Inside Shirecliffe

Sheffield United U18 2 v Bolton Wanderers U18 2

U18 Professional Development League, North

Sheffield United 4 v AFC Wimbledon 0

League One

Saturday 4 February 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Inside Shirecliffe

A rare treat today. Academy Manager, Travis Binnion & U23 Coach John Dungworth hosted a group of SUFC Supporters Club Members up at Shirecliffe. A quick spiel from Travis, straight into a Q&A session. Then out onto the touchline for the U18s so we could ask them more questions as the game went on. I would say this, but I found Travis to be very impressive. Strike me, he’s only 30 years old. He was open & honest & gave common sense answers to our questions. It was all in confidence - best way. So, I won’t write what Travis & John actually said. But I will write what I learned.

1. The U23 side is very much a development side. It can and does accommodate first teamers when absolutely necessary. But, it is not an old fashioned reserve side - it’s about the young players. Although there is a consistency & mirroring between the first team & the U23s. If the first team play high tempo pressing, so do the U23s. If the first team play three at the back, so do the U23s. First team managers come & go, Clough, Adkins, Wilder. So, Travis, John and the U23 players have to adapt & change. I’m sure that can be a ballache for coaching staff. But, it does play into their requirement to develop adaptable & flexible young players. Who can play many ways, not one way.

2. Talent Through Trauma. Make of that what you will. But, if the first time young players get into difficulty & are under pressure is when they make their first team debut at a Baying Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, and if they freeze, then the Academy has failed. United have a recent history of playing “too young” players in the U18 & U23 sides. A core of the U23 regulars are still actually U18 eligible. That is deliberate - take them out of their comfort zone. Play them against Mesters. Some sink, some swim.

3. The Academy feel they are good at sucking up local, young talent. The Academy has a good reputation amongst kids & parents. The facilities are good & the U18 & U23 teams play at a good level (mainly v Championship clubs). They have also been successful in bringing in younger lads from Ireland, through their scouting network. Keeping the very exceptional 12 or 13 year olds (for eg) is a challenge. Why? Because we’re pissing around in Division 3 is why. But, we don’t lose many. We’ll lose less if/when we’re in the Championship. Because we’ll have a bit more money to keep the ship afloat. And, we’ll be even more attractive to kids & parents.

4. The Academy do lose some youngsters to “bigger clubs”. But, we probably could do better nicking outstanding players from “smaller clubs”. Mate, sorry, it’s Dog Eat Dog. The signing of Horatio Hirst from Oxford City for example. We have not tended to sign youngsters like Hirst from other clubs, but to develop our own from very young age groups. We need to do more, or we’ll miss out.

5. A key role of the Academy Management is to go to McCabe, Wilder & whichever random bloke (it won’t be a woman obviously) is currently representing the Saudis & convince them that player A, B or C is worth tying down on a longer term deal. I can imagine that is also a hard sell in HMS Good Ship Division Three. With a new manager every season. But, let’s get real here. Some rocket science. To run a successful Academy you need to be able to keep your very very best once in a lifetime, could go on the play for England, youngsters. Not for ever. But, maybe for a bit longer.

Remember, all my words, not those of Travis.

Outside Shirecliffe

The U18s were a bit off today. Second best. But, they pulled it back with a very late equaliser. Bolton played well. They were strong & physical. You’re allowed to be. And the United youngsters found it a little difficult to deal with that at times. The point (& other results) mean that it’s still business as usual at the top. United are three points clear of Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand. Emphasising some of the messages, one team below us (Hull) are in The Premiership, six are in the Championship, and one is at our level (today’s oppos Bolton).

I reflected on what Travis told us over a pint of Partners, J.Y.B. on cask at 3.5%.

The Main Event

I do not believe in Boom Or Bust at BDTBL. I believe in Boom or Business As Usual. Today was Boom. An early goal will help any side. But, I think it’s particularly crucial for a team like United, in the situation we faced today. It allows them to go back to accurate, but patient, build up against a team who at some point will have to chase the game. With that, chances come. Did. Goals an’ all.

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