[Archived] Under 21's Match Report: West Bromwich Albion 1 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

[Kamy100]

Parsonblue's match report from the recent Under 21's game:

Monday 24^th August 2015 – Barclays Under-21 Premier League Division Two

West Bromwich Albion Under-21 1 v 0 Blackburn Rovers Under-21

West Bromwich Albion Under-21 (1) 1

Nabi (penalty) 39

Ethan Ross; Josh Ezewele, Jack Fitzwater, Shaun Donnellan, Robbie McCourt; Joe Ward; Tyler Roberts (James Smith 90), Samir Nabi, Kyle Edwards, Andre Wright (George Cleet 56); Tahvon Campbell (Zack Elbouzedi 65).

Subs not used: Matthew Hall (gk), Sam Field.

Manager: James Shan

Blackburn Rovers Under-21 (0) 0

Ryan Crump; Connor Thomson, Sam Lavelle, Scott Wharton, Mark Edgar; Willem Tomlinson, Joe Grayson; Connor Mahoney, David Carson, Jack Doyle (Lewis Mansell 67); Devarn Green.

Subs not used: Andrew Fisher (gk), Luke Wall, Lewis Hardcastle, Modou Cham.

Manager: Damien Johnson

Referee: Mr. A. Dallison

Bookings: West Bromwich Albion Under-21 – Andre Wright, Joe Ward, Shaun Donnellan

Blackburn Rovers Under-21 – Willem Tomlinson

Attendance:

The meetings between these two teams at The Lamb Ground, Tamworth produced a very entertaining game which was only decided by a highly debatable penalty late in the first half.

Within the first three minutes Andre Wright showed speed down the left wing but his attempt to centre was cleared for a corner which came to nothing.

The Rovers responded with a cross of their own but Connor Mahoney’s centre was easily claimed Ethan Ross.

Mahoney then ran at the home defence before passing inside to David Carson who pulled his shot narrowly wide from just inside the penalty area. Mahoney then tried to go on another run down the right but having beat one defender he tried to beat a second and was robbed of the ball.

Ten minutes into the game the ball fell to Carson in the area who took it to the side of one defender before he blasted a powerful shot which Ross did well to save.

The Rovers had dominated the game up to this point and looked threatening whenever they moved forward. However, on thirteen minutes the home side had their first really dangerous move which ended when Sami Nabi blasted the ball high over the goal when in an excellent position to find the back of the net. Six minutes later Nabi was played through by Kyle Edwards but Ryan Crump was quick off his line to claim the ball at the feet of Nabi.

The Rovers broke quickly down the right on twenty-four minutes and Devarn Green had to literally push the linesman out of the way as raced past a defender and cut inside into the area. Sadly, his final touch proved a little strong and a defender was able to hit the ball back against Green and out for a goal kick. Nonetheless, it had been a very encouraging opening by the youngsters who had dominated most of the first half up to that point.

Wright became the first name in the book when he felled Carson with a crude challenge when the Rovers were attempting to mount yet another attack.

On thirty-three minutes a sweeping move down the right saw Connor Thomson and Mahoney exchange a number of passes before the ball was cleared for a corner. Ross struggled to deal with the corner and moments later he was stranded when a ball to the back post was headed wide by Mahoney.

The Rovers almost gifted the home side a chance when Crump played the ball out to Willem Tomlinson and the Rovers midfield man played it back to the ‘keeper but over hit the back pass and Crump was relieved to see the ball go out for a corner. However, when the ball was played in from the corner it fell to Nabi who was unmarked in front of an open goal and inexplicably he sliced his shot well wide of the target.

However, within minutes he had the opportunity to make amends when Mr. Dallison awarded Albion a penalty after thirty-nine minutes. Tahvon Campbell chased a ball into the area with Mark Edgar in hot pursuit. The Albion forward appeared to lose his footing just as Edgar made a challenge for the ball and the referee, after a moment’s hesitation, pointed to the spot. From the spot kick Nabi placed the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the net with Crump diving in the opposite direction.

It was a tough break for the Rovers’ youngsters as they certainly didn’t deserve to be behind at this point. However, the goal seemed to energise the home side and the impressive Edwards left Tomlinson in his wake with a neat turn and change of pace before he played an inch perfect pass into the path of Tyler Roberts. Crump came out to meet the Albion man but as he dived for the ball Roberts merely took it around Crump, but from an acute angle his cross came to nothing.

The Rovers attacked down the right with Thomson charging forward from right-back and he then found Tomlinson with a neat pass but the midfield man fired wide.

West Brom started the second half on the front foot and pressed the Rovers back deep into their own half. Edwards was orchestrating the best attacking moves with a series of passes which continually opened up the Rovers defence. Nine minutes after the restart Albion really ought to have doubled their lead when Crump did well to save a shot from Nabi only to see the ball fall to the feet of Jack Fitzwater. With an open goal gaping in front on him the centre back blasted the ball high over the bar. It was an unbelievable miss from such short range.

Albion continued to look dangerous going forward and another cross from Roberts was headed clear by Scott Wharton. Mahoney then had another shot which flew wide of the target whilst Tomlinson, on one of his rare forays forward hit a decent effort from outside of the area which was saved.

Albion were then awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after Wharton brought down Roberts. Fortunately, Nabi’s shot was blocked by the wall.

On seventy-six minutes the Rovers had a shout for a penalty when Carson went down under a heavy challenge in the area but the referee was unmoved by the appeals of Rovers players.

The Rovers were now looking more dangerous as an attacking force as the Albion started to sit deeper and deeper to protect their lead. However, they simply couldn’t find the key to unlock a packed defence. Mahoney had another shot blocked and Carson put the ‘keeper under pressure when he challenged for a cross which was eventually put out for yet another corner. Green fired wide as the Rovers continued to press in search of an equaliser.

In the first minute of added time Mahoney struck of free-kick which beat the wall but was straight at Ross.

Quite how the Rovers youngsters failed to get something from the game is a mystery. At times they dominated the game, particularly in the first half, but simply couldn’t find the finishing touch to some excellent football.

Carson again caught the eye playing just behind Green. His busy style and non-stop running caused problems for the home side throughout the game. Mahoney showed flashes of what he can do but all too often his final ball was lacking. Tomlinson worked hard as one of the holding midfield players alongside Joe Grayson who also delivered another decent performance. Lewis Mansell had a decent thirty minutes or so when he replaced Jack Doyle – a player who doesn’t look as comfortable playing on the left of midfield as he does at left-back but, in Mark Edgar, the Rovers seem to have found another excellent young defender.

[Tom]

No Petshi in the squad

What an odd signing that is looking like

[Rover_Shaun]

No Petshi in the squad

What an odd signing that is looking like

Yet he played a lot in pre-season.

The obvious thing was to question why a player who was released from is contract by a team who only just managed to not get relegated to the French amateur 4th division was deemed worthy of a shot at a level akin to 6 leagues higher. But that train of thought was poo-pooed.

Time isn't even on his side as he's only on a years contract

[ABBEY]

No Petshi in the squad

What an odd signing that is looking like

Stinks of he who shall not be named

[Parsonblue]

Stinks of he who shall not be named

Far from it. Simply look at the number of players who are eligible for the Under-21's and look at the line-ups over the years and you will see that players are rotated on a regular basis. Thus Green didn't feature in the opening Under-21 but on Monday played in place of Forrester. Eastwood played in the opening two games but on Monday it was Crump. Edgar started on Monday but was on the bench at Newcastle and didn't feature at all against Derby. The club often use midweek behind closed doors games to give games to those who don't feature in the League game. The Under-18's do something similar - hence the behind closed doors game against Chesterfield earlier in the week. It's no great mystery, it's how we have done things since Mark Hughes was in charge.

[mustard]

Parson, are you concerned about the lack of wins for the u21s? Are the u18s having a similarly poor start? Rather strange/disappointing that our poor start extends further than the first team.

[ABBEY]

Far from it. Simply look at the number of players who are eligible for the Under-21's and look at the line-ups over the years and you will see that players are rotated on a regular basis. Thus Green didn't feature in the opening Under-21 but on Monday played in place of Forrester. Eastwood played in the opening two games but on Monday it was Crump. Edgar started on Monday but was on the bench at Newcastle and didn't feature at all against Derby. The club often use midweek behind closed doors games to give games to those who don't feature in the League game. The Under-18's do something similar - hence the behind closed doors game against Chesterfield earlier in the week. It's no great mystery, it's how we have done things since Mark Hughes was in charge.

I'm referring to the petshi signing ,,,something amiss big time

[Mercer]

Parson, are you concerned about the lack of wins for the u21s? Are the u18s having a similarly poor start? Rather strange/disappointing that our poor start extends further than the first team.

Think it's a consequence of how our footballing structure has been dumbed down. Jobs for the boys and cheap enough !

I'm referring to the petshi signing ,,,something amiss big time

Surely not ! Doesn't Saint Gary have control over all transfers ?

[Parsonblue]

Parson, are you concerned about the lack of wins for the u21s? Are the u18s having a similarly poor start? Rather strange/disappointing that our poor start extends further than the first team.

Not in the slightest. The performances so far this season for the Under-21's have been excellent. The Under-18's have drawn with Middlesbrough - one of the top academies in the country - whilst losing to Manchester City is no disgrace. As for Petshi, he was signed for free and will be on fairly low wage. He has been put with the Under-21 squad until he gets use to English football - nothing unusual in that. Sometimes these deals work - Samba for example - and sometimes they don't - Yelldell, Pelzer, Nielsen, Songo'o to name but four. Even established international like Patrick Andersson, Anders Andersson, De Pedro, Van Heerden and Baggio all came and went without much impact.

[JBiz]

he's only on a years contract

Exactly why it's not worth the amount of hysteria that comes with this type of deal.

We have, and will again, take cheap punts on players of all descriptions, Goulons, Diawaras, Berners, Sambas, Nzonzis, Nelsens, even a 35+ year old Robbie Fowler trained with us for a while.

If we'd signed two aged midfielders from a London club on 30k+ a season wages and multi year contracts, it may warrant the same suggestion.

[K-Hod]

Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Petshi is injured? Or am I just being too logical?

I must admit, it's great when people decide a half-truth is gospel, run with it and over-react!

[Rover_Shaun]

It would be perfectly understandable for a financially fluid club with an unlimited amount of squad places but as our manager revels in using the squad size as an excuse I cannot see how the club can justify carrying passengers to that degree. Even if he's on £10 a week it would be £520 wasted.

[JBiz]

It would be perfectly understandable for a financially fluid club with an unlimited amount of squad places but as our manager revels in using the squad size as an excuse I cannot see how the club can justify carrying passengers to that degree. Even if he's on £10 a week it would be £520 wasted.

If he gets to the point where he's played 5 games he will take a squad place, and I doubt if he's completely useless they'd let him get to that.

I agree with you on the financially fluid side of thing, money gives you more to risk. Perhaps you should get used to this style of a plonk on a cheap one out of left field, because being financially striken as we are, the punts will be more Dabo and Petschi like as opposed to bringing foreign captains who have no experience of league ie Ooijer, Mokoena, Nelsen etc.

I also very much doubt he is on anything near 10k, more like 2/3k with no background in English football.

[mustard]

Not in the slightest. The performances so far this season for the Under-21's have been excellent. The Under-18's have drawn with Middlesbrough - one of the top academies in the country - whilst losing to Manchester City is no disgrace. As for Petshi, he was signed for free and will be on fairly low wage. He has been put with the Under-21 squad until he gets use to English football - nothing unusual in that. Sometimes these deals work - Samba for example - and sometimes they don't - Yelldell, Pelzer, Nielsen, Songo'o to name but four. Even established international like Patrick Andersson, Anders Andersson, De Pedro, Van Heerden and Baggio all came and went without much impact.

Hope to see them turn a corner as we could be needing a few of the youngsters this season. Better they come into the first team full of confidence.

I've no qualms about Petshi's lack of appearances. A few more months without playing might ring alarm bells but I'm sure he's simply settling in and getting fit.

[Parsonblue]

Hope to see them turn a corner as we could be needing a few of the youngsters this season. Better they come into the first team full of confidence.

I've no qualms about Petshi's lack of appearances. A few more months without playing might ring alarm bells but I'm sure he's simply settling in and getting fit.

A behind closed doors game against Accrington on Tuesday is probably when Petshi got his game time this week.

[Rover_Shaun]

But, but Gaz says (big book of excuses chapter 10 amendment 9) they haven't been able to train properly. Someone's telling porkies

[ABBEY]

A behind closed doors game against Accrington on Tuesday is probably when Petshi got his game time this week.

Worth every penny of his wage this one. Good gig if you wangle it .

[ABBEY]

Surely if you get someone on a year deal then they must be ready for the first team . No time to mess around with shut door games . If he's on a 3 year deal then yes no problem .stinksof dodgy dealing to me.

[Parsonblue]

But, but Gaz says (big book of excuses chapter 10 amendment 9) they haven't been able to train properly. Someone's telling porkies

You're right there. Usually the whinging brigade who see conspiracy around every corner.

[AllRoverAsia]

Good to see that the Under 18's thumped Liverpool today away 0-4

[chris_h]

I was just going to mention the u18s hopefully without stealing Parson's Thunder. Fantastic effort and a Hat trick for Lewis Mansell.