There are nights in football that remind you why football still belongs to the people who play it, the fans who watch it and not the people who buy it. Macclesfield Town beating last year’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace was one of those nights.   Not a smash-and-grab. Not a fluke. An achievement of perseverance, determination and mateship.   If you’re a young player reading this, wondering if setbacks define you, look carefully at the men in blue and white, because this was not a team of...

The feel of the killer pass is an art form to action, and a wonderful moment in a game, when, in that instant, the crowd and players let out a collective “oohhhhh” sound. Watching Arsenal's game v Bournemouth, saw two such moments from the outstanding Odegaard. What a beautiful player to watch. He just flows in movement, balance, touch, and balance. 1st example, 35 seconds in. A 1st person view: Bournemouth v Arsenal | Highlights | Premier League 2025/26 Gyokeres is fighting off the defender...

It’s a great feeling when you get one up on your opponent. One of the best ways to do this is to steal, or nick, the ball off them. It’s a cat-and-mouse moment: you can miss, they can escape, or you can be the catalyst for your team in turning over the ball and getting on the attack.   So, how best can you consistently achieve this skill?   1) You need to read the game and be one or two steps ahead in your thinking. Is your opponent in a position to receive the ball? If so, are you in a...