Sheffield United U23 2 v Ipswich Town U23 1
Monday 15 August 2016
U23 Professional Development League 2, North
Played at Shirecliffe
Twitter @ball_sup
Here we go. Brave New World. The 341st plan to improve the development of younger English players. Step forward a switch from Under 21 to Under 23. Excellent. That’ll hit the spot. Look. The Premier League is a Brand. So, what they’ve done is rebrand what was the Under 21 Premier League to something called Premier League 2. Brilliant. High Fives all round at the planning meeting.
At our Professional Development League 2 level, I doubt we’re bullyable. The Premier League 2 merchants won’t give a flying fuck. But, anyway, “our” league has followed suit & we’re now playing Under 23s.
Just to prove how un-Professional the Professional Development League 2 is, the referee & the ones who flag for a decision after it’s been given turned up late. The players had warmed up. They were even in position on the pitch. The Carrier Bag Firm had securely placed all unnecessary bits of paper into the Bags. But still no sign of the holder of the electronic board and pointers at corner flags.
Given the circumstances. I took a quiet moment of reflection. Not a minutes silence. But, a respectful nod to those no longer in the Band Of Brothers. Terry Kennedy. Diego De Girolamo. The CBF salute you.
No time for further sentiment. Lots of familiar faces out there. One way or another, Ramsdale, Kelly, Brooks, Wallace (K), Reed, Whiteman, Calvert-Lewin were all involved in or around the First Team in the Adkins Bunker. Martyn Woolford was also given a shirt. Which (opinion follows) is only right and proper. He was subbed in the second half. He looked OK when he dragged himself off. But, I noticed he had an ice pack strapped to his knee as he trudged away from the Grassy Knoll down the hill to the Rooms. Woolford did OK. Busy, involved. Got a couple of good shots off.
Otherwise. A good performance for the what does it matter if you’re Under 21, you’re Under 23 by definition Blades. Great spell at the beginning. Great spell half way through the second half. Under pressure a bit at the end as Ipswich chucked the lot at it. Jake Wright is a pain in the arse. (If you support the opposition). But, a lovable rogue, if you’re a Blade. Still sporting the support on his wrist in honour of Jostein Flo. The fella could start a rumble in an empty room. My view is that he should tone it down. He can speak for himself, but I think the shenanigans make him lose focus at times.
Anyway, Jake went close with a couple of good headers. Dom lead the line well at times. But, they all went off the boil after the initial spell. I think David Brooks should be pushed up a bit. He can hurt teams more. Because he’s got the skills, they use him in the many balls go through him midfield role. While that’s OK. I’d like to see him groomed down the left. Matt Done’s role in the First XI must be under some pressure.
All told. Got the job done. Had the best of the ball & the chances.
I can’t quite work it out. I think the 83/83A buses have changed. Both in which Company runs which one & some rerouting. Anyway. There are multiple stops you can catch either near Shirecliffe. The one I was on runs very close to The Riverside & The Harelquin. And the stop on Snig Hill is very doable to The Shakespeare. For a full of flavour pint of Blue Bee Brewery, Sorachi Pale on cask at 4.5%.
350/755
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