MICK Newell today confirmed he wants Chris Read as skipper for Notts in 2009.

The club's director of cricket was philosophical about Notts missing out on the title to Durham on Saturday, admitting the better team won.

That came after Notts were beaten at home by Hampshire, while the Riverside club were victorious at Kent.

But Newell is adamant Read thoroughly deserves the chance to go one better after working closely with the wicket-keeper this summer.

"I think Chris has been tactically outstanding," he said. "He obviously had his difficulties in the Hampshire game with the gloves and he will be disappointed in that sense.

"But I don't think it has really affected him in general – you would struggle to find many chances he has dropped over the course of the campaign.

"And, from the batting point of view, I think his record stands up reasonably well.

"I'm happy with the way he has gone. He is going to have to develop his skills, he still has things to work on.

"But, overall, I think he has been tremendous and I want him to continue to captain."

And Newell revealed he is determined to bring in two top-quality batsmen to bolster their County Championship hopes next summer.

Only Mark Wagh reached 1,000 County Championship runs, although Samit Patel – who missed games on England duty – was only just short.

Newell said: "I think I would like to bring into this side one quality English batsman and one quality overseas player.

"I think we are one or two light in that area and it has cost us dearly. I'm not sure the batting was as good as it should have been."

Newell says Notts have to analyse why they continue to lose big matches that have decided the outcome of their season.

"In all the competitions we have been in we have had to play winner-takes-all matches – and we have lost all four," he said.

"There obviously is an issue there. Two have been batting and two have been bowling and we have to sit down and look at why it keeps happening in pressure situations."