My day at the Match...

Football at any level, whatever your involvement is more than the 90 minutes. It is more than just the starting line-up or the final result. Most individuals day at the match is full of superstitions, stats and stories. My Day at the Match also happens to be the compendium to the Amazon best seller The Mentality Monsters by the renowned football author and statistician Paul Tomkins. The 2 inter-locking titles look at the raw data behind Liverpool getting "back on their perch" as well as the personal stories of fans going to games and what it means to them.

Just under a third of the way into the season gives us the opportunity to look at some of the stats of this campaign and they have nothing to do with xG, league tables or player ratings. The important data focuses on 2 key areas that Tomkins also explores (amongst other subjects) in his analysis of the European Champions: Club Finances and Happy Faces - the 2 are not interdependent but are inter-related.

Running a club is a thankless task and the cost is more than just money, but as the boys have shown this season, by contributing what, where and how they can off the field has led to new equipment, improvements in facilities and sharing of responsibilities. The investment in the club, both emotional and physical by the players has meant that more are staying longer after games, socialising outside of match day and closer relations all round - this obviously then shows itself when we cross the white line to kick a ball - it is a virtuous circle that any Liverpool fan will know can help bring better results,

The success so far of this season is a group effort and has been built on the shoulders of those have come before us in seasons gone past. Tonight the Gaffer goes to check on the fitness and form of some of the squad. Late planning and current commitments meant that regular mid-week training was not possible this season, so a trip to the Leventhorpe 6-a-side pitches and a pint in The Bull afterwards suffices. This follows on from answering private messages from players, group WhatsApp messages, chasing up kit suppliers, sending out match instructions and researching remedies for little-known ailments - all of which contributes to the collective spirit, team engagement and a record-equalling unbeaten start to the season by any White Roding Vets team. Saturday we pay a visit to table-topping Chipping Ongar with a re-bolstered squad looking to continue a strong start. The Gaffer will be choosing motivational music for the changing room to reflect our passing game - Salt'n'Peppa's Slide & Push It comes to mind.

Special mention goes to Dean who has tirelessly Googled his medical condition in a race to get fit... live Yoghurt seems to have cleared up the rash and Sainsbury's 2for1 offer helped keep down the costs.