Cian Ashford

[the other bob wilson]

I don’t believe that’s the case. It’s not instinct where Ashford is concerned. He’s an intelligent player with a rapid speed of thought. He picks his head up, looks at what’s around him, quickly weighs up his options and often makes the right decision as a result. That’s what sets him apart from many other players his age and it’s what’s likely to make him valuable going forward.

Ashford is a player with genuine football intelligence, unlike the other fella, who is all instinct.

Fair point, his looking up as and when the ball comes to him is not instinctive. I suppose what I was thinking of was things like the positions he gets into when a cross is coming in from the opposite flank to the one he’s playing on. Already, I’d say Ashford is, with the possible exception of El-Ghazy, the one out of our wide attacking players most likely to get himself into a scoring position. Even with his bad miss yesterday, he deserved some credit for getting into a position to miss it - I’m not convinced some of our wingers would have been there in the first place.

[Hilts]

Could he get a call up to the next Wales Senior Squad.?

[TWGL1]

He will probably become our most saleable player if his recent performances are anything to go by

[llan bluebird]

He is two-footed and surprisingly good at winning the ball back. For those who have watched him over his early years was he always deemed to be a forward or was he a midfielder?

I am getting Harry Wilson vibes I think he could easily be an improvement on Robertson at that ACM role next season

[Dorcus]

Fair point, his looking up as and when the ball comes to him is not instinctive. I suppose what I was thinking of was things like the positions he gets into when a cross is coming in from the opposite flank to the one he’s playing on. Already, I’d say Ashford is, with the possible exception of El-Ghazy, the one out of our wide attacking players most likely to get himself into a scoring position. Even with his bad miss yesterday, he deserved some credit for getting into a position to miss it - I’m not convinced some of our wingers would have been there in the first place.

The miss yesterday was largely due to an impressive block by the excellent Cashin

[the other bob wilson]

He is two-footed and surprisingly good at winning the ball back. For those who have watched him over his early years was he always deemed to be a forward or was he a midfielder?

I am getting Harry Wilson vibes I think he could easily be an improvement on Robertson at that ACM role next season

I first saw him scoring a match winner against QPR for the under 18s, he must have been thirteen or fourteen at the time. From memory, he played Centre forward that day, but he tended to play in wider positions when I saw him after that. He’s always been more of an attacker than a midfielder I’d say a nd the truth is I’d not noticed his habit of winning the ball off defenders until recently.

Think he could definitely play as a 10, but while he’s not lightning fast, he’s pretty quick and so I’d expect him to stay out wide for the foreseeable future.

[Tuerto]

Because he's intelligent, means that he'll probably have the ability to adapt to different positions in an attacking role or slightly withdrawn role. One of my pet hates on here is going over the top with developing footballers, i really do try to hold back, because we only see a small slice of them, we don't know their personality, character, how they are mentally, how their body will develop etc, so i take a step back and just watch, although i do understand why people may get excited and proclaim some pretty daft things. In Ashfords case i am genuinely excited and intrigued, there's so much right with him. He strikes the ball well, his shape is good, he's upright, plays with his head up, his running style is strong, he looks over his shoulder before he receives the ball, his touch is very good and he understands his role on the pitch. The next 18 months will be big for him, there;s always the chance that things don't work out, but we can all definitely be optimistic.

[Sloop_Jon_Bee]

But in fairness the keeper was already going down so he had to hit it high to get it in the net. (Just not the fecking high )

[olderblue]

Because he's intelligent, means that he'll probably have the ability to adapt to different positions in an attacking role or slightly withdrawn role. One of my pet hates on here is going over the top with developing footballers, i really do try to hold back, because we only see a small slice of them, we don't know their personality, character, how they are mentally, how their body will develop etc, so i take a step back and just watch, although i do understand why people may get excited and proclaim some pretty daft things. In Ashfords case i am genuinely excited and intrigued, there's so much right with him. He strikes the ball well, his shape is good, he's upright, plays with his head up, his running style is strong, he looks over his shoulder before he receives the ball, his touch is very good and he understands his role on the pitch. The next 18 months will be big for him, there;s always the chance that things don't work out, but we can all definitely be optimistic.

Great post 👍
Along with Ashford I think there are a couple more good young prospects coming through.
Mixed with a few of the squad around the 23 age bracket and under and there’s a lot to be optimistic about!
Sunderland went down this route and it’s paying dividends for them, I get that we need a few older heads in the squad, but I’m hoping that the way we’re recruiting and hopefully developing youngsters is the way forward for us

[G rangetown Blue]

Great movement, and balance….like a new Rambo…hopefully!

[binman]

At least there's going to be a deserving young player of the year award this season

[Tuerto]

At least there's going to be a deserving young player of the year award this season

He's 20 years of age, way too young for the award just yet.

[the other bob wilson]

Impressive media appearance by Ashford today.

https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news...means-world-me

[NinianKnight]

He will probably become our most saleable player if his recent performances are anything to go by

Under FFP and Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) he would be a very saleable player as he would represent 100% profit being an academy product