Coutts the Octopus

Sheffield United 1 v Bury 0

League 1

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Twitter @ball_sup

Righto. 90+3. Against 9 men. Unbeaten in 14. Top 2. I'm off to India for three Test matches. Don't shag it up while I'm gone.

Two games running where the opposition have finished with nine men. This season gets weirder. The halfway line tackle on Done looked like a fair decision Red to me. Done did seem to jump. And that sent him spinning. But Mellis has put the lot through.

You remember Mellis. Came through United's Youth system. Went to Chelsea for big money. Did things in their Youth system. But barely made the Seniors. Let a smoke bomb off at training. Got the sack. Superb. Bad tackle here. But, I'll always give the fella the time of day.

The later tackle on Basham looked bookable to me. And the Buraryans had been pratting around for yonks. So, he'd already been booked for “some other caper”.

I thought Bury defended well throughout. I know there'll be bantz about Parking The Bus. But they essentially kept The Blades to long shots. With players having to run laterally. Bury also did all the heroics stuff. Clearing off the line. Point blank blocks etc.

In a way, Wilder sets up a pattern that should break that down. Width. No Freeman tonight. Basham took that role. Midfielders & Ebanks-Landell filling in behind & wide. Sharp looking for space out there.

Chapman looked sharp didn't he? Nearly always looking to take the man on. Love that. Here's summat I've noticed about Coutts. When the opposition have the ball in his bit. When he's closing down over 6 yards or so. He's like a flipping octopus. In a good way. Gets there quickly. Legs everywhere trying to block. Salute.

Two nice beers to break me’sen in pre match.

Toolmakers, Sonic 2 on cask at 4.2%.

Yorkshire Heart, The Hop Cycle, November, Rakau on cask. I didn't get the abv (amateur).

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