When Will You Learn Roberto? City Just Don’t Have The Players To Play Three In Defence
When will you learn Roberto? In the aftermath of a clash between the Champions of England and Spain I was hoping to be able to discuss something other than Manchester City’s use of three at the back, yet it’s unavoidable once again…
How Chris Hughton Turned Norwich Into Giant Killers
The Premiership outfit have now gone five games unbeaten following the 1-0 win over Manchester United and credit must go to the Canaries boss and his change to the 4-4-1-1.
Spurs: Defend Deep, Get Bale Running At Mertesacker And You Can Beat Arsenal
Bale won’t get much joy against Sagna, but if cuts inside he can tear Per Mertesacker to shreds…
The Secret To Mancini’s Tactical Success Against Spurs
It’s always frustrating to lose a game to a late goal but there is very little doubt that Manchester City deserved their win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad stadium. Despite leading for a large portion of the game, the visitors were second best throughout and did not perform to anywhere near what they are [...]
Asenal’s Identity Crisis: End The Tactical Narcissim
The current system at the Emirates Stadium is approaching the end of its cycle. It’s time to change if we want to compete again.
Hazard & Oscar Are Like Little Boys Lost Without Mata
We all know that Mata is brilliant. We all know that Chelsea will pick him whenever fit. But what you may not be aware of is just how ineffective Oscar and Hazard become when Mata’s out injured…
Walcott Is Arsenal’s Best Striker. We Are Screwed
Theo Walcott used to be the weakest link in a fearsome front line. Now the depressing reality for Gooners is that he’s our best attacker…
By Picking Ramsey & Santos, Wenger Surrendered To United Before A Ball Had Been Kicked
Wenger’s misguided loyalty to Andre Santos and Aaron Ramsey cost us at Old Trafford. What made it all the more infuriating, however, was that with Theo Walcott and Carl Jenkinson available to him, the alternative was so obvious…
Why Theo Walcott Will Never Be A Great Striker In Arsenal’s System
It’s quite simple really. It’s one thing scoring three goals in a nonsense match, but Walcott simply doesn’t have the tools to play as the central pivot in a possession based system…
Chelsea’s Reliance On Individual Brilliance Is No Match For United’s Attacking Flexibility
It is impossible to know the extent to which this game was ruined by terrible officials, but the tactical decisions made by Di Matteo and Ferguson reveal that is United who have more options to choose from….
Chelsea: The Lampard-Mikel Partnership Isn’t Good Enough For Europe
Just as they were against Juventus, Lampard and Mikel were totally over-run by Shakhtar’s midfield last night. Here’s why Ramires should never be pushed wide…
Everton: Playing Pienaar In Centre-Midfield Handed QPR The Initiative
Forget Fellaini, by breaking up Everton’s left-sided duo of Baines & Pienaar, Moyes rid Everton of their greatest weapon this season…
Arsenal: Gervinho And Giroud Are Not Compatible In This System
Norwich deserved their first league victory against Arsenal, but were the Gunners the perpetrators of their own donwfall?
Adebayor & Defoe: AVB’s Perfect Odd Couple
Defoe and Adebayor are like chalk and cheese – two strikers with entirely different playing styles. For AVB, it’s the perfect situation for his newly-found tactical flexibility…
Liverpool: Ignore Shearer, Allen Has Been Your Best Player This Season
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Alan Shearer has piped up with yet another moronic opinion, this time slating Allen. Here’s why he’s so very wrong…
Chelsea: The Possible Solutions If Torres Gets Crocked
El Nino has started the season in fine form ahead of a triumvirate of attacking midfielders, but what would they do if he got crocked? Change formation? Play Hazard as a false nine? Sturridge through the middle?
AVB: How He’s Used His Chelsea Hell To Become Tottenham’s Master Tactician
Andre Villas-Boas’ stubborn insistence on a high-line at Chelsea cost hims his job. At Tottenham, he’s learnt that different tactics can work too….
How Allardyce’s Half-Time Switch Created Space For Arsenal’s Forwards
The stage was set for beauty versus beast at Upton Park, and for the first half the Irons held their opponents at bay. But a tactical switch at the break enabled Walcott and co to find joy on the flanks…
How Carl Jenkinson Has Transformed From Bambi To Arsenal’s Terminator
Just over a year ago, Carl Jenkinson looked like a little boy lost as Premier League wingers took turns to tear him a new one. Now he’s asserting himself as a candidate for England. Here’s how it happened…
Arsenal v Chelsea: Di Matteo Gives Wenger A Tactical Masterclass
The Blues secured a big win at the Emirates to stay top of the league. Here’s a closer look at how Roberto Di Matteo got one over Arsene Wenger in the tactical department…
Played In His Correct Position, Arshavin Proves He Can Still Be Arsenal’s Creative Spark
A happy, enthusiastic and hungry Andrey Arshavin can still be an effective player for Arsenal. Especially when deployed in the no.10 role…
Arsenal Vs Coventry City: The Perfect Chance To Give Theo What He Wants?
A misguided Theo Walcott has announced his ambition to play as a striker. A cup game against League 1 opposition is the perfect opportunity to see if he’s onto something…
Leighton Baines & Steven Pienaar: The Partnership Key To Everton’s Success
Gary Neville called them the most successful pairing in English football, and it’s no surprise to see the Baines-Pienaar ‘underlap’ emerge as the cornerstone in Everton’s blistering start to the season…
Why Ramsey On The Right Stifled City & Proved Arsenal Are Committed Left-Wingers
A lopsided Arsenal flooded the midfield and neutralised Man City’s wide men, dominating the first half on Sunday, before Mancini’s tinkering tightened things up at The Etihad.
Stade De Reims: The Phoenix Of French Football Set To Rise From The Ashes
They competed in the very first European Championship final, and their star player from that team became the first Frenchman to win the both the European Cup and Ballon D’Or, so how did Stade De Reims find themselves in the footballing wilderness?
How Bould & Left-Sided Shift Gave Arsenal Their Balls Back
The Gunners are now a smarter, more balanced side and it’s all thanks to a few personnel changes and a tweak to their shape…
Fulham: Keep The Smile On Berbatov’s Face And You’ll Be In For A Treat
As the Joker famously said “Let’s put a smile on that face”. Cottagers will reap the benefits of the classy Bulgarian if they can bring out the facial expression that appeared so sparingly at Old Trafford…
David Bentley: Did A Lack Of Real Self Belief Undo The Arsenal and Spurs Star?
From Rostov With Love – The self proclaimed ‘new David Beckham’, Bentley’s career promised so much, but has now culminated in a move to the far reaches of Eastern Europe; south Russia, to be precise…
Education Is The Key For England’s Future Hopes
Despite Stevie G’s “faith” England aren’t going to win the next World Cup. The key to success lies with schooling the kids…
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