I Need Space

Sheffield United 2 v Leeds United 1

The Championship

Saturday 10 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 57

There was a lot about that game to enjoy. Talisman Sharp, back in the side, to face one of his former clubs. Billy has scored right at the beginning to set up a nervy (early) afternoon. And, much much later, banged home a penalty to win it. And, we've done the League Double over Leeds. Never mind, they'll still hate Man United.

On reflection. I learned two things. One of which had me questioning my own sanity. Sharp’s opener was a superb finish. A sort of in the air, horizontal volley. From a Duffy right wing cross. Which came off the top of a Leeds head. Took some pace off it. And made it sit up nicely for Sharp. In his eyeline targets. Impossible to take anything away from him. He got everything right. Smashed it. Roof of the net.

But, Lesson One, it's space isn't it. Space in the box is just what you DON'T get in The Champo. In your face. On your heels. Blocking your shots. Blocking your runs. No gaps. No holes. If you get space, you can & should score. I have no Stats. Maybe you'll get space five times in two games. And, if you score once. You'll do OK. Sharp was on the Penalty Spot. With an awful lot of space. You need him to score with that amount of space. So he did.

I've got to say it. In that amount of space. On the Pen Spot. Someone has made a mistake. The deflection off the Leeds Bonce deffo helps him out. Speed, Guile, Power, Luck - get me some space. And get me that striker.

The Second Lesson. I'm in uncharted territory here. I don't really mind what happens. And, I'm loving it. I genuinely can't remember feeling like this about our plight ever before. You know we're going to turn up. You know there'll be effort. You know we're capable of beating anyone in the league. But, we won't win every week. We're in everything. So, I'm not downhearted when we lose. At one each. I'm not bothered. If we don't win it. We don't. Odd….

Fuggle Bunny, Russian Rare-Bit, Imperial Black Stout on cask at 5%
Fuggle Bunny, Oh Crumbs, Amber on cask at 3.8%

608/1271