I agree that we need to develop the young players and give them games and where they are not quite ready, send them on loan. And we do need to have in mind that in their early times playing for the first team they will show inconsistencies and make mistakes. We also have to accept that not all of the youngsters will end up making the grade.

But balanced against that are the results we need. It is essential that we get promoted this season because if we don't then the likelihood is that some of our best players will move on and come next summer we will be back at the square one we were at this summer. And like it or not Kenny Jackett will not keep his job just for playing youngsters, he will need to get results as well.

So as with most things in life its about getting the balance right. We need a balance of young players and good older players. And that will help us get results and get the young players developed. Earlier this season we got out played by Morecambe in a League Cup game because we played a too inexperienced team. And that doesn't help the club or help the confidence of the kids.

Danny Batth and Matt Doherty now look good players but its 3 years since their first steps in the first team and they have had loans to help them develop. For the likes of Evans and Price and McAlinden it will probably be another 2 years before we can expect them to become first team regulars. But if they become that and we get towards half our team being home grown then that academy investment starts to look very good value.

I agree, at present we are second in the league, doing well and playing a lot of these players. As long as this continues then great, but accept if results drop, we may see other changes and more experience brought in.

Couldn't agree more flloyd, it is clear we won't be spending the big bucks going forward so it is indeed time to utilise the Grade A academy, thats what we paid for.
Also it can be a good way to actually generate income when selling players on who cost zero, Southampton have made a fortune from it.

Home-grown talent, one or two gems discovered from the lower leagues, plus some "been there, done its" experience a la Emlyn Hughes and Dennis Irvin. The recipe for success.

Astute loan signings also.

Lukaku won Albion 27 points last season. When we were in need of a life-saving injection we ended up with an injury prone Twitter clown.

I had to filter herbert....his negativity drives me mad