Cultured Football #153
Lodz Derby on Bucket List. Russian Football. Bench Players Win You Games. Premier League Failure of English Managers. Penalties Too Much Punishment.
The Lodz Derby
By Hugo Saye for Lower Block
That betwen ŁKS Łódź and Widzew Łódź is not one of the most famous European derbies. Yet, judging by this photo essay, perhaps it deserves more attention.
War didn’t destroy Russian football – Russia did
By Jonathan Wilson for UnHerd
Russian football, especially the success of Zenit St Petersburg, caught the attention of Europe and was poised for a bright future in the late 2000s. However, after gaining rights to host the 2018 World Cup and facing various challenges, the nation's football has declined significantly. A decline that was already well underway before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the sanctions that followed.
Squad Depth and 'Bench Players': Contribution and Strategy
By Alex Stewart for Analytics FC
With clubs now able to field five substitutes, it is somewhat unsurprising that reserves - and the ability to put bring on fresh energy when others are faltering - have become increasing important. Something that is perhaps is overlooked is who clubs turn to when they need to change up something from the bench. And whilst many opt for the more experienced members when bringing on subs, it is not clear cut that this is the best option.
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Why Hasn't An English Manager Won The Premier League?
By Luke Davis for
Football did not start in 1992 and, so, questions or facts that only reference the Premier League normally annoy me. Yet, in this instance, I have to say that the topic intrigued me; I’d never really thought about it. In fact, I struggle to think of any English manager who came close to winning it bar Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. It is actually extremely hard for a domestic manager to get a job at a Premier League club. Wonder if a solution for that might be having more English managers go overseas to gain experience.
Penalties Have Never Been Closer to a ‘Free Goal’ in the Premier League
By Ryan Benson for The Analyst
Is the punishment for tripping a player or handling a ball within an arbitrary space on the football pitch - the penalty box - too excessive for the crime? Whilst the football fundamentalist in me would argue till the end of time that this is a nuance that makes the game all the more exciting (you expect something to happen when your team has the ball in the opposing penalty area), it is harder to defend penalties (pun intended) when you look at the fact logically. Especially as more of them are being converted to goals.
Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you should be reading.
Last Week’s Most Read: Assets and the Gamble at Chelsea
ByAlex Varghesefor Game Theory
There has been a lot said and written about Chelsea in the Todd Boehly era but none have been as good as this in-depth, extremely well-written combination of data with analysis. Take this quote as an example: “the result is a London-based rendition of Lord of the Flies, with youth attempting to govern themselves but ultimately bringing out the worst in each other.” Even if you don’t support Chelsea, this is well-wroth a read.