The Athletic's Adam Hurrey and Charlie Eccleshare are joined for the latest edition of Mesut Haaland Dicks by Rory Smith, chief soccer correspondent of the New York Times and author of the new book Expected Goals: The story of how data conquered football and changed the game forever.
Among Rory's selections for his footballing fascinations and irritations are Premier League advertising hoardings for quaint local businesses; goalkeepers rooted to the spot as shots fly past them into the net; the unquestioned tradition of having a wall at a free kick and players who claim throw-ins that they know aren't theirs.
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