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Zander Mcallister

I agree 100% with your comments re strategy but worry that it will take several years to rebuild a youth programme that has been diminished over a number of seasons under several Managers. Certainly the Loanee numbers are farcical and those you highlight are certainly no better than the youth quoted. But that bar is pretty low. And unless they have improved leaps and bounds I'm not sure any of the current crop are first team standard, or have that potential. Wilson looked to be the best of the lot but he has fallen off a cliff of late, although I believe he can bounce back given strong support. The players currently out on loan are doing ok, but no more than that. I guess what I am saying is that, like the first team, the youth squad has been weakened over a number of seasons and it will take quite some time for both squads to be rebuilt to an effective standard. I suspect that long term aim was why Wimmer was chosen for the job in the first place. It will be interesting to see whether he makes changes to the coaching staff at several levels over the summer. I know a few think Wimmer will move on at season end no matter what, but I hope he stays and is given scope to develop a coherent strategy that covers all age groups. A complete reset is required. In my opinion anyway. Others will disagree.

The only youngsters who seem close are Luca Ross and Dylan Wells we've got a boy who's consistently getting in the Scotland U17s so he's probably decent as well.

I agree with that, but really don't know much about which youngsters are ready to step up, if indeed there any. The organisation of youth football has a lot to answer for, but thats a separate debate. I've heard of the likes of Wells, Ross and Whyte, but thats about it. Hopefully there are some about to fledge. Long term developing our own youths is the only way forward. To balance that we need a sprinkling of old heads like Halliday to show them the ropes.

Any Motherwell manager who relies on brining in numerous loanees each season in favour of developing the Club’s own youth players is not working in the long term interests of the Club. There is obviously a balance to be struck, particularly when the first team is blighted with injuries and there isn’t enough youth players ready, but the latter will remain the case without development opportunities being consistently offered, and the former is bad luck and bad recruitment policy. The amount of loanees we have signed this season is not acceptable. It stifles opportunities and sends the wrong signals. I challenge anyone to argue that the likes of Plange, Dickson, Thompson, Tavares, for example, are better options than Wells, Ferrie, L. Ross, Wilson, for example. We should be running with a smaller squad of better first team players (quality over quantity) and have a crop of youth players baked into the manager’s ideas, every season, and particularly to cover injuries and rest others. We’re a selling club and we do well from developing our own, both financially and performance wise. I hope Wimmer shares my views.

Maybe he'll go with a smaller squad and use our best youngsters.

Or neither of these things. Maybe he'll bring in players that are quite good and we do quite well.

Wait till the boss brings in the top players from the german 2 nd division and they turn out to be superstars then we sell them to engerland for millions kettlewelll n bair will only be a memory or the germans will be journeymen and shite at best and we are fighting relegation next year time will tell

No issues with the Halliday extension on its own. As others have said he has earned it with the minutes he has played and some decent performances, obviously we need some experienced heads around. Im just concerned that with SOD and possibly McGinn also being extended we could end up in a similar position injury wise next season. If Wimmer wants his high press next season we are gonna need younger fitter players who wont break down under the stress of what they are being asked to do. With Nicholson, Robinson AND Stama also under contract, the space to bring in new talent is already looking limited. Ward? If he is happy being back up to Ox, I guess thats fine. I would be annoyed if we offer Balcombe a contract as well.....

Loved the 6-6 game and I stayed til the very end. So glad I did and the 3-3 few days later. Perfect end to a very good season Remember few Well fans in Jack Daniels singing 3-1 up then u f*kd it up

Happy enough with Halliday signing , think we do need a clear out this summer but Halliday has earned it I think Hopefully we will clear out some of the deadwood and the Wimmer will bring in a few new faces

Especially on the wing........cue........ba boom.

Think we needed clear out. Wouldn't have extended Halliday or ODonnell.. I'm ok with Sparrow. Think we need more pace in team and attacking flair. I'm hoping Wimmer has contacts but it don't look like it if he's just extending contracts of some if team that been part of worst well side in years.

Sir Callum Slattery 😏

The Dundee Courier's take on Allan Campbell. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/5232473/how-has-allan-campbell-fared-dundee-united/

Good point - I’d forgotten about that one . 👍

He strikes me as a player suited to high pressing game.

Getting Sparrow on extended deal good business also, joint top scorer and great energy

I’d expect that anyone being asked to remain at the club is someone the manager believes can contribute to the style of football he’s aiming to implement. So I wouldn’t view those players as simply being part of the status quo. I suspect a few from this season will still be a good fit, but with several additions likely over the summer, the overall shape and approach of the team could look noticeably different next season.

Makes sense , hadn’t realised MC was now in 20s . Overall so far it’s a bit underwhelming as we have a lack of pace, guile and resigned a few mediocre players some of which unlikely to have much game time . Slattery aside , there’s not many resigning that make me think ‘oh good - I look forward to seeing them play’ appreciate some need of continuity , seasoned pros etc but we need to leave plenty of room for new blood.

Balcombe is only on loan. Matty Connelly might be a decent enough keeper at non league/Second Division level but thats it. He's now 22 and never made a first team appearance. His problem is that he's just too small for the Premiership at 5-10 /6-0. He'd get battered by Jordan Whites and Ikpeazus of the world. These days 6-2 is about the minimum height for a top level keeper. St Johnstone has just signed a 6-8 keeper (don't know if he's any good mark you). I suspect we'll release Matty Connelly at the end of the season and re-allocate his wages elsewhere. A similar discussion on P & B.

Renewed mine on opening day. 😀

Not a great example to choose for your argument as I don’t think Ewan was penned in as first pick before the season started and I suspect he was played while we sorted out a loan but he started the season well, held the position for a few months but then he dropped off a bit either due to the system being played or his form just dropped - understandable for a youngster and no reflection on him - which gave Dom his chance which took and has held it since. Ewan showed in the first few games that he has talent but it needs developing and I’d expect him to be pushing for more game time next season but if he’s still not ready then another LB will need to be brought in with Ewan as back up.

Halliday does put a shift in and at least seems to care can't fault his efforts this season however I hope it stops there we need a massive clean out we can't be retaining a vast majority of this squad or we shall get the same results as this season it's simple as that.