His Royal Dryness, The Duke of Cork

Expert Sign-Writer Seeks Work

2011-09-09T09:07:00.002+01:00

I wouldn't give him a job as a sign-writer....

From BBC News this morning.

Capello's new career as a cricket umpire.

2011-09-06T13:15:00.004+01:00

Capello's new career as a cricket umpire.

BBC News - Polar bears have maternal Irish brown bear ancestors

2011-07-08T13:01:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Polar bears have maternal Irish brown bear ancestors

No doubt if Jack Charlton was still manager of The Republic of Ireland, they'd get a game.

Leed Us Not Into Temptation, but Deliver us from Evil

2011-03-21T17:16:00.000Z

Best performance I've seen at the Lane for ages. It has inspired me to blog again and given me hope. Maybe even enough to renew my season ticket.

We went to town on the dirty Leeds and bar their one clear-cut chance could have gone in four up at half time. Clearly, that kind of performance usually signals a second half collapse, but it wasn't to be. More of the same resulted in the joy of an own goal (always more of a sickener and more of a delight - remember Des Walked for us against Forest?)

I heard one story of someone turning up about 2:30pm for the 1pm kick off, so they would have been gutted.

Not a bad player for the blades, that I can think of. Vokes won everything in the air. Defence were solid apart from a couple of flaps. Evans worked hard along with Boggy. Quinn is starting to look like his young self. All topped-off with a sending off which I didn't see and wasn't on TV. A great afternoon.

To paraphrase a text from a mate many years ago: Howard Wilkinson, Richard Whiteley, Don Revie, Harry Graition, Norman Hunter, Look North, Jack Charlton, can you hear me Jack Charlton? Your boys took a hell of a beating!

Blades 2 - 0 Leeds

Poor Spelling on Look North

2011-03-10T09:31:00.001Z

Details of road closures in Sheffield....

"Every games is like a cup final"

2011-03-08T13:25:00.000Z

Sheffield United Match Previews Previews Wrong place to be

No, I would enjoy a cup final....

Soccer World: Two-game ban and fine for player who kicked an owl into touch

2011-03-04T13:30:00.000Z

Soccer World: Two-game ban and fine for player who kicked an owl into touch

BBC News - Insurance premiums to change after ECJ gender ruling

2011-03-01T13:43:00.000Z

BBC News - Insurance premiums to change after ECJ gender ruling

Will premiums which favour older motorists be classed as discrimination?

I wonder if the same ruling will apply to other things. I'm thinking 2012 Olympics. Can anyone enter the mens or womens 100m race? That has to be discrimination if you can't.

Crunch Time!

2011-02-16T13:07:00.000Z

Next two games, I think, will determine whether we stay up or not. 3/4 points we may scrape up. 6 points definately stay up. 0,1,2 points down.

First half on Tuesday was very poor. Nobody seemed to have any idea what they were doing. Vokes up front didn't touch the ball, that I can remember. I had almost walked out immediately after I had arrive, when my mate told me Cresswell was captain. He set a superb example of how not to play football.

I was so bored in the first half, that I happened to notice the column of seats in front of me was completely empty :-

This really was the highlight of the first half.

Second half, Stephen Jordan was subbed for Lowton. He'd had trouble marking Kebe, who looked impressive on the right.

Blades had chances, but couldn't convert, then a killer pass put Long through, Lowton got in front of him and looked like he'd rescued it, but next thing Long had scored.

Anyway Boggy managed to get and score a dubious penalty.

Mick Adams is fairly honest, and his radio/press comments seem to be a fair reflection of how we're doing.

Got to give Boggy a run. Hopefully Evans will be back soon.

Blades 1 - 1 Reading

Minutes Away

2011-02-13T09:21:00.000Z

Another solid performance (apart from the labouring Bent) with reasonable performances all round. We deserved the points, I thought, and the ref did his best by helping with a fairly dubious penalty.

For me, it needs to be Bogdanovic and Evans on Tuesday night. Bent didn't look that interested. Later on in the game, Quinny started to look a dangerous player and we could do with him back to his old best. Evans again looked like a great centre forward, throwing his weight around getting involved. Apparently he was ill during the week, and got substituted during the second half. The crowd for once were booing the decision to take Evans off, rather than booing Evans.

However, good performances aren't enough and even with Bassett in the directors box, we need to start getting 3 points each game. Tuesday is a huge, huge game now.

Blades 1 - 1 Millwall

Play well or play badly, we still don't get any points

2011-02-02T13:42:00.000Z

Frustrating game as the Blades had great chances, hitting the crossbar/post, forcing an incredible save from a Monty long-range rasper, having one cleared off the line and having a couple of good chances inside the box.

Blades were in charitable mood, gifting the foxes an early goal by not marking anyone and having a keeper stood two miles off his line allowing a tame lob to nestle in the back of the net.

They then picked it up a bit. Joe Mattock at left back didn't look very good, but was getting a harsh reception from the Leicester fans (not sure what the history is there). We he got stretchered off, they were still giving him abuse which was pretty much disgraceful. The stadium announcer piped up, saying "I'm sure all fans wish Joe a speedy recovery." Shameful.

Once crab eyes got into his stride we started to look better, creating chances and were unlucky not to get in at half time level.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Blades dominating, creating good chances, but sadly not converting. Ched Evans was unbelievably superb. Someone must be getting through to him. Sadly, Bent didn't support him well enough, so it was a relief when Boggy finally came on. The new lad in midfield (Doyle) didn't look much cop and when Yeates came on, he didn't take his chance. He looked like he was playing in tennis shoes, and managed to kick a corner straight out (dreadful, honestly).

Blades really deserved three points, but came away with nothing. I think that we will struggle to get any points together as the players can't keep giving their all like that and getting nothing back. We urgently need a first win under Adams. We have three or four winable games coming up (all games are winable in this poor division). Even Sheff Wendy's 5-3 defeat didn't lift me too much.....

Defence still looks shakey. Ertl is trying is best back there and I think will become a crowd favourite as he gives 100%. Lowry needs more experience and didn't look comfortable. Perino has his moments, good and bad.

Blades 0 - 1 Leicester

A Superb Week in Les Gets

2011-01-28T20:07:00.000Z

Our last evening in Les Gets. 7 days of excellent skiing, despite the lack of snow fall. Conditions in places were very icy, but we managed to get some good skiing in. Big thanks to Geoff who let us stay in his Les Gets apartment (La Soulane) and who is also excellent company (and we hope we are good company for him too).

The week's skiing the pictures can be viewed on my Picasa album (http://picasaweb.google.com/DukeOfCork/) and the trails (with pictures) can be found on my everytrail profile (http://www.everytrail.com/profile.php?user_id=30685)

A fair old drive home tomorrow looms, but hopefully we will get home smoothly and safely.

A Few Thoughts On Paper (well, not paper, but you know what I mean)

2011-01-15T16:36:00.000Z

A couple of things have sprung to mind. I'm sat listening to the radio and it's nil nil. In a relegation battle, a point away from home is always welcome. There's also a chance you might nick a goal.

In the last few months, the Blades have struggled with injuries. A little while ago we had one fit striker - Ched Evans. The same week Billy Sharp was injured or suspended for Donny and would be missing for a few games. Even though they have other strikers, they got David Healy on loan. He did well for them, I wondered why we didn't have a sniff around.

In defence, we've struggled all season. We've struggled all last season too. In particular we missed the two Kyles. We got one back on loan, which was a good move, but since then, both have been on loan to different places, but not Bramall Lane. Walker scoring against us just rubbed salt into that wound.

Still struggling for a centre back/left back type of player a watched why intrigue as Matt Kilgallon was signed on loan by Doncaster. Were we in there too? We could have done with him.

Are we trying to get these players and missing out? If we aren't trying - why not? If we are trying and failing - what is making these players choose other clubs over one they know fairly well.

It's a shame, but hopefully Micky Adams can sort us out. He is talking a good game and picking a team of fighters (as discussed on Radio Sheffield today) rather than "lovers". The example given was Leon Britton. Dropped today, but is that such a bad thing? We desperately need to fight our way out of this.

Hanging on for the final ten minutes of the game. Hopefully we can nick all three points.

Also, if Micky Adams can turn Ched Evans into a fighter, we will have a winning footballer there.

Old Crab Eyes is Back!

2011-01-05T13:54:00.000Z

Not the greatest game ever, and I decided in the second half that I wasn't going to bother with the Villa game.

Blades played quite well first half, without really creating any clear-cut chances. Once Donny had gone down to ten men, I thought we would be OK, but Donny grew in confidence and walked past our defence a few times before finally scoring, then converting the penalty. At two nil down, against ten men I have to say I didn't believe we could get anything.

It's a frustrating time being a Blade. They came back brilliantly, to be fair and the players looked elated by the result. Hopefully it will inspire them to perform better and we can stave off relegation. It was nice to see the youngsters on the bench and have a run out.

Kozzy (Crab Eyes) was on the radio saying how his kids didn't believe he was a footballer because he was always sat on the bench. They thought that was his season ticket. He said that because the postman had tweaked his groin, he was glad of his chance back in the side. Maybe we needed the character.

Blades 2 - 2 Donny

So Big, they Mentioned it Twice

2010-12-21T17:02:00.002Z

So Big, they Mentioned it Twice

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield United to delay new manager appointment

Nice to see that the BBC know how to cut and paste to pad out an article......anyone know what the compensation is likely to be?

......I'd estimate it might be big, maybe at least half a million pounds.

Winning Streak of One

2010-12-20T13:13:00.000Z

The cold weather did nothing to stifle the lure that a new manager brings. John Carver won his first game in charge of Leeds, then lost seven on the trot (apparently).

Blades looked a poor side again; Swansea a poor, but pretty side. Not a great game. At least we won and Chedwyn took his goal quite well.

My mate told us he is off to Syndey, Australia for 3 months and did we know anyone who wanted his ticket. I had a bit of a think, but when he said he wanted a fiver a game, I told him he'd be luck to shift it! He also pointed out that there were probably more in Swansea's entourage (players, physios, kit men, directors) than there were in the crowd.

Not going to the game on the 26th, as I'm on call. May try and get a guest blog once again.

Merry Christmas All!!

Blades 1 - Swansea 0

Sheffield United | Tickets | Season Tickets | Win a mini season ticket

2010-12-17T16:33:00.000Z

Sheffield United Tickets Season Tickets Win a mini season ticket

First prize! 1 mini season ticket.

Second prize! 2 mini season tickets......

The New Alpine Resort of Sheffield

2010-12-01T09:46:00.000Z

Deep Footprint In The Snow

Footprints To The Door

Van At Work (I made it to work!)

View Up The Road

Cars With Snow On Them

Blades open late on Wednesday

2010-11-23T13:28:00.000Z

Blades open late on Wednesday

Cool, I can nip in after work and get some Christmas pressies sorted.....what's that? Oh, openING late.

Finally, we win on TV

2010-11-21T19:33:00.000Z

The Blades never seem to win on TV, so it was nice to get three points, play reasonably well (although defence still needs some work, for Ched Evans to look like a striker and to get a dodgy ref that didn't affect the result.

Ched Evans finally looked like he wanted to play football. He got a bang on the head fairly early on and we reckon Blades should schedule a bang on the head before every game. Cresswell looked shocking, but at least he put the pen away.

Speroni saved hundreds off shots (it seemed) and I'd written it off to be one of those evening. Boggy came on and ran everywhere on the pitch, then scored the pen, then got sent off. Looked harsh at the time, but Speed hasn't complained and only watched it back quickly and looked like he caught the guy high.

Maybe our luck is finally changing. Mine might not be. We were trying to get some rare peg top trousers the other day and agreed an amount to bid, then put £1k under what we agreed. We'll have to see what happens there. ;-)

Blades 3 - Crystal Palace 2 (although I had it in my head we were playing Norwich all week.....)

Sheffield United "Please, get your flags passed"

2010-11-16T13:16:00.002Z

I'm curious as to what constitutes an unsafe flag. I'm also wondering how they match a safety certificate to a flag on the day of the game. It's all good stuff.

Sheffield United News Latest News Latest News Please, get your flags passed

Why anyone would want to take 3"x2" slabs of concrete to a game is beyond me anyway.

BBC Sport - Football - Sheff Utd 1-2 Ipswich

2010-11-08T13:11:00.000Z

BBC Sport - Football - Sheff Utd 1-2 Ipswich: "United clearly missed the galvanising presence of skipper Nick Montgomery at the back, failing to clear a long throw from Carlos Edwards before allowing Livermore space to head the ball to Priskin for the opener."

I know there are strikes at the BBC, but mentioned a player who is in the team sheet as missing is a bit poor.

It's all doom and gloom down at the Lane.

2010-11-08T09:14:00.000Z

Guest blog from a colleague of mine who borrowed my season ticket (fool)....

Blades 1 Ipswich Town 2

Starting line up :-

-------------------------- Simonsen ---------------------------

Lowton -------- Bartley ----------- Ertl ---------- Nosworthy
Yeates --------- Montgomery ----- Britton ------ Quinn
------------------Cresswell --------- Ward --------------------

Stray passes, kamikaze defending and woeful finishing were the order of the day for the Blades as they limped to yet another home defeat on Saturday.

On a cold, bright day the Blades started 4-4-2 and were kicking towards the Kop in the first half. It was Ipswich who applied the early pressure and were rewarded when Tamas Priskin was given the freedom of the six yard box to score. The cobbled together Blades' defence looked willing to let Ipswich score at will. Only the limited ability of the Ipswich forwards kept the score down.

Whilst Ipswich were falling about laughing, the Blades took advantage of the situation for Quinn to equalise with a low shop past Fulop. The home team improved as the half went on and were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to take the lead. Yeates blew hot and cold, a mixture of quality crosses and overhit ones. That's why he plays at this level.

The Blades defence then took centre stage, allowing an unmarked Gareth McAuley to restore the visitors' lead. If the Blades had Drogba and Tevez up front, each scoring hat-tricks, the defence would have somehow conspired to give Ipswich the extra winning goal.

Half time 1-2

The crowd's depression gave way to frustration and anger in the second half as stray passes and amateurish shooting ensured that an equaliser wasn't forthcoming. Ipswich are a mediocre outfit, symptomatic of many sides in the Championship. Yet they had a decent leader in Grant Leadbitter and were well organised.

Bartley hit a ripsnorter from thirty yards that Fulop pushed on to a post but chances were few. Cresswell once again didn't endear himself to the crowd and substitute Ched Evans looked to have his mind elsewhere as he passed up the Blades final effort with a tame pass to Fulop.

Full-time 1-2

The crowd trudged home finding it difficult to believe that there are three worse teams than the Blades in this division.

The crown jewels have been sold and we are left with nothing. Speed has no resurces to work with and he somehow has to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

It's all doom and gloom down at the Lane.

Still a long way to go....

2010-11-01T13:54:00.000Z

Hitting the post three times and the joke that is Andy Taylor playing at left back have left me happy that I've got my on call duty mixed up and will miss the game against Ipswich.

We desperatley lack two good full backs (well, I think Jordan and Calve are good enough, but they don't seem to play - Lowton too). If playing weaker fullbacks, I think we need two wingers who will also work back and help.

I'm losing the will to watch football. At least Taylor got taken off at half time....

Blades 0 - 1 Coventry

BBC News - Google Street View hits Antarctic

2010-10-05T13:45:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Google Street View hits Antarctic

Wow - they've not really pixelated the Penguins' faces, but I suppose they can write in and complain.

BBC News - Firm fined after dead mouse found in loaf of bread

2010-09-28T13:17:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Firm fined after dead mouse found in loaf of bread

Does make you wondered, especially since in June 2009 :-

Malt Loaf - Like a Rat out of Hell

I'm not eating food every again.

You lose some, you win some....

2010-09-19T11:27:00.000+01:00

Gary Speed summed it up best by pointing out we didn't play half as well as on Tuesday, but managed to win. It was a very average performance and the only time we really got the ball down and played led up to the break which got the free kick which made the goal. Incidentally, Evans only did about two things all game.

The stats on the BBC website tell the opposite story to the results from Saturday and Tuesday. Blades had loads of possession and chances on Tuesday and lost 4-0. Saturday they didn't have much possession, nor create many chances and got the three points. Oh well.

Morgan started, but limped off to be replaced by a more sensible-playing Noseworthy. He looked like he was trying not to mess about with it and just hit it out. Portsmouth were whinging, cheating gits, though. Trying to kick Little Britton off the park and plenty of diving around. The ref was the centre of attention, and clearly loved it as too many refs seem to.

Blades 1 - 0 Portsmouth

BBC News - Silent call fines raised to £2m

2010-09-16T13:47:00.001+01:00

BBC News - Silent call fines raised to £2m

Everyone: When you get a call from a number you don't recognise, don't say anything. Most of the times there's nobody there and the "machines" can't detect a response. Hopefully the callers will get huge fines!!

Four nil was a fair scoreline

2010-09-16T13:07:00.003+01:00

Too bad it should have been four nil the other way!

As The Rolling Stones sang "You can't always get what you want". First half, The Blades dominated the game, looking comfortable on the ball and playing it around patiently and accurately (until Monty got it, but even then he joined in). United hit both posts and had several chances on goal without ever really looking threatened in defence. Most times we got the ball resulted in a half chance or a corner. Scunny had one chance and scored. Looked a blatant hand ball, but ref was enjoying himself too much to give a free kick.

Second half, Sheffield United played well again and had the ball in the net. This time referee hallucinated and decided to give the foul he'd dreamt. No idea what he'd seen. Then Scunny got a second. Blades heads didn't drop. We didn't panic. We played some nice stuff still. Then we errored and they got a third. Fourth goal was bizarre. Blades had a dubious offside given when the ball was in the net another time. We also couldn't quite put a couple of goal mouth scrambles away.

How it was 4-0, I may never really be sure. It was, though, and we have to get on with it and get 3 points on Saturday. Players of (bad) note. Noseworthy looked weak in the second half. I think Morgan will return on Saturday. Monty got subbed, which I think is good management by Gary Speed - don't be afraid to sub the captain (Monty was captain for this game) and don't be afraid to sub a crowd favourite. Evans still frustrates at times. Boggy (Bogdanovic) ran a lot and demanded the ball a lot. I think he deserves a start, or Yeates to start on the left, with Cresswell up front.

Let's see what Saturday brings...

Blades 0 - 4 S****horpe

You Would Have Thought Cuts Would Be Good For The Scissor Industry...

2010-09-09T14:02:00.000+01:00

BBC - Brighter future for Sheffield scissor firm

If you're going to make cuts, make them with Sheffield scissors!

7000+ Mile Walk

2010-08-31T09:00:00.000+01:00

Every Trail Ford/Moss Valley Walk 7000 miles

We walked a long way on Sunday, but I think that the GPS may have gone a little wrong!

Good walk, just that we went a little wrong at the golf club :-(

Best Performance for a Long While

2010-08-28T18:20:00.000+01:00

Home crowd at the "Boo Camp" welcomed their new manager, Gary Speed, and the players responded very well and played Preston off the park. Britton was at the heart of everything and the two new fullbacks (Stephen Jordan and Jean Calve) made a big difference, although there were some gaping holes at times at the back.

Lots of endeavour and invention made for a good first half without creating a clear-cut chance. Playing the ball on the floor through Britton and everyone working around him makes for a more promising future than I thought a week ago. A second half screamer from Jean Calve left the frog with a poorly leg and he had to be subbed. While he was on the ground getting treatment, they kept showing the goal on the big screen, much to the delight og the crowd. Johnny Ertl is worth a mention: involved lots and looks solid in the middle of park, giving the back four (without an injured Morgan - not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion) lots of protection.

More of this and The Blades will start to believe again and hopefully come back to The Lane.

Blades 1 - 0 Preston

Off to a bad start (again)

2010-08-23T13:24:00.000+01:00

No cries for Speed out. Yet. Not a great start. Only watched the first half on TV as two poor sides played it out. Shame that Ched Evans couldn't tuck away his chance.

Listened to second half as me and Pa painted the outside of my house. There are "paint drying" jokes to be had, but you can make them up yourself.

Blades now bottom. The only way is up! (Yazz and The Plastic Population)

'Boro 1 - 0 Blades

Hmmmm

2010-08-14T18:00:00.000+01:00

Not good, I'm afraid. Afraid, that is, that we may go down with a few more performances like that. I remember a few seasons ago how good Robert Page was. Then one season he just seemed to be garbage from the start of the season. I think Chris Morgan has gone that way.

A number of questions are raised from today's match :-
1. Stephen Jordan. We signed him this week. He's a left-back (I believe), so why isn't he playing? If he's not as good as Andy Taylor, then why did we sign him?
2. Is Morgan good enough anymore? Will Blackwell drop him and play a back four of (for example) :- Jordan, Ertl, Bartley, Nosworthy/Lowton?
3. Will people keep going with performances like that?
4. Will we manage to survive? It's early days, but we lack ability and spirit and a plan.....I would settle for just one of those right now. It would give me hope.

14 days until I have to go and watch them against Preston. I will enjoy myself until then. It can't be any worse. Can it?

Blades 0 - 3 QPR

PS QPR Looked a good side - I think they may well be up there. Seven goals in the first two games will be good for their confidence and they will probably continue to play well.

Quad Computer Services Ltd: Cherry Picker at Quad

2010-08-13T09:04:00.000+01:00

Quad Computer Services Ltd: Cherry Picker at Quad: "View from the kitchen window today as the cherry picker did its stuff...."

Sheffield United | Match | Programme | The Blade - you can't afford to miss it

2010-08-12T17:34:00.001+01:00

Sheffield United Match Programme The Blade - you can't afford to miss it

For a pound, I might get there early to buy one! The blades won't sell many at three quid, though, I fear.

Off to a (Reasonably) Good Start

2010-08-09T12:45:00.000+01:00

In my true Blades pessimism, I would have taken a point at the start of the game. Being on TV (in HD - what a joy!) I had to filter-out the inane commentary and inevitable home team bias. "Cardiff haven't managed to convert this early pressue" [I check internet stats to find we've had more possession, more shots, more corners] [turns volume down]

Blades looked good and although the sending off was harsh, it was probably right. I was gutted it wasn't Taylor who went off. He's such a waste of a shirt. We attacked quite nicely, though, before the sending off and I thought we were the better side. Even with ten men (actually nine, plus Taylor) we still looked OK.

A good start and we get to look forward to booing Paddy Kenny and Uncle Neil next week.

Cardiff 1 - 1 Blades

Sign of a good side....

2010-08-07T20:03:00.000+01:00

The Blades haven't even played and they're climbing the table.....

Wave Google Wave Good-bye?

2010-08-06T09:11:00.003+01:00

Official Google Blog: Update on Google Wave

BBC: Google drops Wave because of lack of users

It sounds as if Google Wave might be on its way! NO! I want it!

Start the season as you mean to go on....

2010-07-30T13:25:00.001+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield United's Darius Henderson out for four months

The Duke's pre-season blog is littered with non-football related detritus. I hope it has fed your thirst and doused your hunger for items. This weekend, the real deal begins. Friday: the Blades are closing the gift shop for three hours so they can exclusively sell the new shirt at 5pm to season ticket holders. It will then go on general sale at 7pm to the slightly less idiotic folks who were smart enough to avoid buying a season ticket.
Saturday: Anyone can buy the new shirt.
Sunday: Blades open day, with the highlight of Estudiantes playing at Brammall Lane afterwards.

Then I'm sure Radio Sheffield will kick off Football Heaven once more and the summer will truly be over.

Shame that Hendo is injured. No doubt fans will be crying out for us "changing the style of play". I only wish we had a style of play.

COYRAWW!!!

BBC - Newsbeat - UK soldiers use iPad app to train for Afghan operations

2010-07-30T13:17:00.000+01:00

BBC - Newsbeat - UK soldiers use iPad app to train for Afghan operations

Not for target practice, I hope....

Is this a wind up?

2010-07-23T13:16:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield Wednesday served winding up order by HMRC

Oh dear....let's hope they don't lose their cheque book on the 10th of August....

Start of the season build up

2010-07-22T13:49:00.000+01:00

It's nice to see that with the season just a days away, the blades are gearing-up for it.

Sheffield United Team Player Profiles

According to the official website, the blades have just 14 players at the club.

Can't wait!!

Holiday Links from Spain

2010-07-17T19:04:00.000+01:00

The routes we walked every day are detailed here. The routes have the pictures dotted along the way. If you're not too bothered by the walks and just want to see the pics, they are also detailed. Note that I treat "day 1" as being the first day walking, not the first day of the holiday.

Day1 Trail

Day2 Trail
Day3 Trail
Day4 Trail (we did Monastero)
Day5 Trail
Day6 Trail (walk down to Lake Guingueta)

No photos for Day1 :-(
Day2 Photos Only
Day3 Photos Only
Day4 Photos Only
Day5 Photos Only
Day6 Photos Only

Note that all the photos are geo-tagged, so you can see where they were taken.

BBC Sport - Football - World Cup 2010: Dutch coach criticises referee Webb

2010-07-12T13:01:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - World Cup 2010: Dutch coach criticises referee Webb

Hmmm.... I seem to think he is looking through orange shpectacles. I think Dutch went to kick lumps out of Spain and got away with it. Webb tried to let the game go and not "spoil the game" by sending players off, but maybe he should have been more harsh.

Sheffield United | Match | Programme | Programme subscriptions

2010-06-18T13:26:00.000+01:00

Sheffield United Match Programme Programme subscriptions

£92!!!! No, I'll choose not to buy them on matchday instead....

Blades Struggling, and the Season Hasn't Even Started! ;-)

2010-06-16T13:22:00.000+01:00

Well, the season hasn't started, but already the Blades have a lot to do. Third from bottom with Barnsley at the top of the league just isn't good enough.

Pull your finger out, Blackwell! ;-)

Linekar Flips The Bird

2010-06-14T22:45:00.000+01:00

You'd have thought that Gary Linekar, the world's greatest crisp salesman would enjoy an all-expenses trip out to South Africa to watch the Football World Cup, but apparently he has some anger to express :-

Gary, it's just not necessary to flip the middle finger.

Traffic Issues

2010-06-14T22:40:00.000+01:00

A 3 hour round-trip turned into a bit of a trek last week. A couple of photos (taken while stationary). Click on have a look at the sign. I'm a bit fan of irony....

And just to show you the traffic on the M1, I took this at J24 (I think) looking North. I went through Nottingham....and rejoined at J26.

Paddy Kenny - I wonder if they believe what they are saying?

2010-06-12T16:13:00.001+01:00

The Timeline :-

29th December 2008 - Blades put Kenny on transfer list

7th July 2009 - Goalkeeper Kenny fails drugs test - banned for

28th April 2010 - Sheffield United saved my career, says Paddy Kenny

7th June - QPR sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny

Bye bye Paddy.....

BBC News - Apple iPad users' e-mail addresses harvested by hackers

2010-06-10T13:07:00.001+01:00

BBC News - Apple iPad users' e-mail addresses harvested by hackers: "Apple iPad users' e-mail addresses harvested by hackers"

Oh dear... still wouldn't mind a go with one, but the Apple shop was rammed in Meadowhell...

"You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

2010-05-28T13:20:00.000+01:00

BBC News - German bank 'blown up by robbers in botched raid'

BBC Sport - Football - Goalkeeper David James eyes Portsmouth manager role

2010-05-21T13:55:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Goalkeeper David James eyes Portsmouth manager role

This is interesting! I'm also still a bit surprised at the keepers we're taking to the world cup. James was relegated with Portsmouth and is still a liability. Hart is promising. He finished fourth in the Actim Stats so is highest-placed of the English keepers. Green is also promising, but like James, played for a team at the bottom end of the table. Robinson would still be my pick of the keepers. He's top half of the Actim Stats and has a point to prove. We shall see...

The Royal Comfort Hotel Kettering

2010-05-21T13:15:00.007+01:00

I recently stayed at the Royal Comfort Hotel in Kettering. I think it is now just called the Royal Hotel. It's easy to see why they dropped the Comfort bit of it. My nickname for it used to be the Royal Discomfort Hotel. This once majestic building really is suffering and I've stayed there a few times, each time with a story to tell. This time I thought I'd document it. My first room had loads of flies buzzing around outside the door. The open fire escape was above a massive skip. Nice.

They changed my room without much fuss, putting me in a double instead of a single. It was OK, but several things amused me (apart from the toilet seat). Pictures below tell the story. Hopefully, they will give the hotel the lick of paint it deserves and turn it into a really nice place to stay. It's a fantastic building, with some lovely parts inside (genuine, old, wooden-carved seat benches).

I was only here one night. Previously I have stayed here for a week and didn't have hot water in my room until the second to last night! I'll probably stay somewhere else next time, I think...

Corby trouser press. Excellent.

In case of fire, try and work out where you are...

Wooden toilet seat mangled to bits.

2004/2005 Business Pages came in handy.

See my report on TripAdvisor

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield Wednesday end Club 9 Sports investment talks

2010-05-20T13:00:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield Wednesday end Club 9 Sports investment talks

Oh dear.

BBC Sport - Football - Wilkinson replaces Strafford as Wednesday chairman

2010-05-17T17:07:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Wilkinson replaces Strafford as Wednesday chairman: "Wilkinson replaces Strafford as Wednesday chairman"

Oh dear!

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield Wednesday reject Club 9 investment offer

2010-05-17T13:14:00.000+01:00

BBC Sport - Football - Sheffield Wednesday reject Club 9 investment offer: "Sheffield Wednesday have rejected Club 9 Sports' offer to invest in the relegated Championship club."

Bob Peck in Great Yarmouth wins Seat by drawing cards

2010-05-08T19:24:00.000+01:00

This is incredible. Two candidates got 1034 votes each in the election, so they recounted a few times and kept getting 1034 votes each. They have to decide who wins, so apparently the "rules" state that you can decide the result on the flip of a coin or the drawing of cards.

BBC News Page explaining the story

The story explains more, but I found it incredible. Votes tied! Votes the same! Win by drawing cards!

And, of course, he drew lucky number seven....

Quality end to a dreadful season

2010-04-24T17:23:00.001+01:00

It's finally over, but typical Blades leave me hungry for more. For most of the game they only coasted and Swansea played the better football. Kenny was back to his old self with some fine saves.

A marvellous move by the ever-impressive Little resulted in a cracking goal for Creswell. Before the game, in the Small County Pub (SCP) we enjoyed our beer in the sunshine and considered staying there. At half time we wished we had. At full time we were glad we hadn't.

All eyes turn to Monday now....

Blades 2 - 0 Swansea

(Blog submitted from the tram)

Test your football knowledge, and your geography

2010-04-23T14:43:00.000+01:00

Have a look at this from the football league, test your geography skills and your football ground name skills.

Football League Ground Geography Game

Have fun!

Someone wasn't watching.....

2010-04-12T13:20:00.001+01:00

My friend commented that the first half on Saturday had a feel of a testimonial. He was right. I'd commented in the first half that I felt like a neutral. Only the ever-impressvie Glenn Little gave us anything to be happy about.

Early in the second half he broke through the middle and delivered a perfectly weighted ball for Cresswell to crash home right-footed. Here's how the BBC reported on it :-

"The winner came when Glenn Little's right-wing cross found Cresswell, who put it in the top corner from 12 yards."

Makes you wonder if they'd had enough and went at half time....

Anyway, one more game left to blog this season. One more game of any importance left this season. Need to find a chant for Glenn Little: he's the best player and doesn't get anything sung for his efforts and skill.

Blades 1 - 0 Coventry? (I can barely remember)

Little Good Comes of Late Substitute

2010-04-03T18:03:00.001+01:00

Or rather :-
Little: good. Comes off late substitute.

A frustrating game, which I thought the Blades deserved to win. We saw the full range of skills from most players: from their poor skills all the way up to their average skills.

I thought the ref was terrible and the ultimate insult was that a Blades player was sent off in a game which had very little derby nastiness. He didn't give us a couple of penalties and let all kinds of challenges slide in the centre of the park.

Why Glen Little hasn't started more games is a complete mystery to me and probably to him. He looked a class above everyone else on the pitch. Only made two errors and probably had 80% of the Blades possession.

I'm hoping with the bulk of my readership in the country, that maybe they might chip in with a blog of their own, although that may be a busman's holiday ;-)

Blades 0 - 0 Dingles

Bird Talk

2010-03-29T12:52:00.018+01:00

Diverting from my usual themes, here's some snaps:-

Gulls nesting on cliffs between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay

While we waited for a tiny boat to go through the bridge, I snapped a cormorant

The drawing made us chuckle

Loosely Termed Football Match

2010-03-29T10:20:00.004+01:00

My guest blogger, Son of a Cork's Dad, returns this week as I expertly avoided a howler, it seems.

The Jinx returns

As the Duke of Cork could not make this Scunthorpe fixture Bramall Lane welcomed the return of The Jinx. And so it was to be.

The first half was really painful to watch and at one point paper bags blew across the pitch like tumbleweed in an eerie silence like a scene from a deserted town in an old cowboy western.
United had most of what play there was but a poor back pass nearly saw them go one down but the keeper made a good save. At the end of the first half, as people were going for their Bovril [Ed: other beverages are available] in first half injury time, Scunthorpe caught United on the break and although plenty defenders got back a couple of passes and a nothing shot sent the keeper diving the wrong way and the ball was in the back of the net.

If the first half was bad then the second did not improve any. Although United appeared to be pressing all the time (even Monty was doing forward runs) the 2 front guys (Henderson and Cresswell) just waited for the ball to come to them. There was no movement whatsoever in the Scunthorpe box. The whole team played exactly as I remembered several weeks ago where passing to the man was non existent and even the tackling was weak (except Monty of course). The ball went to and fro’ in the air and hardly touched the ground and it became evident the Blades were never going to score. On the rare occasions they played the ball on the ground they did move forward but never further than the opposition penalty area where there was nobody moving off the ball for a thro’ pass.

My brother said some weeks ago that he did not want to see the Blades humiliated in the Premiership and he has now got his wish. I am sure that my jinx on the Blades will have no effect on any match again this season either.

Yours

Disillusioned

Many thanks for the blog post.

Blades 0 - 1 S****horpe

Kestrel at Monsal Head

2010-03-21T14:57:00.000Z

Saw this at Monsal Head. Wouldn't fly near to me though.

If you're interested in the route we did for our sponsored walk, then click this link

Howlers and Screamers

2010-03-18T18:49:00.001Z

Many said they wouldn't go after Saturday's disappointment. I turned up a minute before kick off but met my mate and his dad on the tram down. As we got to the turnstiles, he decided to run to the shop. "You'll miss the first goal!" I shouted. He got there just in time, I later found.

A good game. High tempo. End to end. Passing football, lots of runners. Blades should really have tried to slow the game down, but they matched Blackpool.

When Monty popped up to score from 25 yards, I was delirious. 2-0 at half time and we were hoping we were going to get three points. But, we were 3-0 up against Wendy and 3-0 up the other week and barely clung on. Second half was still fairly good and we couldn't really see Cresswell's second goal.

No bad performances, really. Jordan Stewart looked like he'd never played before on a couple of occasions and Yeates had a poor one. But Quinny looked lively and popped up all around the pitch.

Donny on Saturday away, so hopefully we can get something. Then we're away mid week (I think) then S****horpe on Sunday. Can't get to that one, so may have to try and get a guest blogger again, whoever has my ticket.

As Brucie might say - good game, good game.

Blades 3 - 0 Blackpool

Dishwater. Paint. Rusty Nails.

2010-03-15T13:31:00.000Z

You fill up my senses,
Like a gallon of acid.
Like a packet of sprout seeds.
Like a punch in the eye!
Like a night out in Barnsley,
Like a greasy head-banger
Like Sheffield United.
Come fill me again.
Na na na na naaa na. Oooo!

Was bad, I'm afraid. Lot of people were ready to go at HT (not me). NDN (next door neighbour) has already said that he's not going to the Blackpool game. Especially with Chelsea on the TV.

Hope this counts as a literary reference. I'm dreading Wednesday morning. Going to stick a fiver on Blackpool winning, to soften the blow.

(U)TB

Blades 1 - 1 QPR. Although it feels like we lost.

Worth the wait?

2010-03-02T23:04:00.000Z

Probably not, but I'm sticking to my endeavours to put up something after every home game!

Saturday was what typifies The Blades, in my opinion. In many ways, it reminded me of the Wendy game earlier in the season. (By the way, do you have the right time? I make it five past Wednesday).

We started brightly and were soon a goal up and then a second. Really strong performance, and The Blades were a comfortable and well-deserved two goals up at half time. Hopefully more of the same was to come in the second half and sure enough, Jamie Ward poked one in from two yards and we were cruising at 3-0.

HOLD ON! THIS IS THE BLADES!

Two minutes later, we're reeling from a goal conceded and then a second not too long after meant we started to panic. Fortunately the team managed to gather themselves and keep their heads. Then we saw what you can't ever predict when you're watching live sport. For a few months we've been grumbling how bad the entertainment has been at The Lane. Live sport, though - you have to take the rough with the smooth.

Cresswell (is it one "s"?) got through one on one with the keeper and looked favourite to get the ball. Instead, he seemed to nesh it the keeper collected it comfortably. The Kop were vocal in their grumbling. "Should have put his foot in", "Should have took it round him". But soft, what blight from yonder keeper breaks? Disguising himself as a fan in the kop, by wearing a Blades shirt, Creswell tricked the keeper into rolling the ball out and stepping miles back from it. Creswell sprinted round the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Good finish. I loved it!

Now it's downhill from here, surely. Of course not. We concede another and drag ourselves over the line.

Blades are playing well at the moment, though. A few too many defensive mistakes, but we're looking balanced and when these strangers become better-aquainted, we could put a run together. No weak performances again, which was nice to see. If anything, Monty needs to learn how to head a ball better from defence. Bobby Moore (aka Nyron Noseworthy) can lapse out of position a bit too often. Also rumours that Geary isn't as badly injured as we first thought.

No visit to Uncle Neil's at the weekend now that he's moved house, but hopefully we can keep fit and put a run together.

Blades 4 - Plymouth 3

General Montgomery's Troops Win Their Battle

2010-02-14T18:48:00.000Z

Despite my Dad going to the game, the Blades played quite well. At 3pm (as I arrived) we all commented that the team looked well-balanced - possibly for the first time this season. Only imbalance was maybe Ward and Yeates being both right-sided. Camara got a well-deserved start and the rest of the side probably picked itself. Nobody on the bench you'd have played instead of who was on the starting line-up.

First half was a slow-burner but the Blades made all the plays and probably deserved to go in a goal up after making a few good chances. Bristol hadn't really threatened our goal. At half time my Dad texted me saying it needed a goal and I think he was right. I hadn't realised he was going to the game, so I was expecting the Corky Curse to strike in second half.

The Blades snuck out without the announcer seeing them - it was a bit like the old days and was quite nice not to be told to "welcome them out" and "make the difference". We picked up where we left off and Camara scored a belter after some good play and some dreadful defending. Action Replay was working on the big screen and we enjoyed seeing the goal a few times. I think the players might have been watching it back too as they must have taken five minutes to restart the game. We kept up the pressure well and it was nice to see Henderson pop his header in.

I horrible moment in the second half (Elle's just reminded me of - thanks!). Their keeper absolutely floored their number four. I thought he'd be dead it was such a horrendous collision. It was a nice touch that when he got back on his feet the Blades fans gave him a huge round of applause. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before. He also got applauded back onto the pitch. Fortunately, he was all right and had had a decent game.

I don't think there were any poor or weak performances. The new lad on loan from Arsenal is getting talked-up a bit too much for my liking. People are saying he's amazing, but he's only OK. Doesn't win enough headers and can't pass a ball as well as you might expect. However, the folks on Radio Sheffield's Whinge or Mumble were saying he's the best thing since sliced bread. We'll see.... We've nicknamed Noseworthy "Bobby Moore" as he tries to taken on every attacked with a Cruyff turn or a Ronaldo step over. It will be his downfall sooner or later, but it's entertaining for now.

Hopefully the same side will start the next game. Camara and Hendo both got standing ovations when they went off. Quinn got booed on, but hopefully the fans will go easy on him. Wardy had a good game and Yeates showed more promise.

A good captain's performance by Monty. At 2-0 the fans were baying for him to shoot from anywhere, even on his left foot. He resisted and only Wardy decided he was going to try and score from 40 yards. Twice. Probably the only thing he did wrong, and at 2-0 we can forgive him.

Looking forward to the next one, but I think it's ages away, so may have to try and listen to the next couple on the radio. Shame the Wendy couldn't have lost to make it a better set of results. Noticed that Sharp scored to beat Forest and I think Donny play Wendy on Tuesday, so let's hope Our Billy gets ten against them!!

Blades 2 - Bristol 0

Makeshift defence concede first goal in 500 minutes

2010-02-07T14:49:00.002Z

The stat on the TV, when I watched the goals back this afternoon, was that Sheffield United had conceded their first goal at Bramall Lane in 500 odd minutes, which is 5 or 6 games. As we walked away from the ground, I commented that with a back four of Stewart, Kallio, Noseworthy and Monty, we couldn't really grumble that we'd got a point.

The first half was dreadful. Blades didn't have a threat on goal, never mind a shot on or off target. Derby looked like they could walk through us at will. 1-0 at half time after Robbie "only his mother likes (not even loves) him" Savage managed to score from miles out with the ball seemingly in slow motion. Officials managed to add to our despair by giving terrible decisions and not giving blatant fouls. I think they do it just to wind me up. It works.

Second half, they'd obviously been given a bit of a talking to. I also must point out that Mark Bunn had been hobbling around and not kicking the ball most of the first half (but after the goal). It was a bit of a surprise to see him come out. Quinn was poor again with some hopeless passing. Midfield were practising their heading again - nobody willing to get the ball down.

We managed to carve out a chance. Forget the exact move, but it resulted in Stewart hitting it wide, when I thought he was clearly being fouled. No penalty, of course. Think it might have been from a corner. Subs time: Bunn off, Bennett on. Henderson and Evans off (both had poor games, in my opinion) and on came Ward and Camara. Ward on the right, Yeates (who appeared to have a decent eye for a ball) to the left with Creswell (not a good game, I thought) alongside Camara.

Instantly, Camara is bringing the ball under control, not matter how many players are trying to smash into his back. Hendo, Evans, Creswell all control the ball up to eye level. Billy Sharp always did this, but I think I am the only person to notice! Very quickly we carved out a chance and forced a double scramble save/block from the keeper and defender. Camara should really have scored, but at least he put it on target.

Finally, we got the break through. Playing to feet and along the floor at the edge of the box, WILLIAMSON broke free and scored. Point saved, all nearly forgiven.

Blades could really have won it, had they managed to take one of their other reasonable chances (think Creswell put a free header wide).

My biggest gripe is the team selection. I suspect that Camara and Ward (and maybe others) aren't really fit, but are put on the bench, because there is little choice. I think Blades should tell us that people aren't fully fit, so that we don't get the "Why is Monty at right back, when Geary is on the bench?" converstions every single game.

If they're not fit, then it was probably the right team. If they are I would have preferred :-

Bunn

Geary
Kallio
Noseworthy
Stewart

Little on right
Monty
Williamson
Yeats on left

Ward
Camara

Let Hendo and Evans work their way back in (Creswell too)

Little can hold on to the ball and I think we need that.

Have another home game next week, so more joy in the cold!

Blades 1 - Derby 1

James Bond in Les Gets

2010-02-02T13:40:00.001Z

Enjoy the fruits of our week's labour!

James Bond in Les Gets on YouTube

Cracking day in Les Gets

2010-01-27T17:07:00.002Z

A great day in Les Gets. Sun, with cloud in the valley giving us some superb views throughout the day. Got loads done and had a great time. Cheeks and nose are red.

For today's trip, see My EveryTrail trip.

Thanks to Geoff for use of the La Soulane apartment (and his company, of course)

Someone else seems to think Taylor is rubbish..

2010-01-27T07:35:00.002Z

Thanks to The Real Corky for the guest blog from Blades v Reading :-

"The Corky snr jinx seems to have disappeared with the blades 3-0 drumming of Reading .
United played some fairly good approach work in the first half and the defence appeared to be OK (apart from Taylor who is rubbish). As I have witnessed before though the blades could not convert some of the better chances but put one goal in from a ball bobbling about in the area which Fortune hit in and a strong cross from Walker that the Reading keeper let slip through his hands for Cresswell to nod in. Did I mention that Taylor was rubbish? Well at 1-0 Bunn saved a penalty and to his credit Taylor stopped a certain goal with a well timed tackle. This tackle however was not good enough in Blackwell’s eyes as he substituted Taylor for Stewart at the start of the second half. (Wish we could get Naughton back on loan with Walker ).

The second half was I think a bit boring (not like me to criticise) and most of the time was taken up with corners for Reading . However some good work between Quinn and Ward finished with Ward scoring but Morgan kicked the ball in from 2 inches and ran over to Ward and indicated that he was going to claim it.

The result was a good one but there still seems a lot to be desired from a footballing point of view. The Blades need to improve in 3 areas - 1) control of the ball 2) passing the ball and 3)shooting accurately. They do however practice heading quite a lot during the game and it looks as though keepy uppy is a regular training ground exercise.

We have now sneaked back into the playoff places and with a good run should lose again at Wembley in the playoff final."

Thanks very much for the guest blog from lasoulane.com!

Blades 3 - Reading 0

Today was a bit cold

2010-01-26T15:47:00.002Z

We haven't seen any avalanches, or caused any today. However, it was a bit chilly and I made sure I wrapped-up warm. However I had a 5mm strip of skin showing between my goggles and my balaclava. Now that WAS cold! A few adjustments, and I was sorted. Fingers and toes were a bit cool, but it's been snowing and tomorrow is a sunny forecast, so we may get up nice and early and make a full day of it.

View Graham's Somersault on YouTube

And see where we're staying at lasoulane.com (Thanks, Geoff!)

View pics and vids for today (not many) on FaceBook

Day One in Les Gets, France

2010-01-24T17:21:00.003Z

Superb journey down. Set off shortly after 10am from Sheffield and arrived in Les Gets 14-15 hours later. First day on the snow, we were hampered only by "The Yellow Peril". A guy with a bright yellow jacket who insisted on getting in our way off every lift. We decided we would clothesline him with a ski pole the next time he offended. We didn't see him again, but we've clocked him now and the Yellow Peril may well lose his head before the week is out.

Some good conditions and fine weather. We had a great first day. My cheeks ache with smiling and I also realised that I make skiing sounds when I ski. No falls, no broken bones.

Links to the day are here http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=478720 on EveryTrail with photos around the route. Top speed is recorded as 112mph, but I think this is a GPS error, and 53mph is my best speed today. Hoping to break the 60mph barrier this year and conditions are looking good. Hopefully won't break any bones in the process.

PS ITV FA CUP HIGHLIGHTS

2010-01-16T18:14:00.001Z

ITV didn't put the goals from the cup on any highlight show. They shouldn't be allowed to broadcast sport....

Work of Fart

2010-01-16T17:59:00.002Z

A terrible first half punctuated by one of the worst smells we've ever experienced at the Lane. It stunk! The ref stunk (Andy Durso - nobody wurso). Blades stunk. Boro stunk. Someone needed to go to the doctor's....

Half time was much better - good movement from the subs. A boro sub asked for the ball back from one of the blades subs, who smacked it of the pitch. Class.

Second half was better (it couldn't really have been worse) and blades looked more lively. Hard work finally paid off and Creswell bagged the goal. Blades didn't really look back from then on. We started to look really good when Camara came on (along with Wardy). He made Quinn look particularly good - they linked up well and passed their way past the Boro defence. Camara was unlucky not to score after a good move, he only hit the post.

Some poor performances, however, from Walker and Taylor at full back. With Geary on the bench, I think they're both luck to get starts. I would play Geary at left back instead of Taylor. Not sure how fit some of the subs are. We'll have to see what the next few games bring.

Next home game is Reading, but I'm on my hols, so might have to see if my Dad will do a guest blog!

Into the playoffs, which is nice. Newcastle on TV on Monday again. Wendy won (hmph! Rubbish Dingles!) Off to a pub in town who's name I can't remember, because they change it every two weeks. Then maybe the RD or BH.

Blades 1 - Boro 0

PS Real shame that Strachan is now under pressure. Also noted that QPR sacked Paul Hart this week. Madness! 5 games in charge.

Cup - QPR. Didn't go.

2010-01-04T13:47:00.002Z

Didn't go, but sounds like we played less worse than them.

The draw of Bolton doesn't really add much more spark. Merrily avoid the QPR game, not sure what's next.....Pittsburgh Steelers are out of the race to retain the superbowl.

Blades 1 - QPR 1

A Game of Two Halves.....

2009-12-28T20:48:00.002Z

....and two refs.

It was good to see the Blades finish on a high. First half, the Blades were good and deserved a goal without ever really threatening one. Positives were Camara up front, the industrious Ward, Jordan Stewart at left back and the man-mountain Derek Geary (for me) cementing his place at right back. Can't see Kyle Walker getting back in. Certainly doesn't deserve to. Williamson on the bench with Quinn starting I thought was a mistake.

Ref was poor, but went off after about half an hour. I had time to get to the facilities and back after my two pints in The Red Deer before the match (well, it is Christmas!). The new ref wasn't any better, so rather than seeing a poor ref at the game, we saw two! Six minutes stoppage time at the end of the first half, I haven't seen the like of before.

Second half turned into a dreary, dull affair without really being able to identify a reason for it. Luckily our one shining star at the club put in a quality free kick that was going to cause chaos from the moment it left his foot and Ward certainly deserved the goal.

Little came on and added calm - I think he should start more games. Williamson came on and again, I think he should start more games. Taylor came on with minutes left and I also think he should start more games....but for another club.

All in all, a "workman-like" performance. We deserved the points and the table looks interesting now. Special mention for Peterbrough's 4 goal fightback. Quality. That ex-Kettering manager is obviously doing wonders. Let's hope they can climb above the Wendy!!!

Blades 1 - Preston 0

2018, 1-1, 0-2, 6/22

2009-12-19T18:22:00.002Z

All very cryptic. In the week that Swillsborough somehow got chosen ahead of Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane for the 2018 bid, we've at least managed another point away from home. The Wendy lost at home (McCauley out!)

I don't know if being part of the 2018 bid means you get some cash from somewhere. If not, Wednesday may well have to put a load of work in for what will probably get award to somewhere in the Middle East as they're the ones with all the cash (it seems)

Oh well, seems like Blades are getting better. Will settle for a point away to QPR.

QPR 1 - Blades 1
(also Wendy 0 - Swansea 2)

Good Laws. Good Bye.

2009-12-13T12:56:00.003Z

Just heard Brian Laws has been sacked. Unbelievable! Has to be the worst decision since the Wendy got rid of Tricky Trevor when they were top half of the league (as I recall).

Entertainment at its best!

Cheerio, Brian. I was worried you would turn the club around.

This has to be a mis-quote, but I enjoyed it :-

"Brian Laws has done a very good job at Sheffield Wednesday in the light of the low level of resources at his disposal in the first two years of his time with the club," added Laws.

from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/8410561.stm

Back to the good old days? (5/22)

2009-12-13T10:47:00.002Z

Back to the good old days. Blades worked hard and played some lovely football. Deserved to win by a few more goals. Palace were poor and apparently they had a virus in the team, so maybe that explains why they didn't look like a "typical" Warnock side. Good performances throughout. Williamson got up and down well. Ward was always dangerous. Defence looked solid (Walker didn't make as many silly mistakes as Tuesday)

Saw Williamson's goal back on TV and it may not have crossed the line, so maybe our luck is turning. Ref and linesmen were appalling, but it seems that what we have to accept that as the norm these days.

At half time, they lobbed out about 250 T-shirts using a T-shirt cannon. I watched them closely, not because I hope to get one, but because I expected them to fire one straight into someone's front row face! Fortunately health and safety remained healthy and safe. They also unveiled another (third) mascot. Captain Beaky (I think). I'm sure one of the will get a game before too long. We used to think Glynn Hodges was Captain Blade!

Anyway, a nice Christmas present from the Blades. Hopefully taking some form into the festive season. Wendy didn't fare (or fair?) too well down at Leicester, so that makes things spicy on Radio Sheffield. Laws out?

Blades 2 - Feeble Eagles 0

QPR, Leicester and Preston over the festive period, so let's hope for nine points!

Dull, boring, cheating scabs (4/22)

2009-12-08T22:32:00.003Z

Forest have to be the modern equivalent of the cheating, un-sporting Leeds team of the 70s. Thankfully, I never had to see dirty Leeds in their ingloriousness (if that's even a word) but sadly I've had to watch this Forest side a couple of times now. Dull, boring and they time-waste from the kick off. Gary Speed summed it up: they came for a draw and they'll be delighted.

Blades were by far the better side and created some good chances. One magic ball from Harper to Quinn and another from someone (could have been Taylor) to Killgallon were superb and showed a touch of class I haven't seen for a while.

Henri Camara looked good when he came on. Possibly worth a start on Saturday. Walker needs to be dropped or swapped for Naughton. With Geary back to fitness, I would play him. Walker's passing and attitude are getting worse by the game.

But we welcomed back the one and only MONTY! He was superb. Getting stuck in, passing the ball nicely. Got booked for something we had no idea about (another awful, awful ref) and Killgallon got booked for having the cheek to get sandwiched between two players.

Shame we couldn't score to ram their time-wasting down their throats, we deserved.

Looking forward to welcoming back Uncle Neil on Saturday. Let's hope we can stuff them!!

Blades 0 - Forest's Charisma = 0

3/22 - Gloss Finish

2009-12-06T18:31:00.002Z

Was decorating this weekend with my Dad (thanks, Dad!) and we listened to the dullest ever game I can remember. We were both looking forward to doing some glossing (yes, that's how bad it was) and were just about to dip our brushes when up pops Harper. A minute or two dancing round the lounge, with KE on the radio saying we probably didn't deserver it and then we started painting.

Forest next. Seen the goal - it finds its way through a forest of players into the bottom corner. Another 3 points! The table don't look too bad, either. Looks bad for the Wendy, though :-)

2/22

2009-11-30T13:04:00.003Z

20 games to go!!

Listened to last 6 minutes of the game in the car. Turned onto the ringroad, we were winning. 60 yards later, we'd thrown a couple of points away. Half way down City Road and we'd done the business. Quality team. Monty is our Mascot!

Bristols 2 - Blades 3

Footnote: I've just read BBC's report. If you've not seen the goals, let me

Henderson had put the Blades two-up with an 18-yard shot [TRUE] before latching on to a Jamie Ward ball and slotting in [at 100mph into the top corner of the goal].

Louis Carey powered home a header from a Paul Hartley cross and City levelled when Alvaro Saborio scored from 12 yards five minutes into stoppage time [I don't bother with their goals]

But a minute later Henderson completed his hat-trick when he produced a cool finish after a Stephen Quinn pass [this was actually a shot from Reid which hit their defender and spurted wide to Henderson, Quinn was running in at the back post. I can see how easy it is to mix the two up].

Like a Greasy Pitch Surface

2009-11-22T12:05:00.002Z

Finally! We had to play bottom of the league, and looked like we were second-bottom, but at least we got three points. As the players come back from injury, we're starting to look stronger. Evans finally had a decent game and Ward was looking lively. Centre midfield was empty as always, but apparently Monty is on his way back soon. Williamson didn't seem to do much, and Harper didn't even bother to do his last ten minutes wave to the kop. Camara looked promising and Blackwell admitted after the game that he's looking forward to having a selection dilemma.

A pretty dull game, really, which reflected the wet weather and greasy pitch. I sat in the Westfield Corner (Cherry Street/Bramall Lane) and the view was superb. After the recent good performances without getting anything, it was nice to have a hard-working performance be rewarded with 3 points. Good penalty save from Bunn, although it was a pretty poor penalty from the player who was dubbed "The White Pele" by a friend of a friend. I think "The White Carlton Palmer" was the best I would concede.

The Posh's new manager (Mark Cooper) was familiar to me from my Kerrtring trip and I wondered if new manager luck and the fact Posh haven't won against us since the ice age would add up to disappointment for the Blades. As I've often said, it's bad luck to be superstitious and hopefully I never will be (touch wood).

Three points. Hopefully we can put a bit of a run together now and go up a few places.

Blades 1 - Posh 0

Next game away to Bristol City, so a point down there would be useful. We also need another keeper....

If it wasn't for Bad Luck, we'd have no luck at all!

2009-11-02T22:30:00.003Z

Blades were much better tonight. First half we dominated, had a couple of good chances and should have gone in ahead. Second half Newcastle came back into it, but Blades held firm. Then they spawned a flukey goal after Nolan had crippled Walker. Deflected off Morgan (he misses Dingle game for being booked) and bobbled past Bennet. I think defence played much better tonight, until Walker went off. France is terrible. He and Taylor are way out of their league.

I daren't look at table to see if Barnsley can go above us or not it they beat us.

These are frustrating times. In a few weeks, we'll have Ward, Creswell, Monty, Naysmith, Geary all fit and fighting for places. I think we are missing all of them.

Blades 0 - Flucastle 1

PS Terrible referee. Wasted more time for Newcastle than their own players managed. Grrrr...

Sieves

2009-10-26T10:14:00.001Z

Been busy, so a late blog this time round.
Blades played OK on Saturday apart from having no defence. May as well play one at the back in a 1-6-3 formation. Would be just as effective. Not seen Quinny's "goal". I thought he couldn't have been offside, but haven't seen it back on the TV. We just need a win. In a few weeks there are loads of players back from injury, so we just need to ride out this bad patch and rebuild.
Got my free shirt (from renewing my season ticket). Limited edition (of 23 million?) and has every player's name on it. Will be useful to read on those dreary games.
Surprise, surprise, our next home game against Newcastle is on TV (Toon TV - how many games of theirs haven't been on TV? 3? 4?).
Sieves 3 - Cardiff 4

Rock?

2009-10-21T16:19:00.002+01:00

I can't bring myself to comment....I'm not sure what's going wrong.....

Hopefully Saturday's game against Cardiff will bring some joy, or at least some points!

Blackpool 3 - Blades 0 :-(

Green

2009-10-18T09:18:00.002+01:00

Don't want to say much about Saturday's result. Sounds like we were awful. I know we had a team of invalids out there. We only had 6 subs. Should try one of the kids up front, just to give us some vain hope.

Scunthorpe 3 - Blades 1. :-(

At least our scoreboard works....

Green Shoots?

2009-10-04T19:39:00.004+01:00

I don't think The Blades are in a recession of form, but Ipswich did seem to be pretty poor. Saturday's draw to Donny showed signs of better things to come. Some of the crowd and callers to Radio Sheffield must have been to a different game, because on another day we'd have won 3-0.

Donny scored with their first real exploration into United's box. Poor defending by Morgan I thought, but it was a cruel deflection in the end. Don't think they showed that on "Action Replay" on the big screen. Some people booed The Blades off. Again, not sure what they were seeing that I didn't. Little looked quality, Cresswell had a good chance straight after the goal, only to be denied by a good save.

Second half, Blades kept up the pressure. Thought we could have had a penalty, but I'm possibly a little biased. Then, the ball ran for Little after a determined challenge, an absolute peach of a cross, and Cresswell nodded in at the back post, taking a hefty whack from the post.

Another penalty claim and a great header from Henderson which hit the corner of the goal frame meant The Blades could have had it. Ball was mostly in the Donny half.

Not sure where this Donny football was - I thought The Blades played the better stuff, mixing it up really well.

It's a concern that Monty went off at half time. Sounds like he might be out for a while. France filled-in quite well and I think Quinn plays much better in the centre than he does out wide. Davies had a much better game, so I'll forgive his previous two performances and put them down to him trying to settle in.

Better stuff, I thought, although large sections of the crowd disagreed.

Blades 1 - Donny 1

Sieve, Colander, United's Defence

2009-09-30T08:46:00.003+01:00

It seems "Fortress" Bramall Lane is fast become "Forceless" Bramall Lane. Our once might defence clearly had one eye on the new big screen last night. There were very few bright points in the evening and I can't think of anyone who had a good game. You know you're struggling when Monty is chasing 20 yards behind his man and when Kyle Walker can't kick a ball.

Still the fighting spirit came back, I only wish they would use it at 0-0 and 1-0. Little showed a glimpse of promise, although when he ran to the opposite wing to take a corner, I wondered if he would make it.

They've put a big screen up in the corner between Bramall Lane and John Street. It's attached (it seems) to the Forsyth business centre. It was due to be unveiled on Saturday, but apparently it has been completed ahead of schedule. They didn't show any replays at all on it, that I saw, so maybe that treat will be left until Saturday.

Kilgallon going off in the first half is worrying and certainly doesn't help the defensive frailties. Maybe we should just play one at the back and try and out-score the opposition. It also worries me that Sam Ellis says we were second best all evening. If we're going to be second best to a team at the bottom, then we will be relegated....

Hopefully the game against Donny will be better....I'm already not looking forward to it. Oh, and I expected Henderson's first goal to be disallowed for a foul. Another dodgey set of officials.

Sheffield United 3 - Ipswich 3

Improve the League Cup

2009-09-26T21:44:00.004+01:00

The League Cup is a dreadful competition. Most clubs (and fans) don't care about the early stages of the cup. The FA Cup has more appeal and magic and however hard the League Cup is promoted, I don't think it can be as popular.

I think the league should change the cup to make it more interesting :-

The premiership clubs and the top 16 clubs in the championship get seeded. A bit like tennis competitions, the top two teams in the country don't meet each other until the final. Also there's an incentive to finish higher up the league to get a better seeding.

The interest is also improved because smaller clubs are guaranteed a bigger club in the earlir rounds - good for the smaller clubs' finances. You can also see (once the initial draw is made) who might meet each other later in the competition. If we beat these, we ge to play that team. This would make the media more interested and give them more to drone on about.

Seed the League Cup, that's what I say!!

Football Time-Wasting

2009-09-26T21:36:00.004+01:00

After the Manchester Derby there was a lot of grumbling about how long the allowed play after the whistle. Time-wasting and the moaning and frustration and inconsistency of treating time-wasters all annoy me. I reckon that there is a simple solution :-

Play 30 minutes each way and stop the clock each time the ball goes dead.

This will stop players going to the other end of the pitch to be substituted. It will mean there is no ambiguity about how much time to add on (1 minute for a goal, 30 seconds for subs - what's that about?). Goalkeepers messing about trying to take goal kicks no more!

I also think an extra element of excitement would be created at the end of the game. With 15 seconds left, a team who are a goal behind can send every single player forward in one last-ditch attempt at an equaliser.

They are my thoughts, I think football would be a better game for the change.

Kerrtring!

2009-09-23T09:13:00.003+01:00

A trip to Kettering to do a course presented me with an "opportunity" to go and see Kettering Town versus Barrow at the Elgood's Brewery Arena. A little research on the internet before I departed told me that it would cost me an Ayrton (£10) and that the opposition would be Barrow in the Blue Square Premier League. A teatime stroll to the ground and I bought my ticket from the gift shop. I stumbled a little as I had no idea where I wanted a ticket in the ground. Covered, I thought, and with a seat. I also managed to explain that I wasn't an away fan in the strictest sense. Ticket purchased, I returned to my hotel and then a curry at the nearby curry house. Red Rose, Kettering. Yum.

Afterwards the pre-match nerves built as I strolled once more to the ground, pushing through the throngs to try and find a way into the towering stadium. There was a decent queue at the ticket office by 7:35, so I was glad of my earlier recconoitre. Trick now was to find the right turnstile in. Tickets had no seat numbers and I was told I could sit anywhere, but some seats had stickers on to indicate that they were reserved for season ticket holders. A glance in my £3 programme informed me that a season ticket would set you back £300 in the main stand and £266 on the terrace. My Bramall Lane season ticket for the kop is under £300. I also found that this match was designated category "C", the lowest category of game. I have to say I wasn't filled with confidence that the forthcoming encounter would be a classic. I was (obviously) going to cheer for Kettering, though.

The stadium had three sides filled with fans. The away fans (I'd guess around a hundred or so) were sat at the end of the main stand. One end of the ground probably housed spectators at some point, but now was empty, save for a couple of large advertising hoardings. I was opposite the Sid Champan Terrace and a fine old terrace it looked too. A few of the advertisements on its roof stood out: Carrington Bearings, Boughton Loam (sporting an advert whose phone number was still using the old 0536 prefix which has long since been 01536) and DRC Locums. DRC Locums try out two variations of spelling their name in the programme as it lists their prolific sponsorship of match, matchball and programme. Sadly I couldn't see a number for them, so next time I need a stand in doctor, I'll use my regular supplier.

Suddenly "Do The Hustle" bursts from the PA system and the teams are led out by a short ref with a long ponytail. A female ref! At least I have something to talk about now. As the teams are read out, one name jumps out: Sheridan. The programme identifies him as Darren Sheridan, joint-player-manager and former Barnsley player. "That included playing in the premiership" the programme reads. I thought I'd heard of him and not just confused him with the John Sheridan of Sheff Wendy and the now Chesterfield manager (I thing). I'll have to do some more research to find out if they're related.

The game gets underway with Kettering kicking off in something of an NFL-style "flood left" formation. I know where this ball is going! Sadly the centre-back's right peg doesn't, and he hoofs it straight down the middle. Oh dear! Should I go now? It's the first couple of minutes and Kettering manage to jostle and get the ball into the corner. Or so I have to imagine. The ball (and the entire corner of the pitch) is obscured from the view of all in the main stand by a semi-temporary looking single-story building. I hadn't noticed that when I took my seat. The minutes tick by and the game's first incident seems to be occuring out of the view of myself and my high price paying neighbouring supporters. We can only speculate as to what's happening as the ref stands watching something we can not see. After what must have been five minutes, the mystery is solved as a replacement corner flag and pole is delivered the length of the pitch. The game can get back underway!

Sadly for Kettering, they seem to still be mourning the loss of the corner flag (perhaps it comes out of their wages) and they appear to be struggling to defend a determined Barrow side. The Poppies are playing as if they are the away team and Barrow soon have a couple of chances. The first of many suspect decisions by the ref (completely hindered my her unhelpful linesman) gives Barrow a free kick which they then manage to convert to a corner. Maybe one of the classy ads has distracted the Kettering players, but they seem to have forgotten to mark any Barrow players and two or three of them pass the ball around unmarked in the Kettering box and score.
Scorer for Barrow is John Shaw. Noteworthy as this is the name of our insurance broker at work. Well done, John!

Kettering fans are grumbling now. The two regulation pack horse defenders at the back are mopping up most long ball headers, but the midfield is being bossed by Sheridan. A persistent cry of "Get stuck in" behind me seems not to get through to the Kettering midfield. The game begins to even out a little and Kettering get a decent break, probably their first real chance. Striker gets poorly tackled in the box. Penalty. The Barrow keeper stands well to the right of his goal, but a cool Moses Ashikodi (bless you!) steps up and slots the ball home.

We're back in it and the goal seems to lift Kettering, who keep battling and seem to have a bit of pace about them. A corner comes over and is eventually headed home by one the pack horses: John Dempster, I think. Kettering finish the stronger of the sides and Sheridan picks up a yellow card, but I have to say I'm not sure what for.

At half time, the reds are 2-1 up and it's over the stadium announcer. Sadly we're told there's no mascot tonight and some "celebrity" comes off the stand to make the draw. Nobody else in the crowd seems to know who the guy is, so I don't feel so ignorant. Probably the announcers brother-in-law. With mascot packages at £40 for this and other category C games (£70 for the category A games) I'm not too surprised that parents aren't too bothered to get their kids a mascot package. I'd be tempted by it if only to see what the "access to the VIP lounge" involves. Nobody seems to win the have time draw. Nobody round me even seems to have entered.

The half time scores draw a cheer from the crowd as Peterbrough are 2-0 up against Newcastle. Also a sound I could neither identify as a groan nor a cheer when news of Oxford being 2-0 up at Mansfield is announced. The crowd behind the goal appears to have thinned as the fans have moved to the other end of the Sid Chapman Terrace. They fire up a chant to the beat of "Oh to, Oh to be, Oh to be a, Bladesman!". Theirs is a clapping rendition with "Kerrtring!" at the end. A couple of old-timers are shouting "Come on, Kerrtring!".

The second half pans out without any more goals. The lino on this side is clearly taking halucinagenics. One bright spark pipes up that he must have a shoulder injury and that's why his flag isn't going up. Some shocking decisions from him. Poor ref, she doesn't stand a chance, but does a reasonable job, to be fair. Kettering throw on a few subs including a mammoth, Zulu king of a number 9. Sheridan (all 4 foot 10 of him) decides he'll keep having a pop at this giant. Unfazed though, Kerrtring keep plugging away and keep Barrow out. A few minutes from the end, Sheridan gets subbed to a few jeers and a great cry of "Pull your shorts up!". Some more banter from the Poppies faithful sees Sheridan give the old two finger salute cleverly disguised as a scratch of the head. Love it!

The stadium announcer reads out a decent crowd, I thought, of 1150, but it's the lowest of the season. Man of the match is Dempster who'll get his hooves on a bottle of champers, no doubt. The ref blows her whistle and we're treated to another blast of "Do The Hustle". A decent evening's entertainment. I'm outta here!

Kettering Town 2 - Barrow 1

If ever there was a game of two halves...

2009-09-19T17:13:00.002+01:00

...this was it.

On the way to the game I said I'd settle for being three up at half time. Also, the general consensus was that we would need to score a couple in order to stay ahead.

At half time, we were in heaven. Three poached goals and could have had a couple more, I was going to enjoy the second half, that was for sure. WRONG!

Only the blades can build you up and then knock you right back down. Two minutes into the second half and our once legendary defence at "Fortress Bramall Lane" was flapping around and defending like the Keystone Cops. Goal. Oh no! Wednesday had the bit between their teeth. Second half was not enjoyable, especially after the second goal. We finally ground out the result, and I could go and enjoy my post match beer.

Didn't think much to Davies, the new loan signing. I don't think he won a header until the second half. Ward getting stretchered off (looks like he's out for a month and a half) is bad news. He's the only player who looks really dangerous every time he's on the ball.

Didn't see much of Harper - maybe he was overshadowed by the Sherman Tank of Nick Montgomery next to him. Cotterill will have his chance now - if Henderson can learn to distribute the ball to him, then we'll see him scaring the defence.

At least we won! UTB.

Sheffield United 3 - Sheffield Wendy 2 (phew!)

Pre-Derby Posts

2009-09-17T20:51:00.004+01:00

Ok, first go at a brief footy post. Is Killgallon chest infection a bluff? Just needs to take some over-the-counter cough medicine surely. I can't see there being any harm coming from that.

So, United's now frail defence may struggle. We used to be so strong at the back, now we just have to hope we out-score the opposition. United tried to get some cover on loan, but failed. Could be a bit scary every time Wendy get the ball. Henderson and Ward up front should cause them problems, though. Really looking forward to seeing Harper play.

Prediction: never.

Come on you Red and White Wizaaaards!!

Average, Average Dan!

2009-09-11T15:27:00.004+01:00

Wow!

Striker Webber joins Portsmouth (BBC Sport)

Average Dan has gone to the Premiership. Can't believe Pompey are preparing for the Championship already! I like the quote that Paul Hart says "When I found out Danny was available I asked him to come down and train with us - and I was delighted with what I saw."

He's been available since June and been training with Man U, apparently. News obviously travels slowly to Paul Hart.

Can't wait for him to show up in fantasy football, so that I can put him in my side!!

Walk in The Peak District: Cave Dale, Mam Tor, Lose Hill

2009-08-08T18:28:00.004+01:00

Walk with Mai. Click here to view the route and photos on EveryTrail.

Think we saw a Lancaster Bomber and a Spitfire, but difficult to tell. Might have been a Fokker.

Mai has created a new blog here. Fox Bark Monkey Crayon or Something.

Seychelles Walks

2009-07-13T08:54:00.004+01:00

These walks are all from my holiday to the Seychelles. Pictures and routes put onto EveryTrail for your enjoyment!

Fathers' Day Walk To The Beach on EveryTrail.

Fathers' Day Walk To The Beach on EveryTrail

Walk around Vallee De Mai.