Exclusive From Greno Chippy

Sheffield United U21 2 v Coventry City U21 0 

Professional Development League 

Tuesday 24 January 2023 

Played at York City 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #47 

A no beer day. 

Oli McBurnie starting up top. He played 45 minutes and was plan hooked at half time for Antwoine Hackford. Ismaila Coulibaly started, I'm going to say in right midfield. He was subbed on 74 for Josh Smith. (That was not an injury substitution). Alongside Ismaila in midfield were a trialist & Owen Hampson (left midfield). Collins mixed it up a bit at the back. Levis Pitan playing centre back, with Finley Potter at LCB, Joe Starbuck at RCB. Jili Buyabu wide left and Sai Sachdev wide right. Marcus Dewhurst if all else failed. Jack Lester & Del Geary in the stands as witnesses.

Actually, Marcus had nish to deal with really. In the first half, Cov were barely a threat. They got it together a bit more in the second. But, overall, they didn't create much. A calm and accomplished performance from our young adults for a deserved win.

Everything seemed to gel a bit more than recent games, more fluent. I'm happy to say a large part of that was down to how the trialist played. I'm going to single out Owen Hampson. He had a great game. Lots of surging runs with and without the ball, accurate with his short passing. As early as 8, Owen was part of an interplay which put Louie Marsh in, but his attempted dink was pushed wide for a corner. On 22, Owen broke in from the left, McBurnie was involved, it fell to Jili. But, he couldn't really get it out from under and his effort was blocked. Owen was on the blocked ball, but blazed it over.

And, it all paid off on 37 minutes. Owen coming in (again) off the left side, played a simple ball to Marsh in the danger area. His lovely turn and finish put us one up. 

Just five minutes later, my notes say;

"What a fuck up. Keeper fluffs it. Hampson gets it out from under him. Oli Mc gets something on it. It falls to Hampson again. And he puts it in."

Except. That didn't fucking happen. As you'd need to replace HAMPSON with MARSH. For t'was he.

The "excuse" for that error is that the Carrier Bag Firm were distracted and in deeeeep consultation about the role of the SUFC Women's team in growing the fanbase. In particular, we were hearing evidence about the lady who works in Greno Chippy, who can't afford to go to first team games at the moment. But, thoroughly enjoys Women's games at The Lane. That's her gateway to supporting the club. A news from Greno Chippy exclusive there folks.

AnyRoadUp. Louie Marsh has made it two nil on 41. Regular readers (narrator - as if) will know I prefer Louie Marsh as a striker, rather than a ten (or worse). He played well tonight. Two Goal Testimony. He has a Superhero Power. Which lights up the Carrier Bag Firm when we see it. Coming towards our midfielder, with his back to goal, making himself available, he's happy to take a pass when someone's tight on. His first touch is often a simple, perfect cushion trap. I'm going to say - dropping perfectly into his own space which he has created and he's turned, it's under control and he's facing forward, facing the goal. 

It's NOT tricky flicky nicky. Like you'd see from Ndiaye. It's just a simple one touch trap of the ball to face the other way. And it is fucking deeelish.

McBurnie. Put himself about. A bit reluctant to move with the ball under control and at his feet. I won't say - coasting. But, I will say - clearly just putting minutes into his legs.

Coulibaly. What sort of player do we think he is? Pacey? Quick feet? Technical control? Burst through and shrug off? Do we know? I don't.

He's looked a bit better every time I've seen him. But, I don't know whether and how to pigeon hole him. If anything, I'd guess his game is suited to the - move it along, all-rounder midfielder - the Berge role.

What I can report is he's got a shot in him. Either side of half time, he got good, powerful edge of the box shots off. Alright, both essentially over the top - the first one tipped over by Keeper Cov, but good shots nevertheless.

I did feel Ismaila had a tendency to hit Coventry players with his attempted short passes. I was just remarking as such to the CBF, when he put a pass in which hit the referee (FFS).

Right. I'm happy to say - I think Hampson and Coulibaly were helped along to shine by the performance of Trialist #8. I see he's been identified-ish (twitter @footyinsider247) as Ethan Brierley. A 19 year old playing at Rochdale. I've looked at the stuff and I'm happy to go with - think that's him.

But, that's not what we thought. At all. Although we couldn't be arsed with searching for names & faces, we felt that the way he played & behaved he was probably a (roughly) 19 year old who had played a lot for a Cat 1 Academy. Maybe not Man City or Chelsea. But maybe say Brighton or Leicester. How wrong we were. Ethan has played over 30 times in Rochdale's first team.

He did great. I'm going to say. Simply. The Oli Norwood role. The conductor. The orchestrator. Doing lots of things. Simply. And doing them well. From the first minute, he was happy to point and to encourage his new mates. But, not in a Billy Big Bollocks way. More in a - this is us, let's get at it - way. His teammates responded well & to me it looked like they were loving playing alongside him. Ethan was very busy & looking both for the ball and, crucially, to close Coventry down in that - fucking hell mate, I know the angles, you're mine now - way. Rather than the blue arsed fly in the headlights way. Nice scanning radar as he looked for possession as well.

So, that's him, not Silko Thomas who we can't sign because of The Embargo. But, Ethan Brierley who we can't sign because of The Embargo. He was impressive in my opinion. Stood out. Made others look good/better.

Ten points clear at the top of the North Group. Still in the Premier League Cup.

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Teamsheet Tango And Paperwork Paso Doble

Sheffield United 0 v Queens Park Rangers 1 

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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U21 Scouting Report

Coventry City U21 1 v Sheffield United U21 2

Monday 22 February 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at The Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry
(169th ground watching a Sheffield United XI)

Twitter @ball_sup

Onwards. Continuing a good season for the U21s. Other results didn’t quite go our way. And the League is a bit messy. Huddersfield have played two games less than us. But, that is 13 unbeaten in the league. We stay second. Now only a point behind Huddersfield & eight points clear of Hull in third (although we’ve played a game more than them). We’re punching above our weight. We’re the only league one team in the top 5. The others are all Championship clubs.

Another straightforward but competent display. Coventry had a fair few chances. But, we had many more. It wasn’t complete domination. But, we were the far better team.

The main negative was a lack lustre display from Jake Wright. He just never seemed to get going. Coventry’s goal came from a defensive slip from Callum Semple. Which was a pity, because he had a fine game save for that blip. Good positioning. Strong when winning headers. Looking for the ball. Pushing it forward into midfield. Morgs has gone now. But, the Centre Half Production Line goes on.

Tel Kennedy was alongside him. Didn’t put a foot wrong. But, Coventry were a bit lightweight upfront. Best I can say is - good workout for him. Shea Gordon & Graham Kelly are versatile. Gordon sometimes pops up in midfield. Kelly sometimes at centre half. Both are young enough to pop up in the 18s sometimes. They played at full back today. Both have the pace to push forward.

I was pleasantly surprised by Harvey Gilmour in midfield. He’s another young ‘un. He didn’t run the show. But, he was always in it & busy & accurate.

I think you’d have to go a long way to find a bigger critic of Diego than me. But, from a good place. I just so much want the Lad to do well. He scored both goals out there. The second one was really good. He made that happen. Made a little run out right towards the ball. A marauding Shea Gordon dinked it in to him. Essentially on the corner of the penalty area with his back to goal. He put his body in the right position. Shielded it from his marker. Stayed strong. Just turned him with his weight. Lovely close control. Bit of pace to push clear and a dead-eye shot. Page one of the coaching manual. The Door is being knocked on.

His first wasn’t bad either. A good assist from David Brooks.

The beer was a slightly disappointing Shiny, Wrench on cask at 4.4%. A stout. But, it was a little thin & not much toast coming through.

281/580