An interesting thread and just shows what can happen with an effective youth policy and the intent to give youngsters a chance. I do actually question whether it’s viable these days when clubs at a higher level can just steal any talent from you on the cheap.
However, is it really fair to put any of our talented youngsters through the pain of playing for the current first team - unless it’s as punishment of course!
Can you imagine a young forward making a run into space, hoping for a ball being delivered, only for the ball to go sideways, again, and again, and again. By the time the ball is played forward (in the 87th minute) the poor lad has already been replaced by an extra midfielder!
Let’s hope something changes under IB.