" ITS JUST NOT WORKING AT CITY "

Cardiff City's set up is just not working at youth level

By Nathan Blake

Wednesday 12th August 2015


Cardiff City's youth system is not working and should be completely rethought, according to former Bluebird Nathan Blake.

Blake criticised the lack of young players making the grade at Cardiff City Stadium, insisting the talent is there if the club give youngsters a chance to successfully step up to the first team squad.

The former attacking star raised concerns over the current set-up and he questioned why Wales under-21 international Josh Yorweth was released by the club this summer before being handed a two-year deal by Championship rivals Ipswich Town.



"I know Cardiff City's under 21s and I think they've got a few players who could improve that team if they are given a chance and are developed correctly," he said.

"Cardiff have to be aware that players they are letting go, such as Josh Yorwerth, are being picked up by the likes of Mick McCarthy and given two year deals. This is a player we have spent years developing.

"If that was me I would be looking at my youth academy and development team and asking: 'What's going on gentlemen?'

"Trust me, Mick McCarthy is no mug."



Bridgend-born Yorwerth never featured for Cardiff's first team and was let go in June despite being at the Bluebirds since the age of 13.

And despite failing to make the grade at Cardiff, Ipswich boss McCarthy and his under-21s chief Mark Kennedy, a former Bluebirds player, signed him up after a successful trial period.


Blake added: "You look at Cardiff's first team squad and how many players have come through in the last five years?

"There's Declan John, who couldn't even make the squad on Saturday.

"I'll say it, the whole process at Cardiff needs to be rethought otherwise you're always looking to spend £2m on players from elsewhere when the answer might be sitting right next to you."

"There are players that could be utilised in that Cardiff youth system and should be far sooner than they are."

With our budget reducing, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the youth academy.

It was good to see Ben Wilson have an error free game last night, hopefully that will give him more confidence in the long run.

With our budget reducing, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the youth academy.

It was good to see Ben Wilson have an error free game last night, hopefully that will give him more confidence in the long run.

I agree with Blake on this line, It means there is something wrong and we are not planning or investing for the future.

Blake added: "You look at Cardiff's first team squad and how many players have come through in the last five years?

With our budget reducing, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the youth academy.

It was good to see Ben Wilson have an error free game last night, hopefully that will give him more confidence in the long run.

I agree with Blake on this line, It means there is something wrong and we are not planning or investing for the future.

Blake added: "You look at Cardiff's first team squad and how many players have come through in the last five years?

I also honestly believe that fans identify with the team more and we could possibly get more on the gate if a few quality home grown players broke through.

I agree with Blakey and have been banging on about this for ages !


What happened to the new training facility and Level 1 Academy?

Why haven't the players who played in the Under 21 Final against Charlton 2 years ago made the breakthru ?

We need a rebuild from top to bottom both on and off the field with a club ethos on our playing style so all age group teams play the same way so if youngsters need to moved up, they just slot into a formation and playing style they are comfortable with.The standard of football may be higher but at least they will know how to play their position.

Our management and coaches should be going to clubs like Southampton and see what they are doing as they not only do they produce youngsters who are able to play first team football at 16-18 ( in the premiership as well !!!) , they are also selling them on for large transfer fees !!!

Look at WHU, they play a 16 year old in centre midfield against Arsenal and he was outstanding.

Tommy osullivan and theo Wharton need games

With our budget reducing, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the youth academy.

It was good to see Ben Wilson have an error free game last night, hopefully that will give him more confidence in the long run.

I agree with Blake on this line, It means there is something wrong and we are not planning or investing for the future.

Blake added: "You look at Cardiff's first team squad and how many players have come through in the last five years?

I also honestly believe that fans identify with the team more and we could possibly get more on the gate if a few quality home grown players broke through.

Totally Agree

I agree with Blakey and have been banging on about this for ages !


What happened to the new training facility and Level 1 Academy?

Why haven't the players who played in the Under 21 Final against Charlton 2 years ago made the breakthru ?

We need a rebuild from top to bottom both on and off the field with a club ethos on our playing style so all age group teams play the same way so if youngsters need to moved up, they just slot into a formation and playing style they are comfortable with.The standard of football may be higher but at least they will know how to play their position.

Our management and coaches should be going to clubs like Southampton and see what they are doing as they not only do they produce youngsters who are able to play first team football at 16-18 ( in the premiership as well !!!) , they are also selling them on for large transfer fees !!!

Look at WHU, they play a 16 year old in centre midfield against Arsenal and he was outstanding.

This doesn't hapoen to be Andy Coleman does it?

maybe...

maybe...

Ha ha I think it is I thought to myself there's only one Andy who's Billy Ronson surely!!! How are you mucker? I haven't seen you since the late 80s!

I believe it is the man who gave me the name !!!!
ha ha !!

I am doing ok - how about you?
Do you get to many games?

It is true though.

Swansea are expanding and taking alot of players that should be coming through to Cardiff.

There are youth coaches now working for Swansea (ex Cardiff coaches) that say the difference in detail and professionalism from both clubs is astonishing.

The bottom line in all this - the club is an absolute shambles from top to bottom and there is no structure any where within our club. But it's at the top where this needs to be addressed and I won't hold my breath when this guy continues to own this club.

I hate to say it, but where is our Huw Jenkins and local business person to start the ball rolling and concentrating on our future, youth policy and playing style is king throughout the football club.

I can't see how Vincent Tan continues to ignore this, he's invested a lot of money into it and now he seems to be just letting everyone get on with it without any influence. Where is Dalman or Ken Choo? Why can't they make decisions for the benefit of Cardiff City?

I believe it is the man who gave me the name !!!!
ha ha !!

I am doing ok - how about you?
Do you get to many games?

You could well be right! Well it ain't Tony Ashley Them were heady days!
Fine thanks mate yes ST holder. Glad everything ok, we'll have to keep in touch

This is a crucial point and well done Blakey for voicing your opinion. Spot on in my eyes!

Now that City is "settled" in the Chapionship, it would be an ideal opportunity to blood youngsters. Even if it is cup games.

You can't justify running an academy unless it feeds the first team occasionally. The lad going to Ipswich is a stark reminder that if kids don't get a chance to step up, they may feel forced to look elsewhere. Footballers have finite careers. They can't afford to hang around waiting for "the call".

The trouble is that at the moment, there is no ethos of including youngsters in first team games. Naturally, they will feel that there is little chance of playing.

Before anyone says that maybe they aren't good enough, one was good enough for Ipswich and if they aren't good enough, WHY??? Is there something lacking at academy level??

Just a thought or two.

I believe it is the man who gave me the name !!!!
ha ha !!

I am doing ok - how about you?
Do you get to many games?

You could well be right! Well it ain't Tony Ashley Them were heady days!
Fine thanks mate yes ST holder. Glad everything ok, we'll have to keep in touch

I am still a ST holder ...have been for years ...we'll have to meet for a beer before a game !!

This is a great thread and with hind sight VT should have been 'advised' to invest in the youth structure rather than waste all that money on the rebrand.

If only someone could explain to him that the one lucrative income stream in football is youth development. He would only have to look at the half a decade of Sam Hammam's youth academy to see the riches which are in these parts. Cameron Jerome, Joe Ledley, Adam Matthews, Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey all came through during that time and there combined transfer fees totaled over £10m, but as we know their true value was much more but we lost out due to one Peter Ridsdale.

That apart for the same amount as we waste on Division One strikers who can't hack it, we could fund the academy for a year.

It is so frustrating.

would have been more but Ledley went to scotland which was an "international" transfer so we didnt get a penny

This is a great thread and with hind sight VT should have been 'advised' to invest in the youth structure rather than waste all that money on the rebrand.

If only someone could explain to him that the one lucrative income stream in football is youth development. He would only have to look at the half a decade of Sam Hammam's youth academy to see the riches which are in these parts. Cameron Jerome, Joe Ledley, Adam Matthews, Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey all came through during that time and there combined transfer fees totaled over £10m, but as we know their true value was much more but we lost out due to one Peter Ridsdale.

That apart for the same amount as we waste on Division One strikers who can't hack it, we could fund the academy for a year.

It is so frustrating.

Agree.

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players coming thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple in last couple years ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players coming thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple in last couple years ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players coming thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple in last couple years ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

To be fair Swansea have brought through less Premier League players than us through their academy in last 10 years

I'd rather see us struggle for a couple of seasons with 5/6 home grown youth players playing week in week out than have £20,000 a week players who are too big for their boots. A young manager, a young set up, and look to the future.

I'd rather see us struggle for a couple of seasons with 5/6 home grown youth players playing week in week out than have £20,000 a week players who are too big for their boots. A young manager, a young set up, and look to the future.

Agreed, bring through our best youngsters add some experienced players with a passion for the game and for CCFC and I don't even believe we have to struggle, it could work just like it did for Bournemouth.

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players coming thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple in last couple years ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

To be fair Swansea have brought through less Premier League players than us through their academy in last 10 years

Exactly and that is why they've had to upgrade facilities, staffing etc. the point is that Swansea have less opportunity to try players out because they are in the top league. Cardiff can surely afford to try youngsters out on the basis of tier 2 football. That's a bonus.

The bottom line in all this - the club is an absolute shambles from top to bottom and there is no structure any where within our club. But it's at the top where this needs to be addressed and I won't hold my breath when this guy continues to own this club.

I hate to say it, but where is our Huw Jenkins and local business person to start the ball rolling and concentrating on our future, youth policy and playing style is king throughout the football club.

I can't see how Vincent Tan continues to ignore this, he's invested a lot of money into it and now he seems to be just letting everyone get on with it without any influence. Where is Dalman or Ken Choo? Why can't they make decisions for the benefit of Cardiff City?

You are spot on, this whole shambles is Tans doing and we are never going to move forward until he finally decides to sell up and go

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players throughing thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple iyears ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

All well and good but wasn't saying that was I? I made point that having academy doesn't always mean they produce 1st team players, What you have written isn't a response to that point! But completely different subject/debate? Never mind though come to expect it from certain posters on here!

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players throughing thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple iyears ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

All well and good but wasn't saying that was I? I made point that having academy doesn't always mean they produce 1st team players, What you have written isn't a response to that point! But completely different subject/debate? Never mind though come to expect it from certain posters on here!

And you just bring up "world domination of Swansea" at every opportunity, they have an Academy as do every other Club of varying sizes, standards and with success rates does that mean that Cardiff should buck the trend and just buy in ? Exeter just sold a player to Swansea for 1/34 million which will go a hell of a long way in sustaining their youth set up ,the trouble is you seem to think that unless a Club produces a Bale or Ramsey every so often then their a waste of time .All players playing professional football at all levels will have at some point come through an Academy unless you think the world is still full of Billy the Fish type players .

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players throughing thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple iyears ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

All well and good but wasn't saying that was I? I made point that having academy doesn't always mean they produce 1st team players, What you have written isn't a response to that point! But completely different subject/debate? Never mind though come to expect it from certain posters on here!

And you just bring up "world domination of Swansea" at every opportunity, they have an Academy as do every other Club of varying sizes, standards and with success rates does that mean that Cardiff should buck the trend and just buy in ? Exeter just sold a player to Swansea for 1/34 million which will go a hell of a long way in sustaining their youth set up ,the trouble is you seem to think that unless a Club produces a Bale or Ramsey every so often then their a waste of time .All players playing professional football at all levels will have at some point come through an Academy unless you think the world is still full of Billy the Fish type players .

Good points there and in the last 3 yrs, Swansea have sold around £26.5 million worth of player , in Allen, Davies and Richards, all of which came through the academy and in those days it was no where near as good as it is today.

not working at city not working in 98% of clubs! how many youth team players coming thru at man city ect ect even swansea for all their world dominance only have had a. couple in last couple years ! its easier to buy cheap imports or ready made lower league players, this is how most clubs are run today! There are exceptions but very few!

Do you understand how football works , even though some may not be good enough for example at PL/ Championship level there's still money to be made by selling players to Clubs in the lower leagues , Southampton have just significantly improved their already Academy facilities by the sale of 3 players last season , it maybe easier to buy "cheap "when you're at the top of the ladder but try attracting and buying players when you're at the bottom of pile .Swansea I believe have players in their matchday squads who play at U21 level and have played in the 1st 11 .

To be fair Swansea have brought through less Premier League players than us through their academy in last 10 years

Exactly and that is why they've had to upgrade facilities, staffing etc. the point is that Swansea have less opportunity to try players out because they are in the top league. Cardiff can surely afford to try youngsters out on the basis of tier 2 football. That's a bonus.

Are you sure ?

Grimes Gorre Hanley Fulton Barrow Kingsley Donnelly all academy players who have played at some point in the 1st team in the PL ,