LAST week's documentary about the life and career of Jack Hixon was a graphic reminder of how life used to be at Turf Moor.

The North East maestro was able to supply the Clarets with countless talented youngsters who were nurtured, groomed and gradually introduced into the side that was one of the best in the country.

But Sunday's AXA FA Youth Cup defeat at the hands of Manchester City's Academy stars showed how things have changed.

Such was City's strength in depth that the announcer had to go through the team changes before kick off.

For Terry Pashley there was little option other than to name virtually the same team that had been hammered by Tranmere six days earlier.

The reality of life for the Clarets is that, without an Academy set-up, they will struggle to compete for the best young players.

At the Annual General Meeting last month it was announced that there are plans to bring the standards of the Gawthorpe training ground up to Academy standards and that shows that the club is aware of the situation.

The truth of the matter was that with three of their best young players Earl Davis, Andrew Waine and Andrew Leeson sitting in the stand because they were too old to play in the competition, it was an unequal struggle from the start.

That is not to say the Clarets did not try hard, they did. Clearly stung by the disappointing defeat against Tranmere they showed commendable character as City had to work for the win.

Admittedly the only reason the margin was 3-0 was because of a series of fine saves by James Salisbury who has been impressing goalkeeping coach Alex Stepney.

But against a club that throws in the region of £1.5million at its youth set-up each season it was always going to be tough.

Of the current first team squad only Paul Weller and Bradley Maylett are recent additions from the youth ranks.

Throughout this season a number of youngsters have impressed for the reserves and they could again be in action tomorrow night.

But the difference is that the Clarets are now demanding higher standards from their youngsters.

For most of the past two decades they have needed to be good enough to play in the lower leagues.

Now they have to be good enough to be in a side fighting hard for a place in the Premier League.

But the hope is that as the profile of the club increases, Turf Moor will again become an attractive option for talented young players.