Youth - When are we going to use them?

[Zatara]

This is an important point, add in Williams 21, Baningime 20, Connolly 21, Dowell 21 who were all playing with the first team squad in pre season (though I appreciate only Baningime looks like he has a first team future here). Factor in Vlasic 21 and Onyekuru 21 coming back from loans into the first team squad. Then Mina 24, Zouma 24, Digne 25, Gomes 25, Pickford (just) 25 and we have a very young squad. There is only enough room for so many.

Pickford (25)
Kenny (21) Holgate (22) Mina (24) Digne (25)
Davies (20) Vlasic (21)
Lookman (21)
Richarlison (21) Calvert-Lewin (21) Onyekuru (21)
​

In an u23s game (allowing for 3 overage players) i wonder who could compare?

 

[MercuryBlue88]

Bloated squad means less places in the match day team for the younger players. In Moyes time we had a small core bulked with youth. The bench regularly had kids on it, however only the special ones got a game regardless.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Pickford (25)
Kenny (21) Holgate (22) Mina (24) Digne (25)
Davies (20) Vlasic (21)
Lookman (21)
Richarlison (21) Calvert-Lewin (21) Onyekuru (21)
​

In an u23s game (allowing for 3 overage players) i wonder who could compare?

Looks better than the first team.

 

[Brisan123]

Looks better than the first team.

That midfield would get destroyed by a physical presence with a bit of pace

 

[everton1953]

Use them when we are in an impregnable position in 6th place, maybe a year or two from now.

 

[Verbal Kint]

When they are good enough

 

[Tim UpperBullen]

We do use them now is the answer. Football is a cut throat, all the players will have seen maybe more talented peers fail. The manager wants to win games now and picks the players he thinks will win.

 

[BillLovesRoo]

Very much doubt there are many other teams in the league who have used so many younger players

 

[Nymzee]

Very much doubt there are many other teams in the league who have used so many younger players

We’re second to Leicester.

 

[BillLovesRoo]

We’re second to Leicester.

So in the answer to the question....now

 

[Pabbers]

Its very hard to bring young lads into a struggling team, and for them to flourish.

But hopefully doing this will quickly improve them as men, in a mans game, we do need to support them more and not get on the backs too much.

 

[Philw]

We regularly play between 3-5 players 21 and under. Anymore than that would be foolish imo, as much as I am keen for you players to be given as much of a chance as possible. This may be more of a issue next year or the one after if we do some decent player trading in the next few transfer windows.