For Tom Worville's last podcast (before leaving us to join RB Leipzig!) host Ali Maxwell and The Athletic's Michael Cox, join him to reflect on the continued rise of data and analytics in football journalism and Tom's pioneering work in the field... From xG going mainstream, 'field tilt' being referenced on MNF, 'translating' the language of football data, the remaining 'blindspots' in the profession and even some advice for aspiring analytics writers - we say a fond farewell to Tom.

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The Rise of Data Journalism & Farewell Tom Worville

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess how the careers of Neymar, Arjen Robben, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski might be viewed if they didn't simply exist in an era dominated by both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neymar, Robben, Lewandowski & Benzema: Out of Messi & Ronaldo's Shadow

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell, for a fascinating exercise in hypothetical Premier League squad-building...  From unbalanced centre-back partnerships to midfield weakness, asymmetrical quality on the flanks and whether the goalkeeper or the main striker is the most important? Under strict parameters, our trio attempt to build one squad capable of lifting the Premier League title AND one of avoiding relegation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Build A Premier League-Winning Team

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join Ali Maxwell to assess the Newcastle United squad following their takeover last week. Which areas will they need to strengthen in January? And if and when a new manager is announced, will they be able to improve the performances of the current squad? Plus...Michael outlines a number of changes he would like to make to the laws of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebuilding Newcastle & Improving the laws of the game

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to reflect on the chaotic but tactically fascinating contest between Liverpool and Man City - and discuss how a common trend among England's top three clubs could hold the keys to this season's Premier League crown...  Plus, Tom explains how Mo Salah and Phil Foden were able to wreak such havoc last Sunday, and later, adopts the role of European data scout to highlight four young prospects who Premier League fans should keep a close eye on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Chelsea, Liverpool & Man City Full-Backs May Decide Title Race + Euro Scouting

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to reflect on Lionel Messi's role in PSG's victory over Manchester City. Plus, a closer look at how Adama Traore is performing under new Wolves boss, Bruno Lage, and how both Brighton and Brentford's numbers continue to impress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Messi in Moments, Traore's Take-Ons, 'Direct' Brentford: Notebook Re-Opened

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Mark Carey join host Ali Maxwell to assess the respective journey's of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Raheem Sterling - on their way to scoring 100 Premier League goals... The trio analyse not only the changes in the individual players but the wider game around them, as well as, the influence of their coaches, as a new type of forward starts to join an illustrious group of goal scorers. Who will end their respective career with the most goals? What are their biggest strengths and weaknesses and who would you choose if you could only have one in your side? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salah, Mane & Sterling: The PL 100 Club Wide-Forwards

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess whether or not 'assists' tell the whole story when it comes to measuring a players creativity... The trio investigate how expected assists (xA) and other metrics can provide a clearer picture, if Pogba stands any chance of breaking the Premier League assists record this season, as well as, to what extent set-pieces 'stat-pad' for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Creative Is Paul Pogba Really?

The Athletic's Tom Worville and Mark Carey join host Ali Maxwell to assess the big winners from the summer transfer window on the continent. How AC Milan got back into the Champions League after an eight-year hiatus, why Norwich are better prepared for a season in the top flight this time around and more... Plus, Mark elaborates on the innovative new ways in which data can be used to assess how consistent some of the world's top forwards really are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Won The European Transfer Window & Ultra-Consistent Mo Salah

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess the many ramifications of one of the biggest Premier League transfer stories in history - as Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United... Does he slot into Solskjaer's team as a pure no.9 and how will his arrival impact the likes of Mason Greenwood and notably, Paul Pogba from a tactical perspective? Will it become a struggle to accommodate a 'passenger' in big games this season and how might he have fit in at Pep's Manchester City had United not intervened? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronaldo's Return

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to discuss an interesting trend in the number of Premier League right-backs, simply not playing at right back... Our tactical trio discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's narrow positioning against Burnley, a marauding Reece James at the Emirates, Matty Cash's long-throws, Livramento's debut and if Kyle Walker is better technically that he gets credit for? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexander-Arnold, Walker, James... Are Right-Backs Still Right-Backs?

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville open their notebooks and join host Ali Maxwell for their reflections on the opening weekend of a new Premier League season... The differences between Everton and Arsenal's crossing tactics, Mason Greenwood and Adam Armstrong's finishing, plus, Chelsea's "total dominance" and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Premier League Opening Weekend Notebook

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess each Premier League club's chances for success this season. How might European football impact on West Ham's campaign, are Liverpool and Man United genuine title contenders, will Bielsa's Leeds be immune to 'second season syndrome' and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Premier League Season Preview

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell are here to gently ease you back in to the new football season as they take a look at how the transfer market and player recruitment is changing - with teams increasingly on the lookout for young talent could those teams who gamble on a slightly older vintage gain an edge? How have the combined forces of the Euros and the ongoing pandemic affected the market this summer? And after Messi finally won an international tournament with Argentina this summer we take a look at the curious position the great man now finds himself in - he's out of contract but undoubtedly still Barcelona's best player, but is he still the world's best player? We look at his numbers to assess his current role and cast an eye over the contenders lying in wait to take over his status at the pinnacle of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transfer market trends and the enduring greatness of Messi

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell open the Euros notebook for the last time in order to reflect on the final between England and Italy and work out how the game was won and lost. We look at England's cautious approach after going ahead so early, how the midfield of Verratti and Jorginho dominated possession, the substitutions and tactical decisions from Southgate & Mancini and of course the penalty shoot-out that ultimately decided the tournament. We also reflect on Euro 2020 as a whole and pick our alternative team of the tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Euros Notebook - breaking down the final and where England went wrong

The Athletic’s Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell break down the tactical & technical details of football past & present, focusing on a single subject each episode with the help of expert guests. Subscribe to The Athletic using the special promo code zonalmarking  and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. SIGN UP NOW: http://theathletic.com/zonalmarking

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