00:00Now, Cardiff City's young talents have stepped up this season, proving a vital part of the
00:08squad's progress, with several academy graduates and youngsters under 21 making their mark.
00:15The Bluebirds have benefited from fresh energy and fearless performances. As these youngsters
00:20continue to impress, questions turn to how far they can take the team with key fixtures
00:25ahead. Their development could be crucial in shaping Cardiff's campaign. If they maintain
00:31their momentum, this season could be a defining one for the club's next generation. We're
00:36taking a look at their impact, how they've influenced the team, and what it means for
00:40Cardiff's future.
00:43Looking at Cardiff City, of course, the tension for them turns back to the championship now
00:48out of the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa at Villa Park. But the championship, it's
00:55going to be tight, let's be honest, come the end of the season. There's only a few
00:57points in it between Cardiff, just outside the relegation zone, and those below them
01:01who are in it. So, first of all, I'll ask you this, are you confident that they will
01:08have enough to stay up?
01:10I think the short answer is yes. I think their transfer strategy has been good enough. It's
01:18come off very well. Their three signings from the winter window have all had a fantastic
01:22impact on Omar Ezer's side. That's a fact. Obviously, a five-point buffer after 35 games,
01:32they're going to want to keep that up and ensure that they're there or thereabouts.
01:37It's also very tight when you look above them. A couple of wins and suddenly they're 16th-17th
01:43with their South Wales derby partners, Swansea City. So, yes, I do think that they will have
01:50enough eventually. They still have a few huge games to play and I think they will
01:57just avoid it.
01:59That's interesting that because, of course, let's be honest, Cardiff are a team who probably
02:03just on club size could be high up the table. They could even be in the Premier League.
02:07Of course, they have been in some recent seasons. But, to be fair, I think of late they have
02:12shown some signs of improvement, certainly. They look more confident as a side, they look
02:18a bit more free-flowing. Yes, they got beaten by Aston Villa in the FA Cup, but they certainly
02:22weren't disgraced in that game against a side who, of course, are also playing Champions
02:26League football. In that team, of course, was Aaron Ramsey, veteran Welsh midfielder
02:30alongside Ruben Corwell. Now, their partnership is starting to blossom a little bit. Yes,
02:35Ramsey's fitness is sometimes a bit of an issue because of how old he's getting on in
02:38terms of his professional career, but their relationship in the middle of the park, could
02:44that be the key to helping them stay up this season?
02:48Well, I think it's certainly a positive, as you say. They did go out against Aston Villa
02:53in the FA Cup, but there was a few real positives to take from that night. We've got, obviously,
03:01Cole Goulden and Ramsey working together and I think that's just perfect for both Wales
03:06and Cardiff. I mean, you've got to look at the bigger picture. This is a relegation fight,
03:10yes, but in terms of years to come, in terms of Craig Bellamy watching on and he's looking
03:15at Aaron Ramsey as the Wales captain as well, coming into that, Cardiff captain as well.
03:20Then you have Ruben Corwell, who's been a magnificent bit of talent for Cardiff City,
03:26so he's going to be looking at Wales in the future and performing for them. So, yes, it's
03:32real positive if you look at the bigger picture. Obviously, now it's a partnership that looks
03:36like it's going to be blossoming, but in terms of Wales and Cardiff, there's no better mentor
03:41than Aaron Ramsey, maybe, Gareth Bale, but other than that, Aaron Ramsey is probably
03:47the go-to guy in Welsh football, other than Bale, if you look over the last 10 years or
03:52so and then maybe on top of that, Craig Bellamy and he's now, obviously, the Welsh team manager.
03:57So, that's really interesting, I think, with Corwell having a bit more space to roam and
04:04Ramsey sort of picking up bits off him, doing all the hard work and I think that's what
04:08Corwell's needed. I think he compared it to the job Joe Allen used to do for Aaron
04:14Ramsey, so it's a bit of a full circle moment in terms of Wales and Cardiff City and I think
04:19this is a partnership that can really blossom. Obviously, Omar Rees has made some big statements
04:25with the young players this season. He's really enjoyed being involved with the young players
04:30and giving them an opportunity to shine and I think Ruben Corwell is a gem for Wales,
04:35he's a gem for Cardiff and they need to look after him. I think, under the wing of Aaron
04:39Ramsey, there's no better player to look after him.
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