Noah Dosser

That's the curtain down on the season for the U/20's. The boys have come good at the end of the season, 6 games unbeaten, and are starting to show the application and nous needed for the pro game. Good result last night against a strong Ross County. I'm sure JJ will have his work cut out now replacing players moving up or out and getting his thoughts through to next season's squad. At least he will have pre- season with them this year. Good luck to all the youngsters who are staying or going and enjoy your break.

It's a Registration ban on players over 18 not a 'signing' ban . They are able to agree contracts for players just cannot register them with SFA etc. In theory they can sign players from end of season and pay them, just can' t register them or play them in any official matches until 1st Sep

U/ 20's lost 0-4 to Aberdeen. Poor performance again, coupled with a bizarre referring performance not a good day for a strong 'Well team. 0-2 at H/ T Cummins sent off minutes after restart. Very disjointed performance and more disappointing as very strong team for this level on show!

U/20's at home to Aberdeen this afternoon, 2pm KO. Reckon a strong 'Well side will be in action. Feel the club missed a trick here and should have tried to have game played yesterday at 2pm, when most people were off. I accept there are alternatives and it's a family day but I think it would have brought in a fair crowd compared to 2pm today. Another wee complaint in as much that there have been no refreshment kiosks open at the last couple of games, when it's been baltic. Even just opening and serving tea, coffee or Bovril would help. If it costs too much vis a vis staff costs why not use catering jugs in one of the hospitality suites and charge folk £1 a cup.

U/20's playing St Mirren tonight at FP 7pm KO.

It was, and you can add Asghar, Erwin and Murray to that list, as they are tipped for stepping up!

U/20's lost 3-0 tonight. Basically played off the park by a better team. Could have been more but for a few saves from Stewart. Another bad day at the office I'm afraid.

The youngster is a good player. For those who haven't seen him play he is similar to D. Arnott or S McDonald. Good eye for goal and is a defenders nightmare with his constant movement and ability to handle himself( incoming criticism for this from the we want silky footballers division no doubt ) Think there will be a few youngsters playing 1st team next season as I cannot see many of the out of contract players staying.

U/20's play Dundee Utd at Tannadice tonight 7pm KO weather permitting.

Hard to call LD, seems there may be a bit of divided opinion as to where he should play. The lad Cummins recently signed a new contract and Murray is getting back to form after injury, so IMHO dependent on his contract situation he may not feature too often, as SM begins building and planning for next season. From what I have seen he is match fit now and wouldn't let the team down, but I just have the feeling he is down the order now. (cue injuries and suspensions on a Biblical scale at the back )

I know, dinnae want folk to think I was on the sauce, 4 pens in the game!

Good 3-2 win away at Accies today, match played at New Broomfield, Airdrie. 1-1 H/ T McHugh pen 2-3 F/ T Erwin pen and Carswell pen .

Not fudging this but I think it's more he tries to be authoritative but he does not appear to have the 'nasty' edge that is needed in a coach and the youngsters have cottoned on to this. I can't and won't be overly critical but there does seem to be a slackness about some of the boys that I didn't see under the previous HOYD. Maybe it's his style and in the long term it will prove the right way but i'm afraid at this moment the jury is out.

A wee word to wish Fraser Johnston a speedy recovery. He was carried off last night with what appeared a bad leg/ ankle injury.

Think that's putting it mildly. He was appointed after the boys started back so a wee bit of leeway was rightly given to him. However there does seem to be an overall lack of direction with the U/20's. I think the main problem is he is just too nice a guy and as a result maybe lacks a wee bit of respect from the boys. Having said that Kenny Black is more often than not in the dugout as well, and he does most of the shouting. From what I see and hear the younger boys have had a far easier introduction to pro football under JJ than previous squads under C McCart or G Young.

Fairly lucky 0-0 draw with DAFC at Fir PArk tonight. Put simply M'well youngsters insisted on giving the ball away far too easily and allowing an ordinary Pars team to control most of the game. Several players were poor and it appears the pressure of being in a team that struggles week in week out is affecting their performance. Some good defending and a couple of good saves by Stewart, aided by some poor finishing ensured the game finished goalless. In an attacking sense 'Well offered very little, as the ball very rarely arrived at the strikers and deliveries from set pieces were poor. Sorry to sound negative but it's been a long season for all concerned !

U/ 20's playing ICT at Fir Park this afternoon 1pm KO.

U/20's lost 4-2 away to Kilmarnock tonight. Have to apologise for 2nd hand report as I couldn't make game but was given a quick run down of the match from a mate. Fairly even 1st half with couple of good saves by Stewart and the pairing of Saunders & Murray coping quite comfortably with Kris Boyd. Just on H/T Saunders red carded for denying goal scoring opportunity. H/ T 0-0 Killie scored early on in 2nd half before Erwin and Watt put Well ahead. The defence and midfield then had a poor 20-25 mins that saw Killie score 3. My source tells me Ross Stewart and Paul MCafferty were Well's best players on the night.

Next home game is V ICT on 3/3/13 with a 1pm ko @ Fir Park. (Game might be at new Broomfield) Next game is V Killie away on 28/2/13 7pm ko should be at Rugby Park TBC. St Mirren game re-arranged for 28/3/13 with 7pm ko @ Fir Park (Game might be at new Broomfield)

U/20's playing Hibs (away) tomorrow night, weather permitting , 7pm KO at Linlithgow Rose Juniors ground. Change of venue, game switched to Newtongrange Star's ground, Newtongrange.

I heard it was Cowdenbeath, Melvin. Wherever it is will bring the laddie some good experience.

Game V Celtc away at Firhill tonight 7pm ko. Loks possible another strong team being fielded.

I'm sure that Axel has signed. Re money available for bringing someone in, I doubt there is any. Regardless of what was there in the summer I fancy that will have been spent on the day to day running of the club. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for incoming transfers, Higginbotham aside, coz the club just doesn't have the dosh.

It is the figure I was quoted by someone 'in the know', not a player I may add. Knowing my source and their experience in the admisnistration of the game I have to give some credence to the estimate hence my reason for posting. I cannot for obvious reasons reveal any more but as I suggested the loss of Rangers has caused serious financial impact on several clubs as the 'Celtic/ Rangers pound' is a guaranteed income source, unlike Euro or domestic cup runs, which no club can budget on.

The whole thing is down to finanace and like it or loathe it Rangers absence from the SPL is playing a major factor in what the 'Well board will or will not accept. Despite what some people want to believe the SPL is not flourishing and outwith Dundee Utd/ Dundee (who have a derby fixture in the league for the 1st time in years) there is a dramatic downturn in revenue due to the absence of Rangers. Motherwell could bank on a minimum 300 k for one one home fixture against RFC and if managing to get into the top 6 the possibility of a similar amount for a 2nd game at Fir Park. What should the board do ? Reject any offers for saleable assets, who could become unsaleable due to injury at any time in the last months of their contracts or take at least some compensation even if not palatable to the support ? A wee bit of realism has to come into this debate. Motherwell have reasonably good players in the grand scheme of things, who will command reasonable fees. Trust the youngsters coming through.