Noah Dosser

Still time for another change ! I would have thought 2pm was cutting it a bit fine re onset of darkness. I will update any changes as soon as I hear, if they are made.

Latest update is game at Bathgate with a 2pm KO.

SFA (not SPL) who run the competition have the game scheduled for Fri 11/11 on their website. Also sources at club say same. Chance is game is still on at stadium.

Word is this tie has been brought forward to Fri 11/11/11. No KO time as yet.

U/19's lost 3-1 at Aberdeen today. No details as I wasn't there.

Now cofirmed via HAFC website. Tie to be played 13/11 probably at Fir Park Stadium.

Heard U/19's have been drawn at home V Accies in 3rd round of Youth Cup. Not yet confirmed that I can see. Tie to be played 13th November, again not confirmed and subject to change.

M'Well 0- 1 Dunfermline. Bad day for young Well. Down 0-1 at halftime, despite missing several chances and a penalty. Conceded dreadful goal following defensive errors. Misery compounded by L. Erwin being forced off injured with suspected ankle fracture. 2nd half same story re missed chances. Not a good day.

Match now confirmed being played at Airdrie. New Broomfield (Excelsior) Stadium with a 2pm KO.

Wee note to anyone intending taking in the U/19 fixture V DFC today. The pitch at Bathgate is unplayable, waterlogged, so the game has been switched to either Stirling Uni Sports Complex, Bridge of Allan (pending a pitch inspection) or New Broomfield, Airdrie. Soon as info re venue to hand I will post same.

U/19's drew 1-1 with Rangers at Bathgate. Down 0-1 at half-time after a fairly scrappy even 1st half. 2nd half much better and equalised through McGachie. Probably could and should have taken all 3 points on 2nd half performance.

U/19s drew 1 - 1 with Celtc at Lennoxtown today. Great performance from the youngsters coming back from a goal down. H/T 1-1 Super strike by K McDonald from 20 yards levelled game. Draw about right but Well had better chances to win.

Young Well lost 1-2 to Hearts at Bathgate yesterday.

For info U/19's defeated Luncarty JFC 0-5 on Sunday.

http://www.rovers.co...2410904,00.html Nice wee article re recently friendly For info U/19s are playing Luncarty JFC (near Perth) in their 125 years Celebrations on Sunday 7th August with a 1pm ko.

Very much an u/19 side with only exception being McKinnon who came on as a 2nd half sub. Game finished 1-0 to Shotts. Well had penalty saved by Shotts keeper then conceded an own goal in even 1st half. 2nd half best chances probably fell to Well but couldn't convert. Good workout again for the youngsters.

Hetherington came from Rangers, other English lad is Adam Cummings, picked up from Everton. On Saturday young boy Greene signed from Celtic came on as sub as did J. Leitch, both did fairly well but reckon they will feature more for u/17s at the moment as both still eligible at this age.

Just a wee post to let you all know the u/19s won the Hurlford United Football Festival. They defeated an u /21 amateur team(from Kilmarnock) 4-1 yesterday, after playing an hour or so with 10 men. Today they defeated Ayr Utd u/19 3-1. All in all couple of good run outs for the team. Neither of the 2 signings from England played due to injury. N. Devlin and S. Hetherington played and look useful additions.

Fair enough point, but again I have no opinion on them being at MFC or not, the question is how much importance is being put on Pre Season ?

Nothing at all, no agenda and certainly no axe to grind. Merely playing Devil's Advocate as stated. For what it's worth I don't think the U/19's necessarily should start at the same time as the 1st team, but if that is the decision surely it follows it should apply to all staff and players. Re the English lads no games were arranged for last week, so what would have been wrong with them joining the rest for training? I am well aware the season starts on 13th August. I have at no time criticised or offered an opinion as to the rights and wrongs of this merely posed the question, 'How important is Pre Season?' given the number of times it is bandied about.

Playing devil's advocate here ! This is in relation to an U/19 squad somewhere in the SPL. Take a look at the following scenario and see if it fits with the 'Pre Season training is the most important part of the season' mantra. Season finishes approx mid May, coaching staff and players have up to 6 weeks to take a holiday. Players to report back 28th June for pre season. Players signed from U/17 squad have to report on 27th June. Players signed from England told to report on 4th July. One player allowed to take holiday up to the 4th July. U/19s coach on holiday until 11th July. Training left to Chief Scout. This is by no means all that is going on, but is an indication of the state of readiness of an U/19 squad. Given the importance placed on this time of the season, is this a good model for clubs to follow or an indication of an ongoing shambles?

Can I ask where you got these figures re the U/19s from? I have it on good authority that the maximium wage is £175 p/w with the minimum being £100 p/w. Obviously 1 or 2 of the more fancied will get a wee bit more but £500 p/w ! Not a chance. Apologies if wrong but I think a bit of sense should prevail here. MFC are not cash rich and to suggest an U/19 player is on £500 p/w is a a bit OTT.