Hanging Loose

Ilkeston 0 v Sheffield United 1

Saturday 18 July 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

To be honest, I'm gonna struggle to hang looser than this. After the 2013 debacle. Where I seemed to be commuting between a Lord's Test & SUFC Pre-Season in Scotland (Morton, Cowdenbeath & Raith Rovers). I decided not to commit to Test Match tickets for games from mid-July. Hang loose, see where Yorkshire play, see where United play.

So, I find myself crossing Bramall Lane at 1000am this morning. To get on The Sportsman to Ilkeston. When I find out that the U21s are at The Oval, Glentoran, Belfast this very afternoon. Oh come on fellas, we're chomping at the bit here. Get 'em announced in time & we'll come.

So. Second choice, but only one available, Ilkeston it is. And hey, the Beer didn’t disappoint.

First up. The Brewery Tap, South St., Ilkeston. Supposed to be the outlet for Muirhouse Brewery. But, theirs "wasn't ready". Two cider handpulls & three cask. Lovely bright place. More shopfront than traditional pub. A big modern frontroom. Definitely recommend it here.

I went for Mr Grundys, 1914 on cask at 5%. Deep black Stout. Thin, but holding Latte head. I'm getting red fruits, plum maybe even some cinnamon. But then gives way to some sweet bitterness. What, yeah I know. Nice balance.

And, then, via word-of-mouth, passed on to The Burnt Pig Ale 'Ouse, Market St, Ilkeston. I understand only opened very recently. Superb place. Owner/barman gently encouraging & informative. Five handpulls. Small bar front. Looks like two clean & comfortable rooms.

I've gone Full Mash, Warlord on cask at 4.4%. Easy drinking belies its abv. Nice hit of sweetness. Bit of honey, bit of barley sugar sweetie. Background bitterness. Definitely recommend it here.

Well, at least Adkins was clear. Essentially, he has a way of cracking into pre-season. At this stage, he’s playing one XI one half & a completely different XI second half. He’s hinting it switches to 60 minutes/30 minutes next times round.

What did he/we learn? As audited at the U21 friendlies, Reed, Dimaio, Calvert-Lewin, de Girolamo & Adams are at Ilkeston & currently seen as First Team Squad. There are still players NOT recovered fully from injuries last year. And, new fella Martyn Woolford is still playing catch up. Everyone looked to have a core fitness, nobody seemed to be huffing n puffing. At Centre Half, we’ve used Collins, McEveley, McGahey & Wallace (K). We know Kennedy is still struggling. He used Basham in midfield & didn’t “drop him back”. I’m going to say we still look short at the back.

The set up was basic 4-4-2. But, with attacking wide players. Campbell-Ryce & Murphy in the first. Scougall & Che Adams in the second. I thought Murphy looked a little anonymous in that role. Initially, I thought the same for Adams, but he came into the game later in the second half. We set up with Calvert-Lewin & Diego upfront in the second half. As it happens, I think that is the best position for both of them. Diego is quick, strong & a poacher. As in “he used to be”. And as it happens, I don’t think you can play them both together in the Big Show.

In the first half, it was Higdon & McNulty (Done is injured). Higdon did go for & win headers. Really he should have scored from one or more. But, improvement, he’s looking, jumping & connecting (mainly). Wallace (K) & Dimaio struggled on manfully in somewhat unfamiliar positions.

Remember the opposition. But, we were often bright. Staying on feet. Not much chirping at the Ref or opponents. We had chances, but we struggled to convert. Just a reality check. We look short at the back & lack someone who can bang goals in. But, we’re underway. I wonder what is was like in Belfast. Seeth. Seeth.

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