Bolton Wanderers U23 3 v Sheffield United U23 1
U23 Professional Development League, North
Wednesday 19 April 2017
Twitter @ball_sup
U23 Season Round Up
That defeat means United can no longer finish in a top two Play Off spot. So, we have only one more game left at this level this season. Unfortunately, I can’t make that game at home to Crewe on Monday 24 April. So, that's it for my U23 season. I’m naturally disappointed we haven’t made the Play Offs like we did last year. Win that final game & we’ll finish above Crewe. Maybe as high as 3rd - but 4th seems more likely. After tonight, we’re played 27, won 12 & drawn 6 (lost 8) - 42 points. Goal difference of +10. Only 6 points cover Bolton in 2nd with 46 down to Birmingham in 7th with 40 points.
I’ve had a countback. I’ve done seven U23 Professional Development League games at home & six away. Plus two at home & two away in the Premier League Cup. Plus one at home & two away in the Central League Cup. To give a total of twenty U23 games this season, ten at home & ten away. That has helped me sweep up six new grounds;
Parkgate FC (Rotherham away)
QPR’s training ground at Imperial College, Harlington
Fleetwood’s training ground at Poolfoot Farm
Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers (Reading away)
Huddersfield’s training ground at Canalside
Solihull Moors (Birmingham away)
At Canalside, Huddersfield I had Timothy Taylor’s, Landlord on cask in the Clubhouse.
At Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood I had a bottle of BrewDog, Dead Pony Club in the Clubhouse
At Imperial College, QPR we’ve been for a drink before & after in the superb White Hart in Harlington
Good, good season that.
But, standout new beer destination of the U23 season was definitely The Heidrun in High Wycombe before the Reading away match.
Today’s Trialists
Strewth. Binnion won’t have been able to carry all the Brown Envelopes from this one. I counted four trialists. I spoke to the Dads of two of ‘em. And one I can’t even track down on Google. Look, it’s a bit of a nonsense ain’t it. Leagues to be won. Play Offs to get into. And, we end up letting a load of our kids go before the season ends. So, that we can try a load of other kids let go by other clubs. No continuity. Disruption.
I saw nothing from any of them to turn me on. Malakai Hinckson-Mars. From Chelsea’s system. Set up as an upfront rover with increasing liability Jake Wright Junior. Left channel if anything. In the first half, he had a good run on the ball & set Wright free with an intelligent pass, who could have scored (but didn’t). He was bullied a bit at times by the Bolton Big Lads. He was isolated for much of the game & needed to (but couldn’t) find a way in. He was eventually subbed for David Parkhouse.
Rob Worrall. Signed by Nottingham Forest from Harrogate Town. Set up as wide left midfield in a conventional four. It was noticeable a number of Bolton attacks came down his side early doors. Before they got it shored up. He came more into the game as time wore on. Tidy at times. But, he made no sort of impact. Lasted until 83. Subbed by Will Portman.
Callum Lees (from Everton’s system) & James Taylor (from who knows where - maybe he’s A Ringer) set up as Centre Backs in a conventional four. Naturally, at CB, they had more of the game than Worrall & Malakai. Taylor in particular was mobile & did his work out wide when necessary. All tidy. Won some headers. But, Bolton were on top for large periods. Running through midfield & getting shots off from the edge of the box. The defence needed organising to stop all that palaver.
The Familiar
I know they’re familiar. But, the players I noticed were Jake Bennett & David Brooks. Bennett got a number of great blocks & last ditch tackles in. And, he was even involved in a great attacking move to send Jake Wright Junior free. Unfortunately, Bennett had to go off after he got a knock.
Brooks scored United’s goal with a great direct from a wide free kick effort. Otherwise, generally glided around. He has the ball a lot. But, he does lose it a lot as well. Which creates problems behind him. In the second half, the Greater Manchesterists cottoned on a bit, got him man to man, and he was less effective. He is becoming more of a complete player. Happy to do the tracking back & hard yards.
The Game
I think it was clear, a lot of United’s U18 qualified players are being held back for the U18 Play Off Semi Final on Friday. United were second best. It was a bit disappointing. Bolton broke through from midfield more or less at will. It was down the other end from where the Carrier Bag Firm were, but a Boltoner went down & Jake Wright Junior was shown a straight red in his own penalty area. Fair dos. Jake Eastwood made a fine save from the penalty. Jake W - come on mate - what’s going on? Love the determination & getting under skin qualities. But, you can’t be leaving us with ten men nearly every other week. Jake Eastwood made some great saves. But, he also looked a bit shaky at times.
The Beer
Bob’s Brewing Co., Yakima Chief on cask at 5.2%
465/974
86
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