Not another Centre Half?

Sheffield Wednesday U21 2 v Sheffield United U21 0

Friday 22 April 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at Hillsborough

Twitter @ball_sup

Disappointing that. In the grand scheme of things, that doesn’t matter. We’re already cemented in a Play Off place in 2nd. Games are coming thick n fast. Some of these are only young fellas. We had a bit of a cull earlier in the season. So, some players have been playing 18s & 21s. And, some nabbed for the 1st team. And the U18s have a Play Off game of their own on Saturday (away at Watford). Some tired legs.

Essentially, the team splits into 4. Those coming back from non-league loans. Those who have toiled week in week out for the 18s or two ones. Those who have been on the fringe of the First Team, but not played that many games recently. And The Trialists.

Those back from non-league & those week in week out toilers looked knackered. Often way off the pace. Drained.

The freshest players were David Brooks & Graham Kelly - who have not been all that involved as they’ve been up with the First Team.  Brooks (for instance) looked head & shoulders above Louis Reed in Centre Mid.

So, let’s go through the negatives. Terry Kennedy pulled something high on the back of his thigh after about 80. There was no question. He signalled & limped straight down the tunnel. United had already used 3 Subs at that stage, so finished with 10.

Although Reed did have a good run & hit the post. Essentially, I think he’s going backwards.

Diego was way off the pace. And when he did have the odd chance, his technique was poor. Including a full Air Shot. He was still good at taking the ball, holding the shape, getting in between his man & the ball. But, without the pace & technique that won’t get him anywhere.

Cockerline & McDonagh were poor. Coustrain only a little better.

Right the Trialists. Oh please. Come on. Baptiste, Edgar, McEveley, McGahey. Basham if needed. Utility man Ben Whiteman. Run through the wall Terry Kennedy. Callum Semple, Julian Banton, Jo Cummings. Come on. That’s our Centre Back Roster. Yet. In the last three U21 games, we’ve had THREE different Centre Back Trialists. Really.

Nathaniel Oseni away at Palace. James Graham at home to Ipswich. And, today, Conor Anderson. Defies logic.

Conor Anderson. Set up as conventional CB in a back 4 alongside Tel. I don’t know the bloke. I wish him well. Moreover, I hope he proves me wrong. But, he was awful. Particularly bad when defending goal kicks or long clearances. Often seemed to be yards away from the header & no option but to just give up. When he got under one, it seemed to me that he either a) didn’t challenge b) lost the header or c) bumped it straight out for a throw. Only lasted to Half Time. Banton & Kennedy got it more settled in the second half (before Tel had to go off). It’s a NO from me.

He’s 19, been in Leicester City’s system, on loan at Corby Town and played at U19 for Northern Ireland.

Daniel Akinwunmi. Set up as conventional right back. Lasted the full 90 as United had a going down like flies second half. I didn’t see anything to make me take note. He also looked woefully out of position at times. Was a bit of an attacking threat on occasions. He’s 18, been in Reading’s system. I can’t see why we would.

The positives. Brooks, in particular, and Kelly. U21 debut for young fella Regan Slater. Wednesday penalty miss. And that shot from Reed which hit the post. But, the main positive is that Season. Thirty games, only conceded 24 goals, won 17 & lost only 7, 57 points. And that entertaining unbeaten 17 match streak. Some teams still playing fixtures next week. So, there’ll be time to rest before the One Leg Play Off semi away at Charlton. A date & venue for that has still to be sorted out. Come on. Just checked, I've done 15 of those 30 games. I'm happy with that....

On a final, oh give me strength, footnote. Alex O’Hanlon scored on trial for United U21s at The Lane on Monday. Today, Friday, he was on trial for Wednesday U21. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Brown Envelopes.

And, as it happens, I was way off the pace myself. I didn’t even realise that Wood Street Brewery were no longer operating at The Hillsborough Hotel. Still a great set up. Welcoming & a great range of beers. Easy to get to & from on the Tram.

I went Brew Foundation, Hop n Glory on cask at 4.9%. Great beer.

Now for the Play Offs (*insert your own level*)

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