U23 Limbo Land

Sheffield United U23 1 v Watford U23 2
U23 Professional Development League
Monday 19 August 2019
Played at Chesterfield

SUFC 2019/20 Game 13

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I feel like we’re in Under 23 Limbo Land. We’re all trying to consolidate & finding our feet. Travis Binnion, Mick Wadsworth & John Dungworth have all gone. Derek Geary is still doing the U18s. Matt Duke (goalkeeping guru) is still in the dugout for the U23s. Jack Lester has turned up to head the Academy. Matt & Jack did most of the standing up & discussing on the touchline tonight. But, there are a number of other “faces” beginning to do the rounds. Some in the stands. Some in the dugout. A bit of recognition here. Some rumours there. And, a lot of speculation. Basically, United have not said anything about the Academy going forward except ….. Lester. 

Also, is the strategy going to be to keep the U23s as a Development XI. Or, now we’re in the Premier League, with lots of new signings, will we need to work the squad and use the U23s as more of a Reserve side. Well, not on the evidence tonight. Jake Wright was the only fully formed player out there. And, we’re surely not counting him as anywhere near a squad player are we? Possibly in a Shop Window. Possibly they fancied shoring up the U23 back three. Possibly Limbo Land.

To cap it all, Stocksbridge has been sacked off (or have sacked us off). And, we’re in a ground share with Chesterfield. At least there are some pubs out there on “Whittington Moor” (suburb of Limbo Land) for us to explore & get our feet under the table. But, I need to face one thing head on. Selfishly. We’re out here for F. U. N. And, it’s not nearly as much fun without Travis on the bench. Fucking quieter mind, but far less fun. I basically did not hear Jack Lester offer one word of advice or encouragement to the players out there. That’s not a criticism, but it is an observation. 

So. Marcus Dewhurst in a Chesterfield goalie kit. Presumably, we’d brought the yellow ‘un & it clashed with Watford’s kit. Jake Wright in the middle of a three. Fairly new Academy signing, Illiman Ndiaye on the bench (he got a run). Presumed trialist Callum Nicell on the bench. Although he DIDN’T get a run. Maybe he’s in. Maybe they’re having a longer look at him. Callum turns 20 later this year. He has been in Leeds United’s system since he was 7. He signed a new two year deal at Leeds less than a year ago. He was their Academy Player of the Year in 2016/17. In April 2018 (pre Bielsa), Callum was named on the Leeds bench for a home game with Sunderland in The Championship. (Also on the bench v PNE). He has also trialled for Leicester Under 23 this season. Maybe Leeds think he’s gone backwards. Maybe “something has gone on”. Maybe Bielsa just doesn’t fancy him. Anyway, I got a 90 minute view of the back of his head as he benched the lot.

Ky Gordon & Belehouan making up the three. Keenan Ferguson wide right. Harry Boyes wide left. Broadbent (getting taller, even more of an athlete now), Brunt & armbander Reece York in midfield. Jake Young & Sammy Ompreon up top.

I didn’t enjoy that game too much. Tipped over the edge by a Watford winner on 90 +3. I thought the Young Blades looked disjointed and loose. Quite a bit of bluster. Lots played at harem scarem pace. Not much composure & vision on the ball. Watford went ahead on 51 minutes. That looked reasonably horrendous in real time. The Hornet put through in the inside left channel. Marcus seemed to come out with his feet. And the kid just knocked it home. Maybe it wasn’t quite as bad as it looked. Maybe Marcus was never getting there & just made the desperate lunge. But, it looked like he got there & made a little hash of the “leg save”. 

I’ll say United did have some chances though. They clawed their way back in on 73 minutes. A marauding George Broadbent broke play up in midfield, Jake Young got to the loose ball and worked it into Sammy Omproeon’s stride. Sammy took it on at pace into the box & shoved it past the keeper. Nice team goal. Youngsters doing their jobs. Jake Young worked a couple of good chances. On 19, he got free on our left & drew a save from the keeper. Just before our equaliser, he got a great header off which was tipped just wide.  Maybe the Young Blades were just hoping for full time, maybe they switched off a bit. It looked to me like we didn’t have enough bodies tracking back - a few blowing in midfield. Watford swept down, got their numbers right & he’s put it past a sprawling Dewhurst as it’s been whipped across. 

Pubs of the PDL - version 1. The Glassworks, in the Brampton Brewery chain. Right opposite the ground (used to be The Spireite). Nicely set up. Everything feels “quite new”. A handful of handpulls. Mostly Brampton, but one guest (Great Heck). I had one of those is it? isn’t it? moments with a pint of Brampton Brewery, Monocled Mutineer on cask at 4.7%. It pulled up a bit cloudy, didn’t look like the (very few) photos I could find on Untappd. I did ask, friendly response, of the “supposed to be” nature.

Anyway, the best one was;

Brampton Brewery, Golden Bud on cask at a just right 3.8%. I’m pleased to report that was in great condition. Bright as a button. Refreshing from start to finish. Held its head. Hop flavour coming through right to the bottom & enough bitterness to keep you interested. 

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