6 on the bounce, 3 at the back

Sheffield United U18 4 v Birmingham City U18 3
U18 Professional Development League 2, North
Played at Shirecliffe

Sheffield United 1 v Port Vale 0
League 1
Played at Bramall Lane

Saturday 20 February 2016

Twitter @ball_sup

Today’s Adkins quotient - 4/11 = 36% (Long, Reed & Sharp & I’ve chucked him Che in (plucked from non-league)).

Shirecliffe

It was the battle of 2nd & 3rd at Shirecliffe. The United Nippers were always just shading it. But, tight at the end. Jordan Hallam (2), Nat Crofts & Manny Adebowale (as I recall). That means United leapfrog above the BlueNoses into 2nd place. And, that is six wins on the Bounce. On The Bounce I say.

A very noisy linesman over my side. Some great coaching from him at times. “Lino, how is that a foul, I went for the ball?”. “You went for it & missed it, that’s a free kick, if you go for it & get it, that’s a tackle”. Sensible policies for better football.

The Lane

A win. Deserved. Less Toxic. But, he’s changing all the time. OK, I’ll give him that one. He’s changed, It’s worked. They’ve won. All the talk is of too many players. How we need a clear out once contracts start running out. Yet, he’s using those very same players. One option would be simply to decide now who we’re sticking with longer term. And pad the rest of the team out with the “soon to be released”. Maybe he’s doing that. Who knows?

Anyway. Unusual, but it makes sense. He’s set up 3-5-2. With Brayford & Woolford as wing backs. If they (or others) can do that job, I see the sense. Brayford was a key attacking option, but he’s been off the pace recently. Playing like that brings him more into the game. And you’ve got a solid midfield. Maybe more likely to create chances going forward. Anyway, we won.

Louis Reed. Needs to step up now. He’s OK on the ball. Looking for it. Getting it. Giving it. But, it is not incisive. It doesn’t have an impact. Square. Ten yards. Backwards. Accurate enough. (Most of the time) strong enough. Needs to develop Killer Balls. Step Up.

McCabe all over everything. Including an official statement. Partly, I get it. Him and the Saudi are the owners. They’ve put money in. Simple, as owners, we’re stuck with them. They can do what they like. That’s what being an owner is. Unless they sell……

There is some mad criticism aimed at McCabe in particular. All based on the simple fact that we’re pissing around in Division 3, with no immediate prospects. Stick to that charge and he’s Bang To Rights. But. It becomes. We’re in Div 3, he must be taking money out of the Club. We’re in Division 3, he’s not putting money into the Club.

So, he can Lord It. I haven’t taken a penny out of this Club. We have spent (insert large figure). I’ll boil him down. We’ve spent. It nearly worked. We got to some Play Offs & lost.

The real deal is - if you’re not taking money out, if you’re putting a lot in, why are we pissing around in Division 3? Someone has made HUGE mistakes along the way. Bad appointments. Bad recruitment. Bad signings. Bad strategy. Bad. Not ill luck & Tevez.

The Beer

A lovely Fuggle Bunny, Chapter 3, Golden Orchard on cask at 5%.

280/578