Some good points TGD, but Suttons first objective is to maintain league status, and he obviously decided he needed radical change.
On the point of Swaibu and Hone, my opinion is that Swaibu is well ahead of Hone in the pecking order. As you say, DH was a great prospect a year or 18 months ago, since then he has not progressed in either aptitude or attitude. I suffered (and I mean that) his last performance at Morecambe, and believe me he would have to show a big improvement in all areas to convince CS to persevere with him.
As for the other fringe youngsters, I agree it is debatable whether they are getting a chance. Didn't I read they are back with the youth rather than senior squad, and it's hard to see how CS can judge their progress (or lack of) if he's not seeing them training with the first choice players.