Mike Stavrou
@mikestavrou.bsky.social
Award-winning audio producer at The Athletic 🏅
The Athletic FC and Tactics podcasts 🎧
The Athletic FC and Tactics podcasts 🎧
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
NEW POD!
Why are goalkeepers going long this season?
What's happened to the long throw?
Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!
pod.fo/e/33a5db
Why are goalkeepers going long this season?
What's happened to the long throw?
Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!
pod.fo/e/33a5db
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why goalkeepers are going long
Today we’re discussing the evolution of goalkeeper distribution. Are teams actually going long more often, and how is it changing the game?Host: Duncan Alexander With: Michael Cox and Mark Care...
pod.fo
October 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW POD!
Why are goalkeepers going long this season?
What's happened to the long throw?
Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!
pod.fo/e/33a5db
Why are goalkeepers going long this season?
What's happened to the long throw?
Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!
pod.fo/e/33a5db
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
an article on GuardiolAI and ChatGPTeta's latest attempt to remove any hint of human creativity from their meetings
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Mikel Arteta versus Pep Guardiola has become a boring battle of overwhelming caution
The Arsenal manager and his Manchester City counterpart appear to be finding new ways to create dull games. Where is the ambition?
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM
an article on GuardiolAI and ChatGPTeta's latest attempt to remove any hint of human creativity from their meetings
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
mailbag episode this week on our tactics pod. Please submit questions below 😀
Send in your questions now ahead of a mailbag episode of the pod next week.
Drop them here, or follow the link below.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
Drop them here, or follow the link below.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
Mailbag: Send in your questions for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
mailbag episode this week on our tactics pod. Please submit questions below 😀
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
New pod!
The Premier League goes old school!
@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/3198c0
The Premier League goes old school!
@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/3198c0
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Long throws & tall No.9s: The Premier League goes old school
One week of the Premier League season down, 37 to go.And today we’re asking whether the English top flight has gone old school… with more long throw-ins than ever, “proper” No.9s and promot...
pod.fo
August 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
New pod!
The Premier League goes old school!
@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/3198c0
The Premier League goes old school!
@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/3198c0
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
Isak hits out & Newcastle dig in.
In attempting to force through a move, the centre-forward has hardened the club’s position and made life more difficult for himself (and everyone else).
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
In attempting to force through a move, the centre-forward has hardened the club’s position and made life more difficult for himself (and everyone else).
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Alexander Isak’s statement has set fire to Newcastle – drawing fury but little sign of success
Isak's public demand to leave might just have made things worse for everybody but that includes himself
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Isak hits out & Newcastle dig in.
In attempting to force through a move, the centre-forward has hardened the club’s position and made life more difficult for himself (and everyone else).
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
In attempting to force through a move, the centre-forward has hardened the club’s position and made life more difficult for himself (and everyone else).
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
🥇TOTALLY GOLD!🥇
Today - in 2020- @acjimbo.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social and @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social look back on the 03/04 season. Featuring the Invincibles, the dawn of Abramovich and Ronaldo, and the end of the PL on ITV
pod.fo/e/2f6bbf
Today - in 2020- @acjimbo.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social and @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social look back on the 03/04 season. Featuring the Invincibles, the dawn of Abramovich and Ronaldo, and the end of the PL on ITV
pod.fo/e/2f6bbf
The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Totally Gold 03/04: Abramovich arrives but Arsenal go Invincible
Back in the summer of 2020, Jimbo and co passed the time reviewing classic Premier League campaigns.Here from the vault, we bring you the thoughts of Michael Cox, Daniel Storey and Matt Davies-Adam...
pod.fo
July 7, 2025 at 6:05 AM
🥇TOTALLY GOLD!🥇
Today - in 2020- @acjimbo.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social and @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social look back on the 03/04 season. Featuring the Invincibles, the dawn of Abramovich and Ronaldo, and the end of the PL on ITV
pod.fo/e/2f6bbf
Today - in 2020- @acjimbo.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social and @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social look back on the 03/04 season. Featuring the Invincibles, the dawn of Abramovich and Ronaldo, and the end of the PL on ITV
pod.fo/e/2f6bbf
Time to introduce a series me and the Tactics team have been working on.
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 - the unsung stories behind modern football successes.
First, Johan Cruyff’s rejuvenation of Ajax’s academy with insight from his former colleagues on why he felt the need for change.
pod.fo/e/2f4b77
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 - the unsung stories behind modern football successes.
First, Johan Cruyff’s rejuvenation of Ajax’s academy with insight from his former colleagues on why he felt the need for change.
pod.fo/e/2f4b77
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Cruyff inspired Ajax's rebirth
Welcome to Football Architects - a summer series for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast. Over the next five weeks, we’ll tell the stories of esteemed footballing nations and clubs, speaking to the ...
pod.fo
July 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Time to introduce a series me and the Tactics team have been working on.
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 - the unsung stories behind modern football successes.
First, Johan Cruyff’s rejuvenation of Ajax’s academy with insight from his former colleagues on why he felt the need for change.
pod.fo/e/2f4b77
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 - the unsung stories behind modern football successes.
First, Johan Cruyff’s rejuvenation of Ajax’s academy with insight from his former colleagues on why he felt the need for change.
pod.fo/e/2f4b77
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
🏷️ Spurs’ owners have been open to offers for ages…so what’s going on?
⭐️ Wrexham valuation vs “key person risk”
📺 What does the WBD split mean for TNT Sports & football fans?
💶 Drogheda Utd, Crystal Palace & UEFA
😎 Independent Regulator nears summer sign-off
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
⭐️ Wrexham valuation vs “key person risk”
📺 What does the WBD split mean for TNT Sports & football fans?
💶 Drogheda Utd, Crystal Palace & UEFA
😎 Independent Regulator nears summer sign-off
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
The Business of Football: Why Tottenham have not been bought, and how much are Wrexham worth?
UEFA and multi-club ownership, the split in Warner Bros Discovery and the football regulator also feature in this column's latest instalment
www.nytimes.com
June 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
🏷️ Spurs’ owners have been open to offers for ages…so what’s going on?
⭐️ Wrexham valuation vs “key person risk”
📺 What does the WBD split mean for TNT Sports & football fans?
💶 Drogheda Utd, Crystal Palace & UEFA
😎 Independent Regulator nears summer sign-off
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
⭐️ Wrexham valuation vs “key person risk”
📺 What does the WBD split mean for TNT Sports & football fans?
💶 Drogheda Utd, Crystal Palace & UEFA
😎 Independent Regulator nears summer sign-off
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
I wanted a profound experience on my way to the Europa League final.
I spent 34 hours on a ferry.
My piece: www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
I spent 34 hours on a ferry.
My piece: www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
My 34-hour ferry trip to the Europa League final: Singing Angels, a pub quiz and dreaming of dry land
Jack Pitt-Brooke joined Spurs and Man United fans on the slow route to Bilbao. All was well, until the quiz
www.nytimes.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I wanted a profound experience on my way to the Europa League final.
I spent 34 hours on a ferry.
My piece: www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
I spent 34 hours on a ferry.
My piece: www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
Producer Mike has had a go, please don't be mean to me 😆
Find out who the actual experts picked tomorrow!
Find out who the actual experts picked tomorrow!
May 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Producer Mike has had a go, please don't be mean to me 😆
Find out who the actual experts picked tomorrow!
Find out who the actual experts picked tomorrow!
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season!
One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇
One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇
May 21, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season!
One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇
One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇
How can anyone not like football. Unbelievable game of contrasting styles. So much quality on show but so much spirit as well.
May 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM
How can anyone not like football. Unbelievable game of contrasting styles. So much quality on show but so much spirit as well.
Jakub Kiwior absolutely flawless at the Bernabeu, pretty incredible stuff especially given his performance in this competition vs Bayern last year.
April 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Jakub Kiwior absolutely flawless at the Bernabeu, pretty incredible stuff especially given his performance in this competition vs Bayern last year.
The Champions League does it again, drama of the highest order.
PSG should’ve really seen that out at 5-1 up on aggregate and Donnarumma kept them in it.
This is really the tournament of comebacks 😟
PSG should’ve really seen that out at 5-1 up on aggregate and Donnarumma kept them in it.
This is really the tournament of comebacks 😟
April 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The Champions League does it again, drama of the highest order.
PSG should’ve really seen that out at 5-1 up on aggregate and Donnarumma kept them in it.
This is really the tournament of comebacks 😟
PSG should’ve really seen that out at 5-1 up on aggregate and Donnarumma kept them in it.
This is really the tournament of comebacks 😟
This has to be one of the most entertaining yet effective sides of the last decade.
On the ball they have threats all over the pitch and when they lose it their counter press is ridiculous.
On the ball they have threats all over the pitch and when they lose it their counter press is ridiculous.
April 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This has to be one of the most entertaining yet effective sides of the last decade.
On the ball they have threats all over the pitch and when they lose it their counter press is ridiculous.
On the ball they have threats all over the pitch and when they lose it their counter press is ridiculous.
Not one, but two pieces of PSG content for you ahead of the Villa match tonight.
Tactics video with Alex Barker & Liam Tharme: youtu.be/vB5AzIuR_cU?...
And Athletic FC Podcast with Ayo Akinwolere, Tom Williams & Dermot Corrigan focusing on Luis Enrique: pod.fo/e/2c4c8a
Enjoy!
Tactics video with Alex Barker & Liam Tharme: youtu.be/vB5AzIuR_cU?...
And Athletic FC Podcast with Ayo Akinwolere, Tom Williams & Dermot Corrigan focusing on Luis Enrique: pod.fo/e/2c4c8a
Enjoy!
How PSG became Champions League favourites
YouTube video by The Athletic FC Podcast
youtu.be
April 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Not one, but two pieces of PSG content for you ahead of the Villa match tonight.
Tactics video with Alex Barker & Liam Tharme: youtu.be/vB5AzIuR_cU?...
And Athletic FC Podcast with Ayo Akinwolere, Tom Williams & Dermot Corrigan focusing on Luis Enrique: pod.fo/e/2c4c8a
Enjoy!
Tactics video with Alex Barker & Liam Tharme: youtu.be/vB5AzIuR_cU?...
And Athletic FC Podcast with Ayo Akinwolere, Tom Williams & Dermot Corrigan focusing on Luis Enrique: pod.fo/e/2c4c8a
Enjoy!
PSG single-handedly battling robotic football by having the best 1vs1 wingers all on the pitch at the same time. Delightful.
March 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
PSG single-handedly battling robotic football by having the best 1vs1 wingers all on the pitch at the same time. Delightful.
Jam-packed TAFC pod for you today…
What makes a talisman and is the concept still relevant in 2025?
The dangers of being over-reliant on a star player
With @aakinwo.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @philhay.bsky.social and more!
pod.fo/e/2b4f02
What makes a talisman and is the concept still relevant in 2025?
The dangers of being over-reliant on a star player
With @aakinwo.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @philhay.bsky.social and more!
pod.fo/e/2b4f02
pod.fo
March 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Jam-packed TAFC pod for you today…
What makes a talisman and is the concept still relevant in 2025?
The dangers of being over-reliant on a star player
With @aakinwo.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @philhay.bsky.social and more!
pod.fo/e/2b4f02
What makes a talisman and is the concept still relevant in 2025?
The dangers of being over-reliant on a star player
With @aakinwo.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @philhay.bsky.social and more!
pod.fo/e/2b4f02
London drenched in sunlight is literally a different place. I’ve just seen someone who’s not in a pub smile!
March 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
London drenched in sunlight is literally a different place. I’ve just seen someone who’s not in a pub smile!
Football can be… fun? 😅
March 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Football can be… fun? 😅
Time and space you get in this competition vs the Premier League tells you all you need to know about the disparity between England’s top flight and the other leagues
March 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Time and space you get in this competition vs the Premier League tells you all you need to know about the disparity between England’s top flight and the other leagues
Really enjoyed this today. Go and give it a listen!
My soul is craving beautiful football, but it’s hard to have beautiful football AND success, as we’ve discovered.
My soul is craving beautiful football, but it’s hard to have beautiful football AND success, as we’ve discovered.
The new Handbrake Off podcast is a special looking at Arsenal through the eye of different generations. Here's a chat about how four different viewpoints - from teen, 20s, middle aged and veteran - perceive the club and how they experience it. Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/2b3c70
pod.fo/e/2b3c70
Arsenal through the generations
Podcast Episode · Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show · 03/03/2025 · 43m
pod.fo
March 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Really enjoyed this today. Go and give it a listen!
My soul is craving beautiful football, but it’s hard to have beautiful football AND success, as we’ve discovered.
My soul is craving beautiful football, but it’s hard to have beautiful football AND success, as we’ve discovered.
Reposted by Mike Stavrou
Our chat with Paul Power of SkillCorner is LIVE!
- How do clubs use data to recruit managers and players?
- What metrics are used in player analysis?
- Have other sports influenced football?
- What is the role of AI in analysis?
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/2af8f8
- How do clubs use data to recruit managers and players?
- What metrics are used in player analysis?
- Have other sports influenced football?
- What is the role of AI in analysis?
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/2af8f8
How data and AI is shaping football
Podcast Episode · The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast · 02/20/2025 · 45m
pod.fo
February 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Our chat with Paul Power of SkillCorner is LIVE!
- How do clubs use data to recruit managers and players?
- What metrics are used in player analysis?
- Have other sports influenced football?
- What is the role of AI in analysis?
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/2af8f8
- How do clubs use data to recruit managers and players?
- What metrics are used in player analysis?
- Have other sports influenced football?
- What is the role of AI in analysis?
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/2af8f8