Cultured Football #161
On the Beach. Enfield on the Up. Ligue 1. Moyes Out. Lopetegui In.
How Teams Perform in the Last Nine Games of the Season
By Jason McKenna for Analytics FC
It is assumed that teams' outputs changes as the season starts nearing its end. But is that really so? And why?
Enfield on the up, or when promotion feels like validation of a set of principles
By for
I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel to vote to abandon the club you support and set up a new one in its place. That is the decision fans of Enfield FC had to make back in 2001. The new incarnation of the club just won promotion to the National League South. This is their story.
Ligue 1: How to build (and sell) a superstar
By for
There aren't many leagues to whom Premier League clubs turn more frequently when they're looking to strengthen their teams than Ligue 1. It seems that the French league is an ideal environment for developing young, athletically gifted players that are perfect for English football. It is a flow that shows no signs of slowing.
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David Moyes gave West Ham their greatest night but leaves them with just one concern
By Richard Jolly for The Independent
There is no denying that David Moyes did a stellar job at West Ham. He gave them stability and even won a European trophy; arguably their most famous night in four decades. Yet, he did all that playing the kind of pragmatic football that fans tend to quickly get tired of. His departure from the club has been a long time coming but you have to wonder if this will be a case of ‘careful what you wish for’.
Lopetegui on a manager's life, recruitment, Premier League links
By Sid Lowe for ESPN
My first reaction upon seeing this piece was to tag it along to the previous story. But when this interview with the new West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui starts off with something as left-field as ‘What's that first day at a club like? You turn up, they don't know you. What do you say to them?’, it hard not to keep on reading. An interesting, revealing interview the likes of which is rarely seen with professional sport-people.
Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you will enjoy reading.
Last Week’s Most Read: How a tiny Scottish soccer club is chasing ‘Wrexham’-sized dreams
By Issy Ronald for CNN
Whilst attractive, the title of this piece is mis-leading; that of the Caledonian Braves isn’t another story of a club taken over by someone famous looking to bankroll their rise up the Scottish football league system. In fact, what they’re doing and their story is much more interesting and wholesome.
Bonus Pick: In the meantime, the owners of the ‘real’ Wrexham have joined the star-studded ownership group of Liga MX side Necaxa. [By Jon Arnold for Getting CONCACAFed]