Leicestershire County Cricket Club

[RizLCFC]

Agree with you Mark, this game will be over today.

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Desperate times, Derbyshire are going to lose and I think only take 2 bonus points from the game, so we look like taking at least 3 points from this game and closing the gap on Derby! I did day desperate times, looking for any positives at the moment.

[Vicki Vixen]

That is the problem with local journalists (radio and newspaper) they are close to the players so will not criticise them, glossing over the current dire situation.

 

I also noticed recently that the RL commentator is not from Leicester, he's a Yorkshireman.  As long as the BBC pay his wages, and the Grace Road catering team keeps bringing him "the best food on the county circuit" (which he points out on a daily basis), he's got no incentive to create any conflict with the LCCC players or management team.  

[RizLCFC]

I also noticed recently that the RL commentator is not from Leicester, he's a Yorkshireman. As long as the BBC pay his wages, and the Grace Road catering team keeps bringing him "the best food on the county circuit" (which he points out on a daily basis), he's got no incentive to create any conflict with the LCCC players or management team.

That's really harsh on Richard Rae. He's a brilliant journalist and has the job on merit. I'm sure he'd be the first to admit that he's in a very privileged position. He interacts with fans on twitter a lot more than Charlie Dagnall and even follows us back which is great of him, shows he's not too big headed.

He can't big us up on the cricketing front so I guess the next best thing is the catering. Also, I've noticed he's a lot more constructive in his criticism rather than being overly pally like a few others.

[Narborough_fox]

Angus Robson is the only bright thing of this County championship so far. Just need him to get that illusive century. 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Angus Robson is the only bright thing of this County championship so far. Just need him to get that illusive century.

He must have scored 70+ on more than half a dozen occasions this season, definitely on for a 1000 runs which will be some achievement in itself in his first full season in the first team. The century thing must really play on his mind when he gets close.

Robson, Buck and O'Brien the 3 positives this season.

[harpendenfox]

Agreed. We have to look for an experienced opener no longer starting for a first division team. Don't offer bew contracts to Smith, Boyce, Sarwan and Cobb. Try to persuade Eckersley and Thakor to sign new contracts, and look for a new overseas.

So build the top six around Robson, Eck, Thakor, Redfern and O'Brien with two new recruits. I like Taylor and think he will improve, as will Buck. Ireland and Wyatt not so much.

Oh yes and a new coach please.

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Sad to say but I don't think Eckersley will be with us next season, Smith is a strange one, shows glimpses of brilliance, only the 4th ever Leicester player to score a T20 hundred so he must have talent. The problem is we never replaced Jefferson, badly in need of an experienced opener like you said.

[RizLCFC]

The players I wouldn't mind seeing leave us would be Boyce, Sarwan, Shreck, Naik, Ireland and Thornely.

If possible, I'd love us to get a new coach, like I've said before, Simmons would be an outstanding appointment. I feel we've got youngsters with great potential who a) lack a real leader on the pitch and b) a motivational coaching setup, if they had this then they would flourish.

I doubt we'll make any changes to the coaching staff, therefore, it's absolutely imperative that we sign a quality overseas player, capable of scoring runs, captaining, and leading the side in all forms.

Edited 24 June 2014 by riznarma

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

I wish the ECB would relax the rules on overseas qualification, it's to strict at the moment, County need a real club man like Andrew Macdonald would of been, captain, leader, and play in all forms. Northants lost Copeland for the same reason, no sense in the qualifying rules.

Edited 24 June 2014 by Mark 'expert' Lawrenson

[Narborough_fox]

I quite like Cobb, seems to have matured quite a lot this year and still only relatively young. As you've said, Greg Smith is going to be an interesting one regarding a new contract. 

 

Hopefully we'll release Sarwan, Ireland and Boyce at the least. 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

I quite like Cobb, seems to have matured quite a lot this year and still only relatively young. As you've said, Greg Smith is going to be an interesting one regarding a new contract.

Hopefully we'll release Sarwan, Ireland and Boyce at the least.

I know our middle order already has its fair share of former openers in it but I am wondering if Smith would be better lower down the order where he can play his shots.

I like Cobb as well, Local lad who should play for us all his career, but again he could easily move on to a better county on a one day contract. Cheney Hughes at Derby could be a replacement.

[harpendenfox]

Another feeble lack of resistance at the Oval this morning. I know Cobb is a local lad and all that, but he averages 24 after 125 first class innings. Someone needs to teach him how to build a long innings. Ben Smith had that ability, and he's  a coach there, so I can't quite understand why he hasn't yet broken through as a serious four day player

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Feeble is about right, I foolishly expected us to put up a real fight today, but no. Fed up with going on about how poor we are, nothing ever changes down at Grace Rd, what is going on?

[Guest MattP]

Another feeble lack of resistance at the Oval this morning. I know Cobb is a local lad and all that, but he averages 24 after 125 first class innings. Someone needs to teach him how to build a long innings. Ben Smith had that ability, and he's  a coach there, so I can't quite understand why he hasn't yet broken through as a serious four day player

 

It's absolutely baffling Cobb still gets in the Championship side, I'd love to hear the explanation for it.

 

It's such a shame, some real optimism earlier this season.

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

No overseas, no captain, no heart, no guts.

[RizLCFC]

Must be a good batting wicket if Surrey scored 500, Robson scored freely, Buck got 20 odd, Shreck is going berserk and Naik has had a biff, so why can't our other batsmen perform? Baffling!

[RizLCFC]

Playing India today, Leicestershire have named 14: Boyce, Smith, Robson, Redfern, Thornely, Thakor, Wells, Hill, Naik, Sayer, Sykes, Ireland, Pearson, Sheikh.

India should be 1-1, but there 5-0, Dawan dropped by Redfern in the slips off Ireland. The fielding woes continue, 100 beckons for Dawan.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

We have massive problems in most departments. Eckersley, is the one shining light, and he may well want to leave, some the end of the season.

 

Overall, woeful, and embarrassing. 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Can we play India every week?

[Lionator]

We have massive problems in most departments. Eckersley, is the one shining light, and he may well want to leave, some the end of the season.

 

Overall, woeful, and embarrassing. 

 

he's been poor this season for his own standards.

 

Robson seems to be the new talent. 

[Narborough_fox]

Robson finally gets the century he's deserved this season! Hit the century off 102 balls, took the India attack apart. 

[Voll Blau]

It's absolutely baffling Cobb still gets in the Championship side, I'd love to hear the explanation for it.

 

It's such a shame, some real optimism earlier this season.

 

Not sure if his dad still holds any sway there? Heard from mates that was the case at age group level anyway...

[Lionator]

Not sure if his dad still holds any sway there? Heard from mates that was the case at age group level anyway...

 

Cobb used to hit runs for fun at age group levels. I remember playing against him in a club game at U15 level and he got 50 within 20 odd balls. 

[Voll Blau]

Cobb used to hit runs for fun at age group levels. I remember playing against him in a club game at U15 level and he got 50 within 20 odd balls. 

 

Big difference between club level and maintaining a place in the county youth side though. Like I say I've heard it suggested his dad had some influence, though obviously I can't really verify that. Although having also played against him in club games at various age levels I will admit you always knew he would be there or thereabouts in terms of possibly making it as a pro. Seemed a cut above most of us.

 

Still beat his all-conquering Kibworth U13s side in one Cup final mind.