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Soccer Positions: All 11 Roles Explained (2026 Guide)

22 Mar, 2026

Soccer Positions: All 11 Roles Explained (2026 Guide) Sport never stands still for long. The game of football (soccer in North America) is constantly evolving, as coaches, tacticians, and players seek to find new ways to gain a competitive edge over their rivals. One of the critical areas where football teams gain advantages is through tactical flexibility and formation innovation. Understanding soccer positions and their tactical nuances...

Michael Carrick Tactics Explained

29 Jan, 2026

Michael Carrick’s positive early days at Manchester United came with an important caveat: it’s difficult to judge whether a quick boost in form sparked by an interim coach will ultimately lead to sustained long term improvement. Wins against Manchester City and Arsenal understandably brought praise from various quarters; however, as supporters, pundits and reporters were quick to point out, former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also performed...

Liam Rosenior Tactics Explained

18 Jan, 2026

Chelsea’s recent decision to hire Liam Rosenior as their new head coach raised a few eyebrows. Partly this was due to the young coach’s lack of experience, with Rosenior only having managed 153 senior games before joining the west London club, none of those in the English top flight. Another factor that caused some controversy was Rosenior being snapped up from Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, a club also controlled by Todd Boehly’s Chelsea...

Unai Emery Tactics Explained

12 Jan, 2026

At the start of the 2025/26 season, no one expected Aston Villa to be challenging Arsenal and Manchester City at the very top of the league, and entering the New Year just a point off Pep Guardiola’s serial title-winning side. Regardless of Villa’s eventual league position, it’s an impressive achievement, especially when combined with the other string of successes Unai Emery has spearheaded during his time in charge of the club. From...

What Is An Inside Forward?

20 Oct, 2025

Gone are the peak years of the archetypal 'big man, little man' strike partnership, where Premier League coaches opted for simplistic attacking pairings based on a tall, physical forward focused on hold-up play, and another set on finishing chances and knock-downs. In the modern era, it's very rare to see a top-level manager utilising two centre forwards at once, not just because this approach can be predictable, but also because it can...

Andoni Iraola Tactics Explained

19 Oct, 2025

When Andoni Iraola was appointed head coach of AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, he was a relatively unknown quantity for many Premier League supporters. La Liga fans were aware of the excellent job he did at Rayo Vallecano — and the same could be said for his stints at Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca and Spanish side Mirandes — but knowledge of his preferred style of play and specific methods was not widespread. Bournemouth's...

Mikel Arteta Tactics Explained

13 Oct, 2025

Mikel Arteta was still in his mid-thirties when he first started to gain serious respect in coaching circles. After retiring as a player, he took a job alongside Pep Guardiola as an assistant coach at Manchester City and rapidly started absorbing information from the influential Catalan head coach. In his second season at City, Arteta played a key role in helping the East Manchester team become the first side in Premier League history to...

Ange Postecoglou Tactics Explained

08 Oct, 2025

Ange Postecoglou's time at Tottenham Hotspur may have ended in glory — with Spurs lifting their first trophy in 17 years after beating Manchester United in the final of the 2025 Europa League — but domestically, it was a period of continual disappointment. The first Australian (and Greek) manager to take charge of a Premier League outfit, Postecoglou brought excitement and tactical innovation to the English top flight and masterminded some...

Ruben Amorim Tactics: What System Does Amorim Play at Manchester United?

06 Oct, 2025

Like many other managers who have attempted to make their mark in the post-Ferguson era, Ruben Amorim has endured a rocky time in charge of Manchester United. Since taking over the job in November 2024 after Erik Ten Hag’s disappointing tenure came to an end, the Portuguese coach has failed to deliver consistent performances and results that reflect the quality and resources United have at their disposal, with the club's run to the final of...

The Role Of The Deep Lying Playmaker

01 Oct, 2025

Attacking players are uniquely placed to get fans off their seats, bringing stadiums to life with their forward runs, dribbles, crosses, shots, and other assaults on goal. Those involved in creating chances often develop heroic status amongst supporters, particularly if they've got the vision to pick out a particularly special pass or through-ball. Often, these kinds of operators are described as playmakers, referring to their focus on...

What Is PPDA In Football? Passes Per Defensive Action Explained

22 Sep, 2025

PPDA in Football Explained: Passes Per Defensive Action Metric PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) is a sophisticated metric measuring pressing intensity and effectiveness. Yet despite its importance in modern analytics, PPDA remains poorly understood by casual fans. This guide explains PPDA comprehensively: how it's calculated, what constitutes "good" PPDA, and how elite clubs use this metric to evaluate and improve pressing. PPDA...

The Target Man: Football Tactics Explained

05 Sep, 2025

Some of the terms used within football are a little outdated. One of the most positive sporting stories in recent years has been the rise of women's football across the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world, which has brought immense value to many players, fans, coaches, and clubs. However, much of the language that has become commonplace within the traditionally male-dominated sport doesn't reflect the historical presence of women in the...

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