Wilder's Priority

Sheffield United U23 0 v Bradford City U23 1

Central League Northern Cup, Group 1

Played at Stocksbridge

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Sort it out, Wilder……

Today proved it, we can’t go on like this. Monday is normal U23 Home Match Day up at Stocksbridge, 1pm or 2pm kick off. That is poor. The Clubhouse bar doesn’t open until 4pm on Mondays. It’s plain for all to see. Today was Wednesday. The Bar was open at 2pm. Why can’t he see it, all fixtures need to be shifted to Wednesday. He’s too stubborn, that’s it.

Sort it out Wilder….

Don’t mind if I do. A pint of a very pale Bradfield Brewery, Farmers Steel Cow on cask at 4.5%. Sat in the window, looking out across the pitch, But, try telling Wilder that.

Another Goalkeeping crisis

Aaron Ramsdale went to Bournemouth last night. Way it goes. With the money in The Premiership, mid to woeful ranked teams can take an easy punt. A million or two is nowt to them. The wages they'll have to pay to the likes of Calvert-Lewin & Ramsdale are nowt to them. If it all goes the shape of pear. They ain't lost a lot in the grand scheme. The lads themselves would be mad to miss the opportunity. SUFC do the sums, see who has got what left on the deal & get it done. I will allow myself to point out. If Aaron has to languish a while in the Bournemouth Stiffs. That is a lower pyramid level than the Blades U23. Bournemouth piss around in the Central League. Playing Exeter City, Newport County & Cheltenham Town. At our U23 level, we play some Premiership & many Championship clubs U23s.

Alright, alright, I know. He’s signed for a Premiership Club. But, if he doesn’t get the Number One shirt. And doesn’t get on the bench. That’s what is down for him for a while.

Any Road Up. No George Long here. Jake Eastwood started the game. It was an odd squad for an odd game.  A Dead Rubber. Another lovely Cup competition ruined by a poxy Group Stage. SUFC had already won the group before this game. Indeed, all four Northern Cup Semi Finalists were known before kick off. Us, Chesterfield, Fleetwood & Wigan. United named & used 5 Substitutes in this “game that didn’t matter”. Young Perryman was (I think) part of the warming up routines. But, as he wasn’t on the bench, United did not name a Sub Keeper.  

I actually missed the incident. As I was coming down the stairs from the Bar to the Terraces when it happened. But, a number of Baggers were able to fill me in. Eastwood took the ball a full whack in his face & was immediately poleaxed. The Bradfud striker even knocked the rebound into the empty net. But, it turned out the blow had been so fierce, the ref had immediately blown as young Jake went horizontal. Physios & Ambulance men charged on. It was the far end from the Carrier Bag Firm, so we couldn’t see too well. He was down for a long time. Eventually & groggily, he got to his feet. The ref & fizz had a conflab & he was lead away, walking wounded to the bench. A little later, he made his way slowly up the stairs to the Rooms. I’m no expert, but he looked OK by that stage.

With no Sub Keeper, Sam Graham put the gloves on as we went to 10 men, having used 5 subs. Well, You can imagine. Just sold the Number 2 Keeper. No sign of the Number 3 (George). Number 4 with the stretcher next to him. All sorts running through our heads.

We can only assume George Long will be on the bench at The Lane on Saturday.

The West Yorkshirearians had (apparently) a few of their January Window signings on display. The Blades, again, not so. Jordan Hallam & Tyler Smith aren’t half getting some game time - U18s & U23s day in, day out. I have to say, that we looked a lot livelier when Tyler Smith came on. But, it was a Dead Rubber. A more than usually young Blades side. A lot of disruption with the Subs & makeshift keeper. And, we got Dicked. Caught on the break a good few times. See who we get in the Semis.

As well as the In-Game-Drink, there was a pre-gamer.

Acorn, Requiem on cask at 4.5%. Old fashioned, full on brown in the glass. Initial woody flavour from slightly sour apple smell. What can you say, honest English Bitter. A good bit of flavour. A nice balance between bitter & sweet. A lost art.

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