The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast The evolution of wingers, club DNA & tactical fouls
Feb 26, 2026
Liam Tharme, tactical analyst who brings coaching perspectives. Mark Carey, data journalist who breaks down stats and timing. Michael Cox, renowned tactics writer with historical context. They discuss the changing role of wingers and why some drive into the box. They cover penalty rebounds and positioning. They debate club identity, set plays, and the tricky policing of tactical fouls.
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Direct Wingers Drive Penalty Creation
- Direct, fast wingers increase penalty chances by driving into the box at speed.
- Michael Cox lists Raheem Sterling, Jamie Vardy, Wilfried Zaha and Mohamed Salah as top recent penalty-winners linked to dribbling into the area.
Penalties Inflate Players' Creative Output
- Winning penalties materially raises a player's creative numbers by adding the XG value of a penalty to expected assists.
- Michael Cox calculated a penalty XG ~0.79 and showed Salah and Sterling gain multiple expected-assist equivalents from penalties won.
Side Of The Box Rebound Trick Actually Works
- Michael Cox researched rebounds from saved or struck-woodwork penalties and found about 1 in 5 would favour a player standing to the side of the box.
- He notes only Corinthian Feminino used this side-of-box positioning in a recent Club World Championship match.