Ghost Of Games Past

Ipswich Town 1 v Sheffield United 1
The Championship
Saturday 22 December 2018

Sheffield United 3 v Derby County 1
The Championship
Wednesday 26 December 2018

Sheffield United 3 v Blackburn Rovers 0
The Championship
Saturday 29 December 2018

SUFC 2018/19 Games 50, 51 & 52

May to May Brewery Visits - 71

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The Blog has had a bit of time off over Christmas. We all need time to get our paperwork in order. The confirmed signing of Kieran Dowell, on loan from Everton, has pushed me to finally get my Young Lions Spreadsheet into line. That means this is going to be an odd Blog. The Ghost of Games Past. Since I started writing a Blog, I've had the good fortune to be able to watch many more England Age Group games. Looking back over that period allows me to explain that Kieran Dowell is my guy already. I've already seen him win two trophies. The FIFA U20 World Cup in Korea 2017. And the Maurice Revello U21 Tournament in France 2018 (formerly the Toulon Tournament).

Across those two tournaments, and warm ups etc, I've seen Kieran start 11 times & come on as Sub twice. I didn't know, did I? How could I know in October 2016? That one day, down the track, he'd sign for us. Check the spreadsheet, I've seen 159 different players in a Young England shirt in my Blog years. I can't be expected to have detailed scouting notes on them all. So. Sorry. If you're looking for notes on Kieran's skills & abilities, I've got nowt. Look away & stop reading now.

My attention in the lead up to the U20 World Cup in Korea was drawn more towards Louis Reed. Reed, who was our player at the time, played alongside Dowell against The Netherlands at Oldham, 5 October 2016. Harry Chapman, who was on loan to us at the time, also started that game. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (who was already an Everton player by then) came on as an 81st minute sub. Dean Henderson was an unused Sub. So FIVE players who had, did, or would play for The Blades were in that England U20 squad in October 2016. It's interesting to contrast what has happened to those five since.

The 2018/19 season to date stats are;
Kieran Dowell. Two League Cup games for Everton.
Dean Henderson. 25 Championship games for The Blades.
DCL. 18 Premier League & one League Cup game for Everton
Harry Chapman. Three League Cup & one Checkatrade game for Middlesbrough.
Louis Reed. Fourteen League One, two FA Cup & 4 Checkatrade games for Peterborough.

Fikayo Tomori & Adam Armstrong also started that U20 game in Oldham back in 2016. Tomori started for Derby in that marvellous three one win for The Blades on Boxing Day. And, Armstrong came on as Sub for Blackburn in that equally marvellous three nil win for The Blades on Saturday. Tomori has played 23 Championship & 4 League Cup games for Derby this season. Armstrong has also played 23 Championship games, plus two League Cup games.

England U21 won the Maurice Revello Tournament in 2018. The Final was against Mexico, who we had drawn nil each with in the group stage. Mexico scored very early. But England ground their way back into it. A great last 15 of the first half saw Dael Fry net the equaliser. And, after great work by Eddie Nketiah, Dowell rolled home the goal which proved to be the winner. The Young Lions player who stood out for me at this tournament was Eddie Nketiah. He has played four times for Arsenal’s first team this season.

Dowell also scored in the FIFA U20 World Cup Group game against the hosts South Korea (played in Suwon). As Louis Reed had not made the squad, and Harry Chapman had gone back to Middlesbrough, my main focus at that tournament was Calvert-Lewin. In terms of impact, Dom had a great tournament. He bagged the winner in the final. And, he’d got England off to a great start with the first goal in the opener v Argentina. Kieran Dowell also had a great game that day - two assists. Including for Dom’s goal. The players who stood out for me at the U20 World Cup were Josh Onomah (now in S6 of course) & by a distance, Dominic Solanke.

Looking at my Young Lions numbers has made me realise how I’m specialising in SUFC (ish) goalkeepers as Unused Subs. I’ve seen Dean Henderson as an Unused Sub SEVEN times (& play twice). I’ve seen Aaron Ramsdale as an Unused Sub four times (& play twice). I’ve seen Jamal Blackman as an Unused Sub once. And, I’ve seen Marcus Dewhurst as an Unused Sub four times. Poor that……

Incidentally. In tell it like it is style. Henderson only played once out at the U20 World Cup in Korea. Freddie Woodman was first choice keeper - with Dean & Luke Southwood on reserve duty. Henderson played in the group game v Guinea in Jeonju. Which finished one each. And England conceded a howler of an own goal. The aforementioned Fikayo Tomori played a blind, no look, back pass from inside the centre circle. Henderson is outside his box, maybe 22 yards. The hard hit pass just goes past his despairing drive and rolls into the net dead centre for the equaliser.

And, I’ve done two Breweries. The Briarbank Brewing Company in Ipswich. And, a new Brewery Tap in Sheffield. I’m going to allow myself to say - an unusual place. That was;

The Brewery Of Saint Mars Of The Desert (breathes….)
In an industrial area on Stevenson Road in Attercliffe S9. Call it as I see it. It looks like a Scout Hut from the outside. In a little yard off the street. The brightly (Red & White) painted door will help you find it. It said it was going to open at 1pm. We were early. We’re the Carrier Bag Firm. We ain’t playing at this. As we were hanging around, I thought I could smell something burning. I subsequently discovered that to be the RLF (roaring log fire) in the very welcoming brewery tap room. Single room affair. Decorated with French bar & beer paraphernalia. (Saint Mars du Desert is a town in Western France). Bar on the right. Seating on the left. Logs bang front. A good long chat to the two owners. I was told the Brew Kit was in another building in the yard. Some other punters were shown around, I was offered, but was on a schedule.

They had two beers on keg. The same in bottles in the fridge.

Cito, Golden Ale, at 4%. That was my favourite of the two. Lots of flavour. With a good whack of hops. Which just sit there nicely without overpowering.

Lupe, Hoppy Pale, at 5.5%. Nice flavours. The gentle orange off the Mandarina Hops was lovely. It seemed to come very late in the finish. But, in general, I felt that was all a little underpowered.

I’m sure they’re not mugs. Common sense says they’ve got it all on. There is NO footfall in that area. Remember The Carlton on Attercliffe Road. Once upon a time that was in the CAMRA guide, surely. It’s still there, but it’s days in The Guide must be long gone. Anyway - you pass that from the tram. They’ll have to live or die by Social Media, word of mouth, BLOGS, etc. Maybe their beers will turn up through distributors. Maybe they’re pioneers for a new resurgent ‘Cliffe. I’m sure (or I hope) costs are low. Brew it. Sell it. In an easy to maintain gaff. I thoroughly enjoyed the place and the beers.

759/1593