The Championship
Tuesday 18 April 2023
SUFC 2022/23 Game #63
Sheffield United U21 1 v Millwall U21 1
Professional Development League
Tuesday 18 April 2023
SUFC 2022/23 Game #62
No Beer Day.
Here's the Hot Take. It would be entirely wrong to criticise United. We got the game won tonight. The Magic Number is now only two games. But, honestly, United can be an easy team to criticise.
Iliman Ndiaye we know is a special player. One of the things that makes him special is his tenacity. If defenders can get close enough, he's very difficult to knock off the ball. He doesn't want to get knocked off the ball.
I think we'll die not knowing whether Oli McBurnie is a baller. Sighs. He's played an awful lot in The Championship. I've watched an awful lot in The Championship. Yet, McBurnie seems to have no idea how it's reffed. Because, his gamplan is to make it look like he's been knocked off the ball. And, the Refs in The Champo are just never going to fucking give those. Never.
The ball comes to him. He takes a touch. The defender gets tight. Oli tries the arse into him contact. Goes over as if pushed. Ref doesn't wave play on. Because he's in no way contemplating that could in any way be a foul. There's nothing to play on from. McBurnie, he's up like a shot. Arms spread. Veins throbbing. They're just never going to get fucking given. Turn with it. Lay it off. Hold it up. Get your head down. Run towards goal with the ball.
Also. McBurnie. Best defensive zone man header of the ball in The Championship. Attacks it. Times it. Not bothered, at all, by any opposition players. Oooofffftttt. He's cleared it. When we've got a corner, he's a wrestling & a blocking & a catching the eye of the ref. Poor contact, header drifts wide. Shouldn't criticise. Easy to criticise.
While we're on the subject of McBurnie's arse. There's TWO Manchester Citys. The one we see on the tele dominating the other Premier League clubs when playing to Premier League rules. And, there's the other Manchester City. The Manchester City one down after 12, to a goal that's gone in off McBurnie's arse, and playing under FA Cup ref rules. Let's see how that Manchester City cope.
I thought Bristol City did a good job in the first half. Their players seemed to find a lot of space. And were hit by confident, accurate passes. They played the game at their pace. And threatened to get in behind us a few times. Either by going wide or long.
They tailed off a bit later in the game. And United looked a bit more determined. It took an Ndiaye, McAtee interchange to unlock it. But, you know, two players capable of unlocking is two more than none.
Annnnnd. Continuing the theme. The Young Blades equaliser, at York, earlier in the day, was off Antwoine Hackford's arse. Well. Maybe not his arse. Indeed, I'm not sure which part of his body. But, I'm making the point that a defender's clearance hit him and rebounded into the goal.
That equaliser on 36 minutes. Came after Brooks and Sachdev combined well down the right. Sai S got the cross in. But Louie M couldn't get the ball out from under him. The defender attempted the hoof clearance. A part of the Antwoine Anatomy got in the way. One each.
Having won the Professional Development League North with time to kill. The U Two Ones will have one, hopefully two, more games to schedule. But, league fixture wise, that's the last game of the season at York, this year's home.
The Young Lions were unbeaten in five coming into this one, and Top of The South. The Blades Young were unbeaten in TWELVE. That said, this felt a poor one one.
The midfield of Coulibaly, Peck & Brooks were not creative at all. Coulibaly, when anywhere near the final third, regressed into one of those Patrick Suffo, I ain't passing, I'm getting a shot off, roles. That said, he had a good two minute spell. On 29, Marsh controlled a high ball on the edge of the box. It fell loose to Coulibaly. But he dragged his shot wide. On 31, 'dre Brooks popping up on the right, got the ball into the edge of the box. This time, Coulibaly's right footer drew a save from the 'wall keeper.
That ineffective midfield had Luke Faxon a long way behind it. A back three of right to left - Connor Barratt, Levis Pitan, Kyron Gordon. Sai Sachdev wide right. (The excellent again in parts) Jili Buyabu wide left.
The midfield was underserving Louie Marsh up top. Scheduled with Will Osula. Summat (not sure what) happened to WillO in the warm up and Antwoine Hackford replaced him before kick off. The Carrier Bag Firm, aware of my influence and Social Media reach, wanted me to start an internet rumour that Oli Mc had a problem back in Sheffield and Will had been pulled to rush back as cover for the Brizzle game. Fuckers the CBF at times.
Piss poor first ten. Very scrappy. Neither team in the others penalty area. All changed on 11. A good cross from the left was met by the geezer getting across his man and scoring with a great near post header. One Nil South London. Millwall started to get on top. Much more control and purpose than us. On 25 minutes, I had a look around, double take, checked the teamsheet. Realised Andre was playing. Hadn't noticed until then!!!
So. The time of half. One all. Millwall opener. Antwoine's got something on it equaliser. Millwall had a great chance just as the first ended. A great break, at speed, but he couldn't keep control of it at the death. And, Millwall also started well after the oranges. Peck lost the ball, Gordon got skipped past, dead, but the ball was knocked wide for a corner.
By sixty mins, it was clear we were not much of an attacking threat at all. With 24 left, we did the reshuffle. Owen Hampson & Chaz Staniland on for Pitan and Hackford. Staniland to right back. Sai to RCB. Connor into the middle. I felt they also pushed the wing backs up, and pushed Hampson n Coulibaly up as well. To try and get a more attacking shape.
We did have a great chance to win it at the end. Coulibaly was slipped in by Brooks, but backpassed/shot tamely to keeps. Both teams maintain their unbeatens. And will possibly meet again in the National play offs.
You can find ALL my previous Blogs at
Would you please consider subscribing (free) to have my Blog delivered to your email inbox via Substack). Thank you.
You can find me on Social Media
Twitter @ball_sup
Untappd ball_sup
Stats
I have now Blogged from 1,243 games in 3,164 days
No comments:
Post a Comment