Sweating

Sheffield United U23 1 v Birmingham City U23 2

Premier League Cup, Group H

Monday 27 February 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Disappointing that. A draw would have been enough to see us through to the last 16. As it stands, we now need Reading to get at least a point in their final game away at Stoke City. No date for that rearranged fixture as yet. United just couldn’t get it going tonight. Particularly in the first half. We did get more into it as the game went on. The Blades have hit the woodwork, had them cleared off the line & their keeper making double wonder saves.

It was mad towards the end. As United went for the equaliser that would have been enough. Jake Wright, David Parkhouse & Kimarni Smith were all on & playing “centre forward”. Parkhouse (CF) had been brought on for Cantrill (CB). Leaving 2 at the back - Kelly & Cummings. That is until Cummings joined Wright, Parkhouse & Smith (K) up top. In what I can only describe as a 1-5-4 formation. We still couldn’t get it done though.

George Long was between the sticks. Call it as I see it. He didn't do anything which suggested he's developed into a commanding & confident keeper. Who knows whether he's really had a crisis of confidence? But, if it looks like he has, that's what matters. I've written earlier in the season, as he tried to comeback from the debacle against Southend, at times he just doesn't look like a keeper. The first goal went in at the near post, although there was a defender in the way as well. The whole episode looked untidy. For the second goal, he got a good hand on it. But, he couldn't stop the ball dropping loose so the fella could knock it in. What do I know? About Goalkeeping? But, I noticed at least one other ocasion where his wrists didn't look strong enough as he merely palmed a shot back out to the attackers running in. The best thing that could happen (IMHO) is that Moore has to go off in a first team game. When United are one up. Nothing too serious. He'll be back next week. George comes on. The crowd will be behind him in those circumstances. He has three assured touches. Tips one over. Collects a cross. Stays big as he closes someone down. Ends 2-0. And, we can all get on with the rest of our lives.

Amongst all that, was a lovely equaliser on 22 minutes, Stephen Mallon unloading a 25 yarder into the top corner. Louis Reed was the standout player (again). Three at the back has given him a new lease of life. Although I do think BlueNose FC had noticed how we played last week & were better prepared. They seemed to deny us space & gave us the hurry up. And, whatever it was, this was a very quiet night for & from Wright & Smith (T). The Mallon/Charlesworth wingback thing never really delivered much of an attacking threat. But, the number of chances & a bit of backs to the wall by Birmingham means it shouldn’t all be doom & gloom. Just got to wait now.

The Beers

We started in BrewDog. Where it was finally confirmed to me. There will be no more of the elusive Brewdog/Cloudwater collab. In. Any. Vessel. But, lo. That Single Batch Vermont IPA on keg at 7.4% is the prototype. Better that than nowt. It was decent. But, these high abv IPAs are moving away from why I fell in love with them in the first place. By going to the more yeasty & citrus spectrums. They are missing out on the intense & growing bitterness that defines them. I say...
I made my first visit to the newly Abbeydale revamped Devonshire Cat. A great beer range. Which I was too busy enjoying to make proper notes. Except, that Beer Ink Double IPA redresses the balance a bit. Took me back to the more straight ahead, in your face DIPA.

Brussels Project, Stereo Lips on keg at 6.2%
Brewdog, Single Batch Vermont IPA on keg at 7.4%
Beer Ink, Two Faced, Double IPA on keg at 7.5%

Good set that.

U23 Round Up

Premier League Cup

As I say, we’re sweating on a result going our way between Reading & Stoke. In order to join Blackburn, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Norwich, Brighton, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool, Reading & some others in the last 16.

The Central League Cup, Northern

United go to Fleetwood Town away. Tomorrow, Tuesday, 1pm. That's the one legged Semi Final of our bit of The Central League Cup.

Let us call it sixteen (16) hours after the finish tonight against Birmingham. That's a tough ask. But, this is very much the Step Down Cup for SUFC. And, the U18s didn't play Saturday. So, expect a young side.  Chesterfield play Wigan at home in the other SF. That is on Tuesday afternoon as well.

Professional Development League, North

United beat Leeds last Friday. That leaves us third in the table. Two pts behind Hull with three games in hand. Eight pts behind Sheffield Wednesday, also with three games in hand. United have ten games left. Starting with Bolton at The Lane at 7pm on Monday 6 March. Hull play SWFC that night.

The top two in the North qualify to play the top two in the South (currently Charlton & Millwall) in end of season play offs. There is, however, no promotion.

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