HEAD coach Richard Dawson admitted it. Gloucestershire were outplayed by bottom of the table side Northamptonshire in their Specsavers County Championship second division defeat last week.

Rightly he criticised the bowling but ignored the fact we lost all 10 wickets for 37 runs! This is not good enough.

A year ago,I advocated a review of our cricket from top to bottom. It did not occur. Surely one is needed now. One man who could do this is Australian Michael Klinger. He knows the club well and has seen touring players come to the fore and then falter.

This is our biggest problem. The review should be totally comprehensive involving everything from coaching to scouting. Somerset have stolen a march on us in the South West.

Former bowler Mike Smith, Andy Brassington and board member David Partridge could be people who could help.

The proposed merger with the recreational board gives the chance to bring new people to the table. They should be sought now.

Whatever happens, to do nothing is not an option.

Meanwhile, a diamond has been found in Ryan Higgins but I am afraid we need a whole tiara.

So much good news is emerging from Forest Green Rovers. Firstly, the new bar will maintain the exellence of the match experience. Also welcome are improvements to the west terrace,but the best news concerns new signings.

Manager Mark Cooper is building a strong squad. Two young forwards with good

pedigrees, two attacking full backs, a trio of goalkeepers and a midfield general coming up the hill from Cheltenham is exactly what was needed.

Every good wish goes with Charlie Cooper who is on loan at Newport County. As the manager’s son at Rovers, he was between a rock and a hard place.

The move is good for everyone. Newport have also taken Keanu Marsh-Brown and given him a two year contract.

This gives him achance to rebuild a career his talent merits. Good luck Keanu but do remember not many other chances may be forthcoming.

Signing of the summer has been achieved by Charlie Griffin at Cirencester who has

persuaded star striker Ben Whitehead to stay with the club. What good news it would be if another star striker declined to move. You know who I mean. His initials are CD. That news would help me forget the travails of my beloved cricket club.