Back in the Saddle

Penistone Church 0 v Sheffield United XI 1
(billed as SUFC U21)

Friday 10 July 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Self. Self. Self. I'm always keen to see the announcement of United's pre season. All levels. Games abroad. Scotland, Ireland. Two or three away games close to each other (West Country). Beer destinations I've been looking to check out/revisit. All on my radar. Why would I be remotely interested in what is best for the players preparation?

Anyway, it is what it is. First up, Penistone Church, a ground I visited after Barnsley away in April.

I'm not sure what to make of the shenanigans at Bramall Lane. The 5 all nonsense at Swindon will be difficult for even sane punters to get out of their noggins. But, having let Clough on the bus home & not changed the locks on his office in the morning, I thought he'd stay. But, wheels turned & he's off. When you sack a manager, you can't appoint any new manager you want. You just have to make the best choice from the small pool of currently jobless or seriously disgruntled. Revolving doors.

I want; the Board & hangers on to shut up and disappear into the background, stability in team selection, a positive but honest interview/media approach from the manager.

You wouldn't guess it from reading my Blogs, but I can be positive. Nigel Adkins looks a good appointment to me. But, the modern fan clamours for new signings. Get 'em in. Keep up with the Jones's. And United aren't doing that. Again, I quite like that. We've tried to build teams quickly year after year. Try an 11. They're pony. Get some new faces in. No better than those we've got. Bring in the loanees. Just a few more for the final push......

Stop. Stop. Stop. Have a look at what we've got. Decide what we need. If we can't get better players, we'll persevere. Lone voice.

Anyway. Superb game in its own right out here in Penistone. Competitive in an everyone putting their all in way. All players trying to impress their respective managers before their seasons. Age group football ticks on a year. I’m not such an anorak that I remember each player's birthday. But, it felt like a young United team. But, maybe that’ll be close to the U21 starting XI. There were no obvious first team fringers. No Dimaio. No Calvert-Lewin.

In recent years, United have loaned players out to non-league clubs as a major strategy in their development. In this game, it was nice to see them all gathered back from the diaspora, back in Red n White. Jake Wright & Jamie McDonagh upfront. Julian Banton & Ioan Evans at the back. Joel Coustrain out wide (although he was our most anonymous player). Utility Ben Whiteman, wherever Morgs fancies him that day (midfield just in front of the back four).

We’ve struggled at Centre Back in the first team. Now, I’m not saying any of these fellas are ready for that. But, we do have a lot of Centre Backs in our system. Banton, Evans, Adebowale, Whiteman if it’s his day. And we’ve even let Sam Berry go.

In the end, one goal in it. Jake Wright got on the end of a long ball & looped a header in.

Superb drink in the Clubhouse. As per my last visit, 3 handpulls on. Doombar, Stancill Blonde & Stancill Porter. My sources tell me that the Blonde went off & was subbed by Bradfield, Farmers Blonde. I had the Stancill Porter at 4.4%. It surprised me a little. Mainly in its colour. It was definitely NOT Black. More dark brown. It was gentle, nothing too powerful going on, but nicely balanced. Dominant tastes were a little toasted apple and a nice bitterness. Nice beer.

161/353