Well I agree with a lot of that,some I don’t agree with so it’s a good debate. It’s not always Unsworth‘s fault , though I criticise him enough at times. Despite us having a reputation of playing most minutes for u21 players etc, it’s really been down to a few players, Davies, Kenny, DCL , Holgate, Benigime. In reality in the past two years we’ve not sustained that with the manager picking new younger players to play PL minutes, counter argument is that’s a lot of young players anyway. Somewhere in the vaults is me two years ago saying I thought Lewis Gibson would get minutes coming on at left back that season . Completely wrong of course , we used a seasoned pro instead, Cuco Martina. Then you could argue it didn’t do Galloway and Garbutt much good blooding them early at LB.You have contradicted yourself there because he is not playing adult football yet you have said 'I am sure that is what is happening to him at present'
Its an ongoing theme that players in our u23s stagnate as they are 'tutored' by Unsworth.
At 18 Morgan Feeney was playing every game for the under 23s and even getting the occasional first team appearance captaining England under 19s. 3 years on at 21 years old he has just gone out on his first loan spell. That 19-21 gap is vital for a players development and the u23 league and PE teacher like Unsworth just dosent help.
Dennis Adiniran made his professional league debut for Fulham at 17, 4 years later he is still playing for Everton under 23s, he should of had maximum 2 years playing at that level and then loaned out, Unsworth has kept hold of him again? Why?
Matty Foulds made an appearance for Bury in 2015 5 years ago!!!! He's now 22 and still not even had a sniff of going anywhere on loan
Nathan Markelo - a dutch under 20 international signed at 18 years old, ideal for a loan back to the Eredivise at some point? Nope! We have an important under 23 game coming up and he is on the slowest performance programme set by Unsworth ever! Is now 21 and not a sniff of a profesional appearance anywere
Lewis Gibson who was part of a successful England under 17 world cup winning team was the last outfield player in that squad to make his professional debut, thats not because he wasent good enough! 3 years in the under23s, and he only got his loan because he played hard ball with his contract!
Its not just that these lads are stagnating staying in the u23s for 3 or more seasons, they are also blocking the path for the under 18s who come through for atleast 12 months! Einer Iverson should be playing every single game for the under 23s but he's got 22 year olds blocking that path - he's played 6 games, joe Anderson is 19 but has Foulds keeping him from progressing or atleast having the opportunity.
And the ones that do come through early like kyle John & Ryan Astley are already in the Morgan Feeney zone of having played atleast 3 seasons at under 23 level but not wanting to be risked to send out on loan!
Its all abit of a mess!
I agree with your “ bit of a mess”, but as ever I’m optimistic and believed we’ve changed things up, got rid of some young dead wood and have a much younger average age at u18 and 23 level. I think those changes will continue in the summer .