Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 3:06 pm Where do Essex get new batsmen from? They don’t have the budget of the test match counties so it is a lot easier said than done.

RTD has gone,Chopra retired, add that to the money wasted on Browne’s 2 year contract, and they never even tried to replace Ravi Bopara there must be enough in the pot for two decent batters, we have had the likes of Border, Waugh and McEwan in the past when the club were well run and turned a regular small profit every year. We can’t rely on the bowlers to bail us out every season.

Sam Northeast has just gone from Kent to Glamorgan would have done a job for us in the middle order.

There are no test matches held at Chelmsford?!?

There are also not that desirable as the facilities at Chelmsford are below the majority of other grounds, probably the worst on the circuit. The recent successes might help but it has long been difficult to attract good players and they struck lucky with Harmer who has been the catalyst to those successes. Part of the reason they stay so long is that they bring so few in from outside so they have to retain what they have until younger replacements come through the ranks.

Next season our second overseas should be a middle order Batsman who’s around for the majority of the season, instead of Siddle, who I loved.

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:12 pm There are no test matches held at Chelmsford?!?

There are also not that desirable as the facilities at Chelmsford are below the majority of other grounds, probably the worst on the circuit. The recent successes might help but it has long been difficult to attract good players and they struck lucky with Harmer who has been the catalyst to those successes. Part of the reason they stay so long is that they bring so few in from outside so they have to retain what they have until younger replacements come through the ranks.

The county ground has always been poor facility wise as has Ilford, Leyton, Colchester, Southend but it didn’t stop us attracting some fantastic players to Essex. The difference now Is the committee are happy to plod along with no ambition for the future.They invested £million on floodlights and sweet FA on improving our team I don’t accept we can’t attract decent players to the county ground. We need to invest on the squad and improving the pitches at Chelmsford IMHO.

Horient wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:31 pm Next season our second overseas should be a middle order Batsman who’s around for the majority of the season, instead of Siddle, who I loved.

Completely agree.

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:40 pm

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:12 pm There are no test matches held at Chelmsford?!?

There are also not that desirable as the facilities at Chelmsford are below the majority of other grounds, probably the worst on the circuit. The recent successes might help but it has long been difficult to attract good players and they struck lucky with Harmer who has been the catalyst to those successes. Part of the reason they stay so long is that they bring so few in from outside so they have to retain what they have until younger replacements come through the ranks.

The county ground has always been poor facility wise as has Ilford, Leyton, Colchester, Southend but it didn’t stop us attracting some fantastic players to Essex. The difference now Is the committee are happy to plod along with no ambition for the future.They invested £million on floodlights and sweet FA on improving our team I don’t accept we can’t attract decent players to the county ground. We need to invest on the squad and improving the pitches at Chelmsford IMHO.

Who was the last ‘fantastic’ player we attracted to Chelmsford?

I agree the we need to invest in the squad but you have to have the budget to do so which we don’t have. Top players look at Chelmsford, look at the money and facilities on offer elsewhere and sign for someone else. That is why it is easier for them to retain players who have some affinity for the club as opposed to someone like Northeast.

As for the floodlights they were a necessity for the day night games so that bigger crowds could be attracted with people coming in after work for the 50 over games and T20s. A lot of people don’t like the T20 but it is the cash cow that brings in the money to allow the club to run as it is anyway.

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:02 pm

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:40 pm

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:12 pm There are no test matches held at Chelmsford?!?

There are also not that desirable as the facilities at Chelmsford are below the majority of other grounds, probably the worst on the circuit. The recent successes might help but it has long been difficult to attract good players and they struck lucky with Harmer who has been the catalyst to those successes. Part of the reason they stay so long is that they bring so few in from outside so they have to retain what they have until younger replacements come through the ranks.

The county ground has always been poor facility wise as has Ilford, Leyton, Colchester, Southend but it didn’t stop us attracting some fantastic players to Essex. The difference now Is the committee are happy to plod along with no ambition for the future.They invested £million on floodlights and sweet FA on improving our team I don’t accept we can’t attract decent players to the county ground. We need to invest on the squad and improving the pitches at Chelmsford IMHO.

Who was the last ‘fantastic’ player we attracted to Chelmsford?

I agree the we need to invest in the squad but you have to have the budget to do so which we don’t have. Top players look at Chelmsford, look at the money and facilities on offer elsewhere and sign for someone else. That is why it is easier for them to retain players who have some affinity for the club as opposed to someone like Northeast.

As for the floodlights they were a necessity for the day night games so that bigger crowds could be attracted with people coming in after work for the 50 over games and T20s. A lot of people don’t like the T20 but it is the cash cow that brings in the money to allow the club to run as it is anyway.

Yes we needed better lights but we could have got perfectly decent floodlights for a lot less than we spent, flashing, changing colours and making pretty patterns what a waste.the club are stagnating on the pitch we are going to have the best floodlights in division two if we don’t do something about our batting. Priorities are all wrong, Isn’t Harmer a fantastic player?

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:16 pm
Yes we needed better lights but we could have got perfectly decent floodlights for a lot less than we spent, flashing, changing colours and making pretty patterns what a waste.the club are stagnating on the pitch we are going to have the best floodlights in division two if we don’t do something about our batting. Priorities are all wrong, Isn’t Harmer a fantastic player?

I knew that you would cite Harmer. Yes, as I said earlier, he is a fantastic player now and was certainly the catalyst and largely responsible for our recent trophies but he has turned out to be a lot better than was anticipated when we signed him.

We also brought in RTD and developed him so again who was the last fantastic player we brought ?
I’m only talking about those on a long term contract not those brought in for the odd game or so.

Amir was brilliant for us and so was Kaneria, Rutherford was very good and Ryder was extremely entertaining, Sami Malik was class, Ken McEwan the best I’ve seen, Alan Border enough said, Mark Waugh was terrific so some fantastic players there.and I don’t recall them not joining because we had crap facilities or wasn’t a test match ground to the contrary. The current committee need to look around the counties some decent batters in division two who would improve our team.

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:11 pm Amir was brilliant for us and so was Kaneria, Rutherford was very good and Ryder was extremely entertaining, Sami Malik was class, Ken McEwan the best I’ve seen, Alan Border enough said, Mark Waugh was terrific so some fantastic players there.and I don’t recall them not joining because we had crap facilities or wasn’t a test match ground to the contrary. The current committee need to look around the counties some decent batters in division two who would improve our team.

I’ll give you Amir but Kaneria was recruited in 2004 and the Kiwis coming up for 10 years ago. The others you mention were top drawer but you are going back in to the last century with them. Our facilities in the 80’s and 90’s were a lot more comparable to everyone else but over the last 10/15 years every other county has redeveloped their ground to a higher level than us.

Our pavilion and changing rooms must be the worst in the country. Add in the Graham Gooch indoor school and that is about it.

The test match grounds have all expanded as well as redeveloped. Look at the extra revenue that they are generating compared to Essex. What is the capacity at Chelmsford? 7500?

We do need to recruit at least a couple of bats but realistically we don’t have the budget of a lot of other counties.
In truth we have punched above our weight in the last few years and unfortunately that has raised expectations.

You are so obsessed with test match grounds Middlesex, Notts, Durham Glamorgan all have test match grounds bet any of those would swap places with division one Essex though, it’s not about having a massive budget it’s about spending what you have wisely giving the likes of Browne and Walter contracts not replacing Bopara and having funds from RTD and Chopra retirements would have given us the chance to sign the likes of Libby from Worcester and maybe Beddingham from Durham never mind we won’t make many runs next year but we have lovely lights and they will play at lovely grounds.

Do we know why plans to improve Chelmsford haven’t gone forward ?

No but I would think a lack of investment.

The most recent plans which collapsed included the building of housing which would have left us playing in a housing estate similar to Kent. The club itself does not have the funds to upgrade the ground whilst retaining any resemblance of a decent playing squad so it is a Catch 22 situation.

What is needed is some major investment but that will not happen whilst it remains a members club.

Essex sign all rounder Matt Critchley from Derbyshire on three year deal.

banqo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:19 pm Essex sign all rounder Matt Critchley from Derbyshire on three year deal.

On the face of it a decent signing, a leg spinner who bats well. made over 1000 runs in all competitions last season according to the BBC

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:28 pm

banqo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:19 pm Essex sign all rounder Matt Critchley from Derbyshire on three year deal.

On the face of it a decent signing, a leg spinner who bats well. made over 1000 runs in all competitions last season according to the BBC

I agree, looks good.

Looks a good signing - but might this mean that Cook is not re-signing?

cymruO wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:37 am Looks a good signing - but might this mean that Cook is not re-signing?

I'd say he's part of the replacements for Tendo.

Hope you're right EN. Leg spin could be interesting!

Sam Cook called up to the Lion's tour to Australia this winter.

EliotNes wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:56 pm

cymruO wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:37 am Looks a good signing - but might this mean that Cook is not re-signing?

I'd say he's part of the replacements for Tendo.

Agreed. Tendo’s returns diminished with the bat over the past two seasons. I can see Critchley slotting in at 6/7.

Will be a tough test for him playing in Division I after playing his entire career down in Div II.

I imagine this will also spell the end of Zampa as a Twenty20 overseas and we will go for a batsman.

I’d like to see two more signings but think there might just be one (an overseas bat).

banqo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 5:01 pm Sam Cook called up to the Lion's tour to Australia this winter.

About time he had national recognition.

Critchley could be a longer term replacement for Harmer!?

Michael Pepper signs two year contract extension.

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:02 pm

Top of the JES wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:40 pm

Ornchurch wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:12 pm There are no test matches held at Chelmsford?!?

There are also not that desirable as the facilities at Chelmsford are below the majority of other grounds, probably the worst on the circuit. The recent successes might help but it has long been difficult to attract good players and they struck lucky with Harmer who has been the catalyst to those successes. Part of the reason they stay so long is that they bring so few in from outside so they have to retain what they have until younger replacements come through the ranks.

The county ground has always been poor facility wise as has Ilford, Leyton, Colchester, Southend but it didn’t stop us attracting some fantastic players to Essex. The difference now Is the committee are happy to plod along with no ambition for the future.They invested £million on floodlights and sweet FA on improving our team I don’t accept we can’t attract decent players to the county ground. We need to invest on the squad and improving the pitches at Chelmsford IMHO.

Who was the last ‘fantastic’ player we attracted to Chelmsford?

Peter Siddle?

Not seen anything about Alistair Cook. Chairman was hopeful to have had a decision 'within the fortnight' - that was 3 weeks ago.