Reciprocal Or We Riot

Essex 421 for 6 

v Kent 

County Championship Division One 

Friday 12 April 2024 (Day One) 

Played at Chelmsford 

Today. I come to praise Essex. This season, Yorkshire tell that my Membership with them gives me reciprocal rights of one sort of another at TEN of the other seventeen Counties.

The claim for Essex was that I'd be granted free entry to the ground. And be allowed access to the Essex Members area. But, please tell me you'd feel like I felt. Free entry. With a random Yorkshire County Cricket Club membership card.

“How the fuck is that going to work in real time?”

“I'll count myself lucky if they've sorted me out before Lunch. Tea seems more likely. Fingers crossed it's before Close of Play.”

But. No eyelashes batted. Couldn't have been easier. Gateman knew what I was talking about. And pointed me to the ticket shed. They checked an A4 laminate stuck to the wall to confirm that Yorkshire was a reciprocal.

We were given conventional paper tickets allowing us into the ground. Those clearly said we could go into the Members area. The guy scanning the ticket was nice & friendly. Bid us have a good day, and hopes Yorkshire will be back in the First Division next season.

Having been on the receiving end of “The Headingley Experience”, I wish any Essex Member trying to get reciprocal in LS6 - good fucking luck.

First objective in any County ground, particularly one where we're allowed into the Members - check the compared to Yorkshire metrics.

Four.

Four Cask Ales on, front and centre, in the bar. Compared to none at Yorkshire.

And, there was one Keg Craft-a-Like.

Greene King, Spring Break, Golden Ale on Cask at 4.4%

Look. In a sports ground, in England, you are only really gonna get beers from the big brewing concerns. So, here, it's Greene King. This one is from their Future Brewers series. I understand they let people on the National Brewing Apprenticeship Programme have a go. And they've had a shot at a Hoppy golden ale. Drinkable. But not great.

Greene King, Level Head, IPA on Keg at 4%

So. We thought we'd have a go at this Greene King Craft-a-Like. Same point. Decent enough for an English sports venue.

Dean Elgar & Matt Critchley both scored day one Centuries for Essex. Having been just 10 for 2, that was a great climb back. 

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No Cones No Ballboys Multiball

Sheffield United U21 2 v Nottingham Forest U21 3 

Premier League Cup QF 

Tuesday 9 April 2024 

Played at Bramall Lane 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #58 

NBDR 

No Beer Don't Read

The U Two Ones cup adventure ends on a proper cup tie night at The Lane. I felt we gave as good as we got. Maybe on a different night we win that. But, thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.

The Carrier Bag Firm had been speculating for weeks, weeks I tells ye, would we bring the Big Guns out for this important Cup Tie.

Will Osula up top. ‘dre Brooks in midfield. Louie Louie Marsh on the road back to fitness. Big Guns.

Luke Faxon gloving. Dovydas Sasnauskas in the middle of a three. Mig Freckleton on his left. And Sai Sachdev at RCB. Sam Curtis wide right. Jay Tinsdale wide left. Osula up top. And fluid behind him. Marsh often in the True Ten role. Sydie Peck everywhere. Owen Hampson & Brooks doing a lot of fetching and carrying.

I think Sam Curtis is getting with the program now. I've had a dig about his positioning being a bit formulaic. Today, as the Young Blades looked to attack from the off, Sam pushed up, and pushed wide, into effective attacking positions.

I think he was helped by Sai being more of a natural RWB than RCB. Sai couldn't reset his autopilot. And was drifting wider and wider. Meaning Sam was pushing higher and higher. Maybe a happy accident which meant we were more of an attacking threat on that side.

House on fire start by United. A great run and shot by Brooks on just 6 minutes brought an instinctive save. But, Faxon and Freckleton got into a right fucking falling about fiasco on 11. When one or the other managed to recover their feet, the “clearance” hit the Forest attacker, and fell nicely for him to score easily. Nil One.

That was part of a little spell where Forest began to get a bit more control of the game. On 19, a lovely skip from Peck on the left ended with a clever cross going clean across goal, with no one able to get on the end of it. (So not that clever of a cross then Phil).

Immediately, Forest lost possession on halfway. And Peck put in a lovely chip from (say) just 10 yards inside the Forest half. Agonisingly over the bar.

As the first half was dragging on, I felt a bit frustrated by United's final threat. Lots of the ball wide and through the middle. But, a bit anonymous up top. Indeed, I had a bit of a go at Ryan Oné. Onlé to realise he wasn't playing. And it was Osula who was shit.

But, natch, Will was then involved in a great move which ended with him hitting a post. He played a superb flick layoff to Marsh. Who returned it into Will's stride. Great awareness to try and curl an edge of the boxer into the far corner. Absolutely rattled the post.

But. No mistake. Forest, still leading, were bang in it as well. #9 Osong was a right fucking handful.

United finished the first half at steam. On 43, Louie put in a weak finish to a good chance. On 45+2, Sasnauskas got on the end of a free kick, but his effort was blocked.

Will missed a great chance. But immediately (on 45+5), Owen H helped one across the box & Osula knocked home the equaliser. Half time One One.

United came out for the second half looking to attack. Sachdev, Curtis and Peck were combining well. Sachdev hit the bar on 50. But a great spell, with United well on top was ended on 56.

Andre Brooks lost it in an attacking position, a great breakaway and shot, and Forest were back in front. And. Fuck sake. They went three one on 59. Forest sub Konaté tearing us apart at this bit.

I might as well have my say on Andre Brooks. Didn't look like a first team squad player dropping down. Largely ineffective. And largely prone to make bad decisions and give it away against a sweeping counter attacking team. AnyRoadUp, he was hoiked for Macedo on 60.

Louie Marsh was clattered to win a Penalty on 69. There was no doubt in the mind of Osula that he was having it. Buried it. 3-2. Lot to play for.

I might as well have my say on Sydie Peck. Thoroughly influential throughout. Got that - this is my game, get out of the fucking way, if anyone's winning this, I am - thing going on. Beckhamesque (mentality wise).

The lots going in last ten of a cup tie. Multi balls being used. No cones mind. No ball boys mind. Forest subs fucking about with the balls so that they couldn't be used. Danny Cadamarteri going up there to keep them away from the balls. Suited United official and fringe Carrier Bag Firmer coming down from the stand to keep Forest subs away from the Multi Bs.

Time for Owen Hampson to get two yellows as we ended with ten men.

Proper Cup Tie.

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The Verdict Of Dark Fruits Frankie

Sheffield United 2 v Chelsea 2 

Premier League 

Sunday 7 April 2024 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #57 

Good news. This week, we had a Beer Adventure. We did have loads of other stuff planned. Chelsea mates were staying with us. Hallam were at home on the Saturday. Waterlogged. Again.

But, at about the same time Sandygate was failing that inspection, word began to filter down to Carrier Bag Firm Towers.

“It's on. It's come on yesterday. They're serving it.”

I'll explain what IT was and WHO was serving it in a bit. But first, let's meander.

Starting with Gwenda’s Garage. Roz Ellen & Annette Williams had passed motor vehicle mechanics training in the 1980s. Ros Wall was already what we might call a self taught mechanic. The three of them struggled at times to get jobs in what was a male dominated industry. The 1980s were also heady times for activism. Lovers of bikes and cars, part of feminist culture, and with lots of energy, the three women decided to strike out on their own.

Grants (remember them?). Rent deals with Sheffield Council (remember them?). Help from female electricians and plumbers, subsequently repaid in kind with car repairs & maintenance. And, Roz, Annette & Ros were able to open their own garage in Neepsend.

In earlier times, Gwenda Stewart had medals and was mentioned in dispatches for driving ambulances through dangerous territory in WW1. In the 1920s, Gwenda was breaking 1,000 mile and 12 hour records. In the 1930s, Gwenda broke the one mile speed record a number of times. She competed twice in the Le Mans 24 hour race.

In her honour, Gwenda's Garage seemed a suitable name for Roz, Annette & Ros’s new venture. Trust me. There is much more to the story or these three women & Gwenda. But, let's just summarise. Three women, setting up a repair garage in Neepsend, and naming it after a famous & record breaking female driver.

Fast forward to another industry “historically” dominated by Men. Brewing. 

In 2013, Sophie de Ronde, Head Brewer at Burnt Mill Brewery (Suffolk), had the idea for International Women's Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD). The basics would be that women brewers and others (that “and others” is going to be crucial in this Blog) would get together on or around International Women's Day (8 March) to collaborate on a beer brew.

So. It came to pass that, this year, one of the Carrier Bag Firm, an and others, participated in an IWCBD brew at Heist Brew Co, Neepsend, Sheffield. You'll remember Neepsend. Original home of Gwenda's Garage.

Now. I'm a bloke. I wasn't at the International Women's Collaboration Brew Day. So, I can't give you the deets of the day. But, when we were told;

“It's on. It's come on yesterday. They're serving it.”

With IT being the appropriately named Heist Brew Co, Gwenda's Garage, Hazy IPA at 4%.

What I could do was organise a lovely loose grouping of “the collaborator”, Blades, Chelsea fans, Cider drinkers, Lager drinkers, Abbeydale Heathen drinkers and assorted Carrier Bag Firmers to head over to the Heist Taproom. Frankly, to try and drink the Keg(s) of Gwenda's Garage DRY.

The CBF brew the beer. The CBF drink the beer.

The beer is a juicy session New England IPA. Brewed with 2023 Yakima Chief x Pink Boots Hop Blend. Idaho 7, Ahtanum, El Dorado, & HBC 638. I mean oooofffftttt.

One of the Chelsea Cider drinkers pronounced it - pineapple juice.

Not wrong Dark Fruits Frankie. I mean. Don't trust what I say about this beer. I'm biased on this one. But, lovely and soft and pillowy. Tropics, citrus, some hay. Lovely.

Enjoyable game. It's difficult. My impressions included Chelsea were poor. Backed up by the (maybe) jaundiced views of my Chelsea mates. The slightly less shit scared than usual United side were able to show there's a football team in there somewhere.

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Rich Old Men

Leicestershire 164 for 5 

v Yorkshire 

County Championship Division Two 

Friday 5 April 2024 (Day One)

Played at Headingley 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read

Although, this is County Cricket at Headingley. So there is “beer news” further below.

Apologies for the delay to this Blog. Games coming thick & fast. Blogs not so. The age old dilemma whether to go or write about one you've gone.

First day of the County season. The rain disrupted. But, you gotta make “the effort”.

The game would eventually end in a Draw. From that “advantage Yorkshire” position I left on Day One, with Leicestershire 164-5, they recovered to 354 all out. FFS. Yorkshire then made a 6.2 runs per over 264-6. With Tons for Lyth & Brook.

Masood (Duck off 6) hauled ‘em in when Brook made his Ton. Mainly because he was behind on the over rate from the first innings and looked like losing some of the few points we'd got.

(Note to uninitiated. Teams score points for taking wickets and scoring runs. Often called Bonus Points. But, can also be deducted points for not bowling their overs fast enough).

At the start of Leicestershire's second innings, Yorkshire bowled spinners, Dan Moriarty and Adam Lyth, so they could rush through their overs asap. When the rain came on Day Four, the abacus was plugged in, the excuses were listened to. And no points were deducted.

FFS. Cricket eating itself.

AnyRoadUp. Following some progress last season, where at times you could only buy beer in paper fucking cups. They are now serving beer in glass glasses if you're an adult and drinking inside the East Stand Long Room.

“Next Step. Serve something worth fucking having.”

I'm not going to dwell on the events at Headingley over the Winter. But, I am going to state my position. Interpretation my own.

As Yorkshire came out of some of the Racism Scandal, it became clear that some aspects had cost an awful lot of money. And the Club were looking into another big hole in their finances.

Over time, a lot of the money has been owed to former benefactor and Chairman, Colin Graves. Although, increasingly, that debt has been farmed out to “Graves Trusts”. Graves claims an independent, hands off, relationship to the Trusts.

It seems Graves was not directly involved in any of the racist incidents during his time at the club. But, his demeanour and some of his comments have divided opinion. And for a long time.

There were loud noises out of YCCC. Although grateful for the initial and continued financial support from Graves and the Trusts, they had no intention of approaching him in their current financial difficulty.

There were loud noises out of Graves. He had moved on, water had flowed under bridges, he had no intention of becoming yet more financially involved in Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

As I write this. Following the conclusion of the first County match of the season. Colin Graves is Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Go. Figure.

The spin from the Club was basically;

“We have fucking looked at EVERY other possibility.”

The spin from Graves was basically;

“I didn't want to do it, but they came cap in hand, and I don't want to see this once great club blah blah blah.”

Many stories surrounded the change of hearts. Yorkshire are a Members owned club. I'm a Member. I own it. One of the surrounding stories was that Yorkshire may de-mutualise. May cease to be a Members Club. May fall into private ownership. Ownership by an Indian Premier League team. Fuck that. Ownership by the Saudis. Fuck that. Ownership by Graves. Fuck that.

In the event, an Emergency General Meeting was called. To vote on rule changes. Rule changes tinkering with minutiae around Board composition. But, all aimed at allowing resignations from existing Board members. Allowing rump Board members to appoint new Board members. And allowing the rump Board appointed Board to appoint a Chair.

It was clear that the changes would allow Graves to be appointed Chair. The rule changes passed. And Graves is Chair.

I voted against… in the hope we could 

“Retain as a Members Club”

“No ownership”

“No return to a previous regime”

That perfectly reasonable Manifesto overwhelmingly ignored by my fellow Members.

To be fair, the threat of de-mutualisation and private ownership has receded as things plodded on.

I feel able to say, I have nothing personal against Graves. But. It's a backward step. Going back to a Marmite Man. Going back to a Rich Old Man. At a time when we need change. Taking on more Debt. More debt to a Rich Old Man.

Maybe we've fucked it. But when did money become personalised? If you wanted to build a New Stand, you borrowed the moolah off The Halifax. Wrote up a suitable money in, money out business plan. And paid them back.

Now you have to get “someone's money”. In this case Graves money. That turned out to be another fucking loan of just one million.

Anyway. Understand me. I will continue to vote against Colin Graves. His appointment as Chair needs ratifying at an Annual General Meeting. But, not in a dug in, over my dead body way. Just in a calm, I want to move forward, this looks like moving backwards.

Let's never speak of this again.

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Small Wins Fan

Liverpool 3 v Sheffield United 1 

Premier League 

Thursday 4 April 2024 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #56 

Apologies. Games coming thick & fast. Blogs not so. The age old dilemma whether to go or write about one you've gone.

And, I'm going to say, not as good as I remember it.

The Bard MicroPub

57 High St, Prescot L34 6HF

But, pushes the buttons. Opened a bit earlier for us. Following the GangMaster making them an offer they couldn't refuse. There's still that odd thing going on. Where after serving you, the BarPerson has to disappear ‘round the corner. In order to gather all the modern accoutrements for you to pay.

Maybe they'd had a recent Tap Takeover. Because there was surfeit of MBH (brewery in Knutsford) beer on the bar. Including those, there were four on Cask and two on Keg.

MBH Beer, Cheshire Pale, on Cask at 3.9%

Standard. Easy drinking. Lot to like identikit pale.

MBH Beer, Bunji, NZ Pale Ale on Cask at 3.8%

Standard. Pleasant and drinkable. But, I wouldn't have guessed that was Hopped NZ style.

MBH Beer, 1924, English Bitter on Cask at 4%

The best of the Cask on offer I felt. A proper modern English bitter. Nutty malt backbone which doesn't overpower. And leaves room for some hop action.

MBH Beer, UnChained, Hazy IPA on Keg at 4.4%

That was the best of the lot. Nice and pillowy. Although I felt it needed more bitterness.

Anfield. I'm going to say, not as good as I remember it.

Different fans are going to judge progress in different ways. Me? I've become a Small Wins Fan. For great swathes of this season, I don't even think there's been small wins. But, here we go. Good, very good, chances in the opening minutes. And, pegging them back to one one on 58. And holding that for 20.

Incidentally, gotta be converting those chances. Always.

Although it's gone down as an OG, that was a great win the ball back and be expansive goal. Small wins. All we got.

Incidentally, I damaged my voice during the pre-game. It was still not right by the Chelsea game. It all happened during You'll Never Walk Alone. My vocal chord damaging call-back repertoire was;

“Boooooo”

“Get fucked”

“Grow up”

(I'm not even sure what that last one was supposed to mean….)

I remain sixty five years old!!!!

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Those Cat 1 Academy Improvements In Full

Sheffield United U18 2 v AFC Bournemouth U18 4 

Wednesday 3 April 2024 

Played at Shirecliffe 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #55 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read

Did you read the news? Sheffield United have a linear plan. Which involves buying and developing a new first team base at Dore in Sheffield. In turn, that would then free up space and facilities at the existing, joint first team base and Academy at Shirecliffe. And that would allow the Club to pursue the accreditation for a Category 1 Academy. (We're currently Cat 2).

Lot of fucking ducks to get in a row before all that, mind. But. The Carrier Bag Firm can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that some improvement work has already begun at Shirecliffe!!!

Great initiative by the Club. No point hanging around if you're on a planned infrastructure improvement route.

“No mate, they aren't doing anything about the top pitches yet.”

“No mate, there's still (of course) no progress on a toilet that fans can go wee wee or plop plop in.”

“Whaaaaat? Of course there's no progress on a seated area for fans. Let alone a roof.”

“No mate, player's roof still leaks an’ all.”

“I'm afraid, in typical Big Football fashion, the first improvements at Shirecliffe have been for Scouts and Agents. Bloody typical eh.”

(See Photo at Top o’ t’Blog)

Impressive ain't it. Ticks all the PL high quality boxes. Got all the patched asphalt, potholes n puddles, moss n weeds vibes going on. But, as dictated by the Cat 1 Academy Regulations, the Scouts & Agents Area is now clearly demarcated. By (checks photo) fucking cones.

And, one of the parasites is not even standing within the required area.

Incidentally. Bloke in blue coat is once a Blade, always a Blade, Mark Todd. Who now works for Manchester City. Toddy, you'll remember, was born in Belfast and earned an international cap for Northern Ireland U21. Toddy was also impressed with the new Scouts Area. As he explained to the Carrier Bag Firm;

“Ah look. They've put orange cones out just for me. (winks to camera).”

Later, rumoured new United Head Scout Or Similar, Jamie Hoyland would also cone himself off in that area to watch the game.

Oh dear. We've reached that stage of the season. Players being lined up to be retained. Players being lined up to be released. And who put the trial in trialist. Three of the fuckers out there today.

Zach Giggs, right footed Zach Giggs, set up as left centre back in a three. If that was an experiment, abort abort abort. Awful. Maybe it was just a case of they didn't have the right bodies and asked him to do it. Maybe it was one of those out of your comfort zone headfucks. Alfie Hough was in the middle, Seth Okyere on the right. With Sam Colechin outside him at RWB. Trialist at LWB.

Coby Hewitson behind all that lot. Sam Aston, Theo Howard and Archie CC in front. With Marshall Francis and another Trialist up top.

Ethan Cummings replaced Christie-Cranie at the half. Mekhi HP and Noah Kiwomya replaced Trialist and Francis on 67.

Overall, Bournemouth deserved that win. But, neither team really impressed. Horrible one minute start for the Blades. Bournemouth moved down their right. A good cross into the heart of the xG. The defender basically stopped it, couldn't get on the second touch. And that became an actual goal.

On 22, Bournemouth made it two. The ball wasn't cleared. Coby made a good save. Did I already say the ball wasn't cleared? Because it wasn't cleared again. Two nil.

Trialist pulled one back on 25. Two one at time half.

Zach Giggs, lots of attacks had come down his side, day got worse on 47. A - becoming a regular thing with our Academy sides - veins throbbing kerfuffle on the far side. Claim and counter claim grassing up. Ended with Giggs Red Card. He explained the situation to his Dad, who incidentally WASN'T in the coned off area, as he trudged off. Seemed to think the Bournemouthian had him by the shirt.

There then followed a period of the Ref fucking booking everybody. Including someone on the United bench. Bournemouth pulled away at 3-1 on 55. To United's credit, Sam Aston clawed one back on 62. But Bournemouth sealed it all up with ten left.

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Stand Up If You Love The Darts

Glasshoughton Welfare 3 v Ollerton Town 2 

Tuesday 2 April 2024 

Northern Counties East Division One (Step 6) 

Ground Tick #485 

Southwell City 0 v Newark Town 3 

United Counties League Division One (Step 6)

Monday 1 April 2024

Ground Tick #484

Newark & Sherwood United 4 v Lincoln United 0 

United Counties Premier Division North (Step 5) 

Monday 1 April 2024 

Played at Groundshare at Collingham FC

Ground Tick #483 

Newark & Sherwood United

The Highwaymen and their cuz’s at The Zebras had got their heads together to arrange an Easter Hop. Staggered kick offs. Six Quid English covers both games. Complementary meaningless bits of paper (ie match programmes). A lot to like.

I had checked out the possibilities of doing it by train. But, one of the Carrier Bag Firm is trying out a Hybrid Car. So we went in that.

He's marked The Hybrid up because the SatNav shows a number for which turn you need at a roundabout. He only missed two turns across all three games.

The clock in the car was set an hour wrong following the recent hour change. And I couldn't fucking get my coat out the back because of the child lock on the door. So, that needs dealing with going forward.

They don't put real shit like that in WhatCar.

Away team, Lincoln United, were most recently seen beating Hallam in The Vase on Penalties. They've got Romford in the Semi Final Second Leg on Saturday. Two each going into that. We speculated whether a) they were resting players for that or b) the picked players were resting themselves subconsciously.

We quizzed some Lincoln U Baggers. They felt it was quite a strong team. But that b) might be the case. There had been a bit of scribbling out on the pinned up paperwork.

Jack Steggles being Sharpied into goal late on. (Confirmed with Lincoln Bagger he's likely starter v Romford). A “cross” sailed over him on 11 into the far corner. And on 70, he let one roll through his legs. But, don't worry. Steggles blamed the defence for the other two. Loudly. And swearily.

Great effort by somebody. Most likely somebody at host groundshare club, Collingham FC. Two Cask on in the Clubhouse.

Beermats Brewing Co (Newark & Sherwood), Hazmat, Session IPA on Cask at 4%

Excellent. Bright as a button. Nice bitterness from the off.

Southwell City

Southwell City had gone the extra Easter Hop yard by deploying an Inflatable Darts Board behind the goal. Couple ‘a quid. Kick six footballs at the board. Balls got a velcro effect. Which sticks the kicks to the board. Highest score at the final whistle wins a prize.

He Of The Hybrid has had a go. Six balls. Six shots. Zero. Fucking zero!!! He didn't win.

And. Big news. We got some Ref and Lino action. Teaching me stuff I didn't know.

“You know those marks, ten yards away from the corner quadrant, behind which players are supposed to retreat. In the warm up, the Ref paces from one of those to the corner quadrant. Counting his or her paces along the way. Let's say they get eleven paces. They now know that, on the day, eleven of their paces is ten yards. So, when pushing a wall back at a free kick, they know they need eleven paces. They're using the pitch markings to calibrate their stride length. Good that. Bent bastards.”

But, they don't always make walls go back ten yards. Oh no. 

“If there is a free kick roughly 28 yards out, they don't want to set the wall up on the penalty box line. Because if it hits a hand they'll have a line decision to make for a penalty shout. So, they set the wall too short, or too long, so they know whether a hand is inside or outside. Never set it on the line. Good that. Bent bastards.”

Fairly comfortable three nil for the second Newark team I had seen in the day.

Great effort by somebody. The Centenary Sports Ground got Middle of Nowhere vibes. Cans & bottles will be the only sustainable ale dispense system out here. Two bottles on in the Clubhouse.

Beermats Brewing Co, Stripes IPA, from a Bottle at 4%

Badged for the club. You'll not find that in many places. Gotta tick that.

Glasshoughton Welfare

NBDR - No Beer Don't Read

Only industrial tins in the clubhouse. I was warned by the gateman not to ask for a Whisky as they water it down. Bantz.

Battle of the bottom this ‘un. At the end, The Glassy Ultras strode out into the West Yorkshire gloom, carefully avoiding any stray horses.

“Staying up. Glassy’s staying up. Nah nah etc.”

Basically the only song they sang all night that didn't have swearing in it.

Ollerton Town's record is truly shocking. Played 39 in a 44 game season. Four points. Goal difference minus 147. Away form, played 22, lost 22. Got five home games left. Including four in eight days to salvage whatevs they're hoping to salvage.

So. The Carrier Bag Firm were a little bit hopeful of seeing Town's first away point when they pulled it back to three two. With fifteen remaining. But that didn't happen.

Glassy are six points from safety with three to play. Tough ask. Despite the Ultras optimism.

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