SOMERSET'S new director of cricket, Matt Maynard, has been impressed by the fact that everything at the club is geared towards achieving success for the team on the pitch.

Talking after his first few days in office Maynard said: “The thing that has struck me most was the togetherness of the club and the fact that everybody is striving towards the same goal, which is to help the team to succeed out on the pitch, which is fantastic to see.”

Maynard is aware of the expectations that there are at Somerset and the hunger of the fans to win some trophies.

He added: “Of course there is quite a bit of pressure to succeed but that is only natural, however I know that I am going to give it my best and do what ever I can.

“At the end of the day when I look in the mirror I will know that I have done everything that I can to prepare the lads as best as I can for Somerset and creating the right environment in partnership with the players is massively important.” “The financial strength of the club really helps in providing a very talented playing squad who can feel comfortable and concentrate on their core business without any external worries.”

Maynard said that his next few weeks were going to be spent finding out about the club, coaches and playing staff, as well as property hunting in Taunton because he is intending to move here as quickly as possible.

He said: “My initial assessment is that we are in an excellent place as a club. “No major surgery is required – just a little bit of reshuffling the deck and tweaking the systems that already exist.

“There are a few decisions on the make up of the squad going forward, particularly in regard to the overseas player.

“That is an important decision and is not just about what I want as the DOC but also what the team feel we need.

“So I want to talk to the senior players and some of the younger ones too, before we finalise that decision.

“I am really looking forward to meeting up with all Somerset members and supporters.

“I have got very fond memories of Taunton from 1997 when I captained Glamorgan to the Championship title in the final match of the season, and it would be nice to repeat this as a home ground rather than an away ground!

Maynard added: “The warmth of the welcome and the number of messages I have received from the Somerset supporters has been just fantastic and I hope I can do them justice.”