Despite the defeat by Wolves Under-21s on Saturday, there was much to be encouraged by if you are a Cardiff City fan.
For starters, of course, there was the return of Isaak Davies, the Wales Under-21s striker who has not kicked a ball all season after suffering a knee injury in the summer. It was positive to have him back in the mix and there is hope he can play a part for the first team sooner rather than later.
Secondly, it was yet more minutes under the belt for Sean Morrison. The former Bluebirds captain turned out for his third under-21s game since returning from his ACL rupture, with talks over his future set to be thrashed out over the coming weeks.