The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

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 season.

Hosted by: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

Produced by: Steve Hankey

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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 have the best time.”

Hosted by: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox & Mark Carey

Produced by: Steve Hankey

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This week, we’re focusing on the world of football data and whether it’s had the profound impact on the game — on and off the pitch — that everyone thinks it has.

So, has data actually changed football?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5756088/2024/09/11/how-has-data-changed-football/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5697684/2024/09/03/football-analytics-uk-evolution/

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This week, we bring you our first, long-awaited listener mailbag! You’ve been sending in some excellent questions and ideas since we came back for the new season — and now is the time for us to discuss them!

So, the topics on today’s agenda include: Angeball 2.0, the new No.10 role and tactical revolutions at smaller clubs.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5793283/2024/09/26/premier-league-takeaways-five-games/

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In this episode, we discuss the tactical trends of 2023.

The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to explore...

First up, full backs and defenders moving into midfield. Inversions, actions and equal & opposite reactions are all covered here.

Did the back three become an endangered species in 2023 and will wingbacks go the way of the Dodo in 2024?

What were the big statistical trends this year? More goals, fewer red cards and the comeback of... the comeback.

The 2023 “Calendar Year” table finds Chelsea and Aston Villa in unexpected places.

And Michael reflects on the multiple tactical evolutions we saw during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Produced by Steve Hankey.

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