The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Tottenham writer Charlie Eccleshare to dissect the radical tactical overhaul in progress at Spurs...How quick, is too quick to try and implement a new tactical system and playing style - especially after losing Harry Kane so late in the window? And what can we learn from an impressive win over Manchester United last weekend?How does Ange Postecoglu's impact compare to Mikel Arteta's three years ago at Arsenal, is Bissouma good enough to play as a single pivot in midfield and are Spurs' attackers simply lacking confidence?Plus, with a week to go before the transfer window closes, where might they still need to strengthen, and you'll also hear a snippet from Mark's exclusive interview with their former set-piece coach Gianni Vio.Produced by Adonis Pratsides***Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/tactics to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Duncan Alexander, to reflect on the opening weekend of a new Premier League season...When did Newcastle's Sandro Tonali start making those runs into the box, is Richarlison the right profile of striker for Postecoglu's Spurs and is Saka the best right-sided forward in world football right now?Plus, defenders taking goal kicks, man-to-man trends and more as our panel open their tactical notebooks once again.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey, Liam Tharme, Ahmed Walid and Thom Harris, to preview the rest of the Premier League teams and the biggest tactical question they'll each have to answer this season;Will Sheffield Utd have to change system after losing so many players?Why Everton are still reliant Dominic Calvert-Lewin's fitness.Will Manchester City continue to use ball-to-feet wingers?Could a more possession-based style help Nottingham Forest survive again?If building from the back will help Chelsea get back to winning ways?How will Unai Emery combine Mings and Pau Torres in the Aston Villa defence?Where are goals coming from for Wolves this season?Can Andoni Iraola give Bournemouth more of an identity?How will West Ham reconfigure their midfield after losing Declan Rice?Can Eberechi Eze lead Crystal Palace's attack this season?... And by which metric did Ali decide the running order for the entire preview?!Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey, Liam Tharme, Ahmed Walid and Thom Harris, to preview the new Premier League season - and the big tactical dilemmas facing each team...In part one, the panel debate;How quickly the Spurs players can adapt to new manager Ange Postecoglu's principlesIf Brighton can 'evolve' before they're worked outWhy Brentford can cope without Ivan Toney for the first six monthsWhat Newcastle will have learnt about Anthony Gordon from his success with Englands U21sIf Vincent Kompany's Burnley will have to adjust their playing style in the Premier LeagueHow Arsenal's efforts to become more versatile will help them challenge for the title againIf Liverpool will still suffer from the same defensive achilles heelWhy Fulham must improve their record against the 'big teams'Why Manchester United have to get better at attacking set-piecesAnd why Luton are going to be a lot of fun to watchProduced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Harris introduces The Athletic's new podcast series, Access All Areas: Brentford. It's a behind the scenes look at how to build a modern Premier League team.In this episode - episode 2 of the series - Jay talks to those responsible for Brentford's famed recruitment strategy to detail how they scout and how they convince players that west London is a place for them to thrive.To listen to the full series click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic has just launched its brand new, daily 10 minute podcast for all those people who are just too busy in the mornings for anything longer.It’s called The Daily Football Briefing and will bring you right up to speed with the biggest stories from the night before and what to expect from the day ahead. Missed a big transfer story? David Ornstein will have you covered. What’s the latest about that club’s takeover saga? Matt Slater will have the latest. What’s Lionel Messi getting up to in MLS? Our American experts will know best.It’s your essential guide to the biggest stories in football - all wrapped up before you’ve finished your first cup of coffee. Follow and subscribe to The Athletic’s Daily Football Briefing for free wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined - straight after the full-time whistle - by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Ahmed Walid, to dissect Manchester City's 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final...The panel break down the tactical story of a cagey finale in Istanbul, big team selection decisions and the culmination of City's tactical evolution into a truly formidable 'cup side'.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to discuss whether tournament and league football needs to be treated differently, perhaps even viewed as entirely different disciplines...Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s Champions League final, as Manchester City look to complete the treble vs Inter Milan.Produced by Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to review a record-breaking and unforgettable Premier League season... in just 10 matches.From early warning signs of De Bruyne x Haaland's link up and Arsenal's leaky defence, to Spurs self-destruction, Villa's transformation and Leeds' lack of goals. Plus, an interesting discussion about xG underperformance in strikers who do a lot more than shoot and where the cut-off for parachuting in an interim manager should be.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to pick their alternative Premier League Team of the Season - The catch? They can only select one player from each team in the bottom half of the table (plus one bonus pick)...Forget Saka v Salah as the guys condemn the lack general lack of viable full-back options, wrestle with the data and accidentally unearth the best player in the bottom half of the league.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.