IF

Breaking down football |
Sharing the resources & frameworks that made football click for me.

[IF @IF_Systems]

If you want to go from obsessed football fan to understanding the game at a deeper level, here’s how I did it.

Go on https://t.co/FEVDDEw3MD and read in this order:

1. https://t.co/sR6c4fuNz6

2. https://t.co/ga2L2YBeop

3. https://t.co/QzxfNZXgqA

4. https://t.co/qzFZxh0MzG

5. https://t.co/SLEexGHp3J

You will need to re read these as some of them are quite dense and you will pick different things up each pass. Pro tip: if you’re struggling for time you can paste the link into Eleven Labs and listen as audio.

Whilst doing this I was also reading posts on here , watching games and videos on YouTube etc which resulted in a deep dive that went over 100hrs in 1 week. I presume this isn’t normal however.

I also feel it’s right to give recognition when it’s due and these 3 people are incredible for building football knowledge:

@MeiaArmador__
@Jon_Mackenzie
@rajsinghchohan

[IF @IF_Systems]

He has some great qualities, but his passing and crossing are average at best. He can’t consistently play inside as a midfielder, form part of the pivot or be a reliable link player like Porro or Robertson.

His recovery pace is excellent, but it’s his positioning that’s the issue. He gets caught too often.

I’m not surprised he’s continually linked with a move. De Zerbi wants full-backs who can play inside, outside and combine with midfielders and wingers. After the World Cup, his value is probably at its peak. Spurs should cash in.

[CounterPressers @CounterPressers]

Djed Spence proved at the World Cup that he is one of the finest RB’s on the planet.

He’s everything you want in a fullback and more. Tenacious, elite 1v1 defender, dynamic stretcher, capable crosser of the ball and an underrated technician. Would be the perfect RB for Andoni Iraola.

[IF @IF_Systems]

@abu_micah Thank you.

[IF @IF_Systems]

When learning football tactics it’s very important to see what your learning in action as it helps solidify the concept in your mind.

Here’s an example of what’s discussed in the first article in my pinned post. As you can see in the image, the player stood between a 4 man box creates a dilemma. Who picks him up, and when they do, what space opens up?

This creates confusion, and if no one picks him up, he can receive in space. That’s the aim, create a situation where your opponent has to choose between 2 options, in which both are unfavourable to them.

When you’ve seen it in action, you will see it all the time without even looking for it.

The article is How to create a game model: https://t.co/sR6c4fuNz6

[IF @IF_Systems]

@TGC_english You paint a picture with words coach!

[IF @IF_Systems]

Definitely going to be interest to see how it plays out that’s for sure.

[IF @IF_Systems]

This was my concern with Liverpool. The high intensity vertical attacks & high press coupled with high line and covering large distances is a cause for concern due to fatigue and injury.

[Jon Mackenzie @Jon_Mackenzie]

The problem is, as the second half vs Leeds showed, the depth is just not there rn. That's something that will improve (returning players, sharper players, players who know the system better) but I don't think the depth will be good enough to sustain the team if injury strikes.

[IF @IF_Systems]

No doubt Iraola is well aware of all this and no doubt squad depth will improve ( although enough I’m not sure ) or Iraola could tweak things to gain more control like Klopp did however, that may result in a change of tactics as @MeiaArmador__ said in his post.

[IF @IF_Systems]

@PaulMcG8 Love how he pins with both arms then uses the right arm to push the player the opposite way he wants to go as he opens up. Defender had no chance.

[IF @IF_Systems]

@nick_kapx .

[IF @IF_Systems]

At first it felt like fragmented pieces of information but I just kept going and it suddenly all clicked.

[IF @IF_Systems]

If you want to go from obsessed football fan to understanding the game at a deeper level, here’s how I did it.

Go on https://t.co/FEVDDEw3MD and read in this order:

1. https://t.co/sR6c4fuNz6

2. https://t.co/ga2L2YBeop

3. https://t.co/QzxfNZXgqA

4. https://t.co/qzFZxh0MzG

5. https://t.co/SLEexGHp3J

You will need to re read these as some of them are quite dense and you will pick different things up each pass. Pro tip: if you’re struggling for time you can paste the link into Eleven Labs and listen as audio.

Whilst doing this I was also reading posts on here , watching games and videos on YouTube etc which resulted in a deep dive that went over 100hrs in 1 week. I presume this isn’t normal however.

I also feel it’s right to give recognition when it’s due and these 3 people are incredible for building football knowledge:

@MeiaArmador__
@Jon_Mackenzie
@rajsinghchohan

[IF @IF_Systems]

At first it felt like fragmented pieces of information but I just kept going and it suddenly all clicked.

[IF @IF_Systems]

Apologies it’s Eleven Reader not Eleven Labs.

[IF @IF_Systems]

Dr. Peterson, maybe you read this, maybe you won’t. But I’ve wanted to say this for some time and for one reason or another I haven’t.

You literally saved my life some years ago. I was at the depths of human existence and through studying your work I came through and became a man I never thought would be possible.

Using past trauma as a map, positive emotion comes from movement towards a valued goal, the carrying a heavy load, keeping the monster under voluntary control, doing what’s good for me, my family and my community across time and many more lessons you taught me.

Introduced me to people like Dostoevsky, Jung, Nietzsche and many others for which I am eternally grateful.

Congratulations on the new arrival I wish you all the very best. Thank you.

[IF @IF_Systems]

@sean_a_mcclure Not saying you are “catering to an ego”. Just that it can come across that way which is dangerous.

[IF @IF_Systems]

@sean_a_mcclure “Almost always” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Sometimes people really do get it quicker than others. This just sounds like catering to an ego and you shouldn’t do that.

[IF @IF_Systems]

Grok’s 26/27 PL predictions

Quick 1-20 Premier League 2026/27 prediction (based on managers’ styles, ceilings, squad quality, and current setups):

1Arsenal (Arteta)
2Manchester City (Maresca)
3Chelsea (Alonso)
4Liverpool (Iraola)
5Aston Villa (Emery)
6Manchester United (Carrick)
7Tottenham (De Zerbi)
8Newcastle (Jaissle)
9Brighton (Hürzeler)
10Nottingham Forest (Glasner)
11Bournemouth (Rose)
12Leeds (Farke)
13Brentford (Andrews)
14Crystal Palace (Sage)
15Fulham (Arbeloa)
16Everton (Moyes)
17Sunderland (Le Bris)
18Ipswich (O’Neil)
19Coventry (Lampard)
20Hull (Jakirović)

Notes:

•Top 4 is very tight — Arteta’s proven control edges it, with Maresca inheriting elite City infrastructure and Alonso/Iraola bringing high upside.

•De Zerbi’s influence and style keep Spurs in the European mix, but consistency is the question.

•Relegation battle is among the three promoted sides + Sunderland/Everton.