Pisstake Beer

Sheffield United 1 v Stoke City 1
The Championship
Tuesday 23 October 2018

SUFC 2018/19 Game 32

Twitter @ball_sup
www.twitter.com/ball_sup
Untappd ball_sup

The Beer

I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet there. The Bar Stewards on Gibraltar Street has one of those beer boards on which you can see the upcoming kegs n casks. Great idea. Can give you the Heebie Jeebies though. The Pump Clip of one of the Substitutes described it as…..

Raspberry, Hibiscus & Vanilla, Sugar Milk Sour IPA

I’ll try owt me. Enjoy it an’ all. But that is a Pisstake Beer. Not today mind. The actual kegs were right up my street.

Wylam, Child In Time, IPA on keg at 7.4%. Some orange upfront, but then straight into very, very, very deep bitterness.
Verdant Brewing Company, Bloom, American IPA on keg at 6.5%. Bizarrely, I felt that tasted a little underpowered. But, I got a lovely hint of apple. It was very bright, refreshing & effervescent.
Cloudwater Brew Co, A W18 Brewed All Season Pale, on keg at 4%. A lovely simple, Hop forward beer. The bitterness comes in quickly.

They also serve…. (in The Shakespeare)

Atom Beers, Phobos & Deimos, IPA on cask at 7%. I’m a big fan of cask IPAs at this sort of abv. They don’t have the richness of keg IPAs. But, there’s a nice complexity, the flavours tend to be distinct & come in waves, rather than bombing you all at once. This one tasted rich & powerful from the get go. There was some nuttiness. But, mainly a lovely tongue tickling bitterness. That can have Standout Beer Of The Day.

The Football

Look. I happen to be a fan who believes we are a “there or thereabouts” club. I don’t believe the clamoured for - investment in the sign someone, anyone, any price, transfer window - will make a great deal of difference. Indeed, a big money, big wages player may start unravelling what we already have. Stick or Twist? We’re good. Stick. We are where we are. We are going to dominate games, wave after wave of relentless attacking. But, the other team will have bits as well. Often around counter attacking at high pace & a clinical finish. We’ll make mistakes & concede some we shouldn’t as well. That’s the fucking game. We’ve got an aging set of strikers (and attacking Ten mid). Games come thick & fast. We’re going to have to rest & rotate. Calm. Down.

I’m not a great analyst. Sometimes, I can’t articulate. Good. It’s a simple game. Say simple things. David McGoldrick - when I watch him, I notice that he often does Striker’s Things. I can’t put my finger on it. The way he moves two yards away from his man, in what might be the wrong direction, as a wide attack gets to the business end. The way he checks his run, puts the brakes on, while his marker bombs on, as the ball looks like coming in. There isn’t a lot of space & time in the Champo. But, when McGoldrick comes deep to receive, he always seems to have a good whack of space. Striker does Striker’s Things. Who knew?

I also think we’re getting a little better at Plan B when needed. Leon Clarke is strong. He’s got some short distance pace. The right ball. In the right channel. Doesn’t have to be over the top. He’ll get on the end of some. Stay upright. And, be able to take it on & create some bollocks. Relentless, wide, overloading & a ball in. That’s a good plan. Give & go. Build ten yards. Another ten. Look for Fleck to get in a position to surge on. Look for Duffy to make something happen. That’s a good plan. Hit Leon in the channel. Take your chances. That’s a good plan. Can you see a pattern emerging here? There or thereabouts.

734/1526