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England-Belgium Analysis

Just like Paul McShane’s ticket to the European championships gives hope to every flailing footballer on the planet, Andy Townsend’s ability to find and maintain employment on national television is nothing short of inspirational. I hadn’t really considered a career as a pundit but listening to ITV’s analysis on the England-Belgium game, I think I have a lot to offer. Not least because everything Townsend said, was completely off the mark. First up, his bemusement at Eden Hazard’s apparently underwhelming performance was growing more frustrating with every incisive pass the new Chelsea signing was making. Townsend said that Hazard was on the periphery of the game, despite being the key figure in … Continue reading →

Why Moneyball Doesn’t Work Here

If nobody realised by now, we like a stat or two. For me, analysis, when used correctly, can keep managers and coaches ahead of the game. They can show exactly the sort of patterns and tendencies that unfold over the course of a match and indeed a season and they can allow people to make reliably informed decisions. The idea of ‘moneyball’ genuinely excited me and I was intrigued to see how it could be applied to the world of football until, one day, I realised it couldn’t. Trying to find value for money, based solely on player statistics, doesn’t work. The difference between football and something like Baseball or American Football … Continue reading →

Love of the Game

“I’ve never known a man worth his salt who, in the long run, deep down, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline…” Is it possible to overuse Vince Lombardi? I remember, not even two years ago, listening to my name being called from the PA system as I was withdrawn after 20 minutes of championship final action. The anti-climax alone is enough to sicken you but I also recall the days proceeding that affair when I genuinely considered my sporting future. It seemed that it was all give and no take and I was having flashbacks of similar twists of fate throughout my career. What was the point? But after a few sleepless … Continue reading →

Linfield Analysis: Carvill and Lowry (Setanta Post Part 1)

Yes, to say this game with Derry City was one of two halves is perhaps a tired cliché but the changes in which home manager, Declan Devine, made at the break really did make the difference between both periods as opposing as Emile Heskey’s feet when his brain asks him to shoot. In the first 45 minutes, Derry were dominated. The Irish League champions had all the possession and all the territory and wingers, Michael Carvill and Philip Lowry were causing the Candystripes defence all sorts of bother – not least when they combined for the first goal of the game. But the change in impact at the restart correlated directly with … Continue reading →

Merseyside Derby: Liverpool’s Tendencies

Sometimes, a complete tactical breakdown isn’t necessary when you’ve just shot down your fierce local rivals in emphatic fashion. Nevertheless, we analysed the way Kenny Dalglish’s men launched their attacks, the effectiveness and wastefulness of certain patterns, and which players imposed themselves most on the game. Looking at attacks, we took one attack as a period where Liverpool were in control and looking to cross into the opponent’s half with intent and with a clear beginning and end. With that in mind, we were able to decipher who was most forward thinking in the Liverpool team and looking to make something happen in open play. Jose Enrique is a man who rarely … Continue reading →

The Michael Murphy Effect

Does anyone need telling that the guy is a good player? Well let me say it now: Michael Murphy is a hell of a footballer (I always stick my neck on the line). Having analysed their last game against Laois, it was clear that Donegal were extremely wasteful in attack. Even though their defence was its mean, old self, they were let down by slow, laboured attacks and a constant surrender of possession. Bring in Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden to the line up, however, and Donegal’s 8 scores against Cork came courtesy of an efficient passing average of just 3.8 per attack. Absolutely incredible. Michael Murphy, during his stint in the … Continue reading →

Paul Finlay and Monaghan Analysis

The tale of this game was really a case of Derry being good and Monaghan being very, very bad. Not only was Eamonn McEnaney’s gameplan all wrong, but his star performers like Paul Finlay and the midfield pairing of Lennon and Clerkin failed to establish any real superiority in the game as Derry went to town and ran up a margin which probably, in truth, flattered the opposition. In the first half, the Farney men were slow and laboured in their build up play and were averaging 10 passes per attack. This gave Derry time to filter back and put the pedestrian away side under pressure and the Oak Leafers turned over … Continue reading →

Chelsea’s Non-Existent Midfield

In the first half of Chelsea’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli, their midfield trio of Ramires, Meireles, and Malouda had completed a tame total of 33 passes between them – 33 passes in 45 minutes. The last analysis of an English team that I did involved Paul Scholes stringing together over 70 passes in the same time-frame throughout United’s FA Cup exit at Anfield. And it wasn’t as if Ramires and Meireles were being used to simply grind out an away result because, if anything, they were more of a hindrance to Chelsea in both defence and attack through their loose play in every aspect. Meireles often looked to make something … Continue reading →

Donegal’s Problems

Are they using posts in Ballybofey? When I heard that Donegal had been toppled once again on Sunday, I assumed that Laois had also found a way around what was once an unbeatable system. Having now fallen to 6 consecutive defeats on the competitive intercounty calendar, I believed that my analysis of the Derry game in January was on the money and that Donegal had well and truly been worked out. Maybe the players have lost a bit of hunger, maybe they aren’t as fit as they were, maybe McGuinness’ set up needs some form of refresher. But, after closer inspection of Tír Chonail’s second National League game, it became clear that … Continue reading →

The Next England Manager

Following the shock resignation of their manager just months before the European Championships, England are on the hunt for the best possible candidate to help end their 46 year blues. All the talk is that Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp must surely be named as Fabio Capello’s successor. But is he the right man for the job? SC1Sports Podcast – Who Succeeds Fabio Capello