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West Brom boss Darren Moore reveals 75-game golden rule for youngsters

Darren Moore has revealed his golden rule for youngsters requires them to have played 75 games of senior football.

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Sam Field has made 29 senior appearances. (AMA)

Albion’s head coach believes before that figure has been reached, players can be unpredictable on the pitch, but once they’ve got a couple of seasons under their belt they are more reliable.

Moore has veered towards experience rather than youth this season, relying predominantly on older heads.

Only three teams – Bolton, Middlesbrough, and Stoke – have a higher average age of players used in the Championship this season.

However, Villa and Sheffield United do field older starting XIs than the Baggies on average.

“I’ve got a golden rule in my head with any youngster,” revealed Moore before the international break.

“Until you’ve played 75 games, you then become a product, we then know what we’re getting.

“Until he’s played 75 games, you don’t know what you’re getting. It’s a demanding industry to be in at every level.

“If you’re going to become a product, you’ll have to play 75 games.”

Moore has defended his selection by pointing out the chances he has given to younger players this season.

Only two members of his squad have played more minutes than 20-year-old Harvey Barnes, and 21-year-old defender Tosin Adarabioyo has recently cemented his place in the team.

Sam Field, 20, Kyle Edwards, 20, and Rekeem Harper, 18, have all featured in the league and other academy products like Jonathan Leko and Kyle Howkins have been seen in the Carabao Cup.

“We’ve got wonderful young talented players within our club,” said Moore. “Nobody has a crystal ball in terms of how they’re going to develop.”

However, Moore has also signed three free agents in their 30s since the transfer window shut.

Wes Hoolahan, 36, and Tyrone Mears, 35, are both under contract until January while forward Bakary Sako, 30, has been given a deal until next summer.