"Most of our youth players are 20"
We have 3 players who are 21 (not counting Bree) One is out on loan (Sarkic) - the other two are Corey Blackett-Taylor and Harry McKirdy - and I fear for both their Villa careers
We have 8 players who are 20
Andre Green & RHM are out on loan. Davis & O'Hare are training with the first team - as is JDH - who is mooted to go out on loan.
That leaves Suleiman, Alex Prosser and Jordan Cox - the latter two of whom are pretty much U23 regulars. Clearly Suleiman's om the hot seat
We have 32 players 17-19 age group.
Only 5 players over 18 started the recent 5-1 win over Man Utd - with the average starting age being just over 19
After Sarkic's loan out, our back 5 normally comprises 3 18-yr olds and a 17-yr old.plus Bedeau who has just turned 19.
I have confidence that Smith recognizes talent - he recently selected Dominic Revan for the bench - not because he was ever likely to play - but as acknowledgement. If any manager of recent years will play youth, it will be Smith
Anyone who has seen our U23 this season will know that they (until Smith's arrival) played the best football at the club.