Darren Moore's long-term vision for West Brom involves academy stars

Albion’s under-18s beat Everton 4-3 in the FA Youth Cup last night, reaching the semi-final of the competition for the first time in 41 years.

Moore has played seven academy products in total this season, and has recently used Rekeem Harper, 18, and Sam Field, 20, on a regular basis.

However, Albion’s head coach, who spent five years working in the academy, says there are even more players coming through the ranks.

Earlier this year he handed senior debuts to two England youth internationals who featured last night, Rayhaan Tulloch, 18, and Morgan Rogers, 16.

And his vision involves creating a pathway for the club’s stars of the FA Youth Cup.

“We’ve got a group of youngsters the supporters right now don’t know about,” said Moore.

“But hopefully, gradually in the seasons to come, with their development and the style of play we’ve got, we will be in good hands.

“I can say that, because I know what’s coming. It’s up to me to put in a system and a style of play that when they come through, it will be water off a duck’s back. It’s something I believe in.”

Moore has already started to integrate some of his best young players in 2019. Harper has started nine of the last 11 games while Field has appeared in seven of those matches.

Kyle Edwards, 21, was brought off the bench against Sheffield United last weekend, and Jonathan Leko, 19, played three times in January before picking up an ankle injury.

“Some of the young players have shown a level of performance and maturity that’s credit to them,” said Moore.

“The way I look at the whole squad is they’re all good enough to play.

“They have stepped in at crucial times of the season and contributed to the team.

“I worked with Sam when he was an under-14. I remember the first day I saw him and look where he is now.

“I remember Rekeem Harper in the under-12s and when I see them perform the way they have I take great joy and pleasure at their development.

“But we don’t stop there, we keep pushing them on and there’s a high demand on them. Their level of performance has to be at a high level.

“They’ve had to wait their time and I have that trust in them and after some of things them do in training against the seniors has made me think sooner or later they deserve the opportunity to perform.

“You can give them ideas but ultimately you’ve got to put them in to see whether they can cope with the demands of the game from a mental or physical point of view.

“They have shown that this season and we’ll be calling upon them for the rest of the season.”