U21 v Huddersfield - PDL2 Play-Off Final

[Bert]

Sure I read Terry Kennedy had been released? Is that on hold due to Wilder incoming?

You read that he wasn't getting a new contract after his present one runs out.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Lost 2-1. Dominated the first half and out muscled and pressed Huddersfield. Second half they came into it and they edged it. Bit of sloppy defending and they took their chances.

All the players put a shift in, worked hard and gave iteverything in front of an appreciative 5000ish (?).

Stand out performers for us were centre half Callum Semple and the centre midfielder Whiteman, the latter I think will be a real player and leader for the first team given time.

Ramsdale looks a good keeper with an excellent kick. Kelly is a solid left back who looks about 10 years older than he is. Whilst not being the tallest, he looks physically quite strong. Semple looks a good left footed centre half, decent on the ball. TK was good in the air and communicated well, encouraging the others all the time. Think he must be on his way given he gave his shirt to the crowd afterward. The lad at right back is a great build (6ft 1ish) and very athletic, but needs to work on his defending. Good going forward though. Plenty of potential there.

In midfield really liked the centre midfield partnership of Whiteman and Gilmour. The former really put himself about, flying into challenges and getting all over the pitch. Think he'll feature a lot next season. Gilmour is a bit smaller but more of an athlete, again looks to have something. Lou Reed was on the right and was neat and tidy. Young Brooks is a slip of a thing but has a bit of pace and had menace with the ball at his feet. Needs the steak and banana diet like Monty had.

Up top Diego was tricky and a bit greedy, but fashioned some chances with good footwork. Adams looked a bit lost up top and was leggy. Physically he's very strong and with some coaching he has all the raw materials. Needs a break over the summer. Thought up top we lacked a little bit.

Nevertheless, I'm unashamedly positive. Great to see some passion from the lads. Whiteman was tigerish in the challenge and i'd forgotten what it was like to see a centre mid "put it about" in true Blades tradition.

Well done Dem Blades!

Sorry Rodley, I know the U21's have had a good season, but not sure about Huddersfield U21's. Were we expected to beat them ?. Thanks for the report by the way.
UTB

 

[Sothall_Blade]

No, we weren't really expected to beat them.
They won the league, 8 points ahead of us in 2nd and 19 points ahead of 3rd.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

No, we weren't really expected to beat them.
They won the league, 8 points ahead of us in 2nd and 21 points ahead of 3rd.

Thanks Sothall.

 

[Rodley]

"Dem Blades" from the Caribbean Calypso version of "When the Blades go marching in". A real Blade would know this!

Said with warm affection down The Big Gun on the Wicker.

 

[Pinchy]

Let's get a reality check. If the new season started tomorrow how many of our 'kids' would merit a starting place?

Long, but only because we have no alternative. He's hardly a kid anymore in any event.

Adams, but only until we bring in a tall mobile centre-forward.

The rest: Some will never make it. Others simply aren't ready.

McCabe may talk about 4 or 5 Academy lads in the first team, but they have to deserve a place on merit. We want to win promotion, not the fucking X-Factor.

 

[Lane Ender]

David...excellent manager.
Pal of Wilder.

Dave Bassett resurrected this club reshaped things and took us back to the promised land for them years he will be remembered.

 

[Treeton Blade]

If Adams could have produced just a small percentage of what we know he is capable of then the game could have been over by half time. Overall Diego and Che (who we would expect the most from) were the most disappointing.

Small point but a printed team sheet would have been helpful. Enjoyable afternoon.

There was a teamsheet, but in true Utd style they left them on reception.

You had to walk round to South stand to get one, normally they are on the gate at Lane U21 games.
Guess no one could be arsed to walk round with them.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

There was a teamsheet, but in true Utd style they left them on reception.

You had to walk round to South stand to get one, normally they are on the gate at Lane U21 games.
Guess no one could be arsed to walk round with them.

Aren't printed team sheets a bit old hat and an unnecessary expense when you have a whacking great electronic scoreboard ideal for the purpose being mostly unused?

 

[Treeton Blade]

Aren't printed team sheets a bit old hat and an unnecessary expense when you have a whacking great electronic scoreboard ideal for the purpose being mostly unused?

That modern way of thinking has no place at Bramall Lane.

You`ll be suggesting we show replays next

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Trevor Hockey. Limited by the standards of the day, but an infinitely better footballer than Jones and Montgomery combined (not difficult; so am I). Not only that, Harris surrounded him with players of talent and style. A great blend.

Bassett, on the other hand, had Brian Deane and surrounded him with Hampstead Heath Sunday leaguers and has-beens. Classically he signed useless lump Jones and past-it Marwood on the same day. For Dinosaur Dave, style was something you climbed over on a country walk; flair, half a pair of bell-bottoms and talent an ancient coin.

Once other teams learned to cope with his simplistic, ugly, crude but for a while effective, brand of "football" and particularly once Deane left, he hadn't a clue.

Right man at the right time was our Dave, but his legacy has scarred the club for decades.

Hodges, Bryson, Nilsen, Blake, Agana, Wood, Beagire, Carr*, Whitehouse, Kelly, Tracey, Starbuck**…… To say Deano was the only quality of the bassett era does these lads a massive disservice.


*I know Carr wasn’t a top level player but he was all about flair and style. Frustrating player but an absolute joy to watch at times.


**again, not a successful signing but certainly a flair player.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Addendum:

Nearly forgot: Wally Downes. Wally Fucking Downes!!! And they criticise NA for Hammond? Wally Fucking Downes.

Downes, Gannon, Patterson, Marker, Monty, Doyle, Hammond…. History is filled with these players and even successful teams are. See Drinkwater for Leicester. Fernandinho, Matic, Makalele (in the day), Hockey, Dier, Dunga, Hammann....... Water carriers are never particularly popular but teams fall flat on their face without one.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

His football brain is also a bit dim.

Needs someone to teach him that has done it before for us. Isn't Deano supposed to be advising our strikers at the moment?

Reckon Che can learn more from Billy than Deano. After all it’s no good saying “become 6”4, like shit off a shovel and strong as an ox” whereas Billy, despite not having all the athletic advantages is a master of the dark arts (winding up opposition, drawing fouls etc) and very good in terms of intelligent movement, using his body well to shield the ball etc.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Oh and for good measure Turnbull was there also!

Maybe passing on his scouting book! I thought he had the push with our (ex) leader?

He was there though! Make of that what you will.

I hope he’s kept on. The policy of having our scouting network live and die with each manager has been a problem for us.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Sure I read Terry Kennedy had been released? Is that on hold due to Wilder incoming?

I think he was told by Adkins that his contract wouldn’t be renewed but it won’t expire til end of June. I suppose with a new manager, there is the option of offering him a new deal. I would be very reluctant to though given his injury record.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Let's get a reality check. If the new season started tomorrow how many of our 'kids' would merit a starting place?

Long, but only because we have no alternative. He's hardly a kid anymore in any event.

Adams, but only until we bring in a tall mobile centre-forward.

The rest: Some will never make it. Others simply aren't ready.

McCabe may talk about 4 or 5 Academy lads in the first team, but they have to deserve a place on merit. We want to win promotion, not the fucking X-Factor.

With the squad we have now? Assuming those out of contract (bar Long) are released. I think it would look something like:-


-------------------------Long

Brayford------Basham---Wallace---Kennedy

Coutts---------Whiteman—Reed----Done

-------------------Sharp----Adams


We’ll need at least 3 players through the spine of that team. Ideally 2 CBs and a CM to play with Bash as well as some more quality out wide.

But Whiteman, Reed, hopefully others like Semple, Kelly, Calvert Lewin, Brooks etc. are probably good enough to provide short term cover for injuries/suspensions etc. and some may one day become good enough to claim a first team place. I hope we take the approach of having these lads as “first reserves” meaning we can afford a starting 11 of better quality than we otherwise could.

 

[larkymasher]

I think what you are left with is about right. Although i expect a big centre forward with experience to come in, Edgar to get a deal, a new centre mid plus one or 2 others.

I dont expect to see Kennedy again to be honest but signed on a pay as you play and a small wage he may be back.

I then see young pros and u18s to play 21s with a remit of cover for injuries to the first team. If any of these impress then maybe given a chance to step up.

 

[Maidenhead]

Aren't printed team sheets a bit old hat and an unnecessary expense when you have a whacking great electronic scoreboard ideal for the purpose being mostly unused?

No good having a whacking great electronic scoreboard if you haven't got 10p for the meter though

 

[BushBlade]

Reckon Che can learn more from Billy than Deano. After all it’s no good saying “become 6”4, like shit off a shovel and strong as an ox” whereas Billy, despite not having all the athletic advantages is a master of the dark arts (winding up opposition, drawing fouls etc) and very good in terms of intelligent movement, using his body well to shield the ball etc.

Although Deano is a qualified coach and former manager as well as a former top striker so I imagine his advice will be equally as beneficial as Billy's, if not more so.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Although Deano is a qualified coach and former manager as well as a former top striker so I imagine his advice will be equally as beneficial as Billy's, if not more so.

See where you're coming from but I think people who have all the physical attributes might sometimes struggle to bring those along who don't by comparison as they've never had to overcome difficulties. A player like Deano used his height, pace and power to great effect. Billy has none of those advantages but has found ways to be very effective using the tricks of the trade to progress his career. Adams has more athletic ability than Billy so if he could learn his tricks of the trade, he could become a hell of a player.

 

[blackydog]

I think he was told by Adkins that his contract wouldn’t be renewed but it won’t expire til end of June. I suppose with a new manager, there is the option of offering him a new deal. I would be very reluctant to though given his injury record.

Exactly, are his knees knackered or not?
He must feel he has a future in football and if his knee problems are in the past I would definitely want to keep him. Suspect they are not though.

 

[BushBlade]

See where you're coming from but I think people who have all the physical attributes might sometimes struggle to bring those along who don't by comparison as they've never had to overcome difficulties. A player like Deano used his height, pace and power to great effect. Billy has none of those advantages but has found ways to be very effective using the tricks of the trade to progress his career. Adams has more athletic ability than Billy so if he could learn his tricks of the trade, he could become a hell of a player.

Overcome difficulties? Did you see Deano when he first joined us? Clumsy as fuck, couldn't trap a bag of shit. One of the most improved players over his career I've ever seen.
I think you're doing him a massive disservice.
Billy on the other hand was/is a natural finisher from day one. He has clearly learnt the tricks of the trade, I wouldn't dispute it but that lad was born to score goals.

If Adams is smart he'll listen to both. Carefully.
So should McNulty if he's coming back.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Overcome difficulties? Did you see Deano when he first joined us? Clumsy as fuck, couldn't trap a bag of shit. One of the most improved players over his career I've ever seen.
I think you're doing him a massive disservice.
Billy on the other hand was/is a natural finisher from day one. He has clearly learnt the tricks of the trade, I wouldn't dispute it but that lad was born to score goals.

If Adams is smart he'll listen to both. Carefully.
So should McNulty if he's coming back.

I was only a nipper when Deano had his first spell with us so perhaps I don't remember accurately. To me he was superman. He could do everything. He was bigger, stronger, faster and better than any player he came up against.

 

[BushBlade]

I was only a nipper when Deano had his first spell with us so perhaps I don't remember accurately. To me he was superman. He could do everything. He was bigger, stronger, faster and better than any player he came up against.

He wasn't far off that by the time he left us but I reckon he'd worked very hard over the years to get like that.

 

[Pinchy]

Overcome difficulties? Did you see Deano when he first joined us? Clumsy as fuck, couldn't trap a bag of shit. One of the most improved players over his career I've ever seen.
I think you're doing him a massive disservice.
Billy on the other hand was/is a natural finisher from day one. He has clearly learnt the tricks of the trade, I wouldn't dispute it but that lad was born to score goals.

If Adams is smart he'll listen to both. Carefully.
So should McNulty if he's coming back.

I was at Reading for Deano's debut. He scored in a 3-1 win but clumsy and raw were the appropriate adjectives. BushBlade is entirely right.

 

[Pinchy]

With the squad we have now? Assuming those out of contract (bar Long) are released. I think it would look something like:-


-------------------------Long

Brayford------Basham---Wallace---Kennedy

Coutts---------Whiteman—Reed----Done

-------------------Sharp----Adams


We’ll need at least 3 players through the spine of that team. Ideally 2 CBs and a CM to play with Bash as well as some more quality out wide.

But Whiteman, Reed, hopefully others like Semple, Kelly, Calvert Lewin, Brooks etc. are probably good enough to provide short term cover for injuries/suspensions etc. and some may one day become good enough to claim a first team place. I hope we take the approach of having these lads as “first reserves” meaning we can afford a starting 11 of better quality than we otherwise could.

That team shows how much work CW has on his hands doesn't it?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Overcome difficulties? Did you see Deano when he first joined us? Clumsy as fuck, couldn't trap a bag of shit. One of the most improved players over his career I've ever seen.
I think you're doing him a massive disservice.
Billy on the other hand was/is a natural finisher from day one. He has clearly learnt the tricks of the trade, I wouldn't dispute it but that lad was born to score goals.

If Adams is smart he'll listen to both. Carefully.
So should McNulty if he's coming back.

I asked Deano last week about him coaching for us, but he played down his role and I think he's focused on getting a new job in management.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

That team shows how much work CW has on his hands doesn't it?

Indeed it does but I hope he uses those young uns as back ups allowing a better starting 11 rather than sign a load of squad players. Has to be quality over quantity this time.

 

[Ecco1889]

Udders goalie made3 quality saves,2 from Diego,some good performances tho,no 11,lightweight but had a great match,att 4018
Enjoyed it

FTPE has posted how he rates Brooks,and I wondered if this was the same kid who impressed a couple of months ago...what stood out for me that day was his balance and control..really hope he makes the grade

 

[spongebobblade]

FTPE has posted how he rates Brooks,and I wondered if this was the same kid who impressed a couple of months ago...what stood out for me that day was his balance and control..really hope he makes the grade

It was mate. He and Semple were our stand out players