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Starman, I love Led Zeppelin.... they’re great, probably the best band ever. But even I, as a rabid fan admit that they’ve released some lemons in their time. As much as I love them, if I’m honest, I know in my heart of hearts not everything they do is the mutts nuts. Even gods muck it up from time to time we appreciate you’re a Poole fan, but your constant leaping to defend Matt at every opportunity is a bit over the top. Dont take everything about Poole that you might not understand of disagree with as a personal insult, look at it with an open mind and see that from time to time, even Led Ford can get it wrong.

I agree that the fiasco of overwatering the 3rd bend and no information given was unacceptable. We were watching the riders standing about at first bend and then a couple of them went over to 3rd bend to inspect the track and no announcement was made for 20 minutes. And why so much water was put down when in fact it was raining at the time is just plain madness. Other than that it was a good meeting with some good racing. Shame that there were not more people to see it, no wonder there are rumours of riders not getting paid, I can't see how Laura can pay them if that is the normal crowd level and that was with about 100 Glasgow fans. I fear for the future of Workington speedway, Laura has put everything into saving it but she needs more to people to come through the door or some big support from sponsorship. We know how that feels at Glasgow, yes we are getting slagged as the millionaires but before the Faccennas took over we were concerned every season if we would be running the next. I sincerely hope the Comets can survive.

I am praying for it to happen. Poland get a 5-1 in every heat. Then in the final against GB, the Poles gate again and disappear into the dust by a whole straight, only for one of then to have an ef on the last bend. Woffinden and Cook poodle past him waiving to lift the title. The commentators go mad with Pearson shouting Woffy woffy woffy! And that will be the end of this crap competition.

ASSETS are a nonsense. Unless a rider is under contract he should be free to go wherever he pleases. Works everywhere else.

Sometimes it might be best to simply not post at all Starman. There is no possible sensible defence of what Ford is complaining about here so best to simply remain quiet.

The two day World final was an embsrassment, although having it in Holland probably didn't help. Last night's meeting was not good. It was supposed to be a pairs event, but where was the team riding? Whatever happened to thr great USA team racing style? Hancock racing off into the distance while his partner got passed by all and sundry cost USA a place in the final. Did anyone really care about the World Pairs in the past? It was always the poor relation of the World Team Cup and the individual championship, and still is. If they are having the World Cup every 2 years, with this as a filler, then fine. But if this is replacing it then it is a disastrous decision.

Just wanted everyone to know that Jane, Gerald’s wife, has informed me that StarFever passed away yesterday morning. Such sad news about a fellow Stars fan, I stood on the 1st/2nd bend with them for years without really knowing one another, then met him and Jane and shared memories, like you do and of course remained speedway buddies from then on. He loved the sport, was a knowledgable guy, straight talking on here and even after he suffered a stroke a few years back, Jane still brought him along to watch the Stars. RIP Gerald

These days I think it is easier to find a new commentator than a new fan,so.....,,,,

Rather than jump in and talk replacements etc ....Best wishes to Edward speedy recovery

It is a bloody big difference.Someone can win a final,but the rider with the most points wins in the end and that is how it was in the SWC as well.This new innovative comp is just rubbish.Plenty said it before a wheel was turned and after a few wheels it looks even worse that some thought

Busy weekend so had to watch this on delay tonight and for once I really do wish I hadn't bothered. The line about adding to the variety of teams and giving those a chance who couldn't raise a full four man team. Well, several 'teams' tonight couldn't raise two competitive riders. It was a night of nostalgia, but not of the pleasant kind, watching Germany capitalising on home advantage on a crap track in a poor stadium. It was so reminiscent of Norden in 1983, but for some reason we have to do our bit to prop up German speedway by allocating meetings to their inadequate tracks. Oh yes, another bit of nostalgia, 'Pocking Hell'. Oh for the good old World Team Cup, whatever happened to it? Then next week, more nostalgia with a two day final. Oh the triumph of Amsterdam in 1987! Some learn from mistakes. The FIM just plough on, propping up the backwoods of speedway while letting major nations go to pot (Poland excepted) as a result. The tail has wagged the dog at the FIM for decades. Back in the 70s the World Championship qualifying system was rigged to favour the east Europeans with the result being endless Pole, Russian and Czech no-hopers occupying the bottom of the scorechart. Nothing changes - the minor nations had too much say then and do have now, although who is major and who is minor has changed. We didn't need to change to a poor race format to get the Latvian upset last year and I very much doubt whether we'll see any this year, apart from pious comments about "wonderful to see the minor nations competing", - but are they? Will they? They're in the meeting and while some had one good, competitive rider overall they were just making up the numbers. The only surprises tonight were how poor the Latvians were after last year's success and even with home advantage, how many the Germans scored. The track looked inconsistent and was catching too many quality riders out. There was nothing on the outside line with the little racing on offer giving 'kerb crawling' a bad name.... The delays at the end were unacceptable but the least acceptable aspect of the whole TV 'extravaganza' was the commentary over heat 21. Declaring both teams out so definitively was sloppy commentating and well below the normal or required standard. I'm sure both they and their producer will know as well. Surely someone on the production team can monitor the scores and tell the commentary team when they're wrong? I know back in the early days of Sky coverage the late Bryn Williams was on hand to advise Tony Millard if necessary. Like someone else said, it made even One Sport's pairs events look good and I never thought I'd ever say that! Let's hope for better on Tuesday, and that we aren't bored rigid by 42 qualifying heats to see who makes it to a final where it's not about winning, just not finishing last. Good luck, explaining that to those casual viewers that are so carefully cared for in the commentary! Pairs events just do not suit knock-out systems. I was going to say winner takes all but, well, er.....can you hype "second and third TAKE ALL". I fear we will find out all too soon. It's okay having semis and finals for events like the Championship Pairs at Somerset - that's a fun night out before Cardiff. This isn't, and certainly "Raceoff 1" was far from amusing, unless you were a drunk German.......

spoke to some permanent stadium employees today who confirmed there was no rain at the stadium all day and that bends 1 and 2 had puddles of water early am but instead of brushing off the water the track was bladed then rolled so 1st 2 bends were hard on top but mush underneath,nothing to do with rain on the day or high tides!! i was informed that the track curator was sacked that day as i posted on the day.i was told that people were still being turned away at 7.30 would have been a bumper much needed crowd.Matt was heard saying it was his most embarrassing moment in speedway,i feel for any speedway promoter that suffers such a hit through no fault of their own,i understand extensive work is planned for next week and im sure all genuine speedway fans hope its successful

Speedway just showing once again how Amateur it really is. Any nation that doesnt have 3 riders present shouldn't be there

Yes i agree to moan about assets like Hans riding elsewhere when he could have used them its his own fault for not using them. Crazy not using Hans.

If you could provide Ben Barker with bikes and a mechanic and just get him to arrive and ride you will get the best out of him. Was brilliant in two spells at Ipswich but carries a lot of baggage.

We all know Matt has never put any time, effort and money into the track...

If you’ve nothing interesting or constructive to add to the thread then p*ss off

Well done lads. Sorry jenga got my prediction for wee Dan wrong. He was like that for us despite us having loadsa money.

Yet another match lost by our underperforming 1 and 5. As for the fiasco with the third bend overwatering, it's no wonder we are losing fans. Which other sporting event would leave the public sitting for 20 minutes in silence without the slightest indication of what the problem was. I know they can only announce so much but anything would be better then nothing. The sport gets more unprofessional every week.

Good of the Stoke Clerk of the Course to explain the reason behind the new signing. Could he also explain why the match was "postponed anyway" Why are Stoke allowed to continually postpone matches on nice dry nights for no apparent reason? I can see a backlog happening again at the end of October in bad weather.

As for Mr klint looking left and right to wave an opposition rider through in more than one heat is taking the p*** , but all sorts of rumours going round, understand riders need the money!!! but fans are spending well earned money to be entertained, wonder if any quotes are coming through from the promotion ? Another 3 weeks to next home meeting

Spud's stalking, then his pass, on Tero Aarnio in Heat 13 was sublime.

Team Riding is almost non existent nowadays. Though there is a British rider who is very good at it when required. The much maligned Ben Barker

It is a big problem having so many "assets" to not choose from.

That doesn't really work as an advertising slogan... " Come on Tuesday ... it will be better than steaming poo."