[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…It’s all well and good beating Watford 6-0. In fact, it’s brilliant to beat a Premier League’s academy side by that high a margin.Leeds’ level of victory over the Hornets in the Professional Development League on Monday evening was emphatic. However, was it too surprising? Probably not.For the Whites, they fielded an incredibly strong side, one that had Luke Ayling in it.The right-back was returning from injury as he ramped up his fitness levels for the U23s with a goal and assist. It was a performance from the former Arsenal man that even had their opposition annoyed that he played.

But remarkably, Ayling was not the oldest man to feature in a supposed U23s clash. Also gaining minutes was Barry Douglas and Gaetano Berardi.

Eddie Nketiah played his part, as did Tyler Roberts, another to step up his return from an injury problem.

A 6-0 win with effectively what was Marcelo Bielsa’s B team was quite the statement.

But it’s not the first time it’s come into play. Nketiah has played at this level for Leeds before while Helder Costa even got game time for the U23s earlier this season.

As Yorkshire Evening Post state, it has become the ‘Bielsa way’ to do such a thing.

In charge of the U23s is Carlos Corberan and he has guided his team through an unbeaten start. 0-0 draws against Bristol City and Crystal Palace had come before this so to see the goals flow was a welcome relief.

That game against Palace was an anomaly in the system for the U23s. Because of international duty, Corberan actually got a chance to take a stronger glance at those coming through the academy, rather than fielding first-team players.

Building the fitness of those on the fringes is a cunning tactic but it’s not necessarily a wise one, especially for the academy players who are striving for playing time themselves.

With that in mind, a change of thought must occur otherwise those in the youth system could feel negative effects.

Bielsa had handed ten debuts to players under the age of 21 by the time January had come around but the next crop coming through aren’t going to progress unless they play for the U23s.

That is a chance that has rarely been afforded in the PDL this term. Despite going unbeaten, you sense that the younger members are likely to learn far more in games that are closer and tougher.

With a host of senior players featuring, they won’t be able to take much from a 6-0 thrashing and thus, the ‘Bielsa way’ must be changed, certainly at U23 level.

A former Academy Player of the Year in Callum Nicell left this summer and unless players like him actually progress in the U23s and get their chance ahead of first-teamers, it could have a damning impact.