“ THE LAST TIME CARDIFF “

The last genuine kids we produced was the likes of Joe Ledley, Chris Gunter, Adam Mathews and Aaron Ramsey and they departed 12 and 14 years ago respectively.

I don't count Ralls as he is bog-standard and just lingered at the club for over a decade. In another time he would have been jettisoned early. Not good enough, too slow in pace and reaction.




So now we are have:

Bagan - if he was going to make it, be in the first-team now. Not strong enough.

El King - remains to be seen if he can step up from Crewe in League Two.

Denham - be interesting to see if he can nibble an impression on the squad once Nelson leaves in January. His size could count against him.

Mark Harris - is no more than an impact player. Not a starter, does have a pace, but can't see him improving from where he is now.



Rubin Colwill - a lot of hype which including myself I have praised him. We ain't going to know if he can sustain a regular starting position unless he is given a chance. Very poor in the air for his stature, does have flair.




Isaak Davies - not seen enough of him. But does have pace and something about him but 28 appearances/ 2 goals says he’s not a striker.




There is a handful of lads in Purse's 21s, including Joel Colwill and James Crole. Rather than persevering with the hopeless Whyte and Watters, I'd throw them in. What do we have to lose really?

Chance in January to clear out more dead wood like Watters, Nelson and Whyte - be clubs in League One, maybe even Wrexham that would take that trio.

We are not going up or down - so a chance to throw the kids into the mix now.

Talk from Hudson about the new kids coming through is more crap from above - as John Toshack has always said, "If you are good enough you are old enough".

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But is this only us?

In the last 20 years, Manchester City, despite their recent wealth, have produced 2 genuine local prospects who have gone on to make 100 appearances for the first team - Micah Richards and Phil Foden.

Academies are just a type of lottery - the more tickets you buy the more chance you have of picking a winner, but you still aren’t guarenteed.

Most top players are a production of a number of clubs at junior level, and rarely become heroes or top players where they started.

Calling ralls bog standard I had to stop there, when he's a proven, experienced championship footballer.

Wouldn't really class him as an academy product either though.

This agenda you have against the club's youngsters for some reason has to stop