I understand why, but I think it depends on how you view things...
It's only natural that as the quality of the first XI improves, so to does the bar raise for academy graduates...
Meanwhile, there's 100 reasons why academy graduate X may not get picked for individual game Y, but when you look at how Poch used the academy to jump start his 'revolution' and the fact that young players have been allowed to prove himself under the lime-light (Dele) and trusted with big games (Winks / KWP at Barca), there is quite clearly a route (and a willingness within the coaching and recruitment policy) into the main squad which speaks well of him in terms of his attitude towards youth (It's apparent he'd rather coach a young players than try and mold an older one too)....
It's hard not to trust him...
Has anyone done anything notable having left (perm or loan) following a few cameos (or more) under Poch?
Carrol
Townsend
Bentaleb
Onomah
CCV
Edwards
Granted KWP is a currently 'baffler', but there's obviously something there making Poch feel reluctant... The performances have been decent... Maybe he doesn't train well.
Hard to say, but, as to your original point... Look at the Chavs & Chelsea (allegedly blessed with better quality prospects, yet loaned to death or sold)... Night and day.
So no, we don't debut as many kids as some hype might suggest, but looking at the academy's overall role at the club and the Pochs influence over it, alongside our player acquisitions in general, I'd say youth is very much part of the clubs philosophy.