U21s' handsome win over Blackburn

Anybody reckon Junior can still make it at 1st team level?

His trouble may be his stature, meaning sometimes when he holds onto the ball in dangerous places he gets pushed off it, doesn't win too many headers either. I would like to see him get a loan and how he does in the Championship but I reckon if he stays injury free he could well be on the periphery off the first team next season.

McAleny is a great little player. Loads of skill and a good finisher.

Junior is, as stated, Manny Fernandes mark II. But like you say, he's very slight.

And for me, Kennedy is the pick of the bunch. More ability in his little finger than Naismith has in his entire body. So what if they're young? Nobody is asking for wholesale changes...but it why bother with an academy if we aren't going to use it.

Agree 100%.

Week-in & week-out, the same team/same subs; let's liven things up — if not with new signings, then give these lads who are on the periphery at least an opportunity to impress. And if they don't... ship them out.

• Junior was outstanding, different class to anyone else on the pitch, quick feet, neat turns good passing and composure... should be given a chance possibly in the FA Cup next round;

• Gueye was in the centre and initially made some excellent cutting passes forward; however, he drifted out of the game and resorted to Anichebe-style tantrums – we didn't see any of his trademark runs;

• Oviedo played well at LB, never stopped running or looking for a pass and looked comfortable throughout (as you would expect);

• Vellios was anonymous despite our possession, he just failed to do enough and is nowhere near good enough for the first team;

• Duffy was shocking: poor touch, passes that either went out of touch or into the crowd, and he didn't look comfortable on the pitch. Not a replacement for Heitinga.

Sure Barkley will be turning out for Leeds at least. I really hope he does well there.

Crap!

In any case, Jagielka and Neville both seem to have no problems getting into our team despite both being unable to pass a ball.....and anyone quoting phil nevilles passing stats better be able to exclude hospital balls or 3 yard passes sideways or backwards!

In all seriousness, I agree completely with those who say that we should make more use of our academy in the first team. I had to groan when Naismith came on at the weekend. Not a bad free transfer, but he's not very good to start with and I very much doubt he's going to get any better given his age. I'd rather have seen Kennedy get 20 minutes on the wing.

I suspect many of our young players will stagnate in the reserves, and shine once they get fed up of a lack of first team opportunities and move elsewhere(e.g. Baxter at Oldham). I feel sorry for the likes of Vellios, Barkley and Junior who need to be playing competitive football to improve.

Just an opinion but Duffy and Vellios are clearly not the answer hence why we watch Neville, Naismith and Heitinga each week; they are not going to be dislodged. Bit harsh on Jagielka there as well... get a grip will you.

He's a great defender but he should remember that and leave the distribution to our midfield.

I'd also have to disagree on both Vellios and Duffy. I really don't think they've been given enough of a run in the first team to write them off just yet. Both have shown promise on the very rare occasion when they have been given some game time. I will say they are clearly not world beaters, but I'd argue they are still as talented as Naismith, for example and probably a lot cheaper.

I think both are at the stage where they need regular competitive football to determine if they can step up to Premier League level. Neither are going to get it playing the odd reserve game.

Moyes obviously thinks they have the potential, otherwise he'd have got rid, so I think we should be playing them for extended periods where possible or farming them out like Barkley to get game time.

For all the talk about Moyes and youth, I actually think he does rather a bad job of bringing our academy players through and giving them a chance. Given our money situation we should be making more use of them. Last season was a good example with Stracqualursi and McFadden coming in and being used ahead of our younger players and costing us a lot more in wages.

The last player I can think of who we actually developed and who is playing regularly for us is Anichebe... and that was a long time ago. Granted I think that few of our academy players are good enough, but some like McAleny, Barkley, Vellios, Junior and Duffy clearly have potential and I think they should be being given more of a go.