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Ryan Deeney

Ryan Deeney

@ryandeeney.bsky.social

320 followers 110 following 130 posts

Mostly Blues. National League Head Researcher for Football Manager.

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Reposted by Ryan Deeney

Plough Lane By Numbers @ploughlanebynum.bsky.social · 2d

New Womble Coefficient pod now out.

Review of Burton defeat. State of League 1 review. FA Cup focus and Gateshead preview/predictions.

Thanks to @ryandeeney.bsky.social for the Gateshead insights.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lb6...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

TWC21 - Our First Loss in a While, and Gateshead FA Cup Preview

open.spotify.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 6d

Solve one problem, another arises. This felt like a summary of our season.

- Report
- Tactics
- Breaking down the goal
- Back to stodgy
- An angering final 10
- Team for Pompey
- The opposition

Might be a good thing that I'm missing next Saturday.

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Bristol City 1-0 Blues

Another stodgy display on the road as Blues succumb to Sinclair Armstrong's first goal of the season.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 9d

#PNE 0-1 #BCFC

We've won, that's the important thing. Nerves settled.

- Report
- Tactics
- Job done
- Phil Neumann
- Heckingbottom comments
- Preston
- Bristol City

18-21 players. All capable. But probably a choice between 12.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Preston North End 0-1 Blues

Phil Neumann's return to the XI saw him score the winner at Deepdale as Blues ended their mini winless run.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 12d

#BCFC 2-3 #HCAFC

Chaos ensues as Blues are beaten at home in the league for the first time since April 2024.

- Report
- Tactics
- The goals
- Jack Robinson
- A good performance
- A bad feeling
- Who plays next?

I hope I'm wrong.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Blues 2-3 Hull City

Blues' long unbeaten at St.Andrews ended in chaotic fashion as a Jay Stansfield double isn't enough to secure a result.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 15d

#BCFC have conceded a lot of rubbish goals this season. Defending set-pieces and crosses has been a problem.

I've gone through every goal, big chance and Reed card conceded in order to work out what the issues are and look at how we solve them.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Birmingham City's Defensive Woes

A long read breaking down Birmingham City's issues defending set-pieces and crosses.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 25d

Did the YouTube thing with Luke Walsh and Off The Line Blog discussing numerous things National League related.

Check it out!

youtu.be/F5_tk1iVi9c?...

WHO ARE THE PROMOTION CONTENDERS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE? EARLY SEASON NATIONAL LEAGUE REVIEW!

YouTube video by Luke Walsh Football Podcast

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · 28d

#Wxm 1-1 #BCFC

A decent point in the "Hollywood Derby" and a relatively improved performance on the road.

- Report
- Tactics
- Improvement
- Set-pieces
- Beadle
- Midfield options
- Wrexham
- Next up

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Wrexham 1-1 Blues

The "Hollywood Derby" ends in a score-draw as Blues control without penetrating following a difficult first period.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Oct 2

Thanks, Peter!

Erm, I don't think we underestimated you. I think the fast start and increased intensity showed that.

We just keep hurting ourselves through silly mistakes or not defending set-pieces. And to your credit, you punished us!

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Oct 2

#BCFC 2-2 #SWFC

A weird night, an okay performance, an important late goal.

- Report
- Tactics
- Subs booed
- Doyle
- Cashin
- Wednesday
- Next

We're not far off, but feel so far away.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Blues 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Another late show at St.Andrews as Demarai Gray keeps Birmingham City's long unbeaten run in tact to break Sheffield Wednesday hearts

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 28

#PUSB 3-0 #BCFC

A sobering afternoon in which everything that could go wrong, did.

- Report
- Tactics
- Crap goals
- Application or structure
- Solutions
- Coventry
- Next up

Tweaks, not overhaul. And switch on.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Coventry City 3-0 Blues

Birmingham City are thumped at Coventry City as Jack Robinson sees red and our set-piece problem continues.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 22

#BCFC 1-0 Swansea City

Lyndon Dykes' late goals secures a deserved winner.

- game
- tactics
- fans
- defensive balance
- new attack
- the opposition
- next up

We needed that.

#KRO #SCAFC

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Blues 1-0 Swansea City

Birmingham City got back to winning ways thanks to Lyndon Dykes' late winner.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 19

🆕🆕

Steve Morison left Sutton United earlier this week.

Some thoughts on his departure including:

- That interview post-Tamworth
- Gut v Logic v Performance
- The quotes that told the story
- What happens next

#ForeverAmber #SuttonUnited

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

National League Managerial Change: Steve Morison

Steve Morison departed Sutton United earlier this week. Some thoughts on his departure and how it came about.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 15

Stoke 1-0 Blues

- the game
- brief tactical view
- what went wrong
- why it's not a disaster
- why solutions aren't plug and play
- Stoke are decent
- Swansea next

#BCFC #KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Stoke City 1-0 Blues

Blues succumb to a third consecutive loss in all competitions thanks to Bosun Lawal's header.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 12

Finances. Youth. Development.

Altrincham FC have done excellent work for a number of years now.

A quick piece looking at:

- their development record
- a summer of change
- whether they've improved

#Alty

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

Altrincham FC: Finances, Youth and Development

Phil Parkinson likes to repeat the same mantras and it has served Altrincham well over a long period of time. A look into why they remain a positive model to follow in the National League.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Sep 5

Thoughts on Solihull Moors making the decision to move on from Matt Taylor, including:

- Feelings of anger towards their 2025
- Strange communication
- Strange appointment
- Poor performances
- What happens next

#COYM #SMFC

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

National League Managerial Change: Solihull Moors

Matt Taylor departed Solihull Moors after a 1-0 loss against Yeovil Town. Thoughts on why change has been made and what happens next.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 30

#LCFC 2-0 #BCFC

A frustrating evening as a decent performance lacked the bravery to be a strong one.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- Change afoot
- Why it's not all bad
- The opposition
- Next up

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Match Report: Leicester City 2-0 Blues

Goals from Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira inflict Birmingham City's first loss of the new Championship season.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 28

Turning to the National League and looking at recent managerial departures and appointments:

- Yeovil Town & Mark Cooper
- York City & Adam Hinshelwood
- York City & Stuart Maynard

#YTFC #YCFC

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

National League Managerial Changes: Yeovil Town and York City

Mark Cooper and Adam Hinshelwood left their jobs recently. Thoughts on why change has occurred and what happens next.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 28

#BCFC 0-1 #PVFC

A disappointing night as Blues exit the Carabao Cup.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- General thoughts
- The opposition
- Next up

Friday should be interesting.

#KRO

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/p/match-repo...

Match Report: Blues 0-1 Port Vale

A much-changed Birmingham City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League One Port Vale.

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 24

#BCFC 1-0 #OUFC

A controlled, almost League One-esque display as Paik Seung-Ho's first half goal secures a first home win of the season.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- The goal
- The rest

Rowett gonna Rowett.

#KRO

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/p/match-repo...

Match Report: Blues 1-0 Oxford United

Paik Seung-Ho's goal is the difference as Blues recorded their first home win back in the Championship vs Gary Rowett's Oxford United.

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 18

#BRFC 1-2 #BCFC

Chairs, flares & Lyndon Dykes baby.

My story from a long overdue away day and one I won't be forgetting in a hurry.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Blues: Chairs, Flares & Lyndon Dykes Baby

Blues come from behind in stoppage to earn three points at Ewood Park thanks to goals from Jay Stansfield and Lyndon Dykes.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 12

National League opening weekend review, anyone?

youtu.be/Yq9VF9USrYc?...

SOUTHEND & CARLISLE START STRONG WHILST YORK CITY SLIP UP. GAMEWEEK 1 NATIONAL LEAGUE REVIEW!

YouTube video by Luke Walsh Football Podcast

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Aug 8

Here we go!

The NL Musings National League 2025-26 Season Preview.

- All 24 clubs
- Last season
- The summer
- Squad visuals
- The prediction

Read. Share. Subscribe. Berate.

The season begins tomorrow!

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · Jul 27

It's that time of year all over again.

League One 1-24 season prediction.

betting.betfair.com/football/eng...

EFL League One 2025-26 Tips: Read our season preview including a 1-24 prediction for every team

Betfair's EFL expert Ryan Deeney predicts the finishing position for every team competing in the 2025-26 League One season

betting.betfair.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · May 11

National League 2024-25 Awards

🧑‍💼 Manager
👨‍🦰 Player
🧒 Young Player
⚽️ Goal
🤝 Assist
👋 Save
🤼 Team

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...

#NationalLeague #VNL #BarnetFC #YCFC #FCHT #Alty #PubTeamFromEssex #EUFC #COYL #Blues

National League 2024-25 Awards

Ryan Deeney of NL Musings picks his National League manager, player, young player, goal, assist, save and team of the 2024-25 season.

open.substack.com

Ryan Deeney @ryandeeney.bsky.social · May 9

Buckle in, it's a long one.

A complete look back at Birmingham City's 2024/25 campaign.

⚡️ In for a shock
💰 A busy summer
⬆️ The rise
👎 Sticky patch
🥇Champions
🏟 Wembley
🏆 Record breakers
🔝 No limits

Now for the Championship.

#BCFC #KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...

Birmingham City 2024/25: The Shock That Never Came

Loud owners. Big money. League One Champions. EFL and World record points holders. The story of the shock that never came.

open.substack.com