There’s a growing trend in football with more and more teams in the Premier League shifting away from a possession-based game and going longer and more direct.

That includes the increased use of long throw-ins into the box where there were at least two examples in the top flight at the weekend from Sunderland and Brentford scoring from second balls in the area following launched missiles from the side lines. The Sky Blues ’ second goal against Watford was also as a result of Milan van Ewijk’s long throw which was half cleared to Jamie Allen to thump home.

According to latest figures, there are now fewer passes per game in the Premier League, with an average of 850 now compared to more than 940 – the lowest it’s been in 15 years. There’s also more man-to-man marking, more high pressin

See Full Page