Originally Posted by
jon1959
I don't doubt cost reduction in both fees and wages is a major factor in the way the club is going, but I don't share your cynicism that it is the only reason for bringing more u23 players into the first team squad and match-day team.
The excitement about the current generation of youth players has been reported for 2-3 years, and some of them have finally matured into potential first team members. First Harris and then McCarthy have shown a willingness to give them a chance. Not consistently I grant you, and the expansion of the bench to deal with Covid pressures has made it easier to include younger players on a match-day, but I think the break through of Bagan, Harris, Sang, Brown and Colwill is down to their ability as much as their price tag. The same is probably true of the next 4-5 to come off the conveyor belt: Evans, Patten, Bowen, Davies or whoever finally makes it.
All clubs would prefer to grow their own talent rather than rely just on buying it in (need to do both). Unless you think the lads now making the step up are not good enough (and all of them will have to learn on the job) then it is something we should celebrate. It is a strength for the club not a weakness.