Noah Dosser

Thanx for that B. Good news.

Missed the 1st 15-20 mins of match tonight, Well were down 0-2 by this time and struggled badly for rest of half. 2or 3 boys debuting from the u/17's and imho the team took time to gel. 1-3 at h/t, Well goal from Asghar. 2nd half much better and steadier performance. Saunders came on for 1st run in a while and scored a good consolation 2nd goal at the death. Higgins also came on for his 1st appearance after a long injury as well. Young striker Dale Shirkie suffered what appeared a bad injury after he really clattered into the advertising boards chasing the ball. Taken to hospital by ambulance with head, neck and side/ back injuries. Best wishes to him and fingers crossed not as serious as looked.

See the U/20's drew 1-1 with Falkirk today ( from official website) I'm at work so couldn't manage, anyone there who can comment on the game ?

Game V Kilmarnock at Rugby Park scheduled for tonight is off. Fair chance next week's game V Falkirk at FP will also be postponed.

You may just be right with this! No-one really knows why the big chap was brought in, other than SM didn't/ doesn't fancy Page, and he sees Saunders as a right back. Personally I would have gone for an experienced CB on loan, (not Ramsden as a makeshift CB), at least that way the youngsters pushing for the 1st team squad wouldn't feel as if they are being passed by and the team would be better placed having someone who could organise and lead the back 4. IMHO I think SM is reluctant to sign anyone who has not played in England (sounds petty I know but it's how I see it)

Wee heads up for anyone proposing attending the match v St Johnstone tonight. The game is postponed and will now be played on Tuesday 15th January.

I'm not really arguing with any points made merely stating that ,for example, the Dutch method of coaching is centred around their national characteristics as should ours. By all means look at their examples of best practice but use it to augment Scottish characteristics not try to put round pegs in square holes. The Germans are probably the ones to look at as they seem not to let other nations' ideas overwhelm their own belief in how their teams should play. For what it's worth I don't believe bigger and stronger is better than skilful. Teams should play small sided games on mini parks with a small ball up to 11 or 12 years. 12- 16yrs games should be played on possibly a 3/4 size pitch with goals of size in ratio to the age group. 16-18 should be introduced to full size pitches and goals and play in a cup competition based loosely on the current major competitions ie group stages then into knockout. 18 onwards as per the current set up as the financial constraints and problems relative to Scottish football are here for a while yet and the ideal of an U/20 or U/21league as a precursor to reserve teams just ain't going to happen. The whole problem though is underpinned by lack of grass root investment by central government.

As I said I only post my opinions which are not gospel nor do they influence the game as I am far from an expert or involved in the sport. However I will have to agree to disagree with you re the results issue. At what age should they become important ? You quite correctly state other countries seem able to produce better technical players who are able to be competitive without experiencing this particular pressure at an early stage. What I would point out is, and I feel this is the crux of the problem, not only in Scottish terms, is that the ruling bodies of the game in this country give far to much credence to foreign systems and set ups. We need to devise our own system for youths which focuses on our strengths, ie skill and competitiveness and stop thinking that the Dutch, Spanish, Portugese and more recently Belgian method is the answer to our problems. The system developed shoud be in keeping with the Scottish/ British psyche rather than trying to bastardise ideas used by other nations whose demographics and mindsets are different from our own. I have to say that Scottish football has declined in tandem with several social factors including probably most importantly the teachers' strike and subsequent erosion of extra curricular sports activities. Non competitive football at youth level has been in place for years now and as far as I can see has had no beneficial effect to our teams. Technically our youngsters are as good as they can be, given the lack of hours annually spent with a ball at their feet in comparison to our continental neighbours, but until the whole ethos of sport in this country is reviewed and a clear strategy based on indigent strengths is developed Scotland and Britain will lag behind for the foreseeable future.

A lot of comments and one or two questions raised here. If it's ok I'll use a broad brush to cover the situation as I see it. The U/20's as stated had a very poor and unprofessional pre season for previously mentioned reasons. However we are now in the middle of November and things if anything are sliding the wrong way viz a viz results and performance. Regarding results not being important, well imho they are. The players are all full time professional players who take part in a competitive league and a cup competition. Notwithstanding they have to learn how winning and losing games effects them, their coaches, the club and the fans so they have a grasp of what the pressures of playing for the 1st team are in reality. Football is a dog eat dog sport and is driven by results, no more no less, and is a very unforgiving place at the top professional level. i prefer not to discuss individuals on the forum as I have a family interest and my views could be quite easily be taken out of context or as being biased towards my relation and or his close friends, however any comment I do make is from an entirely neutral viewpoint and on the basis of what I see. Carswell last night did fairly well and I feel could and probably should feature more for the 1st team. Hetherington was ok until he got injured, although he did still attempt a couple of 'Hollywood' passes instead of keeping possession and the move going and did let his man run off him once or twice. Francis -Angol just doesn't do it for me as a full back. He is a terrific player going forward but he gets caught up the park too often and it is obvious other sides see him as a bit of a weak link defensively as it is a regular feature to see diagonal balls being p0layed into his area when he is playing. The younger players I'm afraid look like what they are young boys. Whilst technically sound they are to my eye lacking core strength and at times look lost. This I stress is not criticism of them more the coaching and training methods employed. They are in a position where they are having to play due to lack of numbers and are not being allowed to find their feet. That said in comparison to other sides they do seem to lack strength. Positives ? Hard one really. The boys are having to learn about defeat and struggling with form, both as a unit and individually. The form of Moore, Murray and Asghar has been consistently good despite the results and performances. Need to take a rest now, sorry for banging on. Hope this helps.

Hearts 4 -2 Motherwell in the U/20's match at Tynecastle tonight. Strong Well xi went 2-0 up before conceding a stunning goal to go in 2-1 up at h/t. The youngsters deserved their lead and could/ should have been further ahead having missed a couple of really good chances. 2nd half started with Hetherington in the dressing room having been injured just on half-time. This seemed to be the turning point as HMFC started bossing the midfield and eventually overran what became a ragged Motherwell. Hearts made several chances in the 2nd half and converted 3, Well again made 1 or 2 but couldn't find the net. Towards the end Hollis made 2 or 3 good saves to keep the scoreline reasonably respectable at 4-2. Another bad night for the youngsters and you can almost see the confidence drain from them game by game. JJ, imho, must start playing players in position and using a solid formation or the boys could be set back to an extent where they will be completely drained of what little belief they have and end up bottom of the league. Good crowd of approx 1500 at the match.

U/20's taking on the Hertz tomorrow at Tynecastle 7pm ko. Could be a good crowd there as the Jambo's are having an auction/ fundraising event in the stadium, prematch, and are looking for a good turnout.

^^^ This. Add the fact that there is no leader or organiser in the defence ( Craigan's main strength) and lack of consistency re team selection, due to injuries and suspensions, and it's not hard to see why the defence are having a torrid time.

Also he has played for Scotland U/21's recently.

Oh ye of little faith Good result for the U/20's. Having said that it was a much stronger team that played with Francis-Angol, Carswell, Cummins and Hetherington featuring. Rangers were not as strong obviously with a good few of their eligible players in the squad for their game tomorrow. 1-1 h/t Well went 3-1 up before conceding a late goal.

Youngsters playing Rangers XI at MP this morning.

Don't think so. Just watched the highlights and ouch ! Don't suppose there is much can be done about individual mistakes, but I reckon confidence is shot. The younger boys who have come in are suffering from a lack of pre season and 'bedding in', couple that with the lack of use of the older boys who are being used in the 1st team and it's not hard to work out it will be a long hard season. Only way is up !

Team wise for the U/20's leaves them a bit short of older players, if you see what I mean. For the player I reckon it's a good move as he will learn more and have to adapt to a fairly reasonable standard of match quickly. IMHO he has not shown his best so far this season and a change of opposition and teammates might just be what the doc ordered. Would like to think he will come back a bit 'streetwiser' and with a better final delivery. Good luck to the lad

Should be 6th Nov V ICT.

Quick update re the DUFC player. Good news the youngster suffered muscle injuries to his jaw, neck and back. No fractures ! Should be back playing in about 3 -4 weeks.

Bit of a hard one to take again. Better display against a very slick and confident Utd XI. Feel draw was probably fair result. 0-0H/T Utd went 2 up before Well pulled one back through Moore. Sickening clash of heads involving 2 Utd defenders held game up. Young Utd player was stretchered off and seems to have received a bad injury with possible jaw and cheek fractures. Utd scored the vital 3rd goal followed shortly by McHugh scoring to provide an interesting last few minutes. There was a wee improvement shown but still feel there is a lack of confidence showing and some of the youngsters are trying to play safe rather than trusting their talents and skill. I am sure you'll join me in hoping the Utd lad's injury is not serious and he makes a speedy recovery either way.

Think you may have a point here. I would like to say it is still early days for JJ having arrived well after season started. I am also not being critical of the players as several of them are playing outwith their natural poistions. I would hope the team is playing to a club 'blueprint' but can't really comment as I don't see a lot of 1st team matches. Anyway things can only get better !

Hard performance to summarise tonight. 1st half fairly even 0-0 2nd half Well went 1 up then conceded 2 soft goals, albeit 2nd was offside, Well seemed to huff and puff a bit tonight. JJ's tactics I feel are contributing to the difficulties a wee bit (if they are his tactics that is), playing a 4 man midfield with 2 wide players who are not natural midfielders is imho asking for trouble. Dunfermline had plenty of space in midfield and as such a lot of the play without really hurting Well. He also wants the defence to play a 'high line' and get out quickly. This is all good and well but it is obvious some players are not used to this and have a natural inclination to go with a man or step back rather than forward. All in all I felt the Pars deserved their win tonight although it took a terrific save from their keeper to ensure the 3 points stayed in Fife. Once again the hospitality shown by a Fife club was 1st class! l

If memory serves 2 over 20's at any age, 1 over 20 up to age 23 and an overage keeper. Re Bossekota not a night to judge him as he, as was rightly stated, went off injured. Saw him play for Hertz v Well in a recent reserve match when he looked quite lively and strong.

Really hard to say, only PoD Stand open 100- 150 maybe. Perhaps Flow could enlighten

Good 3-1 win for the U/20's tonight at Fir Park v Accies. 2-1 half time. Goals from Daley, McHugh and Murray capped off a solid display against an industrious Accies xi. Good result after Sunday's cup exit shock.