Category Archives: Tactical Analysis

A post-match tactical analysis of Dean Brennan’s Barnet versus Carl Magnay’s Gateshead.

Adam Hinshelwood’s York City beat Jim McNulty’s Rochdale 4-0 at Spotland on Tuesday night.

Southend United’s squad has specifically been built for the 3-5-2. Consequently, it places a huge reliance on the strikers and wing-backs to score & assist.

As well as being a very well-coached side with tactically intelligent players, the reason the structure behind Adam Hinshelwood’s York City is superior to sides such as Barnet and Rochdale centres around their use of a back-four.

An analysis of Mark Cooper’s tactics at Yeovil Town, and an assessment of the long-term prospects of his project at Huish Park.

Phil Parkinson’s Altrincham beat title-hopefuls York City 3-0 on Tuesday night, and they demonstrated the perfect way to beat Adam Hinshelwood’s side.

An examination of why Southend United have struggled to find consistency so far this season.

An analysis of how the profile of players at head coach Kevin Maher’s disposal fit the 4-3-3 system, and an assessment of its medium-term suitability to Southend United.

In this in-depth article, I analyse York City’s in-possession and out-of-possession approaches under their manager, Adam Hinshelwood; and explain how he’s transformed them into National League title challengers.

I break down the tactical battle between Barnet and Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale, and weigh up the pros and cons to Dean Brennan’s out-of-possession approach in a 2-1 victory for his side.

Here, I break down the tactical battle between York City and Dean Brennan’s Barnet, and explain how it led to a 3-1 victory for Adam Hinshelwood’s side.

Here, I break down the tactical battle from Saturday’s match at Spotland, and explain how it led to victory for Kevin Maher’s Southend United over Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale.

In this in-depth article, I analyse Barnet’s in-possession and out-of-possession structures under head coach Dean Brennan, and determine what the National League title favourites’ chances are this season with his tactics.

In this in-depth article, I examine McNulty’s new 3-2-5 build-up structure; weigh up the pros and cons it has to his overall system; and provide an updated analysis of his Rochdale side’s chances this season.

In this article, I break down the tactical battle between Southend United and Gateshead, and explain how Gateshead picked up the three points in a 3-1 victory at Roots Hall.

In this article, I break down the tactical battle between Rob Elliot’s Gateshead and Dean Brennan’s Barnet, as two of the National League’s promotion favourites went head-to-head.

In this in-depth article, I analyse how each side looked to build play from defence; assess the effectiveness of each side’s pressing structure; and explain why this had a material affect on Barnet beating Southend..

In this article, I break down the tactical battle between Kevin Maher and Adam Hinshelwood; assess Southend and York’s pressing structures; and explain why York had so much of the possession.

In this in-depth article, I’ll analyse Gateshead’s style of play under Rob Elliot; assess his on and off-ball approaches; and determine whether his tactics can help them build on a sixth-place finish and FA Trophy victory last season, to mount a title challenge this time around.

In this in-depth article, I analyse Altrincham’s style of play under Phil Parkinson; assess his in-possession and out-of-possession approaches; and determine whether his tactics are sustainable enough to keep them competing towards the top of the National League.

In this in-depth article, I analyse Rochdale’s playing style under McNulty; assess his on and off-ball approach; and determine how likely his tactics are to get them challenging at the top of the National League.

There has been an interesting tactical tweak to Southend United’s system that I’ve noticed recently: our inverted wing-backs.

Southend United’s third goal in our recent 4-2 victory against Boreham Wood at Roots Hall was a genuine Goal Of The Season contender.

It also demonstrated some tactical aspects which were at play, as detailed in this article.

Southend United beat Aldershot Town 4-1 at Roots Hall. In this article, I will break down some key tactical talking points from the match, including how Aldershot were so dangerous in the first-half, and why Jack Wood’s introduction after half-time allowed Southend to control the match better.

Southend United have started the 2023/24 National League season in fine form – on the pitch at least. We have picked up 13 points from our first eight matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding nine in the process. In fact, we only scored 16 goals in our final 15 matches of last season. So whatContinueContinue reading “Analysing Southend United’s change in system”

A post-match analysis of the Halifax Town vs. Southend United match.

Southend United suffered their first defeat of the 2023/24 National League season on Tuesday night away to Dorking Wanderers. Goals from Ryan Seager and Jason Prior gave the home side victory, after Harry Cardwell had put Southend ahead early on. In this article I will explain how Southend attempted to beat Dorking’s pressing structure, andContinueContinue reading “Dorking Wanderers vs. Southend United – Post-Match Analysis”

Gateshead will go into the new National League season with dreams of promotion to the Football League. They have attracted lots of interest due to their attractive style of play, and have recruited well over the Summer transfer window as they look to build on their strong finish to last season. Mike Williamson’s side pickedContinueContinue reading “Mike Williamson’s Gateshead – Team Analysis”

Southend United played their first public pre-season friendly of the 2023/24 season on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to win 4-1 at Bishop’s Stortford. Jack Wood, who spent last season on loan at Tonbridge Angels, scored a hat-trick after Callum Powell had equalised for Southend. In this article I will explain how Southend’s formation changedContinueContinue reading “Bishop’s Stortford vs. Southend United – Post-Match Analysis”

A tactical analysis of the Notts County vs. Boreham Wood match.

A tactical analysis of the Southend Utd vs. Wealdstone match.

A preview of the Southend Utd vs. Wealdstone match.

How Oldham Athletic’s low-block helped them beat Southend Utd.

A preview of the Oldham Athletic vs. Southend Utd match.

A preview of the Southend Utd vs. Dagenham & Redbridge match.

A tactical analysis of the Wrexham vs. Notts County match.

A preview of the Woking vs. Southend Utd match.

Torquay Utd vs. Southend Utd analysis.

A tactical analysis of the Notts County vs. Southend Utd match.

A tactical preview of the Notts County vs. Southend Utd match.

A tactical analysis of the Southend Utd vs. Gateshead match.

Southend Utd vs. York City analysis, including why a change of position for Jack Bridge is helping Southend.

Looking at how the ​dynamics of Southend Utd’s midfield has changed.

Looking at how Southend Utd’s in-possession defensive structure helps to mitigate the effectiveness of opposition turnovers.

A preview of the Boreham Wood vs. Southend Utd match.

A preview of the Southend Utd vs. Altrincham match.

A preview of the Southend Utd vs. Dorking Wanderers match.

A tactical analysis of the Southend Utd vs. Notts County match.

A preview of the Southend Utd vs. Notts County match.

York City vs. Southend Utd analysis.

Southend Utd vs. Scunthorpe Utd analysis.

A tactical analysis of the Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Southend Utd match.

Southend Utd vs. Woking analysis.

Southend Utd vs. Yeovil Town analysis.