Cardiff City’s versatile young squad player Darcy Blake is in the unusual position of being a regular starter at International level with Wales, but remaining unable to get any significant gametime at club level.
It’s a situation the academy product Blake is now keen to address, having remained patient for the first few months of Malky Mackay’s reign. He is now seeking assurances on his future, and looking for a prolonged spell in the first team.
Blake told WalesOnline:
“Cardiff`s my team and it`s the team I want to play for – but I want to be playing week in, week out.”
“I`m going to go back, have a sit down with the manager and tell him that I need to play games.”
“I showed I`m still working hard even though I`m not playing for Cardiff, and I`m staying positive when given my chance. I hope that`s soon at Cardiff because the last thing I want to do is go back into the stands.”
“I want to play games and I want to play at the top level.”
Blake has been excellent for Wales, and very steady when selected for the Bluebirds over the past couple of seasons. His cause has not been helped by having operated in a range of positions, all across the back for and in central midfield. The inability to make any one position his own has counted against him, and other players who are specilist in one position are selected above him.
Malky Mackay recently insisted Blake was an important squad member and a definite part of his plans. He recently filled in at left back whilst Andrew Taylor was out with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, right-back would be his ideal position, though current encumbant of that role Kevin McNaughton is integral to City. Taylor has impressed on the left, while new boy Turner and Mark hudson look to have secured the central positions with Anthony Gerrard unfortnuate to be overlooked.
A previous loan spell at Plymouth Argyle was the making of Darcy Blake and gave him a fresh start when his Bluebirds career looked set to end. Another temporary move may be his only chance for regular first team action in the short term, but his versatility, determination and contribution would be a loss for Cardiff City.
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