Part of the problem with our “Youth” is people’s perception and the need for instant answers. There are probably 20 + knowledgeable posters contributing to the “Youth” thread . Other people see we are top of the League , pop in for the first time and ask “ Have we got the next Rooney/ Barkley yet?” . The answer is “ No , but if you read the last 10 pages you’ll get a good understanding of our youngsters”. Few people are interested enough to do that. While there are differing views on individuals, the consensus is that none are currently capable of forcing their way into the 1st team squad on merit.
Our success at U23s is very much based on Unsworth having created a decent defence with good players who are protected by hard working midfielders. We have the best U23s defensive record in the league by some distance, but don’t score enough goals. The u18s by contrast have a highly creative midfield and two or three prolific goalscorers but of course play at a level where inconsistency is the norm. Ellis Simms hits the headlines for his number of goals and people think he’s going to make the 1st team , whereas in reality he’s struggling to get ahead of Hornby/ Sambou in the U23s who are not consistent enough to challenge DCL for a first team spot.
For me the most likely players to be involved this season are young defenders , particularly if there are injuries that promote them into the squad. Morgan Feeney and Joao Virginia seem to train regularly with the 1st team so must be in for consideration, but I’m not sure if we would thrust inexperienced youngsters into such demanding positions as Centre Back and GK if the team is playing poorly. Our two youngest defenders 18 year old Lewis Gibson and 17 year old Ryan Astley possibly have the best chance this season, Gibson as a left back and Astley as a right back . Both are really CBs but have the physicality to cope as full backs if we have injuries. Astley’s going to play for the first team , it’s just a question of when and not rushing his development.