WHAT is going on down at Lancashire? They have gone from champs to chumps in the space of two or three years and I feel the root of the problem has been unearthed.

Ever since Bobby Simpson took over as coach, the Old Trafford side have got steadily worse on the one-day stage and now our championship form is starting to suffer with it.

Granted, they play Leicestershire in the semi-finals of the C&G Trophy tomorrow but what are the odds of them collapsing to another demoralising defeat?

I feel the resignation of Simpson will be a blessing in disguise as Lancashire can try and re-capture their glory days by appointing a former international coach that is currently available in David Lloyd.

Simpson's signings have been disappointing because, with all due respect, John Wood and Ryan Driver will never be consistent match-winning county players in the mode of Flintoff, Chapple and Muralitharan.

Why weren't we competing with Surrey for Mark Ramprakash and Ed Giddins?

Also, Lancashire's record for bringing Test players through the ranks is starting to suffer with very little bright young talent being seen on display at Old Trafford lately.

The Red Rose has been synonymous with trophies and internationals down the years.

The day could soon come, if Michael Atherton retires after the Ashes, when our only international has been employed from overseas.

Now wouldn't that be sad?

Marc Higginson,

Radcliffe.