Big Lads Have Been In The Tuck Shop

Birmingham City U21 3 v Sheffield United U21 1 

Professional Development League 

Monday 27 November 2023 

Played at Solihull Moors 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #26 

Sheffield United 1 v Bournemouth 3 

Premier League 

Saturday 25 November 2023 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #25 

Apologies. There has been some Bloggage Blockage of late. Had a few life things going on, nothing to worry about, just had to plough through.

The U21s were second best in that game at Birmingham I'm afraid to say. As I write, United remain top of the North Group. Played 13, won 8, drew 3, 27 points. But, Birmingham are tight in second, just two points behind off the same games. Sheffield Wednesday remain in touch. They're three points behind Birmingham with a game in hand. A reminder that City beat the Young Blades in the 2020/21 National Final.

Birmingham were big lads, and looked physically stronger than our lot. 

Callum Yam had the gloves. Back three - Sasnauskas, Evan Easton and Nix Gomis. Femi Seriki wide right. Jili Buyabu wide left. Ryan Oné and Hackford up top. Peck, Hampson and the ever roving Brooks in midfield.

I'm going to say it. I find Oné and Hackford up top quite frustrating. Today, neither seemed able to grab the game and be constantly involved. Neither shows “flashes of brilliance”. When Ryan does get involved, a few things happen. He got a great snap shot off on 38, after a great run and cross by Buyabu. Unfortunately, straight at the keeper. 

Ryan also had a great break chasing a long ball. He did all the stay strong and keep the ball moving stuff very well. But, it was a very poor and tame finish at the end. Ryan equalised on 59. That's Ryan, not too involved, but when he was, a bit of stuff happened. But, Hackford, I'm not currently feeling it at all. Looks to have a long way to go for me.

The BlueNoses had opened on 41. Fair do, United came out a lot stronger in the early stages of the second half. I think they'd just had a shake up and decided to match Birmingham physically. More willing to run at them with the ball. And, push Femi & Jili up and get them on the ball.

Despite the score line, I felt the back three were calm & solid throughout. There's a lot to like about Evan Easton as he breaks through at this level.

A worked short corner pushed Sydie into the box and his was it a shot was it a cross was turned in by Oné. But, City goals on 71 and 82 left us no way back. Charlie Staniland replaced (the largely anonymous) Hampson on 88. He lasted two fucking minutes before a straight red for one of those modern things. He went in hard & horizontal, feet off the floor, 50/50. But, you go for those nowadays.

Anyone who has read my Social Media recently will have seen the BILE poured on Sheffield United for increasingly playing Academy games fucking behind fucking closed fucking doors at fucking Shirecliffe. I know this one was at a local non league ground (like when we use Chesterfield), but Solihull and Birmingham showed us how it can/should be done.

Two O’clock. On a Monday. They've not only got the doors open, but the bar as well, in The Moor Arms. OK. OK. There's no Cask. There's no Craft. There's just industrial. But, it's cold outside. And warm inside. 

Later on, in a different location, I was able to enjoy;

The Goodness Brewing Co (Harringay), Nova, Cold IPA from a Tin at 6%

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The name is Kennedy

Birmingham City U21 0 v Sheffield United U21 0

Wednesday 9  March 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at St Andrews

Twitter @ball_sup

We had a little bit of time to wander over the Digbeth Road. There are three CAMRA Good Beer Guide pubs over there. All essentially “a block” away from each other. The Spotted Dog was shut until 5pm. So, we ended up in The White Swan. Identified as having a nationally important historic interior. Somewhat bizarrely, the best feature seemed to me to be the wonderful fully tiled wall. Which you could not see from the main room. It was effectively the passageway to the toilets. Slightly disappointing beer selection. Banks’s Mild and a Jennings. But, I plumped for Marstons, New World Pale on cask at 3.8%. It’s a somewhat Industrial Beer. But, I have to say, was superb. Effervescent, full of flavour. Left me wanting more.

I’m pretty sure that is the first away U21 game played at the main stadium that I’ve been to this season. I’m guessing. But, surely that’s a big thing for the younger players, Callum Semple, Harvey Gilmour, Jake Wright, etc. It’s not the big stage in terms of size of the crowd. But, it’s the big stage in terms of arriving at the ground, trotting through reception, getting a feel of the dressing rooms.

There was some Prince’s Trust do on in one of the function rooms. So, as we entered through reception, we were asked whether we were going to that. The game was relegated to second choice! The Carrier Bag Firm were in sharpish. Got to get them Teamsheets. We arrived just as one (as in a single one) was delivered to the Lady On Reception. Under questioning, she said it was the guest list - not the Teamsheet. I pointed out that there were exactly 11 names on it for each team. Surely a Teamsheet.

Turns out …… We were both right. At that very moment, Alex Brown’s & then David Brooks parents walked in. Explained their Lad was playing, the Lady checked them on the teamsheet & gave them two tickets. Sorely tempted. Once a Blagger, etc. “Hello, Terry Kennedy is my lad…..”. Didn’t.

That result means the U21s are unbeaten in 15. We stay second. Three points behind Huddersfield. But we’ve played two more games than them. We’re 10 points clear of Hull City. They’ve got 7 games left to catch us. The way things are shaping, we’ll play Charlton away in the Play Offs.

Adkins was here.

Players looking to impress.

Compared to what I have seen, Diego ran his little legs off. But, in the main he wasn’t too effective. He wasted a couple of free kicks. He did look a bit quicker on the ball than lots of the others out there. But, couldn’t make it count. Jake Wright wasn’t at the races again. Him & Diego just don’t link up well. Kimarni Smith was very anonymous in left midfield. He did get away once, but not much else. I thought Harvey Gilmour had a good game. He looked confident and assured on the ball.

Great at the back. Terry Kennedy stood out. You know. What’s he got to do? Great positionally. Helping the others. Marshaling & encouraging. And, he did the business, hardly missed a defensive header all night. United’s best chance even fell to him. He got something on it at the Back Stick. To be honest, I thought he should have scored. Callum Semple also needs to be mentioned in despatches.

No Graham Kelly, nor Ben Whiteman. Both were involved (but didn’t get on) in the first team the previous Saturday.

286/596