THIS time last year Lancashire were trying to keep pace with Sussex at the top of the table, now they are together in a scrap at the bottom.

The team must now start building towards the most important part of the season and attempt to get something out of the disappointing summer. With relegation a real possibility this is the most crucial run of matches the team has faced for some time.

In 2001 the Red Rose only secured their top-flight status during the last match of the summer, but expectations were different and the team wasn't as strong as this current side.

This was meant to be, and still is on paper, the best Lancashire squad in recent times. The side has rebuilt after the retirements of Atherton, Fairbrother, Lloyd era and were looking to challenge on all fronts.

Sadly, for a number of reasons, it hasn't clicked after a positive start to the summer and fans are left with a tense month of cricket.

One player Lancashire would have loved to have seen more of is Andrew Flintoff. However, that was never going to happen with such a packed international calendar but Red Rose fans can get much pleasure from his memorable exploits with England.

And after hitting the winning runs at Old Trafford on Monday "Freddie" has had more good news during this golden summer. He has been nominated for three awards in the inaugural ICC awards, cricket's Oscars, to be celebrated in September.

Flintoff is in the running for Test player of the year, one-day player of the year and overall winner. This is an acknowledgment of his wonderful 2004 when he has passed 50 in seven successive Tests and now picks up the wickets his bowling deserves.