The_Lickey_Banker
Member
Reabank wrote:
I think it shows they are thinking seriously about what skills they need and maybe there is an opportunity to be the best county at using data and the best at preventing injuries. I wish him all the best.
Looking at the structure as a whole it seems to me light on cricket experience. There's no - one on the board with top level playing experience, chairman and CEO are from rugby backgrounds and the top cricket bloke (whatever they want to call him) has never worked in cricket. That leaves Westwood as the most senior cricket person but he's just stepping up to a new role. I would have thought Matt Walker would have been a better fit at either head coach or top cricket person with Westwood and / or Thomas reporting to him.
Apparently, Westy has only got the Head Coach job on a short term contract. I wouldn't be surprised if Matt Walker moves up (especially with all his experience), assuming he does a decent job with the batting and IW isn't fitting the bill.
Whatever happens, Thomas will need all the help he can get from Westwood, Walker, Barnes, Kerrigan & Frost (and Maiden) to get up to speed on cricketing knowledge.
Andy wrote:
Performance Director.
No I don't know either.
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-ccc-appoint-leading-sports-performance-specialist/
Wow, that's a big leap into the dark, isn't it? No track record, experience or knowledge of cricket (it seems). Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Athletics, Rugby, Football, yes, but ..... I thought we were a cricket club !
I know people jabber on about 'transferable skills' a lot these days, but surely experience of the actual game you're playing, should be the main aim in professional sport. It's all bl**dy Dan Ashworth's fault!
GerryShedd wrote:
The Times article makes it clear that alongside Jim Troughton on the shortlist for the Performance Director role are "some names from outside cricket".
With regard to Moeen, it seems that he will have a player-coach role with the Bears during the Group stages of the Blast but his contract will end in July so, unless there is a new agreement, he won't be available should the Bears qualify for Finals Day. Also it seems that, after this season, he will have no playing role in English domestic cricket but will still be up for hire in franchise tournaments around the world. He is already committed to the IPL in April and May and the Caribbean Premier League in August and September.
Although I don't regard The Times' Lizzie Ammon as the most reliable source, the gist of her article is being repeated elsewhere.
Given what you say about Ammon's reliability, Gerry, I wonder if, "names from outside cricket", really means one name - Dan Ashworth!? She'll have heard he's 'advising on High Performance matters' and put 2 & 2 together, to make 5!
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/news/matthew-walker-joins-bears-as-batting-coach/
A decent CV. I think he'll be a good addition.
Just waiting on an announcement about the new Director of Cricket [or that stupid title, High Performance Director (Men)] now !
Surely the HPD won't be Dan Ashworth will it?! It sounds like he's in some way connected to the job in this article, though as a 'Consultant'.
Wow! That's a different take by George. Without seeing the article, it does look like Robinson has been made the scapegoat for most of our failures in the last few years. I believe he has been (a big) part of the problem, but its not just been him. Larsen goes with his head held pretty highly by the club in their public announcements and yet he is also to blame (not least for many of the recruitment decisions made).
I hope the full story about these changes comes to light soon. Us poor Members and supporters need to know all the facts about this 'Review' process.
https://edgbaston.com/news/westwood-first-interview-with-bears-new-first-team-coach/
Westwood talking about his new job. It's interesting that he praises Robinson, saying he was, "a humble guy, great to be around and a good man-manager", a very different take from what George D said in his Cricketer article, about MR's relationships in the dressing room!?
Tayls79 wrote:
In reply to a couple of comments. The "mutual consent" has just happened with Warren Gatland as head coach of Wales rugby, the WRU were celebrating it was done like this as it saved them paying out his contract. My guess is same happened with Robinson, he held out and this week was the deadline at which the club would sack him. So maybe it is actually a good outcome not to have to pay him out. Re Frost as batting coach. I think he could do it in isolation, seems one player per season makes good progress on their batting, but not overall and couldn't help multiple people at the same time. Perhaps he was more suited as batting mentor rather than someone with squad responsibility.
Perhaps worry about having to pay out big compo to Robinson, could be why no DoC appointment hasn't yet been made? Didn't know how much we could afford to spend on a DoC!
With Frosty going from LEAD Batting Coach (and I agree with a few here, he might be good in a one-to-one role, but not as the main guy) and Westie 'moving upstairs', there must be a big shake up of the Coaching team coming.
PS I'm pleased TF has got responsibility for overseeing pitches - of course, that's where he started working after retiring from playing. And he will still be able to be used for batting 'mentoring'.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
BristolBear wrote:
The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.
The interview with Powell, only strengthens the case to formally link up with Rugby School (and with other Independent schools in the County - and Staffordshire, our connected Minor County) to bring on the next generation of Bears.
Good shout, BR. Yes, Rugby, Warwick, Solihull etc could all forge partnerships with the Bears. And there are 3 schools in Staffordshire, with a great cricketing pedigree - all ranked in the top 100 schools in Cricketer magazine. Newcastle-u-Lyme, Denstone College (who regularly host Staffs County games) and Queen Mary's, Walsall. Denstone produced Alex Thomson, but unfortunately, most of their better players have been 'poached' by (neighbouring) Derbyshire.
BosworthBear wrote:
Highveld wrote:
Dan Mousley is an example of a school giving a scholarship to get a talented sportman to represent the school.
Well Dan was already at Bablake but it was a very keen ex Master called Terry Patchett who then donated the scholarship.
I forgot Bablake in my list of prospective Independent Schools we could link with. A great sporting school, with a good record of bringing cricketers along - not just Dan M. Now they tied up with King Henry's, there could be a great opportunity to improve our intake from Cov.
BristolBear wrote:
The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.
Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.
https://edgbaston.com/news/ali-returns-to-england-u19s-for-south-africa-series/
Good news about Tazeem. Interesting that Robinson is being quoted - first time he's appeared 'above the parapet' for a while.
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-hunt-for-next-generation-of-seam-bowlers/
An Academy player, making a step towards the first team. Played a couple of times for the Seconds.
Again, interesting that no comment from Robinson - Stuart Barnes did the chat.
GerryShedd wrote:
In his Cricketer article, George Dobell said:
"It is too early to say for sure if Larsen will be the only member of the administrative or coaching staff to leave or to comment on who may replace him. While former club captain, Jim Troughton, would be a popular appointment, he is thriving in his current role on the coaching staff at Surrey and may prove tough to lure back. Equally, Ashley Giles has his hands full at Worcestershire and is unlikely to return at this stage.
If Larsen really is to oversee the transition, he will, no doubt, suggest a New Zealander replace him."
Liking a joke, George adds: "A return from Mark Greatbatch, however, seems most unlikely."
Dan Vettori hasn't done much since leaving the Aussie national team last year.
Solbear wrote:
Contract extended again with Afghanistan:
That's one favourite for Head Coach out of the running then.
I guess the DoC appointment will be made before we do anything about that. We still wait (with high expectations) for an update on that - especially on the speculation of Jim Troughton coming back to Edgbaston.
I agree Troughton could be a decent appointment, but I think it's a big jump after 2 years as an Assistant / Batting Coach at Surrey, plus experience as a 'not entirely successful' 1st Team Coach for us (and then Assistant 2nd Team Coach at Somerset), for the role that Larsen had.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-performance-director-larsen-leaves-warwickshire/
Larsen resigned, to go back to New Zealand. Hopefully, the 'Review' will lead to Robinson following him out if the door. A new broom is needed.
Very interesting - again - that no comment from Robinson. About how he will miss Larsen, how much he has enjoyed working with him ..... blah, blah! I'm remain confident that MR is looking at a door which is very much ajar for him!
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that, IF (big if !) the 'Review' concludes that Robinson should go, we'll have to wait to wave a final farewell to him, with the priority to appoint a new Director of Cricket (or whatever title they come up for the job). That person will be tasked with leading the search for a new Head Coach. Robinson will obviously have to stay on, temporarily, to oversee training.
Can those with online access to The Cricketer (Gerry?!), summarise what they say about, "freshening up the high performance leadership team"? Could that involve Coaching staff?!
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-performance-director-larsen-leaves-warwickshire/
Larsen resigned, to go back to New Zealand. Hopefully, the 'Review' will lead to Robinson following him out if the door. A new broom is needed.
Very interesting - again - that no comment from Robinson. About how he will miss Larsen, how much he has enjoyed working with him ..... blah, blah! I'm remain confident that MR is looking at a door which is very much ajar for him!
https://edgbaston.com/news/new-zealand-test-captain-latham-signs-for-warwickshire/
As KoS predicted - a major Overseas signing. NZ Captain - I guess Larsen was instrumental in getting him.
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.