By Barmy Kev
June 26 2006

If the panel wanted an easy ride at this forum the timing couldn’t have been worse. Just after another dismal team performance and previously overlooked local hero performing heroics, this forum was always going to be a feisty affair.

If the panel wanted an easy ride at this forum the timing couldn’t have been worse.  Just after another dismal team performance and previously overlooked local hero performing heroics, this forum was always going to be a feisty affair.

 

Line Up

Chris Lowe (Chair)

John Embrury

Vinny Coddrington

 

Apologies- Ben Hutton

 

 

Chris Lowe Opening the batting

 

Ben Hutton recovering from Shingles. Won’t play Sun. Hope to be fit for next championship game.

Our members can go in Member’s areas for C & G final, minor county and women’s games at Lords.

28/7- Meet the players event. Tickets on sale.

C& G next year will include semi finals (too f-ing late I heard a voice whisper around me).

We produced 4 players for England since last forum something we should be immensely proud of.  This was the objective of county as stated from Phil Edmonds (the enthusiasm was under-whelming)     

There was a request for respect to the panel during procedings (obviously aware of sense of feeling in audience)

 

 

Embers Opening Gambit

 

A lot of talk on a variety of issues.  The cynics would say this prolonged the awkward barrage of questions to follow. To cut a very long story short he acknowledged it had been a disappointing start and we couldn’t realistically win championship unless we won 8 out of 9.  He reminded us of good results in C&G, albeit in a lost cause.

 

 

Question Time  

 

1/Fitness of bowlers?

Richo- Elbow out for 2 more weeks.

Mel B- Slip Disk. Needs further epidural. May be OK for 20/20.

Chad- Groin injury. Unrelated to previous problem. Going to specialist

Whelan- Torn something.

Gouldie- Shin Splints

Embers mentioned on top of this England calls + Joyce, Hutton injuries.

 

2/ Do we want to stay in 1^st Div? Why not take on an Aussie batsman?

Club policy as voted in AGM players for England (heavy sighs around).

Pre- season thought batting would be OK and needed to shore up bowling.

Need to develop Compo and Morgan.

Not going down Kolpak route.

 

3/ Ben Scott shouldn’t be at 7. Nash innings proved he’s choice for wickie in CC? (rapturous round of applause) 

Embers agreed Nash better batsman but was defending Scott saying he shouldn’t be scapegoat for first 6 failings.  There were further arguments and shouting regarding Nash’s superiority, one stating Scott is a genuine no. 11.  Embers was reluctant to agree and arguing about value of Scott’s superior keeping.  

 

4/ Body language gave impression of no team spirit.  And how about a bowling coach?

Said players are disappointed about poor results. Bowling coach not necessary as have experienced players who can help each other.   Whelan has requested outside help, which will be taken on board.

 

5/ To Vinny.  In Crusader Magazine stated season successful.  Just survived relegation, no trophies, is this your idea of success? 

Vinny stated he sees it from wider picture and his perspective of success different to fans.  We are financially successful, still in top division in both forms and our players for England.  However, he appreciated the sentiment of fans in this respect. 

 

6/ Paul Weekes. Why continually overlooked?  (This was asked twice once by me and by another who thought he was treated unfair given his services to team)

Weekes was told pre season that Nick Compton would be picked before him as we are looking to the future.  When Rymps out, thought we should look at Morgan.  It appeared people not happy with this, so Embers retorted, “ how many games has Weekes won for us?”  This caused uproar with shouts all round room quoting games.  e.g. Hants at Southgate last year. Embers stated we need a more match winning bowler and his slow batting in 1-dayers. There was distinct unease with answers to this.      

 

7/ What is our priority County Championship or 1 day?

We can’t ignore 1-day comps, but priority championship.

 

8/ It’s nonsense to suggest that the priority was to get Middlesex players into the England side?

Chris Lowe restated that members had supported this at the AGM.

 

9/ Have you confidence in our captain?

Embers said difficult period for Ben and had been a struggle.  Mentioned that shingles can be caused by stress. Will discuss situation further with Ben and currently has full support. Chris Lowe then stated there were extra pressures these days compared with Embers playing days with 4 comps, relegation and promotion.   Chris was reminded there were 4 comps in bygone years.  

 

10/ Is the Lords wicket too flat bearing in mind injuries?

We have requested more grass.

 

11/ Any plans to bring in more players?

No.  We have good squad of players.

 

12/ What are our plans to overcome problems? 

Confident we can turn things round.

Suggested shuffling order. Ed Smith lower down, but currently difficult with absentees.

 

13/ Why don’t we sign class overseas spinner?

We did try Kumble 2 years ago, but failed.   Difficult to find them.

He mentioned wants a turning pitch at Southgate for Sussex (hopefully our bowlers can exploit this better than Mushie?)

 

 

Embers tail end comments

 

Accepted performances have been poor and players are feeling it too.   Thanked fans for support and asked for this to continue.

 

 

Chris Lowe tail end comments 

 

This has been first forum where we have achieved a decline since last one. Hope next forum there will be better spirits.

 

 

Editors comments

 

It was clear that there were plenty of passionate fans with strong feelings about our struggles.   There was understandable anger that we were reminded our club policy emphasis was producing players for England. This voted by supposed Middx “fans” at AGM and I can only suggest as many of us attend next AGM to try to get this overturned. Meanwhile, there was little to inspire me regarding our future this season.

In face of hostility Embers gave open and honest answers, while defending his players.  We should be grateful for this.

Finally, as Chris said lets hope next forum the team will give us cause to be in better moods.