Ex-Crystal Palace midfielder Jack Wells-Morrison feared Ross County move was under threat after manager exit
Wells-Morrison, 21, aims to kick his career forward with the Scottish Championship's basement club, with survival the name of the game.
Jack Wells-Morrison feared his Ross County move would be dashed by the departure of manager Tony Docherty.
For a player who had not kicked a competitive ball since May, it seemed like his switch from English football to the Scottish Championship was doomed.
However, the former Crystal Palace academy midfielder, 21, was delighted to hear the transfer until the end of the season had been rubber-stamped and he made his debut from the bench in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with league leaders St Johnstone.
He had spent a trial period with County and he can’t believe his new team-mates are five points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Wells-Morrison, who has Scottish family links in Dunfermline, heads to the Fife town in search of three points this weekend.
And he does so with former Ross County, Motherwell and Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell in charge after he was this week confirmed as Docherty’s replacement.
Wells-Morrison, who was on loan at English National League sides Wealdstone and Solihull Moors last season, spent the summer getting over an injury before searching for the right club.
Move was 50-50 after Docherty left
He explained how Docherty leaving his post in early December added a short delay before the move went through.
He said: “My agent and I knew the previous manager and I had been training here for the last four or five weeks, so the style of football suited the way I like to play.
“I thought this would be the best opportunity for me to kick on with my career.
“Over the last four or five weeks, I had been up here for a few weeks and I played in a bounce game.
“It was 50-50 with regards to whether I was coming or going and it got sorted a couple of weeks ago.
“The manager then left and it was touch and go, but the club still wanted me, so here I am.
“It was a little bit strange. I was without a club after being injured at the start of pre-season, so I didn’t know whether I was coming or going, so I am happy to get back playing.
“My last competitive game before the weekend was in May and then I was injured in pre-season when training with another club.
“It’s then hard to get back without a club.”
Scottish football style appealed
Wells-Morrison, who can play anywhere within the midfield, wants to add a new dimension to a side he feels he can help improve in these crucial closing months.
He said: “I’ll hope to bring an energy and something new to the team.
“I’ve only played with the lads over the past few weeks, so I won’t say I know a lot about the league or football but I’m confused about the league position we’re in.
“Having trained here, this is a good set of players.
“Saturday was a start against St Johnstone. Something just clicked. We want to take that forward.”
And the ex-Palace playmaker believes Scottish football’s second-tier will be better suited to his style than he encountered in England last term.
He added: “The intensity and physicality is there, but there is also a bit more focus on playing with the ball here, which suits me a bit more compared to the National League where other teams will go a bit more direct. It’s a bit of a mix here.
“With the way we’re playing at the moment, it suits the way I want to play.
“The loan helped me massively and it’s important for any young player to get out and play men’s football because 21s football doesn’t really reflect what you’re coming into here.
“That’s why so many lads perhaps struggle when they come out of 21s football.
“Without the year I experienced last year, coming here would probably have been a lot more difficult.”
Robesten departs for England
Saturday’s meeting between Dunfermline and Ross County is subject to a 9.30am pitch inspection at East End Park.
Meanwhile, Ross County midfielder George Robesten has joined English National League South side Weston-super-Mare AFC on a permanent deal.
The 20-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Strathspey Thistle, made 16 appearances for the Staggies.
County also confirmed Jamie Williamson has been recalled from his loan spell at Strathspey.
[Source: Press and Journal]
