Yup, I genuinely believe playing in the lower leagues has helped them reach the level they have. They'll have learned so much more from those loans than playing reserve games.
Project Brave has killed any chance of clubs our size having genuine, extensive, youth systems, with the bizarre scenario of making the number of coaches at the club the most important factor.
If the system is now U18 squad, then either loaned out or released, then it's not fair on those who maybe haven't had the chance to prove themselves in the U18s to be released so early, and it means we'll miss out on some late bloomers, but if it allows more money to then be directed towards future U18 squads, then that can only be a benefit.
We shouldn't be looking at 19yo players being too young for the first team.