Matthew Maynard has been reshaping the Glamorgan playing staff

Steve James says that it would be a mistake for Glamorgan not to back director of cricket Matthew Maynard.

Chairman Paul Russell has said although he has faith in Maynard, results have been "enormously disappointing" and there will be a review in October.

But ex-Glamorgan captain James believes Maynard has done a good job and warns any split could also see captain Jamie Dalrymple depart Glamorgan.

"From my point of view, Matthew Maynard should stay on," James told BBC Sport.

Russell has said he and new chief executive Alan Hamer will meet Maynard to conduct "a root and branch review" into poor results.

Although Glamorgan improved in the County Championship - they were in the promotion mix until the very last game of the season - the Welsh county struggled in limited overs competition.

I've got it on pretty good authority that if Matthew Maynard went, Jamie Dalrymple would go as well. Steve James

The Dragons lost eight out of their nine Twenty20 Cup matches and won just two out of eight Friends Provident Trophy games, a performance that Russell branded as "unacceptable" and said that the buck stopped with Maynard.

But James, who played two Tests for England and is now a respected cricket commentator for The Sunday Telegraph and the BBC, says Maynard has had to rebuild the team from a very low level.

"They haven't been a good side for a number of years, but I mean my big criticism has been that there hasn't been a lot of focus on the team for a long time," James said.

"From one point of view it's good that the chairman is taking some interest in the team at last.

"But look, Matthew Maynard took over this team - he's been there two years - and when he took them over they were a complete shambles.

"I think from my point of view there has been some improvement this year, especially in the four-day game.

"The one-day game still hasn't been great, but I actually think it's harder to make advances in the four-day game.

"And I think he's made some good signings, I think Jim Allenby will be a good one-day player for them next year.

"I would hope next year that the one-day side can be better as well and the four-day side can continue their improvement."

Although he hopes Maynard continues in charge of team affairs next season, James fears there may be a split.

"I've spoken to some people who've said that it looks as though this situation is untenable, it looks as if there is too big a split which would be very sad," James said.

"I've got it on pretty good authority that if Matthew Maynard went, [captain] Jamie Dalrymple would go as well.

"I said when Dalrymple signed that he was Glamorgan's best-ever domestic signing and I still stand by that.

"I think he had a superb season... and Glamorgan certainly don't want to be losing him and I don't think they want to be losing Matthew Maynard at this stage either."

Dalrymple, a member of England's 2007 World Cup squad, joined Glamorgan from Middlesex at the end of that season and has proved a big success.

This season the 28-year-old has skippered the side admirably, averaging more than 50 with the bat in the County Championship, weighing in with 20 wickets, and being asked to captain the England Lions side against Australia.

Dalrymple, who has played 27 one-day internationals for England and three Twenty20 games, has a year left on his current Glamorgan deal.

* For a full Glamorgan end of season review watch Sport Wales on BBC TWO Wales at 2200 BST on Friday

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