Euro Expert
@alexanderbarker.bsky.social
Alex Barker
@theathleticfc
👍
Personal account only!
Email for Enquiries 🚨 euroexpert_@outlook.com
@theathleticfc
👍
Personal account only!
Email for Enquiries 🚨 euroexpert_@outlook.com
I reckon he's on personally
August 8, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I reckon he's on personally
Mythbusting: Jamie Gittens 🏴
The 20-year-old Englishman is the talk of the town. There's a lot of hype, and plenty of criticism flying his way.
That...is about fair, imo.
As you can find out below, Gittens has a lot of room for improvement 😬but a ton of potential 🔥
The 20-year-old Englishman is the talk of the town. There's a lot of hype, and plenty of criticism flying his way.
That...is about fair, imo.
As you can find out below, Gittens has a lot of room for improvement 😬but a ton of potential 🔥
April 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Mythbusting: Jamie Gittens 🏴
The 20-year-old Englishman is the talk of the town. There's a lot of hype, and plenty of criticism flying his way.
That...is about fair, imo.
As you can find out below, Gittens has a lot of room for improvement 😬but a ton of potential 🔥
The 20-year-old Englishman is the talk of the town. There's a lot of hype, and plenty of criticism flying his way.
That...is about fair, imo.
As you can find out below, Gittens has a lot of room for improvement 😬but a ton of potential 🔥
Mythbusting: Liam Delap 🏴
The most time I've spent watching one player for these. If you're hoping for me to say that Liam Delap is ready to *start* consistently for a UCL team, you might be disappointed.
However, my assessment of Delap is still one of my most positive ones!
The most time I've spent watching one player for these. If you're hoping for me to say that Liam Delap is ready to *start* consistently for a UCL team, you might be disappointed.
However, my assessment of Delap is still one of my most positive ones!
April 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Mythbusting: Liam Delap 🏴
The most time I've spent watching one player for these. If you're hoping for me to say that Liam Delap is ready to *start* consistently for a UCL team, you might be disappointed.
However, my assessment of Delap is still one of my most positive ones!
The most time I've spent watching one player for these. If you're hoping for me to say that Liam Delap is ready to *start* consistently for a UCL team, you might be disappointed.
However, my assessment of Delap is still one of my most positive ones!
Mythbusting: Castello Lukeba 🇫🇷
For most people, Lukeba is one of the best centre-backs on the market. He's left footed, 22 years old, and very highly rated.
I took a deep dive to see if there were any red flags going under the radar...
(Spoiler alert: there wasn't really)
For most people, Lukeba is one of the best centre-backs on the market. He's left footed, 22 years old, and very highly rated.
I took a deep dive to see if there were any red flags going under the radar...
(Spoiler alert: there wasn't really)
April 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Mythbusting: Castello Lukeba 🇫🇷
For most people, Lukeba is one of the best centre-backs on the market. He's left footed, 22 years old, and very highly rated.
I took a deep dive to see if there were any red flags going under the radar...
(Spoiler alert: there wasn't really)
For most people, Lukeba is one of the best centre-backs on the market. He's left footed, 22 years old, and very highly rated.
I took a deep dive to see if there were any red flags going under the radar...
(Spoiler alert: there wasn't really)
Mythbusting: Alex Baena 🇪🇸
I spent some time watching one of La Liga's most exciting players! If you're searching for a TLDR:
At first, I was pretty disappointed. But, then I found my way back onboard the hype train....
I spent some time watching one of La Liga's most exciting players! If you're searching for a TLDR:
At first, I was pretty disappointed. But, then I found my way back onboard the hype train....
March 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Mythbusting: Alex Baena 🇪🇸
I spent some time watching one of La Liga's most exciting players! If you're searching for a TLDR:
At first, I was pretty disappointed. But, then I found my way back onboard the hype train....
I spent some time watching one of La Liga's most exciting players! If you're searching for a TLDR:
At first, I was pretty disappointed. But, then I found my way back onboard the hype train....
As you can see from Fotmob, he has missed a ton of chances from the right hand side of the box. He just consistently tries to smash it with his laces, but ends up hitting the ball with the outside of his boot and sending it wide. It's weird.
March 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
As you can see from Fotmob, he has missed a ton of chances from the right hand side of the box. He just consistently tries to smash it with his laces, but ends up hitting the ball with the outside of his boot and sending it wide. It's weird.
Mythbusting: Hugo Ekitike 🇫🇷
There's been a TON of hype around Ekitike - for good reason. He's one of my favourite players to watch.
That said, there is a danger of the hype getting out of control. Here are his strengths, weaknesses, and my verdict on the best team for him.
There's been a TON of hype around Ekitike - for good reason. He's one of my favourite players to watch.
That said, there is a danger of the hype getting out of control. Here are his strengths, weaknesses, and my verdict on the best team for him.
March 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Mythbusting: Hugo Ekitike 🇫🇷
There's been a TON of hype around Ekitike - for good reason. He's one of my favourite players to watch.
That said, there is a danger of the hype getting out of control. Here are his strengths, weaknesses, and my verdict on the best team for him.
There's been a TON of hype around Ekitike - for good reason. He's one of my favourite players to watch.
That said, there is a danger of the hype getting out of control. Here are his strengths, weaknesses, and my verdict on the best team for him.
Spending my time off watching Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace 🦅
March 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Spending my time off watching Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace 🦅
I think at this point, I'm happy with Downes and Fernandes tracking back. I'm happy with TWB for prioritising defending the back post rather than Cucurella.
Smallbone though, is perhaps guilty of ball watching. He doesn't move much here. Could have closed the pass.
Smallbone though, is perhaps guilty of ball watching. He doesn't move much here. Could have closed the pass.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I think at this point, I'm happy with Downes and Fernandes tracking back. I'm happy with TWB for prioritising defending the back post rather than Cucurella.
Smallbone though, is perhaps guilty of ball watching. He doesn't move much here. Could have closed the pass.
Smallbone though, is perhaps guilty of ball watching. He doesn't move much here. Could have closed the pass.
I think it's hard to blame anyone too much here. Chelsea play it down the channel, and Downes holds his position. Fairly so, as in theory, this is a weaker position for Chelsea. It's a point for Southampton to get back and defend the cross.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I think it's hard to blame anyone too much here. Chelsea play it down the channel, and Downes holds his position. Fairly so, as in theory, this is a weaker position for Chelsea. It's a point for Southampton to get back and defend the cross.
There's not too much to discuss here. Southampton commit for a corner, lose it, and Chelsea hit them on the counter. I guess the life has gone out of them because look at the Chelsea bodies LOL.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
There's not too much to discuss here. Southampton commit for a corner, lose it, and Chelsea hit them on the counter. I guess the life has gone out of them because look at the Chelsea bodies LOL.
The third goal is up next, we're almost there Southampton fans. Now this is pretty cut and dry, but one thing to notice: look how easily Bella-Kotchap gets shoved by Colwill, and proceeds to lose him.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The third goal is up next, we're almost there Southampton fans. Now this is pretty cut and dry, but one thing to notice: look how easily Bella-Kotchap gets shoved by Colwill, and proceeds to lose him.
Remember what I said about teams baiting Southampton's midfield up, before hitting the space between the lines, by simply passing to their ST to lay it off...yikes.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Remember what I said about teams baiting Southampton's midfield up, before hitting the space between the lines, by simply passing to their ST to lay it off...yikes.
It's not long after he makes another bad pass too, although I think this one is even worse lol.
Contributes to my feeling that while Juric is making some tactical decisions that are probably not worth the risk...these players are just p poor at times
Contributes to my feeling that while Juric is making some tactical decisions that are probably not worth the risk...these players are just p poor at times
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It's not long after he makes another bad pass too, although I think this one is even worse lol.
Contributes to my feeling that while Juric is making some tactical decisions that are probably not worth the risk...these players are just p poor at times
Contributes to my feeling that while Juric is making some tactical decisions that are probably not worth the risk...these players are just p poor at times
To be fair, I kid, don't think Southampton do much wrong tactically - this is just a ballsy decision from Downes to make the pass, and it doesn't come off...and he gets punished for it.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
To be fair, I kid, don't think Southampton do much wrong tactically - this is just a ballsy decision from Downes to make the pass, and it doesn't come off...and he gets punished for it.
Anyway, to be positive once again, I do think Southampton have been okay in possession this game. The Martin era has helped them become pretty crafty in the final third. KWP holds his run well to let Sulemana cross, and Onuachu is unlucky.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Anyway, to be positive once again, I do think Southampton have been okay in possession this game. The Martin era has helped them become pretty crafty in the final third. KWP holds his run well to let Sulemana cross, and Onuachu is unlucky.
-Opponent hits long pass to these players
- Ball is laid off into the cavern of space between the lines in which a oppo player is running into. It's naturally easier to run forward than for a Southampton player to turn and then run back to their own goal.
It keeps happening.
- Ball is laid off into the cavern of space between the lines in which a oppo player is running into. It's naturally easier to run forward than for a Southampton player to turn and then run back to their own goal.
It keeps happening.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
-Opponent hits long pass to these players
- Ball is laid off into the cavern of space between the lines in which a oppo player is running into. It's naturally easier to run forward than for a Southampton player to turn and then run back to their own goal.
It keeps happening.
- Ball is laid off into the cavern of space between the lines in which a oppo player is running into. It's naturally easier to run forward than for a Southampton player to turn and then run back to their own goal.
It keeps happening.
What keeps happening under Juric is this:
- Opponent baits Southampton to commit their midfielders forward
- Opponent's forwards create space for themselves, Southampton CBs (who aren't used to this type of defending struggle to track)
- Opponent baits Southampton to commit their midfielders forward
- Opponent's forwards create space for themselves, Southampton CBs (who aren't used to this type of defending struggle to track)
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
What keeps happening under Juric is this:
- Opponent baits Southampton to commit their midfielders forward
- Opponent's forwards create space for themselves, Southampton CBs (who aren't used to this type of defending struggle to track)
- Opponent baits Southampton to commit their midfielders forward
- Opponent's forwards create space for themselves, Southampton CBs (who aren't used to this type of defending struggle to track)
This image of Neto winning a header unchallenged, and Palmer receiving unchallenged sums it up.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This image of Neto winning a header unchallenged, and Palmer receiving unchallenged sums it up.
I mean you could argue the actual goal Chelsea score from a corner right after this is his fault, as it directly arises from this attack, ha!
Although, I feel like Bree could have held his position. Not sure he needed to step up. Would have blocked the knock down.
Although, I feel like Bree could have held his position. Not sure he needed to step up. Would have blocked the knock down.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I mean you could argue the actual goal Chelsea score from a corner right after this is his fault, as it directly arises from this attack, ha!
Although, I feel like Bree could have held his position. Not sure he needed to step up. Would have blocked the knock down.
Although, I feel like Bree could have held his position. Not sure he needed to step up. Would have blocked the knock down.
Seems like I picked a good topic to follow because oh boy, Aribo on Palmer is really not working. At all. It's hard to blame him because he is a midfielder, but he doesn't check his shoulder here between the first two screenshots.
This goal would have been his fault imo.
This goal would have been his fault imo.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Seems like I picked a good topic to follow because oh boy, Aribo on Palmer is really not working. At all. It's hard to blame him because he is a midfielder, but he doesn't check his shoulder here between the first two screenshots.
This goal would have been his fault imo.
This goal would have been his fault imo.
A better pass and Southampton are absolutely cooked here.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A better pass and Southampton are absolutely cooked here.
This isn't inherently a bad decision. After all, in another game, Aribo wins the ball and launches a quick counter-attack. But, it means that Onuachu has to swap responsibilities, track back and mark Palmer...which isn't ideal considering he's A). the ST and B). Slow.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This isn't inherently a bad decision. After all, in another game, Aribo wins the ball and launches a quick counter-attack. But, it means that Onuachu has to swap responsibilities, track back and mark Palmer...which isn't ideal considering he's A). the ST and B). Slow.
Chelsea have switched it, and the pass is overhit. Tosin is going to have to scramble to get to it, and Onuachu is in a good place to press him.
However, Aribo leaves Palmer and attempts to close down Tosin.
However, Aribo leaves Palmer and attempts to close down Tosin.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Chelsea have switched it, and the pass is overhit. Tosin is going to have to scramble to get to it, and Onuachu is in a good place to press him.
However, Aribo leaves Palmer and attempts to close down Tosin.
However, Aribo leaves Palmer and attempts to close down Tosin.
On that note, Aribo in the back line just isn't working for me. He is a midfielder, who doesn't defend like a centre-back.
Here he is marking Palmer m2m pretty high up the pitch (good, it's his instruction)
Here he is marking Palmer m2m pretty high up the pitch (good, it's his instruction)
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
On that note, Aribo in the back line just isn't working for me. He is a midfielder, who doesn't defend like a centre-back.
Here he is marking Palmer m2m pretty high up the pitch (good, it's his instruction)
Here he is marking Palmer m2m pretty high up the pitch (good, it's his instruction)