Internet term for a player or manager who's supposedly overrated and not as good as their reputation suggests. Can be affectionate ("bald fraud" for Guardiola when City lose) or genuinely hostile. The accusation is that they've tricked everyone into thinking they're better than they are. Applied to pretty much every successful figure after a bad result.
Pep Guardiola gets called "bald fraud" on social media every time Manchester City lose a big match, despite his being the most decorated active manager - it's become an ironic term of endearment that acknowledges the absurdity of criticizing someone so successful.
Robbie
Jan 28, 2026
Similar to gazumping but sounds more aggressive - actively intercepting a transfer that's in progress. The hijacking club doesn't just outbid, they convince the player to change his mind when he'd already agreed terms elsewhere. Creates drama, headlines, and enemies. Barcelona hijacking Cesc Fàbregas from Arsenal's rivals became legendary.
Manchester United's attempted hijacking of Alexis Sánchez from Manchester City in January 2018 succeeded - Sánchez had seemingly agreed to join City, but United's wage offer was reportedly so much higher that he switched allegiances at the last moment.
Robbie
Jan 28, 2026
Pressing in a way that blocks passing lanes while closing down the ball. Instead of running straight at someone, you angle your approach to cut off their options and force the ball where you want it to go. If you're in someone's "shadow," the ball can't reach you. It makes pressing efficient because you don't need a player marking every possible receiver - one presser can cut off multiple passes with their body shape.
Roberto Firmino was celebrated for his cover shadow technique at Liverpool - when pressing the opposition centre-back, he'd shape his body to block the pass to the holding midfielder, forcing the ball wide where teammates could trap it.
Robbie
Jan 28, 2026
An attacking midfielder playing as the focal of the attack rather than an out and out striker. The main purpose of
this is to have an extra creative player who can drop in to the midfield as required and give the opposition
centre backs something different to think about. Should the centre backs choose to track the false 9, the leave space behind
for the wingers to exploit. Should they choose to not track, they leave a creative attacking player with space to do damage.
Who's up front for City? No one, they're going with a false 9.
The Gaffer
Jan 28, 2026
Defending deep with two compact lines near your own goal. You give up territory but leave no space behind the defence and clog the middle. Success depends on staying organized, concentrating, and being ready to counter when you win the ball. Critics call it negative, but it works against better teams. The opposite of pressing high.
Burnley under Sean Dyche became synonymous with the low block in the Premier League - sitting deep, defending their box heroically, and hitting teams on the break with direct football and set pieces.
Robbie
Jan 27, 2026