posted Oct 6, 2008

If I were in Giles' or Tony's shoes I would be well annoyed. Rightly appointed permanent manager and assistant after turning the club's results around they now find themselves under review from someone they may never have met or dealt with.

To me it demonstrates a lack of faith in Giles White and Tony Middleton on the part of Rod Bransgrove. How long has Rod Bransgrove been working on this? What involvement behind the scenes has Fletcher already had? Has he been influencing decisions over which players to keep? Were Giles and Tony told that a yet to be identified "consultant" would be employed to review them?

After the Ashes whitewash and his ill-timed book Fletcher's stock is nothing like it was in the aftermath of the 2005 Ashes. I'm not sure Fletcher can be trusted to keep the confidentiality of dressing room and behind the scenes issues.

The vast majority of cricket fans know Fletcher's achievements so why waste a press release listing them? We also know his failures. Fletcher's contempt for county cricket during his time as England coach is well known. Is he really the right man to move Hampshire forward?

I have dealt with a number of people in very expensive "consultancy and advisory roles" and I've yet to be impressed with any of them. In my experience reliance on a consultant usually means that there are decisions that someone at the top is unwilling to take for themselves.

I remain to be impressed by this potential move. Hampshire have a good squad, the England captain, an excellent ground and an ambitious chairman. They appear to have good management who deserve time to show what they can do and mould things to their way of doing things.

Getting KP back to play a few more games would be a better move for my money.

Time will tell. Always does.

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posted Oct 6, 2008

Fletcher coming in is an excellent move. After the end of last season, its clear that we're not far away from winning trophies on a lot of fronts. We just needed that little bit extra.

Fletcher, aided by Cork and hopefully a couple of other decent additions, would surely be this extra bit. His experience and knowledge of the game will be essential, and he would surely come loaded with contacts and potential signings. The White-Fletcher partnership could easily be the dream ticket on the south coast.

However, one note of caution. What happens if, after 2 months of the season, we're bottom of our FP Trophy group and without a win in the championship. White's honeymoon would be seemingly over, and with a man like Fletcher around the club, how long would it be before the calls start for Duncan to take over full-time.

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posted Oct 6, 2008

st_brendy (U11001106)

once again, you get it spot on

although I do feel that White would have known that Fletcher was being spoken to, and therefore would know that should he mess it up DF would be placed in charge, before he signed on the dotted line

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posted Oct 6, 2008

Hants should do well with Fletcher, good move.

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posted Oct 6, 2008

Now Hants are likely to attract top players, or will they?? As we've seen at Warwickshire, Ashley Giles has been put in charge and no top players want to go there!! Am slightly worried that the above scenario could occur, which players will also be concerned of. Also, whilst flether is best mates with some op players, others cannot stand the man, and so he may actually be a put-off to potentially fantastic signings!! Only a thought!!

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posted Oct 6, 2008

Back when Terry left Bransgrove said it was partly his fault for putting too much managerial responsibility on his shoulders if I remember correctly.

In my opinion Giles White will be first team manager looking after the day to day first team cricket decisions.

Duncan Fletchers role will be to review the overall coaching structure etc.

My question. What will happen to Tim Tremlett, Director of Cricket? Fletchers role may likely impinge on that role.

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posted Oct 6, 2008

Hants will do well with him. Although I am not a massive fan of him, he turn a failing england team in to an ashes winning one. He is tactically sharp, dynamic and inteligent. Exactly what Hants and the english county set up needs

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posted Oct 7, 2008

I hope Giles White was aware of the Fletcher situation when he was appointed to the team manager's role. I am sure that if Fletcher is appointed to a consultancy role of some sort that it will be beneficial to Hants. There does not appear to be any signal that it is going to be a full time role. Obviously the Terry role did not work out in the end and this seems strange when he & Bransgrove are close friends. Surely they could have discussed it but it appears that Terry was asked to be more of a manager than he wanted. Where does this leave Tim Tremlett - and by extension & association, his son Chris?

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posted Oct 7, 2008

For a man who made it clear that he held little interest for county cricket it seems strange that hes interested in the Hampshire post. Obviously the book didnt sell as well as anticipated, and with his passion for pace bowling should we expect one of his England "finds" Liam Plunkett at the bowl as he is making noises that he wants regular first team cricket

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posted Oct 7, 2008

Plunkett will go to Yorkshire, if anywhere.

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