John Egan FCOptom, Optician

Queens Park Rangers 1 v Sheffield United 1 

The Championship 

Monday 2 January 2023 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #39 

I watch a lot of live sport. But my eyesight is not particularly good. So, over the years, I've had to deploy a number of optical correction devices to get the full enjoyment. I've had contact lenses since the mid 1980s. One of the opticians I had was brilliant. Didn't bat a lid of his own eye when I told him;

"I need to see exactly what is happening at the batting crease from the back row of the Melbourne Cricket Ground."

The Contact Lens Compromise was that I'd be pin sharp at 200 yards, but struggling with anything close up. Eventually, I had to give that up once I started to need reading glasses to eat my tea!!!

So, I've started wearing glasses at football & cricket. A lovely pair of half rimmed Oakley's. I am an absolute OAKLEY WHORE. I could not imagine wearing bins made by another company. Anyway, love those Oakley's. Except. They've got those reactive lenses that turn into sunglasses. Great for cricket in the Summer. Indeed, great for Loftus Road in January. That is until you get in the pub, and they've still got a bit of reactive going on. And, you're in the pub, on a cold, dark, January night. Wearing fucking sunglasses. And, frankly, looking like a cock.

So, I have another pair with normal lenses for wearing when it's dark. What? Yes mate, of course they're fucking Oakley's. (Rimless). If I'm honest, those have never felt quite right. Certainly not as snug as the others. A bit tight on the schnoz.

But. I have news. I've had that second pair adjusted and refitted and they're now much better.

"Sounds great Phil, you need to be able to see comfortably. Who did 'em for you?"

"John Fucking Egan"

At games, I'm a stay till the ender. But, I shuffle towards the exit with maybe a minute to go and watch from the top of the stairs or whatever. I was particularly keen for a quick getaway from QPR. What with the tight gangways and stairs and the need to get served sharpish in the Crown & Sceptre.

I was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time as Eeeeegs equalised on 90+6. As the away end limbed, I took three good whacks in the face. That goal made the first pint in the Crown & Sceptre all the bitterer (sweeter beer just doesn't work for me). But, as I composed myself, I realised my glasses were nice and comfortable (for once). I inspected closely, to see that one (or more) of the Fizzog Whacks had bent the nose bridge thingy into the right shape.

I thought QPR did a bit of a number on us. They played well. And, it would have been fair if they'd won it. Quick to close us down and deny us space. Very lively on their own throw ins, constant movement. And, got us sussed at our throw ins, where we seemed static. That's why I thought getting Robinson on was a good idea. His long throws giving us more options. Still, we are where are. We're great at doing what we do. But, a little unsure about Plans B onwards. 

If Ndiaye and Berge aren't particularly firing, and they weren't tonight, then there's too much reliance on Norwood's cross fielders to try and get something going out wide. And, with a deliberate hint of criticism, Sharp has got to put more of those half chances away.

I thought we could have tried to play it between the lines a bit more. And the centre three, particularly Anel, could have stepped through the line more.

I've seen a few So Meed types bigging up Dan Jebbison's cameo. Fair enough. But, when the ball is crossed, he waits for it. He doesn't get on the shoulder of the defender, he doesn't monster him, it's too easy for the defender to head clear.

Anyway. Fuck all that. 90+6 swinging leg, glasses refitted, let's hit the Crown & Sceptre. I'm afraid I found the Keg beers a bit flat and life lacking. Maybe someone hadn't checked, or switched on, the right bit of kit.

Meantime Brewing Co, Donut Dunk, Dark Lager on Keg at 4.5%

Dark Star Brewing Co Collab with Little Monster Brewing Co (both West Sussex), Red Giant, Red IPA on Cask at 5%

The Hypochondria

My name is Phil, I'm a Type II Diabetic. I have had no unnecessary choccies, biccies, sweeties or ice cream since my last Blog.

I average SIX units of alcohol per week over the past 7 days, in the week, that did climb briefly over my target of 14.

More encouragingly, my 30 day average units of alcohol is EIGHT per week.

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Stats 

I have now Blogged from 1,192 games in 3,058 days 

Hotbed Of Hoopery

Leicestershire 149 all out 

v Middlesex 370 all out 

Leicestershire 37 for 3 

County Championship Division 2 

Close on Day Two 

Friday 29 April 2022 

Played at Lord's 

Queens Park Rangers 1 v Sheffield United 3 

The Championship 

Friday 29 April 2022 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #70 

Immediately after the game we headed into that Hotbed of Hoopery…

The Crown & Sceptre

57 Melina Rd, London W12 9HY

Lovely bright, standard Fuller's house. A few QPR pictures around the walls. Those bought on Shepherd's Bush Market polyester QPR flags generally draped about. Well staffed. Although the guy who served me feigned he couldn't hear me. Which, as anyone who knows me will testify, is not possible. I'm self aware. If you're in the same pub as me, you can hear me.

London Pride, Oliver's Island on Cask. But I went for a Tick…

Fuller's Brewery, Gale's Spring Sprinter, Golden Ale on Cask at 4%.

New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops. Not particularly shown off to their best I felt.

But, the Outstanding Beer Of The Day was…

Mondo Brewing Co, Little Victories, Session IPA on Keg at 4.3%

Got a recipe, that fella. Carapils and Wheat added for body. Dextrose and Lactose. Cascade hops for bittering. Amarillo, Mosaic and Simcoe in the whirlpool AND some dry hop action. Fermented with a West Coast Ale yeast. Called Little Victories. That weren't little. And don't think for one moment we only had "the one" as we breathed in the Hoopery Hospitality.

I don't give Fucks above one about the future, the Play Offs, Wembley, whether & how we'll cope in the PL. Win What You're In. We're in a race for the Play Offs. Let's try to win that. The players did (try). Quite a bit of will to win on show. Loved it. 

I would have loved to have been a fly on the Grassy Knoll at Shirecliffe this week. Billy gets injured. The management know they need to find a way to score. It's gone to the Brains Trust.

"Set pieces, long throws & the like'

"Shall we try those Flea Flicker ones to Norwood on the edge?"

"Nah, every team has scouted those now, have 'em up your sleeve, but we need to mix it up"

"With what?"

"CHAOS CORNERS"

Superb. Also. I've seen some SanderStats.

4 Key Passes.

5 Duels Won.

4 Shots.

2 Tackles.

1 Assist.

And, (remembering I love the cuddly Norwegian scamp), surely he blocked more goal bound Blades attempts than the whole of the QPR defence!!!

Also, when you're struggling for bodies, trying to find a way, it's desperately important that each player knows their role. So, Egan & Norwood need to dial it down a bit. Last night the Shoreham Gals n Boys were a glorious Rabble. We've got Rabble. But, we've got Rousers, plural. We need Rouser, singular. And Sander Berge is the Carrier Bag Firm Rabble Rouser of choice.

No one in the CBF is counting any poultry. But, we are issuing a warning to Civilians.

If you're mooching about in Sheffield next Saturday. Try to get a bus which avoids the "London Road Corridor". Stay safe…

You can find ALL my previous Blogs at

www.ball-sup.blogspot.com

And, you can now also subscribe to have my Blog delivered (free) to your email inbox (via Substack)

You can find me on Social Media

Twitter @ball_sup 

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Stats 

I have now Blogged from 1,103 games in 2,810 days 

WWBD?

Sheffield United 1 v Queens Park Rangers 0
The Championship
Saturday 12 January 2019

Sheffield United U23 1 v Birmingham City U23 0
U23 Professional Development League
Monday 14 January 2019
Played at Bramall Lane

SUFC 2018/19 Games 58 & 59

2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 74

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SUFC Academy - A Fan’s Eye

In this Blog I'm focusing on what I'm going to call a problem at United's Shirecliffe Academy. I want to make it clear from the outset. This is not particularly a problem of anyone's making. I'm not blaming anyone. I'm trying to make the argument that, through the First Team’s success, we may be outgrowing our Academy. If you want to blame anyone, blame Wilder. He's masterminded a rapid rise for the first team from that League One abyss to the Championship heights.

Let me explain. Before I joined the Carrier Bag Firm full time, I was a Government Statistician. In that role, I once edited a book which speculated on what the UK might look like in twenty years time. All based on Government Statistical forecasts & projections. At the press launch, some journalist had a pop. Of all the things he decided to have a dig at, it was the forecast we'd have an aging population. How many of us there'll be & how old we'll be.

“How certain can you be of these population projections?” - he preened

“What I can be certain of is that if you & I are still alive this time next year, we'll be a year older” - I bristled.

FFS, he weren't happy. But, that's it. That's how Cohorts work. Six, Seven, Eight years ago we were a League One club. With League One pounds & spending power. Trying to attract the best 14, 13 & 12 year olds into the Academy of a League One club. To potentially play League One kicky ball. With a League One scouting network to do it.

Look, I know it's not as simple as that. But, I'm labouring the point. Those kids, any kids, Ben Woodburn, Kieran Dowell, any kids, starting their football journey at 14 six years ago, are going to really struggle to break into a top Championship side six years later.

A cohort of Harvey Gilmour, Regan Slater, Tyler Smith, Callum Semple, Sam Graham, Jake Eastwood. Local lads (I believe). My guys. Carrier Bag Firm Heroes. Times were different when they were sucked in to the Academy. Now, at an advanced stage of their development. It's a top Championship side they're looking/needing to break into. And, that ain’t easy. Were they the best we could recruit at the time? Hell knows. Let’s go Yes. Have Cox, Geary, Binnion & the boys done the best possible job in developing them through the ages. Hell knows. Let’s go Yes. Are they the best players currently in the Academy? Oh, hang on, I know this one. Yes. But, are they good enough for top of the Championship. It’s NO. Or at least NO, not yet. Gilmour has already moved on. Slater, Smith, Semple & Graham have been/are being loaned out a little down the pyramid.

Our Academy will remain attractive to kids & their parents. Because, we can show them the pictures - Walker, Maguire, Calvert-Lewin, Brooks. And, because we can now say - come & join a top Championship Academy. The reputation is there & could grow with the First Team status. But, in a way, we’ve grown past our own current Academy intakes & cohorts. Not their fault. Not your fault. The unfortunate consequence of the rapid rise of the first team. Maybe we’re near a crossroads. We’ve just had an FA Cup game, with no Academy Lads involved. (I’m not saying they should have been, I’m saying they weren’t). The most senior Academy lads have either just come back from, or are still on loans. But, decisions about their futures are not far off.

Here’s what we should do going forward in any circumstances.

Maintain, or indeed improve, the quality of leadership, management, recruiting network, coaching staff. Get the best lads in & make sure we develop them to their full potential.  To a fan like me, the quality of leadership, management & coaching are a bit hidden. Sure, if we have a Maguire, DCL or Brooks, we’re bound to think - ooohhh they’ve done well to get, retain & develop him. It’s a results driven business - they’re results.  Recruitment is of course a bit more transparent. You can read about the new kids in the papers, on the Club Site, etc. And, you can see them in their Red n White Shirts. Looking at the profile of the Academy lads at the moment, I think you could happily conclude that we have a number of fingers & a number of pies.

Singling out individuals only as examples, we have…..

Local Lads. The gones - Harry Maguire, DCL. The Current Big ‘Uns - Slater, Graham, Semple, Smith. But, still the new ‘uns come - Harrison Neal, Reon Potts, Tom Weaver, Frank Maguire.

Lads from High Profile PL Academies. David Brooks would be the best example of that (Manchester City). But, he’s the tip of the iceberg - George Broadbent & Jean Belehouan (Manchester United), Harry Boyes (Manchester City), Sammy Ompreon (Chelsea), Reece York (Fulham), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Swansea).  Zak Brunt, of course, was a somewhat controversial signing. If you believe Google, the lad had already been across Aston Villa, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Derby & Matlock Town before we signed him.

Lads from non-league junior clubs. The successes & gones - Che Adams (Ilkeston Town). The nows - Jake Young (Guiseley), Harry Sheppeard (Tadcaster Albion)

Lads from Ireland/N. Ireland. Stephen Mallon, Jordan Doherty, Leo Gaxha, Shea Gordon (in his time).

Lads from overseas. Simeon Oure, Jordan Amissah, Nickseon Gomis.

Lads who played in midfield until they were fourteen, who were at Hull City’s Academy & who are now the England U18 GOALKEEPER. And, incidentally, is the best swearer at the club. Alright. Maybe that’s an unusual example - but step forward anyway, Marcus Dewhurst.

What we don’t have - is Lads we have paid a decent whack for.

The question I want to pose in this Blog is - how many people would lose their shit if we paid some serious money for a young prospect who will have no realistic chance of a first team spot for 4 years, maybe more? We’re Sheffield United. We’re always arguing about money. Because there’s not enough. At the turn of the year, there were rumours that Leeds United were about to pay £400k for a 16 year old kid called Stuart McKinstry at Motherwell. That’s Leeds, a Cat 2 Academy (like us) and a top Championship side (like us). As it happens, the latest rumours are that Premier League Southampton may hijack that deal.

I just could not see Utd shelling out that sort of money on that sort of gamble. Shit would be lost. Give the money to The Wilder Cult - he’s an infallible genius (note, he ain’t). I’m not saying we can/should make that sort of money available for transfers into the Academy. But, I am saying from a simple logical position. If we have the right networks to get local, other Academy drop out, non-league, Irish, Foreign & Marcus Dewhurst into the Academy - essentially on FREEs.  Then a next step may be PAYING transfer fees.

WWBD. What Would Binnion Do? If he had more of a Budget. Improve facilities at the Academy? Employ more scouts & recruiters? Employ more coaches? Have a bigger intake of “free” kids? Pay that good money for key prospects?

Hiding behind that argument & question is whether we should put a lot more money into the Academy Budget to move to Cat 1 Status. Obvs, with the Big Prinz & McCabe locked in battle, not a good time to be considering questions with Pounds Notes involved. But, you know, crossroads. As a top Championship, daring to dream club should we apply for Cat 1 Status. You can ask me all you want about what that entails. I’m not a details Guy. Not when the answer is MONEY. Mainly to pay for more STAFF (Coaches & the like).

Brewery 74

We zipped over to Huddersfield last week to visit Magic Rock Brewing. They’ve still got that set up as a lovely place to attract a range of different drinkers. We went over because there was a Magic Rock/Cloudwater Collab launch & a mini Cloudwater Tap Takeover. But, there were still five on cask (3 Magics, 2 Clouds), including the lovely Terriers football themed Session Bitter, Hat-Trick, Town Pale Ale at 3.7%. But, unashamedly, we’d gone for the kegs. Of which there were an impressive ten.

The first launch beer was,
Magic Rock/Cloudwater, Big Dipper 2019 at 8.3%. A great, Old Skool, straight down the line DIPA. An ever rarer breed these days. Essentially brown & clear beer. No modern gloopiness. A hit of sugar, then the bitterness grows & grows. I'm a Hop Head. So, natch, it just didn't quite go far enough for me. But, it did get a bit of a second wind as some bitter orange marmalade came in.

But, I actually preferred,
Magic Rock/Cloudwater/J W Lees, Three’s Company at 8.2%. A collaboration IPA using some JW Lees yeast. This one was opaque, bordering on orange juice in the glass. But, intriguingly, the mouthfeel was quite thin. But, that very much suited & added to the beer. The hop hints were citrus, grapefruit. But, they didn't overpower as the bitterness grew & grew. Superb.

766/1609

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

Lipids & Proteins

Sheffield United 2 v Queens Park Rangers 1

The Championship

Tuesday 20 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 64

Cloudwater/Modern Times, Lipids & Proteins on keg at 7.4%. Thick fruit juice upfront. Not all citrus. Maybe peach, apricot hinting. Lots of great bitterness. Not a Gullet Grabber. But, deffo out of the IPA Stable. Comes & goes fruity & bitter a couple of times. Lovely beer. After a rest, it seems be more bitter as you get down it.

I thought that was a good win. For much of the first half, we were dominant. But, it got very nervy after The Hoops dragged one back. As has become the norm, we looked a bit more set back. Only limited overlapping by the Centre Backs. Two well crafted goals settled everything down. Sharp looked right on the money in short spells. His work down the right, & great ball in, for Lundstram’s goal was superb. Both him & Leon worked on tracking & defence when they had to.

Lee Evans had a superb game. Fully involved. Growing into the role. Lots to be pleased about.

615/1281