Robbed Not Rubbish

Sheffield United U23 1 v Huddersfield Town U23 2

U23 Professional Development League, North

Monday 5 March 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 70

A somewhat disappointing defeat for the Young Blades. Because of postponements & other bollocks, a win would have seen us go top on goal difference above Bolton. As it happens, that loss leaves us in 2nd place. 35 points from 23 games. Three points behind Bolton, but above Sheffield Wednesday on goal difference. Both of them have played a game less than us.

We're in the self inflicted disruption phase of the U23s season. We let our lads go on loan or trial elsewhere. While we bring in new lads on trial. Hokey and indeed Cokey.  Jake Wright Jnr was injured in the game at Forest. So, maybe that's why he wasn't out there. David Parkhouse was up the back of the stand with the Bad Lads. So, maybe he's still injured. We think Jordan Hallam is either in Spain or Norway with Viking Stavanger. So, that left Tyler Smith as lone striker.

Callum Semple has also been with Stavanger. But, he was back here on the bench. Along with Sam Graham. That left a Hello, Pleased To Meet You back three of Ben Heneghan (centre), (presumed trialist) Ali Omar (left) and Kieron Freeman. Yep. Freeman as Right Centre Back of three. (Presumed trialist) Harry Sheppeard outside him as right wing back.

As it happens, I think that back three role may have helped Freeman. He was certainly fully involved. Needed one way or another all the time. They switched it after 66. Graham came on for Sheppeard and Freeman had the last twenty odd at wing back.

So, Freeman. Fully involved. Did the full 90. Didn't look in any problem physically, stamina, fitness. He did put in a few overlaps. But, as a back three-er, there wasn't a great deal of opportunity. Solid is what I'm saying.

Freeman did make a bad defensive error after 38. The Just Past Penistoneian forward took it on. But, he was denied by a great, stay up, stay big, save by Jake Eastwood. That allows me to explain that Eastwood had a very good game. Huddersfield had a good spell early on, before Utd got going. Young Jake kept Utd in it. Although we weren't overrun, they did have a fair few chances. Big stand up saves. Low down diving push asides. There were no spectacular, top corner, tip overs. But, good saves. Calm. Confident. Competent. I counted four blinding saves just in the first half.

I'll tell you who also had a good game. Some of the Boo Boys will want to look away now. Samir Carruthers, that's who. I'll yield to no one. He's got the skills & the awareness the fella. Just needs a shot of summat in his veins to get him going. Today. I'll sum it up as - he was sometimes robbed of the ball trying something attacking or creative, but he rarely gave it away pointlessly. Robbed Not Rubbish. There is a difference.

It hadn't really started all that promising for Samir. With Wright, Hallam, Parky all missing, Ty Smith was something of a lone striker. It was all lacking of the lustre. At first, they pushed Samir up, not up with Ty, but just further up. I got cross. It just looked like a licence for Carruthers to toss it off. He could cruise. Wait to see if owt happened. Let Udders play round him. Not good for anyone. But, once it all got dusted. He took on a more conventional, in the hole, creative ten role. That. Suited. Him.

He showed all the touches. Fancy Danning. But, his awareness radar is good. Finding teammates. Finding gaps. Finding out. He's got it in him. When he fancies it. Just needs to fancy it more. In short spells, he made the game look easy.

I'm assuming Ali Omar is the Stevenage defender. Once rumoured to be a Bournemouth target. He set up left of three at the back. He looked fairly comfortable in possession. Got a couple of solid headers off & did simple defensive stuff well. He didn't stand out either way. No great howlers. But nothing making you jump out of your seat. He lasted until 58, then Semple replaced him like for like.

I'm assuming Harry Sheppeard is from Tadcaster Albion. He set up as right wing back until he was binned at 66mins. I didn't see anything there. At times, he looked rather weak in the challenge. Didn't really impose himself in any phase. He had one good early run as I recall. Wriggled inside with the ball. But, couldn't make anything happen.

And ….
Ty Smith opened the scoring on 24mins. Somewhat against the run of play, I might add. He was putting a lot in all afts. But, with little support nor service. He nipped in. Capitalised on a defensive error. Rode a couple of challenges, where the ball bounced into his stride again. And, stabbed it home. That lead to a much better & confident spell for Utd up to half time. Indeed, Tyler could have made it two just on the half. He took a through ball in his stride, stayed strong & got a shot off. But, it was off target.

Huddersfield equalised with a neat accurate header ten minutes into the second half. Then, it was a bit ding dong. Before a very good 88th minute goal would it for the Terriers. Good control & an outside the box left foot shot into the corner.

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