The 2025-2026 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Speaking of stats ( he says very mischievously) according to opta Arsenal took 30 minutes and 51 seconds to restart play across the match - which had 13 minutes of stoppage added by the refs.

Rather than cite this as a complaint, I think this is one example (alongside set pieces) of how Arsenal are succeeding by leading (or adapting to) changing styles of play in the league.

We’ve reached the final antithesis of tiki-taka. Play is more direct, physical, and slow-paced to kill the press/counterpress.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Speaking of stats ( he says very mischievously) according to opta Arsenal took 30 minutes and 51 seconds to restart play across the match - which had 13 minutes of stoppage added by the refs.

Rather than cite this as a complaint, I think this is one example (alongside set pieces) of how Arsenal are succeeding by leading (or adapting to) changing styles of play in the league.

We’ve reached the final antithesis of tiki-taka. Play is more direct, physical, and slow-paced to kill the press/counterpress.

It’s funny how stoppage time takes for ever when you are winning and goes by oh so quickly when you’re behind.

Turns out time is relative!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Is it just me or apart from a small minority in North London are we all Crystal Palace fans tonight?

 

[daneoni]

Oof...oh dear Spurs.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Oof...oh dear Spurs.

Well done Palace! Another 3 in the second half please.

 

[daneoni]

The reason Spurs may go down is due to the attitude of the players. The body language is worrying

Xavi Simmons looked annoyed that he was being brought on. You've been bought for £51m to come be the attacking flair and you're throwing a hissy fit when your team is up against it and fighting relegation

Pathetic.

 

[Silencio]

This is the most Spursy Spurs team of all time.

I can't even think of many players in their squad I'd want my team to purchase from them if they get relegated. van de Ven might be the only interesting one — everyone else isn't good enough, has a lousy attitude, or is constantly injured.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Levy’s final kick in the swingers to the Spurs fans…‘didn’t like me? Wait till you see what happens when I leave….’

 

[Bodhitree]

Speaking of stats ( he says very mischievously) according to opta Arsenal took 30 minutes and 51 seconds to restart play across the match - which had 13 minutes of stoppage added by the refs.

Rather than cite this as a complaint, I think this is one example (alongside set pieces) of how Arsenal are succeeding by leading (or adapting to) changing styles of play in the league.

We’ve reached the final antithesis of tiki-taka. Play is more direct, physical, and slow-paced to kill the press/counterpress.

I find that a very interesting statement. PSG used the press very effectively in last year’s Champions League campaign, in the matches I saw it was the key to their winning the ball back quickly. Opponents couldn’t get rid of the ball before the tackle came in, almost immediately, even in their own half.

Now in the Premier League there often is still time and space, teams will sit back and defend at times. But I will keep an eye out for it, see if I can observe the behaviour you are referring to.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I find that a very interesting statement. PSG used the press very effectively in last year’s Champions League campaign, in the matches I saw it was the key to their winning the ball back quickly. Opponents couldn’t get rid of the ball before the tackle came in, almost immediately, even in their own half.

Now in the Premier League there often is still time and space, teams will sit back and defend at times. But I will keep an eye out for it, see if I can observe the behaviour you are referring to.

Pressing is still important, as is the ability to counter press and dominate transitions. But a more compact arrangement limits those opportunities as well as a tightened set piece game.

Lower-level premier league teams are still elite sides - fit, powerful, and skilled. So while they might rely on a low block often the fashion for pressing and counter pressing has trickled down and hasn’t been completely abandoned.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Pressing is still important, as is the ability to counter press and dominate transitions. But a more compact arrangement limits those opportunities as well as a tightened set piece game.

Lower-level premier league teams are still elite sides - fit, powerful, and skilled. So while they might rely on a low block often the fashion for pressing and counter pressing has trickled down and hasn’t been completely abandoned.

Truth is any team that can only play one way gets found out and can be defended against.
Good teams are able to change formations and style of play. Especially those with multiple attacking options.

At West Ham our team talks at the moment probably go “get the ball to Summerville!” That’s it!

 

[Bodhitree]

Truth is any team that can only play one way gets found out and can be defended against.

This I think is true. One thing that I heard about Arne Slot is that he believes in certain tactics, and believes his teams can make the difference with them. Maybe in the first year that was true, but I feel teams will adjust to any one set of tactics, and it’s important to be able to present different looks.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Liverpool beat wolves 3-1 in the FA Cup, though I would rather have won the league match than this one.

Wolves set out to defend and looked like they’d stifle Liverpool till the end of time. Then in the second half they decided to attack Liverpool and immediately lost the match.

So you could argue this changes nothing. Liverpool can beat anyone when they have space, but shut the door and they are toothless. Wolves, on the other hand, should have just played a purely negative game and looked for a repeat of the league result - drab, predictable, but effective against this Liverpool side.

Wirtz in his recent form might be the key to improved offensive play. If he’s healthy enough to start in Turkey.

 

[daneoni]

Saw an interesting stat making waves on social media which highlight the current state of the EPL

In 2014/2015 forward passes were mostly made/completed by attacking and central midfielders
Ten years letter these passes are now being made by defenders.





Hopefully the likes of Cherki, Wirtz, and Fernandes continue to carry the torch for midfielders

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Saw an interesting stat making waves on social media which highlight the current state of the EPL

In 2014/2015 forward passes were mostly made/completed by attacking and central midfielders
Ten years letter these passes are now being made by defenders.

View attachment 2610870View attachment 2610871



Hopefully the likes of Cherki, Wirtz, and Fernandes continue to carry the torch for midfielders

Nowadays, even goalkeepers are expected to be skillful with the ball at their feet, and to be able to win it, as well as being capable of playing out from the back with the ball at their feet.

There was a time when such skills (on the part of both defenders and goalkeepers) were deemed an optional extra, perhaps even a dubious luxury.

 

[Bodhitree]

Lower-level premier league teams are still elite sides - fit, powerful, and skilled. So while they might rely on a low block often the fashion for pressing and counter pressing has trickled down and hasn’t been completely abandoned.

I find it interesting to follow the Conference League as well, you see teams like AZ Alkmaar (number 4 usually in the Netherlands) against Sparta Prague, who were the Czech champions I think, and the likes of Crystal Palace (currently in 13th place in the Premier League) against AEK Larnaca, a subtop Cypriot side. It gives you an impression of the strength in depth in each league.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Liverpool barely escape with a win against Mansfield. Scraping a win agains humble opposition clearly shows that the manager has no plan B at the gritty end of the season. The squad and tactics are just not fit for purpose. Relying on luck to win is a sign of a flawed approach.

Oops, sorry, wrong team. Whoops!! Erm….well, Arsenal clearly do what champions do, grinding out a tough win at the gritty end of the season despite injuries and fatigue. This sort of result clearly shows the progress the team has made to be able to win in different ways and is a credit to Arteta’s ability to guide the ship.

🤣 it would be fun to be a football journo, I feel like you can tell any story you want and it’s true from a certain perspective….

 

[Bodhitree]

Fun to see how Wrexham gave Chelsea a lot of trouble in the FA Cup…

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I don't feel we gave Mansfield the respect they deserved, and almost went there as if they would hand us the game.

In short, we were lucky. Yes, brilliant goal by Eze. But, the first half could have been totally different... 😳

 

[daneoni]

Port Vale and Southampton pull off the giant killings of this round. Port Vale more notable as a League One club.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Wirtz should be available for Liverpool against Galatasary tomorrow, but Alisson's fragile hamstrings have given out again and he won't be traveling. That's a blow, but Mamardashvili should be able to get the job done between the sticks.

It will be interesting to see how the match is set tactically. Galatasaray are the home team - but also the underdog, in a knockout competition, against a side known to struggle against the low block. I expect them to put up a wall, and they'll hope to go to the second leg at Anfield 1-0 up or at least even.

Even an early Liverpool goal probably won't entice Galatasaray to attack. The best case scenario is probably Liverpool fashioning an early 2-0 lead, forcing their opponent to open up. Maybe Robertson can keep his hot streak alive, we could use his wing play.

 

[Alphazoid]

Happy with the FA Cup draw. And hopefully we get a result at Leverkusen.

 

[Apple fanboy]

So am I if we can win the tie with 7 changes to our team. I realise staying in the Prem needs to be the priority, but a place in the Quarterfinals of the FA cup would be great for the fans.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I am also happy with the draw...at this point I don't want to see Liverpool win a cup by beating lower-league teams...Man City will probably knock us out, but beating them would be very satisfying, so let's just give it a go.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hm.

The (5th round) cup tie between West Ham and Brentford has just ended in a two all draw, which means extra time beckons.