European and MLS Soccer, among others. A little bit of everything soccer-related, from primarily data to thoughts.tr31sportsanalytics.substack.com OnlineJoined August 2026
That was an example of a very simple group of instructions for a CF. I would have each position on the field have a group of such instructions
Out-of-possession instructions are easier to implement since the team will largely have the same instructions
Was talking to a friend earlier in the day while watching a game about how game plans/tactics are made. '
While I have not worked on tactics in good detail at a professional level, I tried to come up with a detailed outline of how they can be formulated from scratch.
(🧵)
#DeZerbi 's handling of tactics reminds me of #Iraola's start at #Bournemouth, where he persisted with his tactics from the get-go. After a difficult start, they eventually hit their stride and began getting results with great play.
(Credit to @Jon_Mackenzie for these thoughts)
#DeZerbi's tactical system: When a manager with complex tactical ideas takes over a team, they can either 1) implement their tactics from the get-go (De Zerbi) or 2) slowly build the tactics into their team by having a general sense before complicating it (#Alonso)
With the discourse on #Spurs growing after their fourth straight winless, goalless #PL game, let's look at #SandroTonali. While I had questions about the signings of #Fernandes and #Savinho, I don't doubt that #Tonali will do well this season. Next culprit: The Spurs System
It would be interesting to see how #ManchesterCity will handle his development once he joins them in Sep' 27, when he turns 18.
Will he be loaned out to a developmental league like Sverre Nypan (#BEL - Jupiler Pro)?
At the same time, how will the #Union handle his next year?
Cavan #Sullivan of the #PhiladelphiaUnion (#MLS & #USYMNT) has been receiving a lot of praise recently, and rightfully so, as per my model.
No area of the game is problematic, really, and he has a lot of room to grow given that he’s still 16 years old. (1/2)
More:
I won’t say - “team X should sign player Y.” Teams have far more information
No hindsight - if it wasn’t useful before the outcome, it isn’t useful for recruitment
My models - imperfect and wrong in ways I haven’t found
Goal - test ideas and see what the data tells us
A bit about what this account will be covering:
- Quantitative recruitment, player valuation, and squad-building analysis
- Mainly focusing on MLS + some European Soccer
- A little bit of tactical stuff
- Some other quantitative findings
A bit about what this account will be covering:
- Quantitative recruitment, player valuation, and squad-building analysis
- Mainly focusing on MLS + some European Soccer
- A little bit of tactical stuff
- Some other quantitative findings