The Football Fanalytics Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Football Fanalytics Podcast
The Football Fanalytics Podcast is the show where two football fans, Ryan Bailey (TV Producer) and Mark Carey (Data Analyst at The Athletic), combine their love of the game with their knowledge of football statistics and data analytics.
Join us as we break down some of football’s key concepts, explore the ever-growing world of football analytics, and get the views from a whole host of guests across the game.
With access to the Twenty3 Content Toolbox, we will also bring you up-to-date analytics on players and teams across the continent. But this is not just about the numbers, we will be looking at all of the above from the fan's point of view.
Twitter: @FanalyticsPod and @Twenty3sport; Instagram: @fanalyticspod Email: fanalytics.pod@gmail.com
The World Cup is underway, and (for very different reasons) the headlines are already being dominated by two people — Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The debate will rumble on when discussing who is truly the greatest of all time, but for The Football Fanalytics Podcast, it was a perfect time for us to speak with Jonathan Clegg — Wall Street Journal reporter and co-author of a new book titled “Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World's Game” with Joshua Robinson.
We chat with Jonathan from Qatar to discuss the book, discuss the latest drama surrounding both players, and discuss how there is more that binds them than separates them.
Bio Links:
Book URL: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0063157179/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i0
We’ve made it as far as Episode 68 and somehow this is our first episode on the topic of referees!
We discuss our thoughts on how the game is officiated, how the location and timing of a foul can have an influence over the outcome, and we even have some “per 90” statistics for referees sprinkled in.
We also take a look at the role of home advantage towards the unconscious bias from a referee, backed up by the numbers!
Let us know your thoughts!
Hello Football Fanalytics listeners!
A quick bumper episode this week, as a call to action! We have been nominated in the 'Best Football Journalist' category in the Globe Soccer Digital Awards 2022.
That's right, so we need your vote! Please click below to vote for us, and thank you as ever to all of you for your support and listenership.
Click here: https://vote.globesoccer.com/vote/best-journalist-2022/
In Episode 67, we ask when the best time might be to truly place stock in the league table.
With just over one-quarter of the season gone, is it best to look at league points to determine a team’s performance? Or is there a better way? We discuss the utility of expected goal difference at this early stage of the season, and make an early prediction of the final league standings!
Meanwhile, Ryan reveals his recent meeting with a Premier League goalkeeper!
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
David Sumpter article: https://soccermatics.medium.com/should-you-write-about-real-goals-or-expected-goals-a-guide-for-journalists-2cf0c7ec6bb6
Pep Guardiola says they’re “nothing more than telephone numbers”.
In Episode 66, we ask…are formations even reliable anymore?
When you first see the starting line-up, the formations given are rarely the formations a team sets up in throughout the 90 minutes. How do they differ in and out of possession? How does the game state influence their approach? Is a 4-3-3 the same for two teams?
We discuss all the above, and more — with a game to start off the episode, for good measure!
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
With no Premier League football matches to report on last weekend, we threw our episode plan out of the window and sat down to talk about…reporting on football matches.
We chatted about Mark’s trips to football stadiums reporting on games across the country. We talk through all components of the day, from the pre-match buffet to the post-match press conference. From caramel doughnuts to confusing Brendan Rodgers — we cover a lot of ground in episode 65!
All for a bit of fun. Let us know if you have any further questions or insights from your own experiences!
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
With referees encouraged to be more lenient in their assessment of fouls in the Premier League, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to discuss the topic in the early part of the season.
Which team grabbed the most yellow cards last campaign? Who is the best at the dark arts when fouling? Who makes their fouls the quickest after losing the ball?
So much to discuss this week, let us know your thoughts!
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
Fouls article: https://theathletic.com/3456545/2022/07/29/most-fouls-premier-league/;
With a handful of games played in the domestic leagues, it is far too early to find any reliable patterns in the data.
Instead, we asked…how competitive are the top five European leagues?
Do we see much variation within a league from top to bottom? Or is there too much predictability across the board. Which league is the most competitive? We take a closer look with our typical data spin.
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
Gini co-efficient: https://cafetactiques.com/2021/11/05/determining-most-competitive-league-uefa-soccer/;
The domestic season is underway, and there are already plenty of talking points to discuss!
After Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte’s touchline clash, we thought we’d focus on the dugout this week. How can you profile managers using analytics?
From formation use to tactical styles, what is the best way to quantify the impact of a manager above a team’s ability? We dive into the debate, and discuss some useful resources for good measure.
Finally, we are delighted to announce our collaboration with Spitch — a live Fantasy Football Manager app where you can pit yourself against other managers, and win real money in the process!
Bio Links:
Spitch: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2bdh7;
Smarterscout coaching profiles: https://smarterscout.com/articles/premier-league-champions-league-football-coaches-managers-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-manchester-united-data-analytics-dataviz;
Analytics FC Coach ID: https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2021/10/11/introducing-coach-id-using-data-to-scout-your-clubs-next-head-coach-2/;
21st Group: https://theathletic.com/1856545/2020/06/09/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-replacement-nagelsmann-pochettino/;
That’s right, it’s that time of year again!
As we gear up to the new domestic season, it’s time to pick your Fantasy Premier League team. With over 9 million players, this is the biggest Fantasy Football game in the world, and we are offering up our best advice!
To help us do so, we are delighted to be joined by football commentator and BBC Fantasy 606 presenter, Alistair Bruce-Ball. Not one to be missed!
Want to join our Football Fanalytics Pod League? Be sure to sign up with our league code: ofsl38
After a short summer break, the Football Fanalytics pod is back!
We take a quick look at all of the things we need to catch up on in the football world, look ahead to the new season, and reveal what we have coming up in the next few weeks!
Make sure you get in contact with us if there is anything you'd like us to cover during the new season.
Twitter: @fanalyticspod
Email: fanalytics.pod@gmail.com
It’s episode 60, and Ryan is about to embark upon a huge challenge this week.
This Saturday will see the return of the annual London Football Marathon, which looks to raise money for a hugely important charity called TackleAfrica.
We chat to Yianny Ioannou — Director of Operations at TackleAfrica — to discuss the great work that the charity does, why the football marathons are so important to raising money, and just how brutal they are to play in!
Bio links:
TackleAfrica wesbite: https://tackleafrica.org/;
Ryan’s donation page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ryan-bailey57
The Premier League season is now over, presenting the perfect opportunity to reflect on a thrilling campaign. Manchester City crowned champions, Tottenham Hotspur grabbed the final Champions League spot, and Burnley went down on the final day.
In Episode 59, we take a dive into some of the best statistics of the season with the help of the Twenty3 Content Toolbox! Can you name the answers? Give it a go and let us know!
The Women’s Super League drew to a close in dramatic fashion last weekend, with Chelsea pipping Arsenal to the post and lifting the title on the final day.
In Episode 58, we reflect upon Chelsea’s victory and are delighted to welcome Women’s football writer Charlotte Harpur onto The Football Fanalytics Podcast.
Charlotte also shares her recent experiences in record-breaking crowds, reminds us that Lyon never truly went away, and looks ahead to this summer’s Women’s Euros!
Bio links:
https://theathletic.com/author/charlotte-harpur/;
https://theathletic.com/3300177/2022/05/09/it-sounds-crazy-but-i-try-that-type-of-stuff-all-the-time-in-training-sam-kerrs-title-winning-wondergoal/;
https://theathletic.com/3287214/2022/05/02/lyon-still-the-powerhouse-of-womens-football-ready-for-barcelona-showdown/
What would you say if we said a player was good at ‘packing’?
The term has been around for a while, but it hasn’t been as prominent in the modern football lexicon compared with other metrics.
In Episode 57, we “unpack” packing in more detail, and give some examples of which players rank highest in their packing rate!
Send us in your thoughts, which players come to mind when thinking of this metric?
It’s episode 56 and we really enjoyed recording this one!
We chatted about the role of data and analytics further down the football pyramid, and how they can be used and implemented. Can teams at an amateur level still benefit from the use of data?
To help us answer this, we spoke with Robbie at Meadowbank Wednesday — a team in the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur FA Sunday Premier Division — to get the current insight into the data at the amateur level. Robbie shared some great work that he has been doing and where Meadowbank Wednesday are looking to add to their use of data.
Let us know your own experiences!
A slightly different topic for the podcast this week, as we explore the role of neuroscience within football.
Yes, you read that correctly. We take a closer look Neuro11, who are a scientific group founded by Niklas Hausler and Patrick Hantschke. The group is based in Potsdam of Germany, and they develop mental strength training programmes for professional sports.
We chat about their role within Liverpool Football Club and how they have helped with the club’s free kick and penalty taking. Let us know your thoughts!
Bio links:
Neuro11 website: https://neuro11.de/;
James Pearce article: https://theathletic.com/2864963/2021/10/11/meet-the-neuroscientists-aiming-to-help-liverpool-thrive-at-set-pieces-by-attaching-electrodes-to-mo-salahs-head/?source=emp_shared_article
In Episode 54, we were delighted to be joined by yet another guest to the podcast.
We chatted to Tom Randolph, founder of Delphlyx – a platform designed to help sporting directors and agents make better informed decisions when using player data.
We chatted with Tom on how he came to create Delphlyx, why it is important to ensure that all users can understand the platform, and which clubs he is currently working with.
Thanks again to Tom for joining us!
Bio links: https://delphlyx.io/
What a week to have an episode on Leeds United!
We were delighted to call upon Jon Mackenzie to discuss all things Leeds, as he uncovered some fantastic insight into their season so far. True to form, we chatted about things from a tactical and analytical perspective — there is plenty there for everyone to take something from.
Since we recorded with Jon, Marcelo Bielsa has parted ways with Leeds United and Jesse Marsch is now at the helm. Let us know your thoughts on Bielsa's departure and the man who is taking his place! You know where to find us!
Bio Links:
“A Podcast About Tactics”: https://twitter.com/podabouttactics
Somehow, we have gone more than 50 episodes without breaking down the art and science of a free-kick.
There have been so many weird and wonderful goals scored from free-kicks, so we unpack the process behind it, look into the numbers on goal probability, and read out some of your messages of your favourite free-kicks of all time!
The optimal distance to score from a free-kick? Wall or no wall? A well-placed curler or a blast at goal? We’ve got it all covered!
Bio links:
Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/FanalyticsPod/status/1493912910762061824?s=20&t=ONg8B98eibTqKii_AftOuQ;
Goalkeeper research: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243287
When you kick a football, which foot do you use? What percentage of players are ‘right-footed’ vs ‘left-footed’? Which players do you think of as ‘two-footed’?
These are all questions we are exploring in this weeks episode, as we discuss the concept of being ‘ambipedal’.
We take a look at how you would define being ‘two-footed’, the idea that players can be a certain percentage dominant when using one foot, and much more!
Bio Links:
https://www.footballtechnicallab.com/the-myth-of-the-two-footed-footballer-part-1/;
https://statsbomb.com/2019/04/pass-footedness-in-the-premier-league/
At last, the Football Fanalytics Podcast has reached its half-century!
In Episode 50, we delve into a tactics-based topic where we break down the advantages and disadvantages of different defensive structures.
What are the differences between a low vs mid vs high block? How can each of them be effective and what does it force the opposition to do? What is the risk vs reward of each defensive block?
We cover all the above and more, before diving back into the Fanalytics mailbag and answering your questions — however quirky they may be!
Bio links: Eric Laurie defensive phases: https://twitter.com/EricLaurie/status/1397612239075610625?s=20
We’re back for 2022 and just one away from our half-century of episodes for the podcast!
With a whole host of high-profile players seeing their contracts expire in the upcoming summer, January is a time to discuss pre-contract agreements with a new club. But who might be putting in that extra bit of effort to land themselves a new deal?
In Episode 49, we discuss the “Contract Year Phenomenon”, taking inspiration from American sports to unpick how players statistically overperform in the year before signing a new contract.
We’ve got stories, research, and games. Not one to be missed!
As we draw 2021 to a close, we thought it would be a great opportunity to look back at some of the key things that we’ve learned or discussed on The Football Fanalytics Podcast this year.
We introduced some more analytics terms, discussed some interesting tactical concepts and had some fantastic guests who shared their experiences of working within football. What was your favourite episode of 2021? Get in touch and let us know!
Finally, we would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year from The Football Fanalytics Podcast. Here’s to a great 2022!
In-swinging? Out-swinging? Short?
In Episode 47, we look into different types of corner routines from an attacking and defending perspective. Is it more productive to go with man-marking or zonal marking? Should you put a player on each post when defending corners? Are in-swinging corners more lucrative than out-swinging corners when looking to score a goal?
We cover all the above, all backed up by the numbers! We also discuss some of our favourite goals from a corner, please do send yours in!
Bio links:
Corner article: https://theathletic.co.uk/2911374/2021/10/28/why-outswinging-corners-lead-to-more-chances-but-inswingers-lead-to-more-goals/;
Paul Power 2018 paper: http://sportdocbox.com/World_Soccer/72816302-Mythbusting-set-pieces-in-soccer.html
After Harry Kane bagged himself seven goals in two international games for England this week, we ask, is it his fault that he is put up against such lesser opposition?
In Episode 46, we discuss the principle of “stat padding”, and how players can sometimes create an inflated perception of their ability. At the other end of the scale, we explore the phenomenon of “clutch players” who are more likely to stay calm in the closing stages and decide the game.
And at long last, we dive into the Fanalytcis mailbox once more!
Bio Links:
Clutch player list: https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-espn-fc-united/story/4312124/soccers-clutch-players-messis-always-goodbut-lukaku-and-morata-come-through-when-it-counts;
Clutch visualisation: https://twitter.com/khatri_shreyas/status/1456588059047129095;
It’s Episode 45 and we’re taking a closer look into the tactical approach behind substitutes this week.
Perhaps an overlooked part of the game, but are all substitutes in the best physical, tactical and psychological state to enter the pitch when they are substituted on? We chat about a recent club hire with football’s first known specialist ‘substitution coach’, in how you can maximise a player’s potential before they come onto the field.
Let us know your thoughts. How would you best prepare your substitutes if you were the coach?
Bio links: https://trainingground.guru/articles/afc-wimbledon-trialling-use-of-substitutions-coach
After two back-to-back guests on the podcast in recent episodes, we’re back to just the two of us this week. In Episode 44, we discuss the importance of sample size when using football statistics at the player and team levels.
As we are so early in the season, can we reliably draw conclusions based on such limited information? How can we overcome this issue of small sample sizes to identify patterns in the data? At what point can we say that we have a sample that is big enough to give us confidence in our conclusions?
All revealed in this week’s episode...oh, and Ryan loves the new FIFA 22!
Bio links: Sam McGuire article: https://www.twenty3.sport/sample-size-data-important-football-analytics/
We have yet another guest on the podcast! This week, we were joined by Maram AlBaharna, who is a hugely talented football analyst, creating popular analysis and visualisations in her work.
Many people will know Maram from her branded “Maram per 90” content that she has developed over the past 12 months, and we were delighted to hear Maram share her experiences on how she came to be involved in the football analytics world, how she has inspired others to get involved, and what the future holds for her within football.
There is a little something for everyone to take out of this chat with Maram, please let us know what you think!
Bio links:
Maram’s Twitter page: https://twitter.com/maramperninety;
Maram’s Medium page: https://maramperninety.medium.com/
We have a very special guest this week, as we chat with specialist throw-in coach, Thomas Gronnemark.
Thomas has worked with some incredible clubs including FC Midtjylland, Brentford, Ajax, Flamengo, RB Leipzig, Gent, and Liverpool. In our chat, we discuss how he supports and improves teams with their throw-in approach, we get his response to those who are sceptical about the role of a specialist coach, and Thomas shares how he first received the call from Jurgen Klopp to work with Liverpool!
After a short break, we’re back with a tactical concept this week.
In Episode 41, we take a closer look into Tactical Periodisation - a football training approach developed many years ago by Portuguese academic Vitor Frade. We unpick exactly what is meant by this approach, which managers have adopted it, and how it can be successful.
Let us know your thoughts, we always enjoy hearing from you!
We’re back to what we do best this week, exploring a footballing concept that is deserving of a deeper dive. This week’s topic concerns the concept of scanning in football, and how useful it can be in a player’s actions on and off the ball.
We chat about all things from scan timing to scan frequency, and look into some of the leading research in this field. The evolution of technology now means that such work into scanning is reaching a new level, and exciting developments are ahead.
Let us know your thoughts, we always enjoy hearing from you!
Bio links:
Geir Jordet presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYXnlEh7_Vo&ab_channel=FootballNetworkWorld;
Geir Jordet research paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7573254/pdf/fpsyg-11-553813.pdf;
Karl Marius Aksum research paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02640414.2021.1935115?casa_token=W_fJpOFDfFsAAAAA:xqQ3Fk2pFjco0dLs-AtkcAAuplm6yMBSAnhMcr-4Elgk1a2T3GTlOu1PhhQYOteB9yQ1aiY7umQ
The new Premier League season is nearly upon us, and it’s the perfect time to be picking your Fantasy Premier League team ahead of Gameweek 1.
In Episode 39, we each pick our favoured FPL squads and swap notes on who makes it into our starting XI. What’s your formation? Which player is simply undroppable? Who is on your bench?
For all you FPL fans out there, you’re going to enjoy this one!
Bio Links:
Football Fanalytics Pod League code: dcrbf3;
FPL Rules: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules
We’re back! After a thrilling summer of international football, we now return to the bread and butter of the domestic campaigns.
With pre-season football upon us, we are back with a bang this week - taking an in-depth look at one of the Premier League’s newly-promoted sides. Norwich City’s innovation in the transfer market has been one of their key strengths in recent years, and there is no better person to speak with than Norwich City correspondent for The Athletic, Michael Bailey.
Michael and Mark discuss Norwich’s approach to recruitment, chat about their new signings, and look ahead to their upcoming season in the Premier League!
Bio links:
Kieran Scott article: https://theathletic.com/2272870/2020/12/26/norwich-recruitment-buendia-transfer/?source=emp_shared_article
We are now in the full swing of UEFA Euro 2020, and it has certainly had its fair share of talking points already. There is plenty of content out there reviewing the games played so far, so instead, we thought we would do something a little different in our true Fanalytics way!
In Episode 37, we have some fun and swap our best facts and accolades held across the European Championships. We look across some of the records broken in this year's tournament and reveal some of our most interesting records currently held in the Championships. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it!
Ahead of the start of Euro 2020, we are back with a tactical breakdown this week.
In Episode 36, we take a look into a tactical approach called “The Third Man Run”. A very simple approach as a concept, but very effective when executed properly. We discuss the nuances of this approach, why it is useful, and how it can maximise space on the pitch.
We also enlist the help of Performance Analyst & Academy Coach at Molde FK - and friend of the pod - Eric Laurie, to get his insight on this tactical approach!
Bio links:
Leeds United training: https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-take-a-bow-reactions-footage-of-marcelo-bielsas-third-man-concept-in-training-20210323;
Eric Laurie guest episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-10-the-view-from-eric-laurie/id1522157387?i=1000491401153;
Eric Laurie Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/EricLaurie/status/1345742344780451842/photo/1
We are surprised ourselves that it has taken this long to discuss them, but in Episode 35 we discuss all things penalties!
Favourite penalty of all time? The worst penalty of all time? We share our thoughts, but we’d love you to send in some of your most memorable penalties, good or bad. Of course, it wouldn’t be a fanalytics episode if we didn’t pepper in some analysis for you. Statistically, the best place to put a penalty? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Bio links:
Calvente penalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXnoQdEunE&ab_channel=RoslanNazri;
Pires penalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4bQVTczcLQ&ab_channel=souster98souster98;
Pirlo penalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXFWmpB-cPQ&ab_channel=UEFAUEFA;
Shevchenko penalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrOzjXpBCkk&ab_channel=WRWR;
This episode needs very little build-up, as we had the pleasure of having former professional footballer and well-known pundit and commentator, Chris Sutton on the Football Fanalytics Podcast!
Chris is an English Premier League winner and Golden Boot winner with Blackburn Rovers, plus a four-time Scottish Premier League winner, a three-time Scottish cup winner, and a Scottish League cup winner with Celtic.
There was so much fantastic insight from Chris, chatting about his development throughout his career, the managers he played under, and his current role as a pundit and commentator. We, of course, also breached the topic of the use of analytics in football and its role within the game. This is not one to be missed!
As we near the end of the season, the rumour mill is certainly in full flow for potential signings in the upcoming summer transfer window.
That’s why we thought it would be a good opportunity to dive back into the Twenty3 Content Toolbox and look into some potential signings that could fit your team! Thank you to everyone who sent their requests in, we did try to get through as many as we could!
A left-back for Arsenal? A centre forward for Brighton? A centre-back for Spurs? We cover this and more in Episode 33.
Bio links:
Everton right-back analysis: https://theathletic.co.uk/2463431/2021/03/20/everton-want-a-right-back-this-summer-aarons-lamptey-or-celik-would-be-good-fit/;
Manchester United midfielder analysis: https://theathletic.co.uk/2478687/2021/03/31/ndidi-rice-camavinga-tapia-scouting-a-holding-midfielder-for-manchester-united/
It’s been a strange week for football, but you will be pleased to know that this episode does not centre on The European Super League!
In Episode 32, we explore an advanced analytical model called Pitch Control. Essentially, this model looks to quantify the creation of space on the pitch and see how players can maximise this space on or off the ball, and in or out of possession.
Importantly, we discuss why this model is important, how it can be applied, and what makes it such a useful tool within football clubs. Let us know what you think!
Bio links:
https://barcainnovationhub.com/the-science-of-space-creation/;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9PrwPyolyU&t=580s&ab_channel=FriendsofTracking
It’s the very essence of the game. For any team to score a goal they need to have the ball. And having the ball for any period is, of course, termed possession. But how useful are possession statistics in providing information about the game? What else can be used to outline which team was more dominant?
As always, we scratch below the surface to look deeper into some key analytics terms. We also uncover our latest ‘unpopular opinions’ in football, and delve back into our fanalytics mailbag. A lot of ground covered this week, so not one to be missed!
Certainly an episode for the fan side of our fanalytics content, this week! In Episode 30, we focus on dribbling and recall some of the best players to have ever graced the game with their ability to run with the ball.
We’re talking Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Okocha - all of them capable of getting us off our seat with their skills. But how can we measure dribbling from an analytics perspective? How does a dribble differ from a ball carry? It wouldn’t be a fanalytics episode unless we peppered in a few metrics ourselves!
Bio links:
Messi dribbling: https://twitter.com/Jad_FCB/status/1375689373463805952;
Statsbomb article: https://statsbomb.com/2018/02/taking-em-on-digging-deeper-with-dribbles/
After our football analytics debate in Episode 28, we are back to our more traditional format this week!
With a football twist on a classic song, in Episode 29 we thought we would dig back into the Twenty3 Content Toolbox and take a closer look at some Premier League players whose “stats are on fire”.
A bit of fun to be had in this one, and let us know which players you think are hitting some red hot form recently! Remember you can follow us on Twitter at @Fanalyticspod or email us at fanalytics.pod@gmail.com
We’ve decided to take a slight change of pace this week. No new analytics terms, but an old-fashioned debate!
In Episode 28, we chat about the ongoing discussion surrounding the use of analytics in football. While it is a thread throughout all of our episodes, it has been a topic that has re-emerged in the media in recent weeks and we wanted to offer our thoughts on the pod.
Importantly, we don’t want this discussion to end here! We want to hear your thoughts on this debate, so please get in contact on Twitter at @Fanalyticspod or email us at fanalytics.pod@gmail.com.
Bio links:
Jack Grealish interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNCsziLyarg&ab_channel=UMM;
Telegraph article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/02/enough-data-obsession-real-world-goals-against-count/
It’s the age-old question. How can you reliably work out which team is better than another? You might say whoever has more points in the league, sure, but what if you wanted to compare teams between leagues?
In Episode 27, we dig into exactly how to assess team strength using the Elo rating system. We explore how the system works, why it is useful, and we even throw in a game for you! Inter Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund - which team is stronger? Have a listen to find out!
Remember you can follow us on Twitter at @Fanalyticspod or email us at fanalytics.pod@gmail.com
Bio links:
Club Elo: http://clubelo.com/
It will be of no surprise to anyone that the closer you are to goal, the more opportunity you have of scoring. But exactly where on the pitch might be the best location to create a goalscoring chance?
In Episode 26, we take a closer look at a piece of tactical analysis that divides the pitch up into key zones. The zone that has been shown to be most lucrative to score is ‘Zone 14’ - just outside the penalty area.
We discuss exactly what Zone 14 is, why it is such an important area of the pitch, and how it can be used by teams to increase their chances of scoring a goal!
Remember you can follow us on Twitter at @Fanalyticspod or email us at fanalytics.pod@gmail.com
In Episode 25, we were very excited to welcome Sam Tighe on the podcast as our first guest of 2021. Sam is best known for his writing with ‘Bleacher Report’ and Southampton Football Club, plus his very successful ‘Ranks FC’ podcast and his huge love of worldwide football!
We chatted about Sam’s career so far, his thoughts on data and analytics in the mainstream media, and his favourite interviews with professional football players. Look out for anecdotes about Marcus Rashford’s exhaust pipe, Thomas Müller's horses, and chasing Leon Bailey to a park in Düsseldorf!
Plus, we discussed our mutual friends over at Twenty3 and how their Content Toolbox can be used to enhance our knowledge of player and team trends. This is not one to be missed.
With Frank Lampard’s recent dismissal, we thought it would be a good opportunity to see whether Chelsea’s underlying numbers were as bad as first thought.
In Episode 24, we discuss expected points - an extension of xG which allows us to see how many points you’d expect a team to accrue based on the quality of chances they make and concede. Does the league table lie? Who has been most unlucky this season?
We also answer some more of your questions in our fan(alytics) mailbag!
Bio links:
Understat xPoints: https://understat.com/league/EPL;
Martin Odegaard article: https://theathletic.com/2337149/2021/01/27/odegaard-real-madrid-arsenal/
It is our last opportunity to talk about signings this month, as the January transfer window draws to a close!
In Episode 23, we chat about the players who didn’t quite make the impact they wanted to, upon signing for a new club. What is it that makes a ‘football misfit’ when a player makes the transfer to a new team? How can we use analytics to minimise this risk?
We also dig into some of the questions sent in by you, in our fan(alytics) mail. Look out for more of this in the coming weeks, and please continue to get in touch with us!
Bio links:
Ai Abacus: https://ai-abacus.co.uk/
Closing the opposition down, and winning the ball back is nothing new in football. But in modern football, you often hear more use of terms like “gegenpressing” and “high intensity”.
In Episode 22, we delve deeper into our understanding of how a team presses the opposition. Using analytics, we can reveal which teams press with high intensity, and who is most effective at doing it. If you hadn’t heard of PPDA before this episode, you will be very familiar with it by the end!
We also show how a good pressure can be very different from an effective team press, just ask Andy Robertson...
Bio Links:
FBref: https://fbref.com/en/;
Andy Robertson pressing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAdMxPkFlM&ab_channel=KoreanBaller
This week we are keeping things topical and discussing the January transfer market! It’s that time of year where clubs may be looking for a quick fix to address their injury problems, or to give their squad a much-needed boost heading into the second half of the season.
In Episode 21 we take a look at some potential transfers that a few Premier League clubs may be interested in. To do that, we are delving back into the Twenty3 Content Toolbox and exploring their fantastic ‘Discover’ tool.
It’s a new year, and we are back with a new episode!
In Episode 20, we discuss a recent analysis from Mark, who had the pleasure of working with a Championship football club. The aim was to support the club in their recruitment strategy, and understand how a player’s performance metrics translate when moving from one league to another.
How much does the change in league strength influence a player’s performance? Does the change in league style affect this further? We discuss how you can use analytics to answer these questions, and help to minimise mistakes in the transfer market.
Mark’s Blog:
https://careyanalytics.wordpress.com/2020/12/27/maximising-the-market-can-we-better-predict-player-performance-between-leagues/
After a short break, we’re back with a fanalytics bang this week!
In Episode 19, we discuss an innovative model that is highly regarded in the analytics community, called Expected Threat (xT). Introduced originally by Karun Singh, this model is a hugely interesting way to look at the value of possession in any area of the pitch, and the future rewards it can bring in resulting in a goal in the next five actions.
Where does the opposition create their most dangerous opportunities? How can we reward players who are creative but don't necessarily get the assist? This model finds the hidden value which can’t be found by other metrics.
Bio links:
Karun’s xT Blog: https://karun.in/blog/expected-threat.html;
Karun’s Statsbomb Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE3sUVCIwfA&ab_channel=StatsBomb
It’s Episode 18, and with the international break now behind us for this calendar year, it is back to the packed schedule of club football until Christmas. But with the injury list growing at a rapid rate for so many teams, we discuss the cost that brings to the quality of football on display.
With Joe Gomez the most recent high-profile player to be struck down by injury, Liverpool will be forced to think creatively with their latest centre-back pairing. We use the Twenty3 Discover Tool to look at a number of players who could fit the style and profile of a Liverpool defender.
Bio links:
Tom Worville article: https://theathletic.co.uk/2156560/2020/10/24/liverpool-january-transfer-centre-backs-analysis/;
Twenty3 Discover Tool Blog: https://www.twenty3.sport/twenty3-discover-tool/;
Sam McGuire Blog: https://marginalpains.substack.com/p/the-players-who-could-solve-liverpools?r=bha1y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&utm_source=twitter
A huge episode for the podcast this week, where we had the delight of speaking with senior commentator and Football Correspondent for BBC Radio 5 Live, John Murray.
We chatted with John about his approach to commentary, his preparation ahead of each game, and even got him to reveal the best game he has ever commentated on! We also discuss John’s view on the use of data and statistics within broadcasting, and where he feels there is an “overstatification” within football. Definitely not an episode to be missed!
With this week’s lockdown 2.0 news, the prospect of getting fans back in the stadium looks increasingly unlikely in the near future!
In Episode 16, we take a slightly sharp turn to chat about the effect of the crowd towards player performance. Does the crowd affect the physiological responses in players? How does the absence of a crowd influence home advantage? We discuss the above, and look at the contrasting fortunes of some Premier League teams so far, in their home vs. away form.
Bio Links:
Barca Innovation Hub: https://barcainnovationhub.com/how-can-playing-without-an-audience-affect-the-match-result/;
Twenty3 Flank Attacks: https://www.twenty3.sport/what-is-a-flank-attacks-visualisation/
We’re still catching our breath from a hectic start to the Premier League season, so we thought we would take stock of some of the crazy scorelines that we have seen so far.
Are the results finally starting to calm down? Has there actually been more chances created in the games? Was this goalfest ever going to be sustainable?
We look to answer all the above and have a quick look ahead at this weekend’s fixtures. Most excitingly, we also have our first opportunity to crack open the Twenty3 content toolbox!
Bio Links:
Mark Thompson Twenty3 Football Lab Blog: https://www.twenty3.sport/welcome-twenty3-football-lab/
A big week for the podcast this week. We can officially announce that we are now in association with sports intelligence business, Twenty3 - and we have another guest on the pod!
In Episode 14, we were delighted to be joined by Reece Chambers, Football Recruitment Consultant at SciSports. Reece discussed his role in helping football clubs gain data insights to assist with recruitment in the transfer market, and outlined how he came to work at one of the fastest growing sports analytics companies in the world.
We also chatted about some of the great writing that Reece has produced, the importance of knowing your audience to inform your content, and the growing world of analytics within the mainstream media.
Bio Links:
Reece Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/_reecechambers;
SciSports Rebuilding Barcelona article: https://www.scisports.com/fc-barcelona-using-data-intelligence-to-rebuild-the-blaugrana/;
SciSports Ciro Immobile article: https://www.scisports.com/charting-the-goal-scoring-abilities-of-ciro-immobile-after-a-sensational-2019-20-campaign/
We’re back with a full episode! We’ve gone less with the analytics and more with the tactics this week, taking a closer look at the origin and evolution of some of the tactical set-ups that have shaped the game.
How was Pep Guardiola influenced by the Hungarian national team? Is 'parking the bus' the same as Catenaccio? Is the long ball method statistically the best way to score a goal? In Episode 13, we look at tactics old and new, weighing in on how the game has changed over the years!
Bio links:
Michael Cox article: https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2020/10/intelligent-football-michael-cox-and-rise-tactical-analysis
In a shorter episode this week, we look back at the weekend’s Premier League results, assess our Fantasy Premier League teams, and provide an update on what we have coming up soon on the Football Fanalytics pod!
This week, we are combining the ‘fan’ and ‘analytics’ with another guest on the pod!
In Episode 12, we chat with Felix Pate who is the founder of the company “Looks Good on Paper”. A key part of their work is a new metric called Impact Score, so we unpick exactly what it is and how it works! How do you compare Diego Maradona with Lionel Messi? Amongst many other things, this model can help to answer that age-old question!
Freelance Football Opps: https://freelancefootballopps.com/;
Looks Good On Paper Blog: https://medium.com/@felixpate/what-do-we-do-at-lgop-99ecb1a52cdb;
Looks Good on Paper Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgopfelix/status/1295407110910615554
A football club might say “We want a forward who plays like Ciro Immobile at Lazio, but we don’t have the budget to afford him. Which player is similar to him in Europe, who might be more affordable?”
In Episode 11, we look at an analysis which could help clubs to optimise their approach in the scouting process. With the transfer window nearing its close, we talk through some useful methods that could help look for a forward in the market, based on their playing style and how similar they are to others.
We also talk through some interactive tools which you can try out yourself below!
Bio links:
Mark Delphlyx Blog: https://www.delphlyxconsulting.com/blog/cguq5732qtemy3m0n1811e7m1j6pdr;
Dashboard 1 (Find Me a Forward Similar To…): https://public.tableau.com/profile/mark.carey#!/vizhome/FindMeaForwardSimilarTo___/Dashboard-ForwardPlayerSimilarity;
Dashboard 2 (Forward Playing Styles): https://public.tableau.com/profile/mark.carey#!/vizhome/CompareForwardPlayingStyles201920/Dashboard1
Our second guest on The Football Fanalytics Podcast!
In Episode 10, we enjoyed speaking with Eric Laurie, Head of Academy Performance Analysis and Under 16s Coach at Norwegian champions Molde FK.
We chatted about the crucial role that video analysis plays within an academy, how Eric's performance analysis background can provide insight that can’t be found using data, and how the use of video is so important within youth development.
Bio links:
Eric Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/EricLaurie;
Breaking the Lines articles:
- https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/an-analytical-look-at-harry-maguire/;
- https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/an-analytical-look-at-giovanni-reyna/
After our chunky episode last week picking our Fantasy Premier League teams, we are back to our analytical roots this week!
In Episode 9, we unpick the commentary cliché of ‘a good time to score’. Is there ever a bad time to score? How important is scoring first in a match? Is there any truth in a two-goal lead being a ‘dangerous scoreline’?
We discuss the numbers behind the likelihood of winning a match, the role of home advantage, and look to debunk some myths along the way!
The Football Fanalytics Pod League code: kmrhze
Bio Links:
Scoring First Table - https://www.thestatsdontlie.com/football/uk-ireland/england/premier-league-1920/;
Soccer Stats - https://www.soccerstats.com/table.asp?league=england&tid=j;
2 - 0 Myth - https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10951284/sky-sports-bust-common-myths-is-2-0-the-worst-lead;
Scoring before Half Time - https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0194255&type=printable;
Rory Smith Article - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/01/sports/soccer/soccer-without-fans-germany-data.html;
Barca Innovation Hub - https://barcainnovationhub.com/examining-the-effect-of-scoring-first-in-the-outcome-of-a-football-match/
It’s that time of year again! Who’s in your squad? Who’s your captain? Who’s on the bench?
In Episode 8, we fully get our teeth into our squad for this season’s Fantasy Premier League. We uncover our best method for picking our players, look at how we can maximise points with each signing, and Ryan pits his squad against Mark’s squad ahead of Gameweek 1!
True to form, we combine our fan and analytics perspective on the players we pick, and give some top tips ahead of the new season. For all you FPL fans out there, this one is not to be missed!
Bio Links:
FPL Rules: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules;
FPL ICT Index: https://www.premierleague.com/news/65567
Our first guest on The Football Fanalytics Podcast!
In Episode 7, we had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Goodall, a Technical Analyst who has most recently worked at Swansea City and Derby County. We got a deeper insight into what the role of a Technical Analyst entails, what a typical week looks like for Tom and the analysis team, and how data can inform decision making within a professional football club.
Bio links:
Tom LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-goodall-68504387/?originalSubdomain=uk ;
Tom Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/TomG26
“Football is a simple game based on the giving and receiving of passes, of controlling the ball and making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.”
In Episode 6, we cover the somewhat broad topic of ‘passing’ in football. The most simple element of the game, perhaps, but we look to show how some passes have more value than others.
‘Pass Completion Percentage’ and ‘Total Passes Played’ are great statistics, but do they tell the whole story of a player’s contribution in the game? We look to unpick these terms, and also discuss some of the greatest passes of all time!
Links for Bio:
Pavard Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNT_ZlYypA0
Pass Compilation: https://the18.com/soccer-videos/greatest-passes-football-history
Beckham Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6QyPrwDwko
Guti Backheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpniO665-E&feature=emb_title
Bruno Fernandes Article: https://theathletic.co.uk/1956276/2020/07/29/bruno-fernandes-manchester-united-passing-risk-reward/
xG Chain: https://statsbomb.com/2018/08/introducing-xgchain-and-xgbuildup/
Possession Value: https://www.statsperform.com/resource/introducing-a-possession-value-framework/
Expected Threat: https://karun.in/blog/expected-threat.html
Ederson Pass: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/hlsee5/ederson_pass_to_bernardo_silva_southampton/
Thiago Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucCecD470vI
Rooney Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bvXY9Uw7Nc
Alonso Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB7-toEzu0o&feature=youtu.be
In this mini-episode, we pause for thought on the past few weeks of the pod, catch up on the messages we’ve received so far, and look ahead to what’s coming up in the next few weeks!
In football clubs around the world, managers are now only a few poor results away from the sack. It’s a brutal industry, but should the manager’s head always be the first one on the chopping block?
In Episode 5, we discuss the myth of the ‘manager bounce’ - the upturn in form after a new manager comes in. But when results are needed fast for a struggling club, does sacking the gaffer actually improve results?
Rather than the regular hiring and firing that we have become accustomed to, how could clubs use analytics to reassess their approach? We discuss how sticking with the manager in the short term might actually benefit the club in the long term!
Bio link: Gus Poyet Sacking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdF4oHzHr8A
Admit it, at some stage you’ve said that an underperforming player is ‘overrated’. But is that always a fair term to use?
In Episode 4, we break down how players can be thought of as ‘overrated’. Is it simply a difference of opinion? Does a player’s transfer fee influence that opinion? Or can performance statistics provide some truth behind those views?
We look at how you could use analytics in football to delve deeper into a player’s performance, which might help to decide just how ‘overrated’ a player might be!
Bio links - Transfermarkt Game:https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/whatsMyValue.
PL overrated players article: https://www.90min.com/posts/6556590-every-premier-league-club-s-most-overrated-player-in-2019-20
“Players begin to decline when they reach the age of 30.” Well, try and tell that to Ryan Giggs!
In Episode 3, we delve deeper into what is meant by a player’s ‘peak age’. Is it a definitive bracket that applies to all players? How does it vary from each position? Are we talking about physical performance or technical ability?
We discuss how sports science has influenced players in the modern game, we throw back to an epic AC Milan team from the 2000’s, and talk through an interesting way to assess the profile of a squad.
Bio links - BBC Football - Squad Profiles: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52531281. Mark’s Dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/profile/mark.carey#!/vizhome/EuropeanSquadAgeProfiles/Dashboard1
How do you explain to someone who has never watched a game of football, that Roy Keane and Robert Pires were both ‘midfielders’? They played totally different roles in their team!
In episode two, we take an in-depth look at midfield playing styles across Europe. We look at how the role of the midfielder has evolved over the years, and explore how you could use analytics to find a bargain buy in the transfer window. Plus, we deliberate about our dream midfield combination, and Ryan introduces a bizarre new game for everyone to play!
-- Bio links:
David Beckham Goal vs Kansas City: https://youtu.be/W5-CZnlYyRA.
Moritz Stoppelkamp Goal vs Hannover: https://youtu.be/xme73rY0TpI.
Asmir Begovic Record Goal: https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/128642.
Jame Vardy Wonderstrike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7qKQXb8BaU.
Mark’s blog: https://careyanalytics.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/a-closer-look-into-european-midfielder-playing-styles/
This probably won’t be the first time you hear the phrase ‘Expected Goals (xG)’. But while many football fans will be aware of the term, some still ask “What is the point of xG?”.
Fans may say, ‘They had to score!’’, or ‘You’ve got no chance from there!’ - but what factors actually influence the chance of scoring? Have they ‘missed a sitter’ or was that actually a tougher opportunity than you might think?
In our first episode, we explore all things ‘Expected Goals’ and look at why this model can be so useful to determine the likelihood of scoring! -- Bio links:
Emre Can Bicycle Kick (xG 1) - https://youtu.be/4WPKtj0F15c.
Andros Townsend Rocket (xG 2) - https://youtu.be/lAzYAQy8r9U.
Olivier Giroud Scorpion (xG 3) - https://youtu.be/wGOhxt5Ksc0.