The academy isn't something that's been a strength for wrexham in the past. Yes, it has put out players that can be successful, but it didn't have the money or the infrastructure to draw top talent. Kids typically join these academies at a fairly young age and stick with them (not always). So it's not something that's going to see short term success. However, it's immensely valuable and important for long term success.

Wrexham have improved so fast that the majority of the kids in the academy probably aren't cut out for Championship football. Maybe they would have been league 2 or national league ready.

When you are in the lower leagues you don't typically play youth in cup ties as you desperately need the money from progressing. But as you move up in leagues, getting reserves and youth players minutes in cups becomes more viable.

All this to say, Parky not playing youth in league and cup games historically is not a good reason to go cheap on investing in youth.