The Koeman Spat

Sheffield United 1 v Southampton 0

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Twitter @ball_sup

Another superb Cup Night at The Lane.

The Spat.  Football continues to invent things which create points of tension. We never used to have all this shit. Just after United’s goal went in, there was a kerfuffle on the touchline.  By eye, the referee came over and spoke to Clough, Morgan & some of the others on our bench.  I thought he started to walk away, but then came back to point Morgan to the stands.

The forensics from the tele have it that Southampton Manager Ronald Koeman refused the customary handshake from Clough at the end. Under cross examination he claimed a lack of respect shown to the Southampton bench & fourth official.  Well, we never used to have a fourth official to disrespect. And, Managers may or may not have shaken hands at the end, depending on whether their paths crossed. It was not a REQUIREMENT like it is today.  Invented stuff.

I will go to my grave not fathoming the new RULES for what you’re supposed to do at a Bounce Up. Invented stuff.

But, I will say, I am astounded at some of the stuff that goes on around our bench.  You’ll see pictures of Clough waving, gesticulating, eyes popping out of his head. Passion. Well. He’ll be contesting a Linesman’s decision to give a throw in to the other side near the halfway line. he loves his throw ins does our Nige. I’ve remarked on it a few times this season. Add the Morgan Factor & some kerfuffle was inevitable sooner or later.

Koeman lost it didn’t he. October 13 1993, De Kuip, Rotterdam. The Dutch firm threw a tennis ball blast bomb at the pub I was in. Dutch plod corralled us on some “base” outside the city. I escaped, but realised there was nowhere to go, so had to offer myself for recapture. David Platt was clear on goal, Koeman brought him down. The real villain (the Ref) gave it outside the box & only a yellow card. Within minutes Koeman scored a free-kick at the other end. England lost 2-0 & we didn’t go to USA 1994.  Koeman can have the defeat tonight & the lack of respect on me.

But, Clough could wind in the pack dogs on the bench as well.

Superb support from Southampton. Great shift by all The Blades players. Two legged Semi - who invented that shit.

I didn’t do a bad shift myself. Two new pubs/bars for me. Tracked down that Thornbridge peanut butter beer at last, and even found a second peanut butter beer.  The new new place was The Tap & Tankard on Cambridge Street. A Kelham Island Brewery project, revamp of The Sportsman.  I like what they’ve done, which is sort of very little. The interior is soft & subdued - but recognisable as a pub.  They’ve smartened it up, but changed very little else.  A good range of Kelham Island & Guest casks - no craft keg. And “upmarket” lagers rather than High St brands.  The (young) barman was enthusiastic, if slightly hard sell. He gave me good advice about Kelham Island Fairytale Of New York (at 4.2%). He described the taste from the Belgian Yeast well.

I’ll say straight away that The Tap & Tankard seems a great addition to the Sheffield City Centre set of pubs.

After the game, I was in Anchorage. I know it’s been open a bit - but I’ve never quite made it in. I’ll say, it was an odd time. Miserable Tuesday in December about 2215. But, the place seems OK. A nice small range of craft keg, some cask. The main show described well on the black boards. Very pleasant staff. They let me have tastings and told me about the other stuff that was on.  A bit dark inside, but clean and functional.  It’ll be the beer range that drags me back in here.

All told….across all venues;

Siren Liquid Mistress on Keg at 5.8% in The Rutland
Kelham Island Fairytale Of New York on Cask at 4,2% in The Tap & Tankard
Anchor Porter on Keg at 5.6% in The Brew House behind Henrys (too sweet - by a mile)
Hand Drawn Monkey Shadwell IPA on Keg at 4.7% in BrewDog
Wild Beer Co. Yankee Sandwich on Keg at 4.7% in Anchorage
Thornbridge Charlie Brown on Keg at 6.2% in The Bath Hotel
RedWillow Directionless IPA on Keg at 4.5% in The Bath Hotel

Standout beer of the day was the Siren Liquid Mistress on keg at 5.8%. Initial taste is nutty & toasty. It softens somewhat before a short salad leaves bittering. It's complex in the sense that the flavours linger & mingle. The sweetness is only in the background & a red berry fruit develops from it. Very nice beer.

(Tue 22/7 61/147)