Weston Saint

I know it is difficult getting a good overseas player because if he is going to bring star quality to the side he needs to be a top international. However, whilst Bailey is a recognised and proven batting talent I wonder where he will fit in to provide balance. We have likely lost Carberry for next season whilst he continues to battle his illness. I am not sure the position with Adams but if he retires it leaves us short in the opening batting position with only Alsop recognised in that position. Let us assume Vince will need time to work on his errors to get back to Test cricket. With him in the side we may have batsmen Adams, Alsop, Smith, Vince, Bailey, allrounders Dawson & Ervine, the latter being more just a batsman now, McManus and then 3 bowling positions. A definite unbalance. Bailey will likely be away for ICC Trophy in June (and part of May for build-up). Does Smith drop out when Bailey is playing? It seems likely. We need bowlers at 8,9,10,11 Berg may take 8 unless our promised top class bowler (from Rod Bransgroves mouth before the end of season) is an allrounder. He will not be an overseas but maybe a Kolpak? Cannot think of any English qualifying bowlers available! We need to reserve a place for Crane so does that leaves Edwards Wheal Topley and promised new signing vying for 3 places? Not looking good for Crane for part of the season as I am sure we will go for 4 seamers early on to give some balance. Going to be an interesting season….again.

Contracts for players as now Jimmy Adams – out of contract Tom Alsop – contract until 2019 Will Smith – contract until 2017 James Vince – contract until 2019 and Steve I am not aware he has any release clause. George Bailey – contract until 2018 Liam Dawson – contract until 2019 Sean Ervine – – out of contract Lewis McManus- contract until 2019 Gareth Berg – contract until 2017 Mason Crane – contract until 2019 Brad Wheal – contract until 2019 Fidel Edwards – contract until 2017 Reece Topley – contract until 2017 Chris Wood – out of contract Joe Weatherley – development contract until 2017 Brad Taylor – out of contract? Ryan Stevenson – contract until 2017

Rumoured since the end of season dinner but I am not overly inspired as our overseas but let's see. Other one is said to be a top class bowler but clearly he will not be overseas! This one may take time to be announced.

Or maybe something at 8am tomorrow!! Hampshire CCC teasing on twitter

Strong rumour continues that Hampshire have secured a couple of good signings, but no names will be released until next spring. This fits in with what Rod Bransgrove told me at the end of the season. We will just have to wait.

Brad Wheal and Mason Crane have signed contract extensions that will see them remain at the club until at least the end of the 2019 season (previous contracts only had 1 year to run)

Thought I would start a new thread for 2017 season Craig White confirmed as First Team Coach. I am disappointed really as I wanted a clean sweep with someonefrom outside the club to give a new direction and new ideas. However happy to give him my support. Fidel Edwards has confirmed he will be returning for the 2017 season No news on new signings. Supposed to be two with one being a high profile bowler Good to see we have tied down Dawson, Alsop and McManus to longer contracts

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-10-18/dr-barry-gale-european-adventure-internazionale

I have some information which shows they did try to buy success in playing wages they could not afford. Had they taken the right steps they might not have had such a strong team. I am also aware of an offer to help them out with reorganising the International fixture which they turned down. I feel sorry for the players and the supporters but the club has been financially mismanaged and the ECB have not helped in the past. As for Hampshire staying up, the ECB have made the right decision. Kent knew only 1 up. They were not affected by Durham mismanagement. We are other counties in the 1st Division may have been Bransgrove may shoot from the hip but lets not forget he put millions into the club to get them to this stage. They now have a stable financial situation and a promising future. One other thing. He does not interfere with the playing side. He has Director of Cricket and Coaches for that but they are ultimately responsible to the Cricket Board. He was a little surprised Wheater was allowed to go back to Essex before the end of the season but did not interfere.

Stekelenburg (Everton) Clyne (Liverpool) Alderweireld (Spurs) Lovren (Liverpool) Shaw (Man Utd) Schneiderlin (Man Utd) Wanyama (Spurs) Lallana (Liverpool) Walcott (Arsenal) Mané (Liverpool) Bale (Real Madrid) CDAJFU

Disappointing game after a great start to the game. However we did not deserve to stay up on our season performance! Our spin bowling was very disappointing in this game. One ray of hope....I am lead to believe we will have a high profile new signing (bowler) in the close season. No name given yet but comes from an impeccable source. Fidel Edwards also due back next season and Topley will be fit. Wheal looks an excellent bowler. Crane is still a work in progress and needs more time to learn. ECB placement in Australia in the winter will no double help. McManus and Alsop have shown they are top class.

Really cannot see what all the fuss is about. Two players wanting to take the penalty is positive. Look at the coverage on the link posted on here. The camera went back to Tadic after the penalty was converted. He ran over to Austin with a grin and a celebration.

Years ago when we had a first team at home, our reserves were away in the combination league, and vica versa. That meant our reserves were match fit if called up to the first team. This cup, together with the other league fixtures gives our younger players competitive football time.

The black box has over 200 players in it covering all positions and ages ie now and future with full profiles both football and personal. The choice for player is made by small selection committee but if there is a player in it that the Manager knows his influence is usually enough for the club to follow up. That is the reason for a lot of nationalities from the Manager's previous country. That is also why the club usually say ....we have been tracking for a while. AC-10 will confirm as he has seen it I believe. So has a good friend of mine.

So far this is all speculation and paper talk. No evidence that Man Utd or Arsenal have made a formal approach 2 seasons ago and deep into the transfer window Schneiderlin was told he had to stay. We had sold all we were going to early in the window. He went the following season early but for a good fee Last season and deep into the transfer window Wanyama was told he had to stay as we had sold all we were going to early in the window. He went the following year but for a good fee. This time I speculate Fonte will be met with the same response. However he is much older and may not have any interest to buy him next year. I predict he will reluctantly take up the increased wage offer. Unless of course we have a better centre back coming in..............

That is exactly what I have been told by someone who was invited to view the black box. As an ex football club director we was very impressed. You have posted enough for me to suggest you really do know what is going on in the club and transfer/contract information. Thanks for sharing.

First, we have to have a world class brand. If we are going to compete regularly with the big 6 we need to increase our income. That will allow us to invest more Secondly, we need to fill the stadium regularly (most matches) and as has already been said to have a good waiting list for season tickets to justify increasing the capacity of the stadium (more income) Thirdly, we need to regularly (every season) compete and finish in the top part of the league with regular European Football (every season) via league or cup competition With all that in place and with a bit of financial risk taking when we are near to that level, we might just begin to believe and achieve. For now I am happy where we are.

Good day today for Hampshire. Slow but deliberate. Michael Carberry has an operation tomorrow – best wishes to him. Fidel Edwards is making good progress and might play this season! Wheater and Berg received their county caps this morning before play started

No he is not. A large part of his wage is bonus related. He has said so himself in private.

Stoneham has gone to Surrey and Stone to Warwickshire.

All I know is he never seemed to fit in. Some one who spoke to Coles about him leaving told me this evening Coles said "I do not know, ask Rod" I know Rod Bransgrove was not impressed with the extra weight Coles was carrying when he signed for us on a 2 year contract. I think there were issues. Dale did say one of his regrets was having to let Coles go back to Kent but he also said Rod Bransgrove was always very supportive and helpful but never interfered with the cricket side. I often speak to Rod and can confirm he is not an interferer with the dressing room or tactics although he will question matters and ask for reports. In my opinion and those of many who were with me tonight was that Coles was a "bad egg" Forget the 6 wickets tonight, our batsmen made it far to easy for him although one was a stunning return catch which just stuck in the hand! He is no good, does not listen and does not fit in. I remember when he first came I spoke to someone in the Kent dressing room who said his main problem is that he was not prepared to listen to advice. Nothing appears to have changed!

https://audioboom.com/boos/4852441-listen-hantscricket-coach-dale-benkenstein-on-why-he-s-returning-to-south-africa?t=0

I have known for some time that Dale Benkenstein was not happy at Hampshire due to missing his family in south Africa (I am sure our present plight did not help) Last week I congratulated him on bringing Wheal in to replace Best in the Championship game. I said that although Best bowled fast he was not taking wickets. His response (with Tommo also with me) "He is not even bowling fast now! He was bowling fast crap and now he is bowling slow crap" I did not put it up here as it was a private conversation and Dale is always so brutally honest when I chat to him. However events have changed with Dale resigninging this morning. Last week I spoke to Tony Middleton over the absence of Ryan Stephenson from all forms of Cricket. He confirmed Ryan's early season back problem has returned and he is unlikely to play any cricket again this season Last night I spoke to Don Topley, Ryan Topley's father. Ryan has not yet returned to a bowling programme as England do not want him rushed back. He does not think we will see Ryan bowling this season! On the question of Vince, I think he has proved he is not yet ready for Test cricket. IOD & T20 yes but Tests no. With Dale gone I do not expect anyone coming in with any haste. Wonder if Warne is available and hungry! No insight, just a personal wish. Fresh start next season with a good bunch of youngsters, Dawson and Vince as mid 20 experience and we will need about three experienced old heads who can play to a high standard. Carberry unlikely (all gone quiet on that front and I did not like to ask) Adams and Smith past their best and should not feature. Evine still has a couple of years in him. After that ...............

In interview Smith says at this point last year we had won 1 lost 5. This season we have won 1 lost 3 so we are in a better place and he is confident we can survive as we did last year! Not a chance Smithy, we have Edwards who took 37 wickets from now on. We have no one even near that ability. Planning should now be underway for how we are going to challenge teams in Div 2 next season.

Of course our bowling is not good enough Windows. Edwards injured, Best a very poor replacement. Topley injured although he should only have played a bit part this season in red ball cricket. Berg and McLaren out for games this season with injuries and they are really first change bowlers not new ball guys. Tomlinson not the bowler he was as age catches up with him. Stephenson was a hopeful this season as was Woods. Both out for the rest of the season with back and knee injuries respectively. Have I missed anyone! When Surrey bowled their 3 pace bowlers looked sharper and more effective. But in fairness this is an awful wicket. Why did the club let one be prepared like that! Yesterday I asked Dale if we had won the toss what would we have done? He said the wicket might give some early assistance but they would have batted...reluctantly! I spoke to David Fulton of SkyTV. He said the wicket was a bit flatter than expected and they had hoped it would take spin! Why did we only pick one spinner! Well done to Mason Crane. 51 overs in the innings is a phenomenal effort on a wicket that was too slow for his leg spin. McLaren was dropped in the slips or it would have been worse! Hopefully tomorrow will be a run fest but we could still be short of the follow on if we bat all day!