Adkins, Getting There?

Matlock Town 1 v Sheffield United 4
(billed as U21)

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

The General Outlook

Nigel Adkins was here at the game. Maybe you could tell from the team picked that he is getting somewhere. This was a very different U21 team. Previously, he's used and kept a discernible (but large) First Team Squad. De Girolamo, Calvert-Lewin, Dimaio always looked down the pecking order. They have dropped down to this level at Matlock. Maybe he felt Scougall, Done & J Wallace need more minutes in them. So, he's dropped them down to this level. Maybe he's still working things out at centre back. So, he's had another look at Kieran Wallace in that role. Or maybe he's just down the pecking order.

I'm intrigued by Louis Reed being out there. I'd hope he is very much part of the first team plans.

Scouting Report

An Andrew Cartwright out there. Essentially set up as a conventional left back. By common rumour, the guy who used to be in the Sunderland system (age 20). Did the shift. Competent. Nothing bad. Nothing spectacular.

Hospital Report

We've ended up with an ambulance driving around the perimeter & taking Matt Done to hospital. Less than 10 minutes in. Him & the Matlock fella have both gone in strong on essentially a 50/50. Limbs everywhere. Both on the deck. I assume Done has come down heavily.

He was helped off as walking wounded. Very gingerly. From my angle, I thought he was holding his left ribs. But, it has transpired it's his right arm/shoulder which he is holding across himself. He was sucking on oxygen on the bench. Once in the ambulance, it stayed motionless for a good while. Presumably making him comfortable.

Hey. I'm not a doctor. But, one of the Carrier Bag Firm exchanged words with a United Official & was told - collarbone.

Club House Report

Great set up. Lots of space. High ceiling. Jennings Cumberland on cask at 4%. Although I didn't have one. Because. ....

Beer Report

I had one in Sheffield, in The Beer Engine. My transport changed to "lift" in the hours before departure. So, that made more sense.

A glorious Atom, India Pale Ale on cask at 5.6%. Best pint I've had in a while. Intensely rich & bitter from the off, without being overpowering. Against a maltier background. Superb.

176/371