Well it isn't ideal your correct but padding out the squad is our only option, we simply can't go out there and buy the very best HG players and you could argue that they aren't out there but the core of our team is still available. At some point we have to put trust in the likes of Lopes and Huws. Pellegrini will have no choice but to bring them on if needed which could work in his favor.Making up the 8 home grown players is easy, you just pick a few youth/reserve players. The problem is City now need home grown players that will actually be able to do a job.
Of the 8 home grown players you've listed only 3 of them have played any real part this season and 1 of those reportedly wants to leave. Even if you keep Milner, is a squad of effectively only 17 enough?