La Manga Scouting Report

Murcia Region Representative XI 1 v Sheffield United 4

Thursday 14 July 2016

Played at La Manga, Spain

Twitter @ball_sup

Ah Drat. I was really hoping for any proper Spanish Club on their own ground. But, it wasn't to be. Probably because we came late to the party. I think we've had to juggle our plans & take what we can, where & when we can. (Ditto my Spanish Beer Hunting).

Open Training Session

It's not my scene. I much prefer sniping from the sides. But, United did themselves proud at the Open Training Session. Very welcoming. Fans were able to say hello to the players after. McCabe stumped up for snap & bevvies in the bar. Wilder & his staff were happy to mingle & chat. Not my scene.

I was late on parade. While I was there, they did a) five of you try to put 10 passes together in a box while two of you try to intercept. Then b) a variant where they then all had to shift & reorganise in the next box. And c) 7 v 7 (ish) on a small pitch. A red team, a green team & a grey team. Switching every 5 mins so you had a fresh team v a stay on team. I feel I've done enough for my UEFA Coaching Badge. Where do I apply?

Beer Hunting

I'm adding to the Beer Ticks I harvested in Alicante in November 2015 at England’s friendly. That was good Hunting. One bar, with lots of rotation & micros. But, it's hit or miss here on the La Manga spit. Some of what I'm hitting is from the Spanish Bigger Boys that we'd recognise at home. But, Selecta this, Reserva that. I'm way off the pace as to what is micro, what industrial. Hey. Back off. It's only preseason.

I'm claiming

Turia, Märzen, Cerveza Tostada at 5.4%
Osborne, Toro at 5.5%
Cruzcampo, Gran Reserva 1904 at 6.4%
Gamus, Lager Tres Maltas at 5%
San Miguel, Selecta at 6.2%
Estrella, Voll-Damm, Doble Malta at 7.2%

to take me to 19 Spanish Beer Ticks with the Stand Out Beer Of The Trip going to

Estrella Damm, Inedit at 4.8%.

Bit of an odd one. From one of the Industrial Big Boys. But, made in collaboration with chef Ferran Adria. I've got a suspicion it's blended. From a malt beer & a wheat beer. The wit/weiss tones come through nicely. I think it's also got some savoury spices chucked in. But, the impact is very much a sweetening. Basically it's been pissed around with. But, the fella will know his tastes. It works.

That said, those ticks have been about the Malt. Some lovely. But, barely a hop in sight.

The game

Another 11 in one half & another 11 in the other half affair. Except for Ben Whiteman. Who has done the 90.

My basic scouting report is;

Done & Mcnulty looked brighter than Sharp & Dom.
Dom in particular looked off the pace.
Hussey had a good one. Bombing down the left. Strong & good on the ball.
Ramsdale will be disappointed to be beaten from long range. But, it was a belter.
Whiteman showed his versatility. He's an asset.

New boys Fleck & Wright did OK. Competent & switched on. Wright set up as left centre back. With Wilson on the right. Fleck set up as left centre midfield. Che outside him. Whiteman (1st half) as right centre midfield. With Scougall outside him.

With Done & McNulty up top, Che did well marauding forward on the left. But, man alive, stay on your feet.

It's worth me reminding readers that Ben Whiteman has popped up all over the shop for the U18/U21s in recent seasons. True, he's come into the first team in midfield. But, he's “not necessarily” a midfielder. In the second half, he's set up as right centre back alongside O’Connell. And very competent & assured he was.

Coutts had set up as wide right midfield. Reed inside him. Alongside Basham. With Duffy wide left. But, they have been very fluent & changed around a bit. I was a little disappointed in Duffy. But, only because he'd had such a good game at Stocksbridge.

When I've done countback, I'll concede that Sharp did score & did have other chances. Maybe I've been harsh.

331/723
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