brian mcdonnell
@sixtwofourtwo.bsky.social
A business analyst working with Stats Perform - fascinated by performance analysis, the smart(er) sports story & coaching (then, now, next)
What happens if Erling Haaland stops scoring for Manchester City? (analysis via @hkhaliqueloonat.bsky.social for @thetimes.com)
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Erling Haaland in unstoppable form — but are Man City too reliant on him?
Pep Guardiola has altered his tactics to make star striker Manchester City’s focal point to devastating effect, but going all-in on the Norwegian is a big risk
www.thetimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:32 PM
What happens if Erling Haaland stops scoring for Manchester City? (analysis via @hkhaliqueloonat.bsky.social for @thetimes.com)
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Football Manager is back and @rbenson92.bsky.social has identified ten FM26 Challenges to consume your life (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/foo...
theanalyst.com/articles/foo...
Football Manager 26: 10 FM26 Challenges That Will Consume Your Life | Opta Analyst
Football Manager has returned. With FM26 Beta now out, we've identified 10 challenges that'll make leaving the house a thing of the past.
theanalyst.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Football Manager is back and @rbenson92.bsky.social has identified ten FM26 Challenges to consume your life (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/foo...
theanalyst.com/articles/foo...
Backed by Tony Bloom’s analytics and clever player recruitment, could the Edinburgh club change the landscape of Scottish football? (analysis via @mattfurniss.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/hea...
theanalyst.com/articles/hea...
After 40 years of Old Firm Dominance, Could Tony Bloom’s Analytical Revolution at Hearts Smash Scotland's Duopoly? | Opta Analyst
Backed by Tony Bloom's analytics and clever player recruitment, could Hearts keep up their form and change the landscape of Scottish club football?
theanalyst.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Backed by Tony Bloom’s analytics and clever player recruitment, could the Edinburgh club change the landscape of Scottish football? (analysis via @mattfurniss.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/hea...
theanalyst.com/articles/hea...
Five more points will bring Mjällby their highest points total in Allsvenskan history - if the champions-elect break that record, it’s because Mjällby appear to have broken expected goals - analysis via @zonal-marking.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
How are a small club from a fishing village about to win the Swedish title?
"If you look at the underlying numbers, Mjallby have been overperforming quite a lot."
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Five more points will bring Mjällby their highest points total in Allsvenskan history - if the champions-elect break that record, it’s because Mjällby appear to have broken expected goals - analysis via @zonal-marking.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Haralabos Voulgaris bought Spanish second division side Castellón after leaving the NBA and Dallas Mavericks. Now, he is slowly building a culture of data-driven decision-making (interview via @robbiejdunne.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/har...
theanalyst.com/articles/har...
Inside Spanish Football's Most Innovative Project — Led by a Former NBA Number Cruncher | Opta Analyst
Haralabos Voulgaris bought Castellón after leaving the Dallas Mavericks and is slowly building a culture of data-driven decision-making.
theanalyst.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris bought Spanish second division side Castellón after leaving the NBA and Dallas Mavericks. Now, he is slowly building a culture of data-driven decision-making (interview via @robbiejdunne.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/har...
theanalyst.com/articles/har...
“The amount of money that some clubs are willing to lose season upon season makes no sense to me” - Brighton owner Tony Bloom on the future of the Premier League & how his club will adapt (interview via @andynaylorbrighton.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Brighton owner Tony Bloom on the future of the Premier League and how his club will adapt to it
Bloom shares his views on football governance, the increasing American influence, and the possibility of league games being played overseas
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM
“The amount of money that some clubs are willing to lose season upon season makes no sense to me” - Brighton owner Tony Bloom on the future of the Premier League & how his club will adapt (interview via @andynaylorbrighton.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Here, @sebsb.bsky.social questions the oddity of the situation in England and in many other European leagues whereby the coach is never without a microphone in their face while the sporting directors rarely see one at all (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Can Premier League’s silent decision-makers learn from Bundesliga sporting directors?
The Premier League is a source of absolute fascination - and yet those who make the calls which determine a club’s direction rarely speak
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Here, @sebsb.bsky.social questions the oddity of the situation in England and in many other European leagues whereby the coach is never without a microphone in their face while the sporting directors rarely see one at all (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
From Noni Madueke to Antoine Semenyo, top Premier League players are putting in the extra work with one-to-one specialists (story via @tomallnutt.bsky.social for @thetimes.com)
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
What every top Premier League star now wants: a private skills coach
From Noni Madueke to Antoine Semenyo, top players are putting in extra work with one-to-one specialists — sometimes you may even see them at your local park
www.thetimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
From Noni Madueke to Antoine Semenyo, top Premier League players are putting in the extra work with one-to-one specialists (story via @tomallnutt.bsky.social for @thetimes.com)
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
With set-pieces and throw-ins increasing this season, are we seeing less of the ball in play in the Premier League? Here, @davidsegar.bsky.social digs into the data to find out (via @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Ball in Play: Are We Seeing Less Football in the Premier League This Season? | Opta Analyst
Are we seeing less of the ball in play in the Premier League this season? We look at all the Opta data to find out.
theanalyst.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
With set-pieces and throw-ins increasing this season, are we seeing less of the ball in play in the Premier League? Here, @davidsegar.bsky.social digs into the data to find out (via @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
England’s performance was a reminder that a team’s optimal performances are often decided by playing the best 11 rather than their 11 best (via @markcarey93.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
England are building a team, not just picking their best players — and it seems to be working
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:41 PM
England’s performance was a reminder that a team’s optimal performances are often decided by playing the best 11 rather than their 11 best (via @markcarey93.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Sunderland are fifth in the Premier League following their promotion. Here, @alitweedale.bsky.social takes a look at the numbers behind their impressive start to life back in the big time (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/sun...
theanalyst.com/articles/sun...
Youth, Team Spirit and ‘Suffering’: How High-Flying Sunderland Are Defying Fate as a Promoted Side | Opta Analyst
Sunderland are flying high in the Premier League following their promotion. We look at the numbers behind their impressive start to the season
theanalyst.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Sunderland are fifth in the Premier League following their promotion. Here, @alitweedale.bsky.social takes a look at the numbers behind their impressive start to life back in the big time (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/sun...
theanalyst.com/articles/sun...
Reposted by brian mcdonnell
Naomh McElhatton discusses being a voice for women in the technology sector and the responsibility she feels to steer progress.
‘Tech without compassion is brittle,’ says Irish ambassador for Women in AI
Naomh McElhatton discusses the responsibility she feels towards promoting women in STEM and her fears for the misuse of AI.
www.siliconrepublic.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Naomh McElhatton discusses being a voice for women in the technology sector and the responsibility she feels to steer progress.
Excellent analysis from @robbiejdunne.bsky.social on what Xabi Alonso has already achieved in his rebuild of Real Madrid for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com
theanalyst.com/articles/rea...
theanalyst.com/articles/rea...
Pressing, Defending With the Ball and Control Over Chaos: How Xabi Alonso is Rebuilding Real Madrid | Opta Analyst
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are pressing higher, defending with the ball, and thriving with Álvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé.
theanalyst.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Excellent analysis from @robbiejdunne.bsky.social on what Xabi Alonso has already achieved in his rebuild of Real Madrid for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com
theanalyst.com/articles/rea...
theanalyst.com/articles/rea...
Crystal Palace are on the verge of equaling the longest unbeaten run in their history, but the data suggests things could get even better for them (analysis via @alitweedale.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/cry...
theanalyst.com/articles/cry...
Crystal Palace's 17-Game Unbeaten Run Might Only Be the Start | Opta Analyst
Crystal Palace are on the verge of equalling the longest unbeaten run in their history, but the data suggests things could get even better for them.
theanalyst.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Crystal Palace are on the verge of equaling the longest unbeaten run in their history, but the data suggests things could get even better for them (analysis via @alitweedale.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/cry...
theanalyst.com/articles/cry...
Over the last 38 games, only Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City have earned more points than Nottingham Forest - please read @davidsegar.bsky.social’s analysis of Nuno Espírito Santo’s Premier League record as Forest manager (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/nun...
theanalyst.com/articles/nun...
Nuno Espírito Santo Sacked: Why Nottingham Forest's Best Manager in a Generation Will Take Some Following | Opta Analyst
Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. We look over his time at the City Ground following a decision that has raised eyebrows.
theanalyst.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Over the last 38 games, only Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City have earned more points than Nottingham Forest - please read @davidsegar.bsky.social’s analysis of Nuno Espírito Santo’s Premier League record as Forest manager (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/nun...
theanalyst.com/articles/nun...
This is good from @markcarey93.bsky.social on the rise of individual player coaching in the Premier League (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
The rise of the individual striker coach: 'It's about maximising potential and marginal gains'
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This is good from @markcarey93.bsky.social on the rise of individual player coaching in the Premier League (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Pep Guardiola and Ederson revolutionized what is expected of goalkeepers in the Premier League, so is Manchester City's signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma a sign of things to come? (analysis via @alitweedale.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/gia...
theanalyst.com/articles/gia...
From Ederson to Gianluigi Donnarumma: Pep Guardiola's Choice Shows Role of Goalkeeper is Changing Again | Opta Analyst
Pep Guardiola and Ederson revolutionised the role of the goalkeeper in the Premier League, so is Manchester City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma a sign of things to come?
theanalyst.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Pep Guardiola and Ederson revolutionized what is expected of goalkeepers in the Premier League, so is Manchester City's signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma a sign of things to come? (analysis via @alitweedale.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)
theanalyst.com/articles/gia...
theanalyst.com/articles/gia...
This is a terrific read from @henrybushnell.bsky.social on Matt Crocker’s vision for youth development in the United States and his plan to realize that vision (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
U.S. Soccer has a new vision for youth development. Implementation is ‘an astronomical ask’
www.nytimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This is a terrific read from @henrybushnell.bsky.social on Matt Crocker’s vision for youth development in the United States and his plan to realize that vision (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Excellent analysis from @conor-oneill.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on the impact that "squad churn" has and can have on team performance in the Premier League
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Evolution not revolution: The impact of squad churn on Premier League performance
A fascination with player trading is understandable – but it is no guarantee of success
www.nytimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Excellent analysis from @conor-oneill.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on the impact that "squad churn" has and can have on team performance in the Premier League
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
“Ederson changed what teams expected of their goalkeepers, and perhaps even what ’keepers expected of themselves” - analysis via @jamesgheerbrant.bsky.social for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Farewell to Ederson, pass-master goalkeeper who changed the modern game
Ederson leaves English football as understated cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s dynasty and a pioneer who transformed his position for a generation at Man City
www.thetimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:18 AM
“Ederson changed what teams expected of their goalkeepers, and perhaps even what ’keepers expected of themselves” - analysis via @jamesgheerbrant.bsky.social for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Vitesse Arnhem have been kicked out of the Dutch league, the season rolls on without a club older than Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV - story via @dtathletic.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
The 'slow death' of Vitesse Arnhem. Can the club once known as Chelsea B be saved?
www.nytimes.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Vitesse Arnhem have been kicked out of the Dutch league, the season rolls on without a club older than Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV - story via @dtathletic.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
Reposted by brian mcdonnell
1. I am excited to launch Sports D3c0d3d with Iddo Diamant - a monthly newsletter focused on career development and talent advancement for Irish and European SportsTech professionals.
sportsd3c0d3d.beehiiv.com
sportsd3c0d3d.beehiiv.com
Sports D3c0d3d
Helping you d3c0d3 your path into SportsTech - monthly digest of Irish opportunities, innovations, and insider knowledge for sports technology professionals
sportsd3c0d3d.beehiiv.com
August 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
1. I am excited to launch Sports D3c0d3d with Iddo Diamant - a monthly newsletter focused on career development and talent advancement for Irish and European SportsTech professionals.
sportsd3c0d3d.beehiiv.com
sportsd3c0d3d.beehiiv.com
Reposted by brian mcdonnell
July 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
@grimsbytown.bsky.social are partnered with Jamestown Analytics (an offshoot of Starlizard & the hand behind Brighton’s recruitment) - Tony Bloom was impressed by Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit’s vision for the club (story via Gregor Robertson for @thetimes.com).
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Cutting-edge data meets archaic stadium: Man United face perils of Grimsby
League Two club’s old ground, Blundell Park, and mastery of modern analytics will present Ruben Amorim’s players with a unique test in Carabao Cup on Wednesday
www.thetimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
@grimsbytown.bsky.social are partnered with Jamestown Analytics (an offshoot of Starlizard & the hand behind Brighton’s recruitment) - Tony Bloom was impressed by Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit’s vision for the club (story via Gregor Robertson for @thetimes.com).
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Excellent analysis from @conor-oneill.bsky.social - because Coventry scored seven goals against QPR from a total xG value of just 1.27 does not mean that an xG model is broken (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Does Coventry 7 (xG 1.27) QPR 1 (0.61) prove expected goals is broken?
The Championship club's remarkable overperformance on Saturday raised questions about the xG model
www.nytimes.com
August 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Excellent analysis from @conor-oneill.bsky.social - because Coventry scored seven goals against QPR from a total xG value of just 1.27 does not mean that an xG model is broken (for @theathleticfc.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...