In response to an idea from clingo, perhaps we should have a separate thread for these guys. Games so far............ please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Game today................ https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-23/2021/qpr-u23s-v-cardiff-city-u23s/?tab=report
Nice job sparkey That makes impressive reading at any level. If I'm seeing it correctly, including today's result it's 10 wins on the bounce. Morison clearly laid down the bedrock of good things there and without getting too carried away, perhaps he'll do the same at senior level. But sticking to the U23s, it clearly demonstrates that the club are getting something right at development level. Just need to join it all up now. Well done lads.
This is very interesting. I seem to recall the noisy neighbours' U23s were doing well last year. I assume this age group effectively epitomised the club academy somehow? I know they downgraded their academy and even sold it? I assume our academy was never so highly graded? We certainly haven't had the feed through till now and certainly haven't made the big sales they achieved such as Davies and James to name two.
Seem to remember our academy was only Tier 2 (or whatever the grading was) whereas the little cousins were a Tier 1, but yes, I think once the drop from the Prem happened for them, and the money started to get tight then their academy got downgraded. It was because of our lowly status that Man City were able to effectively take Matondo off us without recourse, because he went straight into their Tier 1 academy. Not that it's done him much good in the longer run. It is quite a significant achievement to go on the run our 23s have. Hopefully Morison can continue working his magic with the 1sts and get them on a similar run now (yes, that is a half full glass).
Brizzle.....I think the downgrade was a conscious decision from them rather than a direct result of relegation? Is the tier more to do with facilities rather than league? Of course higher leagues will demand a higher tier and will generate funds but could we simply decide to invest and get into a higher tier?
I thought we had planning consent for a new, all encompassing training centre north of the Vale Hotel facilities at Hensol. This was to be a centre for youth teams up to the senior side so the youngsters could enjoy the same experience as the seniors and mix with them. I guess covid and the downturn in VT's empire has seen a hold put on that. Hopefully it will come back on stream as things improve.
Yep FFB, it WAS a conscious decision by the Jacks to downgrade as the highest Tier costs so much more to retain. I think it's a combo of facilities and funding isn't it that qualifies you for the various gradings? Will have to do a bit of research on the subject and come back to you
Cat 1 and Cat 2 clubs are processing hundreds of boys in a single age group. Cat 1 clubs will have development centres around the country and the world selecting children, training them, and each year eliminating dozens/hundreds of children from the development / academy programme. At the other end of the spectrum are the Cat 3 and 4s academies. Expect to see them using shared community facilities, have fewer coaches but partnerships with schools, universities and other third parties as they work collaboratively together to deliver a football learning environment. You will see fewer children which means less competition, and another positive is you and your child might develop a working relationship with the staff and club. This is not always the case with Cat 1 clubs where parents sometimes complain about the very direct, impersonal forms of communication and aloof staff. The Category One Academies are: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn, Burnley, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Southampton Looks like it costs around £2 -£3 million a year to maintain a Cat 1 academy.
Looks like I copied the City/Sheff U gamee twice in the OP. It is actually 9 wins on the bounce - here's the list of them.............. please log in to view this image
Just reading the Hull thread got me thinking (dangerous, I know). Seen the team sheets and results for the 23s but cant say I know how they line up. What typically is their formation. Any insight from that which would help to understand where Morison is headed with shape and style. Are we playing our current formation because of available resource or because its Morisons prefered shape? If we had an out and out LB would we be playing 4 at the back? Itll evolve over time, just curious as to what the goal is.
The young guns not doing bad either. Cardiff City’s Under 18s record in their last six matches. Played six, won six, goals for 27, goals against 1.
Bit cheeky but no surprise. They probably still have scouts/sessions all over the place as a hangover from their former top tier academy status. We probably do similar towards their neck of the woods... Just in a secure location to make sure none of the equipment and kit gets nicked!
...and another one......... https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/u23-match-report-cardiff-city-2-0-colchester-united
I watched them this afternoon against Colchester. 2-0 at half time but seemed to ease up a bit in the second half. Sang was outstanding in centre midfield.
Wol is qoting him as playing on the wing in a front 3, but if you watched it rather than them just reporting it, I'll take your version as being correct.