Alex Collings
@alexcollings.bsky.social
@alexfrco on twitter. He/him, rambler and unofficial laugh track @potshot.bsky.social.
Interested in The Arsenal, tactical analysis, and scouting. Also philosophy, politics, and music. Reading: Technofeudalism.
Build a longer table, not a taller fence.
Interested in The Arsenal, tactical analysis, and scouting. Also philosophy, politics, and music. Reading: Technofeudalism.
Build a longer table, not a taller fence.
Too often we judge players on moments rather than momentum.
October 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Too often we judge players on moments rather than momentum.
Wasn’t expecting it but the thing I love most about Gyokeres’ game is his ~final action decision making.
October 1, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Wasn’t expecting it but the thing I love most about Gyokeres’ game is his ~final action decision making.
Reposted by Alex Collings
The @scoutedftbl.com 50 is here.
I voted in part with my heart and in part with my access to elite level scouting algos.
Sub to Scouted. It makes sense.
I voted in part with my heart and in part with my access to elite level scouting algos.
Sub to Scouted. It makes sense.
October 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The @scoutedftbl.com 50 is here.
I voted in part with my heart and in part with my access to elite level scouting algos.
Sub to Scouted. It makes sense.
I voted in part with my heart and in part with my access to elite level scouting algos.
Sub to Scouted. It makes sense.
Honoured to have been asked to be part of SCOUTED50 again.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
October 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Honoured to have been asked to be part of SCOUTED50 again.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Anyways, Port Vale:
Setford*
White**, Mosquera, Hincapié, Myles
Ethan, Nørgaard, Eze/MM
Max, Martinelli, Trossard
Sub Eze, Max and White by ‘60. Give Annous his debut.
*ik it’ll be Kepa
**start Nichols if BW isn’t ready
Setford*
White**, Mosquera, Hincapié, Myles
Ethan, Nørgaard, Eze/MM
Max, Martinelli, Trossard
Sub Eze, Max and White by ‘60. Give Annous his debut.
*ik it’ll be Kepa
**start Nichols if BW isn’t ready
September 21, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Anyways, Port Vale:
Setford*
White**, Mosquera, Hincapié, Myles
Ethan, Nørgaard, Eze/MM
Max, Martinelli, Trossard
Sub Eze, Max and White by ‘60. Give Annous his debut.
*ik it’ll be Kepa
**start Nichols if BW isn’t ready
Setford*
White**, Mosquera, Hincapié, Myles
Ethan, Nørgaard, Eze/MM
Max, Martinelli, Trossard
Sub Eze, Max and White by ‘60. Give Annous his debut.
*ik it’ll be Kepa
**start Nichols if BW isn’t ready
uhhh is it too late to un-give up on Martinelli?
There's a point in this pod where it is very funny that it was recorded before Bilbao and released after.
I'll let you guess the topic
I'll let you guess the topic
💥TAKING STOCK💥
#182: Trading Takes
🎙: @alexcollings.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social
🔴 Liverpool & Forest reviews
⚪️ Zubi the Superstar
🟡 Hot takes on Rice
🔵 Standout performers so far
Listen here 👇
pod.fo/e/32c31f
#182: Trading Takes
🎙: @alexcollings.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social
🔴 Liverpool & Forest reviews
⚪️ Zubi the Superstar
🟡 Hot takes on Rice
🔵 Standout performers so far
Listen here 👇
pod.fo/e/32c31f
September 21, 2025 at 11:05 PM
uhhh is it too late to un-give up on Martinelli?
Yeah, so Arteta is really using his squad this season and looking to reward form. Exactly what we’ve been asking for for years, can’t hate on it
September 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Yeah, so Arteta is really using his squad this season and looking to reward form. Exactly what we’ve been asking for for years, can’t hate on it
Side note: Wirtz really came alive around the same time Curtis Jones came on.
Could well be circumstantial but I think there’s something in that, particularly as a ‘counter balancer’/‘counter tempo’ to the rest of the team. He could be key to extracting the most from Wirtz this season.
Could well be circumstantial but I think there’s something in that, particularly as a ‘counter balancer’/‘counter tempo’ to the rest of the team. He could be key to extracting the most from Wirtz this season.
argh frustrating tho
Momentum swung their way around 55 mins (partly as a result of Zubi waning). Imo then was the opportunity to bring on Ødegaard and Eze to regain stability, add creativity. Instead, Liverpool bring on CuJo to stamp control on the game. If we lost it tactically, we lost it there.
Momentum swung their way around 55 mins (partly as a result of Zubi waning). Imo then was the opportunity to bring on Ødegaard and Eze to regain stability, add creativity. Instead, Liverpool bring on CuJo to stamp control on the game. If we lost it tactically, we lost it there.
August 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Side note: Wirtz really came alive around the same time Curtis Jones came on.
Could well be circumstantial but I think there’s something in that, particularly as a ‘counter balancer’/‘counter tempo’ to the rest of the team. He could be key to extracting the most from Wirtz this season.
Could well be circumstantial but I think there’s something in that, particularly as a ‘counter balancer’/‘counter tempo’ to the rest of the team. He could be key to extracting the most from Wirtz this season.
Reposted by Alex Collings
Agreed. Ode/Eze ten minutes sooner when it was clear that we were no longer controlling the game. By 55 mins we no longer pressed.
Free kick 2 inches to the right and it is saved. 2 inches to the left and it bounces off the post & back into play (maybe off Raya, though). A truly worthy game winner.
Free kick 2 inches to the right and it is saved. 2 inches to the left and it bounces off the post & back into play (maybe off Raya, though). A truly worthy game winner.
August 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Agreed. Ode/Eze ten minutes sooner when it was clear that we were no longer controlling the game. By 55 mins we no longer pressed.
Free kick 2 inches to the right and it is saved. 2 inches to the left and it bounces off the post & back into play (maybe off Raya, though). A truly worthy game winner.
Free kick 2 inches to the right and it is saved. 2 inches to the left and it bounces off the post & back into play (maybe off Raya, though). A truly worthy game winner.
Øde + Eze subs were late, but otherwise I’m not taking issue with today’s performance. Missing key players (Kai, Saka, Ø from the start), lost Saliba early, outplayed them on their patch for periods, ultimately beaten by a brilliant free-kick. Loads of positives, we go again.
August 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Øde + Eze subs were late, but otherwise I’m not taking issue with today’s performance. Missing key players (Kai, Saka, Ø from the start), lost Saliba early, outplayed them on their patch for periods, ultimately beaten by a brilliant free-kick. Loads of positives, we go again.
Our squad depth, btw.
Been said a ton already but bears repeating. After Leeds there was chatter over whether Merino was already fading from the first team picture, and now he starts one of our biggest fixtures of the season. We have options!
Been said a ton already but bears repeating. After Leeds there was chatter over whether Merino was already fading from the first team picture, and now he starts one of our biggest fixtures of the season. We have options!
August 31, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Our squad depth, btw.
Been said a ton already but bears repeating. After Leeds there was chatter over whether Merino was already fading from the first team picture, and now he starts one of our biggest fixtures of the season. We have options!
Been said a ton already but bears repeating. After Leeds there was chatter over whether Merino was already fading from the first team picture, and now he starts one of our biggest fixtures of the season. We have options!
Oh, it’s going to be one of *those* games.
August 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Oh, it’s going to be one of *those* games.
Martín Zubimendi by the way, fantastic player
💥 2 WEEKS, 2 UNITEDS, 2 WINS 💥
#131: A Change In Intent
🎙️: @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social
🔴 Making Sense of a New Style
⚪️ A Tale of Two Nineties
🔵 Flowers for Zubi
🟡 Looking To Anfield
Listen now 👇
pod.fo/e/320c27
#131: A Change In Intent
🎙️: @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social
🔴 Making Sense of a New Style
⚪️ A Tale of Two Nineties
🔵 Flowers for Zubi
🟡 Looking To Anfield
Listen now 👇
pod.fo/e/320c27
The Pot Shot Podcast: #131: A Change In Intent
Jake, Alex & Manas explore the question on everybody's mind: how much has Arsenal's tactical approach changed this season?For tactical writing from the Pot Shot Crew, check out the Pot Shot Substac...
pod.fo
August 31, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Martín Zubimendi by the way, fantastic player
#LateNightRewatch
Went under the radar but that Rice performance vs Man Utd is by far the worst defensive showing I’ve ever seen from him.
Like… truly wretched. Our weakest player OOP, multiple mistakes leading to oppo shots on goal and Ødegaard had to bail him out on multiple occasions.
Went under the radar but that Rice performance vs Man Utd is by far the worst defensive showing I’ve ever seen from him.
Like… truly wretched. Our weakest player OOP, multiple mistakes leading to oppo shots on goal and Ødegaard had to bail him out on multiple occasions.
August 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
#LateNightRewatch
Went under the radar but that Rice performance vs Man Utd is by far the worst defensive showing I’ve ever seen from him.
Like… truly wretched. Our weakest player OOP, multiple mistakes leading to oppo shots on goal and Ødegaard had to bail him out on multiple occasions.
Went under the radar but that Rice performance vs Man Utd is by far the worst defensive showing I’ve ever seen from him.
Like… truly wretched. Our weakest player OOP, multiple mistakes leading to oppo shots on goal and Ødegaard had to bail him out on multiple occasions.
Reposted by Alex Collings
There was something poetic about the Arsenal experience yesterday. Opened by Eberechi Eze's joyful disbelief to walk out in years after being released aged 13, ended by Max Dowman soaking up the wonder of the crowd at the end aged 15.
Very different paths. Next week they could be sharing a pitch.
Very different paths. Next week they could be sharing a pitch.
August 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
There was something poetic about the Arsenal experience yesterday. Opened by Eberechi Eze's joyful disbelief to walk out in years after being released aged 13, ended by Max Dowman soaking up the wonder of the crowd at the end aged 15.
Very different paths. Next week they could be sharing a pitch.
Very different paths. Next week they could be sharing a pitch.
Love that Auba remains such a dangerous striker at 36 years old.
Throughout his prime the focus was always on pace as his key asset. In reality, his greatest qualities have always been his 1) movement (esp in settled play!), and 2) ability to set his body optimally before the ball arrived to him.
Throughout his prime the focus was always on pace as his key asset. In reality, his greatest qualities have always been his 1) movement (esp in settled play!), and 2) ability to set his body optimally before the ball arrived to him.
Aubameyang double helps Marseille return to winning ways with 5-2 victory over Paris FC reut.rs/4mwuY0U
Aubameyang double helps Marseille return to winning ways with 5-2 victory over Paris FC
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace as last season's runners-up Olympique de Marseille bounced back from a shock loss at Stade Rennais to bag a 5-2 win over Paris FC in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
reut.rs
August 24, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Love that Auba remains such a dangerous striker at 36 years old.
Throughout his prime the focus was always on pace as his key asset. In reality, his greatest qualities have always been his 1) movement (esp in settled play!), and 2) ability to set his body optimally before the ball arrived to him.
Throughout his prime the focus was always on pace as his key asset. In reality, his greatest qualities have always been his 1) movement (esp in settled play!), and 2) ability to set his body optimally before the ball arrived to him.
Heard fantastic things about Victor Ozhianvuna from people in the game who know him well. Exciting stuff
August 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Heard fantastic things about Victor Ozhianvuna from people in the game who know him well. Exciting stuff
This Lyon squad looks like a team you come across two seasons into an FM save and kinda I love it. Bargain wonderkids in Moreira and Karabec, a #10 signed after two 20-goal seasons for Viktoria Plzen. AMN in a new position every game, Tyler Morton as our star midfielder for some reason. Amazing.
August 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This Lyon squad looks like a team you come across two seasons into an FM save and kinda I love it. Bargain wonderkids in Moreira and Karabec, a #10 signed after two 20-goal seasons for Viktoria Plzen. AMN in a new position every game, Tyler Morton as our star midfielder for some reason. Amazing.
Must have been an incredible game to be in the stadium for. Eze unveiling, followed by a 5-0 thumping in which Gyökeres scored his first goals for the club and Max Dowman announced himself to the Premier League at 15 years of age. Mosquera looking good on his debut too. What a day.
August 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Must have been an incredible game to be in the stadium for. Eze unveiling, followed by a 5-0 thumping in which Gyökeres scored his first goals for the club and Max Dowman announced himself to the Premier League at 15 years of age. Mosquera looking good on his debut too. What a day.
Seems White is injured again (pain) but I nevertheless rate the change of Timber at RB, especially in context of us leaning into a more direct approach.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
August 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Seems White is injured again (pain) but I nevertheless rate the change of Timber at RB, especially in context of us leaning into a more direct approach.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
If Arsenal had any appreciation for the vibes we’d walk Eze out onto the pitch ahead of the match but I already know Arteta & Co have (yes, probably correctly) squashed that idea, citing it as too much of a distraction 😪
August 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If Arsenal had any appreciation for the vibes we’d walk Eze out onto the pitch ahead of the match but I already know Arteta & Co have (yes, probably correctly) squashed that idea, citing it as too much of a distraction 😪
I think many were too low on the state of our squad even before Eze…
• Zubi, Noni, Gyökeres, Mosquera, Kepa all improvements on equivalent squad positions last season
• Ethan and Myles continued dev, Dowman in the mix
• Ødegaard recovering from injury
• Biggest loss (value wise) has been KT? Lol
• Zubi, Noni, Gyökeres, Mosquera, Kepa all improvements on equivalent squad positions last season
• Ethan and Myles continued dev, Dowman in the mix
• Ødegaard recovering from injury
• Biggest loss (value wise) has been KT? Lol
August 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I think many were too low on the state of our squad even before Eze…
• Zubi, Noni, Gyökeres, Mosquera, Kepa all improvements on equivalent squad positions last season
• Ethan and Myles continued dev, Dowman in the mix
• Ødegaard recovering from injury
• Biggest loss (value wise) has been KT? Lol
• Zubi, Noni, Gyökeres, Mosquera, Kepa all improvements on equivalent squad positions last season
• Ethan and Myles continued dev, Dowman in the mix
• Ødegaard recovering from injury
• Biggest loss (value wise) has been KT? Lol
We got our maverick.
After those four, or perhaps even sneaking ahead of Nico, come the *’s — i.e. when it may be time to pivot towards a L10 type.
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
August 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We got our maverick.