Wednesday 6 April 2016 14:31, UK
Derbyshire's elite performance director Graeme Welch hopes lessons have been learned from a poor 2015 campaign as the squad prepares to kick off a new season.
Much has changed at Derby since the end of 2015, when they finished eighth in Division Two of the County Championship and made little or no impact in one-day and Twenty20 cricket.
Leading wicket-taker Mark Footitt was tempted away by promoted Surrey, but hopes are high of a better season at the County Ground with a number of exciting new faces on board.
New Zealand international Hamish Rutherford should improve the top of their batting order, and compatriot Neil Broom has also joined the squad - he has a UK passport so can play as a home recruit - while the depth of their bowling attack has been boosted by the addition of Andy Carter and Tom Milnes.
As well as the on-field changes there is plenty going on behind the scenes - a new media centre is being built and stands have been moved.
"We learned a lot of experiences last year," Welch told Sky Sports News HQ as preparations continued for their opening match against Gloucestershire on April 17.
"We've added Neil Broom and Hamish Rutherford to stabilise the middle order, Andy Carter has come in to replace Mark Footitt and Tom Milnes as well, so we are looking a little bit more experienced.
"The lessons learned from last year should stand us in good stead. We'll be a lot more competitive than last year, we're more experienced and we'll be looking to win every game. We're quietly confident."
Welch also expects much more from Derbyshire in Twenty20 cricket in 2016, with the Falcons managing to win just four of their 14 matches last season to finish bottom of the North Group for the second year running.
"Twenty20 has taken over across the world. The World T20 was a great tournament, and I watched virtually every game. I took a lot of new tactics from it, but it's still just down to executing the skills," he added.
"It's all about dealing with the situation. We have to put the practice in and execute."
