from elsewhere might come as something of a surprise. He took Genoa from Serie B to the top half of Serie A and into…

Goal Analysis: Virgil van Dijk – Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool 4/5/2019

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Liverpool's gameplan appeared to be to keep their midfield deep and stretch them out across the pitch, hoping to pull Newcastle's forward and open up gaps between them to play passes through to their forwards between the lines. Newcastle didn't take the bait though: they were disciplined and kept their…

Case Study: Southampton 1-3 Liverpool 5/4/2019

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

After Manchester City won against Cardiff, Liverpool once again needed to win to go top of the league. Southampton have pulled away from the relegation zone under new coach Ralph Hasenhuttl yet still haven't guaranteed safety. Jugen Klopp went with his usual 4-3-3 formation, but switched out James Milner and…

Case Study: Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur 2/12/2018

December 5, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

A North London derby between two sides in similar boats at the moment. Arsenal have fallen away in recent years and Unai Emery faces a tough job to get them back to the top, while Tottenham Hotspur have failed to invest in a squad that has performed superbly under Mauricio…

Case Study: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester City 25/8/2018

August 26, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Manchester City looked to maintain their 100% record as they defend their Premier League title, while Wolverhampton Wanderers are still looking for their first win in the top division after storming their way to the top of the Championship last season. Nuno Espirito Santo set up his side in a…

Case Study: AS Roma 3-0 Barcelona 10/4/2018

April 16, 2018April 17, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Having lost the tie in Barcelona, Roma's hopes looked dead and buried, even if they did manage an away goal. Eusebio Di Francesco switched his team to a 3-4-3 shape, while Ernesto Valverde continued with Barcelona's narrow 4-4-2. Roma started the game pressing high up on Barcelona's defence. Edin Dzeko…

Case Study: Netherlands 0-1 England 23/3/2018

March 25, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

With England fans preparing with Amsterdam's police force for their inevitable losses to Russian hooligans at the World Cup, England also began their warm-up for the summer on the pitch. Gareth Southgate set out his team in a 3-5-2 shape, with Kyle Walker playing as an outside centre-back in the…

Video: Antonio Conte at Chelsea Tactics

March 19, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

An analysis of the tactics used by Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

Case Study: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea 25/2/2018

February 25, 2018February 28, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Having exchanged barbed comments throughout the season, this game was unsurprisingly billed as a grudge match between Jose Mourinho and his successor at Chelsea Antonio Conte, but both men have bigger things to concern themselves with currently. Both left far behind this season by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Mourinho…

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