In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to talk about why this Premier League season has had an unbelievable number of goals. The number of goals being scored in the top division of English men’s football is at its highest rate since the 1960s. But what has caused this? Are goalkeepers not as good as they used to be at keeping the ball out of the net? What has VAR done to the game in the context of goals given or denied? And are players shooting more and better?  This and much, much more on the final Tactics podcast of the 23/24 seaso ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox and Mark Carey join Ali Maxwell to put together an alternative team of the season from the 23/24 Premier League. Mark and Michael are allowed to choose one player from each of the teams in the bottom half of the Premier League to make up their side. The mathematically minded amongst you will clock that only gives them eleven players, so from one team they get two picks. This episode really illustrates the truth held within that famous internet aphorism from E.M. Hudson: “Dudes can literally just sit around and name old sports players and just hav ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss the final stages of this season’s Champions League in men’s football. Real Madrid came from behind in the dying minutes to knock out Bayern Munich and further cement their pedigree in this competition. Borussia Dortmund ensured their surprising run this season continued by securing a second consecutive 1-0 win over Paris St Germain to take the semi-final 2-0 on aggregate. Then, we look ahead to the final on Saturday 1st June at Wembley.  Can Dortmund shock the football world to claim th ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss how Liverpool can ensure a smooth succession from Arne Slot to Jurgen Klopp. We look at how well suited his style of play and personality are for taking on one of the biggest jobs in club football. And how well set up Liverpool are as a club to move on from such a legendary manager? Then, we look to the past to see if we can learn much about the future.  Can Liverpool learn anything from how Manchester United moved on from Alex Ferguson and how Arsenal handled life after Arsène Wenger ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss which leagues are the most competitive in Europe. We cast our eyes across Europe’s top five leagues, and then beyond them into the top twenty leagues across the continent, including some second tiers… What matters most when measuring what makes a competitive league?  Is it the finance or the depth of talent in each league year on year? Or is it how well spread both of those things are across a division?  And should looking at how competitive a league is compared to other places inf ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on the Champions League quarter finals; which concluded this week. First up, Bayern Munich let their experience show by knocking out Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate at the Allianz Arena. We then head to Manchester as reigning European champions Manchester City failed to retain their crown as they were knocked out on penalties by the perennial Kings of Europe Real Madrid.  We also assess Paris St Germain progressing against a poorly disciplined Barcelona as well as discussing Borussia Dortmund d ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on the halfway point of the Champions League quarter finals; and what to look out for when those ties conclude next week. First up, it’s Arsenal and Bayern Munich sharing the first leg spoils by drawing 2-2 in North London. We then head to Madrid and rule the rule over the incredible 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and reigning European champions Manchester City.  Our third stop is Paris to decide who showed the most “Barca DNA” in Barcelona’s 3-2 victory over Paris St Germain. And finally ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to take a look at where the Premier League title contenders may drop precious points. Firstly, we run the rule over the final clash between the pretenders to the crown this season.  Was Man City vs Arsenal just really boring or were there some “tactically intriguing” aspects? The title race remains as tight as it was when we last cast our eye over it in detail five episodes ago.  But what’s changed since then that should alter the way we analyse who will win the league? And finally, which te ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Jay Harris, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to take a look at specialist coaches. From set pieces to subs to sleep and scran, elite football teams are constantly on the lookout for ways to make improvements. One thing you will learn is why they’re NOT making marginal gains… So which specialist coaching jobs have gone from niche to mainstream?  How do you measure success when a coaching role is completely brand new? And what role may be the next to evolve from non-existent to completely essential? Produced by Steve Hankey. Learn more about ..read more

In this episode, The Athletic’s Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Jon Mackenzie join Ali Maxwell to do a deep dive into Internazionale. Simone Inzaghi’s side are dominating Serie A in every sense of the word.  They have a bigger lead at this stage of the season than runaway leaders Napoli had last time out and at time of recording they have the best defensive record of any team in Europe’s top five leagues. So what makes them so good? What do they do that very few, if any, other teams do at the elite level of the game? And will their manager Simone Inzaghi ever test his managerial mettle a ..read more