Kids today! Are they really?

[Tuerto]

There have been a lot of discussions about our younger players and giving them time, will they be good enough, do they have what it takes etc? Some refer to them as kids. I see them more as young lads and think of much younger players as kids.

John Toshack at 16, Andy Dibble at 17. There are others.

So why are we so protective of players in their early 20s? I'm not having a go at them, I find it interesting. What do people think about this and what do CCMB members who saw these much younger players make their debuts think?

I stress I'm not targetting our own younger players or negatively critiquing them.

I think that it's a difficult situation for fans because we have a vested interest in the club from an emotional point. When a young player breaks through and shows promise or traits that have been missing then we as supporters will naturally become enthusiastic and in many cases, protective of these players, after all, they're as close to being 'one of us' as it gets, especially if they're local, and the protective arm of supporters will be extended towards them in a way not afforded to say someone like Dion Sanderson who had just turned 20 when he came to us and without any first team experience. He was regularly criticised for the way he defended, his positioning etc. I'm sure that he would've received less criticism if he had come through our system.

I think that the reality is that when these young players get themselves in a position to play first team football, they have to show that they are good enough for sustained periods of a match, not in flutters, they do have to adapt very quickly and learn from mistakes made, whether thats through inexperience or poor decision making. It's their big chance and they have to play the cards that they have been dealt, and rightly or wrongly, unless they make an impression, the chances will be limited. Is it fair when a young player comes into a side where the senior players aren't performing, Is it fair that these young players have what seems more scrutiny placed upon them? Probably not. But is there ever a perfect time for any young player to make an impression? This is the industry that they're in, the business side is brutal and they have to make the opportunity work for them. We as fans will always be protective and we will extend the love, the football clubs will not and i assume that these young players are aware of that.

[the other bob wilson]

I think that it's a difficult situation for fans because we have a vested interest in the club from an emotional point. When a young player breaks through and shows promise or traits that have been missing then we as supporters will naturally become enthusiastic and in many cases, protective of these players, after all, they're as close to being 'one of us' as it gets, especially if they're local, and the protective arm of supporters will be extended towards them in a way not afforded to say someone like Dion Sanderson who had just turned 20 when he came to us and without any first team experience. He was regularly criticised for the way he defended, his positioning etc. I'm sure that he would've received less criticism if he had come through our system.

I think that the reality is that when these young players get themselves in a position to play first team football, they have to show that they are good enough for sustained periods of a match, not in flutters, they do have to adapt very quickly and learn from mistakes made, whether thats through inexperience or poor decision making. It's their big chance and they have to play the cards that they have been dealt, and rightly or wrongly, unless they make an impression, the chances will be limited. Is it fair when a young player comes into a side where the senior players aren't performing, Is it fair that these young players have what seems more scrutiny placed upon them? Probably not. But is there ever a perfect time for any young player to make an impression? This is the industry that they're in, the business side is brutal and they have to make the opportunity work for them. We as fans will always be protective and we will extend the love, the football clubs will not and i assume that these young players are aware of that.

Cardiff City 21/22 is an if not unique then a very unusual case though. For the first time in ages, young players are being given a chance in the first team, but, instead of blooding them gradually in, say, end of season matches with not a great deal riding on them, they’re being expected to get us out of relegation trouble by providing the match turning moments that the experienced, “proven” players in the team have been unable to come up with over a period of years. We’re expecting the youngsters to be the 21/22 version of players such as Whittingham, Tomlin, Wilson, Pilkington and others - it’s an awful lot to ask of a group who also face that challenge of establishing themselves in the senior game.

However, I’ve not seen our younger home produced players making the sort of mistakes we’ve seen from experienced defenders that cost us goals almost every week with their mistakes and it’s not tended to be the youngsters who let midfield runners get the wrong side of them and don’t close down opposition players stood twenty to twenty five yards from our goal quick enough. We’re in this mess because we have an appalling home record and because we can’t keep clean sheets - while the younger element have to accept a share of responsibility for the former, the latter, in my opinion, rests far more with senior players who have been failing us this season far more than the youngsters.

[Tuerto]

Cardiff City 21/22 is an if not unique then a very unusual case though. For the first time in ages, young players are being given a chance in the first team, but, instead of blooding them gradually in, say, end of season matches with not a great deal riding on them, they’re being expected to get us out of relegation trouble by providing the match turning moments that the experienced, “proven” players in the team have been unable to come up with over a period of years. We’re expecting the youngsters to be the 21/22 version of players such as Whittingham, Tomlin, Wilson, Pilkington and others - it’s an awful lot to ask of a group who also face that challenge of establishing themselves in the senior game.

However, I’ve not seen our younger home produced players making the sort of mistakes we’ve seen from experienced defenders that cost us goals almost every week with their mistakes and it’s not tended to be the youngsters who let midfield runners get the wrong side of them and don’t close down opposition players stood twenty to twenty five yards from our goal quick enough. We’re in this mess because we have an appalling home record and because we can’t keep clean sheets - while the younger element have to accept a share of responsibility for the former, the latter, in my opinion, rests far more with senior players who have been failing us this season far more than the youngsters.

I haven't seen anyone expect the young players to provide match winning moments comparable to the players you mentioned, not on here on in the press. Are you referring to Morison?

And i don't know what the point is in comparing them to the senior players, who are indeed, absolutely rubbish. It's pretty simple in my opinion. The young players coming through have to show that they are progressing, getting better, more experienced etc. Obviously, they need games to do that and i don't think that Morison trusts them. There's also the issue that they are around senior players who aren't performing, that makes their development more difficult.

The way i look at it is like this; They have been brought in because they have something to offer, maybe even more in terms of ability than the senior players. They just have to go out onto the pitch and concentrate on their own performance. If they don't show as much or more than the senior players then they'll be out, because what is the point in putting them in if they're not going to offer more? They can be afforded mistakes and time to adapt, but sadly, not that much due to the nature of the game. I do have some sympathy for them, but this is their opportunity to show what they have, the circumstances are what they are.

[Citizen's Nephew]

I haven't seen anyone expect the young players to provide match winning moments comparable to the players you mentioned, not on here on in the press. Are you referring to Morison?

And i don't know what the point is in comparing them to the senior players, who are indeed, absolutely rubbish. It's pretty simple in my opinion. The young players coming through have to show that they are progressing, getting better, more experienced etc. Obviously, they need games to do that and i don't think that Morison trusts them. There's also the issue that they are around senior players who aren't performing, that makes their development more difficult.

The way i look at it is like this; They have been brought in because they have something to offer, maybe even more in terms of ability than the senior players. They just have to go out onto the pitch and concentrate on their own performance. If they don't show as much or more than the senior players then they'll be out, because what is the point in putting them in if they're not going to offer more? They can be afforded mistakes and time to adapt, but sadly, not that much due to the nature of the game. I do have some sympathy for them, but this is their opportunity to show what they have, the circumstances are what they are.

I've chatted to a few guys now who've played the game and their view is very much like yours. It's a tough industry and ruthless calls are made. I think I mentioned something similar about the need for any younger player to 'seize the day' in another post. I'm guessing nobody will want to look back with any regrets and feel they didn't give it their best. I'm never sure how long a manager gives a youngster. I don't envy that side of the manager's job.