No. Sorry we were not 'forced' to play kids. It was a strategy employed by Wotte and Lowe as they thought it could work. We played kids WHILST PAYING EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONALS to not even sit on the bench.
It was a crass and very very naive decision by Lowe, sponsored by Wotte. Sorry...
There simply were alternatives to Lowe's arrogant, pride-based decision-making. The key ones were not sacking a decent manager and playing the experienced players.