Kyle Austin

I’ve heard it before. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. The English Premier League isn’t broken. In fact, it does a lot of things that other professional leagues around the world have been unable to replicate. It has created a league that maximizes the importance of its regular season, while maintaining fan and club […]

America’s most renowned, and often vilified, National Basketball Association (NBA) star is coming to Anfield – as a minority owner. In a first-of-its-kind sports marketing deal, Fenway Sports Management (formerly New England Sports Ventures), the American owners of Liverpool Football Club, announced yesterday that they have sold a minority share in the Reds to Lebron […]

Was Thierry Henry lazy? Is Florent Malouda the most valuable player in the English Premier League? Are NBA analytical models being used in the EPL? All were questions and discussion points during the “Soccer Analytics” panel held Saturday at the 5th annual MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston. The conference, which has grown rapidly over […]

Damien Comolli is headed back to England. Comolli, the former Arsenal scout and director of football at Tottenham Hotspur, has been appointed by John Henry and his ownership team as director of football strategy at Anfield. The Frenchman, who was most recently the sporting director at Saint-Étienne, has established himself as a talent evaluator that […]

On the eve of a new Premier League season, two sides are enjoying a free-ride from many football observers. I aim to set the record straight, but I maintain an open mind, so if you think I am wrong, please comment. I’ll start with Birmingham City. Twelve months ago, the Blues were looking forward to […]

If I asked you to name the big four in English football, chances are you would reply with Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. You’d be wrong though. In fact, instead of the Blues, it is Wolverhampton Wanderers who find themselves firmly cemented in the top four in terms of all time results joining United, […]

Whether it is the fear of losing, lack of fitness or early tournament nerves England have consistently struggled to grab all three points in their recent opening matches at International tournaments. In fact, a quick look at the history books shows that since 1986 The Three Lions have only won their opener on two occasions […]

The cult hero, every club has them. They are not always the best player to turn out for your team, indeed sometimes they can be among the worst. But they had that little something that meant they were held in the highest regard by the fans. Sometimes there is a personal reason why a supporter […]

To say it was a week to forget for Evertonian’s is an understatement. Three games, three defeats, 10 goals conceded and a casualty list befitting a small battlefield, it is no wonder Toffees fans are wearing concerned expressions at the moment. What makes it more galling for Blues fans is its predictability and familiarity. This […]

The Fabregas to Barcelona rumours have been circulating for some time now and they appear to be showing no signs of going away after Xavi claimed that the Arsenal player has “Barca DNA”. Fabregas joined Arsenal from La Liga club Barcelona in 2003 aged just 16 and with the Gunners enduring a difficult few years, […]

While much of the country (and indeed the footballing world) was engrossed in the fascinating Manchester derby last weekend I had the good fortune to be at Goodison Park to watch David Moyes’ Everton continue their upturn in form against a dour and bedraggled Blackburn Rovers side. Though the match was over as a contest […]

To say it's been a contrasting start to the season for the two major teams in Madrid would be a massive understatement. On one side, Real are already starting to look like the real deal and currently sit top of the La Liga table with 11 goals and 9 points from their opening three matches. […]

It is testament to his achievements in his career that sadness at the death of Bobby Robson will reach far beyond the boundaries of his beloved North-East or even the shores of Great Britain. Robson’s skills as a player and manager as well as his gentle and welcoming manner, meant he was respected and much […]

Injuries never come at a good time for a footballer, but Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed the serious knee injury he suffered last February came at the worst possible time. The former Rangers and Real Sociedad man told the local press in Liverpool that he had been told he was set for a first […]

One of the amazing things about the Premier League today is thanks to advancements in technology and its rapid growth in worldwide popularity a match can be enjoyed not just by the 40,000+ people in the stadium, but millions across the world in pubs, clubs and front rooms. Whether it is in the middle of […]