The usual rah, rah, rah cheerleading. One can only hope he's right.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/cricket/Tough-double-with-Durham-awaits.4808953.jp

Personally, I'd be worried if he was pessimistic...

It is now obvious that what you see is what you get, and that Yorkshire is content (or is forced) to go with the current cast. There will be no significant signings.

Rana is with us, whether we like it or not and the "youngsters" will be expected to play their part.

I personally think we will improve marginally, but this side is nowhere near Championship calibre, and won't be a factor in the Championship. We simply won't be able to bowl enough sides out twice. The batting should be OK, although our opening woes will continue unabated.

I'm certainly disappointed that we've added so little new talent, while most of the other top teams have beefed up their sides. I believe money is an issue, and is the main reason we have had to stand pat.

Lets face it we needed to add a proven opening bat and a reliable, healthy quality strike bowler to be a factor. WE've done neither, and if Rashid and/or Hoggard get called in to the England side, we'll likely be in another demotion struggle.

I tend to disagree, if the captain can get the best out of his players, he's got a good blend of youth and experience to work with. Vaughan, Rudolph and McGrath should be more than good enough at county level. Admittedly if Vaughan plays too well he'll be back in the England fold - it wouldn't surprise me if the selectors went cap-in-hand and ask him to lead the country in the Ashes next year. Those three should be able to provide guidance for up-coming batsmen like Gayle and Lyth, who both showed alot of promise last season.

In the bowling Hoggard and Rana could do the same for the other young quicks like Sanderson and OHD, with Breso, Rash and Wainwright providing excellent back up with both the ball and lower order batting. If it's a dry summer the two spinners could have a big part to play.

Brophy as wicketkeeper is reliable enough although young Bairstow might be pushing for a start next time out. TBH think we might fall short with the fast bowlers. If they could replace Rana with say Morkel, or sign up Plunkett I would be more confident

My mate keep reminding me that I said we'd never win anything without an experienced bowler ..... this was after we'd lost to Somerset in May 2001 !!!

http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/72/72094.html

Lets not give up hope before we start