Wed May 15, 2024 3:26 pm
Darren Purse reviews U-21 season:
Under-21s boss Darren Purse has reviewed a season which was challenging, results-wise, but saw many positives in terms of personal growth for young players.
A clutch of youngsters made Championship debuts this term, with academy graduates Cian Ashford, Raheem Conte, Luey Giles and Joel Colwill all featuring at the end of the campaign.
Cardiff were left threadbare at under-21s level at times given how many of their players went out on loan, particularly at the back end of the campaign. But Purse is pleased with the overall strategy which has been implemented.
“It has been really positive. If you look at where we are with the U21s, at the start of the season, we wanted Tom Davies to go out on loan to gain experience. Rather than recruit a new left-back, we saw Luey [Giles] as someone with potential. We have challenged Luey, as a second-year scholar, to play 30 games for the U21s," he said.
“He’s come through with flying colours. They’re the little strategic things that we do and the decisions that we make. It’s the part of the job that I really enjoy, which is making sure that the players have a pathway.
“It’s always about the bigger picture, which is the first-team debuts that we’ve had and the loan experience that we’ve gained. I think it has been fantastic. We always do what is best for our individual players and we’re seeing the results of that.”