Posts By Mark Cohen
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1.2KWorld Cup 2018It’s Now Down to the Players to Vindicate Southgate’s Bold Gamble
Only Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff will know whether the decision to rest their entire offensive arsenal was a deliberate tactical ploy or an act of generosity. The eight changes made by the England manager for last week’s group finale against Belgium (an approach mirrored by his counterpart Roberto...
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1.2KWorld Cup 2018Germany’s Predictable Struggles Should Come as no Surprise
Germany’s shaky start to the World Cup is nothing new for defending champions. But then again, Sunday’s loss to Mexico is not the type of performance we have come to expect from Die Mannschaft. Questions about mental strength Their march to victory in Brazil four years ago was built upon...
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2.0KPremier LeagueNo Competition: Why We Should Be Grateful for the Premier League
This Premier League season will be remembered for Manchester City’s brilliance, as they carried all before them to win with record-breaking style. The comparative weakness of their rivals will provide yet more ammunition to those that seek to criticise the Premier League’s competitive value, as Manchester United finished as the...
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3.4K1Premier LeaguePochettino Shows First Signs of Doubt
When Mauricio Pochettino said Spurs needed more time “with or without me” on Saturday, we saw the first sign of cracks in his self-confidence, something we haven’t seen since he took the helm. These words came barely 24 hours after Arsène Wenger announced his imminent departure from Spurs’ North London...
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3.2KPremier LeagueThe Flawed Genius of Spurs’ Dele Alli
The first of Dele Alli’s two goals against Chelsea last Sunday at Stamford Bridge encapsulated almost everything he is as a football player, good and bad. We initially marvelled at the technical brilliance to bring the ball down from Eric Dier’s pass and instinctively finish past Willie Caballero. We then...
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2.8KMore SportsEddie Jones and the Limitations of Statistical Coaching
The anti-climactic culmination of this year’s Six Nations Championship will have been felt painfully in the ranks of English rugby. The disappointing slump in form of Eddie Jones’ squad – starting with surprise defeats in Scotland and France – was concluded at the hands of Ireland on Saturday.
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3.2KPremier LeaguePep’s Predicament: Why There are No Winners in the FA’s Yellow Ribbon Saga
Pep Guardiola’s season-long work on an all-conquering Manchester City football juggernaut risks being tied down by a yellow ribbon. How apt that it sprung into prevalence during a night when his team’s pursuit of a historic quadruple came to an end.
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2.0KFootballVAR: Why Sport Needs Imperfections and Flaws
Football, like many other sports, is often debated as much for the decisions of its officiators rather than the actions of its players. The likes of tennis and cricket have welcomed technology in from the cold during recent years, following varying levels of resistance from their respective global and national...
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4.0KCarabao CupArsene Wenger: The Source of Suffering
The League Cup, whether fronted up by sickly sweet or alcoholic drink sponsorship, has never been touted as the most important piece of silverware for English managers, particularly when expectations are set as highly as Pep Guardiola’s. However, Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory will still have been a relief to...
