Darren Purse says these four players are the ones to look

Darren Purse says these four players are the ones to look four:

Morgan Wigley, James Crole, Joel Colwill and Caleb Hughes.

Darren Purse sees it all as a long term project.


Purse also says just look at the success of "James Connolly went to Bristol Rovers, Chanka Zimba went out on loan to Newport County, Kingy (Eli King) went out to Crewe and Isaak Davies was up in the first team. There are so many successes with loans, I walked into a really young side, but it's the side of the game I really enjoy.


Thursday 8th June 2023



It's probably fair to say it has been a season of transition for Cardiff City's under-21s.

This last season and the season before their has not really seen a good run of results or displays, but Purse is very optimistic.

Darren Purse has had to deal with a big turnover in staff, including strength and conditioning coaches, analysts and others leaving, as well as fielding a very youthful side last season.


But former Bluebirds captain Purse is demanding and has exacting standards. While he is pleased with aspects of the campaign, he also concedes there is work to be done to build on the foundations laid during his 18 months at the helm.



DARREN PURSE:

Asked about the season, he said: "Inconsistent, which I expected at the start of the season. If you look at the side I took over in December, January last season, it was so young.

"You look at the squad which won 11 on the spin under Steve Morison, most of them went out on loan or moved up to the first team. The first year, 18 months, was always going to be transitional. We lost a lot of players and a lot of really good players, but that's under-21s football – they move on to the next step.

"James Connolly went to Bristol Rovers, Chanka Zimba went out on loan to Crewe, Kingy (Eli King) went out to Crewe and Isaak Davies was up in the first team. There are so many successes with loans, I walked into a really young side, but it's the side of the game I really enjoy.

"The youngsters give you an energy and a drive and hang on every word you say, which is excellent to see.

"That's the beauty of under-21s football, we try and promote the best under-18s we have got to try and stretch them. If anyone looked at when I took over and the squad Morro (Steve Morison) had and the one we've got at the minute, our average age is probably two or three years younger."

Just glancing at Cardiff under-21s' results doesn't really give you the full picture. When City's side went 11 unbeaten under Morison, a lot of them were pushing past 20 years of age and would ideally have been out on loan or in with the first team.

Purse is now pleased the younger lads are getting a chance, even if it does come at the expense of the odd result. It means the likes of Morgan Wigley, James Crole, Joel Colwill and Caleb Hughes, who were all brought on by Mark Hudson for the Peter Whittingham Memorial Game against Aston Villa at the end of November, could see their own pathway to the first team emerge in front of them.

Purse believes those four are ones to keep an eye on.

Granted, we've not seen too many debuts from the academy over the last 12 months or so, but that's because Sabri Lamouchi and Mark Hudson were right in the midst of a dogfight and would likely have felt it unfair to throw in unproven players in the hope they got them out of the muck.

But there were some signs of encouragement. Xavier Benjamin, the recently-crowned academy player of the year, was named on the bench against Luton Town and Hull City, Eli King came on for the last few minutes against Burnley and Jake Dennis, the young goalkeeper, travelled with the first team on a number of occasions towards the end of the campaign alongside Rohan Luthra.


By his own admission, he has learnt a lot about man management since arriving here at the start of last year.

"I'm really comfortable. I love working for the football club and living in south Wales. Ever since I played down here I loved it and my wife is really settled, she really enjoys it here," he said.

"I see it as a bit of a long-term project and I'm really enjoying it. Am I ready for first-team football? When I walked into the building 18 months ago from my job at Oxford, I wanted to go into first-team football. I've learned so much over the last 18 months that I will be ready in the next year or two.

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I personally dont rate Darren Purse at all and I have watched his teams for the last 18months and I am not impressed at all, but that just my view.


I still dont see this so called quality we have apparently achieved in the last few years that are making it in the Championship???

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his view on success on loans differs from mine. Zimba being the operative one as he could barely get a game.

that being said, these kids who are on the younger side, lets say under 20, theres still plenty of time for them, and there should be some optimism.

i think Eli King will go on to have a good career personally, perhaps it wont be with us but i think he will be a solid enough player. im hopeful the Crole will come on this season as well.

there are people on here who know academy/u21 details far more than me but what happened with some of the more hopeful youngsters there was noise about? i know that one kid left for united, but what are Ashford and Matondo up to now?

his view on success on loans differs from mine. Zimba being the operative one as he could barely get a game.

that being said, these kids who are on the younger side, lets say under 20, theres still plenty of time for them, and there should be some optimism.

i think Eli King will go on to have a good career personally, perhaps it wont be with us but i think he will be a solid enough player. im hopeful the Crole will come on this season as well.

there are people on here who know academy/u21 details far more than me but what happened with some of the more hopeful youngsters there was noise about? i know that one kid left for united, but what are Ashford and Matondo up to now?

Paulh,

Zimba is 22 yrs old this year and did not do that well at Newport.
The average player if he is not knocking on the first team by 19 years old will end up in the lower leagues at best.

Eli King the jury is still out but even he’s 21 yrs this year.

Connolly Bristol Robers how is that a success he’s gone there permanently and never made it for us.

Purse is making out these are a success from the Academy and actually named them both.


The four he says are for the future, I expect all for to be knocking on the first team door this season if they really are going to make it.
If they are sent out on loan once again then for me it’s a goodbye.

Many on here say yes great send them out, what to non league clubs etc Hmmmmmmm how many have come back and made it??

If they go out league 1 the lowest.

Sending James Crole Non League strugglers Torquay

In January 2022 Caleb joined Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County on loan for the remainder of their season.

These are not the type of clubs you send apparently our future Championship stars to.

Sending James Crole Non League strugglers Torquay

In January 2022 Caleb joined Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County on loan for the remainder of their season.

These are not the type of clubs you send apparently our future Championship stars to.

yeah absolutely agree with this. Newport and Wrexham are good clubs, i hope to see a few of our players in at least league 2 next season but actually getting regular games too.

Sending James Crole Non League strugglers Torquay

In January 2022 Caleb joined Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County on loan for the remainder of their season.

These are not the type of clubs you send apparently our future Championship stars to.

yeah absolutely agree with this. Newport and Wrexham are good clubs, i hope to see a few of our players in at least league 2 next season but actually getting regular games too.

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Really don't understand sending these lads out to non league clubs to improve ?? Pursey great captain but bit to go as coach I think.

Even said this in a document I sent to Tan, Dalman and Choo (was worth a shot) - every level of academy and youth teams need to be matching the philosophy of the club and first team. If the first team that plays attacking football, ball retention, high press etc. as an example, then this needs to be instilled all the way through the club.

This makes transitions from level-to-level smoother, players adapt and buy into the club’s philosophy and style of football.

Really don't understand sending these lads out to non league clubs to improve ?? Pursey great captain but bit to go as coach I think.

Nor do I Jules,

It achieves nothing at all, none ever make it.

Even said this in a document I sent to Tan, Dalman and Choo (was worth a shot) - every level of academy and youth teams need to be matching the philosophy of the club and first team. If the first team that plays attacking football, ball retention, high press etc. as an example, then this needs to be instilled all the way through the club.

This makes transitions from level-to-level smoother, players adapt and buy into the club’s philosophy and style of football.

They certainly do.

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Even said this in a document I sent to Tan, Dalman and Choo (was worth a shot) - every level of academy and youth teams need to be matching the philosophy of the club and first team. If the first team that plays attacking football, ball retention, high press etc. as an example, then this needs to be instilled all the way through the club.

This makes transitions from level-to-level smoother, players adapt and buy into the club’s philosophy and style of football.

IMO - Football changes too much for that.

All academies should teach the dutch total football philosophy of the 70's, works for Pep. Be able to do all the basics well and leave the physicality to later.

No point U18's playing gegenpress, wait until you are professional otherwise you'll have great athletes but poor footballers as was the British way. long ball after long ball where the bigger lads succeed but lack the basic skills later in their careers.

The thing about all the Bellemy class of kids is they are good at the basics, its whether they have the physical ability to impose their competencies onto the game and this is where I think we have failed them. They should have been loaned far earlier in their career and physically amd more importantly mentally developed more than they would at U18 or U21 grade

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Only Ralls has made a championship career from our academy since Rambo, but we haven't let many good ones escape either (who wasn't poached)

Evans improved at Torquay, whether he is good enough is another thing. If they are nowhere near the picture by 21 then they should be released, and if we let a late developer go then take it on the chin.

I would let 18/19 year old out to low level to get regular men's football into their legs. Send them too high and they don't play. short bursts Aug to Christmas and then see.

The problem clubs are scared to make a decision and hold onto these guys too long.
Not ours but clubs should have found out by now that Simpson is nowhere near championship grade but Bournemouth kept him so long that he has probably made a tidy sum before being found out

Would you extend Colwill and King onto a proper championship contract ?

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Only Ralls has made a championship career from our academy since Rambo, but we haven't let many good ones escape either (who wasn't poached)

Evans improved at Torquay, whether he is good enough is another thing. If they are nowhere near the picture by 21 then they should be released, and if we let a late developer go then take it on the chin.

I would let 18/19 year old out to low level to get regular men's football into their legs. Send them too high and they don't play. short bursts Aug to Christmas and then see.

The problem clubs are scared to make a decision and hold onto these guys too long.
Not ours but clubs should have found out by now that Simpson is nowhere near championship grade but Bournemouth kept him so long that he has probably made a tidy sum before being found out

Would you extend Colwill and King onto a proper championship contract ?

Joe Ralls was in a League 1 Yeovil team going for promotion to the Championship.

My point is you said we should send all our younger ones to clubs in the Welsh League and Non League, the standard is way to low for them to come back and make it and the facts are there they don’t. Not one on recent years.

Yes I still believe in Colwil.

King 50-50


EVANS is 22 yrs old this year and played in a non league struggling team Torquay last season, def not good enough for us.

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Only Ralls has made a championship career from our academy since Rambo, but we haven't let many good ones escape either (who wasn't poached)

Evans improved at Torquay, whether he is good enough is another thing. If they are nowhere near the picture by 21 then they should be released, and if we let a late developer go then take it on the chin.

I would let 18/19 year old out to low level to get regular men's football into their legs. Send them too high and they don't play. short bursts Aug to Christmas and then see.

The problem clubs are scared to make a decision and hold onto these guys too long.
Not ours but clubs should have found out by now that Simpson is nowhere near championship grade but Bournemouth kept him so long that he has probably made a tidy sum before being found out

Would you extend Colwill and King onto a proper championship contract ?

Joe Ralls was in a League 1 Yeovil team going for promotion to the Championship.

My point is you said we should send all our younger ones to clubs in the Welsh League and Non League, the standard is way to low for them to come back and make it and the facts are there they don’t. Not one on recent years.

Yes I still believe in Colwil.

King 50-50

Who do you reckon would win over two legs

Cardiff City U23 vs The new Saints ?

I'd have our U21'sin the Welsh Premier as its at least a meaningful rest every week.

Do you think us and Swansea would come first and second every year ? I don't

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Only Ralls has made a championship career from our academy since Rambo, but we haven't let many good ones escape either (who wasn't poached)

Evans improved at Torquay, whether he is good enough is another thing. If they are nowhere near the picture by 21 then they should be released, and if we let a late developer go then take it on the chin.

I would let 18/19 year old out to low level to get regular men's football into their legs. Send them too high and they don't play. short bursts Aug to Christmas and then see.

The problem clubs are scared to make a decision and hold onto these guys too long.
Not ours but clubs should have found out by now that Simpson is nowhere near championship grade but Bournemouth kept him so long that he has probably made a tidy sum before being found out

Would you extend Colwill and King onto a proper championship contract ?

Joe Ralls was in a League 1 Yeovil team going for promotion to the Championship.

My point is you said we should send all our younger ones to clubs in the Welsh League and Non League, the standard is way to low for them to come back and make it and the facts are there they don’t. Not one on recent years.

Yes I still believe in Colwil.

King 50-50

Who do you reckon would win over two legs

Cardiff City U21 vs The new Saints ?

I'd have our U23 in the Welsh Premier as its at least a meaningful rest every week.

Do you think us and Swansea would come first and second every year ? I don't

I keep answering you.

You actually don’t answer my questions, name three players or even one.

By the way Joe Ralls joined us at 17 yrs old and never came through our Accademy.

By the way I never said keep them in our U21’s , I said send them to league 1 clubs.

You keep saying send them to Non League and Welsh League, which prove total failure

I think Rallsy was in the championship with Yeovil when we got promoted under Malky to the prem.

I think he has only played championship or prem

I think Rallsy was in the championship with Yeovil when we got promoted under Malky to the prem.

I think he has only played championship or prem

Yes I think your right.

A Championship proven player.

Our u21 team playing in Welsh prem is a good shout. Give them something competitive to play for.
Although not sure it's possible as we come under fa

I think we should be sending all our kids to Welsh league and non league for short stints. Sitting on their arse doesn't improve them, good coaching and games do.

U21 games are almost exhibition stuff, they all end up like Collwil wanting too much time on the ball. If Rubes was at Torquay 2 years ago he'd have learned to make quicker decisions or get hurt.

I'd send all 4 to non league until Christmas then assess

Name me three players that after being sent to the Welsh League or Non League have come back and made it in the Championship for Cardiff City ????

Unbelievable low quality football

Only Ralls has made a championship career from our academy since Rambo, but we haven't let many good ones escape either (who wasn't poached)

Evans improved at Torquay, whether he is good enough is another thing. If they are nowhere near the picture by 21 then they should be released, and if we let a late developer go then take it on the chin.

I would let 18/19 year old out to low level to get regular men's football into their legs. Send them too high and they don't play. short bursts Aug to Christmas and then see.

The problem clubs are scared to make a decision and hold onto these guys too long.
Not ours but clubs should have found out by now that Simpson is nowhere near championship grade but Bournemouth kept him so long that he has probably made a tidy sum before being found out

Would you extend Colwill and King onto a proper championship contract ?

Joe Ralls was in a League 1 Yeovil team going for promotion to the Championship.

My point is you said we should send all our younger ones to clubs in the Welsh League and Non League, the standard is way to low for them to come back and make it and the facts are there they don’t. Not one on recent years.

Yes I still believe in Colwil.

King 50-50

Who do you reckon would win over two legs

Cardiff City U21 vs The new Saints ?

I'd have our U23 in the Welsh Premier as its at least a meaningful rest every week.

Do you think us and Swansea would come first and second every year ? I don't

I keep answering you.

You actually don’t answer my questions, name three players or even one.

By the way Joe Ralls joined us at 17 yrs old and never came through our Accademy.

By the way I never said keep them in our U21’s , I said send them to league 1 clubs.

You keep saying send them to Non League and Welsh League, which prove total failure

Sending them to league one is pointless if they are not ready for League one. L1 or L2 clubs are not charities, if they sign them and suss they are not mentally or physically prepared they send them back like Crewe did as they are not adding anything, so it's a total waste of time.
Paterson,Flinty, Vaulks, they'd make mincemeat of these four kids, but no sane manager would select them or sign them.

I am saying at 18/19 they need to be playing professional mens footbal, not U23 and they need to go as low as they need to get Sat &Tuesday starts. Then by 19/20 they are hardened and we can see if they may make it.

We haven't had any kids since Ralls who are good enough to make it. So we could send them anywhere, we hold onto them too long because we don't test them early enough in mens football.

If you were a scout for a L1 club and let's face it, we are currently only a few places above that why would you gamble a squad slot to an unknown kid from a club that hasn't produced a decent one for a decade or would you go to a top 6 club for their 18/19 year olds.

Its a brutal profession to be in, and we are too sentimental. Championship teams end up producing players for L2 and non league. Half of our "next bright things" are in below conference or the Welsh premier.

I'd let King go, he'll probably turn into a good 25 year but i think he'll need to drop down a fair bit first.

Our u21 team playing in Welsh prem is a good shout. Give them something competitive to play for.
Although not sure it's possible as we come under fa

Annis would know what happens in Spain but a B team or even C teams are allowed. We couldn't qualify for Europe but it would be meaningful games. My wife knows two kids who never made it in the Jack academy who both play in the Welsh Premier, its littered with ex-Cardiff and Swansea rejects who are now in their mid 20's. It would be a good measure of our youngsters, the one who may make it should shine, then we make a decision

Even said this in a document I sent to Tan, Dalman and Choo (was worth a shot) - every level of academy and youth teams need to be matching the philosophy of the club and first team. If the first team that plays attacking football, ball retention, high press etc. as an example, then this needs to be instilled all the way through the club.

This makes transitions from level-to-level smoother, players adapt and buy into the club’s philosophy and style of football.

IMO - Football changes too much for that.

All academies should teach the dutch total football philosophy of the 70's, works for Pep. Be able to do all the basics well and leave the physicality to later.

No point U18's playing gegenpress, wait until you are professional otherwise you'll have great athletes but poor footballers as was the British way. long ball after long ball where the bigger lads succeed but lack the basic skills later in their careers.

The thing about all the Bellemy class of kids is they are good at the basics, its whether they have the physical ability to impose their competencies onto the game and this is where I think we have failed them. They should have been loaned far earlier in their career and physically amd more importantly mentally developed more than they would at U18 or U21 grade

Tbh it’s the style of football I’d push myself, players should be learning to pass and play on the ground. Too much hoofball has been in this club over the years and it needs to be history

his view on success on loans differs from mine. Zimba being the operative one as he could barely get a game.

that being said, these kids who are on the younger side, lets say under 20, theres still plenty of time for them, and there should be some optimism.

i think Eli King will go on to have a good career personally, perhaps it wont be with us but i think he will be a solid enough player. im hopeful the Crole will come on this season as well.

there are people on here who know academy/u21 details far more than me but what happened with some of the more hopeful youngsters there was noise about? i know that one kid left for united, but what are Ashford and Matondo up to now?

Paulh Zimba is 22 yrs old this year and did not do that well at Newport.
The average player if he is not knocking on the first team by 19 years old will end up in the lower leagues at best.

Eli King the jury is still out but even he’s 21 yrs this year.

Connolly Bristol Robers how is that a success he’s gone there permanently and never made it for us.

Purse is making out these are a success from the Academy and actually named them both.


The four he says are for the future, I expect all for to be knocking on the first team door this season if they really are going to make it.
If they are sent out on loan once again then for me it’s a goodbye.

Many on here say yes great send them out, what to non league clubs etc Hmmmmmmm how many have come back and made it??

If they go out league 1 the lowest.

Agree with you on this Anis. We are still a championship side. Our u21’s/23’s should be knocking on the door of the first team. Not D2 or non leagues. As a club we put a lot of effort and money into the academy. The academy trainers really need to up their game. It’s not there as an fluffy ride. And for me, Purse saying Morison effectively had a more experienced squad doesn’t cut it and shows he knows he’s not cutting it.

his view on success on loans differs from mine. Zimba being the operative one as he could barely get a game.

that being said, these kids who are on the younger side, lets say under 20, theres still plenty of time for them, and there should be some optimism.

i think Eli King will go on to have a good career personally, perhaps it wont be with us but i think he will be a solid enough player. im hopeful the Crole will come on this season as well.

there are people on here who know academy/u21 details far more than me but what happened with some of the more hopeful youngsters there was noise about? i know that one kid left for united, but what are Ashford and Matondo up to now?

Paulh Zimba is 22 yrs old this year and did not do that well at Newport.
The average player if he is not knocking on the first team by 19 years old will end up in the lower leagues at best.

Eli King the jury is still out but even he’s 21 yrs this year.

Connolly Bristol Robers how is that a success he’s gone there permanently and never made it for us.

Purse is making out these are a success from the Academy and actually named them both.


The four he says are for the future, I expect all for to be knocking on the first team door this season if they really are going to make it.
If they are sent out on loan once again then for me it’s a goodbye.

Many on here say yes great send them out, what to non league clubs etc Hmmmmmmm how many have come back and made it??

If they go out league 1 the lowest.

Agree with you on this Anis. We are still a championship side. Our u21’s/23’s should be knocking on the door of the first team. Not D2 or non leagues. As a club we put a lot of effort and money into the academy. The academy trainers really need to up their game. It’s not there as an fluffy ride. And for me, Purse saying Morison effectively had a more experienced squad doesn’t cut it and shows he knows he’s not cutting it.

Yes with you on this and there are NO excuses, plus we need players ready to go straight in to the first team if needed , not playing Non League and Welsh League standard.

Sending James Crole Non League strugglers Torquay

In January 2022 Caleb joined Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County on loan for the remainder of their season.

These are not the type of clubs you send apparently our future Championship stars to.

Crole is a natural goal scorer I have no doubt he can play at a higher level and basically only went there coz his mate was there , he should be in league one this year .