Hodgey

Quite a lot to unpick in that match, given it’s really the first proper look we’ve had: Starting with the concerns. Armstrong as a lone striker - he must be brilliant in training as that’s about the 5th manager in the last three years to try him there yet he’s failed every single time. Made even less sense if the idea was to fire lots of crosses in from the wings. If that is going to be the case we should be trying Downs or Stewart The full backs were dreadful, this may be ability based but I don’t think you can rule out tactical set up given both were so poor. I do think this was done on the basis of our dearth of available wingers and not something Still wants. The back line wasn’t drilled - despite them not being particularly quick I counted 5 clear opportunities they created simply down to poor positioning / defensive line. Hoping this resolves as the coaches find settled backline and work with them. Edwards - had heard great things but he had a mare - hopefully just a one off. Archer - it’s just not happened for him here, hoping he puts more shifts in and Still finds a use for him as I think there is talent there The big positives I felt that Still was trying new things, a fresh change from simply replacing like for like after 65m when it isn’t working Stephens, Baz and Manning. Let’s be honest all have had heavy criticism - hopefully start of a redemption arc as they all had big performances, at the least must give them all huge confidence. Charles - looked like the £12m player we were promised 2 years ago. Overall very positive, also think some have been a bit harsh on Quarshie who I thought looked ok and gave us much needed height and pace.

I reckon Cox could have scored 10 6s in a row if needed. And god knows how many he’d have got if we played another 10 overs…. Batting pitch mixed with some pie throwing (Fuller / Howell especially)

What an odd t20 season it’s been. Started really well, then were woeful, then really good again last 4 games (including a narrow defeat at Somerset). Talking of off seasons - Albert’s T20 form has generally been excellent whilst his 4 days terrible. I actually thought at one point he’d make a good 4 day opener but now seems more comfortable ramping 6s. The two new overseas both look very useful which helps.

If you can’t get any batting points, at home, on a batters paradise (along with getting the second least amount of batting points this season so far), and you can’t bowl out the only team with less batting points, then you have to ask some deep questions. We lost our best batter and bowler this year, and are now totally reliant on two players in their winter (Abbott and Dawson). On the plus side looks like we may start getting some decent Indian players. But the lack of progress this year on what seemed to be highly talented youngsters is a massive concern (id even suggest some are going backwards)

They look so out of form - will they make 100 ?

Due to travel I only saw the bowling, but what was going on with our tactics to Smeed - banging them in right into his arch, seemed totally brainless. without Dawson and Howell that was going to be a 230 min score. Wood is too old, Fuller shouldn’t really be in a top level team, and the youngsters are a bit wayward. On that pitch 210 was gettable, and looks like we started well but then slowed down and lost wickets as the required rate crept up. Once Brevis and Vince were gone that was it. Closer game than Surrey though…

When are the two SAs off for the international ? Assume after these 3 games Thu-Sun. Not really sure what our plan B will be then as the batting already looks very weak for the blast. good news on the additional Indian batter for the championship - may be needed to stay up.

Possibly - doesn’t seem like we really consider him as a t20 player but given he has a better average and strike rate now than Prest maybe we should try him. There really isn’t anyone else who stands out.

That was an odd game. Our top 4 really never got to grips with what seemed to be a pretty good pitch. Albert / Vince / Brevis all forcing a shot to get themselves out. Prest never looked comfortable, to be fair neither did Weatherly until about 15 balls in but Fuller and Howell showed how easy it was to score quick on the pitch. Also I realised that we had a pretty long tail (4 players who can’t really bat at all) which must have been on the middle orders mind. Kent then never looked troubled and looked like they could chase close to 200 on that pitch if needed. Not sure how much that was down to bowling (some lose balls for sure) or a batting pitch. You won’t win them all, I suspect the bowlers will bounce back and Dawson’s return will help bat and ball. Still not convinced about our middle order batting but it’s not like there is anyone on the bench you’d want in.

Think the Adam Armstrong debate depends on Wills formation. He’s a terrible centre forward, but is very handy as an inside right. So if Will is playing a formation with an inside right (note - not a winger as he can’t do that either) keep, anything else sell (maybe to Rangers as can see him scoring loads there under Russ). Basically at that level if he is facing goal with space in front of him, he has the pace and shot to be dangerous. He can’t beat a player for skill or pace so can’t play anywhere he is likely to be marked. I also have a feeling the same applies to Archer - but replace right with left (and I think he is a bit quicker and more accurate, but lazier). No way should we have both.

Another impressive win. Such a shame Brevis will be out for a few weeks after call up, and will we ever see Pretorious ?. I’ve been so impressed with Albert. Couldn’t seem to hit a barn door in the championship and under intense pressure, but had taken the gloves and opened much better than McDermott last year. Him and Vince look like a natural pairing. If we find a rope clearer whilst Brevis is out we should be in business. Bowling looks really strong. Only negative is that Prest and Weatherly have yet to convince (that said only two innings in for them)

Brevis looked very impressive - an explosive player who cleared the rope with ease. as did Albert’s partnership with Vince. Wasn’t expecting such a big win - good to see Currie and Turner look dangerous too. Maybe I was wrong per earlier comments (let’s see though after a few games, I’d like to see how we do when Brevis and Vince are our cheaply) Still don’t understand how Weatherly gets in a 20 over game, thought the anchor eke out the runs and rotate the strike specialist batsman had long gone !

I think they either had to give the kids a chance, lose them, or send them on loan and they chose the first. So far it looks like they are not ready and that looks a bad choice, you would also need every senior player on top of their game for the inevitable learning curve dips and that hasn’t happened either. I wonder what success outcome really was, I imagine it was competing at the top and youngsters establishing themselves. Think it’s now the same but avoid relegation (mid table comfort). If by the end of the season Albert / Prest / Baker / Currie / Turner have shown clear improvement and we end mid-table I think we should be happy. We still have a huge opening batsman problem (not sure what’s happened with Orr). Can’t see this squad doing anything in 20/20, they don’t have the right mix of players (unless the South Africans fire from the off and carry the team), but can see them challenging in the one dayer (although that is in effect a B team game now).

Sussex going to get 300 plus here. Game will be over tomorrow - another disastrous first innings - we really aren’t learning

The mistake saints always make is assuming injury prone players will get fit. I think we keep him, nobody will buy him and if he stays fit I think he will be an asset. BUT we make the assumption he will barely play - almost think of it like he isn’t here and anything you get is pure bonus. That means we need to buy another Stewart type player. Tall Paul and BBD I think we can lose - hopefully get £8-10m for the pair. Keep AA and CA - both are quick and can shoot which is really important in that league, defenders are nowhere near as quick and strong in the championship so they’ll cause havoc at that level if played right.