Just finished reading this article by paul Thompkins who writes on liverpoolfc.tv. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG157184071003-1324.htm Just remined me that someone asked me in another thread did i read any of his views/articles.I forgot to answer at the time.But yes i do read them from time to time.I do think he makes some fair points and puts up a good argument. What does everyone else think.Do ppl think he makes excuses.do ppl think he's honest or do ppl just think he's trying to sell his book(that is of course after reading the above article) or have ppl already made up there minds what they think about him.
I bought 2 of his books veyr good read, the man can be a upping himself too much but on whole he's not the worst. the man has the facts to back up what he is saying near on most of the time which puts Actim Stats and Andy Gray of the ilk to shame.
I think Tomkins is one of the best out there thats why he writes features for lfc.tv. Last year he blew the arguments against the rotation system and zonal marking to shreds in 2 articles his one on zonal marking especially was facinating. He is a big red though and I always look forward to his articles as he doesnt tend to pull his punches
hey redheart it was myself who told ya to read his article i always find what he says interesting and like 5forkeeps says he has the facts to back up whatever his saying i enjoy his articles anyway think he speaks alot of sense.
I remember reading that zonal marking myself, ended up emailing it out to alot of those who joined the media anti zonal marking bandwagon. I don't think Sky have said the word "zonal" since.
i have to say i really like readin his column on the .tv website. he always puts forward some good thoughts and analysis. havent gotten my hands on any of his books....yet!
He writes what I be thinking and can't remember or articulate accross down the pub to idiots who "jump on a media badwagon". I also like his articles alot. He has some debilitating illness too the poor guy.
Thing is though his perpestive is from an armchair I rather he went to the game and then wrote on Liverpool he is very articulate and all don't get me wrong but prefer to get an indepth opinion from those who go the game just my opinion though
Dont read much of his stuff to be honest so cant comment he gets alot of criticism on other sites, As poinjted out alot of people are not impressed with him not attending games and then writing about them !
The illness that he has Daz well I'm not one for ridiculling people that are ill if you knew me you would know but this guy Mr Tompkins I think it was about 6 or 7 months ago stated due to his illness he was stopping writing for a while and offered to sell his stuff at half price or major discount can't exactly remember but the guy did not stop writing in fact released another book. This I know pissed alot of people off. Thing about him going the match the guy is a season ticket holder but again due to his illness stoped attending the match in 2005 yet was able to travel across Europe to Istanbul and I might be wrong but I'm nearly sure he made a major recovery to make it to Athens also, again though this is my opinion. Some lads love his work and nothing wrong with that either.
everyone is entitled to like / dislike / not care about his work,that;s everyones choice but some of the abuse I seen him getting on other sites went a bit far
some very intresting points and info there lads,thks for the replys.did'nt realise myself he had an illness or not (if thats the case)do like to read his stuff from time to time myself,was unaware tho he does'nt get to alot of games.interesting.
I have huge sympathy for him with his illness, but not when he says it prohibits him from going to any games, and then turns up in Istanbul, Barcelona and Athens. Surely such long trips take their toll? Whats wrong with going to say 6 games at Anfield rather than the above 3 games? Don't actually mind his writing too much, a lot of it bores me to death but some of it is insightful and interesting too.
On think on the illness front its more the excitement or stress of a game that causes him issues rather than travel. If I only had the choice of 3 games in a season I know which I'd pick as well. Wouldn't be interested in getting into a discussion about how he handles his health issues and don't know why hes getting abuse for it elsewhere. The saying to walk a mile in another man's shoes comes to mind. Probably boils down to one article in which he explored the effect it had on him with some football parallel (good times, bad times kinda thing). Could've been seen as self-pitying whilst I saw it as being very open and honest. To me he's a seasie that went to every game until his health prohibited it. I'm sure when he said he wasn't writing for a while he believed it, you might be clearing your desk too if you got diagnosed with something life changing. I'm glad he got back writing as I think he's one of the best at it and and has a very unique style and perspective.
His zonal marking article is a classic and a lot of people would know him from that. Should be filed under "How to shut up a thicko's/media mug's 'but they said it on Sky' pub argument". He tears the flippant argument against it to absolute shreds. I know quite a few who read and rate his articles and often get links set to me the after reading it myself the same day it was published. A lot of the time I don't have the time to be reading long winded articles of sheer opinion and speculation and of little substance such as David Fairclough's which I can't stand. So much stuff is copycat or cliched. Another good one, and an example of he writes exactly what I'm thinking, is on how Liverpool is misrepresented in the English press with every hiccup being represented as a major crisis and stats misquoted to support a London centric anti-LFC agenda. Also one questioning whether the national team is deterimental to our club interests.
I think his articles are quality. In an era of Dunphy-like analysis where everything is either the best or the worst with no measured or logical analysis, he takes the time to examine the evidence and makes some really interesting points. Blows some lazy media out of the water. I actually emailed him on one of his articles and he was going on about meeting a bunch of Irish fans from Westport at a match and he seemed genuinely impressed at the knowledge and support of the Irish reds, and the expense alot of us go to to get to some of the games. As for his illness, I think it's M.E. he has which is not something I'd wish on anyone and if that limits his game attendance itdon't make him less qualified to write on the games.
Surely in that case Watford, Wigan or Sheffield Utd at home would be a better option than Istanbul, Athens and Barca! Point taken though, I actually didn't look at it like that.