The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

This week, Michael Cox’s excellent article on the evolution of Mohamed Salah into a creative force got our minds whirring.

How do elite players alter their style and approach, as they reach the latter stages of their careers?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Ahmed Walid

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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Chelsea’s somewhat chaotic attempt at squad building got us thinking about how best to actually go about assembling a Premier League squad.

Matt Davies-Adams and the panel try to find some answers.

Host: Matt Davies-Adams

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme 

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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One week into 2024/25, we’re attempting to circumnavigate the knee-jerk and catch the tactical teething problems.

We look at how the top teams fared and what transfers are still needed, plus various Premier League strikers.

Host: Michael Bailey 

With: Michael Cox, Thom Harris and Liam Tharme 

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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It’s part two of our own Premier League preview ahead of the 2024-25 season — where we look at the tactical conundrums facing each team in the English top flight.

Last week, our groupings were… title contenders, dark horses and surprise packages. If you don’t know who we shoehorned into each of those, then go have a listen back.

This week we have… European hopefuls, relegation candidates and the best of the rest.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey, Michael Cox and Thom Harris

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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On this first episode of the new season, we are previewing the upcoming 2024/2025 Premier League campaign - with a particular focus on the tactical conundrums facing each team.

We’ll split this into two parts - covering 10 teams this week and the rest on our next show.

This week, we look at the title contenders, dark horses and surprise packages.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey, Duncan Alexander and Thom Harris

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to talk about why this Premier League season has had an unbelievable number of goals.

The number of goals being scored in the top division of English men’s football is at its highest rate since the 1960s.

But what has caused this?

Are goalkeepers not as good as they used to be at keeping the ball out of the net?

What has VAR done to the game in the context of goals given or denied?

And are players shooting more and better? 

This and much, much more on the final Tactics podcast of the 23/24 season.

Hosted by: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme 

Produced by: Steve Hankey

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In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox and Mark Carey join Ali Maxwell to put together an alternative team of the season from the 23/24 Premier League.

Mark and Michael are allowed to choose one player from each of the teams in the bottom half of the Premier League to make up their side.

The mathematically minded amongst you will clock that only gives them eleven players, so from one team they get two picks.

This episode really illustrates the truth held within that famous internet aphorism from E.M. Hudson:

“Dudes can literally just sit around and name old sports players and just have the best time.”

Hosted by: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox & Mark Carey 

Produced by: Steve Hankey

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In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss the final stages of this season’s Champions League in men’s football.

Real Madrid came from behind in the dying minutes to knock out Bayern Munich and further cement their pedigree in this competition.

Borussia Dortmund ensured their surprising run this season continued by securing a second consecutive 1-0 win over Paris St Germain to take the semi-final 2-0 on aggregate.

Then, we look ahead to the final on Saturday 1st June at Wembley. 

Can Dortmund shock the football world to claim their second Champions League trophy at Real’s expense?

Hosted by: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

Produced by: Steve Hankey

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In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss how Liverpool can ensure a smooth succession from Arne Slot to Jurgen Klopp.

We look at how well suited his style of play and personality are for taking on one of the biggest jobs in club football.

And how well set up Liverpool are as a club to move on from such a legendary manager?

Then, we look to the past to see if we can learn much about the future. 

Can Liverpool learn anything from how Manchester United moved on from Alex Ferguson and how Arsenal handled life after Arsène Wenger?

Host: Ali Maxwell

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

Producer: Steve Hankey

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In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss which leagues are the most competitive in Europe.

We cast our eyes across Europe’s top five leagues, and then beyond them into the top twenty leagues across the continent, including some second tiers…

What matters most when measuring what makes a competitive league? 

Is it the finance or the depth of talent in each league year on year? Or is it how well spread both of those things are across a division? 

And should looking at how competitive a league is compared to other places influence where clubs scout for players?

HOST: Ali Maxwell

WITH: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

PRODUCER: Steve Hankey

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