Premier League Cup, Group D
Thursday 6 September 2022
Played at Chesterfield
SUFC 2021/22 Game #36
That's put a bit of a dent in the chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup. We now lie third, on 4 points, 2 to play. Three points behind Peterborough & five points behind Everton.
One of the Carrier Bag Firm has just reminded me we beat Everton 3-1 (at Southport) in September. And then mused about how many of the starting XI from that night survived to the return fixture.Three. Starbuck, Cappello, Gomis. Of those, Starbuck was right wingback at Southport, but right centre back at Chesterfield. Cappello was left wingback at Southport, but up top (ish) in a two at Chesterfield. Nicksoen Gomis played left centre back in both games.
What does that demonstrate? Correct. The impressive record keeping & attention to detail of the CBF. And also, the amount of churn you can get at Academy U23 football.
There'd been some speculation Everton may play a weakened side tonight. Using their best U23s in the FA Cup this coming Saturday. Anyway, as an aside, Everton started five players tonight who had started in the September fixture. Zan-Luk Leban, Mackenzie Hunt, Reece Welch, Lewis Warrington, Tom Cannon.
So. It was Amissah betwixt sticks. Seriki wide right. Buyabu wide left. Starbuck, Belehouan, Gomis across the three. Ayari, Charlie Staniland & Brooks. With Ange & Will Osula up top.
Fair fucks to Chaz Staniland. I think that's his first start for the U Two Threes. He's been whacked into centre holding mid. With the where the fuck have they gone now roamers of Ayari & Brooks somewhere else. He often seemed a lone man in midfield. He did very well. Not much by way of taking it off the keeper & centre backs. But great positionally. Quick at closing his man. And nice and simple with the ball. Playing mainly facing his opponents goal.
I increasingly worry about Ayari. Anonymous for great swathes. And then not executing what he is actually good at - for eg set piece free kicks. I know they've fucked Ange Cappello about with what position they want him. And I know he was a bit freer up top tonight. But, as a smallish, impact, ball at his feet player, he looked much, much better than Hassan tonight.
Interesting that they tried Starbuck as a right CB. When he first arrived, and played right back/wingback, he was a constant attacking threat. But, I feel that has trickled away in more recent games. Seriki, Starbuck & Gomis provided a strong & marauding threat from the back. Buyabu is a bit smaller, but is powerful going forward. Jean Belehouan just anchored it in the middle.
I'd sum it up as - they were tending to burst with the ball at their feet from very deep, rather than overlap or support other players, although they were difficult to knock off the ball, eventually they just ran out of space & options. That basically tells the tale. A disjointed performance all round. Very little link up play. Relying mainly on individual skills. Lacking off the ball movement.
Cappello & Osula were lively enough. But collectively we couldn't really get anything going. The very early, 3rd minute, opener essentially came from a Nicksoen maraud forward in the left channel. That broke down a bit, but the ball fell wide to Cappello. He put a decent shot in. The keeper got a lot on it. But was ahead of himself & spilled it right to Will Osula. He bundled it home.
Everton goals on 25, 45 & 49 brought it all home for David Unsworth's & Jose Baxter's boys. I'm not saying Everton were miles ahead of us. But that was a deserved win.
The pre match wait for the Teamsheets was in Carrier Bag Firm HQ East Mids - The Glassworks. Obviously, as a Brampton Brewery Tap, we're increasingly relying on Cask rotation for Beer Ticks. But, it's a great pub.
Brampton Brewery, Wasp Nest, English Bitter on Cask at 5%.
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