Deadbat
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With having to look after my little un today I was off work so ventured up to Shirecliffe for a rare watch of the reserves/development squad.....
The game was to be frank utterly awful. Coventry shaded the first half, we shaded the second half but cant remember many good efforts on goal all game. They had a few efforts just wide or deflected over in the first half and then in the second we did have a few openings but took too long to get the shot away and then once Philliskirt delayed and could only hit corner of bar/post. Neither side deserved to win and there were not many on show that stood out.
Danny Wilson was there watching (he was very friendly to my 4 year old when he shouted 'Look Danny Wilson! - I had not even notived him stood alone away from the crowd) as was Barlow, Dearden, Tony Philliskirk and a few others. A few of the 1st teamers such as Williams, Doyle and Porter (my son nearly took a ball off Porter - I know his hold up play can be up and down but that would have been a new low!), were stood watching bits of the game. Surprising the u21's/reserves/development or whatever it is called; have to play on one of the top pitches as the slope is quite extreme and the flat, lovely pitch below where the first team train is left with noone on it (guess they may have trained there this morning).
The United side tried to play football but the pitch and the swirling wind did not help and thus it was mostly scrappy. We had little flair, creativity and the strikers did not really do much at all. The defence/keeper were sound but as I have said on that display noone really said 'pick me!' to the watching coaching staff (Morgan/Cresswell took team incidentally).
Anyway player ratings/thoughts :
GK George Willis - Quite small for a keeper but did nothign wrong taking afew routine crosses and communicating well with defence. Decent kick on him too.
RB Jordan Hodder - Very small right back who did ok. Left his man a bit too much space at times but stuck to his task.
LB Callum McFadzean - Not sure he is best at left back and would have liked to have seen him playing higher up the field but he did well defensively. Also got forward when he could. Nice control and always looks to go forward when he has the ball. Think he needs a loan spell somehwere (ideally League 2 but even Conference would be ok).
CB Josh Williams - Cleared and headed the ball away when he had to and whilst did nothing spectacular he was solid enough. Replaced by Aaron Barry who also did ok when he came on as United were not attacking more than defending.
CB Terry Kennedy - United's best player. Captained the side and was the most determined to make any kind if impression. Of course he partered Maguire in the defence a few years ago in the Youth Cup run but then got some bad injuries putting him back a few years after he debuted at Swansea. Today, he won tackles, attacked the ball, used it well when he had it and looked up for it. He was very impressive and I feel needs some games on loan if he could get them as with Maguire/Collins/Hill he wont get a sniff unless we have major injuries and then with few 1st team games would Wilson put him in? He does lack height and is not lightening fast but he is a very competent defender and reads game well and is strong in the tackle. Think he could make it as a league player but whether that is with United or not remains to be seen.
CM Max Pemberton - Did little of note and cant remember him getting on the ball much at all as Coventry enjoyed more possession in the first half. Pemberton swapped a few times with De Girolamo who often came inside. Pemberton was replaced by Otis Khan who is another quite small player but had one run where he was blocked when set up well by others. Interesting to see if Pemberton stays at end of season with his Dad moving on.
CM Matt Harriott - Was one of our better players. He at least got on the ball and tried to pass it or take some initiative. He lacks pace and does not move much from the central area and may be a more defensive midfielder than attacking. He could do with some loan games elsewhere to see if he can do it first team level as I am sure next 7-8 months are crucial for him if he is going to make it here. I think the likes of Whitehouse may overtake him soon (he was running in the gym inside).
RM - Tonne. He started wide right but he moved left a few times. He was really poor and never really got into the game. Seemed to pull away from physical contact and did not stamp his authority. He looks no more ready for first team than when I saw him a few years ago and sadly not sure he is ever going to make it. I know he has another year after this one on his contract.
LM - De Girolamo. Was looking forward to seeing him after the reports on him from the Academy and the number of goals/individual efforts he has scored. He disappointed me. He had a few little mazy runs but does not like to release the ball (when he did he played a few decent balls) and does not seem interesed when the ball is not near him. He drifted inside and did not really stick to his position. Has some good skill/control but a long, long way off league football which you would expect of someone so young.
CF - Philliskirk. Never really got in the game. He showed a few better touches/link up in the second half but like his Dad, lacks aggression and determination for me. He hit bar with a shot when he took too long to get his shot away and a few other times dithered when a chance was there. Another like Tonne who has another 18 months or so on his contract but one that is not a kid really and you wonder whether he is ever going to make a fotball league player.
CF - Ironside. As above. He did not get in the game much and when he had a chance he took too long. He lacks pace and is not that strong. Not sure he is quite good enough but he has a few years on Philliskirk. Slew who was far superior to him (they partered each other for a few years in the Academy) is now back at League One level so you worry if Ironside has any one outstanding quality that will allow him to make it.
One final word about the young referee was excellent. Close to the action I could hear him talk to the players and almost coach them throiugh making the right decisions (eg not making unneccesary fouls etc).
The game was to be frank utterly awful. Coventry shaded the first half, we shaded the second half but cant remember many good efforts on goal all game. They had a few efforts just wide or deflected over in the first half and then in the second we did have a few openings but took too long to get the shot away and then once Philliskirt delayed and could only hit corner of bar/post. Neither side deserved to win and there were not many on show that stood out.
Danny Wilson was there watching (he was very friendly to my 4 year old when he shouted 'Look Danny Wilson! - I had not even notived him stood alone away from the crowd) as was Barlow, Dearden, Tony Philliskirk and a few others. A few of the 1st teamers such as Williams, Doyle and Porter (my son nearly took a ball off Porter - I know his hold up play can be up and down but that would have been a new low!), were stood watching bits of the game. Surprising the u21's/reserves/development or whatever it is called; have to play on one of the top pitches as the slope is quite extreme and the flat, lovely pitch below where the first team train is left with noone on it (guess they may have trained there this morning).
The United side tried to play football but the pitch and the swirling wind did not help and thus it was mostly scrappy. We had little flair, creativity and the strikers did not really do much at all. The defence/keeper were sound but as I have said on that display noone really said 'pick me!' to the watching coaching staff (Morgan/Cresswell took team incidentally).
Anyway player ratings/thoughts :
GK George Willis - Quite small for a keeper but did nothign wrong taking afew routine crosses and communicating well with defence. Decent kick on him too.
RB Jordan Hodder - Very small right back who did ok. Left his man a bit too much space at times but stuck to his task.
LB Callum McFadzean - Not sure he is best at left back and would have liked to have seen him playing higher up the field but he did well defensively. Also got forward when he could. Nice control and always looks to go forward when he has the ball. Think he needs a loan spell somehwere (ideally League 2 but even Conference would be ok).
CB Josh Williams - Cleared and headed the ball away when he had to and whilst did nothing spectacular he was solid enough. Replaced by Aaron Barry who also did ok when he came on as United were not attacking more than defending.
CB Terry Kennedy - United's best player. Captained the side and was the most determined to make any kind if impression. Of course he partered Maguire in the defence a few years ago in the Youth Cup run but then got some bad injuries putting him back a few years after he debuted at Swansea. Today, he won tackles, attacked the ball, used it well when he had it and looked up for it. He was very impressive and I feel needs some games on loan if he could get them as with Maguire/Collins/Hill he wont get a sniff unless we have major injuries and then with few 1st team games would Wilson put him in? He does lack height and is not lightening fast but he is a very competent defender and reads game well and is strong in the tackle. Think he could make it as a league player but whether that is with United or not remains to be seen.
CM Max Pemberton - Did little of note and cant remember him getting on the ball much at all as Coventry enjoyed more possession in the first half. Pemberton swapped a few times with De Girolamo who often came inside. Pemberton was replaced by Otis Khan who is another quite small player but had one run where he was blocked when set up well by others. Interesting to see if Pemberton stays at end of season with his Dad moving on.
CM Matt Harriott - Was one of our better players. He at least got on the ball and tried to pass it or take some initiative. He lacks pace and does not move much from the central area and may be a more defensive midfielder than attacking. He could do with some loan games elsewhere to see if he can do it first team level as I am sure next 7-8 months are crucial for him if he is going to make it here. I think the likes of Whitehouse may overtake him soon (he was running in the gym inside).
RM - Tonne. He started wide right but he moved left a few times. He was really poor and never really got into the game. Seemed to pull away from physical contact and did not stamp his authority. He looks no more ready for first team than when I saw him a few years ago and sadly not sure he is ever going to make it. I know he has another year after this one on his contract.
LM - De Girolamo. Was looking forward to seeing him after the reports on him from the Academy and the number of goals/individual efforts he has scored. He disappointed me. He had a few little mazy runs but does not like to release the ball (when he did he played a few decent balls) and does not seem interesed when the ball is not near him. He drifted inside and did not really stick to his position. Has some good skill/control but a long, long way off league football which you would expect of someone so young.
CF - Philliskirk. Never really got in the game. He showed a few better touches/link up in the second half but like his Dad, lacks aggression and determination for me. He hit bar with a shot when he took too long to get his shot away and a few other times dithered when a chance was there. Another like Tonne who has another 18 months or so on his contract but one that is not a kid really and you wonder whether he is ever going to make a fotball league player.
CF - Ironside. As above. He did not get in the game much and when he had a chance he took too long. He lacks pace and is not that strong. Not sure he is quite good enough but he has a few years on Philliskirk. Slew who was far superior to him (they partered each other for a few years in the Academy) is now back at League One level so you worry if Ironside has any one outstanding quality that will allow him to make it.
One final word about the young referee was excellent. Close to the action I could hear him talk to the players and almost coach them throiugh making the right decisions (eg not making unneccesary fouls etc).
