further fuelled by club coach Norbert Simons.

Speculation is rife that former Bermuda assistant national coach Mark Trott, and ex-technical director Clyde Best could be set to take over from Simons and assistant coach Gary (Tuba) Mallory at the Premier Division side come season's end.

Although the president of Somerset Cricket Club, Colin Smith, and both Trott and Best have all denied the talk on the street, Simons has added fuel to the fire by saying he might consider his future come the end of the season.

"I've heard those rumours about him (Trott) and Clyde... I heard them even before I started,'' said Simons.

"I don't know where they are coming from, to be honest. I'm sure that there are some elements in the club that would like to see somebody else take over.

But that's always the case, so I'm not too concerned about it.

"I just want to get to the end of the season and then I'll make some decisions because it's been too many years anyway. And even if I do step down, I'll still be available to help the club in any capacity they would have me.'' Smith, meanwhile, expressed surprise at the claims.

"I have honestly not heard anything, so to me it doesn't exist,'' he said.

"As a matter of fact I'm surprised you could say that.

"Our policy is that at the end of each season we evaluate all our coaches and set about doing that which we feel needs to be done.'' Best too was shocked.

"Me? Oh my dear, well you've told me something I don't know about. That's what happens when you live on an Island -- big lies.'' The former West Ham United ace added: "I have no inkling, desire or anything to do that. No way, I don't know where that comes from.

"I can't speak for Mark, but you're talking to the wrong guy. I've had my taste and don't need to go through that gauntlet any more.'' The other would-be player, Trott, said it was standard grapevine fare, not uncommon to local football.

"If people are saying that then that's mere speculation, simply because, as far as club football is concerned this season, I'm more or less chillin','' said Trott. "I wouldn't make any commitments to anybody, and if I was to be involved with any team, from a head coaching point of view next year, I would have to wait and see what positions are available.

"Right now, in the Premier Division, all the positions are taken.'' Whether there is truth to the rumours or not, what is clear is that at the moment Simons and Mallory are overseeing somewhat of a transformation in the club's on-the-field fortunes.

After a barren run at the start of the season that saw the once mighty Trojans suffer early round banishment from the Martonmere and FA Cup and boast a lousy 2-1-4 win-draw-loss record at the Christmas break, recent matches have seen a change for the better.

The West Enders have won three of their last five outings, including a 2-0 victory over defending champions PHC.

And, while the 11 points earned thus far yet places them closer to the bottom than the top and they are seven points adrift of number one Dandy Town, Trojans have shown solid form and have set themselves up to make a run at the leaders down the final stretch.

Through the hard times, Simons stood by his belief problems within the team were more mental than physical.

"Like I said from the beginning, I've always felt our problem was not our football, but finding a way to get into our players' heads so they could enjoy playing football again,'' he said.

"A lot of times I feel Somerset has been a victim of its own success. Guys feel that they don't have to work hard because they've put on a Somerset jersey, and guys will respect that fact, but that respect has gone out the door and our players haven't risen to the challenge.'' Centre of attention: Rumour has it that Mark Trott is poised to take over at Somerset Trojans, but the man himself, a former assistant national team coach, denies the claims which pair him with Clyde Best.