Motherwell

[Zab]

Debt free now - Motherwell 'clear external debt' following sale of James Scott to Hull City

I’m no so much interested in the fan ownership side as they are a smaller club than Hibs, especially in terms of infrastructure and overheads. But what I do find interesting in their player development over recent years - they are producing some very good players and making good money in the process.

 

[Greenmachine]

They have a tendency to actually play their young players in their first team which surprise surprise actually helps their development would you believe.

 

[hibee81]

They have a tendency to actually play their young players in their first team which surprise surprise actually helps their development would you believe.

I actually said this in another thread I started on youth, we big up our youth system then fail to give any of the lads some regular game time so then let them stagnate on the bench or in the odd reserve game.

 

[Zab]

They have a tendency to actually play their young players in their first team which surprise surprise actually helps their development would you believe.

They do indeed play their younger players. I wonder why they do it better than most other clubs in the league?

They have a manger who knows the limitations of budgets, the expectation of the fans and club in general is lower than us/Hearts/Sheep, but they must be doing something to make sure these players are ready for first team football - they can’t be just through any youngster in.

 

[Greenmachine]

They do indeed play their younger players. I wonder why they do it better than most other clubs in the league?

They have a manger who knows the limitations of budgets, the expectation of the fans and club in general is lower than us/Gunts/Sheep, but they must be doing something to make sure these players are ready for first team football - they can’t be just through any youngster in.

Good question. I wish I knew the answer.
As you say, Motherwell far less expectations than Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen so effectively there is less pressure on youngsters when they are blooded into the first team. I think that helps. Look at Celtic...they are expected to win trebles every season and succeed in Europe. Hardly any young scottish players make the breakthrough there, same with the huns.
I do believe we are starting to see the Hibs youth academy bearing fruit and alongside Porteous (who still has many raw edges to his game despite being an excellent defender), Jamie Gullan and Fraser Murray I still have confidence can become regular first team players if they are given a decent run of starts. In the future I am optimistic about seeing Ben Stirling getting into the first team next season. Hibs cannot afford to sign ready made top class players, so we have to bring through our own and give them a pathway to succeed in the game, then sell the on eventually to make money.