The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

Five losses in a row, three in the league. And it's not really a five-match thing, the losses are somewhat fluky but performances have been down badly at City ever since Rodri got injured. We break down what's (relatively) wrong with City and why we're skeptical it can be wholly fixed. Support the show

Grace Robertson, an English correspondent and writer for the Grace on Football newsletter, dives into the evolving dynamics of the England national team and the anticipated influence of new manager Thomas Tuchel. She discusses his tactical approach and the team's adjustments as they gear up for the World Cup. The conversation also touches on cultural elements within English football, blending humorous anecdotes about American candy with insightful analysis of emerging players and the challenge of blending experience with fresh talent.

(This is a subscriber episode from October, now unlocked for all listeners.)Poker pro Jonathan Jaffe joins the pod to talk all things stats and the practical ways we think about using probability to make decisions.See the GTO LAB podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@GTOLABSupport the show

Manchester United's Eric Ten Hag is the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, sparking debate over his dismissal despite signs of improving performance. The discussion dives into the complexities of managerial support, player transfer impacts, and the strategic missteps at the club. Highlights include the scrutiny of key player acquisitions and the urgent need for a coherent long-term strategy. The role of analytics in decision-making also features prominently, blending serious analysis with lighthearted commentary on recent coaching changes.

We talk about Liverpool - Chelsea, City's struggles, Arsenal's, well, you know, and whether there is truly a big three in the Premier League as we expected.And then on to the real stuff: the Netflix romantic comedy Nobody Wants This, on which we have so many takes. Support the show

We take questions from the Double Pivot discord on these topics, we remember some center backs who scored goals, and we fight the urge to throw out the script and do a pod on Nobody Wants This. Support the show

Dive into the recent legal upheaval shaking the Premier League, centered on Manchester City and its sponsorship deals. The hosts dissect the implications of ownership loans and their impact on financial regulations. Discover how soccer clubs navigate soaring valuations amidst legal scrutiny. The conversation balances serious financial analysis with light-hearted commentary, keeping it engaging. Plus, a fun exploration of the term 'wheelhouse' adds a unique twist to the discussion!

In the Premier League this season, a number of the most striking team stories appear to be, when you dig into the data, fundamentally tactical stories. This means we're talking about Ten Hag and Ange and how Spurs and United have been playing, but also we look at the major shifts in style of play at Chelsea and Crystal Palace and what Fabian Hurzeler appears to be doing at Brighton. Plus our favorite Klopp story. Support the show

An extremely strange match, and one in which Manchester City's tactical approach to the second half most particularly deserves analysis. But the draw and the injury to Rodri in the first half leave us with a peculiarly wide open Premier League title race. Much to discuss!Support the show

The Premier League has four matchdays done, and that means we have just enough data to be dangerous. What's going on with Liverpool. Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Spurs and Arsenal? Support the show