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Reposted by Jon Mackenzie

NathanAClark @nathanaclark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Bonus @theextrainch.bsky.social Episode The Spectre of Spurs pod.link/1337670733/e... I sat down with @jonmackenzie.bsky.social to discuss his book 'The Spectre of Pep' and Tottenham's role within the tactical meta past, present and future.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

In this week's video, we explore how Jose Mourinho fits into the modern tactical landscape and explain why there might be some logic behind his return to Real Madrid youtu.be/LCpo_XxWhA4

youtu.be

Why Jose Mourinho's tactics are back in fashion

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If you enjoyed yesterday's Did You Notice? video, then you should read my column today which has much more detail about how Brighton were able to break the rules against Arsenal to set pressing traps in their 3-0 win at the AMEX. www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...

nytimes.com

Did You Notice: Brighton and Hurzeler broke the pressing rules against Arsenal

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

There's far more detail in my article on the site tomorrow but it's less about triggers and more about cutting off the usual escapes until Odegaard is caught in the trap at which point its about making sure you have good m2m access across the Arsenal first line of build up

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Here's today's Did You Notice? video and it's all about how Brighton broke some of the unwritten rules about modern pressing in their win against Arsenal.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Good strat imo... You've got 20 days of no PL to read my book...

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today's video analysis is all about Iraola's Liverpool and why they look okay in some games and less okay in others. We break down the issues with the press vs Fulham and show why Liverpool's attacking play has also been less than stellar. youtu.be/usxIIyu5J6k

youtu.be

How Iraola's Liverpool will get better

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The pissonal advantage of a bedside urinal

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

When you discover the en suite, your mind will be blown

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Emily✨ @emilyoram.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Anyway, I had a really interesting night last night with @christinamcmc.bsky.social listening to @jonmackenzie.bsky.social talk about his new book, The Spectre of Pep, in a really cool arches bar in Bermondsey, followed by a very nice margherita pizza next door.

A tv showing football on a wall covered in various bits of football ephemera

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David Rafferty @davidrafferty.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Ok, this is catnip to me. Football tactics discussed as philosophy, with Hegel and Gramsci and metaphysics thrown in. I’m only halfway through the episode. I have ordered the book. Some observations: pca.st/episode/140d...

pca.st

Jon Mackenzie, "The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics" (Seven Dials, 2026)

The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics (Seven Dials, 2026) by Jon Mackenzie A spectre is haunting European football. Watch almost any game, no matter the level, and you…

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Here's my analysis of the Manchester derby. You might have thought that the red card was the defining factor... I actually think there was a bit more to it than that

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

My book has a 15k chapter on Klopp. My PhD was on the influence of protestant theology on modern philosophical concepts of subjectivity

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The two part film Longitude is very good imo (and is on YT iirc)

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Nick of the Northbank @nicktheinventor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I’m listening to the excellent new football book by @jonmackenzie.bsky.social However, I have an issue which is the other day I watched a Stewart Lee gig on YouTube in which he referred to Pep as “Pet Gladioli”. Now every time his name is spoken on he audiobook I have to say “Pet Gladioli”.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Ah excellent! Thanks for buying the book!

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Tom Noble @tomnoble.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Tonight @jonmackenzie.bsky.social brought the Spectre of Pep to the city where Guardiola’s ghost looms largest, good old Manchester

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you're coming to our live show at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight, you can pick up *signed* copies of the book in the lobby BEFORE the show and DURING the interval but NOT AFTER the show has ended. Just a heads up.

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Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One interesting aspect of Kai Havertz's roams towards the right wing is that he can attack the defensive line from a vantage point when Arsenal move the ball inside. Analysis of Havertz's right-sided roams against Chelsea. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

nytimes.com

How Kai Havertz’s movement makes Arsenal’s right side even more dangerous (Gift Article)

The German's roams to that flank repeatedly gave the Premier League champions an overload against Chelsea, which they took full advantage of

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

My Did You Notice? video this week is on Christos Tzolis and how he's helping Arsenal generate left-hand side threat. Enjoy!

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Jonathan Atkinson @lowwintersun.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Jon's excellent new book is now out and I "stuck it to the man" (and supported my local independent bookshop @darkpeakbooks.bsky.social) by buying it on audio book from @libro.fm! Maybe you should too? 🤔

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

In today's video analysis, Alex Barker and I try to complexify the narrative of the Spurs loss to Newcastle this weekend. Is Jaissle > De Zerbi fair? Did Spurs deserve to lose? And is simplicity really more valuable than complexity in the modern game? youtu.be/ifikfl43aLA

youtu.be

Why Spurs are losing (and Newcastle are winning)

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

youtu.be

Why Spurs are losing (and Newcastle are winning)

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Did You Notice Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are winning without the ball? A little bit of a dive into the strange phenomenon of Chelsea's extremely low posesssion in their first few games. Can it last? Could they even mount a title challenge like this? www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

nytimes.com

Did You Notice: Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are winning – without the ball (Gift Article)

Alonso is a coach who has a track record of evolving his teams but, for now, expect Chelsea to keep ceding possession

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My first analysis video of the season is all about Hull vs Man United - breaking down how Hull caused them problems and asking if they've become too predictable. youtu.be/LE3V_03gxdE

youtu.be

Are Manchester United too predictable?

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Yes! Totally agree! The issue isn't being a DM so much as needing the collective to be coherent with the correct profiles in the roles.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Had a great time talking about the more theoretical aspects of the book with Tom here. Warning: Hegel is mentioned...

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Tom Williams @shirleymush.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This really was a speed run of a book that deserves more time, but I had a blast talking about it with @jonmackenzie.bsky.social, who I think has taken a step towards establishing himself in the pantheon of the greats alongside eg Goldblatt, Wilson.

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Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Since the beginning of last season, only Man Utd (8) and Chelsea (13) have scored more back-post goals than Everton (7) in the PL. Thierno Barry's header against Crystal Palace was one of them. Piece on why Everton are good at attacking the back post. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...

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