@robburton.bsky.social
I’ve not been obsessively playing fm26 as I have previous versions, and my sense is that the UI and the pop-up menus just work to pull you out of the game, rather than allow you deeper into it and I just can’t get immersed for that reason.
It’s a shame cos there’s some good tactical additions.
It’s a shame cos there’s some good tactical additions.
December 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I’ve not been obsessively playing fm26 as I have previous versions, and my sense is that the UI and the pop-up menus just work to pull you out of the game, rather than allow you deeper into it and I just can’t get immersed for that reason.
It’s a shame cos there’s some good tactical additions.
It’s a shame cos there’s some good tactical additions.
I bet the consultancy the Lewis family hired to review the club said things like “poor cultural, lack of ownership, siloed structure”…which is all a nice and indirect way of saying Levy and his leadership team were the cultural issue.
Let see if the exec changes out of that review are effective.
Let see if the exec changes out of that review are effective.
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I bet the consultancy the Lewis family hired to review the club said things like “poor cultural, lack of ownership, siloed structure”…which is all a nice and indirect way of saying Levy and his leadership team were the cultural issue.
Let see if the exec changes out of that review are effective.
Let see if the exec changes out of that review are effective.
In fairness most clubs would love it if the answer was as easy as ‘hire lots of analysts and coaches’.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
December 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In fairness most clubs would love it if the answer was as easy as ‘hire lots of analysts and coaches’.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
In fairness most clubs would love it if the answer was as easy as ‘hire lots of analysts and coaches’.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
December 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In fairness most clubs would love it if the answer was as easy as ‘hire lots of analysts and coaches’.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
The most effective answer probably takes a lot of introspection, humility from the leadership, and cultural change. Not sexy stuff, and a lot harder to implement and make stick.
They tell the market they have a ‘model’ because that alone gives them advantage.
The reality is they all know top to bottom the strategy and purpose of their clubs, and are ready to move and back the relevant departments rapidly when they come with recommendations.
The reality is they all know top to bottom the strategy and purpose of their clubs, and are ready to move and back the relevant departments rapidly when they come with recommendations.
December 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
They tell the market they have a ‘model’ because that alone gives them advantage.
The reality is they all know top to bottom the strategy and purpose of their clubs, and are ready to move and back the relevant departments rapidly when they come with recommendations.
The reality is they all know top to bottom the strategy and purpose of their clubs, and are ready to move and back the relevant departments rapidly when they come with recommendations.
Exec teams alway tell me ‘tech are the issue, or it’s a marketing problem’. etc.
But actually these businesses are filled with talented ppl. The real problem is the foundations. No one in the org is empowered, there’s lots of silos, everyone’s scared to voice an opinion. 100% that’s spurs problem.
But actually these businesses are filled with talented ppl. The real problem is the foundations. No one in the org is empowered, there’s lots of silos, everyone’s scared to voice an opinion. 100% that’s spurs problem.
December 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Exec teams alway tell me ‘tech are the issue, or it’s a marketing problem’. etc.
But actually these businesses are filled with talented ppl. The real problem is the foundations. No one in the org is empowered, there’s lots of silos, everyone’s scared to voice an opinion. 100% that’s spurs problem.
But actually these businesses are filled with talented ppl. The real problem is the foundations. No one in the org is empowered, there’s lots of silos, everyone’s scared to voice an opinion. 100% that’s spurs problem.
The data team is probably 10 strong based on what we hear/know. I’d be surprised if any club has significantly more than that.
It’s less numbers imo. If I went into the club question I’d ask is what are your data models and capabilities, are your reporting lines and organisational structure?
It’s less numbers imo. If I went into the club question I’d ask is what are your data models and capabilities, are your reporting lines and organisational structure?
December 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The data team is probably 10 strong based on what we hear/know. I’d be surprised if any club has significantly more than that.
It’s less numbers imo. If I went into the club question I’d ask is what are your data models and capabilities, are your reporting lines and organisational structure?
It’s less numbers imo. If I went into the club question I’d ask is what are your data models and capabilities, are your reporting lines and organisational structure?
Football ops… that’ll include players, coaches, etc.
Club is about 600 strong when you take it overall with stadium and retail.
Club is about 600 strong when you take it overall with stadium and retail.
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Football ops… that’ll include players, coaches, etc.
Club is about 600 strong when you take it overall with stadium and retail.
Club is about 600 strong when you take it overall with stadium and retail.
It certainly used to be lean. In the levy and poch peak era it was just levy doing it all.
They’ve aggressively increased staff size significantly in the last 5 years, and much of that will be in data analysis (replacing the freelance scouting network)
They’ve aggressively increased staff size significantly in the last 5 years, and much of that will be in data analysis (replacing the freelance scouting network)
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It certainly used to be lean. In the levy and poch peak era it was just levy doing it all.
They’ve aggressively increased staff size significantly in the last 5 years, and much of that will be in data analysis (replacing the freelance scouting network)
They’ve aggressively increased staff size significantly in the last 5 years, and much of that will be in data analysis (replacing the freelance scouting network)
Windy might be right, but I imagine at least one club would be on to it if he were. Spurs have always got external consultants in analysing their ops.
In my experience, it’s boring but mostly the reasons for poor business performance lie in poor org structure or lack of tech capability.
In my experience, it’s boring but mostly the reasons for poor business performance lie in poor org structure or lack of tech capability.
December 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Windy might be right, but I imagine at least one club would be on to it if he were. Spurs have always got external consultants in analysing their ops.
In my experience, it’s boring but mostly the reasons for poor business performance lie in poor org structure or lack of tech capability.
In my experience, it’s boring but mostly the reasons for poor business performance lie in poor org structure or lack of tech capability.
The trouble I have with this is no one seems to know exactly what clubs do. Fans just assume clubs are run like The Flintstones.
I go into a lot of industries I don’t know or understand and make assumptions about how they work. Those assumptions are usually blown out the water pretty quickly.
I go into a lot of industries I don’t know or understand and make assumptions about how they work. Those assumptions are usually blown out the water pretty quickly.
December 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The trouble I have with this is no one seems to know exactly what clubs do. Fans just assume clubs are run like The Flintstones.
I go into a lot of industries I don’t know or understand and make assumptions about how they work. Those assumptions are usually blown out the water pretty quickly.
I go into a lot of industries I don’t know or understand and make assumptions about how they work. Those assumptions are usually blown out the water pretty quickly.
I usually enjoy windy’s writing but some of this was the worse type of football fan fiction. Spurs are a business of 300 in football ops. He’s suggesting the club adds 20% for data staff (to do seriously basic stuff), and then add a coach for every youth team player. It’s just not serious analysis.
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I usually enjoy windy’s writing but some of this was the worse type of football fan fiction. Spurs are a business of 300 in football ops. He’s suggesting the club adds 20% for data staff (to do seriously basic stuff), and then add a coach for every youth team player. It’s just not serious analysis.
Not a huge number that spring to mind where we’ve brought them in young (either all way through academy or purchased under 18 as is typically the case with Chelsea), loaned them to build their profile and then sold at decent profits.
December 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Not a huge number that spring to mind where we’ve brought them in young (either all way through academy or purchased under 18 as is typically the case with Chelsea), loaned them to build their profile and then sold at decent profits.
*whispers* Bryan Gil, Jack Clare, Veliz! Our list already feels endless doesn’t it.
December 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
*whispers* Bryan Gil, Jack Clare, Veliz! Our list already feels endless doesn’t it.
Man City after 10 mins in Feb last year.
December 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Man City after 10 mins in Feb last year.
The ground was similarly empty last season in big games from winter onwards. Literally 100s of seats free around me for city and Utd last February.
Just an overall malaise at the club. Not manager specific.
Just an overall malaise at the club. Not manager specific.
December 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The ground was similarly empty last season in big games from winter onwards. Literally 100s of seats free around me for city and Utd last February.
Just an overall malaise at the club. Not manager specific.
Just an overall malaise at the club. Not manager specific.
Chelsea’s policy certainly works better than ours. £20m for Broja and £23m for Ugochechwo to Burnley this summer 🤯
December 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Chelsea’s policy certainly works better than ours. £20m for Broja and £23m for Ugochechwo to Burnley this summer 🤯
Devine’s having a great season, but it looks like spurs will sell him on.
I suspect Donley will get a recall and a European move in Jan. Overall, though, if we’re loaning players out it’s with a view of maximising value, putting them in the shop window and selling them on.
I suspect Donley will get a recall and a European move in Jan. Overall, though, if we’re loaning players out it’s with a view of maximising value, putting them in the shop window and selling them on.
December 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Devine’s having a great season, but it looks like spurs will sell him on.
I suspect Donley will get a recall and a European move in Jan. Overall, though, if we’re loaning players out it’s with a view of maximising value, putting them in the shop window and selling them on.
I suspect Donley will get a recall and a European move in Jan. Overall, though, if we’re loaning players out it’s with a view of maximising value, putting them in the shop window and selling them on.
Given don Fabio’s return I’d expect De Zerbi ticks most of the boxes spurs are looking for from that list.
December 16, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Given don Fabio’s return I’d expect De Zerbi ticks most of the boxes spurs are looking for from that list.
Not to say Frank is blameless - it’s literally his job to solve so he has to take responsibility - the squad is just so badly put together and the players lack the bravery to risk those difficult passes, that I’m not sure I see a solution this season.
December 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Not to say Frank is blameless - it’s literally his job to solve so he has to take responsibility - the squad is just so badly put together and the players lack the bravery to risk those difficult passes, that I’m not sure I see a solution this season.
Yeah cos the very team we play crowds the centre an aggressively man marks, cos they know half the central mid unit can’t progress quickly or go in behind (no pace threat). The only ‘safe’ pass from turnovers is the wing.
We’ve tried a bunch of different build ups from the back with varying joy.
We’ve tried a bunch of different build ups from the back with varying joy.
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yeah cos the very team we play crowds the centre an aggressively man marks, cos they know half the central mid unit can’t progress quickly or go in behind (no pace threat). The only ‘safe’ pass from turnovers is the wing.
We’ve tried a bunch of different build ups from the back with varying joy.
We’ve tried a bunch of different build ups from the back with varying joy.
The Gray / Xavi combo looks promising - but then you’ve got the sort of issue we saw yesterday, where the opposition know they can be aggressive against Gray / Xavi and not have to man mark Bentancur / Palhina cos the play will have to reset if it reaches them.
December 15, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The Gray / Xavi combo looks promising - but then you’ve got the sort of issue we saw yesterday, where the opposition know they can be aggressive against Gray / Xavi and not have to man mark Bentancur / Palhina cos the play will have to reset if it reaches them.
We’ve tried a bunch of build up structures to negate that midfield issue, but without biss, Kulu or madders, to drop, find space and progress it forward, or Solanke to hold the ball, run channels and move set defences - I’m not sure we’ll improve any time soon.
December 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We’ve tried a bunch of build up structures to negate that midfield issue, but without biss, Kulu or madders, to drop, find space and progress it forward, or Solanke to hold the ball, run channels and move set defences - I’m not sure we’ll improve any time soon.
It’s a little more complicated than that though isn’t it?
The deep pivots haven’t been able to progress the ball quickly in transition regardless of the combo we’ve used, which means we’re almost always facing a set defence. The striker can’t move, which typically leaves just kudus as the out ball
The deep pivots haven’t been able to progress the ball quickly in transition regardless of the combo we’ve used, which means we’re almost always facing a set defence. The striker can’t move, which typically leaves just kudus as the out ball
December 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
It’s a little more complicated than that though isn’t it?
The deep pivots haven’t been able to progress the ball quickly in transition regardless of the combo we’ve used, which means we’re almost always facing a set defence. The striker can’t move, which typically leaves just kudus as the out ball
The deep pivots haven’t been able to progress the ball quickly in transition regardless of the combo we’ve used, which means we’re almost always facing a set defence. The striker can’t move, which typically leaves just kudus as the out ball
Who’s the ball going ‘through’ to? Not sure Richy’s chasing anything in behind.
There’s actually some obvious reasons we’re not playing through balls, and I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.
There’s actually some obvious reasons we’re not playing through balls, and I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.
December 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Who’s the ball going ‘through’ to? Not sure Richy’s chasing anything in behind.
There’s actually some obvious reasons we’re not playing through balls, and I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.
There’s actually some obvious reasons we’re not playing through balls, and I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.