Winning ugly through time-wasting, cynical fouls, provocation, surrounding the ref, and anything else that bends the rules' spirit. Purists hate it, but it works, especially for underdogs or teams protecting a lead. The term has flipped from insult to badge of honour for some fanbases. Diego Costa made an entire career out of being a world-class shithouse.
Diego Costa epitomized the shithouse forward at Chelsea - he would wrestle defenders, provoke opponents into retaliation, go down theatrically, and generally make himself as unpleasant as possible to play against, all while scoring crucial goals.
Robbie
Jan 13, 2026
A visual showing where shots were taken from, usually with size or color indicating xG. You can see at a glance whether a team is shooting from good or bad positions. Shot maps reveal patterns - a striker who only shoots from inside the six-yard box, or a midfielder who tries their luck from everywhere. Post-match analysis uses them constantly to show what chances were created.
Harry Kane's shot maps show why his goal-scoring is so efficient - the vast majority of his attempts come from high-xG areas inside the box, while lesser strikers have shot maps scattered all over the pitch with long-range efforts.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
The official term for diving - going down without sufficient contact to make it look like a foul. Players simulate to win free kicks and penalties or get opponents booked. It's a bookable offense if the referee catches it, but enforcement is inconsistent. VAR can overturn penalties won through simulation. The line between "going down easily" and simulation is subjective.
When a player dives in the box and VAR shows there was no contact, the decision gets overturned for simulation. But proving intent is hard, and players who are genuinely touched but exaggerate rarely get punished.
Robbie
Feb 1, 2026
A chance so easy that missing it is inexcusable. Open goals, simple one-on-ones, headers from two yards out. When you miss a sitter, you hold your head and your teammates look at the floor. Compilations of missed sitters are popular online because even the best players mess up the simple ones sometimes.
Fernando Torres's miss for Chelsea against Manchester United in 2011 became iconic - clear through on goal with only De Gea to beat, he rounded the keeper but somehow managed to miss the open net, gifting United a reprieve in the title race.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
Used to describe Tottenham Hotspur's tendency to collapse. If a team is in a strong position and finds a way to throw it away, that would be Spursy. Things like bottling a title race, a late defensive error, or a general inability to get over the line in big moments. Other clubs choke too, but Spurs somehow made it part of their identity.
Spurs were 2-0 up at half time against Chelsea and still lost 4-2. Absolutely Spursy.
The Gaffer
Feb 11, 2026