Sheffield United 2 v Luton Town 0
The Championship
Saturday 5 October 2024
SUFC 2024/25 Game #20
Well. That was enjoyable. The Carrier Bag Firm heart counting things. But, even The Civilians have got something to go at now.
Unbeaten in NINE this season.
Clean Sheets in the last SIX.
Now. Here's the question.
Did we change up the system on our left because we'd scouted something from Luton that meant we could do that? Did we do it because of them?
Or. Did we change up the system on our left because that was how to get the best out of the players we had available. Did we do it because of us?
Either way, it took me a while to work it out. We set up without anyone in the wide left role, inverted or otherwise. With Hamer out of the side, that would/should have been Rhian Brewster. Or they could push Callum O'Hare out there, with Rhian taking the role inside/Ten.
Instead, Sam McCallum was pushed up and wide. Giving us a sort of Lopsided Back Three at times. Brewster and O'Hare roving across the pitch. Intrigued by that.
Brewster had a stormer. Watch the replay of Rak-Sakyi’s second goal. Brewster knocks a hard and accurate ball to him. But, Brewster ALSO takes off in pursuit of a position straight away, sprinting to catch the play up. However. I sometimes feel Rhian would benefit from having a more defined role. At times in the first half, in the more roving role, he was shuffling right when the play was over there, shuffling left at other times.
Don't get me wrong. That's not a hanging offence. But, he was a bit Ball Chasey without a clearer role. AnyRoadUp. Brewster had a stormer.
Speaking of Sam McCallum. Have I ever mentioned I'm an “older guy”? Have I ever mentioned I struggle a little bit at times with names? As I was discussing my Lopsided Back Three insight with the guy behind me, I slowly realised I'd been thinking of Sam as a David throughout most of the first half.
You'll recall. DAVID McCallum was Illya Kuryakin!!! (ask your Grandad).
Another - not a weak link out there.
The Carrier Bag Firm had planned a little bit of a mooching about beer day. But, not for the first time we were a little scuppered by unclear and indecisive information about opening times. Here's the thing.
“If your itin requires you to be at a bar at 1100 hours, then you have to have supreme confidence someone will be there to fulfil your order.
Too many owners/managers treat morning opening as something that “just happens”.
Get a fucking alarm clock. Or get out of Dodge.
Uncertainty meant;
The Beer House
623 Ecclesall Rd, Sharrow, Sheffield S11 8PT
Which we certainly (boom tish) enjoyed. Six on Cask. Three on Keg.
Lost Pier Brewing (Brighton and Hove), APA Actually, American Pale Ale on Cask at 4.4%
Rye malt. El Dorado, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. That had a nice fruity tang up top. Maybe some sultana. Slightly numbing on the tongue. And gently bitter at the end.
The Kernel Brewery (London), Pale Ale Citra on Keg at 5.1%
Sounds quibbley, but rather ordinary and straightforward for a Kernel Beer. I can't really specify what I was expecting, except - more. The citrus certainly keeps coming at you.
Kirkstall Brewery, Collab with Siren Craft Brew, Hazy Waves, Hazy Pale Ale on Cask at 5%
Simcoe, Centennial and Citra. A lovely grapefruit undercard. Although the Haze Juice doesn't really go very far.
RedWillow Brewery (Macclesfield), Sabro Porter on Cask at 4.8%
That was my Beer Of The Day. Chocolate and Crystal malts. The Sabro velvets it all out. Hint of liquorice. Dark chocolate. Smooths out into a little bitter holiday.
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This season, I hope to go to a different pub/bar for each home game I attend.
Wrexham = Ale Club. QPR = Craft & Berry, Watford = International Bar, Derby = Bath Hotel. Swansea = Two & Six Micropub. Luton = Beer House.
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Stats
I have now Blogged from 1,505 games in 3,700 days
HI Phil.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Great photo, great series - just like football things have moved on.
I have only seen highlights of the Luton game but Brewster looks much more effective ? in a slightly deeper role. I hope he stays fit now he is eventually getting some regular game time and looking more effective. It’s looking like he’s eventually realised that he’s playing in a team rather than playing with his head down with scoring goals his only role.
Blade’s looking good - the next few games will tell us just how good.
The Beer House. Nice watering hole.
UTB
Nice catch up with you both yesterday and it was pleasing to see Anel doing a bit more basham. Very enjoyable day!