Noah Dosser

Good point sir. IMHO and that of many people involved in football (I'm not BTW) the problem seems to be with a lack of 'hours on the ball' when the kids are developing. As I suggested in my post this is down to various factors; facilities and time available for training being foremost. The countries who are more successful in producing top players all have systems in place where far more time is spent developing technique and skill. Tactics etc come later. A quick look at results down the years will show Scottish teams always do well until U/21 level then things start balancing out, before we get to senior level where we just can't compete. We as a nation can bring in players from Brazil to Spain, it will not improve our players because the damage is already done. There is also the financial element, in as much as Scottish football is bankrupt therefore the foreigners probably wouldn't even be 2nd rate. More time dedicated to training with an emphasis on ballwork is required. This means SPL., SFL, SFA, etc etc down to schools buying into a system where time is made for the boys to develop their skills. (I would advocate this for all sports in Scotland). M'well have been lucky recently with both C. McCart and G. Young who are both proactive and forward thinking coaches. Both realised the importance of the foregoing and have had the cajones to carry out their plans within the obvious constraints at the club.

I have read some amount of shite on various forums but really this takes the biscuit. You state foreign players would improve our youngsters technically then slaughter England for the way they play. Unless I watch a different product England is awash with foreign players, and they are not as I recall valued at 2bob or 2nd rate in world footballing terms; seems their skills don't really rub off! The players you mentioned are with all due respect what they are, average players. There is nothing wrong with their technique but they have a lack of that certain something that makes them stand out ( I refer to McFadden in EPL terms not SPL) and they would be no better or worse in a European team. Where do you pluck the fact Scottish youngsters are smaller and slower on average?. M/well's U /19' s have more than held their own in the last couple of seasons when playing teams from the EPL and the occasional team from the Continent they have played. Did you see Celtc's U/19's results V Man City in their games in their Champions League styled tournament. The problem in Scotland is lack of opportunity to play 1st team football because of the implications of relegation from a Premier League that doesn't feature enough teams, lack of facilities throughout the country, 2nd rate foreigners being signed and a lack of investment to bring professional, amateur, boys club and schools football into the 21st century.

Unfortunately NLC and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue take a different view. Certain repairs have to be carried out to facilitate the issuing of the Safety Certificate required for the stadium to be used. Given that the P O'D stand is a potential firetrap, wooden stand built on top of another wooden stand, the repairs will not go away. Even the 'nose' of every step in the ground has to be painted/ highlighted as part of the regulations and this is a surprisingly expensive procedure. This is just an example but there are issues re the fabric of the stadium that require addressing every close season, ignoring them is not going to make them go away long term and as stated earlier the licensing authority will only provide so much leeway.

If you mean Stevie Frail, he is one of Celtc U/19's coaches.

Thanks for that mate, thought there was something, but as I said wasn't confirmed.

Couple of points I'd like to throw in re the youngsters, McGachie being released looks a bit of a surprise but he was not as highly rated as Erwin, so in real terms he was further down the pecking order than his POTY award would suggest. I liked the big guy he is an honest, hard working team player, but IMHO was a wee bit lacking in out and out skill for the top level. Having said that he might be the one that comes back to bite Well. I am led to believe that there may have been a fee due to a team in France relative to some form of compensation for Mekongo. I have heard this 2nd hand so can't verify one way or another. He did have some good games but at times looked to be playing to a different script to the rest. Don't think he was really suited to Scottish football (not sure if that says more about Scotland than the boy!) The others released are all a good standard of player and will I'm sure get fixed up elsewhere. I wish all of them well and good luck for the future.

Have it on good authority Nicky Devlin won the 2nd Div Young Player of the Month; currently on loan at Stenhousemuir. Well done. On a side note the U/19's featruring a few U/17's defeated Dunfermline Ath U/19's by 2-0 in a bounce game at Dalzell today.

Appears he got a last minute call up. Good test as you say Serbia will be a good standard I would imagine.

Good luck to Lee Erwin and Euan Murray from the U/19's who have flown out today to represent Scotland in matches in Serbia. Good to see young talent coming through at 'Well. Looking likely there will be a good squad for the new U/ 20 league next season.

A young Well xi drew 1-1 with a strong Dunfermline xi in a closed doors friendly at East End Park earlier today. Well went a goal behind after a bright start with Saunders, Brownlie and Bradley (who had a brain fart !) getting caught out by a Pars attack. Bradley later redeemed himself with a couple of super stops. The game was fairly even with Well creating one or two half chances before Hetherington blasted in a terrific 20 yarder to equalise. The 2nd half followed a similar pattern with some neat football played by both teams. Well xi ; Bradley, Saunders, Brownlie, Murray, Francis-Angol, Lawless, Hetherington, Forbes, Watt, McGachie and McHugh. Subs ; McDonald for Saunders, Moore for McGachie and Lynch for Murray ( Murray having to go off due to a head injury after Bradley leathered the ball, in frustration at losing the goal, smashing the young CB on the back of his napper accidently ) Good result given the no of 1st team players DAFC had on.

Train station is a 2 minute walk to the ground, reckon train to inverness then change for Dingwall. Town centre has enough pubs to cater for fans. Actually is quite a nice wee clean town, even if a bit non- descript.

Difficult to quantify really. Played right back and seemed IMHO to drift into the middle of the pitch a wee bit too much. Still obviously short of match fitness and struggled to get back into position at times. On the positive side did pass and tackle well. As I said I missed most of the 1st half so he could have been outstanding before I got there

Well done to Lee Erwin on getting called up for Scotland U/18 squad for 2 games v Serbia later in April.

Good 2-0 victory for the reserves in the derby match today at Fir Park. Missed the 1st half hour but told Well started really well and missed 2 or 3 one on one chances in this time. Bob McHugh scored (so I was told) making it 1-0 at half time. 2nd half M'well controlled the game and created some chances before B. McHugh scored again mid way thro' half. Good to see several U/19 players on the pitch at the end.

'Where did we finish in the league?' Although this was Well's last game there are still a few oustanding fixtures to be played by teams roundabout the same position. Clydesdale Bank U19 League 2011/12 P W D L F A Pts Celtic 19 16 2 1 58 17 50 Hearts 21 16 1 4 45 25 49 Hibernian 20 13 2 5 47 26 41 Motherwell 21 10 6 5 43 31 36 Rangers 18 10 3 5 35 22 33 Aberdeen 19 8 6 5 34 21 30 Kilmarnock 19 7 0 12 33 44 21 St Mirren 20 5 4 11 24 32 19 St Johnstone 17 6 1 10 29 39 19 Dunfermline 21 6 1 14 22 44 19 Dundee United 19 3 2 14 25 47 11 Inverness CT 20 2 2 16 19 66 8

U/19's lost by 6 goals to 1 in the last game of the season at Auchenhowie today. Youngsters were down to 10 men after 15 mins when the ref adjudged Asghar to have denied a Rangers striker a goal scoring opportunity. Rangers no 9 duly converted the disputed penalty. Despite the man disadvantage 'Well were arguably the better team in the 1st half, although slack defending allowed 'Gers to sneak a 2nd against the run of play. Half time 2-0 The start of the 2nd half was a nightmare for young keeper Stewart and Cummin as both dithered at a through ball with the keeper eventually completely missing the ball when attmepting to clear allowing Rangers' no 9 to complete his hat trick. The rest of the game was controlled by 'Gers who added to their tally through another 3 soft goals. Murray was brought down in the box near the end allowing Erwin to score a consolation from the spot. All in all a sad end to what has been a fairly good season, but this should not deflect from the way the boys have, played, developed and conducted themselves this season. Well done to all players, coaches and staff.

Lived in Bothwell recently (might still do). He was also a regular visitor to the Rowantree in Uddingston when at Well, in the days when George and Phyllis Tait ran the boozer.

Thought he lived in Bothwell when he was in charge at Fir Park. Also have J Page, E Murray (hope he counts seeing as he was on the bench last Sat) C McCart and T Boyd in Bothwell.

Young Well snatched a deserved draw with a late goal from K. McGachie at Riccarton this afternoon. The U/19's trailed to a well worked goal from a Hearts free kick early in the first half. 1-0 H/T Josh Watt equalised with a good solo effort early 2nd period before the Jambos regained the lead ironically breaking away from a Well free kick outside the Hearts' box . With time running out S Hetherington floated in a lovely ball from a free kick which E. Murray nodded back across goal allowing McGachie to bullet home a headed equaliser. Draw probably correct result, Hearts had a lot of the play and good deal of passes without ever really creating anything.

Sorry but I cannot agree with your post. You quite clearly said ‘finishing’ in the top 4 then stated my comment questioning this was ridiculous, changing your wording to ‘shooting’ for the top 4 .As I am sure you will concede that is two different concepts and the point I made re them was basically they are not as wonderful a club as some would believe and every club should be striving to attain a top position in the league. I also would suggest that the fact they have a larger potential supporter catchment does not guarantee success. Following your line of thought, judging by the average attendance table for last season the Edinburgh clubs should be finishing in the top 4 as well. Dundee Utd could also been thrown into the equation as despite sharing a city with another club are not far behind in supporter numbers. Your assertion re the Old Firm (an obsolete term now) is a bit skewed as well as, whilst I accept it is not as much a factor as in the WoS , it does still have a bearing on them as there are a fair no. of Rangers and Celtic supporters clubs in the North East. 2010/2011 average attendances Celtic 48968 Rangers 45304 Hearts 14184 Hibernian 11755 Aberdeen 9071 Dundee Utd 7389 Kilmarnock 6426 Motherwell 5254 Inverness 4526 St Mirren 4449 St Johnstone 3841 Hamilton 2897

Phew ! didn't want to upset anyone at this time of the day ! Good news is that the U/19's have the likes of Erwin, Moore, McGachie, Asghar, Devlin, Watt and Stewart who are all Scottish and coming on a treat. Others like Hetherington, Francis -Angol (both English) and Mekongo (French) are coming on well too.

Sorry guys, I was concentrating on the younger players who are coming through and hopefully will feature in the future and step into the forementioned's boots. I could have fired in Mark reynolds too, but reckoned that would have been pushing it a bit

This sums up Aberdeen fans for me. You don't deserve anything other than where you are.... "not good enough. i really think that there should be an amicable parting of the ways between ourselves and brown, regardless of whatever happens in the scottish cup. he is not the the man to take us to where we should be, ie top four minimum every season. plus his football style is defensive gash. shows how bad scottish football is when the likes of motherwell and st johnstone are in the top 5 or so." Why ? Take away the Ferguson era and you will see Aberdeen are historically an ordinary club. Their fans are still deluding themselves with regard to their real standing in Scottish football. They will never be anything like a force in the game until they start accepting the level they are at and allow a manager/ coach a wee bit of time to create a team. Well are ahead of them at the moment on and off the park and long may it continue.

Looks like the labours of the Well youth system are paying off again. 2 U/19 players ( I know Carswell signed a new deal recently and is regarded as a 1st team squad member) on the pitch and one on the bench against Aberdeen. Well done to S. Carswell and particularly A. Cummins. Good to see that of the squad yesterday Murphy, Forbes, McHugh, Carswell and Murray have all 'come through the ranks' at youth level. I've omitted Page and Cummins because they were 'brought in', but are still young and showed up well. Good to know that the conveyor belt is working and from my watching the U/ 19's there are a few more who will be able to step up soon.

The youngsters got blown away by Celtc in the 1st half hour. Their pace and movement caused problems as did their workrate in closing down Well players at every turn. 2nd half Well showed a lot of character and could have scored 2 or 3 more goals, missing some gilt edged chances.