Right... had my tea so I can post properly now
There were 8 official coaches from the Lane plus the usual pub-run coaches and mini-buses... it's fair to say, the Blades travelled en masse to Burnley much to the apparent bemusement of the locals when we got there. Alighted from the coach in glorious sun only for it to be siling it down with hail two minutes later as we headed to the cricket club. Seemingly, quite a few other Blades had the same idea and we packed the place out. :hello: Berks Blade... nice to see you again.
Couple of pints and a cheeseburger and chips later, off to the ground to take up seats at the back. Hardly a steward to be seen, which for Robbie, was probably only a good thing. Despite this, he did manage to get his beer confiscated within the first five minutes of the match. There was someone who looked suspiciously like Peter Griffin sat behind us too...
As for the match...
Well, I've been reading the Burnley forums and all the Burnley fans reckon they were the better team. I surely must have been watching a different match because, and I'm being kind here, they really were shite. Until we'd taken Beattie off at 0-2 up, they were restricted to long-range efforts or chances Paddy easily dealt with. We were absolutely cruising for three quarters of the game.
As has mostly been the case this season, nobody was particularly outstanding in a good team performance. Cotterill looked hungry on the wing and his cross for Sharp's goal was sexual. Quinny looked a bit more like his normal self after a dismal showing on Tuesday. Tonge was quiet.
The back four weren't really tested but I might be alone in thinking Del Boy looked a bit jaded? He seemed to get turned quite a bit out on the line but Killa and Morgs were there as usual. Naysmith went missing for one of their early chances but didn't put a foot wrong really after that. Their goal came about after switching to 4-5-1 and was one of those things really.
Up front... if there are still people in this world of the interweb claiming that Mr James Beattie is a lazy bastard, I will personally track them down and flush their heads down a shite infested toilet. He defends well from the front but he'll bloody run the length of the pitch and defend at the back as well. His goal was awesome and he is worth every single penny we pay him.
Billy Sharp... I think he was quite quiet today but rose well to meet Cotterill's cross. Cue badge grabbing celebration
Hulse when he came on was unlucky the referee didn't see/give two shits about the fact Burnley defenders wanted to both take his shirt off and pull his shorts down. I'm sure there are quite a few young ladies around here who would forgive them for that (and some gents too) but on the field of play, it isn't really helpful. He also seemed to lack a bit of mobility. Definitely isn't the same player as he was before his leg break YET. The other subs in Gillespie and Ugo didn't really have time to do anything either way.
Good day, good atmosphere from the Blades on Tour and absolutely shite attendance and vocal support from the home ends. Must have been about 2000 travelling fans, leaving a massive 9000 Clarets. Embarrassing for a club hoping to get to the playoffs.
Anything to add ladies and blokes?