@Zonal_Marking

📰 @TheAthleticFC 📕 Zonal Marking (https://xitter.cf/t.co/fS2lRhH2ml) 📗 The Mixer (https://xitter.cf/t.co/0eHRc0WfPC) @KingstonianFC fan

 London
Joined November 2009
  • Tweets165K
  • Following1.3K
  • Followers278K
1.7KMedia
The 2024 version of The Mixer is out now. The most comprehensive account of the Premier League’s on-pitch development over its first 32 years. Amazon link ⬇️ amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0008708…
36
43
2
535
352,918
Four winning goals in the Premier League this weekend, and three of them took a touch off a defender on the way in. The Isak one wasn't *really* a deflected goal, but the Iwobi & Madueke winners were classics of the genre. Why is it happening more? ⬇️ xitter.cf/Zonal_Marking/status/2…
Michael Cox@Zonal_MarkingOct 10
Here's a lengthy investigation into what many are calling the biggest scandal in Premier League history: the huge number of deflected goals these days. 14% of all goals so far this season. What's going on? ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7648810…

The seemingly unstoppable rise of deflected goals in the Premier League

It feels like Premier League defences are becoming more and more adept at getting in the way – and the numbers confirm it

nytimes.com
2
49
18,551
Fulham 1-0 Hull. An absurdly dominant 1-0 for Fulham, who completed the fourth-most passes in the PL this season (behind Man City x 3). Jakirovic made all five subs before Arbeloa made any. King & Affengruber very good. The same needed next weekend. ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7699110…

Alvaro Arbeloa kept his Fulham starting XI on the pitch – and himself in a job

The Spanish manager was under significant pressure ahead of facing Hull City but sticking to Plan A paid off with aplomb

nytimes.com
4
23
3
353
52,313
Very much agree with this. It's been excellent in recent years. Murphy's analysis is often really interesting. Rooney is a good addition. All the presenters are good. It's obviously no longer the only way to watch highlights but it's adapted pretty well. xitter.cf/timstillman_/status/21…
Tim Stillman ⭐️⭐️
@timstillman_Oct 10
Feel like this needs saying given *gestures at world*, but Match of the Day has been an objectively really good show for a good few years now. Really good analysis without being overbearing.
16
10
543
53,152
Man City 2-4 PSG. In isolation, a sensational game of football. nytimes.com/athletic/7691070…

Pinch your nose, close your eyes, do what you need to. But Man City vs PSG was first-class sport...

If there was ever a contest where you tried to forget about precisely what it all represented, it was this one.

nytimes.com
7
9
1
125
23,266
England/Wiegman going 2-3-4-5 across the defence this week - traditionally the preserve of Dutch/Belgian sides - having previously respected the English numbering system is, for me, game’s gone territory.
6
6
3
239
24,782
After 15 years at Atletico we take Diego Simeone's presence for granted. But very few South American coaches have had his success or longevity in Europe. nytimes.com/athletic/7680659…

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are the most ‘South American’ side European football has seen

In an era where football across Europe feels increasingly homogenous, Simeone’s identity feels very distinct: very South American

nytimes.com
3
8
2
80
14,564
I basically think that teams based primarily around pressing are (a) vulnerable to cheap bookings and (b) largely incapable of “sitting in” with 10 men. Gravenberch’s changed the game but should it have meant three concessions in 15min? nytimes.com/athletic/7683534…

Liverpool’s collapse against Man City showed how pressing sides struggle when down to 10 men (Gift...

Man-oriented pressing has its virtues, but also its limitations — as Jeremy Doku demonstrated in the second half at Anfield

nytimes.com
20
12
7
284
58,236
As a fan of a southern non-league team who has had heard lots of "Man City will be in your league next year!", it's finally time to speak up. Havant are in the Southern League. If promoted: National South. They wouldn't be in the same region as Man City. xitter.cf/hirstclass/status/2109…
Paul Hirst@hirstclassOct 12
‘Anfield or Havant, we’ll be there’ — defiant fans go bananas for Man City. Gauging the mood of City and Liverpool fans before and during yesterday's match w/@willisbennett11 Big thanks to @mcfc_lw for his help. thetimes.com/sport/football/…

‘Anfield or Havant, we’ll be there’ — defiant fans go bananas for Man City

Paul Hirst gauges the mood among City fans outside Anfield before Sunday’s clash, while Willis Bennett takes a view of the home fans from the Kop

thetimes.com
10
350
34,266
Here's a lengthy investigation into what many are calling the biggest scandal in Premier League history: the huge number of deflected goals these days. 14% of all goals so far this season. What's going on? ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7648810…

The seemingly unstoppable rise of deflected goals in the Premier League

It feels like Premier League defences are becoming more and more adept at getting in the way – and the numbers confirm it

nytimes.com
13
16
5
134
53,973
An outlier due to a small sample size, or a genuine long-term trend? The classic answer is, of course: a bit of both.
1
8
10,354
This tallies with something I've never heard mentioned at all, but is really quite crucial to football: the considerable rise in the percentage of blocked shots over the last 20 years. Read on for more: nytimes.com/athletic/7648810…
2
2
1
24
8,377
A seemingly unpopular view but I really enjoyed that international break. I watched a really good game almost every night. I never regretted my £2.49 PPV purchase (and there's no higher praise than that)
19
8
8
329
62,741
First time I saw Messi play live (2011), the thing that struck me most was how suddenly he could stop. From top speed to completely still, while others were still slowing down. He'd always get to the loose ball first. That is his most underrated quality. xitter.cf/ballsdotie/status/2107…
Balls.ie
@ballsdotieOct 7
72nd minute of his final game of international football with his team up 3-0.

This media is unavailable

36
187
10
2,546
174,353
Bad news for the rest of the WSL, as it turns out London City Lionesses are cohesive, tenacious, disciplined and all the things that you suspected they might not have been. ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7659446…

What are we meant to think of London City Lionesses and their superstars?

It is a team packed with stars, and run by a well-known owner, but they are based around energy as well as big names

nytimes.com
5
5
5
112
25,016
He never served that three-game ban for being sent off in the 2006 World Cup final, because he was retiring anyway. He should be serving a three-game touchline ban now. Justice must be done. xitter.cf/OliverKay/status/21059…
Oliver Kay
@OliverKayOct 2
In Paris for Zinedine Zidane's first home game as France coach, at the scene of his greatest triumph. Huge feelgood factor around his appointment — the only job he wanted after Real Madrid. Two wins out of two. All seems so natural for him. It always has nytimes.com/athletic/7649973…

Zinedine Zidane is back, and France cannot wait to acclaim him (Gift Article)

Zidane has lived a charmed life as a player and a coach. Now France wants him to show that effortless brilliance leading its national team

nytimes.com
19
66
8
1,651
138,774
Less than a month in, Arsenal are on the verge of being out of contention for the WSL title. They often start seasons slowly but with this squad it feels much more worrying. ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7636610…

Are Arsenal’s WSL title hopes over already?

Arsenal often start seasons slowly, but with Man City up next, a defeat would represent a deeper crisis than ever before.

nytimes.com
4
13
2
78
22,810
a world-class programme feature from @WindsorEtonFC, bravo
16
48
7
856
56,271
Xavi 1-1 Klopp at the Johan Cruyff Arena. A ferocious game, a fair result, the beginning of a new era for two sides recovering from an early World Cup exit on penalties and trying to rediscover their identity. ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7627297…

Xavi versus Klopp was a landmark moment in international football’s new era of big-name managers

As the Netherlands and Germany look to bounce back from the 2026 World Cup, they have turned to heavyweight coaches with a clear vision

nytimes.com
3
12
106
20,128
Football clubs clearly aren't very good at appointing managers because they routinely sack them after a year. It is time to involve the players more in the process. They are likely to be better judges than clueless owners or faceless sporting directors. ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7619910…

Football clubs keep getting managerial appointments wrong. Would the players do a better job of it?

‘Player power’ is often bemoaned, but there are good reasons to believe the dressing room could make better choices for their next boss

nytimes.com
22
14
7
153
41,003
Michael Cox retweeted
Michael Cox@Zonal_MarkingSep 21
Manchester United are rather immobile...but it's also refreshing to see a side not hooked on relentless man-marking in midfield. This is how football looked for a long time. It was good! It means you can play technical midfielders instead of runners! ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7615090…

Is Manchester United’s lack of running an issue?

At a time when everyone else is playing ultra-energetic football, Carrick's approach can make his team look passive

nytimes.com
59
119
31
819
218,741
Load more