A Look At: Red Race

Book Review: Red Race by Paul Tomkins

If you're a fan of American sport (something that I have to admit I'm not) then you'll be familiar with the love affair that there is with statistics and how numbers are used to explain almost everything.

Up till a few years back such an approach was alien to football where the only numbers you were likely to get were those pertaining to the scoreline. Not anymore, however, as most top-flight clubs (and many others beyond) now have match analysts who have developed shopisticated ways of spotting patterns and drawing up conclusions from an endless flow of numbers. To the extent that they seem to have replaced scouts as managers' most trusted aides.

It is easy to see why: whereas an opinion can be distorted by one's own mood it is difficult to dispute numbers.

That, at least, seems to be the reason why Paul Tomkins is so enamoured with numbers. As someone who visibly loathes the off the cuff opinions that seem so prevalent today, in numbers Tomkins seems to have found the perfect ally to back up his own thoughts. You can easily criticise zonal marking when the defence lets in a goal from a set piece, for instance, but the reality is that this only happens on a couple of occasions during the season. And it is such statistical facts that Tomkins will look out for rather then knee-jerk reactions.

Although perhaps not as obvious in the past, this is still the case in his latest book 'Red Race'. Myths such as Benitez's reliance on rotation, for instance, are attacked and crunched down to size.

Another staple of Tomkins' writing, his prevalently positive views, is the other main feature of this book. Which is fair enough given that 'Red Race' is a look at Liverpool's bid to win the league championship.

Indeed, it acts as a review of last season and a preview of the next. Which means that, perhaps contrary to Tomkins' other books, this one has a limited shelf life: a couple of bad results and people will no longer be willing to look forward to the coming months. Indeed, his praise of Alonso (obviously with stats to back this up) as Liverpool's 2nd most influential players last season already has a gut wrenching feel to it since, obviously, the player has since decided to leave.

Such twists of fate are always likely to prematurely age books like these. However, it would be foolish to dismiss this book because of it. For Tomkins has done an excellent job of highlighting exactly where Liverpool stand be it by looking at the amount of money spent or by examining the average age of the team.

As with anything that Tomkins writes, you have to be a fan of his style. Criticism here is very rare and there is an overly positive outlook throughout. But if you're aware of that and don't mind it, then this is a book that will not only be enjoyed but will also fire up the belief that number 19 is around the corner.

Red Race is only available from Paul Tomkins' own website. A sample chapter can be read here.

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