iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kinda where I am. Think in previous, less football-heavy, years we may have got away with it, but CL game increases combined with PL evening out has squashed any chance of “luck” fitness-wise

I like this site for moping, feels like you can actually put emotion in without fear of some guy calling you a fucking moron for daring to have opinions

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'Selling the soul to win but not even winning' might be the saddest possible outcome and frankly it makes so much sense why fans in-stadium and online are so terrified of any little (or in this case, fucking massive) stumble.

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Feels, to me, like we've shedded so many outward emotional edges that now fans have nothing to buy in to, and the players are still (fairly) feeling the weight of everything and it arrives in outbursts. Presenting as cold + clinical but still with that "we've gotta prove ourselves" shakiness

The additions/changes have been basically wholesale, so rather than small additions to push over the line, we're instead getting a new group of guys having to get this mentality right first try - without the goodwill of feeling like that same Arsenal 22/23 team

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Always felt a bit 'ship of theseus-y' about Arteta's Arsenal. Thing with the old LFC side finally getting it over the line was a core band of players battling together with small additions, to avoid the failures of the past and keep pushing themselves, but AFC don't have that...

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Best in the business. If I'm ever in a mood about Arsenal, Tom reliably reframes my thinking - and not in a LinkedIn way either

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

I like this RHS quite a lot. I wouldn't be against seeing this trio more often, if only so I can see Ethan released from boot cleaning duty

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

My nails and loved ones beg to disagree

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I'm not sure any site needs my vibes this year, its pure angst and fear

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4/ Any feedback very appreciated, and I truly hope this is helpful for people who fancy looking into this stuff 🫶

3/ It might be a little patronising at points, but that wasn't the aim. I wanted to make every decision clear so those without the time to figure out themselves could follow. The end goal is getting conversations a little richer and less "lets look at this one corner routine"

2/ Aim of this will be to keep it as a live document; if my process changes, I can edit; if people hate bits, I can edit; if there's not enough detail,.. you get it. There is also a Part 3, worked example in development, but I wanted to get this out before the job kicks in again

How to Analyse Set-Pieces (like a Sicko)

1/ I often get asked how to get started in set-piece analysis and what tips I'd give, especially with the lack of guides online. So I've spent the last two weeks trying to fix that exact problem with this piece below medium.com/@setpiecesic...

medium.com

A hopefully helpful intro guide into living through dead-balls

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Often forget I have this account, but I'm back quickly to say: I did another pod about set-pieces! It's not about Arsenal, too! The long-awaited* sequel to my deep dive on Utd's set-piece woes, but with a much happier spin this time round *don't check

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

If only he'd consider that we'd use those leftover wages for his statue 😔

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Where does Osimhen sit in this sort of ranking (if he's in there)?

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Last min set-piece preview I’m sure everyone was clamouring for ⬇️ Both teams neatly conceded their 10th of the season last week (~33% of their total conceded!) Also, Myles was 2 when we last played at the Ems in a UCL semi final 🙂 www.squawka.com/en/features/...

squawka.com

How set-pieces can win a Champions League semi-final for both Arsenal and PSG

Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, and set-pieces could prove vital.

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Elite from Ahmed, really interesting to see how this trend plays out with the boom of set-piece coaches

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

ffs I had things I wanted to do today

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Please read and make the holiday sabotage this piece required worth it for me

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

It felt like some sick joke, a real reminder of my place in the tactical hierarchy of the pod

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

One for the Geordies (and the masochistic LFC fans): I had a look at Dan Burn's seemingly inevitable header, and just how inevitable it really was. How well did Newcastle set it up? How badly did LFC stumble into it? And, most importantly, how is Dan Burn that tall? www.squawka.com/en/features/...

squawka.com

How Newcastle's Dan Burn hit Liverpool with a sneak attack in Carabao Cup final

Dan Burn opened the scoring for Newcastle in their 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool. Set piece expert Jake Fox breaks down the goal.

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Making actual use of Ødegaard's limited whip + depth by shifting the blockers 10 yards up, and not worrying about the 'run from back to front' stuff - Merino has always been an elite front-post aerial attacker too, showed it at RSO. Very happy with those adaptations from Jover

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Definitely definitely - lot of stupid layoffs and interplay from Trossard in-particular. It's got some cyclical logic to it which is always fun

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Also agree, had this argument with myself. Our tactics from those direct FKs (layoffs to Rice, Tross) would imply we don't really want static situations there

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

From my experience/research, this is correct. Central spaces not being accessed + focus on wide creation with Saka-Ø-White e.g. means the rate of central FKs in the last 2 seasons especially has been awfully low. Perhaps also the con of having physical machines in the middle?

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Bournemouth the league's most influential side this season imho

Nah I'd agree. Real shame we haven't got the depth to let him feel his way back in either

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That end-product stuff is... yeahhh. Not great. Felt a lot worse when we had that gap of no Ethan and no Saka to bail out on that side too. I do think his build-up stuff and general IQ has been top in this match (which it also hasn't been reliably this year)

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This first half is one of Ø's best recent performances but it happens to be unfortunately complemented by everyone else's worst

Alex Collings @alexcollings.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Didn't manage to catch the game midweek but now giving it a rewatch: Insane but not surprising how everyone focused on the Ødegaard miss, rather than on the fact he's the only reason we didn't completely roll over in the first 20 minutes

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Reposted by Jake

Anyways! We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over 💯😤🔥

William Sweet, The Insuperable, blocking a shot in training.

William Sweet, The Alacritous, charging the length of the pitch with a commanding elegance.

William Sweet, The Ordained, welcoming counsel from a wise elder (and legend of the game) in training.

William Sweet, The Awe-Inspiring, leading his teammates to victory by virtue of his booming words alone.

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Do you consider Ayden Heaven to be too woke of a CB or not woke enough

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Also under severe pressure, he wobbles and loses that technical base (see vs LFC u21s). Do think he's got potential to rise alongside better teammates though, which has been lacking in u21s. For a really good discussion, I'll plug Tots Ep2 open.spotify.com/episode/3qfI...

open.spotify.com

Pot Shot Tots #2: The King (Wilshere) Is Dead, Long Live The King (Tommy SETS)

The Pot Shot Podcast · Episode

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

A shame to lose him but I'm lower on Heaven than most. Growing physicality but inconsistent with using his size, and despite his *elite* qualities IP, he was always such a risk OOP next to Saliba. Aerially pretty weak too. Without that physicality, his pathway at AFC was always a doubt

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

We did another pod! We were happy about Arsenal (mostly)! We talked about transfers! Use it to pass the time before having to watch another Emery game

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Reposted by Jake

Alex Collings @alexcollings.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

After finding out my job start date was pushed to next week, Towells has mercilessly forced me to record a pod tomorrow. So I got the S̶c̶o̶o̶b̶y̶ Thoobi Gang back together (cc @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social) to do a bonus ep reviewing the Spurs game and discussing the transfer window…

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Pretty happy with this ep, scuffed mic quality and all. Think now I’m beyond the rage at opportunities missed, I’m trying to be a lot more understanding of how we missed them. Manas also bails us out of vibing our way through a tactics pod 🙏🏻

Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Do wonder how much of a premium we paid simply not to have him lock the title for City for a decade (and I say that as an out-and-out Rice lover)

Alex Collings @alexcollings.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Reposted by Jake

My thoughts on Zubimendi for the @potshot.bsky.social Substack back in July. If you can't tell, I adore him. potshotpod.substack.com/i/146862505/...

potshotpod.substack.com

Taking Aim: Declan Rice's Double-Pivot Partner

Scouting for the best fit alongside our No. 41

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Some selected stats to complement this excellent thread: - Lowest itl for attacks centrally - 2nd lowest itl for shot % outside of box - Midtable for OutBox and PenArea shots despite 3rd itl for total goals (big 6yd/SP bias) BONUS - lowest LHS shots itl All from whoscored

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

(Why) Are we insistent on doing short interplays for LHS free-kicks at all ranges? Stuff like Øde in the first half mentally seems to happen a lot and for v little benefit compared to "just getting it in there". please do my long overdue work for me xox

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Even then I have some doubts about his actual defending. Hoping its a matter of gelling and getting some routine in his playing time, but right now it's a lot of half-arsed duels and fairly standard passing

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Between the constant lack of fitness and the general variability of his style, I’m slowly but surely souring on Calafiori, especially with the funding lost on an actual LW. Needs a big second half of the season

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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

It's Boxing Day. The family are asleep in front of the sofa. You've got a leftovers sandwich. It's the perfect time to listen to the latest episode of Pot Shot. Enjoy 👇

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Jake @setpiecesicko.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Quite genuinely what I’m listening to rn, truly a merry Xmas now