Joe Ledley and our investment in youth

[AngerManagement]

This young lad is getting rave reviews, he looks an immense talent (I saw him run the show for Wales in an under 21 match against England)

Cardiff certainly are doing something right and the moment and producing a good crop of talented young players.

Now he seems to me like the type of player that would would have been snapping up in the past few years, do you feel we have moved away from our policy to snap up as much talented youth as we can to focus on developing what we already have (or even the focus is shifted to the first team with no one in place who is responcible for the youth scouting)

It could be argued that buying a player like him who seems to be slightly further down the line in his development would hinder the likes of Bostock, Parrert or whoever else we have in his postion. On the flipside of that you would say the competition would ensure the cream rises to the top.

We are not being linked with these youngesters anymore and have not signed any since Bostock (Ramos era) Has the sacking of DC signalled the end of our focus on youth scouting and development?

I personally feel he could come in right away and be first team ready (atleast provide competition with O'Hara for the LEft Midfield spot and give us more options.) and he would no doubt settle in well with Bale and Gunter already at the club and Ramsey a stone's throw away with the scum.

(although granted I have not seen enough of him to make my statement he would be first team ready with any reak conviction and Cardiff my not want to sell.....if the price was right I doubt they could hold out though)

 

[PT]

He will have bigger clubs than our sorry looking lot after him.

 

[Kendall]

We have most definitely moved away from that policy. Our academy is something Comolli should be praised for, he got some special kids to come to this club, that set of players has been beating teams all across europe.

I doubt we'll be looking to bring too many kids in at the moment, surely there aren't the resources anymore? Neither are they a priority.

Joe Ledley has been getting rave reviews since before we played them in the FA cup the other year, he was very good in the 0-0 draw at Ninian park and would likely cost as much as a proper first team signing.

 

[AngerManagement]

We have most definitely moved away from that policy. Our academy is something Comolli should be praised for, he got some special kids to come to this club, that set of players has been beating teams all across europe.

I doubt we'll be looking to bring too many kids in at the moment, surely there aren't the resources anymore? Neither are they a priority.

Joe Ledley has been getting rave reviews since before we played them in the FA cup the other year, he was very good in the 0-0 draw at Ninian park and would likely cost as much as a proper first team signing.

I agree that this is the best work of DC, I would have actually liked him to have been assigned a role where this was his sole duties at the club (like Arneson at Chelsea) rather then being fired (although I doubt he would have commanded the same wage or been willing to take a pay cut and percieved demotion)

If our club does not continue with and build on the good work we have done in the past few years in this respect it will be a crying shame in my opinion.

Still I hope to see the fruit of the labours that when into building and develpoing this current crop and pray it does not stop here.

 

[knilly]

joe is a fantastic player. the only thing he lacks is pace. i dont think he's slow by any standard, just doesnt have the electric pace that a winger needs.

other than that a very talented player who's played LW,CM and LB for cardiff and wales.

 

[fieryjack]

He will have bigger clubs than our sorry looking lot after him.

Harsh but fair.

 

[AngerManagement]

He will have bigger clubs than our sorry looking lot after him.

I imagion that is true, (like with Ramsey). I would still like to have seen us making moves to sign him, a single of intent so to speak.

I could see an early bid that meets the asking price being the only way to sign him i.e. striking quickly before the other teams and hoping to sign at a time where bigger teams have their finances tied up (unlikely I know)

My main concern is our youth policy in general rather then this one particular player

 

[Kendall]

Harsh but fair.

Great album in your avatar :grin:


ahhhhh ahhhhhhh togeeeeeeetherrrr as ooneeeeeee

 

[Blockbuster]

I don't see why people praise our youth and reserves so much when very few have actually made a impact on our first team in years.

King & O'Hare? no one else springs to mind really.

they may play well against other youth and reserves side but not much else.
and to be honest, Harry is only 'blooding' a few as we have no one else. and they not done much either.

 

[AngerManagement]

I don't see why people praise our youth and reserves so much when very few have actually made a impact on our first team in years.

King & O'Hare? no one else springs to mind really.

they may play well against other youth and reserves side but not much else.
and to be honest, Harry is only 'blooding' a few as we have no one else. and they not done much either.

Well the current crop of youngsters are still a way off being first team ready. Those that have been involved in the first team and failed to make an impression in recent years were from a differnt era (if that is the right word to describe it) and not part of the work on youth by DC and co.

Of the current crop only Bostock has really had a chance in the first team (plus 2-3 others with even less playing time) and he looked bright and promising (yes he was a Palace youth product but he is an example of our trying scouting and buying the best young talent)

The reason people have alot of praise for this crop is because they win many matches and appear to have alot of talent in their ranks. Obviously we are a long way from knowing how far they can go, but a team that wins most of their games and scores alot of goals is always likely to spark a certain amount of excitiment and buzz.

 

[Kendall]

I don't see why people praise our youth and reserves so much when very few have actually made a impact on our first team in years.

King & O'Hare? no one else springs to mind really.

they may play well against other youth and reserves side but not much else.
and to be honest, Harry is only 'blooding' a few as we have no one else. and they not done much either.

Erm because they're youth players? When did Comolli join? mid 2005? you expect them to be first team by the beginning of 2009?

They're kids mate, he was developing a good side during his time here, a team that has won tournaments against the very best, that doesn't mean they should be knocking down the door at 16, 17 or 18.

 

[Blockbuster]

great players have came thru the ranks and in the first team by the time they are 18, 19, 20.

none of these kids seem like they will be ready.

 

[AngerManagement]

great players have came thru the ranks and in the first team by the time they are 18, 19, 20.

none of these kids seem like they will be ready.

Thats a very harsh assessment.

In the modern age of football very few players break onto the scene as 16/17 year olds. Only the exceptionally talented few, that does not mean that someone who has not broke into the team by then or set the world on fire does not have a future in football.

YOu have to be realistic about your expectations and returns for a youth team.

Out of a squad of 18 players (for example) I think if 2-3 of them were to go on to become first team regulars that would be an amazing return (especially at a buying club like ours)

It remains to be seen how far some of these youngsters can go, but fofor you to be pretty much writing them off because they are not making moves like the Rooney's, Fabregas' and MEssi's of this world by the time they are 16/17/18 is crazy and very unfair.

(remember that some people grow into their bodies sooner so reach a time where they are physically able to compete in a mans league sooner, this does not mean someone who is naturally still somewhat frail at that age can not go on to do as well or better with time, they just bloom slightly later and forfill their potential at a later age)