Oh, I See, It's Only A REGISTRATION Embargo

Sheffield United 1 v Hull City 0 

The Championship 

Friday 20 January 2023 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #46 

That felt like a big result. Friday Night Lights. Loads of Hull fans doing the rounds. A great advert for the Championship. Two teams. Both on the front foot. End to end stuff. If you're looking for calm, technical quality. Well, I'll be honest, I don't know where to send you. Save your money.

Hull were good. But, I feel we had the better clear cut chances. That reminds me, if you do want to see high quality, spread yourself into a big thing, close him down, give him no options goalkeeping, then get yourself to a Championship game. Soon. Sure, there'll be fuck ups. Caught in no man's land. Soft hit play out from the back passes going nowhere. Flaps. Missed punches. But, I'm in awe of how goalkeepers nowadays can just block shots and dinks when you're sure the attacker is going to score.

Great shift from Dan Jebbison. Raw, I'll grant you. But, he took the goal well and settled into it. Get it over the line before the chasing pack. Let them worry about it over Friday night & Saturday morning.

Felt like a big result. Maybe because news of a Transfer Embargo placed on us had dampened things down in the week. We are not allowed to sign any new players because we haven't kept up payment instalments on players we've already signed. I've reviewed the Blades Fans social media reactions. Here's the headlines.

"It's not a Transfer Embargo though is it Phil, have a look at the EFL website. It's a REGISTRATION Embargo."

FFS. Tell me you don't know what a Transfer Embargo is by telling you don't know what a Transfer Embargo is.

"We shouldn't worry about a Transfer Embargo. This team is good enough for Automatic as they are."

You do realise it's an Embargo though mate. As it stands, we can't sign anyone next window if we get promoted to the Premier League.

"Phil, it's all part of the Prince's plan. Why would he pay money he owes when he's selling the club."

Really? That's it is it? It's a well known and understood business practice? Show someone who will shortly owe YOU money that you don't give two fucks whether owed money gets paid? I mean, I'm anti-capitalist, but even I didn't think that was how it worked.

"Anyway, we might not have enough money to pay our debts, but at least we're not as bad as the Pigs. They got a points deduction."

Aaahhh. At last. The infrequent opportunity I get to explain. We're being punished for not having enough money to pay for things. Points deductions under Financial Fair Play are given to clubs who are SPENDING TOO MUCH. That's right "The Pigs" were punished for spending too much, for being awash with money, for the owner being willing to dip into his pocket. 

In the grand scheme of things, I support Transfer Embargoes. They are a good thing. Even for the club they're imposed on, even for us. Because they stop clubs spending money they haven't got, on transfers they cannot afford. In that sense, put every club under an Embargo.

Embargo us all to sustainability.

But, obviously, the Carrier Bag Firm want the Embargo ended. So, we celebrated that big result with;

Latitude 33 Brewing (Vista, California), Lifted Embargo IPA, from a Tin at an ill-affordable 7.1%.

Sounds like a belter of course. But, we couldn't track one down. So we had to settle for;

Abbeydale Brewery, Daily Bread, Best Bitter on Cask at 3.8%

I haven't had that in living memory. I shy away from brown beer nowadays. More interested in the hoppy pale 'uns. But, we're drinking on abv at the moment and this fits the bill. And, glorious. It's not got any of that cloying sweet nutty woodness that puts me off. Great balance. Easy drinking. Loved it.

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Buses Long Gone

Leeds United U18 1 v Sheffield United U18 2 

U18 Premier League Cup 

Played at Thorp Arch 

Saturday 3 September 2022 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #12 

Hull City 0 v Sheffield United 2 

The Championship 

Sunday 4 September 2022 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #13 

I'm not entirely sure what is going off. But, this season our Young Blade U18s are playing in the U18 Premier League Cup. Whether that is by application, luck of the draw, or by invitation, I know not. Although I suspect it's invitation. Looks to me like us, Charlton and Ipswich from Category 2 Academies in what is, primarily, a Category 1 tournament. Seven (?) groups of four teams at this stage. We're in with today's oppos (Leeds), Brighton and Palace. We play each of those once. Disappointingly, both Brighton & Palace at home, thus restricting Ground Ticking.

AnyRoadUp, a great chance for the U18s to test themselves against "higher" opposition. Believe me, these sort of games matter to both sets of lads.

The Leeds lads were very ratty throughout the game. I don't like to see that. And, even though I'm biased, you rarely see that from the Young Blades. For reasons unknown, Leeds became fucking obsessed with how long throw ins were taking. I didn't detect any real element of time wasting in what United were doing. But, the Falling Apart Againers just wouldn't shut up with their incessant chirping.

But, it's the close to bullying I can't abide. Right in front of us, one Leeds defender found fault in his teammate. Couldn't see much wrong myself…

"If you get a chance to do it, fucking do it"

Fair enough, mistake made (apparently), say your piece. But, then another kid has added his fucking parroted bile.

"Yeah, if you get a chance to do it, fucking do it"

The assembled Carrier Bag Firm and Parents muttered as one - oh do fuck off the pair of you. Things came to a head on 58 minutes. (It was one nil to The Blades at that point). The incident was over the far side from us, right in front of the benches. The Ref gave a free kick to Leeds. Owen Hampson held onto the ball. You know the drill. Someone pushes Owen, Owen pushes someone, someone's teammate pushes the pusher of the pusher. I believe ONE Leeds player stayed out of it. He was over my side, having a drink from a water bottle. Otherwise, the lot. Players. Benches. All three officials. Including the lino from our side. To be fair, it looked like the Leeds bench were trying to get their guys in line.

I made all the usual gags about identity parades & taking fingerprints. While the three officials gathered in the centre to replay it all in their heads.

Me? I was adamant. Hampson's fault. He started it. Shouldn't have held onto the ball. If they've seen that, he'll be the first in the book.

Sure was. And then Levis Pitan and Mekhi Haughton-Parris. Of course, I didn't realise my immediate neighbour leaning on the white fence as I grassed Hampson up was his Mum. But hey-ho.

Usual over zealous bollocks getting in the complex. There's one bus an hour from Leeds. Get there early or late, that's the choice. So, I had to join a throng of early arrivers who were told we wouldn't be let in until 15 minutes before kick off. Then, he triaged it…

"Any scouts watching the U16s to me please…"

Et fucking Cetera.

Set up four at the back as per usual. Levis Pitan and Jayden Prunty as centre backs. Jack Waldron out right. Mekhi Haughton-Parris out left. I think basically it was Billy Blacker as a lone striker. And very fluent in Midfield. Staniland anchoring. Sam Aston out wider right. Ethan Cummings out wider left. Hampson & Dickinson packing in. But, all of those willing to get forward in support. Luke Faxon in the gloves.

United started on the front foot. Sam Aston hit the post coming in from the right on just 2 minutes. On 8, comedy villain Owen Hampson pressed as Leeds tried to play out. He robbed the centre back and took it on. The keeper got involved and spilled it twice as Owen & Billy tried to make it happen. In the kerfuffle the keeper brought Owen down.

George Dicko Dickinson put the penalty to the keeper's left.

I had assumed the lone striker, pack midfield, "strategy" was a defensive one. Designed to keep the supposed better team at bay. But, you know what, it was actually working extremely well as an attacking strategy. It seemed United ball carriers always had options, invariably wide, to go to. Lots of bright link up & through the lines play early on.

Dickinson had two great chances just after his penalty. Hampson, Dicko & Billy B linking constantly. A lovely flowing move on 30 ended with a Blacker left footer being saved for a corner. As the hectic half (h)ended, I felt United had been very effective. They were bostin' at closing Leeds down, not giving them time to think. And they were confident & accurate going forwards themselves.

Leeds subbed on two at HT. And, fair do, they started much brighter. But, Staniland was reading the game well and intercepting balls, particularly square balls. Great work by Leeds on the edge of the box on 53 ended by a su…perb block by Jayden Prunty.

Leeds equalised on 64. After that bench clearing altercation, remember that? A great clean header from a corner.

The game was very even at this stage. Some worries that, having caught us up, Leeds would go past us. The Young Blades did stay in it however. Waldron and Aston continued to work intelligently, Aston filling in when Waldron went (& stayed) forward.

Stafford Clarke replaced Ethan Cummings on 68, with Sam Aston reshuffling left. Ten minutes later, Seth Okyere replaced Prunty.

And. Lovely. With just five minutes left, United went ahead. A whipped in free kick from the left. More or less on the line. Blacker there to just tap it home. I always think something has gone wrong with the defending when that happens.

Hectic last five followed. Leeds worked a nice flea flicker free kick down the right, ending with a great save by Luke F. He was also booked for time wasting. Leeds lads going garrity by this stage. King Kurt Havenhand replaced Blacker to eat up a bit more. United scored a ruled out for offside goal. Tavio Ciccarelli replaced Aston to eat up yet more. And. On 51 minutes the ref blew. Blew, a good while after the one an hour buses to both Leeds and Wetherby were long fucking gone.

Sheffield United win two one.

The Carrier Bag Firm blagged a lift to the environs of;

Wetherby Brew Co

York Road Estate, York Rd, Wetherby LS22 7SU

On an industrial estate. A good few picnic tables outside. A mezzanine floor inside. With the main bar downstairs. Brewing kit on the left. Bar in front of you as you walk in. Six of their own on Cask. Two of their own on Keg, plus two guest kegs. Idiosyncratically, they were only serving in pint glasses. Order a half, comes in a pint glass. I tried;

Wetherby Brew Co…

Wetherby Bitter on Cask at 3.8%

Wetherby IPA on Cask at 4.4%

Western Skies, Amber Ale on Cask at 5.2%

Wetherby Blonde on Keg at 3.9%

And, what I think was the best of the lot;

Wetherby Brew Co, High Hopes, American Pale on Keg at 5.2%.

Slightly hazy, lots of hops, just a little underpowered.

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The McBurnie Equation

Sheffield United 0 v Hull City 0 

The Championship 

Tuesday 15 February 2022 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #53 

Frustrating. Obvs. But we have to build from where we are. And there is no need to despair. Clean sheet. Albeit a few scares. Morgan Gibbs-White was full of play again. And he didn't seem to lose the ball and give it away as much as he had at Hudders. Later in the game, that role was taken by Norwood. Who had a mad ten. Seemingly losing it every time it came near him.

Some vignetting from Ndiaye. That thing where his pass is intercepted, but he's the first one to challenge the guy who now has it. That thing. That's a thing. And if he's through on goal and hits it conventionally & the keeper saves it. Then you tear your hair out - why doesn't he do a little cocky dink FFS? And, if he did a little cocky dink - why the fuck doesn't he just put his laces through its laces? Should have scored of course.

Berge had a revelation cameo. On for Hourihane on 80. Sort of wide right, half midfield, half winger. Gliding with the ball. Getting beyond his man. Main product was winning corners. But, hey, revelation cameo.

And. McBurnie. Look. Folks can moan about him all they like. The Window has closed. Rhian & Didzy are crock. Billy is too old to play 90 every game. Daniel is too young to play 90 every game. McBurnie is in the rotation. That's where we are.

On nights like this, I view McBurnie as an equation. If he does three parts right, he'll score. Get to it. Get on it. Get it on target. But, tonight he was two out of three on a good few headers. Made the run. Made the jump. Headed it down, wide or over the top. And there's F for Frequency as well. He's got to get three out of three. A lot.

But, slowly, I think he's getting two out of three more than he was.

The Outstanding Beer Of The Day was

Abbeydale Brewery, Restoration, Table Beer on Keg at 2.8% (in The Rising Sun)

Belting. I haven't had a Table Beer this good for ages. Thick n chewy. Never mind standing a spoon up in it. You could stand a canteen of cutlery in it. It just tasted full to the brim of hops. Great bitter grapefruit in a long finish. 

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Is That Belgium I See?

Hull City 1 v Sheffield United 3 

The Championship 

Saturday 18 September 2021 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #10 

And….. the second 3-1 away win in two days after the Under 23s last night.

And….. Hull is not a shithole. Look every English town has it's bad bits. And every English town has it's good bits. And the good bits might be very small and localised and you might be able to see the bad bits from the good bits. But, they're still good.

As you walk across the new bridges & walkways over the frankly bad A63. In the late afternoon sunshine. With the masts & other nautical shit of all the boats in the marina on your right. With the large expanse of Humber water in front of you. And the older, now renovated, fruit market buildings on your left. You could be anywhere. Copenhagen sprang to my mind.

Indeed, this part of Hull is buzzing. Possibly too buzzing for the Carrier Bag Firm looking to celebrate that second three oner. Humber Street was brimming with Bright Young Things as we approached our target;

Taphouse Brewpub, 70 Humber St, Hull HU1 1TU

I'm guessing they've recalibrated over time to meet the demographic & the moolah. An outlet for Bone Machine Brew Co. (Also Hull). The beer board is spectacular. But, the drinks menus on the tables are cocktail heavy this time of day. With many piling in & ploughing their way through the foliage that seems a requirement of every cocktail on the menu.

Two Cask. Two "normal lagers". Two Erdingers. Camden, Shipyard. Two Belgians. Three pukka guest Kegs. And then the main event. Eight Bone Machine beers. Like I said, spectacular beer board.

Bone Machine Brew Co, Citrus Smiles on Keg at 4.5%

Light & refreshing. A lot of citrus in some mouthfulls. But, also some herby wit beer feel. 

Bone Machine Brew Co, Cloud Piercer on Keg at 4.7%

Hopped with Rakau with a bit of an NZ pale feel. I absolutely loved that. Lots of orange, a bit of Tizer & it all softens out.

Bone Machine Brew Co, Bonehead Lager on Keg at 5.2%

I was disappointed in that. Needed thick, sweet, unfiltered spoon it in Bohemian Mittel Europe Style. But felt I got Normal Lager.

Bone Machine Brew Co, Swordfishtrombone, Wheat Beer on Keg at 4.8%

A great Blanche that. In sight of the Belgian coast as well (! lie !). Gentle. Great balance.

Bone Machine Brew Co, Garden Of Death, New England IPA on Keg at 7%

Lovely and juicy. But, I needed more hop bitterness.

Those set piece corners man. Back to the simplicity I've detailed before. Choose the pattern. Peel off toward the back post. Block the defender. Run the pattern. Put the ball there or abouts. Egan on the end of it. Two Nil.

Choose a different pattern. Block the markers down to one. Run the near post pattern. Put the ball there or abouts. Egan on the beginning of it. Three Nil.

I thoroughly enjoyed that. A bit of rough & tumble. But we were never really in trouble. Not at our very best. But "best enough".

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Four Beers Nine Hops

Sheffield United U18 1 v Sheffield Wednesday U18 1
U18 Professional Development League
Saturday 20 April 2019

Hull City 0 v Sheffield United 3
The Championship
Monday 22 April 2019

SUFC 2018/19 Games 85 & 86
2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 103

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With that both teams at it, battling draw, the U18 Blades finish fourth (of ten) in the U18 Professional Development League North Group. Played 28, won 14, drawn 8, lost just 6. That doesn't sound too bad does it? We are actually level on points with third placed Nottingham Forest. But, they have a much, much better goal difference. These Young Blades & Forest finished on 50 points. Leeds were second on 59 points, pipped to the North Group title by Saturday’s opponents from S6. Wednesday have only lost three times all season. Deserved winners of the North Group. They now go into the play offs for the overall U18 PDL title.

The First Team were up at Shirecliffe training. I walked past Sharp & Basham. Usual overzealous Bubble Match Stewarding. The Carrier Bag Firm Memorabilia Realisation Officer was in reception trying to blag photocopies of the Ref’s Teamsheet. He heard a walkie talkie crackle into life. A steward radioing that he was getting grief from the Sheffield Wednesday Under 18s as they needed to get to the top pitch for their warm up. He’d stopped them, as he’d been told not to let anyone up there until United’s First Team had fucked off. He’d stopped the players who were actually playing that day from going to the pitch. And ….. we’re back in the room. (FFS).

Even the Carrier Bag Firm sometimes find it difficult to make time to rock up for U18 games. That's mainly because they are usually 11am Saturday mornings. So, you have to schedule them in around first team games. The saving grace is the Under 19 Futures team who play in the North Midlands Development Football League. This season, Del Geary has been coaching BOTH the Saturday morning U18 Academy side (playing Leeds for eg) AND the midweek under floodlights U19 Futures side (playing Worksop Town for eg). I've described the U19 Futures side as “Academy Lite”. And, they play home games at Shirecliffe. That all means, I've seen more of the U18 Academy players than I might otherwise have done.

The U19 Futures Blades won their league. Played 12, won 8, drawn 3, lost just one. That single defeat was to second in the league Sheffield Club. On countback, I went to five Academy U18 League games and two in the FA Youth Cup. Plus six Futures U19 games. Along the way, I harvested three new grounds. Charlton & Burnley Academy grounds & Bishop Auckland (for Middlesbrough away in the Youth Cup).

I can use this Blog to emphasise just how young our regular Under 23 side are. Nine of those who started or subbed at U18 on Saturday v Wednesday also started or subbed for the U23s away at Millwall in the final U23 game of the season. Marcus Dewhurst, Nickseon Gomis, Harrison Neal, Kyron Gordon, Zak Brunt, Jake Young, Harry Boyes, Tom Williams & Reon Potts. Pulling a few stats out. Zak Brunt has featured 23 times at U18 & 11 times at U23. Kyron Gordon 12 times at U18 & 21 times at U23. Tom Williams 27 times at U18 & 9 times at U23.

With his penalty v The Owls, Sam Ackroyd has finished as our top U18 goalscorer. Eight goals, all in the league. Dan Griffiths, Cardiff City tops the overall U18 PDL goalscoring charts with 17. In the North Group, Charles Hagan (Sheffield Wednesday), Will Swan (Nottingham Forest) and Michael Fowler (Burnley) all have 14 goals.

I've already cast judgement on Dewhurst, Gordon & Neal in my Under 23 Wrap Up Blog. Obvs, Sam Ackroyd deserves a mention here. Something of an old fashioned centre forward. He's got an all round game. Runs the channels. Good in the air. Can run into balls at pace.

Zak Brunt has also clearly got the stats this season. He's very versatile, although I'd have him essentially as an attacking midfielder. At this level, players tend to drift in & out of games. No criticism there, it's development football. Me, I'd like Zak to stamp on games more & make things happen. Personally, I felt we got an overall impression of where we are with that three nil battering away at Cat 1 Academy Derby County in the Youth Cup. Of course, I can't mention that game without explaining the Carrier Bag Firm were ON FIRE. We ticked off a superb three brewery session that day.

Boot Beer, Repton
Falstaff Brewery, Derby
Brunswick Brewing Co, Derby

My favourite U18 game of the season had to be that 1-0 away win in the previous round of the FA Youth Cup. Away at Cat 1 Middlesbrough. It even had a comedy finish. United were one up from 40 minutes. But, they conceded a penalty on 88. The Boro lad has hit the bar with his penalty kick. But it's bounced out. It looked clearly like a Boro lad was going to head that rebound in. Whaaaaat. He's hit the bar with his header. Shiiiiiiit. A Boro lad is going to knock that second off the bar rebound in. Hang. On. The Ref has stopped it all. The Carrier Bag Firm had an autopsy. All that was basically the same Boro lad. No one else has touched it since his penalty. He's had the “illegal” second touch. Hurray. No Extra Time. I mean Hurray, we won it.

Praise. Praise. Praise The Rutland Arms. If I’ve understood the story correctly, they’ve sacked off Magic Rock following the sale to Big Evil Beer Lion/Kirin. Rather than the no doubt soon be using inferior ingredients High Wire as a “permanent”. They’re saying they’ll have a Kernel Brewery Pale as one of their “permanents”.  What a time to be alive. And, to move things forward & seal the deal. They’ve only gone and got a full pallet of Kernel’s & Tap Takeovered. Jeez. Louise. To thank them, I have done….

The Kernel Brewery, India Pale Ale, Moutere & HBC 431 at 6.8%
The Kernel Brewery, India Pale Ale, El Dorado & Citra at 7.2%
The Kernel Brewery, India Pale Ale, Nelson Sauvin & Sticklebract at 6.9%
The Kernel Brewery, Pale Ale, Crystal, Cascade & Simcoe at 5.3%

Audit that Pal. Four beers. Nine Hops. One without a fucking name yet. I’m living the dream.  The best of the lot. And right up there with best beers ever had was that Moutere/HBC 431 IPA. It smelt fresh & zesty. The Hops were very, very much forward. Developing a deep bitterness. With a little bit of peach or similar in the finish. Superb.

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If it tastes good, Dance

Queens Park Rangers 1 v Sheffield United 2
The Championship
Saturday 11 August 2018
SUFC 2018/19 Game 12

Sheffield United 1 v Hull City 1
(Hull City win 5-4 on Penalties)
League Cup Round One
Tuesday 14 August
SUFC 2018/19 Game 13

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The facts are. If it tastes good. Dance. I was at the Trade Session of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) at Olympia during the QPR week. The Trade Session is where all the Breweries & Pubs & Bars & Industry Insiders can get in the Festival five hours before the public. Elements of it are Networking. Elements are Office/Factory Piss Up. The Festival Beer Awards are announced at the Trade Session. So, obviously, some of the people there are in with a shot of an award. Many of them will know people who are up for awards.

Winning the overall Champion Beer Of Britain is a big thing. It's not just something to put up near the kettle & biccies in the brewery. (I'm imagining) the commercial value must be huge. Make or break (but mainly make) a beer. Timothy Taylor Landlord, Deuchars IPA, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Castle Rock Harvest Pale. All winners, all making the transition from Beer to Brand.

So. Picture the scene. Lots of people from breweries. An award which can catapult those breweries beers into pound notes. The first category is for Mild. Ale has been consumed. And, to help things along, even more fucking ale has been consumed. The first winner of the Festival was.

Greene King XX Mild

Greene King, the UK's largest brewer. Listed on the London Stock Exchange. Part of the FTSE 250. Big Beer. Greedy King. The Evil Empire.

Essentially, the lot has gone. Cats were called. Boos were booed. Gestures were gesticulated. Thing is. It's blind tasting. The Judges may have got an inkling as to which beers have made the shortlist. They may have piled into 'em before. But, they've got a set of Milds lined up in front of them. They don't know them from Adnams (Booom). It's about lip licking, not balance sheets. Funny. But, that did not play well in the hall.

That's the first time I've been able to do the GBBF justice for a few years. I went on three days. Premier League fixture computer - please take note for next year (again, Booom). It has & does move with the times. There was a bar of American Cask Beer. Thing is. I'm alright with Keg. Some of those I had would have been better on keg. Siren, Broken Dream, Breakfast Stout was named overall Champion Beer. Thing is, that's better on keg than cask. I noticed that Five Points & Thornbridge had smuggled some keg beers into their dedicated bars.

That Thornbridge, Green Mountain, Session IPA (keg) was delish. Not too gloopy. Hop forward. Simple beer. But, lots to love.

There was a Budvar keg bar. And keg beers from The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany & elsewhere. My beer of the Festival was;

Bad Flash (Czech Republic) Collab with Pivovar Zhurak, Double IPA on keg at 7.6%. Thick. Chewy. Sits there. And then grows into rich intense bitterness. Bit of citrus comes late. Sugar never dies completely. Glorious.

695/1456

Don't have a cow

Hull City 1 v Sheffield United 0

The Championship

Friday 23 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 67

Don't have a cow, mate.

In today's age, you can't really find the pubs & ale and run a Blog read by “as many as eight” people without being on Twitter & other Social Media. Inevitably, after a night like tonight, getting nowhere, and getting beat, you can't help but have a look what's been said.

I'll paraphrase. We're done. Sell the club. Get rid of all the players. Start again. Done. And, that's just Wilder….

Many people have had that cow.

We've lost that attacking purpose. I was sat front row, corner flag. At the start of the second half, Baldock carried the ball towards me. Basham came overlapping him. Baldock drew the man & slipped him in. Rare tonight. I thought, maybe he's sent them out to be more attacking this half. But, that didn't really materialise. Why don't we have that overlap the overlapper attacking purpose any more?

The other mob are stopping us?
The Manager has told them to rein it in & have more Shape?
The players decide for themselves, in real time, that they don't fancy bombing wide tonight?

Which is it? Which combination is it? Anyone?

I thought Hull did OK. Attacked at pace. Quite accurate with their passes. I don't quite get the Adkins Hate In. We had our moments under him. But, it clearly didn't work out. I don't feel he did anything wrong other than be ultimately shit. If I had to sing Hate Songs about every manager we've had who has been ultimately shit, I'd still be in the ground now. And, for the record. Coming from Sheffield. Having grown up in the Sixties. I've seen a bit of Organised Protest in my time. The rules are simple. You let the people who are protesting protest against what they've got, in the way they choose. Or. You are a Fucking Reactionary. Good luck to the Hull City supporters from me. Your plight. Your fight. Your choice. No quibbles from me.

Geeves, El Dorado Red on cask at 4.3%
Ilkley, Mary Jane on cask at 3.5%

618/1284

Square Peg Square Hole

Sheffield United 1 v Hull City 1
Pre-Season Friendly

Sunday 2 August 2015

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So, that's the first teams official pre-season programme over. Unbeaten they're shouting from the rafters. There is still an Under 21 game at Buxton in the week. Maybe some fringe players or people needing game time will feature in that.

To me, it seems like they've taken a good hard look at things. Assess. We've got an enormous squad. Here's my wishlist.

1. We only sign players who are better than what we've got. "Everyone knows we need a centre half" does not a centre half make. If the dressing room needs freshening up, get a painter & decorator in.

2. The Manager stays honest and positive in interviews. "That's a good result in the circumstances", after losing to a team at the bottom, did not work for the outgoing management. Won't work now either.

3. The Board & hangers on concentrate on running the ship BEHIND the scenes. Put the players centre stage. I don't want to hear a peep out of you. I think you're actually running quite a good ship. Just all the chatter gets in the way. While we're at it I support Sheffield United, not Fenerbahce.

4. Have some continuity in team selection & systems. Less chopping & changing.

5. Play players in their best position. Do not get sucked into playing them in a makeshift role just because they are "good footballers". Shifting Basham to centre back because we don't have a centre back just means we don't have a centre midfielder.

6. Which leads me on to Terry Kennedy. Naturally, my wish is that the fella stays well & plays the majority of games. But, we can't go on like this. They have to find a surgical or conditioning solution. Get him on his feet. Stick him in. But, if he can't keep out there. Sorry. Move on.

I haven't got a starting XI. I've got a starting 2. Basham in centre midfield. Murphy wide. Therein lies the problem facing Adkins.

I'd like to see Long, Baxter, Reed & Adams feature long & hard through the season. Kennedy I've covered. I like Matt Done for his energy & work rate.

James Wallace may prove to be strong in that centre midfield role.  At the back, you tell me. Until signings & injury recovery progress, I feel Collins must start.

United were bright, sharp & inventive in the first half. They went close a number of times. They were MUCH less of an attacking threat second half. And even less so once he did his game time chopping & changing substitutions.

Maybe that's what is down for us. Again. Lots of ball & chances. Not putting them away. Conceding annoying goals.

I heeded my own advice on continuity  BrewDog for the second Sunday running. Mad Hatter, Hare Of Darkness on keg at a whopping 7.4%. A nice refreshing black IPA. Tasted rich. Some red fruit in there as the sweetness. Not a big hop hit. But, nice bitterness in the balance. Great beer.

180/376