U23 v Birmingham on Monday

[United Aren't Back.]

Ball_Sup (Phil)

Any standout performers today?

No .
All really average.

 

[Grappler]

I've recently had a lot of interesting exchanges on this Forum about the Academy, about how no Academy Lads were involved v Barnet, and other stuff. I've thought long & hard. And, today's Blog is NOT a match report from that superb battling one nil win against League Leaders Birmingham City. It's more of a thinkpiece - speculating that the rapid rise of the First Team to the top levels of the Championship means we might have passed some of our own Academy lads on the way. Recruited as 13 year olds in the Dark Days of League One, would it really be a surprise if they couldn't cut it at the top of the Championship? I rehearse our recruitment strategies. May as well sum that up as - the best we can do on the cheap. And, I pose a question

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'm not saying we should. But, I am saying it may be our next logical step as a top Championship side.

Luckily - balance is restored by two North of 8% Double/Imperial IPAs on a Brewery visit to Huddersfield. It's a long 'un anyway - so I couldn't squeeze the match report in. You've been warned.

What Would Binnion Do?

https://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2019/01/wwbd.html

Good blog and good write up on Magic Rock, I had a pint of Hat Trick at The York last week, lovely stuff.

The Itchy Pig have a Curious Brew keg take over on, including a collaboration with Beaver Town.

Lovely time to be a beer drinker!

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Ball_Sup (Phil)

Any standout performers today?

It was something of an odd game. Birmingham started well. Utd couldn't get out of our half. Second best. Misplacing passes. It just seemed obvious Utd were going to get well beaten. Then I started thinking - well, just stay in this. Then - I'll take a draw now. Then - ooohhh I can just feel an against the run of play goal coming. It was just a case of work & work hard. Stay in the game. They will tire. Hallam & Oure were coming very very deep to try & get the ball. Also doing the defensive shifts. Jake Young shook it up a lot when he came on. He should have scored when on one of his battering ram runs. It seems odd to say, in such an ultimately impressive turnaround performance, there was no standout. He was the best - V H Work - Very Hard Work. Collectively, they should be very pleased with that.

 

[Pinchy]

How did Gomis play, heard some good things about him?

 

[BushBlade]

View attachment 48205

Pork. Called his daughter Wednesday.

 

[Grappler]

Pork. Called his daughter Wednesday.

Yes and called his son Pigsley, definitely pork...........