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Instinctive
@fplinstinctive.bsky.social
instinctive.substack.com | FPL — Brighton Predictor, Threads, and Analytics | Writer — Economics and Psychology | Football and Tactics | UCL and F1 Fantasy
If score a perfectly good goal and the opposing GK looks at you like this, you're *probably* doing something (a lot of things) right:
November 19, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I really, really like Robinio Vaz. He has some of the fastest footwork (+ most efficient straight-line separation) you’ll see, in addition to a snappy finish.

Plus, he can shield the ball well and gets his head up at an abnormally high rate to scan and make sense of the keeper’s positioning.
November 6, 2025 at 5:50 AM
This feels more ball-carrier-y (tight spaces) as opposed to than sprinter-y (Mbappé in image).

Essentially, this gait helps Minteh manipulate his own tempo, and he sorta just needs to continue growing into himself.
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Simultaneously, his steps are mid/flat-footed, which, to be fair, is typical of dribbling → more balance/quick brake, at the cost of reduced elastic recoil (pep in step).
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Minteh, however, generates that power through his hamstrings + calves, leading to a tradeoff: quick (nimble/high-cadence) ground contact but less power (not fully expending hips → possibly related to low core/stable COG).
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
During the push-off phase (leg behind + torso starts to rise), the glute is meant to be where power's generated from (to push you off [through] the ground, so to speak).
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Minteh's running/gait intrigues me 🧵
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Pretty basic (good) stuff from Minteh here:

— Constantly scans b/w man + ball to discern whether to go straight/bend his run
— Levereges a stiff arm waaay before he gets his body in front of his man (effective fail safe - increases distance)
— Gets his body in front of the ball
November 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Brighton vs. Leeds | Predicted Lineup:
October 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I'd quite like to see a shape like this:

— Suits Boscagli and van Hecke in terms of wide defending
—Coppola has familiarity at CCB (+ less progressive pressure)
— Both winger-y fullbacks can do the winger-y work
— Kostoulas + Tzimas in close proximity to work off each other
October 29, 2025 at 7:04 PM
October 27, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Rotations ♻️

Dunk lunges into midfield → de Cuyper drops to form a back three [coverage]
Dunk back to CB → de Cuyper stays low and wide (LB) in the first phase
Kadıoğlu goes wide since Wieffer (RB) tucks in
Georginio moves into midfield for central coverage
October 27, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Manchester United vs. Brighton | Predicted Lineup:
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Fabian Hürzeler was asked about Kaoru Mitoma after Brighton’s win over Newcastle:

“Mitoma still has to recover from his hit.

“We try to bring him back as quick as possible.

“He was close but we have to be patient with him so let’s see how the next days are going.”

[The Argus]
October 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Minteh’s crossing from the left is brilliant, but I think his main drawback is the same as on the right — he rushes things too much.

It’s especially evident on the left; it feels like his feet are one step ahead of himself, making his balance (head beyond feet) seem off.
October 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I feel like Verbruggen's reactions are a couple of milliseconds too late, meaning he often thwacks the ball away as opposed to catching it = less control (?

+ Tracks ball well
+ Changes his angle with the ball
+ Grounds himself face-on and makes himself big
- Only gets his hands up after the shot
October 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I was quite down on Arsenal signing Gyökeres before the season began, and while I am still quite negative on this move, I don't think this is the time to form [new] opinions on the move.

Focusing purely on his shooting, you can take two routes here (1/5):
October 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Brighton vs. Newcastle | Predicted Lineup:
October 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Fabian Hürzeler says Yankuba Minteh is a LW option for Brighton moving forward, and explains how it changes their tactical setup:

“He can play both – he can create danger on both sides.

“I thought he had a good game (on the left at Wolves). (1/2)
October 17, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Wolves vs. Brighton | Predicted Lineup:
October 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Gameweek 6: Free Hit
September 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Chelsea vs. Brighton | Predicted Lineup:
September 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Two things impress me most about Julián Alvarez:

1. The speed at which he sets himself up for a shot — a lot of steps (not good), but quick + nimble, meaning he gets there before CBs anyway

2. The speed at which his laces go through the ball (snap through the shot)
September 25, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Fabian Hürzeler on his decision to sub Minteh off vs. Spurs:

“Everyone wants to play but we have to make decisions.”

“We need to take care, we need to understand that, in some moments, he didn’t track back and he didn’t defend like he should defend. (1/2)
September 24, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Also possible:
September 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM