We need the whole squad, every player of the team, if we are to be successful. Pep Guardiola Pep Guardiola is considered one of the best managers in football. During his time at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, he has won countless trophies, from his teams’ domestic leagues and cup competitions to the covetedContinue reading “Guardiola had a ready-made rotation philosophy for this pandemic-hit season”
Tag Archives: premier league
Who had the worse “injury-hit” Premier League season: Manchester City or Liverpool?
This is the third blog in a three-part series examining Liverpool’s injuries this season. The first investigated the direct impact of injuries on Liverpool’s squad; the second analysed the repercussions for Liverpool’s attack; and the third is a comparative piece looking into whether Liverpool’s injuries are (not as bad as / equal to / worseContinue reading “Who had the worse “injury-hit” Premier League season: Manchester City or Liverpool?”
What has happened to Liverpool’s attack?
One reason to explain Liverpool’s significant drop-off in points this season is the lack of goals scored by Jurgen Klopp’s side. During the first 27 matches of the 2019-20 Premier League season, the Reds found the net 64 times. This year, they have managed it on just 47 occasions – a decrease of 26.6%. YouContinue reading “What has happened to Liverpool’s attack?”
Are injuries really to blame for Liverpool’s drop-off in points this season?
With 33 fewer points than they had after 25 league matches last season, it is an undisputable fact that Liverpool has experienced a significant drop-off in form in the Premier League this year. One reason often used to explain this disparity is the impact of injuries on the Liverpool squad. The Reds lost talisman VirgilContinue reading “Are injuries really to blame for Liverpool’s drop-off in points this season?”
VAR referees are intervening less in games, but is this still problematic?
In January, I wrote a piece highlighting the significant increase in the average number of penalties awarded during the 2020-21 Premier League season. If we continued at the current pace (0.40 penalties per game), we were on track to see 152 penalties given across the full 380-game season, representing a 66.7% on the last seasonContinue reading “VAR referees are intervening less in games, but is this still problematic?”
Have we cheapened the penalty kick?
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of penalties awarded in the Premier League this season. Many journalists and analysts have raised the issue, arguing that a combination of the revisions to the handball law and the introduction of VAR have caused this spike. While I agree that they have contributed to theContinue reading “Have we cheapened the penalty kick?”
Strategising Policy 