Down by the Riverside 2022

[captaincolly]

well they should

If you want an England career, Durham has always been a very good place to be

With Lees an example of a player who resurrected his career by coming to Durham, Dickson also to a lesser extent, Eckersley also initially. Finances also looking healthy.Why am I not confident about recruitment in the coming months?

It's strange, just doesn't add up with strong finances but - despite the obvious need to strengthen- a lack of signings.

[Durhamfootman]

maybe the bean counters have other plans for the money.... building of the hotel perhaps

[captaincolly]

maybe the bean counters have other plans for the money.... building of the hotel perhaps

Yes! This 60% of the salary cap has to be as WL says - either a deliberate choice or players unwilling to sign. If it's the latter we will be an even less attractive option after this season.

[Durhamfootman]

Eckersley confirmed and Carse signs a new 3 year deal

[Durhamfootman]

Salisbury departure confirmed and Coughlin signs a 2 year deal

North is thrilled, seemingly.... not sure I am, but then beggars can't be choosers, I suppose

[captaincolly]

Salisbury departure confirmed and Coughlin signs a 2 year deal

North is thrilled, seemingly.... not sure I am, but then beggars can't be choosers, I suppose

He also suggested that Salisbury has had limited opportunities because we have so many bowling options!

[KingOttis]

Salisbury departure confirmed and Coughlin signs a 2 year deal

North is thrilled, seemingly.... not sure I am, but then beggars can't be choosers, I suppose

Don't think Coughlin has done too badly when fit, and I'm not against a new (short term) deal to see if he can finally stay fit and become a big player for us. More worrying is that with both Carse and Coughlin's new contract announcements, the club have slipped in news of a seasoned pro departing. That's ok if there's a plan in place......as long as the plan is not to leave us with about 7 available senior players and a bunch of kids who aren't ready yet.

[captaincolly]

Salisbury departure confirmed and Coughlin signs a 2 year deal

North is thrilled, seemingly.... not sure I am, but then beggars can't be choosers, I suppose

Don't think Coughlin has done too badly when fit, and I'm not against a new (short term) deal to see if he can finally stay fit and become a big player for us. More worrying is that with both Carse and Coughlin's new contract announcements, the club have slipped in news of a seasoned pro departing. That's ok if there's a plan in place......as long as the plan is not to leave us with about 7 available senior players and a bunch of kids who aren't ready yet.

Agreed. The squad is so thin that simply replacing the departing players won't be enough - we need more players coming in than going out.

[westoelad]

According to the club website have only 9 senior players signed for next season excluding current internationals.
https://www.durhamcricket.co.uk

[captaincolly]

According to the club website have only 9 senior players signed for next season excluding current internationals.
https://www.durhamcricket.co.uk

Ridiculous. Surely unsustainable to have such a small squad.

[KingOttis]

According to the club website have only 9 senior players signed for next season excluding current internationals.
https://www.durhamcricket.co.uk

Ridiculous. Surely unsustainable to have such a small squad.

Agreed 100%. Not only is it ridiculous on a basic level, but it can become a vicious circle, where players then want to go because they aren't stupid and realise that we don't have any on-field ambition. To be honest, I'm surprised that no one tried to poach Carse - probably would have if he hadn't been swallowed by the England machinery, and therefore won't play much county cricket presumably. But like I've mentioned before, why would Bedingham or any other ambitious talented player stay with us? To tread water year upon year going nowhere?
I'm not saying that the football model is the particularly admirable, but if this WERE footie, then questions would be being asked, and the coach would probably be sacked already. In all seriousness (in my opinion) we probably need about five new players just to bring us up to par. This clearly isn't going to happen, and the least we can expect as supporters of the club is to be kept in the picture as to why we are operating in this way. The frustrating thing is that after the ritual demotion and humiliation (thanks ECB), it felt as though we were getting back on a competitive footing, but now it feels like the bad old days again.

[captaincolly]

According to the club website have only 9 senior players signed for next season excluding current internationals.
https://www.durhamcricket.co.uk

Ridiculous. Surely unsustainable to have such a small squad.

Agreed 100%. Not only is it ridiculous on a basic level, but it can become a vicious circle, where players then want to go because they aren't stupid and realise that we don't have any on-field ambition. To be honest, I'm surprised that no one tried to poach Carse - probably would have if he hadn't been swallowed by the England machinery, and therefore won't play much county cricket presumably. But like I've mentioned before, why would Bedingham or any other ambitious talented player stay with us? To tread water year upon year going nowhere?
I'm not saying that the football model is the particularly admirable, but if this WERE footie, then questions would be being asked, and the coach would probably be sacked already. In all seriousness (in my opinion) we probably need about five new players just to bring us up to par. This clearly isn't going to happen, and the least we can expect as supporters of the club is to be kept in the picture as to why we are operating in this way. The frustrating thing is that after the ritual demotion and humiliation (thanks ECB), it felt as though we were getting back on a competitive footing, but now it feels like the bad old days again.

Exactly. It would probably have been easier to strengthen after the promising signs last season- we didn't and must now be a less attractive option.

[Durhamfootman]

I'm sure Messrs Bostock North & Franklin have a plan. I doubt we'll need to worry unduly

[Durhamfootman]

and pigs might fly..... just a shame that the three stooges won't

[westoelad]

I'm sure Messrs Bostock North & Franklin have a plan. I doubt we'll need to worry unduly

It's becoming increasingly obvious that the plan is to prioritise ground development i.e.hotel, over playing squad strengthening.
Clearly there needs to be a balance between the 2 expenditures. Members have the option of withdrawing their membership if they can't accept the current imbalance between the two.