Thou Shall Not Pass
The Anatomy of Football’s Centre-Half
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:26th Jan '23
£10.99
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.
This book offers a deep dive into the often-overlooked role of centre-halves in football, celebrating their unique mindset and defensive prowess in Thou Shall Not Pass.
In Thou Shall Not Pass, Leo Moynihan shines a light on the often-overlooked role of the centre-half in football. These players, typically seen as the unsung heroes, embody a unique mindset that is both complex and misunderstood. Moynihan delves into the gritty world of defenders, examining their last-ditch tackles and the mental fortitude required to excel in such a demanding position. He challenges the romanticized view of football, presenting the centre-half as a vital, albeit unglamorous, component of the game.
The narrative takes readers through the history of the centre-half, revealing the evolution of this position and its impact on modern football. With anecdotes and insights from notable figures such as Virgil van Dijk and Jamie Carragher, the book provides a comprehensive look at what it means to be a defender. Moynihan's exploration goes beyond mere statistics, diving into the emotional and psychological aspects that drive these players to perform at their best, often in the face of adversity.
Thou Shall Not Pass is not just a celebration of the centre-half but also a call for recognition of their contributions to the sport. By highlighting their struggles and triumphs, Moynihan invites readers to appreciate the beauty in the brutality of defending. This book is a must-read for football enthusiasts who wish to understand the game from a different perspective, one that values grit and determination over flair and finesse.
A brilliant read. Moynihan’s book took me right back to my playing days! * Jamie Carragher *
Football’s centre-halves have always been fascinating and ever-changing characters within the game. Moynihan brings these players alive in this hugely enjoyable book. * Henry Winter, The Times *
I loved being part of Moynihan’s book on us misunderstood centre-halves. About time we got some recognition! A great read. * Mark Lawrenson, former Liverpool centre-half *
An entertaining tour of the esoteric world of centre-backs -- Paul Hayward
Superbly insightful * FourFourTwo *
Leo Moynihan is one of my favourite football writers and a keen observer of the game who never fails to entertain. The subject of centre-halves has me looking forward to his next effort and as one brought up on watching Dundee and the great Ian Ure, I have always been fascinated by this fundamental and ever evolving position. -- Patrick Barclay (Evening Standard)
I take my hat off to Moynihan for writing this book! * Dion Dublin *
Having played with Bobby Moore, the greatest centre-half of all-time, I was fascinated to read Leo Moynihan’s book and I wasn’t disappointed. * Harry Redknapp, former West Ham and Tottenham manager *
As a centre half I used to shout to all my defensive teammates ‘Thou shall not pass’ - it was our battle cry - and Leo Moynihan’s brilliant book of the same name is a must for all lovers of the game. * Terry Butcher *
Being Welsh I grew up on tales of John Charles at centre-forward but also at centre half; the greatest header of the ball who ever lived. I love Moynihan’s writing and his new book is a brilliant exploration of this always intriguing position. * Jonny Owen, filmmaker and TalkSPORT presenter *
At Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson knew the importance of centre-halves and I thrived on trying to get the better of them. Leo Moynihan’s writing is always enjoyable and his exciting new book on the old enemy is highly recommended. * Andrew Cole *
An enjoyable read which includes interviews with many well-known centre-backs and plenty of entertaining anecdotes * Late Tackle *
A beautifully written new appreciation of the centre-half -- Ian Herbert * Mail.co.uk *
An enjoyable look at the art of great defending * Bristol Post *
If anything, Thou Shall Not Pass is not long enough. It's such a rich topic and so sharply written, you simply want to spend more time hearing from the players who have carved out careers in the back line. Bringing real insight to the page, Moynihan undoubtedly has an eye for taking a story we think we know and breathing new life into it * When Saturday Comes *
ISBN: 9781472972903
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
224 pages