Something for the weekend

There were plenty of responses to last night's blog and, as always, thank you for them.

They highlight the passion for the club that exists among fans and the many and varied ideas that we all have. At the end of the day, the big cricket decisions have to be made by Karl Krikken and we should not forget what a sterling job he has done in his tenure thus far.

Looking through some of the comments on the Forum, I had to smile. It was as if last season never happened. Depending on the post, suddenly Madsen is inconsistent, Durston only a one-day player, Chanderpaul too slow etc, etc. I'd make one suggestion to posters before they go public with an obviously incorrect comment - read what you have written, then read it again. It is very easy to make a hasty comment on something that often comes back to bite you. Using the three players named above as examples, Durston had a superb summer in all competitions last year and was Most Valuable Player. Madsen, though less consistent than previous years, still scored heavily, while Chanderpaul is, not without reason, the second best batsman in the world. Telling someone of that quality how he should play an innings is like telling Villazon how to sing an aria, or Benedetti how to tune her violin...

There are a few things to remember before castigating our lads. Firstly, on both occasions we have lost an important toss and had to bat first. That is always crucial in April and early May and few teams win matches when they are inserted. It may or may not have changed the result at Lords, but I reckon our lads would have fancied bowling first last Wednesday, much as they will want to bowl on Wednesday at Derby.

Then there's the opposition. We played last year's champions on their own patch, then a team largely expected to be in the mix this summer on theirs. Neither is representative of the sides in this division and, as I have written before, it is the games against the lesser lights that we need to win. We competed pretty well at Edgbaston and did so again at Lords until a crazy 2-3 hours saw the wheels come off.

Yet we're not alone in that. Durham capitulated horribly today, much as a highly-rated Nottinghamshire side did against a weaker Middlesex attack than ripped us apart. Somerset failed twice at Durham with their highly-rated batting; Yorkshire had a nightmare against Sussex. We don't have an exclusive on it, but we have a better excuse - a young side that needs to acclimatise at this level. It can and will happen to any team caught in awkward conditions, as it takes time to hone your batting game at the start of the summer. The slightest error on a track offering movement will be punished, especially at the top level.

I still think that we will come through this, but patience is the key. IF this summer proved a disaster, the side will still be stronger for the experience. Only by playing against the best do you improve your game and your preparation for it. There is no team in the history of the game that hasn't had a bad day, in a game that is the greatest leveler of all. The same goes for individuals. How many times do we see batsmen follow a century with a low score?

I don't see a change to the top five for Nottinghamshire. The most vulnerable, Dan Redfern, looked in fine touch at Edgbaston and continues to learn. I would like to see Ross Whiteley back, partly because he lends balance, but also because he has a more solid game than Chesney at this stage of the summer. The latter's limited footwork leaves him vulnerable to a ball that is nipping around, but his chances will come as the summer goes on .

I think we'll also see David Wainwright back if he's fit, especially at Derby, where he did so well last year. That will leave Krikk a very tough call between his four seamers from Lords, with one of them making way. I'm unsure how that will go, as the worst figures there were Tony Palladino's, but I'd not leave him out for a Derby track where he has enjoyed considerable success. Tim Groenewald bowled beautifully, while Turner and Clare took the most wickets. Tough one, eh?

I've read a comment about bringing in Richard Johnson behind the stumps, but I don't see that at this stage. Tom Poynton has battled as hard as anyone and kept wicket well, There was a missed catch on the second day at Lords, but you don't drop a keeper for one error, or you have them on tenterhooks. You judge an out of form keeper by the balls he drops, when his hands aren't in the right place or his feet aren't moving, not on the odd missed catch - unless it becomes too costly, of course.

Krikk will show faith in his side and we need to as fans. These are the players who were feted last year and will come through this. Much the same as a kid who is put into a higher level class at school, we need time to find our feet. Not too much mind, but they need to realise that they are as good as most of their opponents and with the application of the same principles that served them well in 2012, results will come.