Paul Riley
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footballfactman.bsky.social
Paul Riley
@footballfactman.bsky.social
Data, recruitment and strategy consultant in professional football.

https://differentgame.wordpress.com
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Yesterday I chatted with the @finnishfootballpod.bsky.social about my time in Finnish football. Take a listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7L7k...
You might also like the “Seinäjoki Football Supporters Podcast”
open.spotify.com
Traitors

Absolutely smashing stuff
October 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Paul Riley
great piece from the always-great @pastpunditry.bsky.social and a welcome antidote to vacuous commentators whose historical memories seem to go back no further than the first iron man movie
Opinion | The Right Didn’t Catch Cancel Culture From the Left
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Keepers love being in no mans land these days
September 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Don't care how much of it is staged...Freddie Flintoff and co doing the Lord's work in Field of Dreams
September 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This is one of the best football pod episodes of the last decade
new @doublepivotpodcast.bsky.social

this one is for the nerds

talking about the math of how goals turn into points and what it tells us (and doesn't tell us) about the best ways to play soccer open.spotify.com/episode/1ilh...
Mailbag: Theoretical Goals, Expected Points
The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Pleased to announce I'll be working with Burton Albion on the club's summer recruitment.
May 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Honk. 💩
MLS Next, MLS’ youth setup, is replacing a traditional table with “quality of play” rankings for certain age groups. A UK-based firm will watch and analyze each game.

If that seems entirely subjective to you, you’re not the only one!

On @theathleticfc.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Inside MLS youth league’s experiment of replacing results with ‘quality of play’
In the name of youth development, MLS Next is moving away from traditional results and instead taking on a more holistic approach.
www.nytimes.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
How does Nunez get a card for being taken out by Pickford? 😂
April 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Take your stills and do one. Do you not see the danger? 😂
April 2, 2025 at 7:59 PM
They're all out tonight. Won the ball ten minutes before making contact
April 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I love Alaska: Homestead Rescue and I don't care who knows it
March 24, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Things that annoy me...

Finnish football accounts more bothered about Finnish players in foreign leagues than ones in their own domestic leagues
March 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Patrick Thistle are really making me want to write something about running a football club.
February 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Is it possible Beto isn't a smash it at him in the air from miles away striker? 🤔
February 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Belter of a University Challenge episode
February 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Took a moment there to admire Arsenals movement from the throw in, making it a pain in the, erm, arse, for the defenders
February 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Here's to some bad reffing decisions against Arsenal. Chin chin 🍻
February 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In the name of Everton being run like a "proper business" like everyone was hankering for, what's the consensus on keeping powder dry and not making any signings now so the new coaching team can concentrate on what they've got and make better judgements on what's needed in a couple of months time?
February 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Everton forums are funny right now

I'd do dis an I'd do dat, like
January 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Brighton really trying to die on their hill

Riviere = good
January 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Has someone done a new football following list or summat?
January 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM
When people write "Moyse" do they mean "Moysie" or can they just not spell?
January 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
January 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Don't think Everton fans have seen much Spurs defending this season👀
January 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Pickford clowning every time I see him this season. Clueless starting positions and decision making
January 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM