I recently saw an interview with Gabriel Kuhn, whose book, ‘Soccer and the State’, was part of the inspiration for me to write the Political Footballers XI posts last year. If you haven’t read the book I recommend it wholeheartedly. Kuhn highlights some of the key stories and people from football’s prickly relationship with politics. Here…
Tag: LFC
The most important task facing Brendan Rodgers: restoring Liverpool’s identity
During the past season being a Liverpool fan was difficult. Most of us wanted to believe the best of our players, management and administration staff. The allegations and subsequent charging of one of our best players, Luis Suarez, and the vehement defence afforded to him by the club and some fans, were difficult to watch. …
LFC Season Preview 2011-12
A year ago today I was writing a season preview for Liverpool for the 2011-12 season. The difference between the two seasons is really quite extraordinary. Last year was all about lowering expectations and hoping that a couple of free transfers (Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic) would add something extra to the team. I was…
Are Liverpool FC getting their swagger back?
Since the return of Kenny Dalglish to the manager’s seat there has been a turn around in the belief of Liverpool fans. Yet the last two pre-season friendlies finished in 3-0 defeats for the Reds. Kenny said afterwards that he thinks the games will have been a valuable learning experience for his team. It is…
Football & the Statistical Revolution
As Bill Shankly told us, ‘Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.’ I have been wondering what the great man would make of the number-led revolution that is sweeping through football. Instead…
The fan experience: Liverpool v Napoli 4/11/2010
This was my second game back at Anfield since I came back to the UK. I had asked my uncle which of the two games he would rather go to, he chose Napoli. I hadn’t been for nearly 5 years and although I knew I was due to go to the Napoli game with my uncle,…
In Sun and Shadow 