Yes you are right Nik, I experienced it as well. I had 10 good players, one low 4 star player for training and 3 1% players as my Top 14. In my level there are always only 2 leagues, a strong one and a weaker one. With this setup with 3 1% players the last seasons I always was in low league.

These youth players surely count for the Top 14 draw as this season I am in the good league for the first time in a long time. Considering that they are also slow trainers anyway, this kills the youth academy feature for me and I will not further use it.