Friday, October 14 – 1910
The season is getting on, and the clubs ought to know their own strength by this time. But there are several organisations which have not found the players at their disposal strong enough to compose winning combinations.
Such clubs as Bristol City, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Woolwich Arsenal, and Liverpool are amongst the clubs who are finding team building a difficult business, and directors of these clubs are not to be envied.
Tomorrow at Anfield two teams will be in opposition who have not satisfied their supporters, but a great effort is to be made to turn the corner, and with both Liverpool and Bristol City in a determined mood spectators can depend on seeing a lively ninety minutes.
Liverpool have not yet won at Anfield this season, but it is expected that their turn will come tomorrow. Many changes have been tried in the ranks, and tomorrow further alterations have been resorted to, and I fancy the latest combination will show to advantage.
The directors at their meeting last evening decided to rely on the rear portion of the eleven which did duty in the Lancashire Cup-tie on Monday last, and I am sure their decision will meet with general satisfaction. As indicated yesterday, Hardy returns to his post in goal fit and well whilst Crawford partners Longworth.
The half-back line is composed of Robinson, Peake, and Harrop, and the inclusion of the latter as wing-half is, I think, a move which will strengthen the team. Peake in the centre can be relied on, and Harrop demonstrated on Monday that he can adapt himself to the wing position. Robinson retains his place, whilst it noteworthy that Chorlton is to have a trial in the Reserves at right-half back. He may prove of great worth in that position in the League team later on.
Orr and Parkinson returns to the forward line, the players named displacing Stewart and Gilligan from the Lancashire Cup side. The full team, therefore, will be: –
Sam Hardy; Ephraim Longworth, Robert Crawford; Robert Robinson, Ernest Peake, Jim Harrop; Arthur Goddard, Joe Brough, Jack Parkinson, Ronald Orr, and Harold Uren.
It is satisfactory to note that Harold Uren, whose claims have been advocated in this column, has been given his first opportunity this season in the League team, and I feel sure that he will justify his inclusion. The West Kirby youth is a real class player, and it is a point in his favour that he does not hesitate before centring, whilst he can shoot with force and accuracy.
Despite the fact that Bristol have scored but one goal this season I anticipate that they will provide strong opposition to the “Reds.” The City invariably do well at Anfield, and I note that since the club commenced their First Division meetings the Westerners have won two out of the three games played at Anfield.
Last season the Westerners prevailed by the only goal of the match, and Liverpool will be anxious to avenge that defeat. There is the additional attraction of seeing that wonderful little player, Bill Wedlock, and it will be interesting to see how Parkinson fares against the “might atom.” “Parky” has scored but three goals this season, and if he is to get anywhere near his score of last season he ought to be making an upward move.
The defence of the City, however, is the strongest part of the team, and the Liverpool forwards must be on their best behaviour if they would claim their first victory on their own ground. I fancy, however, that they will win with something to spare.
Here are the previous results between the teams: –
Thus in eleven matches played between the two clubs the City have been seven times successful, and Liverpool four, and the Bristol club has scored 17 goals to 12.
(Evening Express, 14-10-1910)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 