Who has nicked the Teamsheets?

Leeds United U21 4 v Sheffield United U21 1

Monday 22 December 2014

Twitter @ball_sup

Just football, no Beer.  An open & thoroughly enjoyable game at the Leeds United Academy out at Thorp Arch Grange. First time I’ve been there. It was a bit difficult to get a full idea of the set up.  The game was played on the first pitch just inside the gate, so the main facility was off in the distance.  But, it looked good. A large building (presumably Gym, Indoor Pitch etc) and some floodlit pitches.

A cliched game of two halves for the Blades. They had a great spell in the middle of the first half - but didn’t really turn out at all in the second. Leeds got stronger & stronger and were deserved winners. Although 4-1 flattered them a little.

The glut of centre backs meant that Julian Banton started at right back - with Terry Kennedy (Captain for the day) & Sam Berry in the middle. Ioan Evans was on the bench. Indeed, Terry Kennedy was the standout for The Blades throughout. Powerful, composed & dominant at the back, he even had a couple of chances to score from set pieces in the 1st half.

But, to be honest, it’s easier to criticise than praise other players. Kieran Wallace was absent, almost completely anonymous. There seemed to be great swathes of the game where you hardly realised he’d got a shirt. Bit worrying that.  CJ Hamilton had more of the ball, but rarely did anything with it.  I’ve said in earlier Blogs that I like watching Jamie McDonagh play. He was bright & busy for lots of this game. But, as the game fell away from United, he resorted to “he ain’t passing” mode. Head down, wrong areas, shoot on sight. He’s better than that.

Otis Khan was a little unlucky as he was drafted into the Ryan Flynn Right Back role once Paling had gone off & been replaced by Jake Wright. But, he actually did OK in that position.  Conor Dimaio was OK - but I have seen him play much better than this.

Anyway. An odd game. United looked well in it for periods. They had a couple of one on ones which the Leeds Keeper saved with his legs. But too many players Missing In Action & a strong finish by Leeds.

A lovely cameo argument when a Leeds official accused one of “our lot” of nicking all the one page, photocopied Teamsheets which had been earmarked for visiting Scouts.  It’s not my scene at all. But, a good few fans who visit these sort of games are committed souvenir collectors. It’s a constant ongoing battle to track down & snaffle the Teamsheets. I won’t have a word said against those who collect them. But, the Clubs need to lighten up a bit. For sanity's sake, just run off a hundred or so on the office photocopier & spread the Love. Charge 20p for ‘em if money really is that tight.  I estimate maybe a dozen had been run off for this game.

(63/153)