Weston Saint

This is my last post under the SaintsWeb quota system!! He has told the Hampshire coaches he wants to come back for the up and coming season. Do not know how his cancer is now but he looks fit and well. If his strength returns there is no reason why he cannot come back. He is still under contract. Will be a fantastic competition for places. Batsmen - Carberry, Adams, Alsop, Weatherley, Rossouw, Vince, Bailey, Smith, McManus All Rounders - Ervine, Dawson, Berg, Hart Bowling - Abbott, Edwards, Crane, Topley, Wheal, Taylor, Wood, Stevenson. Good mix of experience and youth in each category. And I will continue to have a great view from the Robin Smith Balcony and access to Players, Coaches and Directors for all domestic games. What is not to like about the 2017 season

One of the problems with South Africa Cricket has been their Quota system which restricts the number of "white" players that can be in SA Test, IOD & T20. Abbott was dropped from the World Cup Semi last year despite him having the best bowling figures because of this system. He has got back in but only because of Steyn and Morkel injuries. Also the Rand is dropping in value against the £ & $ so SA Contract is losing its value. Hampshire offered him a 4 year contract believed to be £100,000 per season with additional free medical cover. As he is 29 that will about see out his career as a top bowler. SA could not offer him that stability. Same applies to Rossouw. It is not all about overseas players though. We have also signed Asher Harta promising English All rounder who will be 20 in March. He is in the main squad and Durham have been quoted in Cricinfo "The club also lost one of their brightest young talents - Asher Hart - to Hampshire at the end of last season. "They offered him a lot more money," Lewis admitted phlegmatically. "What can you do? We didn't want to lose him at all, but you can't blame him." I am quite positive for the season. We have strengthened the batting and bowling and great competition for places. I will not be surprised if Hamshire are not one of the favourites for 2017 Championship.

At the beginning of the season with players we had lost and pressure of the Europa League I would have settled for 10-14 in the league. I thought it would be difficult to qualify in Europa League for knockout stage. I had no real aspirations in the Domestic Cups. As at now I still expect us to reach 10-14 but I am concerned over our negative set up and lack of goals. I do not expect a relegation battle but I do want to be entertained. Was bitterly disappointed we did not progress in Europa after early performances despite my pre- season thoughts. Happy we have reached the semis in the League Cup but I think Liverpool are strong favourites over the two legs. Shame as this would appear our best chance of Europa next season. Hope we do well in FA Cup now. Expect us to qualify for next round now we are at home. The team we put out were much better that Norwich. Quite rightly our expectations of success have increased in the last few years. We have had very good Managers, we have bought fairly well when we have lost good players. I have no problem with Saints being seen as a club who develop players for Champions League Clubs. We have the delight in seeing their skills and success and that can only be good for the team. It will encourage other players to look at us rather than see us as a small provincial club. Likewise, our exposure will help develop our overseas corporate revenue leading to higher turnover and ability to compete with the top six on more level terms. I am sure that is the long term plan. I likewise have no problem with the way the club go about signings in the Transfer window. Of course, I would prefer early good signings but it has to be the right player and they tend not to come around in the January window. I am prepared to give Puel a little more time. I can see what Reed is saying about him not having the time to implement his strategy/development on the training pitch. The change to 1 game per week coming up in the near future will be a pivotal. If he can start to pick a settled side and get them back to attractive attacking football with goals in them, I may have more confidence in him and our next season progress.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04ng8fn Here is Reed's side of the announcement. He has been a great servant to Saints and best of luck to him. Hope he gets what he wants from this request

Abbott has quit SA and is Hampshire bound for what is expected to be a 3 year deal. Massive signing.

Any developments LeG?

Topley now has to have a shoulder operation!!!

That would fit in with what Rod Bransgrove said to me at the end of last season.....top class bowler but not likely to be announced yet as lot of issues involved.

Ok it is Daniel Nilsen. 20 year old. No club, plays football "freestyle" in Norway. Did play for Rosenberg but bought out his contract. Clearly one for the development team, not first team.

Daniel Neilson age 20? I know nothing about him but have it on good authority he will sign in January Anyone know who he is?

Liam Dawson gets his first cap for England Test. Well done to him.

Someone I know well with good connections has today posted on his blog

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.