Weston Saint

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.

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.