Michael Cox

📰 @TheAthleticFC
📕 Zonal Marking ( The Mixer ( fan

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

The 2024 version of The Mixer is out now. The most comprehensive account of the Premier League’s on-pitch development over its first 32 years.
Amazon link ⬇️
https://t.co/NQkSkhlTyr

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

A Premier League weekend of ferocious tackles and pretty lenient refereeing. We’re told that this is what fans want, which is possibly true. But the long-term effect of too much “letting the game flow” is actually that games don’t "flow" at all. ⬇️
https://t.co/8pdQ1RupCz

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@ademir2z Broadly agree, but also do think it has lost its way over recent times with 'structural' things: the merge and then separation from FIFA, the cancelled year in 2020, the switch from calendar year to season (maybe fine in itself but still feels odd to be doing this in October)

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@pragmatistefc It was the least exciting round of fixtures so far this season by quite a distance. The opening weekend (Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool, Hull beating Man Utd, Brentford beating Spurs, Man City last-minute winner, Ipswich last-minute winner, amongst other things) was great

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

A Premier League weekend of ferocious tackles and pretty lenient refereeing. We’re told that this is what fans want, which is possibly true. But the long-term effect of too much “letting the game flow” is actually that games don’t "flow" at all. ⬇️
https://t.co/8pdQ1RupCz

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@Krooninho Last season was defined by its physicality, its long throws and its rugby scrums at corners.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@asimeone3000 I actually did miss the first half as I was on the way back from another game. However I also saw lots of remarkably strong challenges and lots of reaction saying how great this is.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

Four winning goals in the Premier League this weekend, and three of them took a touch off a defender on the way in. The Isak one wasn't *really* a deflected goal, but the Iwobi & Madueke winners were classics of the genre. Why is it happening more? ⬇️
https://t.co/0RsSKK4UQ5

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

Here's a lengthy investigation into what many are calling the biggest scandal in Premier League history: the huge number of deflected goals these days. 14% of all goals so far this season. What's going on? ⬇️
https://t.co/9rI2I7VmbE

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@TPFulham I appreciate that this was appreciated!

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

Fulham 1-0 Hull. An absurdly dominant 1-0 for Fulham, who completed the fourth-most passes in the PL this season (behind Man City x 3). Jakirovic made all five subs before Arbeloa made any. King & Affengruber very good. The same needed next weekend. ⬇️
https://t.co/ErZI5XEtiS

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@J_R_R_Parker I agree! He has interesting things to say. He's clearly always lacked a bit of confidence when speaking as he was always painted as dim from when he was about 16 which must be pretty tough. But I think he's pretty good.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

Very much agree with this. It's been excellent in recent years. Murphy's analysis is often really interesting. Rooney is a good addition. All the presenters are good. It's obviously no longer the only way to watch highlights but it's adapted pretty well.
https://t.co/jmOjvCZVLD

[Tim Stillman ⭐️⭐️ @timstillman_]

Feel like this needs saying given *gestures at world*, but Match of the Day has been an objectively really good show for a good few years now. Really good analysis without being overbearing.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@niftyparms I agree, have listened to FiveLive more this year than for quite a while. It still creates a sense of excitement, so much going on.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@roryglee Yeah agreed. My only critique would be that it's probably not possible to do worthwhile/detailed analysis on more than about five games and by that point I just want to see the highlights of all the games. But it's a good show.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@aitchyrobinson I never used to have an opinion either way but yeah I like his analysis a lot.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@huspsa I'll be honest, I've never watched this. MOTD and Champions League feels wrong to me.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@theinsidelefty The obsession with "one" really annoys me. It's meaningless. It just means 'a'!

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@JScho12 @MCFCDamo Yeah I was left a bit baffled by it. But granted probably wasn't enough to overrule a 14-year-long opinion

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@charliebakers13 @olimar99 Yes. Originally the 'pyramid' was
2-3
4-5-6
7-8-9-10-11.
The differences came according to which of the half-backs moved back to complete the back four in different countries. But I don't think anywhere would usually have 6 to the right.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

England/Wiegman going 2-3-4-5 across the defence this week - traditionally the preserve of Dutch/Belgian sides - having previously respected the English numbering system is, for me, game’s gone territory.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

@bigbluemailer a simple google will help you out here.

[Michael Cox @Zonal_Marking]

Man City 2-4 PSG. In isolation, a sensational game of football.
https://t.co/4aShyOKl1l