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The lack of in game adaptability here is frightening — completely sums up the modern coaching-ego-centric game, with players sticking to a predetermined rigid game plan, with no in-game problem solving ability to try and find different solutions.

The Serie A title race has been declared open, shut and back open again in the meantime. Remarkably, Napoli now feel as if they are back in the mix. Friday’s 1-0 win against Cagliari was their fourth in a row. Scott McTominay scored the only goal of the game at the Unipol Domus, and received high praise from the son of Diego Maradona. The champions are only two points worse off than they were at this stage last season, a miracle given the circumstances and reason enough to argue Antonio Conte should, along with Cesc Fabregas and Max Allegri, be the leading candidate for coach of the year. ✍️ @JamesHorncastle 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71402…

@SunkyBlues I want to pinpoint the exact moment managers, like SAF, went from ‘win and entertain’ to ‘win at any cost, no emphasis on entertainment’ Will be somewhere along the line where the competition prize money in football became silly, with each individual league position costing.

New age managers have turned the beautiful game into a science and methods killing the art, creativity and magic that made football the most beautiful and loved game in the world. Pep shaking his head at Cherki ball juggling sums it all up.

@BukhosiN Does that not prove the exact point I’m making that it’s the players who aren’t finding these solutions

@twowaywinger There's no way you watch and blame Arteta. Odegaard in that situation would have dropped to the line of CBs either drawing a press or go and dictate play from deep. It's just lack of football ability from both Zubi x Rice who stood hid in pockets and did nothing.

The lack of in game adaptability here is frightening — completely sums up the modern coaching-ego-centric game, with players sticking to a predetermined rigid game plan, with no in-game problem solving ability to try and find different solutions.

@EBL2017 This is just called finding the other side

This is when it makes sense to invert a centre back in the build-up 👇 🔷 The opposition press man-to-man. 🔷 A player releases to press the goalkeeper, creating a spare man outfield. 🔷 The centre back inverts to create a ‘bounce pass’ to find the spare man. ✅ Press bypassed.

@JaySOL38 @Tactx_ They didn’t do it for this reason or to this effect though

@Tactx_ When United do this shit first. You online tactics brush past it until you see pep, arteta or some hipster manager do it ffs

Still waiting for more teams adopting this.

Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League this season: 🅰️ Most assists (16) 🎯 Most chances created (101) ⚡ Most open play chances created (73) 📦 Most accurate passes into the box (65) 🔥 Most big chances created (24) ⚡ Most open play big chances created (19) via @Squawka

@maleek_09 @damii_fash Bayern, psg too

@damii_fash @twowaywinger Imo only barca and Madrid are capable

The ref took the whistle to blow for a penalty for a foul on Amad but then suddenly stopped. [via @ue_shm]

😂😂

@LFC_ERYAN Thats experience and problem solving … under real time pressure.

In game management of solving problems by coaches will always be a level I want to see in my manager, you see a problem and you address it and solve it that’s proper management not sticking to your plan when it’s clearly not working.

@Defballmeister @B_Fernandes8 💯 The last of a dying breed.

And that's why @B_Fernandes8 is an absolute joy to watch as a footballer. 🤩

Garner v2 (circumstantially, not stylistically)

Lá carrington again. Gutted this boy never got a proper chance

Oyedele’s amazing trivela goal 🇵🇱

Anthony Elanga, £55m. 43 games, 3 goals, 1 assist. His only goals have came in ties they’ve lost 5-1 & 8-3. Yet to score a Premier League goal this season. The same one-trick winger everyone saw at United. Jacob Ramsey, £40m. — Newcastle finally got their dream #10 after years of moaning about it... who has delivered a spectacular 3 G/A in 35 appearances. 4 G/A if you count the wonderful pass to Raphinha to cement their biggest European defeat in history. Yoane Wissa, £55m. 21 games, 3 goals, 1 assist. 29-year-old panic buy with a contract ticking down at Brentford, so naturally Newcastle paid £55m when he was out of contract this summer.. Now stuck behind Will Osula in the pecking order & liking Sunderland players posts after doing the double on Newcastle. *Nick Woltemade - £75m. 44 games, 10 goals, 3 assists. The new "star striker" who arrived as the shiny Isak replacement... who now is being played as an #8 and hasn’t scored a league goal since December. Malick Thiaw, £35m. In fairness, more of a goal threat than Wissa & Elanga combined. Started well but part of the defence who has conceded the most goals of any side in Europe’s Top 5 league’s in 2026. Newcastle spent £250m on these five alone last summer, an absolutely pathetic transfer & they’re back playing the PSR deflection tactics on their own supporters to distract from the absolute failure of Eddie Howe & the Sportswashing project. You have had more than enough money, you just spent it horrendously. Victim mentality.

Neville bemoaning Cherki’s keepy up’s the same week The Overlap pretty much summed up Neymar’s career as a glorified Taarabt sums up where some people want the game going. Important to remember, football is a form of entertainment. It’s supposed to be FUN. LET THE BALLERS BALL!

🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United have already made contact with Bruno Guimarães’ camp. Bruno G would cost around €70M and is United’s primary midfield target. [@UOL]

@SkyFootball This guy is a sop story every time he’s in front of the mic

"This moment means a lot to me... I always imagined that I'd win it one day" "It's not been easy... it's a testament to myself" 🥹 James Trafford on a memorable Carabao Cup win for Manchester City.