SHEFFIELD UNITED AWAY

It's been a while, hasn't it? Quite some time since I last updated the blog, and even longer since I reported on a reds victory. I say report, but as ever on here I'll leave match reports to others and instead give you a supporters perspective on the day out yesterday in the steel city, where over 3,000 of us travelled to in hope and journeyed home from in delight. Twas a reight good day, November the 1st... 

Due to my usual matchday company making excuses, I was a lone soldier yesterday. That's twice now this season that I've attended a game on my tod. Both results were 1-0 wins though, and I only had three pints on both occasions. Three pints seems to equal three points. Unlike my trip over to Barnsley for the MK Dons game where my eight pints saw us involved in an eight goal game and horrid defeat. Be nice (and blummin barmy) if the 24 miles I'm walking to the Chesterfield game shortly ends up in a 13-11 victory. That'd be like Rugby, and I don't like Rugby, ever since I tried it at Wath Comp as a 12 year old lad and got thrown around like a rag doll. The chewing gum earholes dint appeal to me either. But I digress... 

Upon arriving in Full Monty country, I made my way into the city looking for somewhere to drink. Unlike the many reds fans in the photo above, I don't see the appeal of the Howard or Globe etc as they're always rammed so it takes you forever to get served and you end up escorted to Bramall Lane by South Yorkshire's famous boys/girls in blue. As ever if in Sheffield on my lonesome (same a couple of years ago when my mate had man flu) I end up finding a 'no away fans' pub. They've no idea of my allegiance, I don't wear colours and so long as I swap my thees and thars for dees and dars am reight enough. 



On this occasion I chose the Roebuck as it was only a short walk to the pig sty from there and because it had a large outside area where I could enjoy a smoke with my lager. It was busy, but I got served within a minute on each occasion and the lager went down nicely as did my conversations with Unitedites who seemed sure that "we'd" do the 'Dingles' easily. I think they were impressed by my knowledge of 'our' team. 

I then received a txt message from r old boy telling me we'd signed Marcelo Trotta on loan from Fulham and that he was on the bench today. This pleased me. A proven scorer at this level and a mobile target man, something we clearly needed adding to our ranks as another option. Soon after that I made my way to the Lane. 

Getting into the stadium proved a lengthy experience. Good job I set off to the ground in good time as the stewards on the turnstiles were very meticulous in their searching of us, I must have been stood queuing for ten minutes at least. At around 2:50pm I was finally inside the lower tier of Jessica Ennis. There I found plenty of fellow reds who I know of, we exchanged pleasantries and I made my way to my seat. But was then told by a couple of old chaps to "just sit anywheeear, kid" and so I parked my backside next to the pair of em and I'm glad I did. Both old boys in their 60's I would have said, and both were great company and the vice like grip given by Frank (the one directly next to me) when Sammy Winnall put us in front I'm surprised hasn't left a bruise. I love away days. 

I was pleased that I'd also got to my seat before the minutes silence was observed as I always like to show my respect for the many fallen heroes who helped to shape the country we live in today. Well, kind of. Until the Tories and New Labour started altering that shape. But this isn't a political blog and thank God for that because I know less than nowt about politics. Some might say I know less than nowt abart football n all but, thanus. 



Now, as much as I detest most things Sheffield United - I don't think I need to list them - I have to say I was very impressed with their fans in the kop whose tribute in the shape of a large poppy deserves much credit. Kudos to them for that. Although I don't think they ought to have held a 95 minute silence in the home ends, but each to their own... 

The minute silence was observed impeccably by all inside the stadium. There were a few lads on the concourse who could be heard chatting, unaware of the silence commencing I think, but after a bit of 'shushing' from plenty of us they too shut their gobs and as I say, twas observed impeccably and you could hear the proverbial pin drop. Lovely. 

So, what of the kicking about of a football for 90+ minutes? 

Well, as I say, I don't do match reports but I'll give you a rundown of a few key moments as well as giving my opinion on player performances and what not. But in all honesty, it wasn't pretty to watch and would definitely fit the old cliché of a 'typical derby' game. Lots of graft and endeavour, little in the way of quality. 

The home side were quick out of the blocks, and had early joy down the flanks where initially I saw us struggling to contain the lively wingers at their disposal. But within ten minutes or so our full backs were much wider and contained them well in the main. But within that opening ten minutes came the first real chance as former red Jay McEveley rose at the far post but his header was somehow swatted away by Ross Turnbull and the reds survived. 


Soon after, the outstanding Joe Dudgeon beat his opposite full back all ends up before putting across an inviting ball that Sam Winnall clipped just over the bar from about eight yards out. It was a great chance. 



Our midfield were struggling defensively, and unable - Ryan Williams aside - to retain the ball when in possession and only a fantastic last gasp tackle from that man Dudgeon denied James Wallace a chance to have a clear pop at goal and Turnbull gathered with ease. 
Conor Hourihane was off colour throughout much of the game and was losing possession frequently. On one such occasion his cheap giveaway in midfield saw Jamal Campbell-Ryce come away at pace out wide but yet again, Dudgeon was there to block the former BFC man's attempted cross. 




The reds did look dangerous themselves when coming forward, particularly through Williams and the hardworking Winnall. After good link up play by those two, Luke Berry fired in a rasping drive but it was straight at Mark Howard who saved comfortably. 



It was Berry back in his own box soon after who came to our rescue when he cleared his lines with a late lunge as Jose Baxter was waiting to pounce behind him. But in terms of chances, the half petered out as the referees decisions became more bizarre by the minute. 

Scott Mathieson

Half time came and much of the discussion during it centered around the pint sized official who seemed loathe to let the game flow and gave so many decisions against us, in particular against Winnall. There was hardly a bad challenge made in the half, but any kind of contact by a yellow shirted player on a United player resulted in a free kick for the home side. One incident that stands out was where Winnall was penalised for holding Michael Doyle as the cross came over for our corner. Mr Mathieson had warned the pair of em before Hourihane floated in the set piece, but you just knew he'd be blowing for a Blunts free kick as soon as it was put in. And he did. Apparently, Winnall grabbing Doyle around the neck was a foul (yep, I agree) but the full nelson applied by Doyle on Winnall prior to that wasn't a foul, and thus, wasn't a penalty. 

Biased little man. Although he did start giving us random free kicks towards the end of the half, which left me thinking perhaps he was just useless, and not a blatant 'homer' of an official. Either way, he annoyed me. 

The second half we started much more brightly and after just under an hour or so a Devante Cole effort from just outside the box forced Howard to turn around the post for a reds corner. It was from that corner that we took the lead, Hourihane's delivery as precise as ever and Winnall's clever run not picked up by Palace loanee Paddy McCarthy who could only watch on as Barnsley's number nine rose like a salmon to power a header in and send us into raptures. 


It was fitting in so many respects. He's become 'the' fan favourite so far in this new look BFC squad, has built up a great rapport with us supporters and the songs yesterday were mainly focussed upon him. So aye, fitting that he was the scorer, in front of the kop end where Super Johnny Hendrie also fired in a winner in Danny Wilson's last visit to Bramall Lane as Barnsley manager, some 18 years ago, in another memorable 1-0 victory. Smashing. 

We could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards when Hourihane threaded a ball inside for Winnall but this time the future Tarn legend wasn't as clinical as he found the deluded in the kop with an erratic effort from 12 yards out. 



United had one or two forays into dangerous territory but of the few decent balls put into the box they were thwarted by great defending, good goalkeeping once in particular from Turnbull and poor finishing from sub Marc McNulty who somehow found the upper tier with a free header from about eight yards out. 



The referee was again failing badly at hiding his United bias. A fantastic slide tackle from Dudgeon on Campbell-Ryce was seen as a foul by the linesman, not Mathieson, but the little imp decided it warranted a booking anyhow. Shocking decision. Fast forward a few minutes and Dudgeon is uphended by Doyle unceremoniously but although the foul is awarded, a yellow card wasn't deemed necessary. Tosser. 


Then we saw Turnbull booked for timewasting. And as much as I accept he takes his time with goal kicks, he wasn't taking any longer than he had before we scored. Seriously. The fact the referee booked him before the ball had barely left the pitch said it all. He'd been gagging to book him for a good five minutes. I was expecting him to give United a penalty when Turnbull made a great save low down at the feet of Steffan Scougall. Thankfully, he wasn't that biased. 

It was a fantastic result, and even without the free flowing, attacking football shown in recent games it was still a superb performance by a very dogged, resolute reds side who made this BFC supporter a very happy chappy indeed. 


As the lads came over to applaud us for applauding them, the image of an emotional Sam Winnall stuck with me. Hands on head, mouthing the word 'wow', he looked overcome with the occasion, and fair play to him for that. Just like many in this squad, Sam looks and plays like he really cares. It's all we ask for as fans, innit? Try hard for us, wear that shirt of ours with pride. If tha good at football n all then that's a bonus. 

Turnbull - A solid, calm and assured performance between the sticks from the big man. Deserved his clean sheet, if not the ridiculous yellow card. 8. 



Cranie - Looks a lot better at right back than he has recently in central defence. Doesn't really give you much of an outlet going forwards, but defensively solid and like Turnbull, calm when it's needed most. 7. 



Nyatanga - Another impressive showing this season from Lewin at centre half. Neat and tidy in possession, a rock in the air and good communication late on as the Blunts piled on the pressure. 8. 



Ramage - Looked exactly what he is. A leader. He won practically everything in the air, made great tackles also and like Winnall you can see it means something to him, playing for BFC. One header at shin height he made said it all. Warrior. 9. 



Dudgeon - For a lad getting a bit of stick from some quarters he's come back in and proven a point. A very good full back, both offensively and defensively. His knee trouble is an issue, but when fit like yesterday we'd struggle to find better. My man of the match. Dealt with the tricky JCR all afternoon and came up smelling of roses. 9. 




Bailey - Gets better with each game in that holding role, linking attack with defence etc. Some fantastic mobility, has bags of time on the ball and not afraid to get stuck in despite looking like he belongs in One Direction. 8. 




Berry - Standard Luke Berry. Which is a compliment. Gets stuck in, wins more headers than he ought to, and positionally he's the best in the side. The way he holds his line and knows his role is both frightening and exciting for a kid so young and inexperienced. Reight signing. 8. 



Williams - Stand out player in the first half for either side. Some audacious technique and close ball control. Our only threat for much of the first half but did tend to struggle to get involved as the game wore on. 7. 




Hourihane - Probably the worst I've seen him play. But still created a goal, and could have created more. He was AWOL for much of the first half especially, loose with his passing, but much improved second half and never stopped working. 6. 




Cole - Similar to Conor in that I thought he was too quiet for large parts of the game. Clearly a huge talent, but also very clear that he's got a lot to learn. 6. 



Winnall - Just gets better and better, goes from strength to strength. Getting the goals that his overall game deserves now too. Ran himself into the ground again, caused United problems all day and scored the winner. 9. 

Whilst this was another great performance of which there have been many in the last few weeks, we really need to kick on now and start picking up three points more regularly. And here, if we play like we did in this game, especially as a defensive unit then I'm hopeful those bizarre defeats against Notts County and MK Dons in particular will be things of the past. 


We've not had much luck in recent games, if any really all season. I don't think we were lucky yesterday either. That result may have been harsh on United in a game I thought was very even as a contest, but we took one of our chances and they didn't. Nowt lucky or fortuitous about that. 


The train journey home was an experience. Hundreds of reds fans packed in like sardines. Was like a sauna it was so warm. But the jovial mood made it almost pleasurable. I'm tempted to come over home next weekend for the cup tie with Burton Albion now. But I'll have to see what my gaffer (missus) says. 





Before I go, a polite reminder that the next issue of BFC fanzine 'West Stand Bogs' will be released on the 14th of this month featuring my long talked about interview with Bobby Hassell. I'll be uploading the same interview to this blog page too, but only after a week or so as obviously I'd rather folk paid to read it and thus the point of WSB earning coin for charity (Dyson's back pocket) remains. 


And in about three weeks time the charity walk from Oakwell to Chesterfield takes place. That's also organized by WSB. Busy bastárds aren't they? I'll be taking part and will be blogging about it soon after. It's for a great cause I reckon, and I thank those who've donated so far and invite others to follow suit should it be something that appeals to them. 


Here's the link to donate: WSB Chesterfield Charity Walk





Thanks for reading once again. 

And big thanks to Rob Nunns for allowing me to use some of his fine action shots of the game yesterday. He's reight good he is.
Whitey. 



'Love Barnsley, Hate Football'