Out Of Sorts

Sheffield United U23 1 v Bolton Wanderers U23 2

Professional Development League, North

Played at Bramall Lane

Monday 6 March 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

A disappointing night at The Lane. The top two were playing each other over in East Yorks. (Hull City v SWFC). Crewe Alex had won in the afts to jump above United. But, there was a real chance to make a bit of ground on one of the Top Two. As it stands after that is all done & dusted - SWFC are top with 42 from 22, the Hull with 33 from 22, then Alex 32 from 21. Then The Blades are in 4th - 31 pts from 19 games. It’s a 28 game league. So, we’ve got games in hand. But, Wednesday are looking really strong at the minute. Gonna be tough to close an 11 point gap. Second will be a good finish as it’ll put us in the four team play offs for the overall Title. Anyway, I feel that was an opportunity missed tonight.

The U Two Threes looked a little out of sorts. Jake Wright was really the only aerial threat up top. To be honest, he was out muscled, out wrestled & out jumped by the Bolton centre backs. His usual belligerent self. But, he was snuffed out. That said, both teams had little trouble getting to the bye line & knocking it back. That was really where our main threat came from.

Chapman & Brooks back from injury & trialist Jack Bainbridge in the middle of a back three. It’s going to sound odd. I’ve said it before. I’m saying it here. Sometimes the “tricky little players” like Brooks & Chapman are given such a free role that the team and they suffer. Particularly at Development level, I’m convinced they’d benefit from playing in a more fixed role. Anyway - both Chapman & Brooks looked back to their near best. Both had all the ball skills going on. Brooks in particular gave the ball away far too much for my liking. And, he wasn’t the only one! As I say, mad as it sounds, too fluid & flexible to be effective. Chapman lasted to 68 & Brooks a little while longer. Overall, lively & on the right track. But, nowhere near as effective has I have seen them.

I didn’t see anything from Bainbridge to make me sit up & not have a drink. Tall, athletic, organised. He made a right Ball Sup in the second half with a misplaced pass - really the Greater Manchesterarianists should have made it three right there. We’ll see.

For a long period in the first half, Utd were getting battered down our left (Kelly & Mallon). Kelly was having a right old rough ride. Both of their goals came from wide, with low crosses swept in & knocked in from within the 6 yard box. Something not right there. I felt Eastwood needed to be more commanding in those circumstances. Binnion was pushing things forward. Constantly on at Bennett & Mallon to get forward. Later in the second half, Jake Bennett effectively played behind the front two. Nice cameo from Tyler Smith (replaced Chapman). They seemed more dynamic, pacy & direct with him up with Jake Wright.

Little Critters, Sleepy Badger Oatmeal Stout on Cask at 4.5% in The Sheaf Island. On the Monday Dividend. On the bar at £2.35. Monday Club makes it £1.99. CAMRA voucher makes it £1.49 a pint.

Black black in the glass. Thin, perma latte head all the way down. Comes in three. If anything, it's bitter lead. Fill your palate quickly. Gives way immediately to the sweetness. Mainly red fruit. Well balanced, not overpowering sweet. Lingers, before the best bit. Not really toast, more a gentle burnt. With some final & long, intense, but balanced bitterness. Great beer.

454/937
77