[Albion] Football Tactics Podcast - The Athletic

Farehamseagull said:

I listen to this show every week with Mark Carey who is a data analyst and Michael Cox who writes about tactics all the time and I love it. It's very stat heavy and goes into a lot of detail about tactics so is great for a football nerd like me.

Anyway, this week they've done an hour's episode on Graham Potter and how we play. It does cover and confirm a lot of things we know already watching them every week but I would strongly recommend it as it is very interesting getting such a detailed analysis from neutrals who actually know what they're talking about - not the usual clueless MOTD/Sky cliches - and it does turn up some stats that are surprising.

Like I say, it's very stat heavy and nerdy so appreciate it won't be for everyone but definitely worth a listen for those who are interested.

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zefarelly said:

I've enjoyed football for all sorts of reasons since I was in shorts in 1978

stats wasn't one.

curlers into the top corner, finger tip saves, pile drivers from 35 yards, hairs on the back of your neck standing up walking down Goldstone Lane on the other hand . . .

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Stato said:

The two things are not mutually exclusive and, although the latter gets the pulse racing, the former, as mastered by Mr Bloom, has pretty much bought our stadium and our squad.

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zefarelly said:

Which merely confirms, modern BHA is not best for me.

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The Fits said:

Really interesting and whatever you think about stats it’s spot on. Great up to the final third. Slow build up. Miss Webster currently. Miss White’s transition. March one of our highest chance creators and still relying on Gross. Lots of players who not sure if they’re central midfielders or wing backs. They liked Cucu at LCB because of his ability to bring the ball out.
One of the most high intensity press teams (which seems to have dropped off lately). More defensive than people realise. Sanchez disappointing this season.

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Farehamseagull said:

The other thing that stood out to me was Cox's comments about the ability and experience of the individual players. As dull as predictable as it has been lately, I strongly believe that overall Potter is actually over-achieving and that we are greater than the sum of our parts due to his coaching and tactical ability. I think individually, our players are naturally and affectionately over rated by the fans. If we're going to progress to become a consistent top 10 side, then we really need to back him and bring in better and more experienced players (I do also appreciate that is very expensive and it is not my money).

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The Fits said:

Really interesting and whatever you think about stats it’s spot on. Great up to the final third. Slow build up. Miss Webster currently. Miss White’s transition. March one of our highest chance creators and still relying on Gross. Lots of players who not sure if they’re central midfielders or wing backs. They liked Cucu at LCB because of his ability to bring the ball out.
One of the most high intensity press teams (which seems to have dropped off lately). More defensive than people realise. Sanchez disappointing this season.

Click to expand...

Farehamseagull said:

The other thing that stood out to me was Cox's comments about the ability and experience of the individual players. As dull as predictable as it has been lately, I strongly believe that overall Potter is actually over-achieving and that we are greater than the sum of our parts due to his coaching and tactical ability. I think individually, our players are naturally and affectionately over rated by the fans. If we're going to progress to become a consistent top 10 side, then we really need to back him and bring in better and more experienced players (I do also appreciate that is very expensive and it is not my money).

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Stato said:

I'd guess that its certainly been a while since any of us felt the hairs on the back of our neck standing up whilst walking to the game. My best moment of the last few seasons was the overwhelming and disproportionate emotion I felt at the ground singing 'Cheerio, Cheerio' to Joao Cancelo when he got sent off in the City game at the end of last season. That small single moment reminded me why live football is so different from watching it on the TV. There hasn't been much of that kind of spontaneous, communal outburst for quite a while now. I share your nostalgia, but as usual whenever I feel nostalgic, I wonder whether I'm missing the past, or just being the person I was in the past.

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Farehamseagull said:

I listen to this show every week with Mark Carey who is a data analyst and Michael Cox who writes about tactics all the time and I love it. It's very stat heavy and goes into a lot of detail about tactics so is great for a football nerd like me.

Anyway, this week they've done an hour's episode on Graham Potter and how we play. It does cover and confirm a lot of things we know already watching them every week but I would strongly recommend it as it is very interesting getting such a detailed analysis from neutrals who actually know what they're talking about - not the usual clueless MOTD/Sky cliches - and it does turn up some stats that are surprising.

Like I say, it's very stat heavy and nerdy so appreciate it won't be for everyone but definitely worth a listen for those who are interested.

Click to expand...