Pauly Kwestel
@pkwestel.bsky.social
⚽️🐎 Football tactics for
@TheBusbyBabe, @SBNation
I write about what's on my mind. Could be wrong!
@TheBusbyBabe, @SBNation
I write about what's on my mind. Could be wrong!
As the Premier League becomes more global - the quality of the league only gets better. Which makes the jump from academy football to the Premier League all the more difficult
In acknowledging that perhaps we need to rethink our expectations of the academy system
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
In acknowledging that perhaps we need to rethink our expectations of the academy system
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
A Proud Tradition Under Pressure: The Future of Manchester United’s Academy
Global scouting, rising competition, and shifting tactical demands have left United’s academy struggling to meet the standards of modern elite football.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
As the Premier League becomes more global - the quality of the league only gets better. Which makes the jump from academy football to the Premier League all the more difficult
In acknowledging that perhaps we need to rethink our expectations of the academy system
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
In acknowledging that perhaps we need to rethink our expectations of the academy system
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Welcome to the agenda of every country who has ever hosted the World Cup or the Olympics ever
Man it really stinks that our government is using the World Cup as an opportunity to advance their fascist agenda because the soccer is going to kick ass
Scotland [4] - 2 Denmark - K. McLean 90+8'
It's done! No Playoff! Straight through! And WHAT A GOAL TO FINISH IT OFF!!!!
It's done! No Playoff! Straight through! And WHAT A GOAL TO FINISH IT OFF!!!!
November 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Welcome to the agenda of every country who has ever hosted the World Cup or the Olympics ever
Tactical Analysis: For the second time in as many weeks Man Utd let a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 deficit in a matter of minutes.
Why does this keep happening?
The answer may lie in how they defend crosses, or more importantly, how they allow them
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Why does this keep happening?
The answer may lie in how they defend crosses, or more importantly, how they allow them
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Tactical Analysis: Why does this keep happening?
Your best source for quality Manchester United news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Tactical Analysis: For the second time in as many weeks Man Utd let a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 deficit in a matter of minutes.
Why does this keep happening?
The answer may lie in how they defend crosses, or more importantly, how they allow them
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Why does this keep happening?
The answer may lie in how they defend crosses, or more importantly, how they allow them
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Tactical Analysis: When is something an individual mistake made by a player vs when is it a tactical flaw?
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Tactical Analysis: Tactical vs individual mistakes
Your best source for quality Manchester United news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Tactical Analysis: When is something an individual mistake made by a player vs when is it a tactical flaw?
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
When you have the means to buy a sports team, you get to run it however you see fit - but the best owners tend to be the people who take a back seat & sign the checks
Sir Jim Ratcliffe falls is falling into the "hands on owner" category. Is that becoming a problem?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Sir Jim Ratcliffe falls is falling into the "hands on owner" category. Is that becoming a problem?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Do we have a Sir Jim problem?
Manchester United's owner seems a bit more hands on than is ideal. Is it starting to hold the club back?
open.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
When you have the means to buy a sports team, you get to run it however you see fit - but the best owners tend to be the people who take a back seat & sign the checks
Sir Jim Ratcliffe falls is falling into the "hands on owner" category. Is that becoming a problem?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Sir Jim Ratcliffe falls is falling into the "hands on owner" category. Is that becoming a problem?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Forgive me for being a few days late here but that Arsenal-Newcastle result is so harsh in relation to how the managers played it
Final few minutes Arteta makes a defensive sub wrap it up and protect his point. Eddie Howe brings on an attacker to go for the win
Football gods rewarded the wrong man
Final few minutes Arteta makes a defensive sub wrap it up and protect his point. Eddie Howe brings on an attacker to go for the win
Football gods rewarded the wrong man
October 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Forgive me for being a few days late here but that Arsenal-Newcastle result is so harsh in relation to how the managers played it
Final few minutes Arteta makes a defensive sub wrap it up and protect his point. Eddie Howe brings on an attacker to go for the win
Football gods rewarded the wrong man
Final few minutes Arteta makes a defensive sub wrap it up and protect his point. Eddie Howe brings on an attacker to go for the win
Football gods rewarded the wrong man
Hmmm is Unai Emery suddenly really bad or do Aston Villa just not have anywhere close to the talent level they had the past few years?
(This is a rhetorical question)
(This is a rhetorical question)
September 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Hmmm is Unai Emery suddenly really bad or do Aston Villa just not have anywhere close to the talent level they had the past few years?
(This is a rhetorical question)
(This is a rhetorical question)
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
New @tffpodcast.bsky.social with @pkwestel.bsky.social 📉
@colintheshots.bsky.social mercifully missed out on this post-Manchester Derby recap. But then he missed our convo on my Survivor binge watch so he still lost out in the end 😂
Get it in ya ears ⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/6ZXq...
@colintheshots.bsky.social mercifully missed out on this post-Manchester Derby recap. But then he missed our convo on my Survivor binge watch so he still lost out in the end 😂
Get it in ya ears ⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/6ZXq...
Manchester Derby Defeat
open.spotify.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
New @tffpodcast.bsky.social with @pkwestel.bsky.social 📉
@colintheshots.bsky.social mercifully missed out on this post-Manchester Derby recap. But then he missed our convo on my Survivor binge watch so he still lost out in the end 😂
Get it in ya ears ⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/6ZXq...
@colintheshots.bsky.social mercifully missed out on this post-Manchester Derby recap. But then he missed our convo on my Survivor binge watch so he still lost out in the end 😂
Get it in ya ears ⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/6ZXq...
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
the thing the US and Japan are trying to do, develop properly top 8 men's soccer programs, is just really really hard and, at this point on the path, depends heavily on good fortune in the superstar talent lottery
September 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
the thing the US and Japan are trying to do, develop properly top 8 men's soccer programs, is just really really hard and, at this point on the path, depends heavily on good fortune in the superstar talent lottery
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
Regardless of how good he is I firmly believe Arsenal are doing this kid a disservice if they’re giving this kid senior minutes at 15 years old
Arsenal have named Max Dowman in their Champions League squad.
Should he make his Champions League debut before turning 16 on December 31, he would become the first 15-year-old to appear in the competition.
More from @gunnerblog.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
Should he make his Champions League debut before turning 16 on December 31, he would become the first 15-year-old to appear in the competition.
More from @gunnerblog.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Regardless of how good he is I firmly believe Arsenal are doing this kid a disservice if they’re giving this kid senior minutes at 15 years old
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
FIFA will make the excuse of requiring to make top dollar to fund football globally. But it already banks a huge amount of money and much of it is funnelled to FIFA members/voters who decide to keep the president in office. If anything FIFA’s problem is too much money.
September 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
FIFA will make the excuse of requiring to make top dollar to fund football globally. But it already banks a huge amount of money and much of it is funnelled to FIFA members/voters who decide to keep the president in office. If anything FIFA’s problem is too much money.
Manchester United: How did we get here?
A couple weeks ago Marcus Rashford said everything United do has been reactive. He's not wrong. The club has spent a better part of a decade patching holes rather than adhering to a long term squad building strategy
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
A couple weeks ago Marcus Rashford said everything United do has been reactive. He's not wrong. The club has spent a better part of a decade patching holes rather than adhering to a long term squad building strategy
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Manchester United - How did we get here? Reactive planning
For the past decade, Manchester United’s squad building has been responding to last season’s flaws rather than following a long-term plan
open.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Manchester United: How did we get here?
A couple weeks ago Marcus Rashford said everything United do has been reactive. He's not wrong. The club has spent a better part of a decade patching holes rather than adhering to a long term squad building strategy
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
A couple weeks ago Marcus Rashford said everything United do has been reactive. He's not wrong. The club has spent a better part of a decade patching holes rather than adhering to a long term squad building strategy
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
United fans will spend a year watching a player, determine he’s not good enough, and say he needs to leave the club but when it’s a manager/coach they’ll shout he needs time! He needs time!
August 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
United fans will spend a year watching a player, determine he’s not good enough, and say he needs to leave the club but when it’s a manager/coach they’ll shout he needs time! He needs time!
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
it's so wild that Manchester United played a league two side in the cup and still played a 3421 with a dedicated DM, stay at home CBs and defensive WBs because there is no other system they are allowed to play
August 27, 2025 at 9:23 PM
it's so wild that Manchester United played a league two side in the cup and still played a 3421 with a dedicated DM, stay at home CBs and defensive WBs because there is no other system they are allowed to play
Tactical Analysis: Is it getting late early for Ruben Amorim?
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
Tactical Analysis: Is it getting late early for Ruben Amorim?
Your best source for quality Manchester United news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Tactical Analysis: Is it getting late early for Ruben Amorim?
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/manchester-u...
There's virtually no chance Amorim rolls out this lineup but based on the Arsenal match this is the team I'd select against Fulham (can swap Maguire in for De Ligt if you'd like)
Amad obvs in over Dalot to give you the extra attacker. The big call is Mbeumo down the middle and here's why
Amad obvs in over Dalot to give you the extra attacker. The big call is Mbeumo down the middle and here's why
August 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
There's virtually no chance Amorim rolls out this lineup but based on the Arsenal match this is the team I'd select against Fulham (can swap Maguire in for De Ligt if you'd like)
Amad obvs in over Dalot to give you the extra attacker. The big call is Mbeumo down the middle and here's why
Amad obvs in over Dalot to give you the extra attacker. The big call is Mbeumo down the middle and here's why
Can I interest Spurs in a lightly used Alejandro Garnacho?
Full Argentina international
Maybe if "ball goes in" he can become Eze in a few years?
(Won't pass to your striker though)
Full Argentina international
Maybe if "ball goes in" he can become Eze in a few years?
(Won't pass to your striker though)
August 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Can I interest Spurs in a lightly used Alejandro Garnacho?
Full Argentina international
Maybe if "ball goes in" he can become Eze in a few years?
(Won't pass to your striker though)
Full Argentina international
Maybe if "ball goes in" he can become Eze in a few years?
(Won't pass to your striker though)
Kai Havertz injury has people immediately suggesting Arsenal need to sign someone to cover for him
I wrote about how terrible this logic is. Why would a club invest money on a transfer fee and long term contract to cover an absence that may only be a few months?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
I wrote about how terrible this logic is. Why would a club invest money on a transfer fee and long term contract to cover an absence that may only be a few months?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Football’s Injury Dilemma: Why Short-Term Cover Rarely Makes Sense
Short-term absences don’t justify long-term contracts - but the media still wants to sell it to you
open.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Kai Havertz injury has people immediately suggesting Arsenal need to sign someone to cover for him
I wrote about how terrible this logic is. Why would a club invest money on a transfer fee and long term contract to cover an absence that may only be a few months?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
I wrote about how terrible this logic is. Why would a club invest money on a transfer fee and long term contract to cover an absence that may only be a few months?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
New season bold predictions just dropped on The Busby Babe. The only way in which @colintheshots.bsky.social, @pkwestel.bsky.social and I are confident is that we’re confident we’ll be watching this Sunday! @tffpodcast.bsky.social
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2010-2011-pr...
Article mood board ⬇️
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2010-2011-pr...
Article mood board ⬇️
August 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
New season bold predictions just dropped on The Busby Babe. The only way in which @colintheshots.bsky.social, @pkwestel.bsky.social and I are confident is that we’re confident we’ll be watching this Sunday! @tffpodcast.bsky.social
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2010-2011-pr...
Article mood board ⬇️
thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2010-2011-pr...
Article mood board ⬇️
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
Brentford paying 42.5 million pounds to Bournemouth is bigger than any indicator about how far the Premier League is ahead of anything else out there. Incredible numbers.
August 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Brentford paying 42.5 million pounds to Bournemouth is bigger than any indicator about how far the Premier League is ahead of anything else out there. Incredible numbers.
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
New @tffpodcast.bsky.social w/ @nheints.bsky.social and @pkwestel.bsky.social
We look at Manchester United's preseason double (treble) of pointless trophies, the dress rehearsal against Fiorentina, and the new Premier League campaign that arrives this weekend. #MUFC #ManUtd
We look at Manchester United's preseason double (treble) of pointless trophies, the dress rehearsal against Fiorentina, and the new Premier League campaign that arrives this weekend. #MUFC #ManUtd
Final friendly and Premier League kickoff
The Fergie Fledglings: A Manchester United Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
New @tffpodcast.bsky.social w/ @nheints.bsky.social and @pkwestel.bsky.social
We look at Manchester United's preseason double (treble) of pointless trophies, the dress rehearsal against Fiorentina, and the new Premier League campaign that arrives this weekend. #MUFC #ManUtd
We look at Manchester United's preseason double (treble) of pointless trophies, the dress rehearsal against Fiorentina, and the new Premier League campaign that arrives this weekend. #MUFC #ManUtd
Reposted by Pauly Kwestel
Continuing to read previews from rivals and enjoying the perspectives | Season Preview Part II: Manchester United are going to be all right. Right?!? buff.ly/aTix4Xl
Season Preview Part II: Manchester United are going to be all right. Right?!?
They say there's a plan. The evidence still remains elusive
buff.ly
August 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Continuing to read previews from rivals and enjoying the perspectives | Season Preview Part II: Manchester United are going to be all right. Right?!? buff.ly/aTix4Xl
Manchester United Season Preview time!
Manchester United are going to be all right... right?
Diving into all the questions around United (and there are a lot)
United are making a big bet around a completely rebuilt attack - does it solve their problems?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Manchester United are going to be all right... right?
Diving into all the questions around United (and there are a lot)
United are making a big bet around a completely rebuilt attack - does it solve their problems?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Season Preview Part II: Manchester United are going to be all right. Right?!?
They say there's a plan. The evidence still remains elusive
open.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Manchester United Season Preview time!
Manchester United are going to be all right... right?
Diving into all the questions around United (and there are a lot)
United are making a big bet around a completely rebuilt attack - does it solve their problems?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
Manchester United are going to be all right... right?
Diving into all the questions around United (and there are a lot)
United are making a big bet around a completely rebuilt attack - does it solve their problems?
open.substack.com/pub/kwesttho...
This mother f*****!
Did not expect Marcus Rashford to be the one who beat me to it! 😂😂😂
Did not expect Marcus Rashford to be the one who beat me to it! 😂😂😂
August 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This mother f*****!
Did not expect Marcus Rashford to be the one who beat me to it! 😂😂😂
Did not expect Marcus Rashford to be the one who beat me to it! 😂😂😂