SOMERSET'S returning fast bowler Steffan Jones believes the club has moved on leaps and bounds since he left in 2003.

The big-hearted Welshman said the coaching and management set-up is much more geared towards helping the club achieve success on the field.

And Jones, who spent two unhappy years at Northamptonshire but regained his old swagger at Derbyshire last season, is backing the side to win numerous honours.

He said: "This is the best side I have been a part of and I think that we are capable of promotion in everything as well as winning one of the one day trophies.

"The way things are run now is a lot more professional than when I left and this is a great time to get involved with Somerset.

"Richard Gould is an excellent chief executive from what I have seen and, with Brian Rose as director of cricket and Andy Hurry as the coach we have got a good management team. The club as a whole has moved forward a long way.

"With the quality of players at the club you don't need someone to tinker with everything and find faults in your skills just for the sake of it. Andy Hurry and Jason Kerr are good in that they work with your ability rather than try to turn you into something that you are not."

Comparing this season's side with the C and G winning team of 2001, who were also runners-up in the championship, Jones said: "The 2001 side was very good but it did rely upon individuals, whereas this year if someone doesn't perform then someone else will.

"If one person fails we wont fall apart because we have got more depth in the whole squad.

"We don't know what the side will be for the very first game. It could be anyone because we are all as strong as the next person and that is a good position to be in."

Meanwhile, Somerset's squad, including Marcus Trescothick, Andy Caddick and Ian Blackwell, spent Friday at Taunton Racecourse on a team-building day, to talk about the forthcoming season.

Jones added: "It was good to be all together as a squad and to get the chance to discuss our plans, goals and processes. It was a very good exercise for the team and will stand us in very good stead."