The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

175
Sports #206Soccer #18

Hosted by Michael Bailey, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game.

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Recent Reviews
  • Nico_laos
    When did Michael Cox become insufferable?
    I used to love Michael’s analysis when he was humble 20 something writing about football (I found him in the build up to the 2010 World Cup), now he talks as if reclined on his throne, casually tossing out the final word on any given player or performance. 3 stars for the show, they rest of the team still gives it a decent go.
  • SpunkyGee
    private review
    i fnd your analysis insightful overall, and enjoy your commentators’ personalities. to improve things, michael could tone down his negativity and condescension. happily, he has expanded his somewhat parochial premier league focus to see that, yes, there are other ways to approach the game.
  • Yasiel Puig
    Michael Cox
    Please speak into the microphone! I have to constantly raise and lower the volume lol Otherwise good stuff!
  • Joey_307
    Rename it The Athletic Football MATHEMATICS Podcast
    Have been souring on the podcast for a while. I followed because I have enjoyed Michael Cox’s work on the history and development of football tactics - a presence sorely lacking from the show these days. Let me clearly state, I am not one of these people who is “against” analytics. What I am against is the overuse of analytics in the same way that former player “insider analysis” has long been overdone. I tuned in to hear a podcast about the three horse title race, looking forward to the historical context, and to ACTUAL REPORTING based on sourcing from the clubs; and, what I got was 40 minutes of OPTA stats. It is lazy. Journalists have adopted “analytics” which are used - and actually analyzed and applied by clubs. What this show, and many other podcasts and journalists now, does is take the work of others - like OPTA - and regurgitate without any attempt to expound upon or expand the information provided by the data. I’m not saying I’ll never listen again, but I don’t need this in my feed weekly.
  • NorCalStickyIcky
    I Love this pod BUT
    The intro music is so spot on. I believe the jingle can be found in the section called light the loafers. IDK but i just get the vibe. I’m cool with it and all I’m a modern man. But yeah its all a little too appropriate, self effacing and well dressed.
  • lrhhrl
    Is Duncan Alexander high?
    Or is that his normal voice? Very difficult to listen to
  • DragonRider98
    Pod idea: Fluminense Tactics Explained
    I love the podcast, especially when you breakdown lesser-known teams that have interesting/novel tactics. I’d really enjoy a podcast about Fluminense’s tactics. They do some interesting things, and I’d love to hear the guys chat about them. Keep up the good work. A new episode is one of my favorite things to see on my feed.
  • KyleN135
    KyleN135
    Excellent! Look forward to this every week. I’ve been watching the Premier League, other European leagues and national teams for over a decade and consistently listening to this podcast for about 6 months has enhanced how I view tactics, formations, different players, etc. Keep up the great work!
  • Casnh
    OK
    It’s ok
  • MattZip
    Fantastic podcast
    My favorite football podcast, and it’s not even close. I have to say, it’s so refreshing to hear a “smart” football show whose host/analysts AREN’T sneering in condescension at the audience. Instead, everyone is eminently reasonable, and dare I say likeable. And as a longtime Michael Cox fan, I’m so glad there’s somewhere I can listen to him strut his stuff away from the Totally Football dorks. 5/5, great stuff!
  • Schnoz1997
    Love the squad building exercise
    Great pod. 5/5. I throughly enjoy the tactical analysis every week. I thought this week’s episode of how one would go on about building a title contending team vs a relegation battling team was especially interesting and would love to see more episodes like this. Maybe a future episode could discuss how certain team formations size up against each other. For example, if a side with a 4-2-3-1 formation went up against a team with a 5-3-2 formation, who has the tactical edge / what are their strengths and weaknesses going up against each other.
  • crustycornholio
    Assisted Suicide in podcast form
    The dullest football podcast ever made. It's like listening to a group of quantity surveyors making small talk with some health and safety officers. Salah is 84% better than Aguero's 82% with a deviation of 3% over a 180 day moving average world cup years not withstanding - and by the way, bet365 for all your gambling addiction needs. The world actually turned beige for the 20 minutes I wasted on this dreay guff.
  • Leeds in Philly
    Always stretching
    always able to stretch the imagination of this codger to new ways we can see and love the beautiful game
  • steve winwood 6
    Don’t get what the middleman does
    Why not just have Cox and Worville discuss things? In no American sports podcasts do the discussion participants feel the need to have a moderator. It lets the show flow and reduces unnecessary formal introduction of every topic.
  • AyazAFC
    Favourite Pod
    I eagerly wait for their episode to come out every week. Brilliant podcast.
  • zmehta
    Insightful without pedantry
    5/5 podcast 0/5 theme tune
  • Joseph M S
    10/10
    I’ve followed Michael’s writing from the old zonal marking blog days, and my opinion of him has not changed one bit: simply the best pundit out there when it comes to talking tactics and breaking down team shapes and manager ideas. Whether it’s on this podcast, in print, or on twitter, it simply doesn’t matter; Michael is the tactics Don and a weekly podcast to boot is heavenly for every follower of the beautiful game. Whether you are a casual fan, someone newly introduced to the game, or a battle hardened supporter, this podcast is top tier. Can not recommend enough..
  • april 27 is quarimtine
    Love it
    Easy to follow but not dull
  • Coach Sarah Brady
    Fun, Fresh & Approachable
    A fun, fresh & approachable look at football tactics.
  • fisherville listener
    Great conversation
    Listened to almost all episodes. I’ve found each very informative and simple to understand for non-tactical expert. The conversational relaxed manner very endearing. Keep it up. Byo, Fishersville, Va, US
  • Smitty2951
    Great show
    Love Michael Cox, really knowledgeable and rational analyzer of the game. Must listen if you love the beautiful game.
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