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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 1d

NEW POD!

Why are goalkeepers going long this season?

What's happened to the long throw?

Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!

pod.fo/e/33a5db

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why goalkeepers are going long

Today we’re discussing the evolution of goalkeeper distribution. Are teams actually going long more often, and how is it changing the game?Host: Duncan Alexander With: Michael Cox and Mark Care...

pod.fo

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The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 1d

“I just watched a documentary on the New England Patriots and saw a quote — ‘We don’t collect the most talented players, we build a team’".

Thomas Tuchel said that was his philosophy ahead of England facing Wales.

It is clearly working.

@markcarey93.bsky.social

England are building a team, not just picking their best players — and it seems to be working

England beat Wales 3-0 on Thursday night. The signs are looking good ahead of next summer's World Cup

www.nytimes.com

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks, I guess?

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 8d

NEW POD!

Why are the promoted sides better this season?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social have the answers!

pod.fo/e/335c3e

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why the promoted sides are so much better this season

Today we tackle the Premier League’s promoted clubs – who collectively, so far this season, are flying. How are they doing it and more importantly, can they sustain it?Host: Michael BaileyWith...

pod.fo

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Reposted by Mark Carey

Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 15d

We often say that the most entertaining games of football are played at a “good tempo”.

For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I tried to quantify exactly what that is, and which Premier League teams play with a fast and slow tempo.

Link below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 15d

We often say that the most entertaining games of football are played at a “good tempo”.

For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I tried to quantify exactly what that is, and which Premier League teams play with a fast and slow tempo.

Link below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 15d

Thanks, I guess?

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 15d

NEW POD 🚨

Has Pep Guardiola really changed, or was the match against Arsenal an anomaly?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss!

pod.fo/e/3318c0

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Has Guardiola actually changed his philosophy?

Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics in Manchester City’s Premier League draw at Arsenal last weekend caused quite the stir.Was it a one off? Or has Guardiola’s philosophy been slowly changing i...

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Conor O'Neill @conor-oneill.bsky.social · 17d

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...

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 20d

Wrong person tagged

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 22d

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

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why has this season started so slowly?

There were a mere 19 goals across 20 games in the Premier League last weekend.Which got us thinking — why so few? And is it partly to do with the influx of new signings creating unfamiliarity and...

pod.fo

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 23d

Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into this, Jase. Hugely appreciated!

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 24d

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...

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 24d

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

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 25d

That is....extreme 😂

Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · 25d

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...

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · 26d

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

Why Arsenal and PSG are so good at pressing

YouTube video by The Athletic FC Podcast

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · Sep 11

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

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Mavericks, Donnarumma & are Arsenal too cautious?

It’s the international break in men’s football and that means only one thing… mailbag time!We’re going to answer your questions on all sorts — iPads, subs, mavericks and more!Host: Michae...

pod.fo

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · Sep 9

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...

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Reposted by Mark Carey

brian mcdonnell @sixtwofourtwo.bsky.social · Sep 8

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...

The rise of the individual striker coach: 'It's about maximising potential and marginal gains'

www.nytimes.com

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Mark Carey @markcarey93.bsky.social · Sep 8

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...

Mailbag: Send in your questions for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Send in your questions now ahead of a special episode of The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast @tacticspod.bsky.social · Aug 28

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

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Dowman and Ngumoha: The pathway for academy players

This week, we’re charting the journey from academy to first team football.What are the main tactical challenges in making the jump, and how has the transition changed over time?Host: Michael Bail...

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Totally Football Show @totallyshow.bsky.social · Aug 25

🚨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

The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Spurs expose Man City again, and Dowmania at Arsenal

Jimbo has Daniel Storey, Adrian Clarke and Mark Carey for company after an absorbing second weekend of the Premier League season.Tenacious Tottenham make it two wins out of two with yet another vic...

pod.fo

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Reposted by Mark Carey

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Aug 23

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...

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Reposted by Mark Carey

Alex Brodie @alexjbrodie.bsky.social · Aug 22

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

The story behind the ‘Lavolpiana build-up’ loved by Guardiola and used by Arsenal and Liverpool

It is a tactical term that has been popularised by Guardiola, but fewer people might be aware of the man who inspired it

www.nytimes.com

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