Some Joy

Grimsby Town 2 v Sheffield United 4

EFL Trophy Northern Group H

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Twitter @ball_sup

Same Blog if I'm not careful. Forget the U23 B Team nonsense. It's the Cup Competition played as a League Table Group that'll kill this caper. Just have knockouts. Much better. Instead we had two teams, neither of which could progress. Shit.

And, all the spin about developing young English talent. So, why play it during FIFA/UEFA International weeks? Louis Reed & Harry Chapman are in South Korea with the England U20s. Ramsdale is in Rhyl with the England U19s. There are U18 & U21 England squads this week as well. Mental. Play the Checkatrade when young kids can step up ffs.

Any road up, there was some joy there. Done & Clarke looked good in cameos. Done in particular livened the game up once he came on. Clarke bagged the fourth with a powerful & clinical finish.

Then, it was all about the Academy lads. Older graduate George Long. Current crop Kelly, Brooks, Whiteman, Hallam & Slater. Jo Cummings even came on as a sub. Slater was the pick for me. Pops up all over the park. Strong with the ball. And a very good goal for the equaliser. He's 17.

The Beer will help as well.

Bradfield Brewery, Belgian Blue on cask at 4.9% in The Sheaf Island.

Cotleigh. Hip Hop Hooray on cask at 3.9% in The White Horse (Wetherspoons) in Brigg.

And, the Standout Beer Of The Day. Despite the fact that the first Belgian Blue “of the season” was on the card. Tiny Rebel, F.U.B.A.R. on cask at 4.4% in The Nelthorpe Arms.

399/820
43

Head down

Grimsby Town 1 v Sheffield United 3
(Billed as First Team )

Saturday 23 July 2016

Pre Season Friendly

Twitter @ball_sup

I managed to keep my head down in Cleethorpes & Environs. They locked the doors at Willy’s. Rumours of hell on in the town. Nice enough place. Brews its own beer. I went Willy's, Original Bitter on cask at 3.8%. Good effort that. Full of flavour. A nice woody, earthy quality. Backed up by a nice bitter hit.

Before getting there, I'd done the self appointed Smallest Pub On The Planet at The Signal Box Inn. Gimmick. York Brewery, Off The Wall, Thai Hard on cask at 4.3%. Lemongrass & Ginger & Lime. Full on messed about with beer. A nice enough taste but not to my taste.

Better. Not comprehensive. Not even efficient. But better. That goal they conceded looked ugly. The kid hit it. Did it just go through Long’s hands?. Anyway, ugly.

The defence still looked a bit panicky at times. They somehow get caught out by balls hit only just (as opposed to a long way) over them. Wilder has been fairly constant with Brayford, O’Connell, Wilson & Hussey. I think that's currently his preferred four. And he's desperate to bed them in.

Remember when that was a thing? Brayford bombing down the wing. At pace. With the ball at his feet. Remember that? He had one blinding cut in, cross field run. Even though he got dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area. He created panic. The ball bobbled loose & someone got a shot off. He's got to do more of that.

One of the positives. Along with…. Hussey did OK. Got forward. Got some crosses in. Mark Duffy was busy busy. He does give the ball away though. Sharp looked better starting with Calvert-Lewin. Dom bagged a goal. And effectively set up Sharp’s first. Dom is growing a little bit into that target man, lead the line role. Putting himself about. Maybe not every week. But maybe some.

336/731
6