Hodgey

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.

The old bowling guard won us that game - Abbot and Fuller - fair play to both but it’s not really their job to carry the batting and bowling (which they did). That said Middleton and Albert were the only batsmen to deliver in the second innings so club patience has been somewhat rewarded. Weston’s post excellent and where I see things, but as he points out the need for an experienced all rounder was a bit unlucky and a bit poor recruitment in a critical position. Really good result and excellent bowling against a very dangerous batting line up - got to be happy and that will take the pressure off the young batters a bit. Good to see Turner given a go as well, only fair given Bakers performances which in turn I hope motivate him. here’s a question - Weatherly, is he just a one day player now ? (Ironic given he started off an opener). Surely we need another batter to put pressure on our top order (outside of Orr)

Tail batting better than the batters again. The number of times you see an Abbott or Fuller outscore the batsmen. Better from Albert but was getting horribly stuck (can’t rotate the strike) Fancy Warks to get a big score but at least we have got close to 300

Baker dropped, Albert given another go. Seems odd that we’re persisting with a failing batting line up - can’t say they are not being patient (or they think reserves are nowhere near the grade)

Stoneman has been half decent, Albert and Baker need to be dropped. We can’t even contemplate winning anything until we learn to build a good 1st innings score. 4 batting points from 5 games is laughable. Hope now is that we solidify mid-table. More performances like that and we’ll be looking down.

Abbott saving us - with bat and ball. Batsmen should be ashamed of themselves, surely Albert has to be dropped now - it’s just not happening for him and getting a load of ducks can’t help his confidence - get him in the reserves to remember how to bat. Yet again we have a disastrous 1st innings - 0 points

Thing is - it is a bit about batting points - after 4 games we will have 4 - only above last place Worcester, Surrey with 11. Failing to amass a good first innings score has been a major and unaddressed failure the last few years. Not a big criticism today as sensible batting given the game could only be lost was the right thing. Albert’s form though is a big worry - as is the fact confidence in him is low enough for him to be batting 7. Could say a similar thing about Baker. Still solid start to the season all things considered (ie lack of competent oversees play etc)

Looks like we called this playing two spinners(all be it one hasn’t done anything) , aside from new ball looks like a batters paradise. They have a decent spinner so let’s see…surely the aim is to get full batting points (for once) and a draw

Very harsh comments. He’s a kid learning his trade who in his first full season has to learn 3 completely different styles of play under 3 different bosses in the toughest league in the world. I actually think he is being managed pretty well - his form has dropped, he’s been dropped and I’m pretty sure his mistakes are being highlighted. He’s definitely not weedy either, the main reason he will go for £50m is that he has already shown he can physically mix it at this level. Seems like a really odd scapegoat - he’s going to have a great career, I’d love to see him for a couple more seasons but it’s pretty unlikely unless we get a new manager he instantly bonds with.

Lavia was the bright spot. Interestingly though speaking to a few Chelsea fans they’ve pretty much given up on him as he is their Larios…

He looks woefully out of form. See how he gets on second innings. As my thoughts above I’m far from convinced about that batting line up - funnily enough I think we’ve probably got the best openers we’ve had for some time. Need Dawson and Brown to come to the rescue again.

Rohl is the obvious choice and one I support. Ticks so many boxes, he isn’t proven like Cooper, but I feel he has the capacity to unite the players and fans quicker which is crucial. Also a big fan of getting managers pretty much universally liked by players and fans of current club. Let’s not overthink this one.

Early days but I’m not confident with that middle order if the openers can’t protect them (today is a good example). Think we have enough bowling (we’ve been unlucky with our overseas injury) but see another season of batting struggles ahead like last year.

Think my expectations are mid-table. Losing your top scorer and captain plus arguably your best bowler will have an effect. It’s possible one of Turner / Currie / Baker could have a good season but surely this is being looked at as a transition season so expectations lower. Vince replacement appears to be Albert (Stoneman replacing him). Think with our young squad the one day cup may be the best shot as less players will be in the 100. T20 is reliant on one of the two young South Africans exploding as we really don’t have many explosive batsmen which is what wins t20 comps.

Some really odd stuff here, this boy has clearly got a lot of talent and crucially has already shown he has the physical attributes to thrive in the Prem, which is where most players fall down. He’s going to the top, he’ll be twice the (impressive) player we have in a few years time. he’s worth £40m and I’m pretty sure that is what we will get (yes structured but that’s fair enough). The no end product is an odd comment given we’ve just seen him create a goal on Saturday and isn’t miles away from our top goalscorer. As for form, 18 yr olds are simply not ready for a full season of Prem football, especially not when all attacking expectation falls on them. He’s done really well this year but has already been overplayed.

It’s too early to tell - Martin was unlucky not to beat Ipswich - we know this team is good enough to compete with Championship level teams. The true test is when playing average Prem teams (ie Palace, Fulham, Everton, Brentford, Man Utd, West Ham etc) outside of Everton (who were dogshit at this time) Martin was soundly beat - so if Juric can pick up some points against those I’ll see it as true progress. FWIW so far I think he is getting better and getting a tune out of some players Martin couldn’t.

He’s turned a relegation headed team into a promotion team in the same league we will be in. He’s also done it under a complete lunatic. He’s getting a tune out of players we couldn’t (Charles and Valery). The fans love him (I know a few) and he’s been part of highly successful coaching teams at the highest level. He will also have live insight into pretty much every single team (and players) in that league. He may not be the answer but I’m struggling to think of someone more suitable. (Ie on results you could point to Rowett but I just don’t see the fit)

This was always going to happen if you change style but not players - our squad cannot execute his formation/tactics - they are not suited to it. We have another dogmatic manager who has a very set style. SR need to back him with suitable players in the summer - it’s actually a much bigger risk than getting a new manager in proven in this league (ie Rohl), especially with our dreadful recruiting history. But for example I’m not seeing Armstrong ever working for Juric so you then need to replace a prolific scorer/assister at that level with someone more suitable. For me the less risky option is to keep this squad of proven champ players and get a manager in to play to their strengths. Of course we’d have to make major squad changes if we did go up, but that’s something to worry about later. Either way, our priority should be a DOF and recruitment team up to the task of supporting our manager with the resources/advice/priorities required. Without that we are not going back up whoever is in charge. Even if we work to the principle that the Championship is a huge step down (it is) we’ll be starting as a team well behind at least 2 who come down with us.