The Boy Wonder (This time not a cheating, overrated, greedy Shrek though)

[Adam C]

Database with update on summer 2010 transfers. 15 year old Player at the start called Adam C. He is a MC capable of playing DM/AM. I am making monthly updates as theres not too much time before FM11 and I think it'll work like this, and yes it is a player story. Thus far I have done pretty much a season worth before posting my first.

July:

My name is Adam C, I am 15 years old and of English blood, I am a firm Liverpool fan and a fairly gifted footballer if I say so myself, I am a central midfielder, fairly all round bar average pace and heading abilities. Recently I had been playing for my county and my coach had informed me that should I fancy a footballing career, then I was able to play in a friendly between many english trialists, I thought, 'why not', and did so. I spent 45 minutes playing and then the whole side was subbed at the break. The ball only reached my feet on a few occasions but when it did I felt I held my own against older (only 18 or so though) opposition. I was disappointed that I had to come off, and thought I hadn't shown my true qualities. Like the strangers I had played alongside, I hardly lit the game alight.

For a few weeks after that I got back to my studies and thought nothing of the game and thought that nothing would come out of it. I was wrong. I received a call from Sheffield United and St. Johnstone (SPL) who both indicated they would like to sign me on a youth contract. I was ecstatic, and chose Sheffield United. I did not feel like leaving my home, England, at just 15 for Scotland, plus, Sheffield United, are in my own opinion, the better side. I signed a 4 year deal £55 a week youth contract and I have provisionally agreed to sign a £700 a week professional contract 2 years into my current deal. The training facilities are superb and the manager, Kevin Blackwell, has welcomed me to the side and informed me that, for the pre-season, I would be training with the senior side. Superb. What a hectic but utterly brilliant few weeks.

It got even better from there, I was an unused substitute away at Glenavon where I watched my new team-mates win 5-1 with ease and then once again I was selected for the bench in the friendly at Crewe. This time however, I came on. Montgomery swapped with me at half time when already 2-0 up and although nervous at the start, as the game went on I grew more and more confident and felt at home among my new team and took part in some decent football. I enjoyed it enormously and was given a 6.5 rating out of 10 in the local paper, which was good enough for me.

The best month of my life to date

[Adam C]

August:

Early on in August I was once again on the bench this time for a Friendly Cup semi final against Motherwell and came on for a mere 5 minutes and was understandably unable to make any impact.

It was then the friendly cup final vs Juventus, and I was admittedly gutted to be left out all together, but I still bought tickets to watch us in action against the likes of Buffon, Del Piero and Amauri. We played brilliantly in my view and got a deserved opener through Seips, but sadly a bit of quality from Amauri with two great goals meant it ended with defeat. Still a thoroughly enjoyable game.

I was not on the bench for any of the first team games in August. I had to watch from the sidelines as we were crushed 4-0 at Middlesbrough, turned it around with a comfortable league cup win over Rochdale, Darius Henderson got a brace, we then drew 2-2 with Watford and secured our first league win of the year over Leicester. We then travelled to the Madejski and grabbed a good point. The first team then progressed to the 3rd round of the league cup with an impressive 1-0 win at Coventry, with star striker Darius Henderson once again finding the net. His 4th of the season thus far.

I got my first Middlesbrough start in August, so it had some significance for me, albeit it was for the reserves, and I made no impact, but at least we got a point and I was not too bad. I played the full 90 minutes and we played decent football at times, but only created one clear cut chance throughout, which sadly was not converted. But you've got to start somewhere, right?

In my final game of the month, we played Leeds reserves. It was a dream start when left back Philip Roe scored with a very impressive finish considering he is a defender, but it went to pieces when our inexperienced side let the game go. With 2 goals in 2 minutes coming in the 73rd-74th minutes, and that was that. It was a shame, but it was something to learn from.

Summary for 1st Team: Through to 3rd round of League Cup but 16th in the league, however, only 2 points separate us from the play-offs in the tight early stages of the season.

Summary for Reserves: 7th out of 10 in the league with 1 point from 2 games, not stunning.

[Adam C]

September:

Well, once again playing for the reserves, and we played a game firmly worth forgetting. We were dominated and easily beaten by Scunthorpe reserves, 8 minutes in and we were behind, we thought it might be our day when veteran Richard Cresswell equalised, but it was not to be and by half time we were 3-1 down. In the second half there was no heroic comeback, and Ian Morris finished us off. To add insult to injury, Mark Yeates was sent off in the 82nd minute but at least we didn't concede another.

Then to make things yet worse, I was horribly injured in training when jumping for a header, my shoulder was dislocated and I have been informed that I will be out of action for about 2 months.

Without me, the reserves went on to draw with Hudderfield's reserves 1-1 at home, and ended September with a satisfying win over Hartlepool.

The first team also faired well, beating Derby comfortably away 3-1, once again they beat Coventry away, but then things went poorly. We were defeated at home by Sheff Wed, and Swansea then beat us 3-0 with ease. Thankfully we just about edged Plymouth to reach the 4th round of the League Cup and ended the month on a good note, defeating Ipswich.

Summary for 1st Team: 14pts and in 11th place, solid. Still firmly in contention for play-offs.

Summary for Reserves: Still in 7th but at least we have won a game now. Either way I hope to play by the end of next month once more.

[Adam C]

October

The month started superbly for the first team, a solid win over Doncaster with goals from Camara and Kallio and a clean sheet grabbed the 3 points. We then got perhaps the greatest result of the season so far, beating Scunthorpe 4-1 away, a stunning performance from the lads. We then travelled to Ian Holloway's Blackpool and secured a vital 3 points, with Richard Cresswell grabbing the winner. Then a fortnights break proved to have a bad effect, with us afterwards losing 3-0 to Cardiff and suffering an expected disappointment on a still memorable evening at Old Trafford in the League cup, ending our exciting cup run.

The reserves had only 2 games that month, but they managed to secure 6 points from 6. Firstly beating Sheff Wed 2-1 away, and then winning 3-1 at Grimsby. We were certainly improving as the season went on, sadly I was obviously unavailable for these games due to injury.

Summary for 1st Team: A good month meant a nice rise in the table, all the way up to 6th and in clear contention for the play-offs. West Brom, the leaders, were 9 pts clear of ourselves, and in truth were running away with it, Watford struggling to keep up in 2nd.

Summary for Reserves: 7th in the table, but far from any relegation dog fight and stuck in mid-table mediocrity. Truth be told the reserves were nothing special and I was merely biding my time and hoping for a future chance in the first team.

[Adam C]

November

At the beginning of November I began light training once more which was a good feeling, and I have been informed by specialists treating me that I will likely be spending 5-10 days further on the sidelines, which is something to look forward to. Whilst still injured I saw the senior side draw with Newcastle and slip to a Barnsley loss. Thankfully we did not continue to drop points and picked up a good win Peterborough.

The reserves drew at home to Rotherham, and at last I returned to fitness, and I was picked to start against Bradford reserves. I was not at my peak fitness but I needed games to get back to my true match sharpness. However, it seemed as if disaster had struck. After an average performance in the first half where we still got a 1-0 lead, in the 59th minute I was fouled, and my ankle was in a fair bit of pain, and I was subsequently replaced. Afterwards, when the win was wrapped up, the physio told me it was nothing serious and I was going to be fine. A big load of my mind as I feared the worse after already spending 2 months on the sidelines.

With no reserve game for a good while, it looked as if I would not be playing a competitive game for a while, but I was picked for the u18 side in a game against Doncaster. And after just 4 minutes, I was oozing with confidence; The ball had been played to me, I approached their box, I spread it out to Pomares on the left, he crossed it in, I raced into the box, rose above the centre back, headed towards goal! Saved! But it came back out and I volleyed home! I ran of and jumped and hit the air with my first, it may have just been a reserve game against Doncaster, but I was delighted. And for the rest of the game, it showed. I spread balls confidently, I won back the ball well, and in the second half things got better for me, when I picked up the ball, and played in Troy Pennycooke-Morgan, who made no mistake. 2-0 it ended and a good goal and an assist picked up for me as well as the overall man of the match. A game to remember, for sure.

Finally a kick start to my career, and things went from good, to brilliant shortly after that game. I was rewarded for that performance with a spot on the bench for the trip to Bristol. Half an hour and in and sadly we went behind to a Nicky Maynard goal, but the response was superb with Ched Evans finding the back of the net. In the second half, Lee Johnson was sent off for Bristol and we took full advantage just a minute later when Cresswell scored and just 8 minutes after that we made it 3-1 with Evans scoring once more. The game was over and in the 84th minute James Harper was brought off, the manager indicated me to come over, and told me “Don't be nervous, just play your normal game and make sure you battle for every ball. The game may appear to be over but keep it tight, just see out the win” I nodded and as Harper came off, he clasped my hand and whispered “good luck” to me, I smiled and jogged on. The fans applauded me and I loved every second of my appearance. It was only for 6 minutes plus stoppage time which meant I could hardly make an impact, but a nice win and my competitive début for the side felt brilliant.

Summary for 1st Team: 7th in the league after a stuttering start to November, but far from out of the play-off race with only a 2 point gap separating us from Middlesbrough.

Summary for Reserves: Not going to give a summary as hopefully I will not be appearing for them ever again

[Adam C]

December

Turned out my hope that I would not be playing for the reserves ever again was premature and, well, incorrect. I started against Middlesbrough's reserves in a 3-1 defeat but I was reasonably pleased with my own efforts, but it was a pretty poor team performance overall. Nonetheless, it was nothing to be ashamed about on a personal note.

I enjoyed a fabulous Christmas back home in Wolverhampton with my family, and had a long break from competitive football before then. Sadly there was no further rest for me as the day after I was picked for the u18s as we drew 1-1 with Newcastle with Nathaniel Forster grabbing the equaliser.

I watched from afar as the first team have a terrible month, suffering 3 defeats to Q.P.R, Plymouth and Nottm Forest respectively and only picking up a point against Palace at home. We then went on to lose to Leicester 1-0 but thankfully, we actually got a win at the end of the month beating Preston 2-1 with the winning goal coming from Cresswell.

On the 30th of the month I was selected to play for the reserves against Leeds, and it got off to the perfect start when Jordan Stewart scored. 20 minutes later Andy Taylor picked up the ball on the half way line and drove forward, he played a one two with Forster, played it into my path, I took It simply from one foot to the other past the centre back, and placing it into the bottom left hand corner with my right boot. GOAL! I was soon congratulated by my team mates on what was a very respectable, and most certainly the best goal I have scored professionally to date. It just got better from them on as well, when Henderson finished off a very incisive move to cap off a great victory away to Leeds.

Summary for 1st Team: 12th but only 3 points from play-offs. Still, things had to improve after a dire month.

Summary for Reserves: 2nd but m'boro are pulling away and are 6points clear, still, very happy with this considering our poor start.

[Adam C]

January

I have finally felt settled into the team. In training I am playing with a lot more flair and generally playing better. I feel like I am showing my true ability at last. And it was time to show it on the field. Middlesbrough u18s was the perfect opportunity. A very tough game. The first half, well none of us performed really, and we paid the price. Matthew Dolan made it 1-0 at the break. We received a wake up call at half time, and boy did we respond. Forster equalised shortly after the break, meeting a corner with a strong header. We dominated possession from them on but struggled for clear cut chances, but finally our opportunity came. I played it down the right for Slew, who took on a player, beat him, passes it back to me, I enter the box, fake a shot, make some space! My foot is clipped from behind me and I fall to the ground! Penalty! Morgan to take it... and keeps his cool! 2-1 and only 7 minutes to go. From them on the tactics were simple. Keep it tight, and counter when possible, and we did this to perfection. A corner was cleared to myself, I sprinted a good 30-40 yards down the field, played a one-two with Slew, played it right into Williams, who comfortably beat the keeper! Game over and a very good win.

I was then selected for the reserves against Scunthorpe where we started very brightly, with Yeates finding the net just 8 minutes in, then he turned provider for yours truly as he passed it right across the 6 yard box, making my job simple as I tapped home. I was disappointed to shortly after that be booked for a challenge that had been fair in my eyes, and then it was even more annoying to see them get one back. Thankfully, just before the break we finished them off once and for all, Ryan France finding the back of the net. But then in the second half, my game turned upside down when their winger outpaced and beat Maurice Ross, our full back, and I raced back only to catch his ankle in mistake, and I received a second booking and was dismissed. I couldn't believe it, especially as the first was not a foul yet alone a yellow in my opinion, but I walked off, hoping that my rash challenge wouldn't cost the team the win. Thankfully it did not, but I would be banned for a couple of games and I certainly had a lesson to learn when on a yellow.

Near the end of January, much to my surprise manager Kevin Blackwell informed me of a 2.3m offer from Man Utd for my services! I was interested, I could not help it, and of course shocked they had come in, but I told the gaffer the truth. I wanted to stay at Sheff Utd as I still have a job to do here to repay their trust in me, what's more I cannot stand Manchester United, being a Liverpool fan, and would rather not join their arch rivals.

Summary for 1st Team: 14th and drifting apart from the play-offs, it was a shame but it looks like there will be no chance of promotion this year.

Summary for Reserves: 2nd Place and still in with a chance of the title, but Middlesbrough did look rosy at the top.

[Adam C]

Put them together as I mucked up in one area and had to recover and this was how I did so, short months anyhow as reserves barely played any games, same for u18s.

February / March:

In February the first team had a fairly bad month, drawing with Derby, losing at Preston and Peterbrough, then produced a fine display to beat Nottm Forest 3-0 away, but then once again disappointing with a home defeat to Plymouth.

My only game this month was my return from suspension and when I returned I was determined to

put the red card right, and for once, it went exactly to plan. Funnily enough this time I was playing Scunthorpe u18s, the perfect team to play. Half way through the first half and we had the ball on the flank, the ball was delivered into the box... cleared, straight to me, I chest controlled it, volleyed it! GOAL! Straight into the top corner and I celebrated with a knee slide near the corner flag, my team mates came to celebrate with me what was surely my best goal to date. Beautiful. And as what often happens when someone scores a goal, their confidence takes a huge lift and they go from strength to strength. And that's exactly what happened. The ball was played into Morgan, he took on a player, put a quality ball through to me, I was near enough one on one... And I flicked it through the keeper's legs! 2 goals, a brace and hopefully the first of many. I went to celebrate with Morgan who had more than played his part. A 2-1 victory it ended, and this was my best game in a Sheffield United shirt to date.

In March the seniors had a packed month, playing 7 games. They managed to cope brilliantly though, and did not lose a game. They drew with Doncaster, Q.P.R and Blackpool and managed wins over Palace, Bristol City and Scunthorpe, not forgetting a very important 2-1 win at Cardiff.

Once again I only played once this month, which was for the reserves as we beat Sheff Wed. 3-1 comfortably and then netted a rebound to secure the win against Hartlepool.

Summary for 1st Team: Still 9th and 9 points away from the play-offs with 3 games left. No real hope of promotion then but it has been a decent year for the senior lads.

Summary for Reserves: 3 games left here as well, and we're lying in 2nd, and are 4 points off top, so it looks bleak but you never know. We have to just keep winning and hoping.

[Adam C]

April:

It was heartbreak for the reserves as we were defeated 1-0 by Bradford, ending our title hopes. It has been a great effort nonetheless and I am proud of the way we played this year. Hopefully next year I will not have to talk about the reserves much whatsoever, with my aim being to become a member of the first team.

Later in the month of April I played once again against Sheffield Wednesday, our local rivals, but this time for the u18s and we won 1-0 with a Pomares goal proving enough to grab all 3 points.

A great way to end the season, I had thought would have been the Reserve League title, but a nice ending came anyhow with those dreams in tatters, with an appearance for the senior side against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday. (This time the proper team though) Captain Nick Montgomery picked up a serious injury in the 60th minute and I was subbed on to replace him. I was very average, truth be told. But to be put on in a fierce derby game, away from home, played with my nerves, but it could've been a lot worse and we drew 0-0.

Later on in the month the reserves played Rotherham reserves and thanks to 2 goals in the last 20 minutes we overturned the one-nil deficit and secured all 3 points.

Summary for 1st Team: 11th with one game remaining, nothing to play for but a position or two up the table.

Summary for Reserves: Middlesbrough are champions, and we are guaranteed second. Good year and it'd be nice to end it on a good note.

May:

I played the whole 90 minutes for the u18s as we slipped to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Grimsby and then a few days later I very much enjoyed a game once again against Grimsby, this time at Reserve level, as I scored a header of a corner and was given the man of the match reward. A good nice end of the season.

I was hopeful to play some part in the final first team fixture, but it was not to be and they went on to lose 1-0 at Ipswich anyway.

Overall Season Assessment:

1st Team: Finished 12th in the Championship, fairly poor considering a media prediction of 3rd, but hardly my fault considering I only made 2 appearances and both were from the substitute bench.

Reserves: Finished 2nd after a good challenge for the title. It was a good year.

U18s: Finished 5th in a respectable season.

Pleased to have gained a couple of appearances for the first team, and hopefully next year, assuming I will remain a Sheff Utd player, I can break into the first team squad and get a good spot on the bench if nothing else. Hopefully I will not need to mention the reserves even once next year. Fingers crossed.