Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder insists he won't mess with his team selection, despite appearing to be going down.
The likes of Antwoine Hackford, Kyron Gordon, Zak Brunt, Iliman Ndiaye and Frankie Maguire have featured on the teamsheet as reward for their progress in the academy teams, while another exciting prospect, Hassan Ayari, is catching the eye in the African Cup of Nations with Tunisia under 20s.
However, Wilder says it's not the right time and his team selection for the remaining 13 matches will be with the intention of fielding the best XI possible and to be competitive until the final day.
"You sometimes hear stuff about put the kids in," he told the Examiner.
"It's not a time for young kids. It's not a time for that.
"First of all they have got to be good enough to train, second they have to be good enough to step out on to that pitch in the Premier League and you know what happens if they are not ready and not right.
"We have got to try and formulate something from somewhere to try and give us an opportunity of getting a result, but we will be competitive as we have been all season.
“In terms of team selection that group will be here next year as far as I'm concerned, so next year is next year and players have got to play well enough.
“I think players have got to deserve to play and be picked on merit, on current form."