I believe there is a concern that the quality of the senior players at the academy is too variable which means the best players aren't being challenged enough in training.
That said, a healthy academy is probably only (or maybe should be) providing 1-2 graduates to the first team each year. For all our failings we don't have a bad record though some of that in recent years comes from Martin Carter's scouting in London.
Pulis: Tav & Fry
Woodgate: Spence, Coulson, Pears
Warnock: Jones, (Coburn)
Wilder: none
Carrick: Hackney
This season it looks like we have bought young prospects rather than using the academy which is presumably a sign that the current seniors aren't seen as making the grade this season. Clearly we have Brynn out on loan and possibly Coburn will go out on loan as well. Hopefully the new U21 league will challenge them more effectively and some of them start pushing for the first team.