" DECLAN JOHN "

Monday 05th August 2013

" Declan John "

Teenage full-back Declan John played the full match against Chievo and manager Malky Mackay said: “He is part of my first-team squad.”

Mackay made it clear John has every chance of playing Premier League football this season and that could yet come at West Ham in the opening match of the season.

City will be without suspended Andrew Taylor at Upton Park and Mackay currently has Simon Lappin, Joe Ralls and John as possibles.

Lappin is by far the most experienced, while the emergence of Merthyr Tydfil-born John has allowed fellow teenager Ralls to focus on his regular position through midfield.

That could yet put John down as a possible when it comes to West Ham away after he looked cool, composed and effective against Chievo and has every chance of playing against Athletic Bilbao this Saturday.

John, a former pupil at Cyfarthfa School in Merthyr, is a winger turned left-back who is athletic, energetic and loves to get forward. When Taylor was sent on as a second-half substitute he played left midfield and formed a strong link with John.

“Declan is a youngster I have extremely high hopes for,” said Mackay. “Were it not for the consistency of the left-back I have (Taylor), he would have had a bit more time spent with the first team last season in terms of getting on the pitch.

“He has real talent and if he wasn’t at Cardiff he would have played 30 or 40 matches in a lower league by now. We saw against Chievo, playing against a team from Serie A, he looked confident and comfortable in his position.

“I’m not holding back people when they reach a certain level and he’s reached that level. Declan is part of my first-team squad and, along with Joe Ralls and Ben Nugent, has pushed far enough to be included in first-team duties over the last 18 months and that can only be good for the football club going forward.”

Wales Under-17 international John has yet to make a League appearance for Cardiff, but he made appearances in League Cup and FA Cup ties last season. He has also been a regular in City’s under-21 development team.

John is a natural going forward, comfortable in possession and loves to run at defenders, while he has worked hard to improve the defensive side of his game and the timing of his runs.

Mackay’s faith in John is a major boost for the young full-back, who knows he has a real chance of making his Premier League debut during the coming season.

I havnt had a chance to see Declan really play yet, from what I'm hearing he certainly is talented! Could be like having a new signing!!

He didn't look out of his depth on Saturday, but he looked a tad slow and unfit, but that will improve over the next couple weeks.

I think that is more to do with a step up than being unfit?

Looked ok in distribution, supported the attacks which the modern full back has to be able to do and didn't panic!

Did Lappin play at Hereford? If not then I guess we might see him moving on ?

I guess the back four next weekend against Athletico will give us a clear indication of who MM is thinking of starting at WHU.

Have to disagree with previous comments about his pace on Saturday. Thought he made some good penetrating runs. What was apparent though was perhaps he needs to be stronger in the challenge as he did lose the ball on several occasions.

Very good prospect

Excited to see Declan play, he seems a real talent, it's a shame Wales continue to produce a great influx of talented full backs but can't find a decent striker! 18 years old and will be starting/substitute for Cardiff on the opening day of the season, wow

He put in a decent performance on Saturday, it wasn't perfect, but you could see he has raw potential that can only improve with development. He is certainly an exciting prospect who I'm looking forward to seeing more of!

He's a really talented youngster, great going forward but my only concern with him is his defensive ability but that will come with time

Great to see a local lad getting a crack in the PL.

Pleased to hear this. Can't imagine it will be long until we see the likes of O'Sullivan and Wharton coming through as well. Not to mention Nugent of course who has already made the breakthrough. Our academy is top notch.

Excited to see Declan play, he seems a real talent, it's a shame Wales continue to produce a great influx of talented full backs but can't find a decent striker! 18 years old and will be starting/substitute for Cardiff on the opening day of the season, wow

Good post!

We (Wales) would be a decent side if only we had a decent striker or 2.

The boy looked confident and no shy of nerves. It is a friendly but it was a chance to play with the first team and make a impression and he did.

Young fullbacks are thriving on the chance in the Premier League.. Gibbs, Shaw, Davies, Walker, Coleman,(Was young when he broke in).

Got a lot to learn about young fullbacks seem to be more better at attacking than defending these days.

I thought he looked good on saturday and he wants to get up all the time, i can see him growing into a winger rather than playing at the back.

I thought he looked good on saturday and he wants to get up all the time, i can see him growing into a winger rather than playing at the back.

I think he used to be winger before turning FB, could be wrong though!

He looked weak in the tackle which is obviously a huge disadvantage for a left back whos priority should be to defend.
It was good to see him get a run out though,john played with no fear and didnt look out of his depth.
However i believe starting him against west ham will be a mistake,really hope im proved wrong though,its great to see young lads come through the academy.Hes got a bright future

Monday 05th August 2013

" Declan John "

Teenage full-back Declan John played the full match against Chievo and manager Malky Mackay said: “He is part of my first-team squad.”

Mackay made it clear John has every chance of playing Premier League football this season and that could yet come at West Ham in the opening match of the season.

City will be without suspended Andrew Taylor at Upton Park and Mackay currently has Simon Lappin, Joe Ralls and John as possibles.

Lappin is by far the most experienced, while the emergence of Merthyr Tydfil-born John has allowed fellow teenager Ralls to focus on his regular position through midfield.

That could yet put John down as a possible when it comes to West Ham away after he looked cool, composed and effective against Chievo and has every chance of playing against Athletic Bilbao this Saturday.

John, a former pupil at Cyfarthfa School in Merthyr, is a winger turned left-back who is athletic, energetic and loves to get forward. When Taylor was sent on as a second-half substitute he played left midfield and formed a strong link with John.

“Declan is a youngster I have extremely high hopes for,” said Mackay. “Were it not for the consistency of the left-back I have (Taylor), he would have had a bit more time spent with the first team last season in terms of getting on the pitch.

“He has real talent and if he wasn’t at Cardiff he would have played 30 or 40 matches in a lower league by now. We saw against Chievo, playing against a team from Serie A, he looked confident and comfortable in his position.

“I’m not holding back people when they reach a certain level and he’s reached that level. Declan is part of my first-team squad and, along with Joe Ralls and Ben Nugent, has pushed far enough to be included in first-team duties over the last 18 months and that can only be good for the football club going forward.”

Wales Under-17 international John has yet to make a League appearance for Cardiff, but he made appearances in League Cup and FA Cup ties last season. He has also been a regular in City’s under-21 development team.

John is a natural going forward, comfortable in possession and loves to run at defenders, while he has worked hard to improve the defensive side of his game and the timing of his runs.

Mackay’s faith in John is a major boost for the young full-back, who knows he has a real chance of making his Premier League debut during the coming season.

Fantastic player. Seen him play against Charlton in the development final game, against Port Talbot this season in the friendly and against Macclesfield & Northampton in the cups last season and I was very impressed with him.

Declan John & Kadeem Harris have massive futures at our club. I was speaking to Kadz' parents at the Port Talbot game and his Mother told me that he loved it at Cardiff. When I told her that he was going to be a massive player for Cardiff in future years, she giggled and said "That would be a dream come true for him and us" - Nice couple.


ANYWAY, Declan John - such an epic prospect. Very attacking minded wing back who has a fantastic pass and move mind about him, can put in dangerous crosses and knows how to beat a man. That's without even mentioning his husky like stamina and Usain Bolt-esc pace... I am a big fan!

Lost the ball quite alot against Cheivo, crosses were poor as well, straight at the defender a few times. But agree he's got potential and hes welsh!

He didn't look out of his depth on Saturday, but he looked a tad slow and unfit, but that will improve over the next couple weeks.

Not sure what game you were watching.. the kid looked fast and fit to me. Only thing I could pick at was he got caught out of position a couple of times.. but that's what you get with an attacking full back sometimes.

I would hope Kadeem Harris gets a chance this season aswell he's been on fire in pre-season

Think I would rather we add a little proven quality than look to Harris and John! Although both have huge potential, I don't think we can just give them a go in the prem league. We'll need our best and a proven xi each and every game n my opinion!

He didn't look out of his depth on Saturday, but he looked a tad slow and unfit, but that will improve over the next couple weeks.

Not sure what game you were watching.. the kid looked fast and fit to me. Only thing I could pick at was he got caught out of position a couple of times.. but that's what you get with an attacking full back sometimes.

I was watching the same game i assume you were, look up the word 'tad' in the dictionary if you're not sure what it means butty. If you want to highlight a comment that doesnt think he's perfect check out the one directly above yours..