DARYL Mitchell has vowed to carry on as captain of Worcestershire, despite the club coming in for mounting criticism following their relegation from LV= County Championship Division One.

The New Road skipper presided over a difficult campaign, but insists he is still the best man to lead the team and remains passionately committed to the job.

Relegation was confirmed yesterday when Surrey completed their victory over Nottinghamshire — former Worcestershire spinner Gareth Batty taking four wickets.

The Badsey-born 28-year-old said: “One thing I’m definitely not is a quitter and my job here is not complete as captain. Being Worcestershire captain is something I’m really proud of. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since a young age — firstly I wanted to play for the County and having gone on to then captain the side is a great honour. “Deep down, I’m a huge Worcestershire fan and I have been since I was a small kid. I will do what I think is best for the team and for the club and I feel that is for me to continue as captain.”

Worcestershire supporters have taken to your Worcester News ’ website to vent their frustrations that have sprung from the disastrous 2012 campaign.

One reader, who goes by the name of dulon, posted: “The atmosphere (at New Road on Thursday) was something like a waiting room in the dentists! The noises emanating and the fear of the inevitable were probably comparable. It has been as painful as pulling teeth to watch the 'team' this year and unless there is a management shake-up I fear that next year will be more of the same.

“By selling the family silver to provide finance, the club should invest its funds in proven and competent management/coaching staff - not supply jobs for the old boys.

“I expected this (relegation). The board must take responsibility for employing incompetent staff and for the lack of talent retention.

“I suggest that they start from top down and sack Rhodes and his sidekicks. Then employ a competent manager and staff.”

I then asked Worcestershire fans on Twitter what they felt the club should be doing to ensure they bounce back from relegation as quickly as possible.

Kit Smith (@KitSmith89) suggested: “The best thing for what is a largely young and inexperienced batting line up next season will be a year or two of development in Division Two.”

Neil Clifton (@FromTheSauceBBQ): tweeted: “A decent winter playing abroad for the players and to sign a marketing professional with deal-making pedigree to generate more revenue.”

Joe Andrews (@joeandrews18) added: “The Twenty20 campaign was excellent as a positive and Phil Hughes was superb, but you only have to look at the batting averages to see the problem.”