The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast A cold, windy night in Stoke: How weather impacts football
Feb 5, 2026
Mark Carey, tactics and stadium observer; Conor O'Neill, data analyst who compiled 12,000 matches; Michael Cox, tactical historian. They explore wind, rain, heat and cold on matches. Short, punchy segments cover Stoke’s windy nights, wind effects on throw-ins and ball flight, rain’s link to more cautions, pitch watering, altitude advantages and how stadium design shapes home edge.
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Stoke's Windy-Night Advantage
- Conor's data showed Stoke gained a large home points bump in cold, windy midweek games.
- Stoke recorded 2.27 points per game at home in those conditions, the biggest jump among teams studied.
Remembering The Britannia's Bite
- Mark described the Britannia as brutally cold because gaps between stands let wind whip through.
- He recalled it being the coldest stadium experience he’s had regardless of season.
Wind Is The Most Disruptive Element
- Wind has the largest statistical impact on match events compared to rain and temperature.
- It affects ball flight, communication and player orientation more than other elements.
