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.

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.

Please speak into the microphone! I have to constantly raise and lower the volume lol Otherwise good stuff!

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.

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.

Or is that his normal voice? Very difficult to listen to

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.

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!

It’s ok

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!

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.

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.

always able to stretch the imagination of this codger to new ways we can see and love the beautiful game

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.

I eagerly wait for their episode to come out every week. Brilliant podcast.

5/5 podcast 0/5 theme tune

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..

Easy to follow but not dull

A fun, fresh & approachable look at football tactics.

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

Love Michael Cox, really knowledgeable and rational analyzer of the game. Must listen if you love the beautiful game.