Blair Newman
@secondball.bsky.social
Women's football. Write for The Equalizer. Guardian Top 100 panelist. Worked as next opponent scout for SPFL teams. PFSA Level 2 qualification: Talent ID, Technical scouting.
My thoughts on football: The game and how to play it
Rambling through some ideas on my favourite sport. Calling on experiences playing, scouting, coaching, reading, writing, watching and listening.
wosoreport.com/2025/11/26/m...
Rambling through some ideas on my favourite sport. Calling on experiences playing, scouting, coaching, reading, writing, watching and listening.
wosoreport.com/2025/11/26/m...
My thoughts on football: The game and how to play it
Visit the post for more.
wosoreport.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
My thoughts on football: The game and how to play it
Rambling through some ideas on my favourite sport. Calling on experiences playing, scouting, coaching, reading, writing, watching and listening.
wosoreport.com/2025/11/26/m...
Rambling through some ideas on my favourite sport. Calling on experiences playing, scouting, coaching, reading, writing, watching and listening.
wosoreport.com/2025/11/26/m...
There was a time when the Thorns' standards were probably maintained by likes of Sinclair, Sauebrunn, Klingenberg, Dunn, Menges, and the team all but picked itself. Could get away with internal promotions, unproven coaches. But I think they need more direction now.
The Portland Thorns have dismissed head coach Rob Gale, the club announced today. First assistant Adam Day is exiting as well. Sarah Lowdown will serve as interim head coach for the Thorns while a coaching search commences.
Thorns dismiss Rob Gale as head coach
Led Thorns to a 22-17-10 regular season record over nearly two seasons
equalizersoccer.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:07 AM
There was a time when the Thorns' standards were probably maintained by likes of Sinclair, Sauebrunn, Klingenberg, Dunn, Menges, and the team all but picked itself. Could get away with internal promotions, unproven coaches. But I think they need more direction now.
An excellent dissection of Esther Gonzalez and what makes her so dangerous, including her movement and heading technique, both of which are exemplary.
I started working on an Esther piece during the EUROs. At that point, she was one of the most in-form forwards on Earth. Time has passed since then, but she still has a few more important games ahead. So I discussed her, those games, and Mako sharks:
medium.com/@Observation...
medium.com/@Observation...
Esther González: Mako
Esther González: Mako Shortfin Mako Sharks are speedy, powerful opportunists in the open ocean. With the ability to maintain a body temperature warmer than the surrounding water, clever hunting …
medium.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
An excellent dissection of Esther Gonzalez and what makes her so dangerous, including her movement and heading technique, both of which are exemplary.
Game-changing moment. Can't blame goalies, it's autocrat coaches through recent history telling players to do something utterly counterintuitive in the name of "trust the process". Crossing a busy road to pick up a tenner.
Worst pass in footy, that. Goalie short to a midfielder back to goal, marked, centre-backs split. Hospital ball.
November 23, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Game-changing moment. Can't blame goalies, it's autocrat coaches through recent history telling players to do something utterly counterintuitive in the name of "trust the process". Crossing a busy road to pick up a tenner.
Worst pass in footy, that. Goalie short to a midfielder back to goal, marked, centre-backs split. Hospital ball.
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Worst pass in footy, that. Goalie short to a midfielder back to goal, marked, centre-backs split. Hospital ball.
Raheem Sterling was the key player in England's Euro 20 run. He was messed around & forgotten about quickly after. Everything I've seen from Bellingham puts him in the Zidane category; make room for him because he'll win you a game. But the room does seem to feel a bit smaller when they aren't white
This is a remarkable clip from The Overlap football podcast. Ian Wright talking passionately and with real emotion about the treatment Jude Bellingham is currently getting around his personality and playing fro England. Fuck this is powerful
youtube.com/shorts/bDGj4...
youtube.com/shorts/bDGj4...
Ian Wright’s powerful message to Jude Bellingham.
YouTube video by The Overlap
youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Raheem Sterling was the key player in England's Euro 20 run. He was messed around & forgotten about quickly after. Everything I've seen from Bellingham puts him in the Zidane category; make room for him because he'll win you a game. But the room does seem to feel a bit smaller when they aren't white
Reposted by Blair Newman
Leading Louisville to their best year yet. 🔥
That’s 2025 Coach of the Year Bev Yanez to you.
That’s 2025 Coach of the Year Bev Yanez to you.
November 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Leading Louisville to their best year yet. 🔥
That’s 2025 Coach of the Year Bev Yanez to you.
That’s 2025 Coach of the Year Bev Yanez to you.
Weir's volley reminded me of this. Same energy re: thump, home fans bewildered.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqzN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqzN...
batistuta
YouTube video by ivanau88
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Weir's volley reminded me of this. Same energy re: thump, home fans bewildered.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqzN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqzN...
26. Stand out is Stadio Italia in Sorrento when I was young. Sorrento v Sangiustese. Italian fourth division I think. Small, but the away fans made big noise. Some home fans sitting on the matchday programmes in lieu of proper seats (cold concrete was the alternative). Strange, beautiful experience.
WAIT
Stop doomscrolling and answer this fun question
How many soccer stadiums have you been to and whats your favorite one?
Stop doomscrolling and answer this fun question
How many soccer stadiums have you been to and whats your favorite one?
November 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
26. Stand out is Stadio Italia in Sorrento when I was young. Sorrento v Sangiustese. Italian fourth division I think. Small, but the away fans made big noise. Some home fans sitting on the matchday programmes in lieu of proper seats (cold concrete was the alternative). Strange, beautiful experience.
98 was when I got into footy. My mate told me to support Leeds. First game attended was a win over Charlton, Hasselbaink became my first favourite player. Watched highlights of the World Cup, saw Scotland battered by Morocco of Hadji, Chippo. Instantly needed to know more about the world game.
Scott McTominay has scored one of Scotland's greatest goals.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
November 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM
98 was when I got into footy. My mate told me to support Leeds. First game attended was a win over Charlton, Hasselbaink became my first favourite player. Watched highlights of the World Cup, saw Scotland battered by Morocco of Hadji, Chippo. Instantly needed to know more about the world game.
Best goal I've seen a Scotland player score, absolutely stunning.
Scott McTominay has scored one of Scotland's greatest goals.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
November 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Best goal I've seen a Scotland player score, absolutely stunning.
Orlando happy to play long to no-one, play the game in Gotham's half, put pressure on and create something from a turnover of possession. I'd say they won the first half battle as we've seen little of Gotham's myriad creative players.
November 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Orlando happy to play long to no-one, play the game in Gotham's half, put pressure on and create something from a turnover of possession. I'd say they won the first half battle as we've seen little of Gotham's myriad creative players.
Remember reading an interview with Shaw in SheKicks (now HerGoal) where she talked about growing up playing lots of street football & believe she also said started out as a midfielder...it shows. Cannonball it at her and she'll find some body part, chest thigh foot head, to keep it in her vicinity!
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Remember reading an interview with Shaw in SheKicks (now HerGoal) where she talked about growing up playing lots of street football & believe she also said started out as a midfielder...it shows. Cannonball it at her and she'll find some body part, chest thigh foot head, to keep it in her vicinity!
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
November 16, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
One to watch for sure
Deadline Day in Spain 🇪🇸
Real Madrid has signed Lotte Keukelaar from AFC Ajax until 2030! ✍️🇳🇱
Real Madrid has signed Lotte Keukelaar from AFC Ajax until 2030! ✍️🇳🇱
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
One to watch for sure
Happened in Celtic men's v Rangers, 2019. Celtic launched it out of touch to put pressure on from the first whistle. Won the game 2-0. Luis Enrique didn't invent this and it's not new. It's a tactic to use intermittently, as it's very easy for opposition to cotton on to.
Crazy or Genius, you tell us 🤔👇
Angel City has adopted a trending kick off strategy that forces their opponent into a throw-in deep in their own territory.
Angel City has adopted a trending kick off strategy that forces their opponent into a throw-in deep in their own territory.
September 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Happened in Celtic men's v Rangers, 2019. Celtic launched it out of touch to put pressure on from the first whistle. Won the game 2-0. Luis Enrique didn't invent this and it's not new. It's a tactic to use intermittently, as it's very easy for opposition to cotton on to.
This:
having a player sit on Keira Walsh is always a great way to nullify any team Walsh plays in #wsl-live
September 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This:
Bright can play. Needs ball into box. Dash one of the most patient attacking teams in the league. She can get 5-10 per season but only with service. Outside of that, a good target striker who knows how to use her body, good touch, works hard. Don't confuse stats and outcomes, she can play.
September 8, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Bright can play. Needs ball into box. Dash one of the most patient attacking teams in the league. She can get 5-10 per season but only with service. Outside of that, a good target striker who knows how to use her body, good touch, works hard. Don't confuse stats and outcomes, she can play.
Goodwin has ran the line as best she can, lacking quality service or link up with teammates. Some nice runs, but this isn't her game. Ultimately I see her as an Ellen White type, playing the width of the posts. She'll require more cross balls to attack (London City have played 4 all game, per BBC).
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
September 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Goodwin has ran the line as best she can, lacking quality service or link up with teammates. Some nice runs, but this isn't her game. Ultimately I see her as an Ellen White type, playing the width of the posts. She'll require more cross balls to attack (London City have played 4 all game, per BBC).
Precheur bringing player-marking defensive style from PSG to London City. It's rare to see in football today. Brazil and Wolfsburg perhaps the only recent exponents at the top level? Feels like Arsenal have figured it out as the game has gone on, but wouldn't surprise me if most WSL teams struggled
September 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Precheur bringing player-marking defensive style from PSG to London City. It's rare to see in football today. Brazil and Wolfsburg perhaps the only recent exponents at the top level? Feels like Arsenal have figured it out as the game has gone on, but wouldn't surprise me if most WSL teams struggled
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
September 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
Understanding Andonovski's success with Kansas City compared to failure with USWNT
equalizersoccer.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
Fox improved because Hayes streamlined her national team role. Heaps in my opinion became a worse player in a dominant side whose financial superiority begets a time on ball that hides bad habits. Lavelle sat on the bench for a rigid head coach with an eye for talent most on Bsky comfortably rival
You're correct. The whole "development" angle is a bit of a red herring, anyway. Easy to say, but what does it actually mean? I can't think of a single top American who has gone to Europe and become better, but that's just off the top of my head
September 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Fox improved because Hayes streamlined her national team role. Heaps in my opinion became a worse player in a dominant side whose financial superiority begets a time on ball that hides bad habits. Lavelle sat on the bench for a rigid head coach with an eye for talent most on Bsky comfortably rival