I’m disappointed at the academy graduates, says
CARDIFF City boss Neil Warnock has responded to Craig Bellamy’s criticism of the Bluebirds academy system, writes GLEN WILLIAMS.
Earlier this week, Bellamy outlined to the Sunday Times his frustrations over the club’s reluctance to pick any home-grown Welsh players while he was involved in the academy system.
Bellamy’s interview resonated with many City fans, who have called for an overhaul of the club’s academy owing to the dearth of Welsh youngsters that have come through the ranks in recent years.
The former Wales forward highlighted the stark contrast between the systems in Cardiff and in Belgium, where he is currently the under 21s coach at Anderlecht.
But Warnock believes Bellamy’s assessment was slightly skewed.
“I think he was misled, really,” Warnock said. “He didn’t mention my name, even though you used it as a headline, he didn’t actually mention my name.
CC STADIUM noon, tomorrow CARDIFF CITY v BRISTOL CITY
“But if I had any youngsters good enough they would be in the team, that’s what I would say to him.
“You tell me any youngster that’s left here and made a good living out of it or gone on to better things, I can’t think of any.
“So it’s disappointing that there’s not many youngsters coming through.
“He compared it with Belgium, with Anderlecht, but it’s no comparison with Belgian football. I’m disappointed that we haven’t (produced more).”
The Cardiff boss remembers first meeting Bellamy and head of the academy James McCarthy and attempting to implement a system which placed greater focus on producing players rather than winning age-group competitions.
Warnock, however, believes that fell on deaf ears, much to the detriment of the players’ development within the academy, and has called for an overhaul of the club’s youth system in the coming years.
“I remember the first time I met with Craig,” the manager added. “I think James was with him as well and we talked about the under 18s and I said to them that I wasn’t bothered about them winning.
“I wanted them to be pushing them through to the first team, what their priorities should be.
“I wanted the under 18s training with the under 23s etc., but it never happened. The under 18s won the league and I’ve not seen any development since.
“The club has got to reassess the academy over the next couple of years.”
Here’s what else Warnock had to say at his press conference yesterday. ON FACING BRISTOL CITY THIS WEEKEND
It’s always special for me. I always get a loud welcome from their fans. Two very good fans and clubs. It’s a rivalry