The Championship
Tuesday 4 October 2022
SUFC 2022/23 Game #18
Stoke City 3 v Sheffield United 1
The Championship
Saturday 8 October 2022
SUFC 2022/23 Game #19
Coventry City U21 0 v Sheffield United U21 3
Professional Development League
Tuesday 11 October 2022
Played at Alan Higgs Centre
SUFC 2022/23 Game #20
(Photo Credit - Boothy)
This Blog concentrates on that somewhat impressive U21 away win at Coventry City. I've recently read online newspaper reports which seem to suggest the U21s may be looking to play more games at Shirecliffe, once the pitches are sorted out. (That is apart from the ones the regulations require them to play at Bramall Lane). For the moment, the temporary home at York City is clearly causing a bit of agg. (Incidentally, I was thinking of going with gyp there, but I've realised that's discriminatory).
This Cov (I've checked, that's still alright) game was supposed to be the reverse fixture at York. But, is one of a number switched as York isn't/wasn't available. (York had a game last night, drew one each with Dag & Red). As it happens, the Carrier Bag Firm information network is well advanced and can deal with these late & frequent changes - based, as it is, around WhatsApps, back channels to people who work at the Academy, Facebook Groups, and, crucially, word of mouth, hand-to-hand, tight firm exchanges at games.
If I've missed you off, apologies, but I had that as four pwoper CBF in attendance. Usual Teamsheet Tango. Why don't they just fucking photocopy enough. He'd only let me take a picture of one. But, paper panic ye not. Others were more persuasive & successful in the Paperwork Paso Doble.
Adam Davies in the net. Didn't have a great deal to do. But dealt with everything calmly & competently. A couple of times, The Sky Blues stood up good crosses, the guy rises well on the edge of the six yard box, ahead and above his Young Blades marker, looks sure to get a clean head on it and score. But, the clean headers were right at Adam and he gathered them nicely. I'll put that down to perfect positioning. Because that's the fucking mood I'm in.
Ar … Blaster and Sai Sachdev have stepped up in the First Team injury crisis. And 'dre Brooks - don't forget about him!!! So, others have to step up to the U Two Ones. That's the law.
Finley Potter in the middle of a three. One of my personal favourites, Connor Barratt, on his right and Miguel Freckleton on his left. I think that's illustrative of how highly they rate Potter. Recently back from a long term injury, they're happy to stick him there rather than one of the older & more experienced lads. Put it this way, Connor & Mig both have beards of sorts, Potter doesn't.
Joe Starbuck wide right. Jili Buyabu wide left. Frank Magz anchoring midfield, Sydie Peck right. Up Stepper Owen Hampson left. Williams of the Theo tribe and Louie Louie Marsh up top - Me Gotta Go (John The Postman version, ask your Dad…).
In a typical Carrier Bag Firm attention to detail operation, I can tell you that both Magz & Big Mig were sporting wrist bandages in honour of CBF Heartthrob Jake Wright Jr. (Older readers insert Jostein Flo there).
No weak links in that XI fella. Lovely team performance. I thought the first 30 minutes were a bit scrappy. Neither side able to get much control or grip. Coventry had a free kick right on the box edge on just 3 minutes. But, Hamer went for accuracy over power and Adam Davies did well to save.
Ten minutes later, United had a similar opportunity, maybe two yards further out. Went for power Maguire hit the top of the wall. I'll single Frankie Maguire out. He was buzzing all game. Defensive headers. Midfield tackles. Making himself available. Wrist bandage. Buzzing.
On 33, Starbuck and Marsh combined down the right. Marsh drove on and "attracted" an ankle tap from the defender running across and behind him. I've seen 'em not given, but a Penalty seemed fair.
Remember Him Simon Moore was dancing an' a prancing on the line as Peck stepped up. Moore his left. Ball his right. One Nil. Dance that.
So, now I'll single Louie Marsh out. Top of his game the young 'un. Top of his game. Heated Carrier Bag Firm debate on the sidelines. Thought they might have to call Dibble at one point. Marsh? Is he a striker? Or is he a 10? I'm in Striker Camp. But, I could smoke the Packet Of Ten.
He's comfortable coming towards his mate in possession to look for the ball. He's got that Radar thing going on. Just eye glances around to see who is where and what. No need for extravagant swivelling head. Lovely first touch. Often deployed to turn him from back to goal to facing goal. Strong and selfish with the ball at his feet driving forward. Put a wrist bandage on the fucker and he's got the lot.
I will, with a heavier heart, also single Sydie Peck out. Perfectly good game. Wore the armband. Took a leadership role. Did the stuff. But. But. Sydie burst on the scene (at eighteens). It's unfair, but we want/expect a lot of/from him. He's certainly not going backwards. He's certainly an asset. But, the worry might be that's he's marking time. It's a tough old game. Push on kiddo. Dominate, absolutely dominate games. That's the hope.
At the Alan Higgs, you're close to the action, just roped off, tap the lino on the shoulder almost. You can hear a lot. And, it was getting feisty & spicy over our side. At one stage, the City Captain (Liam Kelly) was getting pretty angry with his own players.
"You … Get Back In … You're just walking"
Anyway, If it was feisty between the players, ref and lino. That was nothing compared to the steam coming out of the CBF ears at Half Time. With one Bagger having a tight train turnaround at 3:30pm, he did not need the sight of the officials leaving the cage at the interval to walk the quarter of a mile back to the rooms, as the players just held their break on the pitch in front of the dugouts. The players lined up for the second. Realised there was no ref, indeed they had not even left the rooms, so went back to running around cones for a bit more.
Although I didn't have a train turnaround myself, I did have pubs to get to, even I was calling for binoculars to fucking see where they were.
The Ref was clearly rested - he booked Coventry Sub Aidan Finnegan after just 45 seconds.
Just four minutes later, United were two up. Coventry cleared a free kick. With Connor Barratt still up and lurking, United played the ball back in. Barratt was excellent, controlling it and wriggling loose. He played a great ball left to Hampson. Owen cut inside onto his right foot and curled it home.
To be fair, Coventry had a great spell around sixty to seventy. Maybe unlucky not to pull one back. Although, on 70, a great long ball from Freckleton (after being fed by Maguire) was controlled superbly by Louie, and his shot came back off the post.
Gomis replaced Buyabu on 84. And there was still time for a third goal from Theo Williams. I thought Theo had a very quiet game, it passed him by at times. But, on 88, he harried his defender, under pressure he put his mate under further pressure and his attempted back pass was straight to Theo. He pressed on deep into the box. Simon Moore sort of tumbled in slow motion to his left, Theo's scuffed shot dribbled in to his right in even slower motion. Moore Moore Moore, how d'ya like it.
At FT, the CBF dispersed to a) run for the train, b) help a Coventry fan with his Qatar Visa for the World Cup, c) THE PUB.
Beer Gonzo
3A Earlsdon St, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6EP
A one room, shop front, bottle shop, coffee café and keg beer bar. An eclectic fifteen on Keg.
Floc (Canterbury), Warm Shade, Pale Ale on Keg at 3.8%
Idaho 7 and Simcoe. Excellent at that abv. Smells of tropical fruit salad. Lots of that survives onto the taste buds. There's a bit of bitterness to keep you interested.
Cloudwater Brew Co (Manchester), And Relax, Table Beer on Keg at 3.2%
Nice table beer. I did think it would have, and needed, more ooommmppphhh.
Twisted Barrel (Coventry), God's Twisted Sister, Stout on Keg at 4.5%
Didn't look particularly inviting. Packs a punch though. It's all going on. But, coffee dominates for me. Intriguingly, I'd say it's more brown than black.
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