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If you compare our Academy to others in the league we have made more on transfers than most if not all clubs Turnbull Campbell Scott Hastie Cornilius We also have the best young prospect in Lennon Miller Bailey Rice made a choice at the age of 16 when professional contracts are given to move to Rangers, Lennon opted to stay. For the resources our club has and fighting with the 2 Glasgow clubs for prospects our Academy does really Well. One observation from last night was Sparrow looks miles off being a first team player.

I'm not a coach and only played the game to a basic amateur level but I believe some folk are losing sight of how big an ask it is for our youth players to make the huge step up to becoming a member of the of the first team squad. Not everyone is a Lennon Miller or Max Johnston........ and if we are honest it took even those two time to find their feet and have an impact. The skill can often be there but there is a lot more to being a pro footballer than just basic ability. Mentally and physically. I also don't know anything about Foster's ability as a coach but I am not convinced it would make that much difference whoever we had in that position. How a coach interacts with the kids is a factor though and the Club have a safeguarding responsibility which I have to believe means they would intervene if needs be. Said as an outsider with no insight whatsoever to the internal workings of the Club. Regards the kids that we let go, my reading is that Kettlewell and his coaches are not saying those released are not talented players but rather that the direct step up to the first team squad is too big a challenge for all but the very elite. The absence of a reserve team in which they can continue to develop in preparation for senior football is the issue rather than talent, willing or coaching ability. Finances and a lack of meaningful, supported strategy from the Football Authorities have left most top flight Clubs with little alternative other than to be ruthless and extremely selective. I agree the Analyst/Loan Manager position that has been mentioned represents an astute forward thinking innovation. Anything that assists our youth players to bridge that gap to the senior squad is to be welcomed. So, on a positive note, I see it as encouraging that Kettlewell and his team are trying to find a way to improve matters. But, hey, some will just criticise them instead as it fits their wider agenda. Add to that the sad fact that there is absolutely nothing Motherwell can do to stop top quality kids being poached by Clubs who are not operating under the same constraints as we are. And every team in Scotland is in the same position. No exceptions. In truth we have not done that poorly in comparison to others. The situation has been done to death on here but no matter the reality of the situation a few will always accuse the Club of being negligent or lacking foresight.

In spirit yes Dave, but the body is beginning to show it's age.😂

Its a bit like cockneys and Bow bells. your not a real well fan unless you were born within sight of Fir Park 😂

I noticed at Montrose that the ref played 90 minutes and not a second more. That's despite several substitutions. It was a finely balanced game at 1-1 and the outcome was important.