Bald_Reynard
Member
Solbear wrote:
Interesting article in the following Times link, suggesting amongst other things that Jim Troughton is on the shortlist to replace Robinson, that Ian Westwood is only interim head coach and that Moeen Ali is set to move into coaching after the Blast. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/cricket/article/warwickshire-dan-ashworth-cricket-man-united-moeen-ali-coach-mchsnfn9c
As with the Cricketer articles, this is behind a pay wall (and I haven't got access), so can only speculate on the points raised. However, JT has long been the 'King beyond the water' many of us would like to see in Larsen's post (I agree, High Performance Director is a stupid title). I just hope the delay in appointment, is us trying to reach an agreement with Surrey for his services.
As for Westie, perhaps not a surprise it could only be temporary - to see how he does. When Moeen announced his playing retirement, I expected it only a matter of time for him to join our Coaching team - though can't be in any lead role for the time being.
I also agree, Walker is a bit of a coup (though only a 1 year contract, presumably to see how he'll do). As Head Coach at Kent for 7 years, it is quite a step down, but his experience at Canterbury, Chelmsford & The Oval and with England, can be highly valuable, in a team where mental (and technical) batting strengths have often been lacking.
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 !
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
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'.
My reading of what's gone on, is partly in agreement with LB. Looking at the official statement (link in my earlier post) about all the changes, I think the reason no Director of Cricket (or High Performance Director, or whatever title Larsen had) has yet been appointed, is because they've been trying to sort the situation with Robinson. Until that was done - and he was 'cleared 'off the books' - they couldn't move (or afford) to appoint a DoC. It is significant that the club say they are, "close to appointing a new Performance Director". And the statement that they are, "currently talking to a replacement batting coach", implies that ......... Performance Director in ......... formally appoint the new batting coach (who has already been lined up by Stuart Cain and the Board), officially endorsed by the new guy.
My hope is that the new DoC (much better title that HPD !) will be Jim Troughton - and he has been waiting for the Robinson business to be sorted.
A pretty thorough summary of the changes that have happened and those that will.
Tayls79 wrote:
I think right decision overall. But it's been so late in the off-season and he's just gave a few quotes last week. "Mutual consent" seems to infer it took him a while to agree. It's the timing that's surprising more than anything.
Yep, awful timing. Amazing, that they've had 4 months since the end of the 'Review' to do this - and George D flagged the likelihood up then.
Andy wrote:
Bald_Reynard wrote:
Andy wrote:
Ian Westwood in charge.
Temporary or he is the new Head Coach?
No idea, all sorts going it seems. Tony Frost replacing Keith Cook apparently.
Cookie was Operations Manager wasn't he ? If so, TF will be going into a non-coaching role. Thats another thing that's been a long time coming, a lovely bloke but out of his depth as lead Batting Coach.
Great! Can't believe it's taken so long - it's been 4 months since GD first aired the possibility. I wonder whether there will there be straight replacements for Head Coach & DoC, or a whole new Coaching structure ?
He's doing well again in the 2nd SL Test (less so in the 1st). Who did he get called up to replace in India? Whoever, let's hope they're back soon!
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.
KingofSpain wrote:
Robinson is back among the quotes so I guess we are stuck with him for another season of mediocrity.
Yep, unfortunately looks like it. I'm just hoping a new DoC will SOON be appointed (Troughton, all being well - though he likes being at Surrey - strange preferring an Assistant job!) and he will ring some changes, including new Coaches (not just MR).
https://edgbaston.com/news/barnard-optimistic-ahead-of-new-season-and-vows-well-be-ready/
Is it just me, or is anyone else noting that the only recent pronouncement about optimism for the season, comes from the Vice Captain! Nothing from the Head Coach (or Captain, though he might be away with the Lions now)! My (hopeful) reading, is that the Club don't want to put anything from Robinson out now - when it's possible (likely?!) he could be leaving us soon, they're trying to drum up Early Bird Membership sales and don't want stir things up, until they go public on all the ramifications of the 'Review'.
KingofSpain wrote:
Troughton did OK as head coach for us but I think DoC would suit him really well. He may even be able to persuade Bell or Trott to come in to replace Robinson.
If JT did come back as DoC, I think his knowledge of Edgbaston 'politics', could mean he'd be quick to pick up on Robinson's standing at the club and the need to change things. And as KoS says, with his knowledge of the talents of ex-Colleagues, he'd be in prime position to bring in (and persuade) someone like Trotty.
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
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.
Although not great Coaching credentials, perhaps he might be suited to a more administrative role, like Director of Cricket (or whatever title they now give to Larsen's job).He is certainly an intelligent guy (Psychology degree and a Masters in Leadership in Sport) and might make a decent DoC.
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.
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.
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/news/new-zealand-test-captain-latham-signs-for-warwickshire/
Good, an experienced opening batsman, with a great pedigree. I wonder, given all the talk from Larsen (again, nothing from Robinson) about, "bringing experience and leadership to our squad", could mean Latham's appointment as Captain (at least in red ball). Obviously, that would depend on what the 'Review' says about Davies's record !
As KoS predicted - a major Overseas signing. NZ Captain - I guess Larsen was instrumental in getting him.
KingofSpain wrote:
The Cricketer has published an article about the review headed 'all options are open' and says the review will be presented by the end of November.
The full article is behind a paywall unfortunately.
Well, without being able to see it, it sounds reasonably hopeful that we might get the resolution most of us want - a 'handshake' to Robinson. "All options are open", does mean the Head Coach's position is being assessed. The timescale of the end of the month, supports the fact that he is still taking training - and the statement by Maiden that one reason he came to Edgbaston was Robinson - when he was appointed (in August), MR was here - and (presumably) he had no knowledge that a new Mens Coach might be on his way in.
I'm reasonably optimistic of the (right?!) outcome of the Review.
GerryShedd wrote:
There's an interview in The Cricketer with Ali Maiden who has joined Warwickshire as women's head coach. There is quite a lot of emphasis on how pleased he is to be joining up again with Mark Robinson (he was assistant coach to Robinson when England women won the World Cup in 2017). So unless Maiden is in for a disappointment, it may be that Robinson is not on his way out.
That is depressing news. I was getting all excited about a Robinson departure - at some point soon.