Rafa Benítez: How the Spanish Coach Has Revolutionised Football

By on January 18, 2015 in Analysis

Much criticised and even ridiculed in certain quarters, Rafael Benítez has achieved more in football than many care to acknowledge. Some managers are hailed for the amount of titles they win; fewer managers are recognised for revolutionising the game, and even fewer are recognised for accomplishing both. With a quick review of Rafael Benítez Maudes’ […]

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Andile Jali: Former Orlando Pirates Man is Key For Bafana Bafana in 2015 AFCON

By on December 17, 2014 in Analysis, SA Football

Bafana Bafana’s turnaround under Shakes Mashaba has been remarkable. They have managed what looked impossible – qualification for a tournament with a game to spare. South Africa qualified for Afcon 2015 comfortably as they went unbeaten in a group which included the defending champions Nigeria. There are a number of reasons for Bafana Bafana’s turnaround […]

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Italy FIFA World Cup 2014 Preview: Prandelli is Azzuri’s Ace

By on June 9, 2014 in Analysis

The four time world champions arrive at FIFA World Cup 2014 not amongst the general favourites. Determined to correct the embarrassment of 2010, the Azzurri have been drawn in the group of death alongside Uruguay, England and Costa Rica. Since the debacle in South Africa four years ago, Italy have been revitalised under the former […]

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Football Performance Analysis: Four Must-see Links

By on June 1, 2014 in Analysis

Below are four links for anyone interested in Football Performance Analysis to enjoy: two presentations by ProZone Data Scientists, a well-written piece by Richard Whittall and a Q ‘n A session with Damien Comolli, former director of football at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Sander Westerveld Interview: Dutch Goalkeeper Talks Liverpool, Houllier & SA Football

By on November 19, 2013 in Analysis, Interviews, SA Football

DUTCH goalkeeping legend Sander Westerveld sat down with us to discuss his career, his silverware-laden time at Liverpool, South African football and goalkeeping in general.

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The Perfect Way To Celebrate Gianfranco Zola’s Birthday

By on July 5, 2013 in Analysis

Credit to Carefree Chris for this video from 2005, featuring 10 mins of magic – The Perfect Way To Celebrate the birthday of Gianfranco Zola.     Click here to download (54.05 Mb) Or watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqhYxw5fcs You can also watch 25 minutes of the great man here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25MZuCzK1U  

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The Regista And the Evolution Of The Playmaker

By on July 5, 2013 in Analysis

THE deep-lying playmaker. This position from which a player conducts his orchestra is known as the regista to Italians. From Spain where Xavi and Xabi Alonso weave their tactical magic from deep, to Germany where İlkay Gündoğan plies his trade, the regista is the modern day phenomenon that has taken football by storm. Perhaps the […]

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Newcastle United 2012/2013 – Analysis & Options for Pardew in the Summer

By on June 5, 2013 in Analysis

Picking apart the bones of the 2012/2013 season at Newcastle United is a complicated and messy process. On the one hand, one could choose to sympathize with Alan Pardew, noting the one table the Geordies did manage to lead almost the entire season was the Premier League injury table. One could point to the infamous Europa […]

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Why The Next Chelsea Manager Has Plenty To Work With

By on May 13, 2013 in Analysis

WHOEVER is appointed Chelsea manager in the summer, will hold some major cards. Firstly, he won’t be Rafa Benítez. That is a huge advantage in a host of ways. In all likelihood, he will not have a fracturous history with the Chelsea fanbase, will not have been unemployed for 22 of the 24 months before […]

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