Ryan Quinn

Today's video is all about how Man United destabilise teams by playing direct. Enjoy!

I try to make my points as clearly as possible, without much room for confusion, or misconstruing, so hopefully I did so here.

Anywho, what different players do in 1v1 situations vol. 3, will be on the website at the end of the month! I really look forward to sharing this work.

I laid out some of my recent thoughts on #MUFC work on the ball, and combinations, as well as the trend of direct football in the early stages of the season.

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Manchester United’s fondness for long passes is part of a wider trend We are seven matches into the 2025/26 Premier League season, and no team has completed more long passes this season than Manchester United, with 283. Only Bournemouth, Wolves, and Tottenham Hotspur…

So far, United have often relied on long passes to create chances. They bring a lot out of Mbeumo, and Sesko, but United can’t afford to rely on long passes too much. Meanwhile, United’s fondness for long balls is part of a much discussed wider trend.

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imagine telling someone 25 years ago that 8 of the 10 Premier League games would be televised - but that the exceptions would be the Man Utd game and the Arsenal game

The end to Bournemouth v Fulham was great. All four goals were great in their own right, even if Leno could have done better with Semenyo's first.

Regarding Semenyo, he's only getting better, I think. Such a good, two-way winger, who's great with both feet, and can play on both flanks.

I’ve written my fair share on Palace in recent times. But I wanted to offer my two cents on Adam Wharton this time round. He reads the game very well, and seems to always make the right choice of pass. #CPFC

I think he definitely warranted a call-up to the NT.

Adam Wharton keeps the ball moving forward Enjoying a remarkable run of 19 consecutive matches in all competitions without defeat, is where Crystal Palace currently find themselves. And they enjoyed their first taste of victory in European …

#CPFC enjoyed a bright start to the Conference League phase last night, with Wharton keeping the ball moving forward from midfield. Words on Wharton’s involvement, and the connection between players, and system.

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I looked at a few examples, including Liverpool, who utilise clearances to get at the opposition on the break.

As much as they attack, the 161 clearances they have already made is an indication of how much defending they have had to do too.

Subscribe to The Conventional Playmaker What is The Conventional Playmaker? As noted in the about page, and as you can tell when scrolling through past articles, it’s a website focused on analysing tactics, and players, and aims to…

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What makes an effective clearance? WyScout defines a clearance as when a player, while having other options, either to pass, or hold the ball, is instead clearing it, either with a long pass without a precise target, or for a corner…

Clearances offer benefits defensively (they can help a team regain shape), and offensively (they can kick-start counter-attacks). I looked at past and present examples, tried to review their effect, and how analysis can lead to extended topics.

theconventionalplaymaker.wordpress.com/2025/09/26/w...

I think it's really impressive how the likes of Rashford, and Luis Diaz generate such zip, and power on shots without a huge amount of back lift. Brilliant stuff.

I've been revisiting Gerald Vanenburg tape. A really good dribbler, with a nice change of direction, and had a penchant for a stepover. So always makes for a good watch.

An appreciation for the lesser-heralded near-post cross.

Who targets that zone the most? Which players get across their man most often? How does it compare to far-post deliveries?

Full piece below for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

I'm going to make a conscious effort to use this app more often again.

I forgot to post this yesterday. Whilst I try to post here, I've not yet brought myself to use X less.

Anywho, though I'm not a fan of the sportswashing, PSG have been the best team in Europe this season, and were brilliant on Saturday. They could rely on dribbler types. Inter had none.

PSG dominate Inter in Champions League final with a combination of pressing and dribbling Paris Saint-Germain’s first Champions League title win shows there will always be a place in football for dribbling.

Paris Saint-Germain’s first Champions League title win shows there will always be a place in football for dribbling.
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Tactical features which could decide the Champions League Final Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, are set to face each other in Munich on Saturday, in a mouth-watering Champions League final tie. This will be Inter’s second final in three years, whils…

Wide duels, short-distance combinations, running, pressing, and long balls, Tactical features which could determine the end result of the PSG v Inter Champions League final.

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A work in progress. It'll be on the website later this week! 👍

This made for a really good read. Interesting, subtle contrast between the approach to beating the Barcelona defensive line across both legs. Ultimately part of what made both matches the blockbusters they were too.

Originally published on Monday, I forgot to share it here - my bad!

Anywho, I wanted to cover McTominay's impact in the final-third for Napoli.

Scott McTominay is leading Napoli’s Serie A title charge Napoli went three points clear of reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan, following a convincing 2-0 victory against Torino. Both goals came courtesy of Scott McTominay, who has now scored 5 goals …

Scott McTominay’s brace against Torino has handed Napoli the upper hand over Inter in a tense title race.

Thoughts on Conte maximising McTominay’s output via his role, the 4-3-3 set up, and a look at the data which helps back it up.

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Thinking back to what I saw of him last season, and what I've seen this season, I'd like to see Hamer in the Premier League again next season, regardless of where Sheffield United end up.

This is unfortunate, Mohamed, and I'm sorry you're having to go through this. All I can say, is that ultimately it's the other person's loss.

Hello! I have announced this before, but I'm looking for freelance work. 😀

If you are an editor, and are looking for someone to write about football tactics, I have a decades worth of articles online analysing matches, players, and all sorts.

20/21, 22/23 were better seasons overall, of course, with Fernandes playing well in them. But I just find something in him playing to a similar level for a side still a work in progress, in the bottom half of the table, that really deserves merit. #MUFC

Has 2024/25 been Bruno Fernandes’ best season for Manchester United? Bruno Fernandes was the standout player for United in a goalless Manchester derby. He once again provided an important, and equally sublime assist last night against Lyon in the Europa League Quart…

In a strange way, I feel 2024/25 could been thought of as Fernandes' best season for United, and I tried to explain why. His performances have often stood out amongst other players on the pitch, and he's still putting up admirable numbers. #MUFC
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Not to mention notes on Benitez at Liverpool, compactness, and the state of the 1990 World Cup, amongst even more things. Lots discussed in the latest piece!

From earlier today: Covering Leverkusen's and Getafe's contrasting 4-4-2s, to Inter's 3-5-2, to B'mouth's 4-2-3-1. It's principles, and players that determine whether a formation and what it inhabits is attacking, or defensive.

I wouldn’t say I’m the first to broach this topic, but I’ve always wanted to offer my take on it. I feel that whilst there are logical preconceptions of formations, formations aren’t linear, and this is shown by teams playing differently whilst adopting the same shape on paper.