It’s getting ugly. Well, technically it’s been getting ugly for a while. But the Wolves debacle was the nadir of a trying season. I hate it when people say that a performance “was the worst for 10, 20, even 40 years”. You can’t line them all up and compare at the same time. But really, [...]
Roy Hodgson, in his own inimitable, lugubrious way, said the other week that he should not be blamed for Liverpool’s poor first half of the season; it’s not his team, and only when he has more of his players will he take responsibility for the results. Ergo, it’s Benítez’s team, therefore it’s Benítez’s fault. Around [...]
I’m back to take another depressing look at the chalkboards. Skipped a few games in between largely down to the fact that the chalkboards didn’t have any interesting tale to tell. While the news from the Wolves game isn’t positive, there are a few things worth noting. I’m still trying to understand how we lined [...]
Good luck to Roy Hodgson. On many levels he’ll need it. Then again, maybe he won’t. The press seem to love him, so that’s one fewer battle he’ll face than Benítez.
Date: 1st Jan 2011 Venue: Anfield Kick Off: 3pm Competition: Preview: If someone had suggested to me a couple of years ago that there’d come a stage in the near future where I’d be envious of Bolton’s tactics, league position AND manager, I’d have gently slapped said person in the face with a sausage roll [...]
By Joe Pepper. Liverpool FC at the end of 2010 is unrecognisable from the Liverpool FC as it was at the end of 2009 (well, ok – the middle of 2009). There has been so much water under the bridge that it’s difficult to identify exactly what went wrong, where, when and whose fault it [...]
Liverpool should be feeling refreshed and invigorated following their impromptu 14 day break from competitive action, while Wolves may be heading into this clash low on confidence following their 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan on Boxing Day, a result which saw the West Midlanders replacing West Ham at the bottom of the table.
Despite the presence of heavyweights such as KUMB, Republik of Mancunia and Arseblog, we’ve gone for The Tomkins Times for the insightful news coverage and analysis of all things Liverpool.
With Rafa’s apparent departure from Inter Milan, there’s a growing bandwagon calling for his return to the Liverpool hot seat. For some, that time can’t come soon enough. But as ever, it’s a complex issue.
With 2010 drawing to an end, I thought it was time to look back at some of my personal highlights and lowlights from a quite bizarre year that included a court case covered with live text updates that mirrored the anxiety of a World Cup Final penalty shootout. And excitement on the pitch? – not so [...]
On Monday night, in a positive move, John W Henry and Tom Werner sat down at the club’s TV station to answer questions from fans on how they plan to run the club. Despite this bold decision, it may take a while for Liverpool’s new owners to speak the same language as the club’s fans. We [...]
TTT subscriber Tim Godden takes a look at the misfiring Liverpool striker’s record in his first 16 games of each season since arriving at Liverpool.
Having studied the club, from a business perspective, in great detail earlier in the year it was clear to see the wheels falling off. To be fair it’s not like you had to study very hard! Fans were complaining with increasing determination to oust our American owners. Finally a couple of months back it happened. [...]
Shortly after Liverpool went 2-1 down at Newcastle, the following passage of play evolved (82 minutes into the game). Is it the case of two expertly drilled banks of four, or an example of a midfield that is too concerned with protecting its defence than being prepared to go on the offensive at a time [...]
It’s only fair to acknowledge that Liverpool have been playing well and moving up the league of late. After a fair terrifying start to the campaign in almost all respects, things have settled into a more comfortable pattern. It took 16 games, but the Reds are finally into positive goal difference, the latest arrival at that point since 1964/5.
Zach Slaton, author of A Beautiful Numbers Game blog, recently asked to take a look at the massive Transfer Price Index database, to apply some advanced statistical analysis to the findings. What follows is a fairly complex, but also compelling, look at the correlation between transfer spending and league position.
In light of Liverpool FC appointing Damien Comolli, Paul Grech of A Liverpool Thing looks at the role of the Director of Football.
Date: 11th Dec 2010 Venue: St James’ Park Kick Off: 5.30pm Competition: Preview: Fixtures between Liverpool and Newcastle Utd have thrown up some absolute classics, with Liverpool usually coming out on top. One thing that is almost assured when the two clubs meet is goals.
As I hinted at a couple of weeks ago, this is our version of purgatory: not exactly hell, but no real sense of going anywhere under Roy Hodgson. NESV have yet to really put a stamp on the club, at least in terms of the playing side. Indeed, they’ve not yet had a chance to buy any players, and have thus far opted not to replace the manager.
Monday’s fixture against fellow ‘big name’ strugglers Aston Villa sees former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier make his first competitive return to Anfield in charge of an opposing team since he was sacked in 2004.
Simon Fear – pro-qualified referee and Tomkins Times member – takes an uncompromising and unbiased look at the officiating in games involving Liverpool in November 2010. Was luck for or against the Reds?
Perhaps given Liverpool’s recent results, Dutch courage is something Roy Hodgson may need before tackling FC Utrecht. However his record in Europe, both with Fulham and Liverpool has been excellent, so does he have anything to fear?
First of all, I was interviewed about the success of The Tomkins Times by Ashley Norris, and the piece was also picked up by Paid Content. Click here to read. (The full interview transcript is posted below, for subscribers only.) After a blip, the yearly subscription gift link is now fully functional. A full year is [...]
We’re pleased to see that The Tomkins Times has been nominated in the Soccerlens Awards. There are nine days of voting left, if you want to support this site (or indeed, one of its rivals). Thanks to everyone who has visited the site, and to everyone who has supported TTT since its launch 15 months ago.
Date: 26th Dec 2010 Venue: Bloomfield Road Kick Off: 3pm Competition: Preview: This post is for Subscribers only.
