Sam Tighe
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stighefootball.bsky.social
Sam Tighe
@stighefootball.bsky.social
⚽️ writing & broadcasting with ESPN.

Also host of *The Truth* podcast 🎙️with Dougie Critchley, on the Ranks FC feed. Search for it!
Pinned
A fun announcement! I've joined @espn.com!

To mark it, here's a big feature on players increasingly utilising data in their contract negotiations, with the help of consultancies like @analyticsfc.bsky.social

I spoke to a lot of people in the game in order to bring this one together 🙏
How players are using data to show their worth in contract negotiations
Kevin De Bruyne, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White are among the top players using a data company to give them an edge in contract negotiations. But how does it work?
www.espn.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 11:18 AM
VAR has its flaws, but having just watched a Norwich player score with his hand and the goal stand......I'm glad we have *some* form of intervention in most cases
December 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
Do you need a concise, yet comprehensive preview of the weekend's football in Europe? Of course you do. Especially as this one features @stighefootball.bsky.social and a review of Guillem Balague's excellent new book.

pod.fo/e/364b16
December 12, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I remember when Leeds and Man City were in the 7s for PPDA 🫨

Everyone’s far too knackered for that now

(📸 @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
December 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Talking points from another big week of Champions League action!

Chatting: Liverpool’s new shape, Alonso’s predicament, Lennart Karl, Arsenal’s perfect run and who’s in danger of missing the top 8
UCL talking points: Liverpool better without Salah? Will Alonso be sacked?
Have Liverpool found a blueprint for life without Mo Salah? How long will Xabi Alonso be given at Madrid? ESPN's experts answer all the burning questions from UCL Matchday 6.
www.espn.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Some seriously decisive screen work there from Turpin
December 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Brazilian winger Alysson is supposed to be 19, but this makes him sound like he’s well into his 30s
December 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
This was great fun chatting Aston Villa with
@stighefootball.bsky.social

Spoke on all the main talking points around Villa this season, relived the Arsenal game, reviewed player, & gave potential transfer thoughts.

Loads covered here! Check it out, Villa fans!

#avfc #utv 🟣🔵
December 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
New episode! Interview special with ESPN football journalist @stighefootball.bsky.social about Aston Villa.

🟣 Season so far / Arsenal drama / Players reviews
🔵 XG sustainability / Squad & transfer study

🎙️ linktr.ee/allvillanofi...

🎥 youtu.be/TZLNlEKie3c?...

#avfc #utv #astonvilla
INTERVIEW SPECIAL! ASTON VILLA DEEP DIVE! THE SEASON SO FAR & TRANSFER CHAT | GUEST: SAM TIGHE, EPSN
YouTube video by All Villa No Filler - An Aston Villa Podcast
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Magnificent, Harry Wilson
December 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Arsenal were beyond dead on their feet from 75’ onwards. I’ve never seen Declan Rice look that knackered and unresponsive. Villa had to take advantage and, at the death, did so.
What a performance from Villa. The first ~7 minutes of the second half aside, that was phenomenal.
December 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
What a performance from Villa. The first ~7 minutes of the second half aside, that was phenomenal.
December 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
Iconic.
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A lot of unknowns.
A lot of potential storylines to be excited for.
A lot of memories rushing back, triggered by certain fixtures.

(📸 @sixonefivesoccer.com)
December 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
An overwhelming whiff of
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Jeeeeeeesus
December 5, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
Happy World Cup draw day!
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Premier League table since Unai Emery joined Aston Villa (November 2022)
December 4, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What makes a good long thrower?

I asked throw-in coach Thomas Grønnemark for the detail, so he delivered the detail (@espn.com)
Brentford are Premier League's kings of the long throw, but what makes a good one?
Brentford are showing their Premier League rivals how a long throw-in can make a real impact. Specialty throw-in coach Thomas Grønnemark explains what makes it work.
www.espn.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Not cooked yet 🙏🏼
Ollie Watkins vs. Brighton in the Premier League.

If he doesn't re-find his scoring touch tonight, perhaps it really is time to panic?
December 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
In the last 5 days, Opta have given Nordi Mukiele an error led to goal for a slip vs Bournemouth and an own goal for that wild deflection on Florian Wirtz. Unfortunate eh.
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Sam Tighe
Hell of an evening for Strompf

#BOCVfB
December 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Ollie Watkins vs. Brighton in the Premier League.

If he doesn't re-find his scoring touch tonight, perhaps it really is time to panic?
December 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
That’s fine
December 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM