Writing an opposition report

If you are working as an analyst, you will usually have to spend some time looking at the opposition.

Especially at first team level, there is a lot riding on each game and so one aspect you cannot neglect is to understand the trends of your opponents and how you can best exploit them. Each club is different, and this would depend on resources and time, but you may find yourself reviewing your opponent’s last 3 games. It could be more, or it could be less.

So, once you have looked over these games you will want to put something together to share with the squad that is easy to understand and goes over the main points. Although teams may create reports too, a presentation seems to be the go-to method of delivering this information. Usually, this would be presented to the team on the morning of, or day before the game.

The purpose of the presentation is to concisely share the most important points to the squad, that will enable them to be best prepared for the game ahead. The coaches may well have tailored some recent training to cover some of these points, but the presentation will help to emphasise them.

Remember, the presentation can't be too long as it will become boring. You don't want to overload the players.

So, I suppose the main question is, what should you include in this presentation?

As mentioned, all clubs are different and will each have their own philosophy. However, I have tried to give a generic approach to this below, that most clubs will at least be sticking to, even if loosely.

I actually did a video on this exact topic over on my YouTube channel which can you see below. Be sure to check that out too and check out my other videos and subscribe if you haven't already!

Anyway, the first thing to cover would likely be the oppositions line-ups and formations.

Formations and Line-Ups

As mentioned, if you are looking at the last 3 games, you will want to know how your opponent’s set up in these games. Did they tend to make similar substitutions and did any substitutions usually cause a change in shape?

Few things to consider with this:

• Are any players going to be suspended/injured or are any players due back that maybe didn't play in the last 3 games?
• Do they play a similar shape against better/worse teams?
• Do they play any different whether they are playing home or away?

In Possession

Ok, after the formations and line-ups, a good place to go next would be to see how the opposition are in possession. Are they a team that are patient with the ball and will be happy to build through the thirds? Or are they more direct and will play the ball in behind or right up to the head of a tall centre forward.

Other things you can look at in this section is how the goalkeeper likes to distribute the ball. Are they a team that like to play out short, how about quick counter attacks?

An important part of the section would be look at how they create their chances and goals. If you have looked over their last 3 games (and maybe, you also have a goals database for the league) you should be able to see trends linked to where and how this team creates their chances.

For example, do a lot of chances come from crosses from the right? Maybe they have a tricky number 10 that likes to pick the ball up between the lines. As you watch more and more of a team, you should be able to understand how they cause other teams’ problems.

Out of Possession

Right, the logical place to go after 'in possession' would simply be 'out of possession'. This is quite simply the opposite of above. By that you can look at how they conceded goals and chances but also what they are like when they both lose the ball, or simply don't have it.

For example, are they are team that quickly gets back into their defensive shape, or a team that wants to aggressively win the ball back quickly? do they press all over, or only in certain parts of the pitch with certain triggers?

Again, please take into consideration that they may do things differently against different types of opponents.

Set Plays

We all know how important set plays are in the modern game. This goes for free kicks, corners and even long throws. You will be looking at how your opponent’s attack and defend from these and if there are any ways you feel you can exploit them.

Things to think about here:

• Do they mark zonally, man for man, or a mixture of the two?
• Do they prefer in-swingers or out-swingers?
• Who are the set piece takers. Do they have someone capable of a long throw?

Individual Players

Here you can start to look at any of the danger men. Do they have certain players that cause a lot of trouble. Does the left winger always cut inside onto his right foot. You can even sprinkle in some stats here to back up any opinions that you have.

In previous clubs I have worked, as well as the presentation, you may well put together a dossier of the players which is shared to your players. For example, your left back can see more detailed information of the players they will be facing (the right sided attacker for example).

Back to the presentation though and remember, this part of it doesn't have to focus on just the better players and the good things they are capable of. Maybe you have spotted that a certain player is prone to a mistake when pressured, or a player can quickly lose their temper and be booked. Both of these things can be used to your advantage.

Extras / Summary

Ok, as you get to the end of the presentation you may want to tie it back to your game plan. Remember, although it is based on the opponent, you are in control of how you play. So, this part can reiterate what your strengths are and how they can be used to win the game.

To finish off, here is another video where I go over the average week for a busy sports analyst. You will see how the production of this opposition report/presentation fits into the week, and how busy it actually gets when you end up playing Saturday and Tuesday!

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