Cardiff Man Wants Midfield Role

Cardiff City’s young homegrown talent Joe Ledley has spoken of his switch to left back in the Bluebirds team.

Ledley has played the majority of the season on the left of midfield but since the arrival of Peter Whittingham from Aston Villa in the January transfer window, Ledley has filled in at left-back.

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones prefers wingers to midfielders in his wide positions (hence Willo Flood’s minimal involvement in first team action), and also wants attack-minded full-backs who can overlap on the flanks.

Whittingham’s arrival pushed Ledley out of his favoured position, but such is the youngster’s talent, Jones found a new position in the team for him. Ledley has covered at left-back before, and has the pace, work-rate and talent to pull it off. At times he has looked a little inexperienced but has been impressive on the whole.

As to whether Dave Jones sees Ledley’s future in defence is, as yet, unknown but the player himself is in no doubt as to his best position:


‘I wouldn’t say I was a left-back. I prefer playing in the midfield so hopefully I can play there for Wales,’

‘On the left of midfield is my natural position and, hopefully I’ll get to play there with Wales. You get on the ball more in midfield. You get to run at people and pick out good passes, things like that. That’s why I prefer it.’

‘I started out playing on the left of midfield, then went into the centre, then back out on the left and then to left-back, so I’ve had to adjust to a few positions.’



Joe Ledley’s versatility is one of his best attributes, and although some of his passing ability is lost, he rarely takes on and beats players so a left-back role could be a possibility for the future. He certainly has age on his side, and can continue to play a major part in Cardiff City’s side for years to come.