If ever a game was played between two sides who reflect their managers this was it: the journeyman, unsophisticated Blades against intelligent, thoughtful Reading. 

We took in this game as we had to drop Megan off in Sheffield to start her final year.  Bramall Lane is a ground of a dying breed, unfortunately.  It is nice to go to a ground where you can have a couple of pints and a bite in a city/town centre and then walk to the ground.  There aren’t too many of these grounds left: Watford, Wolves, Ipswich, Shrewsbury, Exeter.  There are some, of course, that are near town centres you wouldn’t actually want to spend too much time in: West Brom, Crewe and Luton spring to mind.  But these days the move to out of town sites has improved facilities but made it incredibly difficult to find anywhere to have a decent drink: Walsall, Stoke, Darlington and Reading are prime examples. Not many of the new grounds are walkable to their local centres:  Derby and Hull are two of few.

It helps if the city/town centre has a smattering of good pubs and Sheffield is well blessed in this respect, particularly if you head to the pubs around Hallam University, only half a mile from the ground.  A pleasant pint was enjoyed in one such establishment, the ubiquitous Red Lion, Timothy Taylor Landlord winning a close vote in a fine selection.

Bramall Lane is a decent ground, with good seating and views all round.  Security was much in evidence and a security person insisted on inspecting Janet’s handbag although this consisted of a quick glance into the depths of the handbag while apparently weighing it in one hand.  Are these people trained to detect minute differences in the weight of handbags as a way of detecting bombs or weapons?  What a skill – Scotch blenders eat your hearts out.  After we passed through the turnstile, a Blade fan approached Janet, saying that he was not surprised at the inspection as she looked like “a reet bluddy hooligan”.

The game was only 16 seconds old when Kevin Doyle put Reading ahead.  A long ball from the giant Unsworth was headed clear by a Reading defender, to Convey, who quickly played the ball forward to Doyle who has got between the static Unsworth and Morgan to run on and slide it past that most admirable of keepers, Ian Bennett.

The first half was embarrassing for the stunned Blades fans as Reading played crisp football, with Doyle and Lita much too quick for the leaden-footed Blades defenders, and Seol running Unsworth ragged.  Unsworth, known to us Villa fans as probably our shortest ever (duration) signing,  is a big b#gger these days, attracting the inevitable “you fat b@stard” chant from the Reading fans. 

There were several close shaves (sic) for the Blades before Seol took a ball from Lita just outside the box, cut inside, and planted a rasper past Bennett.  Half time arrived with United lucky to be only two down, having had no notable goal attempts.

As was to be expected, United came out with a renewed vigour in the second half.  United’s pressure built as the half progressed, although it was built on energy rather than guile.   Chances were at a premium though and, despite the pressure, it was a surprise when United pulled one back.  Akinbiyi nodded across goal and Hulse turned neatly on the corner of the six-yard box and somehow squeezed his shot between Hahnemann and the post from a narrow angle.

Curiously, United seemed to peter out after this, almost as though the effort leading up to the goal had taken their steam away.  Reading were content to play out time and, sure enough, the final whistle came with Reading gaining a win that was more convincing than the score indicated.

United looked a poor team throughout.  Their players looked what they are: Championship toilers.  Only Hulse looked to have any quality and he might yet become an established Premiership player in a better team, with a better service.  His partner Akinbiyi is all effort and hustle but he’s really not a Premiership player.  The midfield and defence are similarly ordinary. 

Reading played with intelligence and control, and have pace in key areas.  Seol looks an inspired signing.  The only down side for me was a pathetic pre-meditated dive by Doyle to try to win a penalty.  The referee didn’t fall for it although how Doyle didn’t get a card I don’t know.  Surely the time as come for these dives to be punished by video evidence after the event. 

Total Ground Number: 54
Current League Ground Number: 47