Some Positives

Nottingham Forest U23 1  v Sheffield United U23 0
U23 Professional Development League
Monday 11 February 2019
Played at the Nigel Doughty Academy

SUFC 2018/19 Game 65
2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 89

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I managed to push out to the Brewhouse & Kitchen in Nottingham for Brewery number 89 of the season. Nicely appointed inside. Under close forensic questioning, the bar lady consistently maintained that all the beers were brewed on the Kit which was just to the left of the front door as I walked in. We’ll have to take her word for it Lads. It rocked up as four of their own on cask, and five of their own on keg. The Noisy Call, Black IPA on keg at 6% was OK. It didn’t taste anywhere near 6%, not in the same Galaxy. It was actually quite tasty when I whacked into it at the bar. But, by the time I was savouring in my seat, it had all died down a bit. So, I’ll happily give Outstanding Beer Of The Day to t’other one.

Brewhouse & Kitchen, Nottingham, Talladega Pale on keg at 4.8%. Perfect for before Noon drinking. Fresh & effervescent. The hops kicked in quickly & nicely after some apricot action. The sweetness was held at bay. Nice beer.

I found that a bit of an odd game at the Forest Academy. Neither team really got away from the other. There were long spells with virtually no chances. As we approached full time, I was happily in a - Forest just about deserved it - mood. But, after a few chances & a bit of countback, I feel United could have easily come out of that with a draw. We weren’t bad in the first half, but we got going a bit more in the second. Look Pal, I never said I wasn’t going to change my mind. I have been a vociferous fan of United’s cull & put the ever Younger ‘Uns in strategy. And, I’m fully behind the basics of - it’s a development team not the reserves. But. My current thinking. With a lot of experienced Development players out on loan. Is, that it might benefit this very young Under 23 side to be bolstered by the odd first team fringer. Their development will be hampered if they’re close to getting overrun week in week out. Good players help good players develop.

Now, I have NO inside information. The January Disruption Window has closed. No one need be pushed to the very front of the Shop Window. Maybe some first team fringers do need game time. Maybe Basham’s upcoming suspension means we have to have contingency. So, I have no real idea exactly why Washington, Lundstram & Bryan were out there. Whether it was for their own benefit or not. But, today, with my current malaise, I was very happy to see them on the teamsheet. Simply because I thought (hoped) it’d make for a better performance by the real Young Blades if they were there.

And, I have to wave a big salute to Washington & Lundstram in particular. Sometimes, big first team lads dropping down has a very disruptive impact on the U Two Threes. But, these were no Toss It Off performances. Both of them did a hard, full 90 minutes. Lots of effort. High workrate. Near the end, as we pressed for a possible Aston Villa style late equaliser, Lundstram in particular was all over the park.  Their attitude seemed spot on as well. Working with the youngsters. No pointing the finger. Fully engaged. I find it easy to like Lundstram. When called upon by the First Team out of necessity, I feel he’s always tried & put the shift in. Each time I’ve seen him play for the Under 23s, he looks the most accomplished player in a United shirt. He looks for the ball. He has a lot of time when he has the ball. And, given that time, it’s very noticeable he’s two footed. Happy either knocking it short & quick or pinging it long & accurate. As we pressed for the equaliser, Lunny hit a superb cross field ball over to our left. Right into the stride of Reece York. Reece wriggled into the box & had a go at a multi stepover routine. At one point, I thought he’d done too much & was beating himself. But, he kept it alive & was a little unlucky to see his strike blocked.

Washington was energetic at running the channels. And, in the first half when we under the cosh, he came very deep to look for the ball & provide an outlet. He also had a great chance to equalise in the second half. He made a run to the near post, the low cross came in, Washington tried a clever flick. He actually made good contact, but the keeper & a defender bet it out. Very late on, Harry Boyes broke free on the left & worked it to Simeon Oure, his shot was blocked & it looked for all the world as if Washington was going to knock it home. He didn’t.

Don’t read too much into me not lumping Kean Bryan in with Lundstram & Washington. Bryan only played the first half. That looked like a plan. Putting two & 2 together to get 7, maybe Wilder is thinking of him for the bench while Basham is suspended. He’s obvs at a different stage of his career to the other two mentioned. I’m not really minded to move far from my previous opinion of Bryan. For me, he’s got something. He moves effortlessly & quickly. What do I know about Centre Backing? Well. When a fella seems to just pop up & not have to move far to make a tackle or head it clear, he’s probably got great positional sense. Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t outstanding. Indeed, he made a howler (16 mins), and only a great save from Eastwood saved him. But, he just has something that makes him look the part. In the main, calm & assured. Er, don’t quote me.

The other player I’m going to mention is Captain for the day Oli Greaves. Deffo two halves today. In the first half, Washington was more or less a lone striker. York, Lundstram & Neal doing the midfield. Greaves couldn’t get in the game as a sort of “extra 10”. Large swathes where he didn’t see the ball & you’d forget he was there. I suspect there was a little tactical thing at half time - telling him not to be afraid to get wide & forward. And, maybe a bit of gentle encouragement (as opposed to a rocket & arse situation). Anyway, he was much more involved in the second half. He got in the box & got shots off. And, he had a great little spell coming towards the midfield players, and spinning their passes to get going forward to Goal. He’s a much better player facing their goal than ours.

So. You know. Some positives all round.

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