Mitch Ward's Minder
Player Valuation: £6m
The U-23’s is the old style reserves, if you’re spending more than 12-18 months in there with no first team exposure, you’re very unlikely to make it top level (Pennington, McAleny, Morgan spring to mind). Obviously modern times clubs prefer to buy a player than throw a youth in because they now have the money to spend.
Although there are some exceptions, such as Osman who didn’t really get his chance here until he was 23-24 after a few successful loan spells (Derby Co I think?). Then there also needs to be that lucky opportunity to be called upon to take the chance through injuries and suspensions, so almost a last resort at times (would Hibbo had got the opportunity if Ste Watson and Pistone weren’t always injured during the Walter Smith era?).
But to answer your query players need a mix of u23s, a loan to lower league (where they actually play some footy!), and eventually regular first team match day exposure. I like how Onyango is getting on the subs bench, being present for team talks, going through the warm up routines with the first team etc. I hope this gives him the motivation to go further and I think it’s what most younger players also need.
