BBM: I would definitely use Axel Donczew in the first team

Brian Barry-Murphy:


"I think if they're good enough and he clearly is, then they're old enough for us with Axel.

It's just about using him when and where we need him really.

As young as he is, we have to be mindful of not giving him too much too soon in terms of demanding too much from him, based on him only being 15. There's an element of that.

But if we need him in the coming weeks, if we haven't got players in that position, then we would use him for definite.

He's a brilliant player."

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

Wayne Rooney did ok at a young age

Good Luck to the Lad - Whenever he gets his chance

Exactly what I have said for years on here, age does not matter if they are good enough, you play them

Exactly what I have said for years on here, age does not matter if they are good enough, you play them

Exactly.Toshack was 16 when he scored on his debut. He sored twice in a 4-3 win at Middlesbro a few months later. His fellow striking partner George Johnstone got the other two and he was only 18.

Football is a much more athletic game than it was when Toshack made his debut. Rooney had the body of a man twice his age when he made his debut at 16.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

It’s probably about maturity, size, physicality etc rather than age I would say.

Football is a much more athletic game than it was when Toshack made his debut. Rooney had the body of a man twice his age when he made his debut at 16.

Rooney was also once in a generation elite level player.

Football is a much more athletic game than it was when Toshack made his debut. Rooney had the body of a man twice his age when he made his debut at 16.

Rooney was also once in a generation elite level player.

No argument there.

Rooneys strength was his strength. As a 16 year old he looked like he could match the seaons pros for strength. He knew how to use it to.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

Or out of the 20,000, a large portion are pessimistic and will focus on 1 bad action over 50 good; devoting a week towards posting it, then booing you when you come on.

Other than that, exactly like my Sunday paper round.

Brian Barry-Murphy:


"I think if they're good enough and he clearly is, then they're old enough for us with Axel.

It's just about using him when and where we need him really.

As young as he is, we have to be mindful of not giving him too much too soon in terms of demanding too much from him, based on him only being 15. There's an element of that.

But if we need him in the coming weeks, if we haven't got players in that position, then we would use him for definite.

He's a brilliant player."

Great news - lets see him then. Get some minutes under his belt when a game is dead and won.

Exactly what I have said for years on here, age does not matter if they are good enough, you play them

Agree; and, like others not given a chance by previous managers, you never know until you know, and I often wonder how much ‘talent’ we have ruined by not giving them a chance

For me, it’s up to any player to take their opportunities when they arise, no matter what their age. This season, we have seen many do it, and none have ‘disappointed’, to the point one or two of them are now ‘missed’ when they don’t play!

Looks a good player on first sight (of first team action) and BBM is a manager who will give him opportunities when he can. Then it’s over to young Donczew (and others) to bite his hand off!

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

Or out of the 20,000, a large portion are pessimistic and will focus on 1 bad action over 50 good; devoting a week towards posting it, then booing you when you come on.

Other than that, exactly like my Sunday paper round.

If a 16 year old can manage it in front of 60,000 or more screaming rabid Spanish fans why wouldn't a 16 year old be able to manage it in front of 20,000 pessimistic Cardiff City fans? And no I'm not comparing their footballing ability just their age & ability to cope with fans demands.

If you're good enough then you're old enough & it's what they chose to do and they should be prepared for that just like you & I were prepared to deal with a paper round or stacking shelves at Sainsburys or Tesco.

It's okay to disagree you know without making ridiculous comparisons.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

Or out of the 20,000, a large portion are pessimistic and will focus on 1 bad action over 50 good; devoting a week towards posting it, then booing you when you come on.

Other than that, exactly like my Sunday paper round.

If a 16 year old can manage it in front of 60,000 or more screaming rabid Spanish fans why wouldn't a 16 year old be able to manage it in front of 20,000 pessimistic Cardiff City fans? And no I'm not comparing their footballing ability just their age & ability to cope with fans demands.

If you're good enough then you're old enough & it's what they chose to do and they should be prepared for that just like you & I were prepared to deal with a paper round or stacking shelves at Sainsburys or Tesco.

It's okay to disagree you know without making ridiculous comparisons.

Aaron Ramsey was someone who could have played at 15 or 16 I think. He was different though. As Rooney was, as Yamal is. They don’t come about very often.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

Or out of the 20,000, a large portion are pessimistic and will focus on 1 bad action over 50 good; devoting a week towards posting it, then booing you when you come on.

Other than that, exactly like my Sunday paper round.

If a 16 year old can manage it in front of 60,000 or more screaming rabid Spanish fans why wouldn't a 16 year old be able to manage it in front of 20,000 pessimistic Cardiff City fans? And no I'm not comparing their footballing ability just their age & ability to cope with fans demands.

If you're good enough then you're old enough & it's what they chose to do and they should be prepared for that just like you & I were prepared to deal with a paper round or stacking shelves at Sainsburys or Tesco.

It's okay to disagree you know without making ridiculous comparisons.

Aaron Ramsey was someone who could have played at 15 or 16 I think. He was different though. As Rooney was, as Yamal is. They don’t come about very often.

Agreed, but if you don't try them you'll never know. Most will not cope well at such a young age but some will be okay & the odd one will thrive.

That makes sense to most people. All this holding them back in case it's too much for them is ridiculous, most of us were working at 16 & this is their job at the end of the day.

True, but most people don't have 20,000 people watching them at work and have a journalist shove a microphone in their face when they've finished.

Or the physical demands of senior football on the body.

Or competing against people bigger and more experienced than them.

Aside from that. Exactly the same as me stacking shelves at sainsburys when I was 16.

Or out of the 20,000, a large portion are pessimistic and will focus on 1 bad action over 50 good; devoting a week towards posting it, then booing you when you come on.

Other than that, exactly like my Sunday paper round.

If a 16 year old can manage it in front of 60,000 or more screaming rabid Spanish fans why wouldn't a 16 year old be able to manage it in front of 20,000 pessimistic Cardiff City fans? And no I'm not comparing their footballing ability just their age & ability to cope with fans demands.

If you're good enough then you're old enough & it's what they chose to do and they should be prepared for that just like you & I were prepared to deal with a paper round or stacking shelves at Sainsburys or Tesco.

It's okay to disagree you know without making ridiculous comparisons.

Aaron Ramsey was someone who could have played at 15 or 16 I think. He was different though. As Rooney was, as Yamal is. They don’t come about very often.

Agreed, but if you don't try them you'll never know. Most will not cope well at such a young age but some will be okay & the odd one will thrive.

I think that’s the point. It affects some players if they aren’t ready. Look at Lee Jarman.

Exactly what I have said for years on here, age does not matter if they are good enough, you play them

I agree with this but believe he should be introduced slowly and see how he develops and adapts.
At 15 he’s definitely not fully physically developed so that’s why I think he should get the odd sub appearance and see how it goes.

I’ve not seen him play but it’s an interesting prospect.

Has he signed a professional contract yet?

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

Wayne Rooney did ok at a young age

Rooney was a one off, as someone said he had a body of someone twice his age.

Even now he has a body of someone twice his age

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

Wayne Rooney did ok at a young age

Rooney was a one off, as someone said he had a body of someone twice his age.

Even now he has a body of someone twice his age

I went to watch WWE at the o2 (stepson a big fan) and Drew McIntyre said to Rooney “what’s happened to you man, we are the same age.”

I get all of what you're saying but surely that doesn't apply to every just because they're young, people mature at different ages & the people around them can help. My point being that age alone doesn't mean much & at what age should they be allowed to play according to you guys? Do you have an age in mind where it's okay by you that they play?

Wayne Rooney did ok at a young age

Rooney was a one off, as someone said he had a body of someone twice his age.

Even now he has a body of someone twice his age

You’re not wrong there, mate!

Rooney has the body of two people full stop, too!