The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

This week, we’re discussing football’s relentless schedule.What impact is it having on players and matches?And… can we measure whether football is actually more intense than it used to be?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Carey, match reporter who brings first‑hand fixture notes. Duncan Alexander, data specialist explaining xG and trends. Michael Cox, tactics analyst breaking down systems. They debate Premier League clubs’ European forms, Guardiola and Real Madrid’s standing. Conversations cover goalscoring spikes, the end of away goals, Bayern and Barcelona’s styles, and why Arsenal may suit knockout ties.

Michael Cox, renowned tactics writer; Cerys Jones, player-development analyst; and Mark Carey, data-focused tactical commentator. They compare midseason managerial hires at Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. Conversations cover leadership and coaching styles, tactical tweaks to midfield and goalkeeper choices, formation fits and man-management successes and failures.

Mark Carey, tactics and data specialist who reads laws through the lens of match impact. Michael Cox, revered tactics writer with deep historical context. They debate VAR's expanded remit, mistaken-identity fixes and corner reviews. They wrestle with throw-in countdowns, substitution/treatment timing and experiments like Wenger's daylight offside. Practical law tweaks versus preserving creative tactics.

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.

Liam Tharme, tactics and match observer; Mark Carey, data and historical analyst; Michael Cox, deep tactical breakdown specialist. They unpack Arsenal’s recent attacking bluntness, vulnerability to counters and goalkeeping positioning. They also survey the tightening relegation fight, managerial churn, and which clubs look most at risk as the run-in intensifies.

Liam Tharme, a tactics and analytics journalist; Mark Carey, a data-focused writer on set pieces and defensive trends; Michael Cox, a strategy and history analyst. They dissect low blocks, how teams stay compact and methods to break them like overloads and tempo. They also discuss rising headed clearances, long-range goals and whether the new ball is changing shot and cross outcomes.

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.

Ahmed Waleed, set-piece specialist who breaks down Arsenal’s dead-ball approach. Mark Carey, data-focused tactics writer who brings statistics and trends. Michael Cox, strategic analyst known for deep tactical breakdowns. They debate Arsenal’s low open-play xG, the rise of set pieces and long throw-ins, the Premier League’s physical shift, and whether squad depth affects cohesion.

Michael Cox, a seasoned football tactics writer known for his deep analysis, joins Mark Carey, a data journalist specializing in football trends. They explore the fading concept of home advantage. The duo discusses how some teams perform better away, the impact of crowd noise, and lessons learned from the COVID season. They also dive into tactical shifts against big clubs, the role of familiar stadiums, and how new arenas can diminish home advantage initially. It’s a fascinating look at how the dynamics of home and away games are evolving.