Originally Posted by
thehumblegringo
Bob I agree with everything above in another very well reasoned post.
As you are aware, I share very similar views to you with regards to the importance of the Academy and young players for the future of Cardiff City.
I watch a lot of academy football from the very young kids up to the u18s and there are some excellent players at all levels. Of course the younger kids have a long way to go before they'll ever get the chance to play professional football and a myriad of things could happen in that time, nevertheless I still think it's important for parents of these children to know that Cardiff is a club that will nurture their children and look to offer opportunities for first team football.
Clubs develop a reputation for themselves and this must count as a factor when parents choose which club their child will sign for. West Ham, Southampton, Crewe etc have a very good reputation for the attitude "if a kid is good enough he's old enough".
Despite me being critical of Slade regarding this issue would definitely like to see the club be more proactive in this as a whole.
I would like us to bring something of a director of football to the club where we can develop a more joined up footballing philosophy to the club so that Slade would be less inclined to look outside and more inclined to look within for replacements.
I think this has been difficult up until now because we have never had anything even remotely resembling a footballing philosophy at the club..
This is how I would like us to go forward. Do you think this could be attainable?