Professional Development League
Monday 24 January 2022
Played at Christopher Park, Wigan
SUFC 2021/22 Game #44
(No Beer Day)
Wigan Athletic's Training Complex at Christopher Park (main stand pictured) is the 227th different ground I've watched a Sheffield United XI play on. And the 380th different ground I've watched any football on. A big sprawling place, on different levels, making it hard to gauge the full geography. We were allowed on a lower bit. Maybe room for three grass pitches. We couldn't really see the upper bit, but the steward explained that's where the First Team train.
As we stood along the touchline at the U23s, there was a slight grass bank incline behind us. Then a serious security fence. Then what looked like a path, then the second fence surrounding the First Team area. The Carrier Bag Firm radars engaged. If that was a public footpath, separating the Academy & First Team pitches. And if it was ever Behind Closed Doors here. Would you just be able to see in from that path? This is the sort of info the CBF crave. Sure enough, lady walking dog lollops past. Then a v noisy trail motorbike, two passengers, no helmets, bag of cans, screamed along. Then, fuck me, a car drove up it. Conclusive. You can go along that path & see in.
Avid readers may know that I love a bit of training ground nonsense about who is allowed to stand where. Ridiculous Rules. An absolute doozy here at Christopher Park. Remember that slight grass bank incline I mentioned? A Wigan steward was walking along the touchline. Asking people (including the CBF) if we were a) Agents/Scouts or b) mere spectators. Agents/Scouts HAD to stand up the bank. Mere spectators HAD to stand on the flat. I mean. OK pal. (Shrugs).
Stuart McCall was here, in civvies not trakkies. Over on the spectator side, not the dugout side. He was allowed up the slope (FFS). Michael Collins & Aidy Boothroyd were both over in the dugouts.
The Young Blades will have been disappointed to only win two one. Despite a faltering start to the second half, they were very much in control. Wigan had a man sent off on 65 minutes. It was already 2-1 by then. One of the Carrier Bag Firm Coneheads has calculated that I have seen Blades teams play against 10 men for about 2 hours in the last week and fail to score. #Facts
Callum Hiddleston was in goal. Kyron Gordon set up in the middle of a three, Jean Belehouan on his right, Nicksoen Gomis on his left. Joe Starbuck wide right. Oft striker (see later) Angelo Cappello wide left wing back. Peck, Arblaster, Brooks across midfield. Leo Gaxha & Hassan Ayari up top.
Gordon had an odd game. Taking more of an organising than an active role. He looked to be misjudging most punts & clearances as they sailed towards him. He had a mad minute early on. One forward pass to his left was to no one. Not no one in particular, just no one. Then, he banged a what the fuck has he done that for lateral pass to his right straight out of play and up the bank.
United started brightly, with wingbacks Starbuck and Ange pushed very high. In just the 4th minute, Sydie Peck fed Cappello out left. Gaxha put his low cross into the side netting. But, United conceded the first goal on 12.
A weak, looping, backward defensive header from Gordon put the ball back into the penalty area no man's land. Hiddleston was a little stranded & unsure. He was a bit clumsy wrapping himself around the attacker. The penalty was given. No complaints. Great shot to the keeper's left. As he went right.
However, I'd barely finished writing the notes before the equaliser. Featuring what became "a thing" as the game progressed. Hassan took a left wing corner, right footed, and swung it deep to the back post, where it curled in, as the keeper flapped.
Within minutes, he'd scuffed the next inswinging corner, this one hitting the foot of the near post. Not to be outdone, Ange Cappello was trying the same thing, left footed from corners on our right. Shirecliffe must have been a right fucking laugh last week.
They soon got bored shitless of that though. By the 27th minute, Hassan was working short corners and triangle passes from the left. The resulting cross was half cleared. That fell perfectly to Arblaster just inside the box. Sure, it fell nicely. Sure, it opened up in front of him. But, you've still got to execute. Right footed. Top corner. Two one up.
A number of these players are very strong going forward. All of Belehouan, Cappello, Starbuck & Seriki (who came on later) made surging runs with the ball. Sure, they sort of run out of ideas & options eventually. But, we're sixty yards further forward & still broadly in possession. So long as other players offer support, it'll work.
Wigan started the second half brightly. A poor pass from Peck put Ky Gordon under pressure, but the Mud Hutter striker shot into Callum's hands. On 50, Leo Gaxha was injured in one of those both players kick hard at the ball things & limped off. He has a ski boot on at the changing block when we walked past at FT. Femi Seriki came on as right wingback. Joe Starbuck moved over to left wingback & Ange Cappello (yes, you've guessed it) went up top. Some reshuffle that.
Arblaster & Peck were solid in midfield. Tidying up. Covering. And moving the ball calmly & accurately. Andre Brooks had more of an up & down game. At times, rather anonymous, with the game passing him by. But, he also ended up with probably the most chances of any of our young 'uns. He would hug the edge of the box. Or arrive on the penalty spot on time. For cut backs & squares. Some shots over the top. Some tamely into the keeper.
The best chance of the second half fell to Femi Seriki, who found himself with the ball at his feet in the inside left channel (I know…). He slipped, when it looked easier to score. It was that sort of day. A good few chances. Not taken. And just occasionally sloppy at the back.
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