Squad Player or Star Player?

Squad Player or Star Player?

Author: Mike Goodman and Michael Caley February 16, 2026 Duration: 32:28
With the Analytics Dead Zone fully underway in league football, we step back, take a question from the mailbag, and play "Squad Player or Star Player?" with James Garner, Joao Pedro and Gabriel Martinelli. Support the show

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary is where hosts Mike Goodman and Michael Caley break down the beautiful game with a blend of sharp tactical observation and a deep respect for the numbers. This isn't just a recap of who won; it's a conversation about how and why. Each episode digs into the mechanisms of modern soccer, from the strategic choices that define a manager's philosophy to the underlying data that reveals what the naked eye might miss. You'll hear thoughtful discussions on team shape, pressing triggers, and the value of different chance creation methods, all grounded in the hosts' analytical expertise. Goodman and Caley have a knack for making complex concepts accessible, whether they're examining a top-tier Premier League clash or highlighting intriguing patterns in a less-heralded league. Their commentary avoids easy narratives, instead offering a more nuanced and evidence-informed perspective on the week's biggest stories and most compelling matches. For anyone who wants to move beyond the standard punditry and understand the deeper layers of strategy and performance, this podcast provides a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in for a smarter take on the global game.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary
Podcast Episodes
Is the Meat Wall Cooked? and other early season observations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:17
We take a look at the early season data on set pieces and whether things feel different because they are different, or whether set pieces are still due for a big comeback. And then it's on to Arsenal: are they just the s…
The Champions League Top 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:44
We talk briefly about some of the very best teams in the world and why Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently rated about equally with Arsenal, PSG and Bayern Munich, why City look one step back, and then we work throug…
Transfer Roundup Part I: City's Midfield Rebuild, Bruno at Arsenal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
Manchester City spent an enormous amount of money on three midfielders. We have already sufficiently raved about Elliot Anderson, but we are nonplussed about Enzo Fernandez, an excellent player whose usage has been notab…
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea Might Be Crazy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:41
Two exceptionally strange opening matches for Chelsea, two back and forth high scoring matches where Chelsea mostly conceded possession with a lead, but both deserved wins, and both featuring a new thing under the sun in…
Premier League Week One: Spreadsheets vs Eye Test [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:34
Caley didn't watch the games because he was off the grid. Goodman managed to watch despite being in the middle of a move. But as befits the whole deal of this podcast, it isn't so much about how these two methods disagre…
Premier League Season Preview Draft: Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
The Double Pivot Premier League season preview draft is back. We draft our top ten. All the big teams are here. Caley cheated and built a toy model and it has some unexpected picks. We discuss why few of these teams have…
Infantin-Out? The FIFA private equity scandal and what comes next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:54
Huge FIFA news post World Cup as Gianni Infantino attempted to sell off shares in the World Cup in a very dubious deal, saw it collapse amid stern resistance from UEFA, and is suddenly facing a potential vote of no confi…
World Cup Final Thoughts, or Spain: Pretty Good Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:23
One more proper World Cup podcast before it's gone. We break down how Spain dominated this match front to the back, the seven minutes where they didn't and how that brief run by Argentina explains what happened in the re…