Coach Two Boot Boys

Burnley 5 v Sheffield United 0

Premier League

Saturday 2 December 2023

SUFC 2023/24 Game #27

A rare treat on the coach to Burnley today. I was allowed to sit just three rows behind the driver. That came about because The GangMaster had reneged on TWO commitments he made. The first busted flush promise was that he would no longer allow seats to be reserved on the Coach. Fuck Sake. That went West, a long way West, and quickly.

Normally, as you get on the coach, ALL the rows back to the toilet in the middle, and beyond, have impromptu A4 print at home - RESERVED - signs on them. This leads to a mad and unnecessary bun fight for seats at the back for those of us not in the clique. One hero, who I am not naming to protect the guilty, removed a few of the reserved signs earlier in the season. Glorious chaos ensued.

The GangMaster could have avoided all this if he'd stuck to his original promise. The GangMaster has also frequently said he's never taking two coaches ever again. So, I was somewhat surprised to learn I'd been allocated Coach Two for Burnley.

Of course, double edged sword, that meant all the reserved seat clique would be on Coach 1, there'd be no reservations on Coach 2. And, those TWO broken GangMaster commitments meant I could sit three rows behind the driver for the first time ever. It's not all it's cracked up to be if I'm honest.

However. While the GangMaster may lack conviction in sticking to those two earlier pronouncements. He lacks nothing, nothing I tells ye, in organising Beer Stops on the way to games. As usual, he'd phoned ahead in prior days to make sure it would be/get the gaff open.

Northern Whisper Ramsbottom Tap Room

2 Market Pl, Ramsbottom, BL0 9HT

Trust me. Northern Whisper are a great under the radar brewery. They've got great traditional Cask. They've got consistent straight ahead Keg. And they're not afraid to piss around at the edges.

Today, in their Ramsbottom Tap, there were four of their own on Cask. And eight on Keg.

Northern Whisper, Sure-Footed, Pale Ale on Keg at 4%

A lovely starter. Grass and hay early on. More apricot ish fruit in the middle. And a surprising big hit of citrus as you got further down it.

Northern Whisper, Steady Eddie, Pale Ale on Keg at 3.8%

A great, slightly chewy, easy drinking and moreish pale.

Northern Whisper, Chinwag, IPA on Keg at 5.6%

Packed full of Magnum, Citra, Mosaic Hops.

Northern Whisper, Shake A Leg, Rhubarb & Custard IPA on Keg at 4.6%

And finally, dessert. Absolutely perfect balance. I know these sort of flavours put some people off. But when the Hops and beer are the main show, the fruit and lactose add rather than overpower. Great beer.

Right. Football. This Blog “overtaken by events”. With a “new” managerial appointment. I won't dwell on what went wrong today. But, you'll be able to tell what I felt went wrong from my explanation of what improvements I would like to see.

Here's what I'd accept as improvement.

An end to Hot Potato football, full of blind passes. Norwood - that's you.

A comfortable and experienced "spine" of the team. Wes, Robinson (and maybe Anel), Norwood, McBurnie (when available). Who will put their foot on it, turn, and play towards opponents goal. That will make all the rest of the players more comfortable.

Discipline - because we're a bit behind on quality, we're a bit late, and we give too many fouls away. Don't give those fouls away.

Discipline - McBurnie...

Keeper & back three giving the ball to wingbacks who are moving FORWARD, rather than when they are coming towards the man & the ball.

More press, but in particular an end to Shape Football. Where the emphasis is on getting in the right position, rather than getting to the ball and man.

Get the ball moving. Quick goal kicks, free kicks and throws.

More creativity at corners. An end to pump it in and blocks being the only option.

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