Saturday, October 7 – 1899
Down again! Poor old Liverpool! They have been knocked down and maltreated so repeatedly that it would not surprise me in the least were they to become cripples for life.
They have had a terribly rough time of it this season, but a worm will turn at last, you know, and we Liverpudlians have not exactly lost hope yet.
We expected, in spite of our disastrous efforts hitherto this season, to at least draw with the Rovers, but as fate would have it, were disappointed, although so ued have we become to the pricks administrated by this last.mentioned gentleman that his latest incision had little or no effect on our now case-hardened feelings.
One point must not be lost sight off, and that is that Liverpool have been recently handicapped by having to take the field minus Walker – unquestionably the ablest forward in the team, and his loss has been sorely felt.
With his return to the fold we may hope for something better, even if it is only an odd goal now and again, but, of course, you never know your luck.
One thing is evident, and that is that a big change in the constitution of the forward rank is absolutely necessary.
The new men hitherto tried by Liverpool have proved anything but successful, and we must have them replaced with something of a better quality.
Mr. Watson told me only the other day that the forward department of the team was greatly lacking in weight, and this was very noticeable at Blackburn, where the men were repeatedly and easily knocked off the ball by the Rovers defenders.
With the subject of throwing more weight into the attack Raisbeck is to be moved from centre half to centre forward, whilst other drastic changes will, if necessary, be made.
I earnestly hope that the change will result in Liverpool ere long bidding good bye to the wooden spoon brigade.
(Lancashire Evening Post, 07-10-1899)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 