Said it before but when your academy strategy is picking up others clubs released players you have an even lower chance of them making it... Most of the older age groups are all in this category, all from exit trials hoping for a second chance. Our scouting network is very small.
Every year our academy is getting better and better and we've never has so many lads out on loan at such a high standard. We are giving them the chance, and there shouldn't be a pressure to force them into the team and kick off that the club are wrong for releasing them.
The u12's and below where we go out and scout them from local leagues is where you're most likely to develop your own players. Lee Buchanan 21, Mansfield lad and comfortably a championship player played in the chad youth league and signed for for Derby aged 13... thats how long it takes.