The_Lickey_Banker
Member
Bald_Reynard wrote:
Solbear wrote:
KingofSpain wrote:
Players have reported back to Edgbaston. No sign of Robinson...
Not so sure about that - looks like he's supervising training in a video posted on the Bears Facebook page on Monday 11th November....
I expect he's just there temporarily 'covering' early training and nets, until a proper replacement is made. The fact that he's not made any public pronouncements in nearly 2 months, must mean he's on his way.
I agree, that looks most likely. It strikes me, that an appointment has been made, but that person can't take up his role at the moment. Hence no announcement - he will still be under contract elsewhere.
KingofSpain wrote:
I certainly hope you are right BR.
Meanwhile, as the club dithers, we are missing out on potential coaches and players. Recruitment is crucial. Even today Middlesex have signed Zafar Gohar from Gloucester (classed as a domestic rather than overseas player). He would have been an ideal addition to be our main spinner and he can bat too.
Too true, KoS. Whatever the decision on Robinson (and like you, I hope what BR has speculated, is correct), the Club must come to a judgment about the Head Coach SOON. Every other County is making progress on incoming and outgoing staff - and we are increasingly being left behind. If we sit on the fence any longer, the availability of good quality players (and Coaches) will be significantly restricted.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://www.cricketworld.com/ethan-bambers-first-interview-as-a-bear/98007.htm
Interview with Ethan Bamber, VERY interesting (possibly!), that all the WCCC part is done by Larsen, there are no comments by Robinson and no mention by Bamber that he is looking forward to working with / benefiting from the coaching of MR ..... blah blah ..... like new recruits often say.
I might be reading too much into this, but I might not be!!
https://edgbaston.com/news/interview-jacob-bethell-talks-stunning-2024-and-england-call-up/
And nothing from Robinson on Bethell's call up. You'd think the Head Coach would have been pointing out how Jacob has been helped by his route through the County coaching structure. No reference at all to MR !
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://www.cricketworld.com/ethan-bambers-first-interview-as-a-bear/98007.htm
Interview with Ethan Bamber, VERY interesting (possibly!), that all the WCCC part is done by Larsen, there are no comments by Robinson and no mention by Bamber that he is looking forward to working with / benefiting from the coaching of MR ..... blah blah ..... like new recruits often say.
I might be reading too much into this, but I might not be!!
https://edgbaston.com/news/interview-jacob-bethell-talks-stunning-2024-and-england-call-up/
And nothing from Robinson on Bethell's call up. You'd think the Head Coach would have been pointing out how Jacob has been helped by his route through the County coaching structure. No mention of MR.
KingofSpain wrote:
Total silence since this review was called. No recruitment, no words from the hierarchy.
Interesting news that Darren Lehmann is available and in the running for Northants. We need to move quickly to get him (if Trotty or Bell are unavailable). Ieal replacement for the dead-man walking Robinson.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/10/22/darren-lehmann-northamptonshire-county-northants-australia/
Lehmann has been appointed by Northants. A shame, he could have been a good call for us, IF Robinson does go. I'm not expecting that now, but if by any chance, Larsen or the Management/Executive team see sense, I really hope that they might be talking to the likes of Trotty.
Highveld wrote:
One possible option as an "Overseas" player, for part of next season would be Mark Adair, who is the leading all rounder for his country, and is a British citizen.
Strange that a British citizen has to be classed as an "overseas" player, but non brits were not classified as overseas.
I thought 'the ship had sailed' or MA had 'burnt his bridges' at Edgbaston, to mix my metaphors!
And he didn't 'pull up any (Championship bowling) daisies' with Essex in 2023 - 2 wickets at an average of 111, in 2 matches (though his batting average was good - he got 3 x 50's, with an 88).
BristolBear wrote:
On the manner of dismissals/batters approach. It’s interesting to note that Yates has the highest strike rate of any of the recognised batters in the averages above.
That and his up and down form, doesn’t scream of a player you’d consider a natural opener. Normally I’d wonder if a move to 4 might suit him well similar to Root early in his career, but we saw how Yates form was effected when he moved to 3 a couple of years ago.He has so much potential, just need a top level batting coach to work with him.
That's the key bit! Frost HAS to go, I can't believe he's survived this long. Another one with something on Robinson?!
Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD
As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.
Solbear wrote:
Very interesting article in the Cricketer online today written by George Dobell. It confirms that a review of the playing and coaching staff will commence very soon - earlier than the usual end of season review - with Robinson’s position said to be ‘under threat’. Suggests that there are issues between him and some players, as many have alluded to, and goes onto say that Larsen’s position may also be under question, albeit he will be leading the initial review.
Could be an interesting few weeks and months ahead!
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/county-cricket-premium/warwickshire_underwhelming_season_puts_mark_robinsons_position_under_threat.html?t=638624215045686252
Bald_Reynard wrote:
ajones1328 wrote:
Well this has been pathetic
Season can't end soon enough. Definitely need an upheaval in the management with few changes to the playing squad.
Completely agree with you AJ, Robinson has to go to start with - if Larsen has got the balls to sack the man who was on the panel appointing him (!), if not the Management Committee have to act. Once we get a new Head Coach (Trotty - if he can leave Afghanistan ?!), he needs to look at all support Coaches, with Frost first. Then the playing squad (a major overhaul, depending on contracts), then the Captain, then the recruitment policy (Overseas and home based) ....... ! A long and difficult process, but it has to start now.
Well said, BR. All that has to happen, but I just can't see it being done. You can bet your bottom dollar, Robinson won't jump and I seriously doubt the strength of character of Larsen, to wield the axe. To me, he just seems a yes man, who has backed Robinson in every decision. Perhaps it might have to come down to the Committee - who is on that now ?
2 match loan from Leicestershire, to cover injuries (Booths & Simmons) and departures (Rae). Apparently, you can only take loans from a different Division and players who have played less than 2 CC matches
https://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/news/walker-joins-warwickshire-on-loan-until-end-of-season
To put my recent comments (in the Gloucestershire & Worcestershire threads), about the complete ineptitude of Robinson, in even more context, witness the contribution Kai Smith is making, in the current Seconds game at Taunton. Once more, he is displaying qualities of middle order 'stickability' and technical skill, that so many desperately lack in the First team. The same player, who Robinson so 'adroitly' dropped in our Blast QF and has resolutely failed to give CC opportunities to.
Currently, Kai is 65 NO and holding things together at Taunton. Hopefully he (and Miles et al) might hang around long enough to rescue a draw from this.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
KingofSpain wrote:
It is hard to be positive coming to the end of another dismal season. The collapse from 76/1 to 128 all out is a case in point.
Yep, as KoS says, there are no positives at the moment. We are a complete shambles. The only consolation from this (inevitable) defeat by our main rivals, is that it MIGHT hasten our resolve to get rid of Robinson et al. But I am not holding my breath!
Completely agree with you BR, it should bring about the demise of Robinson - and Frost - but, as I said on Monday, in the Gloucestershire thread, whether Larsen and/or the Management Committee have the balls to do it, is another matter.
Andy wrote:
Didn't know Blakemore was Staffordshire, thought he'd been with Warwickshire since u11's or so. Anyway glad to see him getting an opportunity, from what I've seen of him (which is admittedly not too much) he seems to be fairly tall with a decent action and has a bit of pace. Think he's only 17 too. One to watch.
You're right, Andy, Ben isn't/hasn't been with Staffordshire. He played in a Bears Development team game against Staffs (which I didn't get to), I saw his name and thought he was turning out for them - it was us!
He does look a great prospect though - and COULD go far - IF he ever gets any decent coaching (big if, these days!) and is given a chance by Management (another big doubt!).
Team:-
Malik
Isaac Mohammed
Benjamin (Capt)
Kai Smith (Keeper)
Levi Gekis (Academy & Staffs all rounder)
Wylie
Miles
Booth
Arjuna Rao
Taz Ali
Francis Moore
Ben Blakemore (Academy & Staffs seam bowler)
Somerset won the toss and put us in.
KingofSpain wrote:
Larsen needs to be ruthless. Northants sacked their coach immediately after their T20 quarter final loss. Robinson needs to go now so we can start rebuilding.
An interesting point previously made about signing cricketers from other counties who need an opportunity, which was a successful policy when we recruited the likes of Chopra, Clarke, Ambrose Rankin etc.
Gilo was a specialist at doing this and he is replicating it at Worcester bringing in players like Hose, Ethan Brookes and Rob Jones. Alan Richardson is doing wonders with the coaching plus they have homegrown players coming through. That is the template for us.
The policy of spending our playing budget on mercenary players for one competition led by a weak head coach and supplemented by poor batting and bowling coaches needs to be ended.
Time for a fresh start.
Totally agree with all that, KoS. Larsen does need to act - and quickly - my worry, is that he is in 'Robinson's pocket', is a 'yes man' to him and won't have the balls to do anything of the sort. Unless the Committee tell him - but can you see that either?!
KingofSpain wrote:
The dressing room is a comfortable place, even in defeat. Robinson will be telling them about the positives and sometimes you can lose games of cricket but it's OK because we have young players blah blah blah.
Get Trotty in, he will take no prisoners and install a winning mentality. Continually accepting failure is the start of a decline.
I agree with all the posters since that atrocious performance last night. The abysmal management of Robinson, the awful batting coaching of Frost, the lack of leadership of Larsen, the obsession with the Birmingham BRAND (at the expense of the Warwickshire name) and the terrible selections / on-field (including toss) decisions.
A SERIOUS re-appraisal is essential NOW - with announcements of radical change at the end of this season. Larsen needs to step up to the plate. Robinson should go - to be replaced by Trott. Frost should go - to be replaced (by Bell or ANYONE with a decent batting coaching pedigree). Davies should go as Captain - to be replaced by Barnard. The (rapidly) ageing short term contract players (Rushworth, Gleeson, Moeen) should be released. The non-performing short term overseas players should go and the whole Overseas recruitment programme drastically re-assessed. As should the approach to recruitment from other Counties (how do we regularly get it so wrong - and yet others so often seem to deliver). And finally (sorry for this, I am so upset!), we do desperately need to get rid of our 'deadwood' - those players who consistently fail to perform (even if they have the occasional 'golden' moment) or don't contribute over all formats of the game - Benjamin, Miles, Garton etc.
It's a hell of a mess and it needs a hell of lot of sorting (which could well take longer than a year), but it HAS to start now.
He's had a cracking season for Worcester - with the bat and the ball (3 for 34 off 12 overs today, against a strong Essex lineup), in both red and white ball. Another example of one we let go too soon, or didn't give enough first team chances to?
BosworthBear wrote:
Well at the very least the Brummie contingent now appreciate the trek the rest of us have to make every time to get to Edgbaston (on the western edge of the county) to support our county now!
Your point is well made, BB, Birmingham-centric supporters should be made aware how large a County, Warwickshire is - and followers in towns like Coventry, Nuneaton, Leamington, Warwick, Stratford-u-A and Rugby, deserve a bit of County Cricket occasionally.
Same team:-
Yates
Barnard
Rhodes
Shaikh
Burgess
Smith
Benjamin
Lintott
Booth
Ali
OHD
Yorkies won the toss and put us in.