Future talent is starting to come through as City look to the youth

THAT might sound like a pretty daft statement given that we’re talking about a under-23s game, but hear me out.

Named in the Bluebirds’ team on Monday night were six under-18s players and, at times, it told.

Cardiff struggled early on to get a real foothold in the match and were visibly slightly smaller than their opponents.

There are going to be obvious differences between teenagers and those in their early-20s in terms of speed, strength and even stamina.

But Cameron Coxe, down the right, was willing and Laurence Wootton in the middle of the park never shied away from a challenge.

Was the result really that important? Possibly, but what’s beyond doubt is that nights like this provide youngsters with invaluable experience. THE midfielder was tipped as one to keep an eye on before the game and so it turned out. He was just that little bit better in everything he did, assured on the ball, an accurate distributor and not afraid to receive the ball under pressure.

The captain hit some wonderful diagonals throughout the game and became more effective as the game opened up in the final quarter.

He showed a touch of class too to delicately chip the ball in behind with precision to give Sion Spence a crossing chance in the first half. ANOTHER who became more effective when given the license to push on in the final quarter was left-back Rhys Abbruzzese.

A tenacious little full-back, he was solid when asked to defend but looked as though he enjoyed getting forward in the latter stages.

He showed some wonderful foot-