Some thoughts on how United’s tactics may stifle Chelsea, and how Mourinho can counter-exploit such plans. … a) The teams (predicted): 1. Two up-front – A rather odd statement, but two clever interchanging front men has come back into vogue recently. More importantly, Chelsea has shown signs of struggling against two front men, most noticeably against Leicester, but also on …
A second opinion on Frank Lampard: football’s great learner
My own thoughts on Lampard, following my colleague’s piece earlier today. “Oh my goodness, that’s incredible. Frank Lampard against Chelsea” – Steve Wilson, MoTD 2: 21/9/14 …
Lampard looks to football’s final frontier: space
In this rarefied age of footballing athleticism, those players who can both find and exploit space are, ultimately, the ones who will reach the moon …
2014 summer transfer window – some reflections
As the summertime window of reinforcement opportunity closes until January, here are some reflections on the transfer dealings, for better or for worse, of the “big seven” clubs in the Premier League …
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2014 = 1978? Football through the lens of teleology
Preface: This is a provisional piece of work. I appreciate the comparative lack of depth in any of the case studies, due to a lack of detailed knowledge (I have no archives, nor am I old enough to have seen Holland in 1974, yet alone Hungary of 1954). With time, I aspire to complete this piece to a standard whereby …
Some reflections on Saturday’s games
Reflections on some games I did see, including Burnley vs. Man. United and Everton vs. Chelsea, and some I wish I could have done …
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Tactical Preview: Chelsea 2014/15
Foreword: This is a theoretical preview from the perspective of a relatively objective fan of the club. I hope to return to the tactical outlook of Chelsea latterly, with more emphasis on how the theory worked out in practice, how Mourinho and his coaching staff have implemented the general strategic framework they have imposed on the players: …