Exploring the importance of 'Plan B' in football tactics, including using center backs and making strategic substitutions. Analyzing alternative approaches to create scoring opportunities. Discussing the evolving role of substitutes and the concept of 'game-changers'. Highlighting the value of quality crossers and the significance of creating space. Examining the influence of substitutions in the Premier League and promoting State Firm's 'Ensuring Coverage' initiative to close the gender gap in sports media.
Modern football has moved away from stereotypical 'plan B' tactics, with teams now analyzing weaknesses in the opposition and adapting their tactics accordingly.
The usage of substitutes or 'finishers' can inject fresh legs and new dynamics into a match, but there is a need for balance to avoid disrupting coherence and flow within a team.
Deep dives
State Farm's Ensuring Coverage for Women's Sports
State Farm created Ensuring Coverage, an initiative to address the lack of media coverage for women's sports in the United States. Through real-time reporting and behind-the-scenes content, Ensuring Coverage aims to elevate women's sports and bring forward more stories that matter.
Analyzing Different Approaches to Chasing a Game
The podcast hosts discuss the various strategies teams use when they are trailing in a game. They mention the historical tactic of putting a center-back up front and playing long balls, but also highlight the importance of exploring other options. They discuss how coaches now analyze weaknesses in the opposition and adapt their tactics accordingly, such as creating overloads in wide areas or bringing on specialized forwards.
The Role of Substitutes in Changing the Game
The podcast delves into the use of substitutes or 'finishers' to impact a game. They discuss the psychological and motivational aspect of substitutions and how they can inject fresh legs and new dynamics into a match. They highlight the trend of teams making multiple substitutions and the impact it has on the flow of the game. Additionally, they analyze the usage of substitutions by managers such as Pep Guardiola and Roberto Dassilva.
The Impact of Substitutions on Team Performance
The podcast explores the arguments regarding the benefits and drawbacks of substitutions. They discuss the advantages of introducing fresh legs and players who can change the game positively. However, they also acknowledge that excessive changes can disrupt coherence and flow within a team. They mention the importance of balance in substitutions and how different coaches have different philosophies when it comes to making changes.
The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Mark Carey join host Ali Maxwell to try and work out the best way to 'chase' a football match...
Has modern football moved away from the stereotypical 'plan B' of earlier Premier League eras and how do teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle keep finding late goals.
Plus, how the role of the substitute might be evolving into a more specialist role and what is now asked of 'game-changers' like Harvey Elliott, Youri Tielemans, Elijah Adebayo and more...