Maiden bluesky post! I analysed shot-blocking in the Premier League. Looked at: - Arsenal/Liverpool’s contrasting approach to defending long-range efforts - Why Man Utd struggle inside the box - The PL leading the way in old-school, bodies-on-the-line defending www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

NEW POD 🚨 Why has this Premier League season started so slowly? @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss. pod.fo/e/32cff1

An appreciation for the lesser-heralded near-post cross. Who targets that zone the most? Which players get across their man most often? How does it compare to far-post deliveries? Full piece below for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Arsenal are the "gold standard" for pressing, according to @markcarey93.bsky.social Listen to our full pod on pressing 101. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UJt... Audio: pod.fo/e/32ac79

It has been a theme of the early weeks of the season, but Liverpool appear to have shifted their defensive shape from a 4-2-4 (in 2024-25) to a staggered 4-3-3 (in 2025-26). I break down why that might be for @theathleticfc.bsky.social, piece below! www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

NEW MONDAY POD DROP 🚨 We rotate the squad, with @oilysailor.bsky.social joined by @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social to talk pressing. The best structures, who does it best, who does it worst? Video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UJt... Audio: pod.fo/e/32ac79

NEW MAILBAG POD 🚨 @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social answer your questions on... - Maverick players - Donnarumma to City - Are Arsenal too cautious? & much, much more! pod.fo/e/328a93

There is something about a one-two that is so aesthetically pleasing. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I dug into the data to quantify the action itself, before looking at who engages in them the most! Full piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

This is good from @markcarey93.bsky.social on the rise of individual player coaching in the Premier League (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

Send in your questions for @theathleticfc.bsky.social Tactics Podcast special mailbag episode! What trend, team, or player has caught your eye from the season so far? Or are there any tactical/data questions you would like us to address? Let us know below! www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

NEW POD ALERT! 🚨 @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social talk the pathway from academy to first-team football. PLUS, the winners of our caption Amorim competition. Listen here: pod.fo/e/31feaa

🚨MONDAY POD!🚨 It's @acjimbo.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @adrianjclarke.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social 🎙️ 💪Two out of two for tenacious Tottenham 🧑‍🎓Dowmania at Arsenal 🏟️Everton's winning start with @tomwfootball.bsky.social 🧩Fernandes not fitting in at #MUFC? pod.fo/e/31c4ad

Arsenal have mastered set-pieces in recent seasons, Leeds have spent the summer signing players who are at least 6ft. When they meet at the Emirates today it could be a battle of the giants. But how important is height in both boxes? @markcarey93.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

Something a bit different here from @markcarey93.bsky.social - such a great read.

New pod! The Premier League goes old school! @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social pod.fo/e/3198c0

Ahead of tomorrow's first La Liga game, how Real Madrid play is out now for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

And here’s the accompanying podcast with @markcarey93.bsky.social. Great to speak to Ian Graham and Sarah Rudd, amongst others. open.spotify.com/episode/6MRs...

"They are the safeguard of the culture of the club." What does a sporting director do? Where does their role fit in a hierarchy? How do you get the job? How can you judge if they are successful? 📝 @markcarey93.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

Yet again, Cole Palmer delivered when it mattered most for Chelsea, scoring twice and setting up the other goal in their Club World Cup final win against PSG. The Chelsea forward has looked back to his very best in the United States — and this was his superstar moment. ✍️ @markcarey93.bsky.social

🔹 PSG's desire to exploit wide areas 🔹 Switches of play crucial to creating space 🔹 Significance of Chelsea team selection 🔹 Why transitions could be key for #CFC Who will win the Club World Cup? @markcarey93.bsky.social on where the final could be won & lost.

Real Madrid’s winning reputation is built on their clinical efficiency in both boxes. Never was that more true than against Borussia Dortmund, with Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois summoning two world-class actions in a matter of minutes... @markcarey93.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana

Chelsea booked their place in the Club World Cup with a goal (a scruffy one) from a short corner. No other team has used this tactic like them in the US. 23 of their 36 corners have been short. Weeks of practice is paying off, writes @markcarey93.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

NEW POD! Our 24/25 Premier League season review is here! With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2dc323

Chelsea have now reached a transfer agreement with Ipswich for the signing of Liam Delap. But how does he play? How will he fit in at Chelsea? And what will he bring to Enzo Maresca’s side? @markcarey93.bsky.social explains ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...

FINAL CALL FOR MAILBAG QUESTIONS 📬 Our final episode of the season is almost upon us, so please send in your last minute mailbag questions for us! @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

The Premier League season is over, but there are still some medals to hand out. ➡️ Most improved ⚽️ Set-piece kings 🌬️ Most...double pressures? Here is @theathleticfc.bsky.social's alternative awards. Enjoy! www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...

NEW POD 🚨 It's time for our Alternative Premier League Team of The Season episode. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social Enjoy! pod.fo/e/2d9269

Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season! One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇

We know that Brentford are not shy in engaging in a long throw, but it is worth highlighting just how much xG they have generated from that method! New viz included in today's piece with @ahmed-walid.bsky.social looking at the increased trend in the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...

A tactical breakdown of all four #UCL semi-finalists here from @markcarey93.bsky.social and Conor O’Neill.

🇵🇹 Antonio Silva 🇵🇹 Goncalo Inacio 🇨🇮 Ousmane Diomande 🇮🇹 Giorgio Scalvini 🇧🇷 Murillo 🇳🇱 Jan Paul van Hecke Dean Huijsen is not short of suitors this summer — but there are plenty of other defenders to look at across Europe, says @markcarey93.bsky.social. 🎙️ pod.fo/e/2cc61b

“You might think that there cannot be any ties that bind physics with the world’s most popular sport, but strip things back and the similarities are remarkable” (analysis via @markcarey93.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)

The end of Diogo Jota's goal drought ensures it's a similar story for Everton at Anfield. Liverpool are inching closer to Premier League glory — the calmness they showed after they took the lead will please Arne Slot as much as the three points. @greggevans40.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social

Is it really only 16 days since the last Premier League game? Feels like even longer. But the run-in starts here. Thoughts on what we've seen so far and what might be yet to come with @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @caoimhesport.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...

The Premier League returns on Tuesday and all eyes will be on the race for a place in next season's Champions League. With five points separating fourth-placed Chelsea and tenth-placed Bournemouth, it promises to be a battle royale. 📝 @markcarey93.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

Front-foot defending? Check. Stepping out from the back? Done. An eye for a piercing progressive pass? No problem. For the handful of people who are yet to do so, it’s time to sit up and take notice of Dean Huijsen. ✍️ @markcarey93.bsky.social @thom-harris.bsky.social bit.ly/4j93IDk

Fulham, quietly, are three points off a Champions League place and are on course to smash their record points total. They are above Bournemouth, who have been heavily praised this season, yet Fulham have gone under the radar. Marco Silva's side deserve more credit. ✍️ @markcarey93.bsky.social

Today's Carabao Cup final pits one of Europe's best strikers against arguably its finest centre-back. Alexander Isak has shown he has a rare ability to trouble Virgil van Dijk, so what is it that makes him such a handful for the Liverpool defender? ✍️ @markcarey93.bsky.social

NEW POD! It's Champions League review/preview time. We look at the RO16 results and ahead to the quarters. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2b827a

Second balls are a staple of English football — widely discussed but rarely analysed objectively. @ahmed-walid.bsky.social and I dug into some Footovision data and clips to unpack which Premier League teams are the strongest, and why! Full piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/619...

Enjoyed putting this together for @theathleticfc.bsky.social 🇪🇸 A guide to the seven teams vying for the title in the Spanish second tier, including: 🏎️ The free-flowing leaders ⭐️ A breakthrough star 🔴 The pluckiest of underdogs 😬 And the stuttering favourites www.nytimes.com/athletic/617...

For the the first time in five years, open-play crosses in the Premier League are up on the previous season. @markcarey93.bsky.social explains how crossing is back in fashion ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/615...

NEWSFLASH: Kylian Mbappe is fast. But what makes him fast? What is characteristic about the way he uses his speed? And how has the way he uses his speed evolved over the course of his career? My piece with @markcarey93.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/614...

Jude Bellingham's strike at Manchester City last week was his sixth stoppage-time winner since joining Real Madrid. No player in Europe's major leagues can match his knack for scoring goals which change the outcome of games. @markcarey93.bsky.social

We've got a special guest in the studio tomorrow Mr @counterattack9.bsky.social from Skillcorner! Any data questions for him or the panel, let us know!

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said #mufc’s data analysis is “last century” - but is it? - progress but work to do to catch up - no director of data since summer - Ten Hag and Amorim’s demands - INEOS figure leading review w/ @markcarey93.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...

THIRD ATTEMPT AT POSTING THE LINK FOR THE POD 😀 NEW POD!🚨 @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social chat centre-backs! Who are the best and how important are partnerships? pod.fo/e/2a9556

🌳 #NFFC's in-game tactical agility 🔴 Why #MUFC are the division's most dogmatic side 7️⃣ And the players who have operated in seven different positions this season @markcarey93.bsky.social: Here's how you can measure versatility in football 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...

NEW POD! @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @thom-harris.bsky.social talk January signings and which will have the biggest impact... Thank you listeners for your contributions! pod.fo/e/2a9556

Arsenal made an approach for Ollie Watkins that was quickly rebuffed by Aston Villa. What profile would Arsenal be getting if he did move — and what clues does it offer to what Mikel Arteta is thinking if they have to look elsewhere? ✍️ @markcarey93.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/609...