The name is Kennedy

Birmingham City U21 0 v Sheffield United U21 0

Wednesday 9  March 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at St Andrews

Twitter @ball_sup

We had a little bit of time to wander over the Digbeth Road. There are three CAMRA Good Beer Guide pubs over there. All essentially “a block” away from each other. The Spotted Dog was shut until 5pm. So, we ended up in The White Swan. Identified as having a nationally important historic interior. Somewhat bizarrely, the best feature seemed to me to be the wonderful fully tiled wall. Which you could not see from the main room. It was effectively the passageway to the toilets. Slightly disappointing beer selection. Banks’s Mild and a Jennings. But, I plumped for Marstons, New World Pale on cask at 3.8%. It’s a somewhat Industrial Beer. But, I have to say, was superb. Effervescent, full of flavour. Left me wanting more.

I’m pretty sure that is the first away U21 game played at the main stadium that I’ve been to this season. I’m guessing. But, surely that’s a big thing for the younger players, Callum Semple, Harvey Gilmour, Jake Wright, etc. It’s not the big stage in terms of size of the crowd. But, it’s the big stage in terms of arriving at the ground, trotting through reception, getting a feel of the dressing rooms.

There was some Prince’s Trust do on in one of the function rooms. So, as we entered through reception, we were asked whether we were going to that. The game was relegated to second choice! The Carrier Bag Firm were in sharpish. Got to get them Teamsheets. We arrived just as one (as in a single one) was delivered to the Lady On Reception. Under questioning, she said it was the guest list - not the Teamsheet. I pointed out that there were exactly 11 names on it for each team. Surely a Teamsheet.

Turns out …… We were both right. At that very moment, Alex Brown’s & then David Brooks parents walked in. Explained their Lad was playing, the Lady checked them on the teamsheet & gave them two tickets. Sorely tempted. Once a Blagger, etc. “Hello, Terry Kennedy is my lad…..”. Didn’t.

That result means the U21s are unbeaten in 15. We stay second. Three points behind Huddersfield. But we’ve played two more games than them. We’re 10 points clear of Hull City. They’ve got 7 games left to catch us. The way things are shaping, we’ll play Charlton away in the Play Offs.

Adkins was here.

Players looking to impress.

Compared to what I have seen, Diego ran his little legs off. But, in the main he wasn’t too effective. He wasted a couple of free kicks. He did look a bit quicker on the ball than lots of the others out there. But, couldn’t make it count. Jake Wright wasn’t at the races again. Him & Diego just don’t link up well. Kimarni Smith was very anonymous in left midfield. He did get away once, but not much else. I thought Harvey Gilmour had a good game. He looked confident and assured on the ball.

Great at the back. Terry Kennedy stood out. You know. What’s he got to do? Great positionally. Helping the others. Marshaling & encouraging. And, he did the business, hardly missed a defensive header all night. United’s best chance even fell to him. He got something on it at the Back Stick. To be honest, I thought he should have scored. Callum Semple also needs to be mentioned in despatches.

No Graham Kelly, nor Ben Whiteman. Both were involved (but didn’t get on) in the first team the previous Saturday.

286/596