‘ Sam Bowen’
Tue Oct 05, 2021 11:55 am
‘ Sam Bowen ‘
Tuesday 5th October 2021
Bluebirds fans could be forgiven for not having Sam Bowen on their radar at the start of this season. Indeed, he was always a player whose name was mentioned in passing due to his proficiency at age-group level, but he was scarcely uttered in terms of being the one to make that first-team breakthrough.
However, this season he has barely put a foot wrong when given the opportunity.
McCarthy mentioned constantly throughout the summer that Bowen had been excellent and had really impressed him. It is clear to see now just why that has been the case.
Back in August, the manager said: "TC (Terry Connor) and myself came in and we could see Sam's ability, but we were never quite sure about his drive to go and do it. To push himself on and get about the pitch.
"There was someone who suggested he was a sitter. What is a sitter? Someone who just sits there. He's got more than that.
"The two of us have been barking at him, encouraging him to do more, and I have to say he has done. He has responded to that and come back in pre-season and has been excellent.
"His performance (against Brighton), that has come from what he's been doing with the first team.
"I really was delighted with him, he has given me food for thought, certainly."
Bowen was a cut above during that clash with Premier League outfit Brighton. He showed against very good opponents that he could stand up to the test.
Crucially, everything that we had previously heard about the youngster was swatted away. It was thought that Bowen was indeed a deeper-lying midfielder, but that evening against Brighton he was just about the most progressive player on the pitch.
He has struggled for game-time since then, but on Saturday against Reading he was given his opportunity and once again did not let anyone down.
He benefitted from being in a midfield three and was the most forward-thinking of the trio, with Joe Ralls just behind and Marlon Pack slightly deeper.
The midfield pendulum worked well against the Royals and Bowen was central to much of the encouraging forward play.
That midfielder, the one who breaks from the middle of the park and bursts on to the edge of the box, is one Cardiff have sorely missed for a number of seasons now.
When Ryan Wintle was brought in it was hoped he would be that sort of player, but he was strikingly similar to what Cardiff already had. McCarthy actually decided to send Wintle to Blackpool on loan because of the emergence of Sam Bowen in pre-season.
But against Reading, Bowen was the one who linked play at the top end of the pitch, never wasting a pass. He looked accomplished and assured and played with a maturity which belied his 20 years.
And he was attacking, too, always looking forward and playing the ball up the pitch when afforded the opportunity. He even had three decent chances presented to him in the second half, but all three, struck on the edge of the box, were deflected out of harm's way.
That composure and finishing will come with time and more minutes on the pitch, but it offers a heap of encouragement to a fan base who have been crying out for the midfielders to have that sort of lung-busting attacking play in their locker.
And that is exactly what McCarthy wants from him, too. The manager is a big believer that he has what it takes to be that missing link between the deep midfielders and the forwards desperately seeking a player to feed off.
"You can see his ability, but I have to say I could see he didn't do enough running, going forward or being positive enough," McCarthy added during that chat back in August.
"TC and myself definitely tried to help him with that because he has got it in his locker.
"He is doing it now and he is a better player for it.
"Credit to him, he came back in pre-season fitter than he was when he left and I take my hat off to him. He's doing well."
With a new system of three in the middle of the park, Bowen could yet blossom into the player Cardiff have been looking for over the past few years.
He will no doubt continue to sneak under that radar, though, and hope his football does the talking on the pitch.
Tuesday 5th October 2021
Bluebirds fans could be forgiven for not having Sam Bowen on their radar at the start of this season. Indeed, he was always a player whose name was mentioned in passing due to his proficiency at age-group level, but he was scarcely uttered in terms of being the one to make that first-team breakthrough.
However, this season he has barely put a foot wrong when given the opportunity.
McCarthy mentioned constantly throughout the summer that Bowen had been excellent and had really impressed him. It is clear to see now just why that has been the case.
Back in August, the manager said: "TC (Terry Connor) and myself came in and we could see Sam's ability, but we were never quite sure about his drive to go and do it. To push himself on and get about the pitch.
"There was someone who suggested he was a sitter. What is a sitter? Someone who just sits there. He's got more than that.
"The two of us have been barking at him, encouraging him to do more, and I have to say he has done. He has responded to that and come back in pre-season and has been excellent.
"His performance (against Brighton), that has come from what he's been doing with the first team.
"I really was delighted with him, he has given me food for thought, certainly."
Bowen was a cut above during that clash with Premier League outfit Brighton. He showed against very good opponents that he could stand up to the test.
Crucially, everything that we had previously heard about the youngster was swatted away. It was thought that Bowen was indeed a deeper-lying midfielder, but that evening against Brighton he was just about the most progressive player on the pitch.
He has struggled for game-time since then, but on Saturday against Reading he was given his opportunity and once again did not let anyone down.
He benefitted from being in a midfield three and was the most forward-thinking of the trio, with Joe Ralls just behind and Marlon Pack slightly deeper.
The midfield pendulum worked well against the Royals and Bowen was central to much of the encouraging forward play.
That midfielder, the one who breaks from the middle of the park and bursts on to the edge of the box, is one Cardiff have sorely missed for a number of seasons now.
When Ryan Wintle was brought in it was hoped he would be that sort of player, but he was strikingly similar to what Cardiff already had. McCarthy actually decided to send Wintle to Blackpool on loan because of the emergence of Sam Bowen in pre-season.
But against Reading, Bowen was the one who linked play at the top end of the pitch, never wasting a pass. He looked accomplished and assured and played with a maturity which belied his 20 years.
And he was attacking, too, always looking forward and playing the ball up the pitch when afforded the opportunity. He even had three decent chances presented to him in the second half, but all three, struck on the edge of the box, were deflected out of harm's way.
That composure and finishing will come with time and more minutes on the pitch, but it offers a heap of encouragement to a fan base who have been crying out for the midfielders to have that sort of lung-busting attacking play in their locker.
And that is exactly what McCarthy wants from him, too. The manager is a big believer that he has what it takes to be that missing link between the deep midfielders and the forwards desperately seeking a player to feed off.
"You can see his ability, but I have to say I could see he didn't do enough running, going forward or being positive enough," McCarthy added during that chat back in August.
"TC and myself definitely tried to help him with that because he has got it in his locker.
"He is doing it now and he is a better player for it.
"Credit to him, he came back in pre-season fitter than he was when he left and I take my hat off to him. He's doing well."
With a new system of three in the middle of the park, Bowen could yet blossom into the player Cardiff have been looking for over the past few years.
He will no doubt continue to sneak under that radar, though, and hope his football does the talking on the pitch.
Re: ‘ Sam Bowen’
Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:23 pm
If he's a 'chip off the old block', he'll develop into a great player 
Loved it when his dad, Jason, played for us; a class act!
Loved it when his dad, Jason, played for us; a class act!
Re: ‘ Sam Bowen’
Wed Oct 06, 2021 10:31 am
I liked Jason. Trouble is Sam brings an old Brian Cloughism to mind in that he floats like a butterfly and stings like one.