The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

The Under 23 side are at home to the wurzels today, so if anyone fancies joining me, Cyncoed Slumdog and the girlfriend of one of the subs at the wind blasted Leckwith athletics stadium it kicks off at 1pm.

Also, there was a defeat for the Under 18s at Millwall on Saturday despite a second hat trick of the season for Sion Spence - the match finished 4-3. Wonder if he'll get some game time today in what should be a young Development team side?

When I say Hereford get decent crowds in comparison to our under-23s I'm referring to quantity rather than quality, of course.

Where is Spence playing for the Academy to be getting all these goals? I haven't seen much of him but he looked a bit lost last season playing wide in a front 3, he was far more comfortable in the midfield without ever looking like a goalscorer in the way that Waite does. Obviously, the Academy is an easier level for him but is it as simple as that or has he changed his style of play at all?

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

TOBW and I duly attended today but, unfortunately, only one sub was named (Warren Burwood, a goalkeeper) and his girlfriend couldn't be there which made a significant difference to today's attendance. I'm assuming Loramski was also lurking behind a pillar somewhere but today's royal engagement also appears to have kept a number of celebrating supporters away.
Quite frankly, news of Harry's betrothal was probably more interesting than this game although there was a certain comedic value about the standard of play on occasions. City fielded five trialists and I learned during the match that the Wurzels were also playing a trial match behind closed doors against Newport simultaneously making this fixture even more meaningless than usual.
City were somehow two up at half time through a decent Mark Harris goal and an own goal but Brizzle had much the better of the second half, deservedly drew level and should have gone on to win.
I am more and more of the opinion that these U23 games have little value and a return to a reserve team competition with no age limits which would give promising youngsters the opportunity to play against experienced pros returning from injury or loss of form would be a better platform for all concerned. Judging by the team fielded today, I'm wondering if the Club are also beginning to think these games are of little use.

Couldn't make today's game. There was a brainstorming session in the Loan Watch office and, quite frankly, I needed to be there. I shouldn't be rude about my staff but you'd be lucky to get a gentle breeze out of their brains, never mind a storm.

Hard to disagree with your last paragraph, I've been coming to the same conclusion recently. I was posting stuff about the Duffus move and thinking 'I'm sure this wasn't always my view'. I really couldn't think of one negative about it (until he pulled his hamstring, of course).

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

When I say Hereford get decent crowds in comparison to our under-23s I'm referring to quantity rather than quality, of course.

Where is Spence playing for the Academy to be getting all these goals? I haven't seen much of him but he looked a bit lost last season playing wide in a front 3, he was far more comfortable in the midfield without ever looking like a goalscorer in the way that Waite does. Obviously, the Academy is an easier level for him but is it as simple as that or has he changed his style of play at all?

Spence is playing more of a number ten role these days and has occasionally been used as a striker, his finishing has improved as he has gained confidence from scoring more often and also because you only have to watch this season's Academy team play for a short while to realise that he is the one they look to for attacking inspiration - he was good at Under 18 level last season, but sometime could fade out of games , it's different this season though, because he is a central figure in the team as opposed to someone who was often taking a back seat to the more established members of the side.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

TOBW and I duly attended today but, unfortunately, only one sub was named (Warren Burwood, a goalkeeper) and his girlfriend couldn't be there which made a significant difference to today's attendance. I'm assuming Loramski was also lurking behind a pillar somewhere but today's royal engagement also appears to have kept a number of celebrating supporters away.
Quite frankly, news of Harry's betrothal was probably more interesting than this game although there was a certain comedic value about the standard of play on occasions. City fielded five trialists and I learned during the match that the Wurzels were also playing a trial match behind closed doors against Newport simultaneously making this fixture even more meaningless than usual.
City were somehow two up at half time through a decent Mark Harris goal and an own goal but Brizzle had much the better of the second half, deservedly drew level and should have gone on to win.
I am more and more of the opinion that these U23 games have little value and a return to a reserve team competition with no age limits which would give promising youngsters the opportunity to play against experienced pros returning from injury or loss of form would be a better platform for all concerned. Judging by the team fielded today, I'm wondering if the Club are also beginning to think these games are of little use.

Here's my blog piece on yesterday's match which concentrates on the themes you developed above - you also get a mention, but not a namecheck .

http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

[Cyncoed Slumdog]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

These are the five gems waiting to be unearthed who played on Monday.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/five-trialists-who-played-cardiff-13965368

[ccfc_is_my_life]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Spence is playing more of a number ten role these days and has occasionally been used as a striker, his finishing has improved as he has gained confidence from scoring more often and also because you only have to watch this season's Academy team play for a short while to realise that he is the one they look to for attacking inspiration - he was good at Under 18 level last season, but sometime could fade out of games , it's different this season though, because he is a central figure in the team as opposed to someone who was often taking a back seat to the more established members of the side.

Sounds like the club got it right with him this season then, give him that responsibility let him show what he can do with that added pressure.

[ccfc_is_my_life]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

These are the five gems waiting to be unearthed who played on Monday.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/f...rdiff-13965368

On face value alone, can't really expect much from those.

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

It's a question that philosophers have argued over for decades - if a tree falls in a Checkatrade Trophy Southern section Group A game between Crawley and Fulham Academy, does it make a sound? It's probably a topic that deserves it's own thread but I mention it here because Ibrahim Meite scored an excellent goal for Crawley in their 3-1 defeat tonight.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

My take on yesterday's miserable Academy defeat by Charlton;-

http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

[Loramski]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

My take on yesterday's miserable Academy defeat by Charlton;-

http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

When we sent a couple of Academy lads on loan to his local team, Cinderford, last season, I asked Des Parrot whether it's worth sending youngsters out to play at that level of football. He was quite positive but said 'The pitches are probably the biggest issue, not being able to run with or pass the ball, its a leveller'.

I'm sure there are reasons for playing age-group games at Leckwith Stadium but I'd be hard-pressed to think of a good one. If I had to come up with the perfect environment for youngsters to hone their skills in a game situation then a ploughed field in a wind tunnel would probably not make the shortlist.

[Blue in the Face]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

My take on yesterday's miserable Academy defeat by Charlton;-

http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

Thanks again. You're concluding a lot of your recent youth write ups in the same way and have to say I echo your sentiments. I just hope there is a medium term in plan for our youngsters that doesn't hinder their short term development. Because I'm losing faith that there is a coherent plan. The DVP team is officially a write off now and the club have done a huge disservice to the remaining contracted players at that level. We've had endless games of trial players and no subs. Yet we haven't unearthed any potential signings from these trialists have we?

It's seems clear that we let too many players go last year and I really hope it was ideological and well strategised rather than a whimsical cost cutting measure. I don't really like this attitude of if they're never going to be good enough for the championship chuck em out. Not only do the players that stay suffer but the departing players are right to feel a little aggrieved as they made a commitment to the club and the club should also do to them. Most players in academies at our level won't turn pro. That's just obvious maths.

There's also something quite wrong with the way youth football is structured in the English pyramid. It's becoming fashionable for people to criticise it in its current form and more clubs are ditching their youth players or their academies all together. I think this partly because the game has gone too far down the road of being dictated by usury economics. Something needs fixing on that front. Perhaps youth teams numbers of players contracted should be compulsory? We've also made a mockery of the dvp league with our constant trialist teamsheets and no subs.

It'll be toxic if we earn a reputation as a bad place to develop young players. No rhetoric or action coming from the club is impressing me on the DVP front and I include any non player at the club to be part of that criticism.

[Blue in the Face]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

..... there was a defeat for the Under 18s at Millwall on Saturday despite a second hat trick of the season for Sion Spence - the match finished 4-3. Wonder if he'll get some game time today in what should be a young Development team side?

Highlights now up on ifollow

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

When we sent a couple of Academy lads on loan to his local team, Cinderford, last season, I asked Des Parrot whether it's worth sending youngsters out to play at that level of football. He was quite positive but said 'The pitches are probably the biggest issue, not being able to run with or pass the ball, its a leveller'.

I'm sure there are reasons for playing age-group games at Leckwith Stadium but I'd be hard-pressed to think of a good one. If I had to come up with the perfect environment for youngsters to hone their skills in a game situation then a ploughed field in a wind tunnel would probably not make the shortlist.

The pitch at Leckwith has never been great, but it seems worse this year, there's one corner of it where it's at the stage where you should expect a bobble.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Thanks again. You're concluding a lot of your recent youth write ups in the same way and have to say I echo your sentiments. I just hope there is a medium term in plan for our youngsters that doesn't hinder their short term development. Because I'm losing faith that there is a coherent plan. The DVP team is officially a write off now and the club have done a huge disservice to the remaining contracted players at that level. We've had endless games of trial players and no subs. Yet we haven't unearthed any potential signings from these trialists have we?

It's seems clear that we let too many players go last year and I really hope it was ideological and well strategised rather than a whimsical cost cutting measure. I don't really like this attitude of if they're never going to be good enough for the championship chuck em out. Not only do the players that stay suffer but the departing players are right to feel a little aggrieved as they made a commitment to the club and the club should also do to them. Most players in academies at our level won't turn pro. That's just obvious maths.

There's also something quite wrong with the way youth football is structured in the English pyramid. It's becoming fashionable for people to criticise it in its current form and more clubs are ditching their youth players or their academies all together. I think this partly because the game has gone too far down the road of being dictated by usury economics. Something needs fixing on that front. Perhaps youth teams numbers of players contracted should be compulsory? We've also made a mockery of the dvp league with our constant trialist teamsheets and no subs.

It'll be toxic if we earn a reputation as a bad place to develop young players. No rhetoric or action coming from the club is impressing me on the DVP front and I include any non player at the club to be part of that criticism.

Your last paragraph sets out the thing that I fear - I was hoping that, with Bellamy's appointment, we might see a turning away from the situation that has been in place for a couple of years now, whereby teenagers are deemed unpickable in competitive, as opposed to end of season affairs, League matches, but, if anything, it's getting worse. Have one or two trialists playing for the Development team by all means, but when it gets to five, it becomes farcical.

As for the Under 18s, it seems that, no matter how they play individually or as a team, there is no chance of progression for them this season - based on what we've seen so far, they're in the youth team for the duration of this season.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

Highlights now up on ifollow

Thanks, I see Spence has scored twelve times at Academy level now this season.