Overloaded Inside

Sheffield United 2 v Preston North End 2 

The Championship 

Tuesday 14 September 2021 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #8 

Oddly, I got it a bit there. On a frustrating night. Where United were less fluid & more disjointed than they had been on Saturday. And where an Olsen mistake. And a Jack Robinson mistake had cost us dearly. Oddly, I got it a bit there.

The pfaffing around with the full backs & centre backs hanging around for the ball near the keeper. And not just near him, but very square to him. On 84 minutes, at one all, I got it a bit. You'd have thought Preston would be looking to manage the game and hang on for the point. And United might be reverting to something more direct. Olsen played it short & right. It got knocked back across him short & left. And PNE decided to press it. And press again. I'll be honest, it looked a bit panicky hot potato from United. But, United worked it to wide left Gibbs-White. I was on the halfway line that (John Street) side. I felt I had a perfect view. Because, when MGW knocks it inside, there's space. We're overloaded. We're overloaded in the centre circle. In the centre circle I'm saying. 

And it's the goalie, left back, pfaff that's done that. Oddly, I got it a bit there. I could see it opening up. Minds eye football. By sucking their players into pointless areas, where they don't need to be, in our penalty area, under the Lane End Clock. They're not where they need to be. They're not in the centre circle. Where a great touch from Brewster opens it up for a Fleck ball-at-feet drive. (And have a look at Brewster bursting on ahead of him looking for the ball in a great position). Fleck feeds Sharp. He keeps it alive. There's a bit of a deflection. But, we're still holding an overload. And it's Berge. And he scores.

I am, of course, acutely aware that's Russian Roulette Football for a team like United. Where they're just about as likely to lose it during the goalie, left back, pfaff as create the inside overload. But, in that 84th minute moment, I got it a bit.

Tonight, The Blades came up against a stronger, bigger, physical team. Who were happy to be tight on when needed. Very organised. Preston had come to play their game. And to make sure we couldn't always play ours. Breaking at speed. Not relentless. But flicking the switch enough times to keep worrying us. After the euphoria of the win on Saturday, this is where we are. Not hopeless. But not fully competent. Showing signs of playing purposeful possession football. A bit of confidence. But that confidence being sapped by appalling defensive errors.

Rising Sun, 471 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3QA

Is also getting back to a bit of form. A few more eager punters scattered about. A total of nine on Cask. Six of their own (counting the Dr Morton's) and three guest.

Abbeydale Brewery, Wanderer Outlaw IPA, New England IPA on Keg at 6%

Allegedly named for Willie Nelson & Outlaw music, loved by the brewer. Who used Willamette & Nelson Sauvin Hops to make Willie Nelson - huzzah.

That was one of those beers that tastes glorious on first slug. Mainly because it's full of flavour. But, you're searching for bits of it further in. Still, absolutely packed full of hops.

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