The Bluebirds Academy and DVP thread...

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Originally Posted by Loramski

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.

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I always find these kinds of transfers of released PL players a bit odd, often it feels like these players are brought in, play for the u21s and leave with no impact on the first team beside possibly blocking our own youngsters

I think there are only 2 examples that had a long positive effect, Joel Bagan & Mark McGuinness, but these were a bit different to someone like Apter, Bagan signed at 16 which is younger than the likes of Apter whilst McGuinness already had a season at Ipswich under his belt

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Originally Posted by City123

I always find these kinds of transfers of released PL players a bit odd, often it feels like these players are brought in, play for the u21s and leave with no impact on the first team beside possibly blocking our own youngsters

I think there are only 2 examples that had a long positive effect, Joel Bagan & Mark McGuinness, but these were a bit different to someone like Apter, Bagan signed at 16 which is younger than the likes of Apter whilst McGuinness already had a season at Ipswich under his belt

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I've compared it before to those people you see on the beach at Barry with their metal detectors. It seems a bit sad and pointless but who knows what they might find one day.

QPR fans may have wondered why the club were signing a guy called Eze, who'd already been released by Arsenal, Fulham Reading and Millwall by the age of 18. Likewise West Ham fans when a kid called Declan Rice was brought in after Chelsea released him.

It does happen. It can't be that expensive for the club to pick up released players for a season or two and they probably feel it's a chance worth taking. They only need to get lucky now and again to make it worthwhile.

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Originally Posted by City123

I always find these kinds of transfers of released PL players a bit odd, often it feels like these players are brought in, play for the u21s and leave with no impact on the first team beside possibly blocking our own youngsters

I think there are only 2 examples that had a long positive effect, Joel Bagan & Mark McGuinness, but these were a bit different to someone like Apter, Bagan signed at 16 which is younger than the likes of Apter whilst McGuinness already had a season at Ipswich under his belt

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Wouldn't the McGuinness fee alone have made it worthwhile then? Let alone he did well for us for a spell and we also have Bagan in the team.

As has been mentioned earlier, the Bagan and McGuinness signings were different. The former came here as someone who had been released by Southampton at sixteen I would guess it was and played his early football for us in the under 18 team, whereas McGuinness was signed as a first team ready footballer. Bagan is the only player I can think of who we picked up after their release by another club who has gone on to become a regular starter for City and even then he wesn't an under 21 team signing.

Thinking about it, Ciaran Brown has done well after he came here to play for the under 21s, but, even then, we paid a small fee for him I believe. We got a tidy fee for Matt Connolly who joined us after Blackburn let him go and I believe he's still playing in the EFL at Crewe while I also notice that Gillingham paid County a fee for Cameron Antwi this month and Chanka Zimba is still playing at a decent level.

Overall though, I'd say that the signing of other club's cast offs to play in our under 21 team is a policy which hasn't worked.

The under 21s play their second home game of the week this evening - it's against Coventry and kick off is at 7 o'clock. I've not seen anything saying the game will be streamed, but I'm sure it will be.

Would we class ralls as similar? He wasn't released but we still went out and signed him at 16 for the youth team.

Got his first team debut in the cup due to a lot of injuries and the rest is history. McKay at the time admitted he didn't know a whole lot about Ralls when he asked the youth coaches who could step up.

My point is even if one player makes it into our first team or gets sold on then it has to be worth it surely, however rare that may be. Most of the lads currently here unfortunately won't make it at league 1 level. You have to cast a net as large as the club finances and coaching team allow and hope for one or two to come good.

Tonight’s team


https://x.com/cf11academy/status/201...778258096?s=61

City 1-0 down already with goalkeeper Griffiths getting nowhere near a Hail Mary type high ball.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

City 1-0 down already with goalkeeper Griffiths getting nowhere near a Hail Mary type high ball.

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How much do you have to pay the commentator for the compliments?

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Originally Posted by Loramski

How much do you have to pay the commentator for the compliments?

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Never had a face to face conversation with John Donovan, but I like his commentaries and have had a few on line conversations with him - he seems like a good bloke even if he did call me the Old Bob Wilson!

After scoring in the first few minutes of the first half, Coventry have done the same at the start of the second period. 2-0Â’s a bit harsh on City whoÂ’ve had a shot cleared off the line, forced the Coventry keeper into two fine saves and were robbed of a one on one with the keeper by a shocking offside decision which should see the linesman responsible fast tracked into League One.

Finished 2-0 to Coventry, more comfortable in the second half for the visitors.

The under 18s are 2-0 up just before half time against Colchester thanks to goals from Moreno and Sykes.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

The under 18s are 2-0 up just before half time against Colchester thanks to goals from Moreno and Sykes.

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Finished 5-0 with goals from Leeyon Phelan, Thomas Prickett and Jacob Norris. Some dodgy cup results for them this season but going well in the league. One point off second place with a game in hand.

Early days but what have you made of Caden Voice so far?

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Originally Posted by Loramski

Finished 5-0 with goals from Leeyon Phelan, Thomas Prickett and Jacob Norris. Some dodgy cup results for them this season but going well in the league. One point off second place with a game in hand.

Early days but what have you made of Caden Voice so far?

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Put some good crosses in, but, in terms of technique, he seems at a lower level than many of his team mates. I say that on very limited evidence of course, but, for now, I find myself wondering why we signed him. I’ve not missed the news that Jac Thomas has been loaned somewhere have I? Otherwise, I can only assume he’s injured because, surely, he should be the regular left back for the under 21s now?

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Put some good crosses in, but, in terms of technique, he seems at a lower level than many of his team mates. I say that on very limited evidence of course, but, for now, I find myself wondering why we signed him. I’ve not missed the news that Jac Thomas has been loaned somewhere have I? Otherwise, I can only assume he’s injured because, surely, he should be the regular left back for the under 21s now?

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Jac Thomas was watching from the stands the last couple of times I've been down there. I assume he's injured but I'm a bit confused by his, and Voice's, situation. Another game tomorrow, and the end of the transfer window, things may make more sense then.

U21s 1-0 v Bournemouth. Live stream here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0QWLUf-X14

Dan Ola makes it 2-0.

I see Will Spiers has been recalled from his loan at Eastleigh.

[QUOTE=the other bob wilson;563419I see Will Spiers has been recalled from his loan at Eastleigh.[/QUOTE]
Strange. He's had some unusual loans this season - he played for us in the Vertu whilst at loan to Merthyr didn't he?

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Originally Posted by Undercoverinwurzelland

Strange. He's had some unusual loans this season - he played for us in the Vertu whilst at loan to Merthyr didn't he?

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Yes, he did. I think there’s a category called youth loans which I believe enables the player to turn out for their parent club while on loan if both parties are agreeable to it happening.

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Originally Posted by Undercoverinwurzelland

U21s 1-0 v Bournemouth. Live stream here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0QWLUf-X14

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The thing that always gets me, is whenever our u21's game is stramed on youtube, there are a load of people in the chat watching the game who are not fans of either team, but have bet on the outcome - usually from abroad somehwere.

How much of a gambling problem would you have to have to be betting money on this level of football? I'm sure not even the people on here who watch the U21s regularly would be able to predict with any great accuracy how we will do each week, so quite how someone who has to ask which team are which is getting on I shudder to think.

THis is like watching the first team, get on top and into a good position to attack to repeatedly pass it just behind the cardiff player :hehe:

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Originally Posted by Rjk

The thing that always gets me, is whenever our u21's game is stramed on youtube, there are a load of people in the chat watching the game who are not fans of either team, but have bet on the outcome - usually from abroad somehwere.

How much of a gambling problem would you have to have to be betting money on this level of football? I'm sure not even the people on here who watch the U21s regularly would be able to predict with any great accuracy how we will do each week, so quite how someone who has to ask which team are which is getting on I shudder to think.

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I've noticed that too. Betting in sport seems to be getting out of hand, leading to match fixing scandals, spectators following golfers around and shouting to put them off and even female tennis players being stalked to affect their play. Some of the obnoxious abuse players of all sports get online is linked to this too.

Still 2-0, but Bournemouth have had a player sent off.

Voice has played at centre back today and done well - heÂ’s looked more at home there than he has done at left back.

Edit, Bournemouth make it 2-1.

Grabbed a draw from the jaws of victory there!

2 - 2

Only saw the last 10 :hehe:. Poor in defence and wasteful with the space we had going forward. Don't know why the lad felt the need to dive in there at the end.

City throw the win away by conceding a penalty in the 92nd minute. So many chances wasted as Bournemouth pushed forward. A partial excuse is that we had a few subs on from the under 18s at the end, but you could see the equalizer coming.

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Originally Posted by Rjk

The thing that always gets me, is whenever our u21's game is stramed on youtube, there are a load of people in the chat watching the game who are not fans of either team, but have bet on the outcome - usually from abroad somehwere.

How much of a gambling problem would you have to have to be betting money on this level of football? I'm sure not even the people on here who watch the U21s regularly would be able to predict with any great accuracy how we will do each week, so quite how someone who has to ask which team are which is getting on I shudder to think.

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They seem to usually back goals. "Come on Cardiff, need two more for 50 rupees"

Harmless enough I suppose although I usually hide the chat, nothing useful can be found there.

Conceding 2 goals against 10 men is disappointing. Lessons to be learned hopefully.

No Kingdon, Apter or Pearce in the under-21s squad today but, unless I've missed something, none of them have gone out on loan either. As mentioned, Will Spiers is back with us after a month of his loan with Eastleigh.

Fresh legs for the first team squad? With Osho and Lawlor missing on Saturday it's not impossible that Kingdon has been drafted in as cover but none of the four have made a league 18 this season. If the squad needing boosting then we've just had a month to sort that out so I'm not sure what to make of it. We'll see.

No Donczew in the squad, again. Whilst other U16's have been playing. Has he been injured or poached?

City under us beat the Jacks 3-1. All of the goals were scored in the first half with Mannie Barton (who was later red carded). and Rob Tankiewicz putting us 2-0 up before Swansea pulled one back, only for Harry Watts to restore the two goal lead just before half time.

Think Donczew’s injured isn’t he?

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

City under us beat the Jacks 3-1. All of the goals were scored in the first half with Mannie Barton (who was later red carded). and Rob Tankiewicz putting us 2-0 up before Swansea pulled one back, only for Harry Watts to restore the two goal lead just before half time.

Think Donczew’s injured isn’t he?

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That's reassuring about Donczew.

Mannie Barton is the one I'm surprised hasn't been closer to the 1st team particularly during those cup matches, although he did have Wales U19 commitments clash for a least one of the games. He's a very exciting, talented player.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

City under us beat the Jacks 3-1. All of the goals were scored in the first half with Mannie Barton (who was later red carded). and Rob Tankiewicz putting us 2-0 up before Swansea pulled one back, only for Harry Watts to restore the two goal lead just before half time.

Think Donczew’s injured isn’t he?

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That's a good win, into second place now. Strong side out, Moreno is an interesting one. I'm sure he came on as a tricky winger in that u-15 final with Burton a while back but seems to be a number ten now. Only just turned 16, went to the u-17 Euros with Wales and it's impressive if he's part of our strongest Academy team already. One to keep an eye on.

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Originally Posted by Loramski

That's a good win, into second place now. Strong side out, Moreno is an interesting one. I'm sure he came on as a tricky winger in that u-15 final with Burton a while back but seems to be a number ten now. Only just turned 16, went to the u-17 Euros with Wales and it's impressive if he's part of our strongest Academy team already. One to keep an eye on.

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And left footed as well. Wasn't there talk of him going elsewhere 12 months or so ago? It looks like he's committed to us now. He's also got a younger brother, Sergeant, who is with us and an age group international.

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Originally Posted by AdrianAlston

And left footed as well. Wasn't there talk of him going elsewhere 12 months or so ago? It looks like he's committed to us now. He's also got a younger brother, Sergeant, who is with us and an age group international.

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I was going to say something similar, seem to recall him being linked with a move away and it being all but confirmed

Will Spears back to Merthyr on a youth loan.

https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news...n-youth-loan-0

Will Spiers has joined National League North side Merthyr Town on a youth loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The defender, who joined the Academy at the age of seven, made his First Team debut earlier this season in a Vertu Trophy fixture against Newport County, scoring against Arsenal U21 in his second appearance.

With the deal being a youth loan, Will remains eligible to feature in non-First Team fixtures for the Bluebirds.

Will joins the National League North side for a second loan spell this season, having made 12 league appearances for the Martyrs during his first stint with the club.

We wish Will all the very best during his time with Merthyr Town.

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Originally Posted by jon1959

https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news...n-youth-loan-0

Will Spiers has joined National League North side Merthyr Town on a youth loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The defender, who joined the Academy at the age of seven, made his First Team debut earlier this season in a Vertu Trophy fixture against Newport County, scoring against Arsenal U21 in his second appearance.

With the deal being a youth loan, Will remains eligible to feature in non-First Team fixtures for the Bluebirds.

Will joins the National League North side for a second loan spell this season, having made 12 league appearances for the Martyrs during his first stint with the club.

We wish Will all the very best during his time with Merthyr Town.

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Strange, Eastleigh must have not fancied him then I gather? Or did we feel bad for Merthyr

New signing Isaac Davies on the bench for under 21s this afternoon at QPR.

https://x.com/cf11academy/status/202...598060577?s=61

losing 1-0 at half-time