Completely appreciate all of that.

I'm not trying to say that they are toilet. More that we don't have 11 superstars waiting in the wings. And chat about the academy players quality often gets blown out of all proportion.

Even looking back to players released in the summer, Boateng, Quick, Hannam, Omilabu etc. All of which were at one point or another 'recommended' for first team action by some fans, are all playing at a much lower level.

I would suggest the following points as my 'two cents' though it may be worth far less than that in real terms:

1. The style of our manager - Roy relies upon seasoned professionals to execute a very rigid, regimented style of play. Therefore, players who he sees week in/week out, who he trains regularly and drills with his methodology, will always take precedence ahead of youth players.

2. Our position - Is always going to be somewhat precarious if not perilous, as it is now. Playing youth can be somewhat of a risk. I note the comments on Bradley at Liverpool and would suggest a team with 10 other World Class players is going to reduce pressure and demand upon a youth player far more than playing at Palace where every game, goal, play etc. is going to be critical and you may already be in a weak starting XI as things stand.

3. The general quality - We may well have some youngsters who would be able to step up however are hindered by the above two points. If we had a young Rooney, Neymar, Mbappe or indeed Zaha in the ranks I am sure (or would like to think) they'd be given a chance.

I'd love to see Ozoh starting, he can't do much worse than the likes of Hughes and Richards have been in previous games and looks capable. I'd also like to see more of Ahamada/France (noting that they're not academy products) and although JRS' cameos have hardly set the world alight, again would like to see him more.

Until we have a new manager and thus a new style of play/identity, and can reduce the pressure on the team (mid-table obscurity), I think it highly unlikely we'll see any of them much more let alone any other U21's. AWB should teach us though that unless they are given a chance, we'll never know.

I would also suggest that much of the calls for the youth players now may stem somewhat from the romantic notion we have future Ballon D'ors in the ranks, waiting to take the PL by storm, but probably more so as any alternative to those in the first XI would be preferable, given we're losing all the time now in any instance.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

The genuine main thing in youngsters is physicality. It's why I believe Ozoh is capable for a ball winning midfielder. It's also why I believe Ademorala is good enough - he has pace and a bit of skill. As for the others, there's a couple of nearlys - probably Imray currently. A lot of energy and stamina with some speed and skill.
I watch some of the underage games - not all by any means. I know Tayo was injured but believe he's well on the comeback trail.

In a similar vein, I've always thought Ahamada and Rak-Sakyi need to add physicality. A year in the Championship would be helpful for that. At a push, League one.

Red and Blue Army!

We seem disjointed as a club.
From what i understand, the manager and his coaching staff aren't heavily involved in the recruitment transfers etc.
Compare our backroom boys to Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea etc and ask how do they compare.
Our boardroom clearly seems totally disjointed. Our locations are disjointed. Does Parish still have an office in Carnaby St.?
I dont know the detail, but I get the feeling Klopp is far more ingrained and emotionally involved than Roy. Maybe that is part of why the scousers are top.