The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Was just about to post exactly this. 4 outfield players out and we'll struggle to pick a full bench with all the u21s out on loan.

The cup games have given the impression that BBM's happy to throw youngsters in willy-nilly but he's actually been quite conservative when it's come to the league.

This might be the one and only time I (or anyone else) compares him to Russell Slade but he's stuck to his core squad through the season so far. Mafico and Nyakuhwa haven't even made 90 minutes between them in the league, in one start and three sub appearances respectively. The other three lads we've just sent on loan haven't played a minute.

Even if he sticks someone like Kingdon on the bench tonight I'd be very surprised if he used him. Pearce is slightly different though as the only other fit number 9 here presently. It'll be interesting to see if BBM considers him as genuine cover up front.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

The cup games have given the impression that BBM's happy to throw youngsters in willy-nilly but he's actually been quite conservative when it's come to the league.

This might be the one and only time I (or anyone else) compares him to Russell Slade but he's stuck to his core squad through the season so far. Mafico and Nyakuhwa haven't even made 90 minutes between them in the league, in one start and three sub appearances respectively. The other three lads we've just sent on loan haven't played a minute.

Even if he sticks someone like Kingdon on the bench tonight I'd be very surprised if he used him. Pearce is slightly different though as the only other fit number 9 here presently. It'll be interesting to see if BBM considers him as genuine cover up front.

Pearce is playing this afternoon, as is Kingdon. Voice starting too.Can't see any noticeable absences

https://x.com/CF11Academy/status/2016134100135116923

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Voice plays at left back. Unless he’s been injured, I don’t get why Apter, who always impresses me when I see him play, is only on the bench.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/2016134100135116923?s=61

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

I was thinking similar re: Pearce. Presumably we'll need someone on the bench though? If Lawlor and Turnbull haven't recovered we'll only have 15 fit outfielders to choose from!

Considering who's gone out on loan its hard to see who would come in though I doubt BBM is the type to have 2 keepers on the bench as we've seen in the PL!

Even if BBM doesn't rate the lads in the u-21s, surely we'd need a match day squad of at least 20 just in case someone drops out late, like Lawlor did on Saturday. Maybe we will see two keepers on the bench later?

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Even if BBM doesn't rate the lads in the u-21s, surely we'd need a match day squad of at least 20 just in case someone drops out late, like Lawlor did on Saturday. Maybe we will see two keepers on the bench later?

Maybe Turner or Tyrer can do a Josh Magennis.

[City123]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Even if BBM doesn't rate the lads in the u-21s, surely we'd need a match day squad of at least 20 just in case someone drops out late, like Lawlor did on Saturday. Maybe we will see two keepers on the bench later?

Could call someone in from the u18s? Donczew?

U21s have had a lot of disruption already

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

There were problems with stream in the first few minutes, so I’m not certain, but it looks like Brentford had their keeper sent off in the first five minutes. It’s been like attack v defence in the first twenty minutes and Pearce has had an effort cleared off the line, but it’s still 0-0.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

2-0 to City at half time. The first goal was an easy header from Luke Pearce from a fine cross by debutante Voice and the second was a lucky effort from Jake Davies whose shot from twenty five yards got a big deflection which looped in off a post.

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

There were problems with stream in the first few minutes, so I’m not certain, but it looks like Brentford had their keeper sent off in the first five minutes. It’s been like attack v defence in the first twenty minutes and Pearce has had an effort cleared off the line, but it’s still 0-0.

Yes, the keeper was sent off after three minutes and no sub keeper on the bench. Not much of a spectacle so far, very windy here which is making things difficult. The 'keeper' should provide some comedy moments in the 2nd half if we can be a bit tidier in the final third.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Barton makes it 3-0.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Sub Dan Ola with the fourth.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Finished 4-0.

[jon1959]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

PDL Shield (u17s) Quarter Final: Cardiff 2 - 4 Wrexham

https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2026/january/28/u17-report---cardiff-city-2-4-wrexham-afc/

[City123]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Matt Apter heading out on loan

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Matt Apter heading out on loan

TOBW predicted this recently. It feels like I'm missing something though. He was captain of Everton age-groups but they released him at 19. He played for Scotland under-18s at 16 (alongside Jack Kingdon) but dropped off their radar after that. It's an odd CV.

I think he had an injury here early on but I was impressed when I first saw him and felt he was a possible first teamer with Eli King out. BBM put him on the bench for the Newport game but, despite all kinds of funky stuff going on with 15 and 16 year olds, players out of position and Wintle and Turnbull tiptoeing through the second half after yellow cards, he didn't get on.

He played against Arsenal u-21s but didn't get on against Wimbledon, BBM kept Colwill and Mafico on for the 90 even though the game was over after about 50. When I saw him for the u-21s around that time he wasn't as good as I was expecting, I never felt he was running the game and he even got subbed against QPR. He's been in and out of the side since Xmas.

TOBW rates him and he's seen more of him than me so I respect that. Maybe I've caught him on a couple of off days, maybe he's not quite at full fitness for some reason, but he hasn't pushed on here as I was expecting. Still time though and a loan spell could kick things off for him.