Episode 33

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Published on:

5th Apr 2024

Ep33: Ian Foster SACKED: Bad Coaching Decisions Or Losing Key Players To Blame??

In this episode we take a look at a few different areas.

Click Here For The Data Analytics Tables and Charts For This Episode

The first being the exciting progress of both the promotion and relegation battles. It seems to be a revolving door at the top of the league with the team at the top changing almost every game. Ipswich Town are up there right now but Leicester still hold that game in hand. Win that and they retake top spot and push Leeds United don into the dreaded play off spots.

We could still have three teams breach the 100 points mark.... with one potentially not getting promoted at the end of the season. Almost seems unfair doesn't it?! ..... Almost.

Plymouth sacked their head coach Ian Foster this week after a terrible run of form that leaves Plymouth Argyle only one place above the drop zone and playing away at the almost certainly relegated Rotherham United on Friday night.

We welcome collaboration with Harvey England, a Plymouth Argyle F.C. Vlogger who is kind enough to take time to give his opinion on what went wrong, and we pick through his observations to get to the heart of the matter.

Ian Foster wasn't the most popular head coach, but following Mr Schumacher was always going to be a tough act to follow. We take a look for any obvious differences between the playing style under Schumacher v Foster.

Were there any clues as to why the goals dried up for the previously red hot Morgan Whittaker? Did Foster change the formation? Did he change Whittaker's role in the team?

Or should we attribute the drop in form mainly to losing two key players in Lee Cundle and the outstanding Finn Azaz? Replacing them would be almost impossible, and have the promising duo of Gyabi and Devine been able to get anywhere near it? Listen and find out.

Next we take a look at whether the 'Flip Flop Rule' is real or another myth that we assume is true. Th flip flop rule (as we called it) states that when a team no longer has nything to play for, there's a good chance that they'll down tools and be a softer touch for the rest of the season. We don't like to assume anything, so david looked through the data, ran some numbers and found out whether the 'Flip Flop Rule' is truth or myth..

A statement that caught our eye this week was that Ipswich had to tighten up their defence for the last 6 games of the season because that's where promotion would be won or lost. They're relying on their attacking players too much apparently... but of course we think scoring goals is more important than trying to not concede them... so off went David to find out whether the last 8 games of the season really did show you were better off keeping it tight at the back, or focusing on sticking in the back of the opposition net.

Useful Links

X (Twitter) - @champattack

Attacking The Cahmpionship - Youtube Channel

Harvey England - Plymouth Argyle F.C. Vlogger - Youtube Channel

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Football Insights Academy Podcast
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About your hosts

Thomas Butterfield

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I'm a very approachable obsessive learner who is always interested in the stories of others, and how that information and experience can be used to help others move the needle of their life in a positive direction.

As a result of the work I do adults and younger people understand the importance of being an active participant in their own health.

The result of this is we at Elevate Health Chiropractic and Wellbeing are putting better educated individuals into the community who are making better health decisions for themselves and those they care for the most.
They move better, they eat better, they think better.

They Feel Better.

We are always looking to work with and help individuals and organisations who value their own health, that of their family, or their staff high enough to take that next step with Elevate Health, Chiropractic and Wellbeing.

David Bromley

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For the last fifteen years I have applied my analytical, systems-evaluation and financial background to the football industry.

As a long-term student of the game I hold coaching badges from the English Football Association and am a certified member of the Professional Football Scouts Association.

I hold distinctions in the Prozone (STATS) Professional Performance Analysis/ Performance Data & Recruitment Certificates Levels 1,2 & 3 in addition to being an F.A. Registered Intermediary.

My experience in football has enabled me to view player recruitment from the 'sharp end' and allows me to tailor my service to meet clients' best interests.