Stats by Kolektivitet and Interista93


Name: Peter Thompson



Country: England
Club: Liverpool F.C.
Position: *WF
Side: RF/BS (mostly left)
Age: 22-28 years (27/11/1942)

Height: 185 cm
Weight: 74 kg

Attack: 81
Defence: 40
Balance: 79
Stamina: 83
Top Speed: 87
Acceleration: 88
Response: 76
Agility: 88
Dribble Accuracy: 87
Dribble Speed: 88
Short Pass Accuracy: 73
Short Pass Speed: 76
Long Pass Accuracy: 82
Long Pass Speed: 78
Shot Accuracy: 77
Shot Power: 84
Shot Technique: 81
Free Kick Accuracy: 72
Curling: 77
Header: 68
Jump: 71
Technique: 86
Aggression: 86
Mentality: 85
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 78

Injury Tolerance: B
Condition/Fitness: 8
Weak Foot Accuracy: 6
Weak Foot Frequency: 6
Consistency: 7
Growth type: Standard

CARDS:
P03 - Trickster
P07 - Early Cross
P10 - Incisive Run


SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Tactical Dribble - Side

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Attack-Minded


INFO:
A supremely hard-working left winger with a strong right foot, Thompson boasted dribbling skills (he would beat defenders for fun), technique and strength in crosses (spent countless hours on the training ground perfecting crossing with his left on the right side.). Allied to speed, pace, control and a determination to get to the byline, he tormented countless defenders over the years. "His work-rate was outstanding, his fitness unequalled (he could run forever), his balance like a ballet dancer. I have no hesitation in placing Peter up among the all-time greats – alongside such players as Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and George Best. They say he didn’t score enough goals, they said his final pass wasn’t telling enough. Well, if he had scored goals as well as everything else he did, he would have been in the same category as Jesus Christ!" said Bill Shankly about Thompson’s qualities. A different type of player to Ian Callaghan at the time, they would often switch positions.

Even as a schoolboy, Thompson was one of the greatest talents in English football, with numerous prominent clubs vying for him. As a 17-year-old he was a regular in the first division team Preston North End, making his debut in 1960 against Arsenal – following the retirement of the famous Tom Finney . Thompson was relegated to the second division with Preston after his first season, but at the latest when he appeared in the FA Cup against Liverpool, he also drew attention to himself in the senior section. In February 1962 he decided the encounter in the second replay with his 1-0 goal. He was now on Liverpool manager Bill Shankly 's note. A year later, in August 1963, Thompson joined the Reds for a fee of £37,000.

The new signing needed no settling-in period and from then on he was a constant in Liverpool's game on the left wing, as was Ian Callaghan as his counterpart on the right. In the championship season 1963/64 he missed none of the 42 games and contributed six goals. Two years later he won his second English league title and his collection was completed by winning the FA Cup in 1965. Although there were no trophies afterwards, Thompson developed into a long-running favorite for a long time and in a good seven and a half years he missed only twelve league games - spared by injuries. In December 1970 he was seriously injured for the first time that he had to take a break until March 1971. Just in time for the final of English Cup in 1971, he returned afterwards. He came on as a second-half substitute for Alun Evans against Arsenal and set up Steve Heighway 's opener just after extra time began - but the game was lost 2-1. He completed the first seven league games of the 1971/72 season again, but serious knee problems ensured that he was initially used only sporadically in the first team and later exclusively in the reserve team. Although only 30 years old, his playing career seemed to be drawing to a close before his departure in December 1973 to Jimmy Armfield 's second division side Bolton Wanderers offered a new sporting perspective for £18,000. The debut ended at home in Burnden Park with a 1-0 win against leaders Sunderland. Thompson quickly convinced of his qualities in Bolton and after a short time "on trial" the newcomer signed a permanent contract. For a good two and a half years, Thompson remained a regular on the team that was on its way to the top flight. By the time promotion was accomplished in the 1977/78 season , Thompson's share of three league appearances might have been small, but his impact was clear in April 1978 when he won a benefit match against a combined Everton and Liverpool side in Bolton in April 1978 -actors was honored.

Although there were few wingers to match Thompson's qualities in English football in the 1960s, his international career was unfortunate. His berth at outside left worked against him at international level, as the England manager Alf Ramsey generally preferred to operate without wingers. He was named in provisional 28-man squads for the World Cup finals of 1966 and 1970, but on each occasion was among the unlucky half dozen who failed to make the final cut. As a result Thompson played a modest 16 times for his country between 1964 and 1970.

He stood at 185 cm x 74 kg. I believe that his thin physique was a big help for him to overcome defenders with speed and agility.

"Whenever struggling against a full back, he switched side with Callaghan who was better in carrying the ball past a few defenders before providing a cross". Callaghan's set has LPA 84 and LPS 80, which I agree with since his crosses were accurate, often sent at mid-height and with good speed. Thompson can have LPA 82 but LPS may be on green.

You mentioned the fact that he was criticised for his final passes, which weren't good, and that's true. Actually, I saw other players doing that much better. Even Roger Hunt sometimes got to the touchline and sent nice cut back passes to the center of the area. Regarding Thompson, I'd go with SPA on white and SPS on low green.

"Thompson wasn't prolific but could score great goals with sharp and powerful shots after cutting inside". He did that quite often. SP could be on 84, and he needs the Incisive Run card. Also, I believe that AGG is way too low. While he wasn't prolific, he was an offensive player who liked to constantly challenge defenders and get to the touchline.

"Thompson was a brilliant and hardworking right-footed forward [...] who at times gave his teammates chances to take breathers by keeping the ball for a few minutes". I agree with the MEN value you gave him, but STA seems too high. The fact he kept the ball, doing so by tracking back to the midfield, doesn't mean that he constantly went up and down from attack to defence. STA 87 would be fine if he was that kind of player.

"Bill Shankly wanted Thompson to be the fastest, strongest, most clever player in England, but also good in the air. The last bit never became real". I didn't see any header goal by him in any footage nor I read reports that mention one. In fact, he always scored remarkable goals with his feet, sometimes powerful drives from the edge of the area, sometimes easier goals after breaking through the defence. I would go with HEA high 60s, JUM low 70s. Also, I don't see any reason for RES on yellow. He wasn't the kind of player who intercepted and recovered balls or made timely late runs to hit headers.

I saw some good shots with the left but I'm not sure if he was almost as good as he was with his natural foot or if he used the left that much. Maybe a 6 for both WFA and WFF is better.

Last thing that I'd change is Growth/Type to Standard. His peak ended in 1970-71 due to injuries. He wasn't 30 years old yet. Then he left in 1973, spending a few decent years in Second Division. Even there he had the last worthy year in 1975-76 at 34 years old. Again, it was in Second Division. In my opinion "Lasting" doesn't suit him.

Thanks mate for the feedback! This wasn't one of my proudest sets and I'm glad to have such a detailed explanation.

The only value I can comment on is STA, i've given him a high value just because of this: "his fitness unequalled (he could run forever)" It might be that he was that kind of player who doesn't track back so often, but always has high levels when with the ball (because he liked the ball so much haha). What do you think about 83 for STA?

Thanks again, I'll update the set, post the changes and add you as a co-stat maker

If you have anything else, feel free to write to me or add here!

You're welcome, mate! STA 83 + MEN 85 combo should be fine. There's nothing else that I would change.

Updated the set as per Interista's comments:

STA: 87 -> 83
RES: 83 -> 76
SPA: 77 -> 73
SPS: 81 -> 76
LPS: 81 -> 78
SP: 75 -> 84
HEA: 74 -> 68
JUM: 76 -> 71
AGG: 76 -> 86
WFA: 7 -> 6
WFF: 7 -> 6
Growth type: Standard/Lasting -> Standard

Added card: P10 - Incisive Run