October 14, 1943
Liverpool will probably play Berry Nieuwenhuys, their versatile South African, at centre forward. Manager Mr. George Kay said to me today that this appealed to him as a means to maintaining that incisiveness which has been a characteristic of the Liverpool attack in recent games.
The Reds will be without Don Welsh remember, and Nieuwenhuys has always proved a deadly raider whenever he has played in the centre. With Lovell’s Athletic recently Berry has played in all inside-forward positions besides left half, and I am convinced that with Jack Balmer acting as the opening-creator in his inimitable style, and Cyril Done at inside left, the Reds would have three inside-forwards of great potentialities.
I can let you into a little secret about the Liverpool inside forwards, of course. Although three names are given the three positions on the programme it does not necessarily follow that they will occupy the programme positions.
Mr. Kay tells the players just before they go out: “I leave it to you to switch positions as you choose.” And it is a sound idea. It happened at Goodison Park last Saturday when we saw Welsh (wearing No. 9) so often at inside-left, and Done and Balmer also moving from one position to the other. And if you do not think it is bewildering to the opposing defence, well, ask Tommy Jones.
So while Nieuwenhuys may start centre-forward on Saturday I expect to find both Done and Balmer operating there at odd times.
Jim Harley is still on leave, and so is certain to continue at outside right, where he did so well last week. Harley’s presence is primarily to fully occupy the attention of Norman Greenhalgh, who is so quick to take advantage of any operating room.
The Reds’ defence remains the same as last week, and so the half-back line will be unchanged for the eight successive league match.
Liverpool: Alf Hobson, Jack Westby, Jeff Gulliver, Harry Kaye, Laurie Hughes, Jack Pilling, Jim Harley, Jack Balmer, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Cyril Done, Alf Hanson.
(Source: Evening Express: October 14, 1943; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Berry Nieuwenhuys, Liverpool F.C.
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 