Do you know my Uncle Ron?

Bournemouth 1 v Sheffield United 1
Premier League (whoooooh scary….)
Saturday 10 August 2019

SUFC 2019/20 Game 10

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We won't know. We didn't know before. We don't know now. We'll know later. But, for now, job done. United were well worth that point. From a clear cut chance to McGoldrick in the first minutes. To a wide left overload on 90+4. During which they didn't know whether to run the clock or have a pop. But, man alive, if McGoldrick had put that first one away. That would have been something.

United were certainly direct. Maybe they decided that because of the wind. Henderson pumping it long, all day, both ends. Lundstram always thinks he has a Hollywood ball in him. So, he's trying to ping it wide and in the channels. If you're going to play Norwood and Lundstram, that's the way to do it. Let Norwood run the show and do what he does. Push Lundstram further forward.

There were lots of positives. But, go on then, it's a grumble. We need midfield players to occasionally break through the line, and surge with the ball at their feet. Fleck (particularly) and Lundstram in this instance. Oh - Basham as well. We need more wide overloads. I can understand that today wasn't the day. And all hail that. But, once "we had to", at a goal down, we looked more dangerous. And, goes without saying, we need to not give the ball away as much. And be better at winning it back. We weren't particularly bad at losing it today. But, if you lose it, you get punished more (and quickly) at this level - noticeable that.

Finally, we must get "cuter" in the Premier League Free Kick Fandango. If there's contact, he's going down, and it'll be given. Don't leave stuff in there.

But, hello, we defended calmly. We were good playing it through midfield. Robinson was lively. He has that nice, greedy streak in him. Always looking to get a shot off. I also very much like the look of Luke Freeman. He has got that midfield burst going on. And, he's needle threading perfect at playing the ball into his mate's feet when they're in the box.

We had possession. We had chances. No bullshit needed. I'm not saying we were the better team or dominated, even in small doses. But, we were bang in it. All three results would have been fair enough. But, fuck it, we got a result.

The first Premier League pub was the Wight Bear. In Southbourne, walkable from Pokesdown station. And a nice 25 minute hike to the turnstile. Main street, shop front, micropub. Although it is extended a bit down the back. Kooky & quirky decor. Maps, album sleeves, 45 vinyl stuck to the walls. Craft keg wall behind the bar. Ciders & cask ales chalked on the boards. No pumps on the bar. Order, your bar person disappears. Presumably gravity casks out the back there. Overall, a friendly & welcoming place. I sort of caught it at the wrong moment. (Bang on Noon opening time). Essentially four of us in. The other three knew each other. I'm a stranger. Everyone sat in a corner of the room. Them three talking about racing, other pubs, someone's washing on the line (yep really), etc. It felt a bit cliquey. But, that's a bit unfair & as I say, wrong time.

One of the fellas was Uncle Ron. He beat me to the door by about 15 seconds. The bar person went and fetched him a pint, in his own pewter tankard. No words exchanged. I thought, well at least that 'un has been pulled through. "I'll have a pint of whatever that Gentleman has had" "Who? Uncle Ron?"

I eyeball The Ronza - he's got an AFC Bournemouth branded polo on with "Uncle Ron" embroidered on his right tit. Fuck it. Go with the flow. He's my Uncle now.

Me n him had….
Goddards Brewery, Ale Of Wight, (Blonde) from gravity cask at 3.7%. That had a nice hop kick, coming off the back of gentle Boiled Sweet sugar.

Uncle Ron was distracted talking about a recent visit to the Doctors. He'd been surprised to find he'd had a double bypass. He thought it was only the one. The diversion thus created, I went…

The Brew Shack (Wimborne Minster in Dorset), Never Swim With Piranhas (New Zealand Pale) from gravity cask at 5%. That was wonderful. Gloriously unfined & unfiltered (from the look of it). Lots of orange off the sugar, verging on marmalade. Absolutely bursting with flavour. Uncle Ron would have loved it.

Anyway - we don't know yet. Tune in next week after the Palace game to see if we know more.

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