The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

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Originally Posted by Loramski

I know Riza said this and that it was the plan all along, no reason to doubt him I guess. At the same time I wouldn't expect him to say 'we've screwed up here and left ourselves short' either. This came up in the loan thread the other day and I said there's no point in me speculating, I don't know enough about it. Are there free agents out there who are match fit and ready to step into a Championship side? I've no idea. We haven't found one yet if there are.

I don't even know what the rule is to be honest. If we can add a free agent to the 24, can we add a player who's already here? If we can't then it seems odd to be playing Conte at under-21 level, if we can then it doesn't seem the worst option to bring him in. Not only are we down to our last right back while Rinomhota's out but we haven't got an attacking option there anyway while Kpakio's out.

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I don't know the rules either but I can't think of any reason why a club can't add someone already on their books to the 25 man squad - although from the way Riza originally explained the decision it sounded as if Conte was frozen out of the first team until the summer.

Derby signed Jeff Hendrick today, and Portsmouth signed Alexander Milosovic - both to the end of the season - and neither have played for ages but presumably both clubs have left a vacancy in their squad lists.

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Originally Posted by jon1959

I don't know the rules either but I can't think of any reason why a club can't add someone already on their books to the 25 man squad - although from the way Riza originally explained the decision it sounded as if Conte was frozen out of the first team until the summer.

Derby signed Jeff Hendrick today, and Portsmouth signed Alexander Milosovic - both to the end of the season - and neither have played for ages but presumably both clubs have left a vacancy in their squad lists.

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It'll be interesting to see how they go. Going with 24 seems like a gamble to me (especially with the injury problems we've had) but, like I said to you in the loan thread, if Riza is happy to trust the youngsters to cover any gaps in the squad while looking for a free agent then that's fair enough, I hope it's a gamble that pays off.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

89th minute equaliser for West Brom. A sickener for City, but it’s been like attack v defence in the last half an hour - I don’t get why City have only brought one sub on.

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I'd say it was the midfield 3 who were tiring the most but we only had wingers and full backs on the bench. Mafico's energy would've been handy. Spiers had a good game, Nyakhuwa faded a bit but was still a threat to the end and Conte was the fittest player on the pitch so they didn't really need replacing. Beecher came on for Spiers in the end but it didn't change much.

WBA were big, strong and athletic but we stood up to them and counter attacked well. Neither keeper had much to do but I felt we got into dangerous positions more often than they did, for all the possession they had. The attitude was spot on, from back to front, everyone worked hard, stuck to their tasks, threw themselves into blocks and tackles and I never really felt a goal was coming until they finally opened us up after 90 minutes. We didn't buckle and could've won it in extra time, Simic's miss looked like a bad one although I was right up the other end so didn't have a great view of it.

By the way, I'm sure it was Dan Ola I saw going past on crutches earlier with a brace on his left foot. Shame if so, he'd been having a good season.

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Originally Posted by Loramski

I'd say it was the midfield 3 who were tiring the most but we only had wingers and full backs on the bench. Mafico's energy would've been handy. Spiers had a good game, Nyakhuwa faded a bit but was still a threat to the end and Conte was the fittest player on the pitch so they didn't really need replacing. Beecher came on for Spiers in the end but it didn't change much.

WBA were big, strong and athletic but we stood up to them and counter attacked well. Neither keeper had much to do but I felt we got into dangerous positions more often than they did, for all the possession they had. The attitude was spot on, from back to front, everyone worked hard, stuck to their tasks, threw themselves into blocks and tackles and I never really felt a goal was coming until they finally opened us up after 90 minutes. We didn't buckle and could've won it in extra time, Simic's miss looked like a bad one although I was right up the other end so didn't have a great view of it.

By the way, I'm sure it was Dan Ola I saw going past on crutches earlier with a brace on his left foot. Shame if so, he'd been having a good season.

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It was the best game I’ve seen Conte play for the under 21s and I agree that he looked fitter than his teammates in extra time. He could have been moved into midfield and Beecher brought on to play left back or Perrett dropped deeper with Conte replacing Wigley as a winger. I also agree that West Brom’s equaliser came as a surprise - they suddenly discovered a cutting edge they hadn’t shown before and promptly lost it again after they scored, but the ball was coming back at us all of the time and something usually cracks in the end when that’s happening.

Extra time was more even and, as you say, we had the best chance through Simic who claimed his shot had been deflected by a defender, but I couldn’t see one on the numerous replays they showed. The fact we were able to push forward more in extra time was surprising - West Brom would have been tired as well, but I just hope we weren’t playing under orders for most of the second half.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

It was the best game I’ve seen Conte play for the under 21s and I agree that he looked fitter than his teammates in extra time. He could have been moved into midfield and Beecher brought on to play left back or Perrett dropped deeper with Conte replacing Wigley as a winger. I also agree that West Brom’s equaliser came as a surprise - they suddenly discovered a cutting edge they hadn’t shown before and promptly lost it again after they scored, but the ball was coming back at us all of the time and something usually cracks in the end when that’s happening.

Extra time was more even and, as you say, we had the best chance through Simic who claimed his shot had been deflected by a defender, but I couldn’t see one on the numerous replays they showed. The fact we were able to push forward more in extra time was surprising - West Brom would have been tired as well, but I just hope we weren’t playing under orders for most of the second half.

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I watched it last night, mainly because I wanted to see how Simic was getting on, I thought Conte looked head and shoulders above everyone else and a lot fitter, I don’t think the loan move worked out well for him, but there again it didn’t really work out for Tanner when he went to York

I might be wrong but there’s still something about Conte imho
Maybe the realisation of what it’s going to be like outside of league football can spur him on, he’s worth persevering with

As for Simic, he worked hard and held the ball up, but it was a tough job as he was often isolated

I wonder if he’ll get any sort of run out in the first team this season?

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Originally Posted by olderblue

I watched it last night, mainly because I wanted to see how Simic was getting on, I thought Conte looked head and shoulders above everyone else and a lot fitter, I don’t think the loan move worked out well for him, but there again it didn’t really work out for Tanner when he went to York

I might be wrong but there’s still something about Conte imho
Maybe the realisation of what it’s going to be like outside of league football can spur him on, he’s worth persevering with

As for Simic, he worked hard and held the ball up, but it was a tough job as he was often isolated

I wonder if he’ll get any sort of run out in the first team this season?

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I'm quite boring about Conte because I always say the same thing about him in that he's the only City player I can remember watching who I always think plays better for the first team than he does for the under 21s. I've watched him play three times in the past week and, like most of his team mates, he was pretty ordinary in the first two games, bur yesterday was a real step up from him and a few others and, as I mentioned earlier, that's the best I've seen him play at under 21 level.

Lord knows what happened to him at Woking as the moment I heard he was going there, I thought he's too good for them and as someone who played originally for a London team, you'd think things like home sickness would not be a factor with him.

As for Simic, it was a bad miss by him in extra time if his shot did not get the deflection he claimed there was, but, as you say, he'd played around a hundred minutes when he missed that chance and for much of that time he was battling away by himself. I can see improvements in his all round game already from when he first started playing for the under 21s, but the only way I could see him playing first team football this season is if we went on a good run which made us safe with a few games to play.

Under 18s at home to Bournemouth today, kick off midday.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/189...363416333?s=61

Finished 2-0 to Bournemouth.

Highlights of the u-21s game with WBA here. Good performance and unlucky to go out.

https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/vide...9-448cbd09a9e5

One player who I don't think got mentioned at the time was centre half Alyas Debono. He stepped up from the Academy with Dylan Lawlor unavailable and didn't look fazed at all by coming up against a Cat 1 under-21 side. I kind of forgot he was there for a lot of the time which I think is a positive thing only for centre halves and referees. I can't remember him making a mistake through the 120 minutes. His dad (I assume) was there shouting encouragement now and again, he must've been very proud.

You're right about Debono Loramski, don't think he's looked out of place at all in the under 21 matches he's played.

As seems to have been the case so often lately, the under 21s are in action on the same day as the first team - they're in action tghis lunchtime at Bournemouth.

Edit - just noticed that the under 18s are playing at Ipswich as well, kick off 11 o clock - can't remember a time when all three of them played on the same day before.

A couple of players you may have thought would be involved with the under 21s in the under 18 line up.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/189...654900158?s=61

Giles and Lawlor playing for the under 21s.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/189...189836842?s=61

Big win for the u18s:

Ipswich 1 - 5 Cardiff

'Mannie Barton bagged a brace, while Alyas Debono, Lennon Talbot and Jack Sykes were also on the scoresheet!'

https://x.com/CF11Academy

0-0 at half time for the under 21s.

Nice to see the under 18s win after City’s nightmare weekend.

It all went wrong for a strong looking under 21 team in the second half - beaten 4-0.

Take away the two Premier League Cup matches and results have been terrible for them in 2025.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

0-0 at half time for the under 21s.

Nice to see the under 18s win after City’s nightmare weekend.

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u21s got thumped in the 2nd half.

Bournemouth 4 - 0 Cardiff.

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-...ten-by-cardiff

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

You're right about Debono Loramski, don't think he's looked out of place at all in the under 21 matches he's played.

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I made him sound about 12 in my post but even though he's been involved with Wales u-19s and has played for our u-21s too he's been mainly playing u-18s this season so last Friday would've been a big test for him and he came through it well. When I saw he'd scored today I assumed it was a header from a corner but it turned out to be a 25 yard shot according to the report jon1959 posted, I'll put the highlights of the game on here when they're available.

Cody Twose, Dakarai Mafico, Dylan Lawlor, Luey Giles, Luke Armstrong and Troy Perrett all in the Wales u19 squad, alongside a few of our former players.

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Originally Posted by Undercoverinwurzelland

Cody Twose, Dakarai Mafico, Dylan Lawlor, Luey Giles, Luke Armstrong and Troy Perrett all in the Wales u19 squad, alongside a few of our former players.

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And Ashford and Colwill jr in the u21s.

Strange, I mentioned in my Luton reaction piece that it was the first time in the blog's fifteen and a half years that I could remember the under 18s, under 21s and senior team all playing on the same day and now they're doing it again today. The under 18s kick off at Watford at 1.00 pm and the under 21's start at Leckwith against Colchester at 2 - wonder if it will be streamed?

Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs that are tracking the development of 18-year old Cardiff City midfielder Troy Perrett.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/190...214665984?s=61

Lawlor in the first team squad?

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/190...758207812?s=61

Under 18s beaten 2-1 at Watford, while the under21s continue to undo much of the good work of the first half of the season, this time they drew 1-1 with bottom of the table Colchester - Gbadenan the scorer.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Under 18s beaten 2-1 at Watford, while the under21s continue to undo much of the good work of the first half of the season, this time they drew 1-1 with bottom of the table Colchester - Gbadenan the scorer.

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Not Danny Gbadenan???

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Not Danny Gbadenan???

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adeteye gbadehan

also known as Danny

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Not Danny Gbadenan???

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I was about to laugh when i noticed the three question marks, that did it for me.

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Originally Posted by MOZZER2

Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs that are tracking the development of 18-year old Cardiff City midfielder Troy Perrett.

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He's got a pro contract, so we're not in the same position as Crew, Biancheri etc. Unless he's out of contract, of course...

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Not Danny Gbadenan???

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Sadly no, he’s never going to be another Gabbs. I watched the stream of the first half today and, as always, thanks to City for putting it on, especially when they were also doing one for the first team game. Got to say though that the commentary was a bit like reading the club programme as the actual performance of the City players on view bore little resemblance to what was being said about them on the stream. In reality, it was poor fare between two poor teams with the commentary making no allowance for the huge difference in results and quality of play from the under 21s pre and post the mid season break.

Big game for Wales u19s, playing England at 7

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Originally Posted by City123

Big game for Wales u19s, playing England at 7

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Live on S4C online.

https://x.com/Cymru/status/1902416025737687068

Perrett, Lawlor & Giles start for Wales u19s alongside former Bluebirds Benjamin, Crew & Biancheri. Armstrong, Mafico & Twose on the bench

It'll be a real test for them tonight, some very good players in the England squad

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Originally Posted by ninian opinian

Live on S4C online.

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And on YouTube. English commentary.

9 in the squad who started with Cardiff.

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Originally Posted by City123

https://x.com/Cymru/status/1902416025737687068

Perrett, Lawlor & Giles start for Wales u19s alongside former Bluebirds Benjamin, Crew & Biancheri. Armstrong, Mafico & Twose on the bench

It'll be a real test for them tonight, some very good players in the England squad

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Charlie Crew’s loan move to Doncaster’s not been going too well - he’s been a sub whenever I’ve looked recently.

There's 5 or 6 players that would give Peter Crouch a run for his money.

Team of beanpoles.

Finished Wales 0 England 2 in what looks like a “group of death”, is it worth having a look at today?

Looks like Wales under 21s made eleven changes at half time in their friendly with Andorra today. Cian Ashford was in the first half team - Wales won 1-0 with Chris Popov, once on City’s books, scoring.

Waled under 18s are currently playing Poland - they’re winning 1-0 with Mannie Barton the only City player in the starting line up.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Finished Wales 0 England 2 in what looks like a “group of death”, is it worth having a look at today?

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Pretty much how you'd imagine it to be so no real need to catch up. England were better, we had some good breaks and a number of corners and free kicks but the result was about right. The sides didn't seem very fair to me, England had Dibling, Miley, Tyrique George and others starting then brought Mikey Moore and Chris Rigg off the bench.

Good experience for our lads though, I didn't see a lot of Perrett when I was watching but Lawlor and Giles seemed to be doing ok. Lawlor took over the captaincy when Crew went off.