Weekend warmer

The opening week of David Houghton's return to Derbyshire is coming to an end and supporters must be very happy with the way things are going so far.

All of those that players would see as key personnel have had contracts extended, while both Anuj Dal and Matt McKiernan have been rewarded for summers of promise by one-year deals.

Only Matt Critchley has still to have a contract extended and we can only hope that this is imminent. While not an academy product, Matt has come through our ranks and will become a major player in the next three or four summers.

Yesterday we saw Alex Hughes sign a new deal and I fully expect to see his continued development with bat and ball. His bowling can be better utilised, especially in early season, and I expect to see him used more next year.

So what next?

Well, the release of Gary Wilson, with a year of his deal to go, has set precedent and I wouldn't be surprised if similar deals were not being considered, at the very least, for both Ravi Rampaul and Hardus Viljoen. Both had summers that would be deemed as acceptable for home-grown players, but not for overseas signings who are high earners. If similar deals could be struck with them both, would many supporters be disappointed? While both have the talent to win matches, they didn't do so too many times in 2018.

Viljoen frustrates me. That he can bowl quickly and trouble batsmen is beyond doubt. That he doesn't do it often enough is equally true. For both players, returns closer to those of Tony Palladino should have been attainable, and while Hardus' inconsistency frustrates, the concerns over Ravi Rampaul's fitness will not go away. Missing matches with breathing issues suggests an underlying health issue, but while we all hope that he is well, the bottom line is that we need players who will offer more for the county.

I think this is where John Wright's winter role will kick in.

Is there, for example, a player who might be a better option in a Kolpak role than these two players? Or is there a player out there with a British passport who could fill a gap in the side?

Realistically, I think we would be looking more at bowlers. If money could be freed up, we wouldn't need to spend a fair chunk of it to improve on the batting. Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Hughes, Critchley and Hosein will be six of the first choice top seven, as we wouldn't spend money on extending contracts for them to play second team cricket.

The window for Kolpak status will close with Brexit and there will be players in South Africa who could do a very good job. That country's policy of playing different elevens in the game's different forms potentially makes more players available and there might be a few options available. Many will know that for all their talent they will not be regular internationals, so for the right player a deal while exchange rates are favourable might hold considerable appeal.

We'll see. I have no doubt the agents of several available players have sent their details to Dave Houghton for perusal. There may be one or two names among those announced as released so far will be of interest, but I am happy to leave those names in my own personal pile named 'conjecture'.

I think we may utilise the loan market, for obvious reasons, but a key signing is likely to be the next, that of bowling coach.

If we can find someone who can develop the young academy prospects, upskill the existing talent and galvanise new players, they will be worth their weight in gold.

More from me soon.