Ryan Deeney
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ryandeeney.bsky.social
Ryan Deeney
@ryandeeney.bsky.social
Mostly Blues. National League Head Researcher for Football Manager.
Another year, another collab with @ntt20.com

Five National League players that could be in the EFL in the near future.

open.substack.com/pub/ntt20/p/...
Transfer Targets: National League
With the transfer window fast approaching, Ryan Deeney profiles the National League performers who look primed for a move to the EFL
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Four goals at home for the third game running. I find it more difficult to find talking points on days like that.

- Report
- Tactics
- An important break
- Tommy Doyle
- Norwich City
- Next up

It's lovely playing against sides that leave their own box.

#BCFC

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Blues 4-1 Norwich City
Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield braces give Birmingham City another big home win as lowly Norwich City are cast aside with comfort.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Podcast with Luke Walsh predicting National League results this weekend.

www.youtube.com/live/71P6-JM...
OUR GAMEWEEK 20 NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS! FT, ALDERSHOT V WOKING, BOSTON V CARLISLE
YouTube video by Luke Walsh Football Podcast
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Good to see Birmingham Live managed to get the other Deeney on.

#BCFC #KRO

youtu.be/-2RmdjKZR_U?...
I walked into a shambles at Birmingham City but Chris Davies is mustard
YouTube video by Keep Right On - A Birmingham City Podcast
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#MFC 2-1 #BCFC

A better display on the road. Not quite good enough against an admittedly galvanised Boro outfit. Good tactical battle.

- Report
- Tactics
- Tired minds & legs
- Better on the road
- Paik
- Boro
- Next

#KRO

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/p/match-repo...
Match Report: Middlesbrough 2-1 Blues
A hard-fought but ultimately fruitless affair on the road as Blues' woes away from St.Andrews continue despite an improved display.
afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Ryan Deeney
New Womble Coefficient pod now out.

Review of Burton defeat. State of League 1 review. FA Cup focus and Gateshead preview/predictions.

Thanks to @ryandeeney.bsky.social for the Gateshead insights.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lb6...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
TWC21 - Our First Loss in a While, and Gateshead FA Cup Preview
open.spotify.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Solve one problem, another arises. This felt like a summary of our season.

- Report
- Tactics
- Breaking down the goal
- Back to stodgy
- An angering final 10
- Team for Pompey
- The opposition

Might be a good thing that I'm missing next Saturday.

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Bristol City 1-0 Blues
Another stodgy display on the road as Blues succumb to Sinclair Armstrong's first goal of the season.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
#PNE 0-1 #BCFC

We've won, that's the important thing. Nerves settled.

- Report
- Tactics
- Job done
- Phil Neumann
- Heckingbottom comments
- Preston
- Bristol City

18-21 players. All capable. But probably a choice between 12.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Preston North End 0-1 Blues
Phil Neumann's return to the XI saw him score the winner at Deepdale as Blues ended their mini winless run.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:05 AM
#BCFC 2-3 #HCAFC

Chaos ensues as Blues are beaten at home in the league for the first time since April 2024.

- Report
- Tactics
- The goals
- Jack Robinson
- A good performance
- A bad feeling
- Who plays next?

I hope I'm wrong.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Blues 2-3 Hull City
Blues' long unbeaten at St.Andrews ended in chaotic fashion as a Jay Stansfield double isn't enough to secure a result.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
#BCFC have conceded a lot of rubbish goals this season. Defending set-pieces and crosses has been a problem.

I've gone through every goal, big chance and Reed card conceded in order to work out what the issues are and look at how we solve them.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Birmingham City's Defensive Woes
A long read breaking down Birmingham City's issues defending set-pieces and crosses.
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Did the YouTube thing with Luke Walsh and Off The Line Blog discussing numerous things National League related.

Check it out!

youtu.be/F5_tk1iVi9c?...
WHO ARE THE PROMOTION CONTENDERS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE? EARLY SEASON NATIONAL LEAGUE REVIEW!
YouTube video by Luke Walsh Football Podcast
youtu.be
October 7, 2025 at 4:22 PM
#Wxm 1-1 #BCFC

A decent point in the "Hollywood Derby" and a relatively improved performance on the road.

- Report
- Tactics
- Improvement
- Set-pieces
- Beadle
- Midfield options
- Wrexham
- Next up

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Wrexham 1-1 Blues
The "Hollywood Derby" ends in a score-draw as Blues control without penetrating following a difficult first period.
open.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM
#BCFC 2-2 #SWFC

A weird night, an okay performance, an important late goal.

- Report
- Tactics
- Subs booed
- Doyle
- Cashin
- Wednesday
- Next

We're not far off, but feel so far away.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Blues 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Another late show at St.Andrews as Demarai Gray keeps Birmingham City's long unbeaten run in tact to break Sheffield Wednesday hearts
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:10 AM
#PUSB 3-0 #BCFC

A sobering afternoon in which everything that could go wrong, did.

- Report
- Tactics
- Crap goals
- Application or structure
- Solutions
- Coventry
- Next up

Tweaks, not overhaul. And switch on.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Coventry City 3-0 Blues
Birmingham City are thumped at Coventry City as Jack Robinson sees red and our set-piece problem continues.
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
#BCFC 1-0 Swansea City

Lyndon Dykes' late goals secures a deserved winner.

- game
- tactics
- fans
- defensive balance
- new attack
- the opposition
- next up

We needed that.

#KRO #SCAFC

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Blues 1-0 Swansea City
Birmingham City got back to winning ways thanks to Lyndon Dykes' late winner.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:27 AM
🆕🆕

Steve Morison left Sutton United earlier this week.

Some thoughts on his departure including:

- That interview post-Tamworth
- Gut v Logic v Performance
- The quotes that told the story
- What happens next

#ForeverAmber #SuttonUnited

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...
National League Managerial Change: Steve Morison
Steve Morison departed Sutton United earlier this week. Some thoughts on his departure and how it came about.
open.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Stoke 1-0 Blues

- the game
- brief tactical view
- what went wrong
- why it's not a disaster
- why solutions aren't plug and play
- Stoke are decent
- Swansea next

#BCFC #KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Stoke City 1-0 Blues
Blues succumb to a third consecutive loss in all competitions thanks to Bosun Lawal's header.
open.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Finances. Youth. Development.

Altrincham FC have done excellent work for a number of years now.

A quick piece looking at:

- their development record
- a summer of change
- whether they've improved

#Alty

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...
Altrincham FC: Finances, Youth and Development
Phil Parkinson likes to repeat the same mantras and it has served Altrincham well over a long period of time. A look into why they remain a positive model to follow in the National League.
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Thoughts on Solihull Moors making the decision to move on from Matt Taylor, including:

- Feelings of anger towards their 2025
- Strange communication
- Strange appointment
- Poor performances
- What happens next

#COYM #SMFC

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...
National League Managerial Change: Solihull Moors
Matt Taylor departed Solihull Moors after a 1-0 loss against Yeovil Town. Thoughts on why change has been made and what happens next.
open.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
#LCFC 2-0 #BCFC

A frustrating evening as a decent performance lacked the bravery to be a strong one.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- Change afoot
- Why it's not all bad
- The opposition
- Next up

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Match Report: Leicester City 2-0 Blues
Goals from Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira inflict Birmingham City's first loss of the new Championship season.
open.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Turning to the National League and looking at recent managerial departures and appointments:

- Yeovil Town & Mark Cooper
- York City & Adam Hinshelwood
- York City & Stuart Maynard

#YTFC #YCFC

open.substack.com/pub/nlmusing...
National League Managerial Changes: Yeovil Town and York City
Mark Cooper and Adam Hinshelwood left their jobs recently. Thoughts on why change has occurred and what happens next.
open.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
#BCFC 0-1 #PVFC

A disappointing night as Blues exit the Carabao Cup.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- General thoughts
- The opposition
- Next up

Friday should be interesting.

#KRO

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/p/match-repo...
Match Report: Blues 0-1 Port Vale
A much-changed Birmingham City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League One Port Vale.
afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:56 AM
#BCFC 1-0 #OUFC

A controlled, almost League One-esque display as Paik Seung-Ho's first half goal secures a first home win of the season.

- The game
- Tactical notes
- The goal
- The rest

Rowett gonna Rowett.

#KRO

afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/p/match-repo...
Match Report: Blues 1-0 Oxford United
Paik Seung-Ho's goal is the difference as Blues recorded their first home win back in the Championship vs Gary Rowett's Oxford United.
afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com
August 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
#BRFC 1-2 #BCFC

Chairs, flares & Lyndon Dykes baby.

My story from a long overdue away day and one I won't be forgetting in a hurry.

#KRO

open.substack.com/pub/afootbal...
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Blues: Chairs, Flares & Lyndon Dykes Baby
Blues come from behind in stoppage to earn three points at Ewood Park thanks to goals from Jay Stansfield and Lyndon Dykes.
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:56 AM
National League opening weekend review, anyone?

youtu.be/Yq9VF9USrYc?...
SOUTHEND & CARLISLE START STRONG WHILST YORK CITY SLIP UP. GAMEWEEK 1 NATIONAL LEAGUE REVIEW!
YouTube video by Luke Walsh Football Podcast
youtu.be
August 12, 2025 at 10:11 AM