Yeah but that's what they all say, isn't it? There's always a good reason not to play an untested talent at a certain level. We had that conversation all the time in the late 90s early 2000s, when the club were doing poorly in the league. A lot of people thought that the youngsters would hardly be any worse than the established first team players and, inevitably, the manager would say that it wouldn't be fair on them to throw them into the team into these circumstances, etc.
There's just three points I'd like to make here. First, Sol Campbell (Judas) and Ledley King, two of arguably the best defenders this club ever produced, got into the team at a time when we were really struggling. When you really believe in a kid and you think they have talent, then you play them. It's as simple as that.
That leads me to my second point: Postecoglou has always said he was in for the long run, he was a big picture kind of guy. Then, in the middle of an injury crisis, why not give your younger players a chance? You can't say on the one hand that you have the next five years in mind in every decision you make (as in signing young players) and then claim you have to win the next game. So far, he's rather played established players out of position than given a start to someone younger. Quite frankly, I thought he'd be braver.
Third, there are a lot of managers out there who are showing more guts when it comes to giving youth a chance in the first team. I'm not saying he should field a U-21 line-up but we're supposed to have some great talents at this club and if you don't play them in the middle of an injury crisis and when you're allegedly not under pressure then when? Only way you'll know if a kid is ready is to show some faith in him, in my opinion.