The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Mark Carey join host Ali Maxwell to try and work out the best way to 'chase' a football match... Has modern football moved away from the stereotypical 'plan B' of earlier Premier League eras and how do teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle keep finding late goals. Plus, how the role of the substitute might be evolving into a more specialist role and what is now asked of 'game-changers' like Harvey Elliott, Youri Tielemans, Elijah Adebayo and more... Produced by Adonis Pratsides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join host Ali Maxwell to discuss penalties in football... Are there too many, are they too big a reward in the VAR era, or, is it in fact becoming more difficult to score? Plus, the best player in the Premier League at winning penalties, who sent the keeper the wrong way every time, are left-footers better than right-footers and if further rule changes are in order. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

In light of Manchester City’s attempts to cope without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, and Arsenal’s struggles without their captain Martin Odegaard, we’re asking — how do teams cope without their star players? Host: Michael Bailey With: Liam Tharme, Thom Harris, Art de Roché Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

In this episode, we talk about back three formations. Ruben Amorim loves them, and he’ll be the boss at Manchester United from next week.  And Simone Inzaghi’s Internazionale, also featuring a back three, beat Arsenal this week, had already drawn with Man City; and are yet to concede a Champions League goal. So are back threes back? Or is this just a brief moment back in the sun? And can Manchester United’s current squad adapt to Amorim’s favoured formation? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme. Producer: Steve Hankey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ..read more

This week, we’re focusing on Barcelona after an incredible pair of results for Hansi Flick’s side. Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico came just three days after their 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Not bad! So, how has Hansi Flick done it? Let’s find out! Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

This week, we’re focusing on Liverpool and their almost perfect start under new manager Arne Slot. It’s been a record-busting beginning for Liverpool… so how has the transition from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp gone so smoothly at Anfield, and what are the challenges that now lie ahead for Slot? Host: Michael Bailey With: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

This week, we’re focusing on the promoted sides in the Premier League.  Where are their structural shortcomings, what is the plan that secures survival and is it now harder than ever to achieve it? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

Jude Bellingham's been described as a player 'who can do everything', so Ali Maxwell, challenged The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to build the 'perfect' player... A left foot from Messi? As strong as Van Dijk? With Bernardo Silva's brain? Agree or disagree with our selections? Let us know in the comments. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

Host Ali Maxwell is joined - straight after the full-time whistle - by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Ahmed Walid, to dissect Manchester City's 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final... The panel break down the tactical story of a cagey finale in Istanbul, big team selection decisions and the culmination of City's tactical evolution into a truly formidable 'cup side'. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

This week, we’re focusing on Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.  The evolution of these two sides under the coaching of Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany respectively, got us thinking… do some managers require a team of elite players in order to succeed? Host: Michael Bailey With: Seb Stafford-Bloor, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more