Tom English: Lennon Miller is a “fine player” who “needs time & space” to develop

BBC Scotland’s chief sportswriter, Tom English, addressed questions from readers concerning Motherwell. One reader, Derek, inquired about Motherwell’s performance this season, their prospects of sustaining form for a top-six finish, and the likelihood of retaining Lennon Miller for the current season. In response to the query about Miller, English indicated his belief that the club would likely retain him for the current season, though he was less certain about beyond that period, stating, “I suspect yes. I hope yes.” He described Miller as “terrific” but noted he isn’t the only talent. English acknowledged the considerable, understandable discussion surrounding Miller and expressed a hope that “people aren’t putting mad pressure on him,” adding that he trusts manager Stuart Kettlewell, whom he regards as “a very responsible and impressive manager,” not to do so. English further commented on a perceived media tendency, which he has “seen it a million times before,” to prematurely “anoint a boy wonder.” While recognizing that there are reasons to consider Miller a “boy wonder” because “he looks a fine player,” English stressed that Miller “is still a kid and he needs time and a bit of space.” He drew parallels to numerous players in Scottish football history who were “trumpeted as the next big thing” but did not fully succeed, emphasizing that success is not solely about “ability” but also “ability and mentality.” He highlighted Miller and Ewan Wilson as “mainstays of this Motherwell team,” which contributes to his admiration for “Kettlewell’s side” and for Kettlewell himself, praising the manager’s “amazing ability to find players.” Regarding the team’s overall performance, English praised Motherwell’s “excellent” goalkeeper. He characterized the team as “a tightly controlled team, a compact side,” noting their tendency not to “score a lot” but also not to “concede much.” He described them as “a very resilient side,” capable of “bounc[ing] back immediately” after potentially going “two or three games without a win.” English concluded by stating that a “Top six wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.”