I even bore myself saying this so often but that simply isn't how it works. The coaches are employed to make informed decisions about whether somebody is ready to step up, it should never be a case of just throwing people in to see whether they sink or swim if you're doing it properly. Also one or two performances where you do OK doesn't mean you're ready to step up a level permanently, as evidenced by 95% of academy graduates at all clubs who've made a couple of steady PL appearances and then disappeared down the leagues.
There I'd a lot of criticism of the academy, and Unsworth that is perfectly valid. I'm not sure since Wauldron left we are coherent and aggressive enough with players. It's not the most innovative coaching etc.
But the idea that there is a plethora of players chomping at the bit, and only being held back by Unsworth is not true.
I do think, in one season in particular I do think we played older players and were too conservative. I also think we have kept players on for too long. More ruthlessness was needed, which to a degree we have started to see.
As you say though, teams getting hammered every week doesnt help moral, and doesnt do much for development. I've been involved with teams where it happens, and outside of very specific examples (like Barcelona dont really look at results at youth level) its just demoralising.
As you've said, we have had a lot of lads playing a lot for the 23s. Mills, Welch, Price & Whittaker have been mainstays. Butterfield, Campbell, Mallon have also all played a fair few games. Cannon, Dobbin, Onyango are also just a year older and are main stays. It is a young team, even by PL standards. We have also not paid 1m plus fees for players like many teams have (Chelsea, Liverpool, City).
I think the academy have done ok this season. Could it be better? Yes. Is it woeful, no.
