Daily Archives: December 14, 2024

What makes Thomas Frank special: ‘Secret sauce’, training for stoppage time and games of Risk

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“The setting was Brentford’s buoyant home dressing room and Thomas Frank was delivering a rousing speech. It was last Saturday, minutes after Newcastle United had become the latest side to crumble at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford dispatched their visitors 4-2 to earn a seventh home win in eight Premier Leaguegames this season, but rather than salute the club’s star goalscorers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, Frank made a beeline for less-feted players. There was praise for captain Christian Norgaard for making 100 Premier League appearances and for Ethan Pinnock for reaching 200 games for Brentford. Substitutes Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade were heralded for their ability as ‘finishers” while defender Ben Mee, who only came on in the 87th minute, was hailed for offering encouragement and leadership. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
Thomas Frank – Brentford – Tactical Analysis
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Dean Henderson’s ‘head saves’ – and how they are lifting Crystal Palace

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“Dean Henderson is using his head in helping Crystal Palace return to form. The England goalkeeper has been showcasing an unusual kind of save in recent months, stopping three goal-bound efforts with his face after rushing out to close down an attacker. The first was against Pablo Sarabia during the 2-2 draw with Wolves on November 2; then, a week later, he denied Andreas Pereira even though Palace were eventually beaten 2-0 by Fulham. Most recently, and memorably, he repeated the trick against Erling Haaland in another 2-2 against champions Manchester City. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

What Ruben Amorim can expect from his first Manchester derby: Vomit, hostility and a proper rivalry

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“Ruben Amorim has faced a range of clubs during his first six games as Manchester United head coach, from Arsenal in the Premier League to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. Those six matches have brought positives, negatives and mixed results, but his opponents on Sunday, Manchester City, will pose a different challenge. Pep Guardiola’s side go into the game at the Etihad looking a shadow of their dominant selves, winners of the past four Premier League titles, but derby days are different, even if Amorim is playing down its significance. …”
NY Times/The Athletic