Noah Dosser

There was only 1 CB left out today; Adam Cummins. The other CB mentioned, Euan Murray, played and did fairly well dspite scoreline. Chances are Cummins will start on Sat with Murray on bench. For info Cummins was signed from Everton in the summer. He is a composed type of CB with a fair amount of technical ability.

Not really too sure. They certainly had some 1st team squad playing. Willie Kinniburgh for one. Interestingly enough they had 3 ex Well youths in their squad : Brad Halsman (Jordan H's brother) Gavin Griffen and J. Black. Halsman and Griffen have both being doing well at the Jags. Griffen having already made his 1st team debut.

Moore, Erwin, Green, Angol, Murray, Watt and Cummins, all U/19's featured in game today. All did well.

Another 1st class win for the U/19's beating a strong Hibs side 3-0 at Bathgate. Excellent performance given the wind, heavy pitch and a pernickity referee. Not too much nice football from either side in 1st half. Well worked goal scored by Erwin gave Well the lead at half- time 2nd half Hibs pressed a bit more early on, but a slip by their keeper allowed Erwin in to increase Well's advantage. The game was played mostly in and about midfield. A good breakaway involving Watt saw Well get the third thanks to quick reactions from Moore, who prodded in from a good save by the keeper.

No worries I am genuinely sorry for confusion. Break down in communication all round on my part I'm afraid.

Sorry; you are correct in what you say, transpires young Leitch was put forward but not as such selected to attend. Many apologies for confusion. Still stands the club in good stead that players are being selected/ considered at this level.

He has been full time since August and has made several appearances from the subs bench. Can't remember offhand if he has started any games. He is a good prospect and has done well when he has come on. The U/19 squad have several players who turn 18 this year which make them eligible for U19's again next season. Talk is that it will be an U/20 league so the bulk of the squad have a couple of years left in them.

From one of the players mentioned. One has letter from SFA other 2 were told at Fir Park yesterday.

2 of the U/19 squad have received call ups to join training camps being held by the national side at Inverclyde tomorrow. Erwin and Murray will meet up with the U/ 18's. Well done to all and another wee boost for the Club.

The U/19's posted another fine victory today beating a well organised and aggresive (not in a bad way ) St Johnstone by 3 - 0. The match was played in blustery conditions at Stirling Uni, with St J easily having the best of the 1st half with the wind at their backs. St J deserved to be in front but a couple of fine saves, a great goal line clearance and some poor finishing meant the half ended 0-0. 2nd half with the wind, the youngsters got to grips with the match and pressed a lot more. The 3 goals came from set pieces with the Saints keeper at fault for 2 of the goals. The other goal came after a scramble in the box. All in all a good days work by the U/19's but the scorline was very harsh on St Johnstone.

U/ 19's had a terrific win away at ICT earlier today beating the home side 7 - 1. Well edged a fairly even 1st half going 2 - 0 ahead before ICT pulled a goal back. The youngsters started the 2nd half like a whirlwind and rattled in 4 quick goals. The 7th scored towards the end. A great team effort.

Reserves lost 0-2 to Saint Johnstone at Alloa earlier today.

For info U/19's defeated Dundee Utd by 3 - 2 in St Andrews this afternoon. Back to auld clathes and purridge after Turkey and a good result for the youngsters,

U/19's lost the last game of their 2 week training camp by 0-2 to CSKA Moscow reserve side. (not Spartak as mistakenly posted earlier) Boys back home tomorrow and can hopefully kick on in the rest of the league campaign.

Following on from the 1- 0 victory against Emerspor, the u/19's defeated Den Haag 1-0 and then Zenit St Petersburg 5- 1. Final game of tour is against Spartak Moscow on Tues 17/1/12

Interestingly enough of the players mentioned only Watt has 'come through the ranks' at the club I reckon. Apologies if wrong. Hetherington signed after being at Rangers, Angol formerly Spurs, Mekongo from French football, Moore formerly Hearts and Devlin from Dumbarton. These players all signed at the start of this season with the exception of Moore. If memory serves the only others who have only played for M'well throught their 'careers' are Murray, Asghar, Leitch and Stewart. IMHO this shows how difficult it is for a boy to sign at any club and make a full transition from say an 11 year old right through to the 1st team. With reference to 'all look 'neat and tidy', comfy on the ball, positionally aware but none of them has that outstanding talent in my opinion.' I tend to agree with this but I think the coaching and instructions given to the players has to be taken into account. Even in the relatively short time gap since McFadden was this age several changes have occured in the game; no reserve league, far more rigid and disciplined formations and an emphasis on strength and fitness. I feel some of these boys are a bit more talented (with tricks and passing etc) than they are allowed to show in the matches they play but because of the pressure of the next step being the 1st team they become or are coached to be conservative in their play.

As posted on U/19's Turkey Trip Post the youngsters defeated a 3rd Div Turkish league side (1st team) by a goal to nil yesterday. Given the game was against league leaders, and not their youth side, shows some signs of encouragement. This was the first match the boys have played for some weeks and whilst obviously a friendly against a lower league team, whose standard is unknown to me, it at least shows the team can hold their own against older players.

Wee update re tour. Youngsters played a Turkish 3rd Division side today (1st Team xi; possibly Hatayspor) and won 1 - 0. Goal scored by Watt.

I worked with Bill and am deeply saddened by his passing. I can pay him no higher tribute than he was a gentleman. My thoughts go to his family and all who worked closely with him at the club. Rest in peace Bill.

'Others that I heard decent reports on Lawless and Pollock I seem to notice are fecking midgets. Not to say it going to stop them one day making it but in physical league like others you do tend to need to be a bit special to make it when you dwarfed by most players.' These two players are a perfect example of the differing views of managers and coaches etc. Both are excellent technically and skillfull and fairly quick, but as stated lacking physical presence (tin hat already on but I'm merely stating the obvious I believe size is irrelevant strength however is important) and possibly not strong enough. They have had limited 1st team action but as far as I can see don't fit into S M or K B's thinking. Conversely S Carswell had a fairly ordinary season at the start of 2010/ 2011 but the manager saw something about him he liked and he has progressed into being almost a fixture in the 1st team squad. It appears to me that the Head of Youth likes quick, tricky ball players with an ability to take players on and as such obviously recommends such players to the management team. Whether this is the type of player wanted by S M is another question. At the end of the day it all comes down to opinion and watching the youngsters in training and in matches. The fans have got to trust the judgement of the coaching staff at the club at all levels to come up with the goods.

Agree wholeheartedly that the demise of the reserve league has been a major factor in the perceived lack of progression from the youth ranks. I know one of the younger u/19s went on loan to a junior team at the end of last season and playing against older and more experienced (street wise, cuter more cynical ) players has benefitted him. Surprisingly not one of the players mentioned earlier. As a result the young players have a steep learning curve when they get into the 1st team squad and maybe it's a step too far for some and a loan spell at a lower league side is the best way to learn about the game properly.

Players coming through the youth system at any club is always going to be cyclical. The current u/19 squad imho has 3 or 4 potential 1st team players. Unfortunately it is not my opinion that counts so these guys may never make it to the top level at Well. When promoting these guys into the 1st team squad the manager and KB have their own take on what is required of them, Craig Brown and Mark McGhee had differing views so it is really difficult to say who will progress and become established. I am a bit concerned that the u/19's play a different formation to the 1st team but am assured this is to allow the boys to learn the professional game properly. I reckon they should mirror the 1st team so that in the event of being called up there is a straightforward transition. Despite my reservations about the u/19's tactics etc, I cannot agree with the idea that 'Youth Development is a joke' ! Having seen first hand the amount of work and effort that goes into every club by the Youth Departments I can assure you it is taken very seriously and each club is always trying to promote and find 1st team quality players. For 99% of clubs this is the only way forward due to the crippled state Scottish football is in financially. Accies have done well recently, but so too have Celtc, Hibs, St Mirren and Aberdeen. As I say I feel there are 3 or 4 excellent prospects in the u/19s who might be seen in 1st team squads in the near future.

U/19's drew 3-3 with a good Hibs side at HFC Training Camp today. Excellent performance by all in atrocious conditions. Well were 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 up but got pegged back each time. H/T was 2-2. Again well done to both teams for producing a cracking match in howling wind and driving rain.

M'well 19s 1 - 1 St Mirren at Bathgate today. Fairly even 1st half. 2nd half Saints scored 1st from poorly defended corner, thereafter Well in command and equalised through Moore. Game really picked up last 15 -20 mins and could easily have gone either way. Pat on the back to both sides for an entertaining afternoon.

Spoke to an Accies official after the game and he stated they were less than impressed with the match officials as well ! Brave effort from the young Well but in the end just couldn't get the equaliser.