Wednesday 24 August 2016

Tony Palladino signs two-year deal

If good preparation is worth anything, Derbyshire's prompt work in securing the services of another key senior player today should reap rewards in time.

Tony Palladino has been an exemplary cricketer for the club since his move from Essex and today's announcement, of his signing a new two-year deal, effectively ensures that he finishes his career with us.

That is especially relevant with his role including coaching responsibilities, something that will doubtless please a player whose experience alone suggests him as someone with plenty to offer the younger bowlers.

He has again done well this year, despite having to play the part of stock bowler due to the lack of strike options at the other end. Our rich collection of seam bowlers can only benefit from his experience and input and I am delighted that his involvement with a club that means so much to him will continue.

It does suggest, at least to me, that the person who will be in charge of affairs next summer and beyond is already at the club, or is in discussions about the way forward. Logically, one doesn't sign up five players for another two years or more, then appoint a coach who may or may not have wanted them on board. Securing the services of Billy Godleman and Shiv Thakor was a no-brainer, as was the deal for Will Davis. Rob Hemmings would perhaps have needed a decision, with little first team experience to judge him by, while appointing TP to some form of coaching role must have had input from the head coach they have in mind, or someone likely to be involved in some capacity.

That's my take anyway. I do hope that an announcement on a future structure and that crucial coaching role is made sooner, rather than later, as the successful candidate needs as long as possible to sort his squad for a key summer next year.

The recent flurry of activity seems to leave two senior players in a 'pending' tray - Chesney Hughes and Wes Durston. Both have contracts up for renewal, each may or may not be offered or sign them. One can never tell and it will continually come down to one crucial question - is there someone out there who is better, younger and better value? Like the rest of you, I have no idea of our winter plans, but if the chairman is going on record about big improvements and changes, there has to be more in the pipeline than engaging our better young players long term, laudable as that is.

I totally 'get' the cynicism of one or two of you with recent comments on this, but would urge you to wait and see. If we get to next March with no new or bigger names then the knives will doubtless be out. For now, let's trust some very good people with excellent contacts to deliver on promises.

It does, as one or two of you have pointed out recently, feel like the end of the season already, despite there being a few games to go. I think those games will be important for some young players, gaining exposure at a higher level and staking a claim for inclusion, or a contract, another year.

Finally tonight, it is good to see David Wainwright back in the county game with Hampshire. He's done well in the Minor Counties this year and will have built his confidence up accordingly. A few runs and a couple of wickets has done him no harm today and it would be good to see a lovely bloke get another opportunity at this level.

14 comments:

  1. Martin

    Chesney currently averages 53 with the bat and has over 800 runs in the county championship and we are wondering whether we can get someone better ? That does not ring true.

    Recruitment has to focus on a strike bowler (overseas ?) and an experienced wicket keeper (Mustard, O'Brien?).

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    1. You've not read my piece right! I have no idea but maybe there is an issue over money or something else entirely.
      We will find out in due course I am sure and maybe in the coming days there will be news of a new deal for him, too

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  2. This is pleasing news. Tony Palladino has been a good servant to Derbyshire. He, like Godleman, Thakor, Wagg, Groenewald, Wainwright, Durston, and Footit to name but a few had already established himself as a reliable cricketer at first class level before he joined us, and it's players with similar records of proven effectiveness that we need now. Not every signing succeeds - Carter, Moore - but we've had more successful contributions from such recruits than from young local players, sad to say. The current crop of younger players will only thrive if they are part of a team with experience and quality. This is what Leicestershire have realised, and it's the reason they have overtaken us after years in the doldrums.

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  3. There are some ominous signs for those of us who think Chesney should be part of the long-term future, in what could conceivably become the strongest batting line up we've had since the Barnett / Morris / Adams era. Left out of the side against Essex with no explanation apart from Sadler's cryptic answer to Radio Derby that he was "unavailable" - presumably not because of injury as he played for Lullington Park on the same day - and not in the second XI this week. If he is going, I can't believe that with his form and performances for the last two years, we would be releasing him. so it would presumably be a matter of not being able to agree terms, possibly with a better offer from elsewhere. Given the amount of money we have wasted on Rutherford, Broom, Dilshan, Rossington et al, it would be shocking if we're not willing to keep players we have invested in just as they are beginning to repay that investment.

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  4. Tim, Chesterfield25 August 2016 at 19:45

    Rossington?

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    1. I assumed he meant Rutherford...Rossington would have been very poor value as he never played...

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  5. @martin edwards dino was not an established reliable county player when he signed, he didnt get a chance at essex and was a reserve. he showed his true worth when derbyshire gave him the chance to play reguarly. likewise id say durston certainly wasnt either as he was with the unicorns and neither was godleman, again an essex reserve who struggled there, and mark footitt, a notts reserve. none were established reliable county players.

    derbyshire improved all of them turning them into solid county pros (morre in footitts case)and thats a credit to the county

    dvt

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  6. My money is on the poster being Rimmington, who could've been great, broken finger aside.

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  7. Sorry, I meant Rimmington, last year's T20 specialist. This started a chain of thought about how unsuccessful our overseas players have been. I gave Neesham the benefit of the doubt, and excused Amla on the basis that he came for a very short time at short notice. Apart from Guptill, Pujara, Khuwaja and Morkel, I can't think of an overseas player who really succeeded since Chris Rogers. Some might make an argument for Chanderpaul but he was nowhere near his best in his time with us. On this basis, wouldn't we be better investing in a quality domestic players with a proven track record in English cricket, rather than taking pot luck in the cheaper end of the overseas market?

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  8. Sadler for the job!!.

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  9. Mark footitt c/b 7-62 today just a reminder of what we arw missing this season

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  10. The Chesney situation is easy to understand. The club see's his value at £X. Chesney or is agent will see it as £Y
    He is clearly in conflict over a new contract. If I'd got his runs it would be silly not to try and get the best contract possible.
    I for one hope it's at Derby but if he can get more money else where fair play to him. It's a short career and cricket wages aren't footballers wages. We will always struggle to hold onto our good core players due to our financial restraints. Wagg, Footy, Rogers. The list is endless.

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  11. £150,000 what Surrey are paying Footitt, a sum Derbyshire cannot afford to pay, as a smaller county we have to accept that we cannot compete with test hosting counties when it comes to offering big wages.

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  12. Yes 150k a year for four years for someone who has not had a great injury record is not something we could offer. Can't blame him for taking that, it's a short career. It remains to be seen if Surrey get full value for their money. I would say so far 7 wickets in one game doesn't add up to 150k....

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