' They played again last night '

A mixed performance but cup progression for Blackburn Rovers as they beat Cardiff City last night as Cardiff City now fail to win any of their last eight away games at Under 23 level.

Blackburn Under 23's 2 Cardiff City Under 23's 1


By Blackburn AFC

Tuesday 28th February 2017


The development squad just needed to avoid defeat against the Bluebirds to progress in the competition, but they claimed their third win of the group thanks to two first half goals from Joe Rankin-Costello.

The Under-23s coach was disappointed that the side weren't able to build on their bright opening display, with Cardiff grabbing a consolation goal with the last kick of the game.

"Im really pleased with elements of the game but a little bit disappointed with other parts of it," said Johnson.

"Overall we won the game, and the two first team lads (Tommie Hoban and Elliott Ward) came through and got the 90 minutes, so that is pleasing.

"We grew into the game and for 25-30 minutes we really played some good stuff, we created some good chances and towards the end of the first half the disappointment was that we weren't more than 2-0 up with the chances that we created.

"You ask the lads to kick on and get that third and fourth goal and that was the disappointing thing, we didn't get our passing going, we lost a little bit of control of the game and let them back into it.

"It is a cup competition and we want to progress, but we don't want to lose sight of the performance individually and collectively. For parts of the game we were terrific, but we want more."

Rovers end their group stage of the Premier League this Thursday lunchtime at home to second placed Sunderland.

QPR U23 (2) – Cardiff City U23 (0) played on Saturday

Cardiff have only won once in their last five matches and no away wins in their last seven matches.


February 27, 2017

by Steve Russell


U23 Professional Development League


QPR Team: Dieng, Petrasso, Robinson, Finney, Wallen (Chair), Paul, Bowler (Clarke), Rowe, Oteh, Eze, Hamalainen (Williams)

Sub Not Used: Herdman

The first batch of team sheets included the Charlton Athletic line-up for some reason, but the correct player’s details were distributed soon after.

Captain for the day was No.4 Josh Wallen, and it was good to see that Jack Robinson was in the starting line-up. No Reece Grego-Cox unfortunately, but in his place at centre-forward was a trialist (?) Aramide Oteh.

Cardiff keenly pressed us from the outset, but the R’s patiently stuck to their game plan with good movement, spraying the ball around nicely, looking for the gaps, but not resorting to hoofing the ball upfield.

The first Rangers goal came after 7 minutes when Aramide Oteh seized upon a through ball and slotted the ball home.

A very dangerous, long, over-the-top ball sent a Cardiff player to the bye-line who then squared the ball into the box. Tim Seny Dieng parried the first shot and the follow-up was well blocked by a defender.

Mark Harris, the Bluebirds centre-forward, suffered a gash to his head close to us near the touch-line. He was down for some time and his wound required a bandage. Before returning to the field, the referee made a point of telling him that the challenge had been accidental.

Josh Bowler went on a run down the right-wing, before cutting in and firing his shot just over the crossbar,

The visitors went close to an equalizer after a misunderstanding between the Rangers keeper and Chris Paul, which resulted in Harris knocking the ball just wide of the far post.

Following a corner, Luke O’Reilly managed to save Michael Petrasso’s effort from close range with his legs. Half-time: 1-0.

One of the best moments of the match came seconds after the break when the impressive Eberechi Eze took off on an outstanding run through midfield.

Beating players en route and despite being fouled (and well done to Mr. Rathbone for waving play on), the ball fell to Danny Rowe, whose exquisite dummy in the box left the Cardiff defender on his backside. He then coolly placed his shot wide of the keeper!

Following a great move down the right flank, Josh Bowler fired a shot low across the face of the goal which appeared to clip the outside of the far post.

A like-for-like switch was made after 62 minutes when Jack Williams came on for Niko Hamalainen.

Tim Seny Dieng wasn’t being troubled too much, but he was forced into making a superb one-handed flying save from a curling free kick.

After 71 minutes Josh Bowler made way for Ruudi Clarke and 3 minutes later Paul Hall introduced 19-year-old attacking midfielder llias Chair at the expense of Josh Wallen. Chair was previously with Lierse SK and was signed up at the end of January.

Chris Paul ‘s superb long-range 30-yarder bounced down from the underside of the bar and momentarily looked as if the referee had awarded a goal.

Michael Petrasso didn’t always look comfortable at full-back, but I was really pleased to see Jack Robinson get 90 odd minutes under his belt. Generally it was a very good all-round team performance.

Mick Harford was spotted and as for the Harlington Crew they included; Dec and Kell, Keith Davies, Ron Hill, Sammy and Roger Stokes.

Steve Russell

Does this lack of success follow the recent departure of a number of the more experienced younger players ?
Is the under 23 team now, very young ?

Does this lack of success follow the recent departure of a number of the more experienced younger players ?
Is the under 23 team now, very young ?

Mostly 18 year old son now which is a good thing as they are competing

Does this lack of success follow the recent departure of a number of the more experienced younger players ?
Is the under 23 team now, very young ?

Yes it starts from 15-18 yrs old now, we might have to quit the DVP next season.
As Wez said mainly 17 and 18 yrs old now.