Sighs - EvansWatch

Bolton Wanderers U23 3 v Sheffield United U23 2

U23 Professional Development League

Played at the Lancashire FA County Ground, Leyland

Monday 15 January 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 43

The 202nd ground I’ve watched an SUFC XI on. The Lancashire FA County Ground in Leyland. If you stand in the right place & crane a bit. You can see the turnstiles from The Market Ale House, on Hough Lane. As I generally don’t retain much information for very long. That makes it my all time favourite ground - until the next one.

It’s time for a Manifesto. Look away now. Ched Evans made his comeback in this one. After an operation. Given how crap Evans had been for us for a lot of his first spell. Then how dominant he’d been for us in poxy Division Three - all those years ago. And given that we’ve looked a bit light up top at times this season. There. Was. Some. Interest. Hello to anyone who is reading this Blog to find out how Evans did. Welcome. But, I’m NOT a Super Cheddar. He’s currently pulling on a United Shirt & he’s not a rapist. So, he’ll enjoy my full support. Exactly as Kane Deidrick-Roberts is/will/did. That’s how we Rock. I’m a Feminist. I condemn “those songs” which part of our fanbase revel in. I’m a (small l) liberal. The law has taken its course. Evans is welcome back from me. But, Super Ched, with all the connotations. Naah. Hired hand.

That was a mad game. Essentially United got battered. But, could easily have got something out of it. There were two impressive forwards on the park.. The most impressive was Connor Hall. He is a Shirecliffe Academy Graduate. Who we have let go. Maybe he was proving a point. But, he was bang up for it. Pacy. Strong on the ball. Couldn’t be shaken off it. He converted two penalties. Including the winner right at the death. I caught him “doing some leadership” as well. When Red Card Candidate Jake Wright Jnr was a huffing and a puffing, Hall simply pulled his own player away. Knowing full well that the old Jake didn’t need opponents to start a ruck. Dear God. I hope the Young Fella learns from his lessons now he’s back. By contrast. Jordan Hallam & (particularly) Tyler Smith were anonymous.  That was partly because of personnel & systems. It’s clear that some of the U18 Youth Cup qualified players are being “rested” towards that. No Graham, Slater, Parkhouse, Cantrill, Doherty. So, this was a disjointed United side. I’m saying they effectively played two trialists in a back four. Cameron Hawkes seemed to have been asked to fill in at Centre Back. And, inexplicably to me, recent trialist Charlie Scott, who played at the back last time, was anchoring midfield.  What with all that. And Evans. I presume they all had to wear name tags on the bus & in the dressing room. I doubt most of them had met before. To emphasise - we only named four subs as well.

It was Taters. Far too cold for me to make notes as the game was on. So. This Blog. Short on detail.

Charlie Scott. From Manchester United’s system. Played last week v Villa, in a back three. This time, he set up in front of a back four in midfield. I was much less impressed with him than I had been last week. As anonymous as the rest. Cutting him some slack. He did get more into the game later on. And, he scored the 2-2 equaliser. A firm accurate shot. More or less from the edge of the box after Evans had squared it to him. Over the two games. Yes. He does have something about him. Strong. Comfortable on the ball. Willing to get involved.

Kayne Diedrick-Roberts. I think is also from Manchester United’s system. Although he was released in May 2017. He set up over on the right of a back four. Conventional, not wing back. Google has him as a forward. I don't know what's gone on there. What can I say. We’d been in the boozer. It was freezing. The Bolton crowd were so feisty, we dubbed the stand - The Referees Stand. There were concentration issues. But, he barely registered with me. As lost as the others.

Morgan Williams. We can only assume he’s the guy who has been playing at Mickleover Sports. (We nabbed Jake Bennett from them remember - so don’t be too hasty to dismiss). His main stand out moment was getting sent off at the death. After a mistake by Jake Eastwood had left him “no option” but to bring the guy down. He set up as one of two centre backs. They were all run ragged by Bolton - and Connor in particular.

Not a good day for a) any of the trialists, b) any of the U23 regulars, c) United in general. And yet.

No doubt. The game changed when Evans came on. I’ll not exactly say he changed it. But, he came on at 60. It changed at 60. Within five, he’d pulled it back to 2-1. A nice clean header into the bottom corner. He looked strong and fit from the off. Doing his running off the ball. Strong on it. Causing problems. He must put the fear into defenders. He’s got a Bull vs China Shop quality. Leaning. Charging. Not many negative points from me. He was aggressive & tenacious in the right hand channel. That paid off as he wrestled the ball free. Stayed strong & got it across to Scott for the 2-2 equaliser. One goal. One assist. Changed the game. Lively & strong. A bit greedy at times. But, hey. Two each would have set it all off nicely.

Unfortunately. That win means Bolton have leapfrogged us into second in the table. We’ve got 27 points from 17 games. Now in third. Sheffield Wednesday remain top 31 points from 16 games. Cup games. The weather. Etc. Taking their toll on the tidiness of the table. Some teams have played 18. Some 14.

Great MicroPub The Market Ale House. It looked very much like they have a “local beer only” policy. Although when you can call Manchester local, you’re laughing. Even the Lager was from Bury.

Blackedge, Hop Pale on cask at 3.8%
Hophurst, twisted Vine on cask at 4.1%

594/1245