Turnstile Tailgate

Barnsley U18 1 v Sheffield United U18 1 

U18 Professional Development League 

Saturday 20 January 2024 

Played at The Academy Ground, Barnsley 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #37 

NBDR No Beer Don't Read 

A poor game out at Behind Oakwell. Lots of long ball and midfielders helping it on blind. Barnsley have been duking it out at the top of the North Group of late. After that result, they're second. Four points behind Birmingham City, with a game in hand. The Young Blades are a bit off the pace at the moment. Eighth (of eleven). Just 4 wins so far. Although we're stringing a good unbeaten run together.

I “was told” the U18s were a little disrupted. As a few had been promoted to train, travel and play with the U21s for the previous night v Reading at Aldershot. And, the frozen weather had canned that of course.

Coby Hewitson in goal. A conventional four of Seth Okyere, Jayden Prunty, Zain Tahir and Frankie Jones. Billy Blacker as quarterback. Blaize wide right. Francis wide left. Looked like lone striker Jevan Beattie to me. With Sam Aston in midfield and Ethan Cummings as a ten.

Beattie actually picked up a knock just as the first half ended. Treatment continued as the oranges came out. Unfortunately, Jevan couldn't make the second half. Sam Colechin came on. Set up as right wing back in a reshuffled five. The original four all shufting up one. More fluid formation up top for the second. Cummings and Marshall more pushed up at times.

A becoming the norm bit of bollocks getting into the Barnsley Academy Ground. They've built a new fence and gate. In front of the existing fence and gate. I guess to improve out of hours security. Those new gates protected by keypads & card swipe pads. I neither had the code, tried 1889 of course, nor a swipe card.

As I was trying to work it all out, I spied the Carrier Bag Firm GangMaster INSIDE the gates & complex. I phoned him immediately.

“How the fuck do you get in?”

“Wait for a car to come and for them to open the gates. And follow in behind them.”

Which is exactly what I did. FFS.

I need to report that the Young Blades and Staff were a bit snarling at times. I guess I don't mind it between team mates. Shows a bit of passion and thinking about the game.

On 38, Captain Prunty, using many rude words I'd never fucking use had a right go at Beattie for straying offside. A right old swearing row ensued over a 70 yard gap.

But, I hate it when the Staff get angry at players. Sure, it's a competitive environment. Sure, players have to know when they've “done wrong”. But, bawling and swearing and bullying from the touchline, for all to hear, at kids a third of your age is unedifying. This Academy has been built on explanation and support. Not that shit.

On 8, Barnsley put in a right wing cross. There was a missed defensive play in the six yard box by Prunty. The free header was saved well by Keeper Coby. One of the (it has to be said increasing number of) staff had a loud, sweary, angry go at Prunty. Who had a bit to say back.

“I saw him. I saw him. I fucking saw him.”

Chances at both ends were scarce. On 34, Francis broke down the left. But his cross was just out of Beattie’s reach. And, a little later, Hewitson did well (again) to deny Barnsley.

United were getting caught out a lot down our left. Even with the switch to a five, that continued.

Barnsley eventually opened it up, with a goal on 70. They worked it down the right. A deep cross was controlled on the left. And they were queuing up on the six yard line as it was squared back. One Nil.

Frankie Jones was tripped inside the box on 82. But, a combination of unlucky, but horrendous, from Marshall Francis. He slipped in his final stride and scooped the penalty miles wide.

Fair do. United were having their best spell as the Carrier Bag Firm were preparing to find the way out through the multiple gates. We had a header from Tahir more or less under the bar go over. And the pressure paid on 90. A corner on our right was hung up in the wind. Seth Okyere was under it. And put a powerful header in for the equaliser.

The GangMaster was going on to try some local MicroPubs. He went with my best wishes. I couldn't make it.

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Space Is Ace

Barnsley U18 2 v Sheffield United U18 1 

U18 Professional Development League 

Saturday 15 October 2022 

Played at Oakwell Training Ground 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #21 

Sheffield United 3 v Blackpool 3 

The Championship 

Saturday 15 October 2022 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #22 

It's fair to say, there's been a bit of agonising over my Blog in recent weeks. Not the first time I've contemplated it. It's over 8 years now. And, I've published 1,043 of the fuckers. I'm partly influenced by what other people are doing. A lot has changed over those 8 years. Lots of new Blades Brands established. Channelers. Podders. Vloggers. Bloggers. Forum Hot Takers.

Thing is, some of those can be much more up-to-date, more on the whistle, than my Blog. (Dig coming…). After all, I have to travel back from games before I can really start. Some other brands don't have to leave their Living Room!!! Also, I've got Ale to Sup (and to recover from) before I can compose me prose. 

I guess I've felt a bit second division. Sneaking my Blog out at the end of an ever lengthening line. What's the point of saying what's already said? My reluctance to tear apart first team games means I'm being unfairly typecast as "The Academy Guy". For those at the back - I go to far more first team games than Academy games.

Anyway. Not for the first time, the Carrier Bag Firm mission statement provides a way forward.

Fuck It.

For the next phase of the Blog, I'm going to try hard to put together comments on first team games. No matter how long after the event. It's just my diary, I must remember I'm writing for myself.

What a Mad Game that was. Bizarrely, one of the things I do more of now is look at the stuff that surrounds the play, not just the play itself. My down the sideline view from the BLUT corner means I can often see signals and changes from the technical area. I very rarely know why, but I can sometimes spot what.

My extra eye analysis started at the toss. As Billy was shaking an' a photo posing, I noticed Wes Foderingham ran to the half way line and had a word in Billy's evolved listening device. And, I think that explains why United ended up kicking towards the Shoreham in the first half. I assume because of the low sun shining that way.

Sticking with Billy. I feel United have a real problem if McBurnie and Berge don't start. They have to use Billy as the centre zone man on defensive corners. He's actually quite good as a disruptor. But, not so good as an attack the ball, clean header zone man. I noticed that United shifted the system as the game progressed. Matt Duke (who does most of the defensive coordination) put Tommy Doyle in as a sort of second, wider, screen for some corners. Norwood does the main front screen to deal with underhit, can't beat the first man, corners. And, he does an excellent job at that. It looked to me like Norwood was screening the ball hit towards the edge of the six yard box. But, Doyle was screening for balls hit deeper and more towards the Penalty spot and beyond.

There's a right old dilemma at the back isn't there? Rhys Norrington-Davies has done a great job at LCB. And, today, the decision was to juggle in Osborn at LWB. But, man, I thought we missed Rhys wide left today. I understand the reluctance to shuffle Basham and (particularly) Anel in at LCB, but at least that gives you Rhys at LWB. 

Basham was off. He gave the ball away a lot. Sometimes as part of the build from the back goal kicks. There's a lot of shouting and bawling about those. So, let's deal with them.

Setting up with Wes on the ball and two players narrow, left and right is a tactic to create between the lines space. Let's take an example of where it seems to go wrong. Wes gives the ball left, inside the area, to Rhys. It's not a great ball. Rhys gets closed, he turns, no outlet options, he's under increasing pressure, he decides to hoof it upfield. The guy in the seats shouts…

"Why don't they just kick it upfield in the first place, stop pissing around with it"

But. But. Two or more Blackpool forwards have been sucked further up the field to press. As an equation, that means there's more space behind them. More space for United to exploit. Space is Ace. Of course, that means you've got to either win the hoofed ball with a knock on header to runners coming from and into space, or you win the second ball in the space that's available.

When United are chasing the game, they often bring on the extra striker, for a midfield man, and withdraw Ndiaye a little bit. I get that. I get it. But, in my opinion, Iliman is not particularly suited to that "Number 10" role. Look, I love the fella, he's got it all going on. But, he's a free roller. He's not the sort of do it by numbers, go towards the man with the ball, be in every move, player that Number 10 needs at times.

Just to show I'm not the tactical expert I'm pretending to be, let's deal with Berge. When he plays, I'm not sure what it is he does. But, when he's not playing, we sure miss whatever it is he does!!!

We were more of an attacking threat when we got Anel on.

Mad game. (As a ticker, I will note that was my 100th game of 2022).

At the end, some fella walked past me as the final whistle approached and said…

"He's the Shitest Ref in England"

Lots to unpack there. Mainly, why use England as your reference geography? Takes all sorts. I have to explain that Shit Ref assessment was at the end of that U18 game at Barnsley, not at The Lane. As you can imagine, I've had quite the day refwise.

Jack Waldron equalised for United on 31 minutes. I happened to remark that Jack, as a right back, was certainly getting forward a lot. It was at that 31 minute mark that it was pointed out to me that United were playing three at the back, not four as I'd "imagined" and that Jack Wally Waldron was obvs getting forward a lot as the Right Wing Back.

I think you should remember that before you decide whether to trust my tactical analysis.

Callum Yam was definitely the goalkeeper. Levis Pitan at the centre of the three. Seth Okyere on his right, Ben Drake on his left. Waldron wide right. And, a somewhat anonymous Stafford Clarke wide left. John Oluleye up top. I suppose Sam Aston with him, although it looked one up top at times. Staniland (quiet game), Dickinson & Hampson in midfield.

Overall, I felt Barnsley just about shaded it and were worth their win. It was a very scrappy and disjointed game. United never really built anything. A lot of hopeful and wasted channel balls to Oluleye. True, we did look a threat at times when we went wide. But, Barnsley had a bit more control and build it through the lines going on.

They capitalised on 20 minutes. With some nice work on the edge of the box. The guy turned and shot past Yam. I felt then, and at other times, that the Young Blades needed to be tighter and close down more. Sloppy at times. George Dickinson summed it up;

"Got to fucking liven up - all of us - track your runners"

That weren't the only problem Dicko. No one was getting on goal kicks and clearances. Not even putting a jump in at times. Ducking under balls at other times.

As I mention, a sweeping ball from Ben Drake on the left found Waldron on the back post and he steered it home nicely for the equaliser.

In the second half, on 60, there was one of those learned behaviour, copying what you see on the telly, incidents. A foul, and a bit of huffing and puffing, right on the far touchline, level with the penalty area United were defending. I didn't hand out finishing positions, but the Barnsley keeper has sprinted three quarters of the pitch to be one of the first there. He's easily recognisable under FIFA shirt, short & sock regulations. And, is the first of four to be booked. 

Barnsley went ahead on 86 through a penalty. (Sam Aston had been sent off moments earlier). Owen Hampson did have a good chance even later than that. But, as I say, Barnsley just about shaded it for me. Despite the Shitest Ref In England (part one).

Today's drink was an early doors in;

The Joseph Bramah

15 Market Hill, Barnsley S70 2PX

'spoons have a Real Ale Festival going on at the moment. So I attacked one of those where a foreign brewer comes over to a British Brewery and conjures up some magic.

Mad Giant (Johannesburg, South Africa), Autumn Amber, on Cask at 4.3%

Actually brewed at Hook Norton in Oxfordshire. Very good. The first swig tasted a bit meh English Bitter. But, it's nice and complex as you get into it. Very neutral smell. There's a good whack of back of the throat bitterness straightaway. It feels nice & malty. Maybe lurking hazelnut. Endeavour, Jester, Olicana & Chinook in the Hop Back Four.

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In Threes

Wigan Athletic 0 v Sheffield United 3
The Championship
Tuesday 1 January 2019

Barnsley U18 2 v Sheffield United U18 2
U18 Professional Development League
Saturday 5 January 2019
Played at Oakwell Academy

Sheffield United 0 v Barnet 1
Fa Cup 3rd Round
Sunday 6 January 2019

SUFC 2018/19 Games 53, 54 & 55

May to May Brewery Visits - 73

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The worst of those 3 games. Easy. Barnet at home in the Cup. Ask me another one. In Wilder we trust. Apparently. If “The Club” can be selfish. Rest players. Rotate. Then so can I. If the magic of the Cup has gone. At least I can use it to my advantage. I was looking for a draw there. To give me the chance to go to Barnet (new ground) in a replay & break up my trip to Swansea. You don’t like that? Take it up with Wilder. He started it. I get it, of course. Someone. Somewhere. Once said. “We need to rest the first team for the Cup, we don’t want any injuries or anybody to be tired”. And, then tens of thousands have bought into that. No. Hang on. It’s Hundreds Of Thousands. Here’s one. If you ask players to play with other players, they never play with, then they won’t be able to play. You make 11 changes. That’s disruptive. This is fucking Big Boy’s Football. Barnet will rightly think - Hello. Barnet played very well. They deserved to win. Wilder will blame the players. Because he’s a victim of his own publicity. He’s fucked that up.

The most entertaining of those 3 games. That mad two all draw at Barnsley. The Young Blades were the better team. And, they went 2-1 ahead on 90+4. Substitute Reon Potts getting something on it to help it over the line. Yet. Barnsley got their second equaliser on 90+5. The scenes. The pitches are built into a hill. Terraced down one after the other. I swear, as the Young Tykes swarmed after the scorer, they all disappeared from view as they went over the edge down onto the lower pitch. Both sides had their moments. In general, Barnsley were hitting it long & a lot of stuff could just be tidied up by Kyron Gordon & Jean Belehouan at the back. United played a more controlled game - although not without huff & bluster. Initially, I was impressed by Sammy Ompreon. He took up some great striking positions & had some lovely touches. Sammy scored the opening goal with a neat flick header from George Broadbent’s corner on 19 minutes. He’s looking a little talled & more athletic as he matures & his value in the air is a new thing to his game. From memory, this was my first look at Frank Maguire. He was OK in spells. But, faded in & out at times. One thing I noticed was his apparent two footedness. Keep going with that Kid. Maguire was part of a great move with Ompreon on 24. He played Ompreon in, he stayed calm, but the keeper stayed upright & tall & beat the shot away.

As the game wore on, it was Zak Brunt who caught my eye more. Very switched on. Very nice on the ball. However. If he’s got a Copy Book. He’s blotted it. On 70 minutes, Utd were given a penalty for handball. (It was one each at that stage). The goalkeeper made a FINE save from Brunt’s spot kick. That, and a spate of substitutions for both teams set up that lunatic finish deep into injury time. Very enjoyable game. Disappointing the Young Blades couldn’t cling on.

The best pub across those 3 games. That was hands down, The Bobbin, in Leigh, before the Wigan game. Fairly large single room micropub. Very welcoming. Intriguingly, maybe because it’s January, after a heavy December, they had two lower abv Pales on. The best was the 3.8%, Blackedge Brewing Company, Hop Pale Ale on cask. The Hop bitterness was running all the way through it, with a little citrus cutting in.

As it happens, that beer was more-or-less matched in the best Brewery across those 3 games. The Hilltop Brewing Co just outside Conisbrough. Quite a place. I know my stuff. My trained eye suggested we’d come across a usual Saturday afternoon Old Boys drinking session. We deliberately placed ourselves in “The Tap Room” to be part of it. Some right bollocks being spouted. Most of them seemed to have their Sons come & collect them in the car at a pre-arranged time. Sign. Me. Up.

There were four of their own on cask. The pick was the 4% Blonde. Much hoppier than I expected. And, hooray to that. Lots of floral flavour, well balanced.

762/1601