By Tom Prosser
Marley Watkins only has a Cardiff City contract until the end of August but he may have just earned himself a longer one as he bagged a brace against Sutton United in the 1st round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday Evening.
Watkins’ goals played a big part in the Bluebirds coming from behind to record a 3-2 win over the Football League’s newest team.
“He’s done his chances of signing a longer-term contract no harm,” said Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy.
“It’s just a short-term contract for now. But I thought he did really well.
“It is a trial period. Absolutely that. He came in for pre-season but the rules dictate you can only play two friendlies and he played the one at Bath; he played with a bit of an injury and he was wanting to play, but he didn’t do anything.
“Then he had 10 days, two weeks off. So to be fair to him and to be fair to us, we had to have another look at him.
“So we have just had this short-term deal and that’s what it is.”
Another man making his debut for the Bluebirds was 18-year-old left-back Tom Davies who has been at the club since U14 level.
“A mention should really go to Tom Davies, who I thought was excellent,” McCarthy said after his side progressed to the second round of the League Cup.
“He was playing against the number seven, who was arguably their best player.
“Myself and the staff are giving the youngsters the opportunities.
“We could probably do with about 23 or 24 players around the squad.
“So to have Tom come in like he did, to have Kieron Evans around the place, Sam Bowen and Rubin Colwill too, it’s really pleasing those youngsters from academy are showing enough that I want to include them, It’s great.”
This marks the start of a fresh approach for Cardiff City who have been criticised in recent years for not using their academy enough.
One man who benefited from this new vision last season was Tom Sang, he believes the club is moving in a positive direction.
“Tom had a really good debut,” said Sang who was previously on the books of Manchester United.
“He looked so calm and composed, so I’m made up for him.
“There are loads of young players now – every Friday before a match we have a ‘young vs old’ match, and I’m nearly on the ‘old’ team because there are that many young lads, which is great to see!”