Nick Smoothy

Football Writing & Grassroots Coaching | UEFA B

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

Great article from @Tactx_ on UCL Final

One aspect I repeatedly observed throughout was PSG's attempts to manipulate & exploit Arsenal's defensive shifts into wide areas, specifically on PSG left-side

Here's a thread of five instances of this collective intent in action...

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

Interesting examples of PSG's collective intention to exploit an aspect of Arsenal's OOP gameplan to generate +s & how the players executed this tactical plan through off-ball actions (rotations + counter-movements + runs beyond) & combos (up, back & through + give & go)

End ⚽️

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

Great article from @Tactx_ on UCL Final

One aspect I repeatedly observed throughout was PSG's attempts to manipulate & exploit Arsenal's defensive shifts into wide areas, specifically on PSG left-side

Here's a thread of five instances of this collective intent in action...

[Tactx @Tactx_]

https://t.co/3pRrTCT1m3

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

Pic 2 - Vitinha & Doué look to exploit the resulting space in Arsenal backline but appear on different wavelengths as Vitinha goes for a give & go, whereas Doué makes a channel run leading to a ball loss

[Tactx @Tactx_]

https://t.co/3pRrTCT1m3

[John Walker @johnwalker_1986]

48-Team World Cup Analysis 🧵

The largest World Cup preview on social media, 500hrs of analysis & each teams "Style of Play" video:
> Attacking Play
> Defensive Set-Up
> Key Players

Thank you again to my incredible sponsors ❤️

Let's Dive In 👇

[Tactx @Tactx_]

Great chatting with @Jon_Mackenzie today, and we could have talked for hours.

The full 90-minute video is available on our website and YouTube channel and includes

- Jon's journey to his current role and publishing his book, The Spectre Of Pep.
- Thoughts on Relationism and Positional Play.
- The next tactical meta
- Question and answers from the audience.

Thanks again to Jon and those who joined us. Go buy his book 📘

[Paul McGuinness @PaulMcG8]

Don Howe was a ‘Master coach’ was one of the most influential coach developers who passionately shared his knowledge - his sessions were so simple, clear & realistic

The thread below contains notes from Don’s session on defending crosses 🧵

https://t.co/PkCvxyOeNQ

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

Article three of this FIFA Training Centre tactics series analyses France’s use of Mbappé in a designated ‘rest attack’ role at the 2022 World Cup 🇫🇷

Welcome any comments, likes, shares

https://t.co/60LZjhNVoo

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Was this Premier League one of the greatest tactical upheavals in recent football history?

In his final Did You Notice column of the season, @Jon_Mackenzie explains how 2025-26 was a story of narrowing competition, of the collapse of the old consensus about possession control, and the birth of a new way of approaching the game.

Read the full article for free ⤵️

🎁 https://t.co/pe1naBeSsw

[John Walker @johnwalker_1986]

WC Analysis: Group A-F Recap 🧵

Your most comprehensive look into the WC sides on social media is here.

We have completed 50% of the 2026 WC:
> Every Group
> Every Team
> Style of Play
> Strength & Weaknesses
> Plus Much more

Please help by RT'n

Let's have a look 👇

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

@MSinanPala Thanks for reaching out. I appreciate the tip. Love your website. I think it’ll provide good inspiration as I continue to develop mine.

[Nick Smoothy @NickSmoothy]

As I've moved into full-time freelance football work, I've updated my personal website 🌐

This is now home to all my published articles & public work

More to be added over the summer & during the coming season, including opposition analysis & scouting reports

Link in reply 🔗

[John Walker @johnwalker_1986]

Group E - Analysis 🧵

An incredibly exciting Group E is now here & I could use help with sharing this Analysis Project:
> Every Group
> Every Team
> Every Game
> Every Round
> All the Way to the Final

Have a Look at Group E 👇