Thinking Fan Football Club artwork

Thinking Fan Football Club

75 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

Moneyball for Football (Soccer). We help listeners to be the smartest football fans in the room. Covering the Premier League and Serie A, we provide a combination of analytics, tactics and funny. We are a community of soccer analysts, coaches, current pro players and academics. Join our community!

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Episodes

PL Week 38 - What an end...

May 25, 2022 14:10 - 42 minutes - 98.1 MB

On Premier League Matchday 38, the season concluded with unlikely turns until the last possible moment. We share our season notes on the expected and the strange.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 37 - A twist in the end...

May 17, 2022 03:44 - 31 minutes - 71.8 MB

On Premier League Matchday 37, the seemingly  inevitable conclusion of the season seems, um, evitable. There was a super tightening of the title race, UCL final spot and relegation race. Adam Scully and Chris Mumford unpack the surprises and preview the final matches.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 36 - The beginning of the end...

May 09, 2022 21:35 - 55 minutes - 127 MB

On Matchday 36, the beginning of the end happened in the title race, UCL final spot and relegation race. We share some juicy tidbits and preview the week's most exciting matches.   Adam Scully, Harshal Patel and Chris Mumford deliberate and forecast.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon. 

PL Week 35 - A little bit of magic, from top to bottom

May 03, 2022 12:46 - 30 minutes - 70.4 MB

This week's episode sees the gang reunite, as Chris Mumford, Adam Scully and Harshal Patel talk through the action from the Premier League weekend, and also look forward to the Champions League semi-final second legs

PL Week 34 - Jeopardy... again

April 24, 2022 19:08 - 40 minutes - 93.5 MB

On Matchday 34, jeopardy returned to the title race, UCL final spot and relegation race. Despite difficult fixtures, there were bright spots in some unexpected places.   Adam Scully and Chris Mumford reflect and prognosticate as now-or-never time comes.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon. 

PL Week 33 - A little more jeopardy

April 18, 2022 08:00 - 57 minutes - 132 MB

With Chris Mumford away once again on some top secret business deals, Adam Scully and Harshal Patel got out to play, talking in detail about the two FA Cup semi-finals, as well as Manchester United scraping past Norwich City, Brighton's impressive defeat of Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley's shocking decision to let Sean Dyche go, and lots more!

MD 32: Oh, what a match...

April 12, 2022 01:19 - 59 minutes - 137 MB

During Matchday 32, the ManCity-Liverpool game matched the incredible hype. Man United underperformed, again. Tottenham and Arsenal changed places while the relegation muddle is clearing. Harshal Patel, Adam Scully and Chris Mumford reflect and prognosticate.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 31 - Good Processes Lead To Good Outcomes

April 04, 2022 19:38 - 1 hour - 158 MB

This week's episode has Adam Scully take on hosting duties from Chris Mumford (who is off doing some big football deals somewhere), alongside Harshal Patel. They look back at the weekend's Premier League action, including a deep dive into what Manchester United need to do if Erik ten Hag is the new manager, a breakdown of why the 4-1-4-1 does not seem to be working for Chelsea, as well as other interesting tactical tidbits and analysis from across the league

PLWeek 30 - Week of Helter Skelter...

March 21, 2022 16:00 - 41 minutes - 95.8 MB

Matchday 30 was helter skelter as games were either made up from missed matches or canceled due to the FA Cup. We cover the inflection points at Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton. We also deep dive on the  exciting and strange times of Leeds United. Adam Scully and Chris Mumford reflect on the season so far.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 29 - Chance & Consequences...

March 14, 2022 21:46 - 52 minutes - 121 MB

During Matchday 29, much is at stake for the Premier League title, Champions League spot and relegation. Among others, we cover Man United - Tottenham, Leeds - Norwich City and Arsenal - Leicester City. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.  

PL Week 28 - Meanwhile in Manchester....

March 06, 2022 23:14 - 54 minutes - 124 MB

On Matchday 28, the Manchester Darby dominated. Is the Glatico model dead? Has ManUnited been a rousing financial success despite mediocrity on the pitch? Liverpool kept pace in the title race though West Ham made them work hard. Adam Scully, Harshal Patel and Chris Mumford unpack events and prognosticate on upcoming matches.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is avai...

PL Week 27 - Big stories drop...

March 01, 2022 00:57 - 1 hour - 139 MB

On Matchday 27, the Carabao Cup trumped most Premier League matches. We discuss our take on the war of the goalkeepers. We battle on whether Bielsa should have been sacked. Oh, what happened to ManUnited? We discuss the upcoming Manchester Darby among other weekend matches of note. Adam Scully, Harshal Patel and Chris Mumford unpack it all. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current...

MD 26 - Upsetting the apple cart...

February 21, 2022 02:17 - 55 minutes - 126 MB

On Matchday 26, the top of the table and bottom of table shuddered. ManCity dropped points (again) against Tottenham while most relegation-threatened teams found ways to win games. Man United and Leeds United had an epic match.  Adam Scully and Chris Mumford unpack it all. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon. 

PL Week 25 Some wrinkles in the plan...

February 14, 2022 22:42 - 46 minutes - 108 MB

During Matchday 25 week, things didn’t change much at the top and bottom of the league. However, questions were raised in the mid table. Everton on the mend while Brentford, Leeds United and Tottenham sinking like stones? We have our recurring conversation on what to do with quagmire called ManUnited.  Harshal Patel and Chris Mumford unpack it all.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The...

January 2022 Transfer Window Roundup - part 2

February 09, 2022 16:23 - 49 minutes - 112 MB

Adam and Harshal get together to dissect all the details of the January transfer window for the Premier League, and the impact on clubs's squads, potential starting XIs and prospects for the rest of the season. In part 2, we look at Liverpool through Wolves

January 2022 Transfer Window Roundup - Part 1

February 09, 2022 16:22 - 1 hour - 139 MB

Adam and Harshal get together to dissect all the details of the January transfer window for the Premier League, and the impact on clubs's squads, potential starting XIs and prospects for the rest of the season. In part 1, we look at Arsenal through Leicester City.

PL Week 23 - A blend of inevitability and surprise

January 24, 2022 17:09 - 1 hour - 196 MB

Adam Scully and Harshal Patel take on podcast duties this week, with a fascinating weekend of Premier League action to dive into. We look at the inevitable sacking of Claudio Ranieri at Watford, the surprise Southampton draw with Manchester City, and everything in between, including in-depth chats on Manchester United, Brighton, Everton, and the Chelsea-Tottenham game.

PL Week 22 - Both clear and foggy...

January 16, 2022 21:46 - 1 hour - 138 MB

During Matchday 22 week, the league title winner is getting more clear while the relegation battle is getting muddier. Adam Scully and Chris Mumford unpack the eventful weekend results.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 19.21 - Holiday madness ensues...

January 03, 2022 01:08 - 52 minutes - 120 MB

The holidays were nuts with game cancellations and marque matches. The top four teams played each other with only one team - Man City - being the winner. The relegation battle crystallizes down to four teams as Leeds accelerate to relegation escape velocity. Adam, Harshal and Chris unpack a stacked week. 

PL Week 17-18: And the beat goes on...

December 19, 2021 21:11 - 1 hour - 138 MB

In this pod, we discuss how 2 of the “Super League” Three stumbled. Chelsea is not keeping pace while Liverpool drew in a fight with Tottenham. While 9 matches were postponed, Arsenal is making a case for the best-of-the-rest. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 16 - Stories beneath the stories...

December 13, 2021 00:33 - 47 minutes - 108 MB

During MD 16, the main story was that the Big Three scraped away single goal wins while the other favorites took care of business. But, there are stories beneath the stories which will impact the fast-and-furious festive season.  Adam Scully and I wander through the storylines and prognosticate . We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

MD 14-15 - Well that was interesting...

December 06, 2021 23:36 - 1 hour - 139 MB

During MD 14-15, the favorites were strong but underdogs fussed things up in the end.  Adam Scully and I dive into the upsets, talk about Liverpool's different winning ways and ManCity’s machine-like performances. Tottenham quietly moves up the table while Arsenal stumbles. And Eddie Howe finds Newcastle’s mojo. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon...

Ho hum results but galactic changes...

November 29, 2021 21:51 - 1 hour - 142 MB

The Week 13 results were predictable, but the storylines are extraordinary. Adam Scully and I deep dive into Chelsea - ManUnited, other games of note and preview upcoming matches. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.  

Premier League Week 12 - Ole‘s left the building

November 23, 2021 08:05 - 1 hour - 140 MB

Chris is still away on some secret business deal, but we do have Dre back alongside Adam and Harshal. The guys look back at an exceptional weekend in the Premier League - including a deep dive into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking at Man Utd, Chelsea's superb display against Leicester, Arsenal's annual thrashing at Anfield, and lots more.

PL Week 11 - It‘s Sacking Season!!!

November 08, 2021 18:46 - 1 hour - 63.1 MB

The week gone by in the Premier League saw two managerial departures in Daniel Farke and Dean Smith, but perhaps the most obvious one is still in situ... Harshal Patel and Adam Scully look back at the key narratives and talking points from the weekend's action, including West Ham's resurgence under David Moyes, what Eddie Howe needs to do at Newcastle, and, of course, the ongoing circus at Old Trafford

PL Week 10 - Matches off script...

October 31, 2021 21:42 - 56 minutes - 129 MB

The Week 10 schedule looked ho hum, but the script did not go as planned. Liverpool and ManCity hit bumps while Arsenal and ManUnited got an unexpected boost. In the discussion, I am joined by Adam and Harshal while Dre was busy scoring two fabulous goals in the USL Championship.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 9 - Kaboom!

October 25, 2021 19:41 - 53 minutes - 123 MB

During Week 9, the ManUnited-LIverpool game overshadowed all the other narratives.  We offer our match takes and discuss what Ole or a new manager should do - tactics and personnel - to course correct quickly. We do cover other matches of note: Arsenal - Villa, Everton - Watford, Leeds - Wolves, West Ham - Spurs and lively Brentford - Leicester City. I am joined by Adam Scully as Harshal was on assignment and Dre was busy trying to win football games.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 pa...

PL Week 8 - Can‘t Make This Up...

October 19, 2021 20:08 - 49 minutes - 112 MB

During Week 8, the Premier League had some head-scratching, gut busting narratives. Harshal, Adam and Chris give alternative takes on Brentford-Chelsea, Leicester City-ManUnited and some mismatches.  We are sponsored by the Premier League Guide. Moneyball for football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update available on Amazon. Please subscribe to Thinking Fan Football Club and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

PL Week 7 - Musings about the Season so far...

October 12, 2021 21:00 - 15 minutes - 35.5 MB

During the international break, we jump into it and offer our different take on the season: more progressive styles, the evolution of wingers and other trends. Analyst Harshal Patel finds the signal in the noise while Pro footballer Dre Fortune keeps us grounded. 

PL Week 7 - That was remarkable...

October 04, 2021 21:07 - 59 minutes - 135 MB

During Week 7, the Saturday matches were ho hum while the Sunday games were electric.  We cover the weekend games and muse over the season so far. I am joined by Football Analyst Harshal Patel  (@HarshalPatel93) and Dre Fortune (@drefo8). Adam Scully (@ascully24) is on international travel duty.  We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 7 - Preview

September 30, 2021 02:59 - 17 minutes - 41 MB

What a tasty menu of matches after a midweek stuffed with heady European matches! We preview Week 7 which will be capped by a tight Liverpool - ManCity match.   We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 6 - Musings: Top 3 & Fast Followers

September 29, 2021 01:53 - 20 minutes - 46.7 MB

More like a jazz session, we muse over the week including the Top 3 Contenders and the Fast Followers. We chat about the over-performers and the dimming-prospects teams.  I am joined by Football Analyst Harshal Patel  (@HarshalPatel93) and Coach Adam Scully (@ascully24) We are sponsored by the Premier League Guide. Moneyball for football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update available on Amazon. Please subscribe and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

PL Week 6 - First Moment of Truth

September 28, 2021 01:28 - 48 minutes - 112 MB

Week 6 felt like the first moment of truth: Chelsea - ManCity, ManUnited - Aston Villa, Liverpool - Brentford and Arsenal - Tottenham. We share our alternative takes on reality. I am joined by Harshal @HarshalPatel93 and Adam Scully @ascully24. We are sponsored by PL Guide, a 215 page book for those mad about Football. Moneyball for soccer/football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update is available on Amazon.

PL Week 5 - Not as it seems...

September 21, 2021 02:45 - 1 hour - 210 MB

Week 5 is not really as it seems. On the surface, the storylines are clean but we find unsettling turbulence upon more reflection. We review the weekend and preview Week 6. Join us for the counter narratives. I am joined by Harshal @HarshalPatel93 , Adam Scully @ascully24 and Dre @drefo8 We are sponsored by the Premier League Guide. Moneyball for football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update available on Amazon. Please subscribe to Thinking Fan Football Club and review us on...

Ugh, what a way to run a perfectly...

September 12, 2021 20:47 - 1 hour - 159 MB

Week 4 was a perfectly fine football weekend with 1 draw, 1 upset and 7 favorites winning. Ugh, then we had a very ugly moment in the Liverpool-Leeds match. Host Chris Mumford makes some sacreligious proposals to the football purists. We chat about other weekend matches, preview next week’s UEFA and PL matches. I am joined by Football Analyst Harshal Patel  (@HarshalPatel93) and Coach Adam Scully (@ascully24)   If you like the pod, please subscribe and write a review. Much appreciated!

Small sample size, but surprises in store - Premier League 2021/22 Week 3

August 31, 2021 12:50 - 1 hour - 182 MB

Chris, Adam and Harshal are reunited with Dre, as the gang looks at all the action from the third matchday in the Premier League, and casts an eye over *that* transfer as well...

Ah, as expected, except...

August 22, 2021 20:04 - 56 minutes - 129 MB

Week 2 went pretty much according to plan except for ManUnited. Today we dig a bit deeper to get into the vintage analysis, preview next week’s matches and chat about your relegation predictions. I am joined by Football Analyst Harshal Patel  (@HarshalPatel93) and Coach Adam Scully (@ascully24)  We are sponsored by the Premier League Guide. Moneyball for football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update available on Amazon. Please subscribe to Thinking Fan Football Club and revi...

PL Week 1 - Here we go...

August 18, 2021 01:36 - 1 hour - 166 MB

Here we go... Here we go with the new season. Analysts Harshal Patel  (@HarshalPatel93) and Adam Scully (@ascully24) provide their unique takes on key matches and preview the next weekend. We provide alternate take on transfers and make foolish predictions.  We are sponsored by the Premier League Guide. Moneyball for football. Opposition Analysis + Eye Candy. The current update available on Amazon. Please subscribe to Thinking Fan Football Club and review us on your favorite podcast platfor...

Final Recap & Look to Future...

July 12, 2021 19:03 - 53 minutes - 123 MB

We recap #EURO 2020 final where Italy defeated England 1-1 (3-2) in pens. We discuss the tactics that worked, the substitutions & key shortcomings. We debate who were players of the tournament. We also preview what is next in international football. Our panel includes @HarshalPatel93 @CoachScottCopy from @totalananalysis We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis with 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available a...

EURO 2020 7 - A Fitting Final...

July 09, 2021 20:13 - 43 minutes - 98.5 MB

We recap the Italy-Spain and England-Denmark semifinal matches in order to help us preview the #EURO2020 final. We anticipate the tactics, key players and game state. Our panel includes Harshal Patel @HarshalPatel93 and Scott Martin @CoachScottCopy from @totalananalysis We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis with 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available at  www.totalfootballanalysis.com

Euro 6 - Reflections Thus Far & Predictions

July 06, 2021 01:34 - 1 hour - 147 MB

We reflect on the things that mattered in the Euro 2020 tournament so far and map out the semifinals tactics, key players, game state and potential surprises. Our panel includes @HarshalPatel93 @ascully24 @CoachScottCopy from @totalananalysis. We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis a 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available at  www.totalfootballanalysis.com

Euro 5 - Sweet 16 Shockers & Elite 8 Previews

June 29, 2021 22:35 - 1 hour - 160 MB

Aside from Day 1, nothing was easy for the favorites including several going home early. We recap the knockout matches, the shockers, and preview the elite eight round. Our panel includes @HarshalPatel93 @ascully24 @CoachScottCopy from @totalananalysis We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis The June magazine is 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available at  www.totalfootballanalysis.com

Euro 4 - Group exits & Knock begins

June 24, 2021 21:24 - 1 hour - 156 MB

We unpack the key takeaways, surprises and difference makers during the Group Matches. Some favorites went untested while others under-performed. The matches had their moments. Now, we turn our attention to preview the knockout round.  We are joined by a brillant panel from Total Football Analysis including Ashwin Ballal - @ashwinballal_  , Harshal Patel - @HarshalPatel93 , Adam Scully - @ascully24 and professional footballer Dre Fortune - @drefo8 We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa Amer...

Euro 3 - And the winner(s) are...

June 21, 2021 23:56 - 58 minutes - 134 MB

This week, we start to feel some jeopardy in the tournament as winners and losers start to emerge. We unpack the groups, tactics,  difference makers as well as preview key matchups. We are sponsored by the Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis The magazine is 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available at  www.totalfootballanalysis.com

Euro 2 - What a start!

June 17, 2021 03:42 - 1 hour - 168 MB

The Euro 2020 started where favorites hit their marks while dark horses were left to languish in the stables. However, there were several unexpected surprises. We unpack the Groups and preview key match ups. We are sponsored by the June Magazine Euro and Copa America Guide by Total Football Analysis The magazine is 350 pages of fabulous cutting analytics and eye candy. The current update is available at  www.totalfootballanalysis.com

EURO 2020 Preview: Group F

June 13, 2021 07:15 - 18 minutes - 42.4 MB

The Thinking Fan crew - featuring Adam Scully, Ashwin Ballal, David Seymour, Harshal Patel, Lorihanna Shushkova and host Chris Mumford gets together to discuss Group F at EURO 2020

EURO 2020 Preview: Group E

June 13, 2021 07:15 - 9 minutes - 21.3 MB

The Thinking Fan crew - featuring Adam Scully, Ashwin Ballal, David Seymour, Harshal Patel, Lorihanna Shushkova and host Chris Mumford gets together to discuss Group E at EURO 2020

EURO 2020 Preview: Group D

June 13, 2021 07:11 - 10 minutes - 24.2 MB

The Thinking Fan crew - featuring Adam Scully, Ashwin Ballal, David Seymour, Harshal Patel, Lorihanna Shushkova and host Chris Mumford gets together to discuss Group D at EURO 2020

EURO 2020 Preview: Group C

June 12, 2021 08:55 - 9 minutes - 21.8 MB

The Thinking Fan crew - featuring Adam Scully, Ashwin Ballal, David Seymour, Harshal Patel, Lorihanna Shushkova and host Chris Mumford gets together to discuss Group C at EURO 2020

EURO 2020 Preview: Group B

June 12, 2021 08:52 - 8 minutes - 20.5 MB

The Thinking Fan crew - featuring Adam Scully, Ashwin Ballal, David Seymour, Harshal Patel, Lorihanna Shushkova and host Chris Mumford gets together to discuss Group B at EURO 2020