Away Day Wiz Diaries #6 (Preston)

Sheffield United win their first game since February and the Wiz are bang at it.

Alan Pickard

And so it begins. Another new season, a renewed sense of optimism, hope, etc etc. The thing is, Sheffield United, that club we love, has a bit of a habit of kicking that out of you inside the first 90 minutes of a season. Going back over the last few years our opening day results haven’t been great. Defeats to Crystal Palace, Watford, Birmingham City, Wolves, Swansea, Gillingham and Bristol City seem to stick in the memory. A victory over Brentford in 2017 and a draw with Bournemouth in 2019 were the successful anomalies.

I'd like to set the record now: if you haven’t clocked already, these write-ups are more about the day out than the game. There's going to be some regular stuff that gets mentioned. Organising (often not on time) coaches. Destinations that are picked for pubs rather than glamour. Beer, and plenty of it.

It's bloody good to be back at it. Two coaches today. One arrives on time, the other one has decided he wants to do a tour of Norfolk Park before he comes and picks us up. Coach One in the meantime has shouted me over, "there's too many on this on Al"… Rolls eyes, aye, I bet there is "Have you filled every seat?" … "Yes there's five of us without a seat." … "Hang on I'm coming over — hmmmm have you tried using these five empty seats at the front here??" Honestly, I have this conversation every single away game. The desire to sit at the back of the coach is a fascinating one. 

Anyway, drama over, both coaches loaded, everyone has a seat and we're on our way to Blackpool. A trip to the seaside on opening day weekend? You'll do for me, fixture computer. Now, those of you who are familiar with a map, will probably be able to work out, that the centre of Sheffield to Blackpool is a journey that takes you west. So, why our driver seems to be following signs for the east coast, became somewhat of a mystery. I'll go and have a word..... "Mate, you have been told where we’re going, haven't you?"… "Yes pal, Blackpool" I'm just gonna leave you to it. Long and short, he didn't want to go over the Woodhead. So, we are now going over the ever-reliable route of the M62. Wonderful if you're a fan of traffic jams. Of which there were many. 

Three hours later, we pull up on Seasiders Way. Let the fun and games commence. Straight over to The Manchester, for some cheap and cheerful beers. In the sunshine. Lovely. It did come as somewhat of a surprise that 90 minutes later my son (15) was asked to leave. "We can't have kids in here." But that gave me and him an opportunity. And you should never pass up an opportunity, especially when that opportunity is seaside chips. Chips and curry sauce actually which we washed down with a drink outside the far more accommodating Happy Scots Karaoke Bar, before jumping back on the bus and heading to the game.

Lovely little ground Preston, and the way they cater for big away crowds is something to be applauded, service at the bars is usually very quick too. And those Jerk Chicken pies looked tremendous. They do however lose points for underestimating how much 4100 Sheffield United fans can sup. Sold out of Ale apparently, so no half-time pint to chew the fat over. Ah well. 

Right from the off, we looked head and shoulders above our opponents tonight. I never once felt like we didn't have control of the game. Brilliant to see Future Sheffield United captain, leader, legend, Oliver Arblaster, get his first goal. And Gustavo Hamer that is outrageous, these people have families to go home to. Special mention too for Andre Brooks. A mate of mine said a few weeks ago he's going to become our Bukayo Saka, and with every passing game I'm seeing it more and more, he was outstanding tonight. As was Vini Souza, he’s the perfect foil for Blaster. 

Usually, pre-season can not be used to judge how you'll actually do on that first weekend, but this was just a continuation of the play and standard we've seen in pre-season. I’m very hopeful we can continue and improve upon this level of performance in the coming months. 

Alternative man of the match award gets awarded to the Preston North end goalkeeper, for his absolutely wonderful assist for Gus. 

Forget everything I said about opening day results at the outset, that renewed sense of optimism has, for once, not been completely misplaced. We're the finest football team in the world, and I'll have nothing else said on the matter. Get the Lane rocking next Saturday, and I'll report back to you from Norwich in a couple of weeks. 

See you down in East Anglia Wiz.