JAKE Reeves was still only 17 when he dipped his toe into first-team football for the first time.

It was a memorable occasion for the teenager – his eight-minute cameo off the Brentford bench coming at the end of a wild 4-4 draw at Huddersfield.

Six years on, Reeves can recall the mixture of youthful excitement and nervousness. He can also see that in the crop of young lads looking to climb the ladder from prospects to fully-fledged professionals at Valley Parade.

Reeves admits he was lucky to get the chance so soon. He was still youth-team skipper at the time when Nicky Forster gave him the nod and would go on to feature fairly frequently the following season under Uwe Rosler's command.

Brentford were always keen to mix youth with experience in the ranks – something that City are looking to do with the burgeoning talents within the development squad.

Omari Patrick has already established a spot within Stuart McCall's thinking, scoring a couple of crackers along the way against Blackpool and Oxford.

Last week's Checkatrade Trophy win over Manchester City's development side put the spotlight on others knocking on the door such as Tyrell Robinson and Jordan Gibson.

But Reeves understands the assistance they will need to make the grade in a cut-throat business.

He said: "I think there's a good balance at the club at the minute.

"You've got young lads at 17, 18, 19 and 20 looking to learn and train with us every day; others upwards from 21 to 25 and then the more experienced ones.

"This club is obviously bigger than Brentford in terms of stature and fan base. But you look at how they are now established in the Championship and that's something Bradford want to emulate.

"I was lucky to get in so early. I'd done my development, if you like, missing that spell in between and going straight into the first team.

"But football has changed a little bit. Where you used to get your debut earlier, now you're maybe looking at 21 – previously by then you'd have some games under your belt.

"So it can be a frustrating time for those boys and why we want to help them. All the first-team lads try to support as much as they can."

Throwing in the rookies can be a tricky balancing act for the management.

In a business that will always be driven by results, putting so much responsibility on such tender shoulders represents a gamble for the man whose livelihood will often depend on instant success.

Yet Reeves believes City's "next generation" can see a genuine route to bigger things.

Patrick got his chance earlier than expected after catching McCall's eye during pre-season. That will encourage others that their efforts are not going unnoticed.

Reeves said: "I don't think anyone expected Omari to do so well, including the staff and even himself. But he's been given the opportunity and that's what the gaffer is good at.

"He will put a young boy in if he feels that he's good enough and Omari's done that. Look at him, he's still with us and he's playing games.

"Some gaffers at other clubs are maybe under a bit more pressure and aren't prepared to throw in a lad who's inexperienced.

"For whatever reason, whether that's right or wrong, that's unfortunately what they do. They're not prepared to take that risk, if you like.

"But lucky enough for the boys here, they are at a good solid club where there is that chance to progress."

Robinson is the latest to get a taste of the big stage. After a first run-out against Charlton, he played the full Checkatrade game and was on the bench again for Saturday's win at Portsmouth.

Fellow winger Gibson also made the long trip to the south coast with the senior squad as reward for his lively performance last Tuesday.

It is an important part of their progress to be around the club's established names. But Reeves is confident they know not to start getting carried away and feeling that they've made it.

The midfielder said: "The first pro contract is when the real hard work comes into place. Those boys have just got to keep their heads down and look to improve every day.

"They are obviously here for a reason, especially at the club we're at where the gaffer's shown that he's not afraid to play a younger player either.

"So it's down to them to keep working and ask the other boys for any advice when they need it."