We Let Ourselves Down Again - Alex
10/09/2010
Alex Gidman admitted he was at a loss to explain Gloucestershire's slump in form after a 329-run thrashing by Leicestershire had ended hopes of promotion in the LV=County Championship.
The visitors were bowled out for 158 in their second innings on the final day and took only three points from the game to Leicestershire's 21.
The hammering followed the shock defeat by bottom club Derbyshire at Bristol and the skipper was in no mood to offer excuses following another bitterly disappointing performance.
Alex told this website: "I wish I had the answers to what has gone wrong for us, but I haven't. We let ourselves down again and I think each individual player has to take a long hard look at himself.
"A fantastic opportunity has been allowed to slip away because had we beaten Derbyshire and performed well at Leicester we would have given ourselves a great chance of going up.
"Cricket is a statistics game and they don't lie. None of our batsmen, including myself, have made enough runs and that is something we are going to have to address for next season.
"I also think we will need to try something different tactically because we have now failed in our objectives two years on the trot.
"Ultimately, John Bracewell and I have to take responsibility for that and we shall be sitting down at the end of the season to discuss the way ahead.
"We need to know which of our out of contract players will be staying. I have talked to Gemaal Hussain, Anthony Ireland and Will Porterfield, stressing how much I want them at Gloucestershire, but in the end they will do what they consider best for their careers.
"I would do the same in their position. I hope they decide to stay, but whatever happens I would like the decisions made as quickly as possible so we can start to plan ahead.
"I believe we had the right ideas about how to win promotion this season, but we haven't executed our plans well enough.
"I want to finish on a high note against Surrey next week so we can take some momentum into the winter, but whatever happens in that game I can assure supporters that we shall be readdressing the way we go about things."
Alex says he has been encouraged by the signings of pace bowler James Fuller and all-rounder Will Gidman for next season.
"James is reputed to be quick and raw. It might be unfair to expect too much too soon, but he is clearly very promising," he said.
"Will has the sort of attitude I want in our dressing room. He is desperate to do well after limited opportunities with Durham and is capable with bat and ball."
For a report of the fourth day against Leicestershire click here.
View video highlights of this LV= match by clicking here.
Listen to a podcast of this day's play or live ball by commentary of any GCCC LV= match by clicking here.
