thebaron

I agree we should be looking for a rider as close as we can to Jakes average. But reading Robs comments it doesnt look likely ? He seems committed to the 2020 team in principal and the heat leaders Josh; Tommy and Tero. Trouble is with respect they will not have the "whip hand" with many other top threes ? and thats where meetings will be lost. It also overlooks a years lost track time so no one knows quite how riders will comeback ? Yes I know its the same for everyone else. I do get it though that its a "truncated season" with no one quite knowing how things will play out. We have argubly the best Rising Star in the league in Jordan Palin and maybe we are anticipating him coming up with some good returns ? 2021 really is a "take us as you find us" affair. Theres no real appetite for going out and winning things; its a case of getting through to 2022 and regrouping. For this season (and is by no means just us ) teams seem to be relying on a mix of "older hands"; returnees and the youngsters. It was very similar in 1968 when the old British League Div 2 was born. Would be good to see the likes of BWD and Zaine Kennedy come in if we reshuffled the pack. But I do not see it having read Robs words in The Star this week. I expect they might be more likely to join the new Plymouth Promotion who are already claiming to be in talks with "international riders" and will be looking to make an impression. No matter I reckon we will all be just glad to get back to the EWR and some fairly regular Championship racing. To be honest if it turns out a repeat of "Saints 1972 Season like batterings home and away" I think we'll take it just to see some Speedway wont we ?

Pooles declaration of intent with Schlein, Worrall and King has title written all over it. If meetings come down to Heat15 then they have it covered. Scorpions certainly look underpower by comparison without Jake Allen. No one jumps out that is likely to match his scoring he is after all our No1. I know this season is probably a "take whatevers on offer" affair. We will afterall just be glad to see Speedway without bothering too much about winning anything ? Perhaps our sights will just be set on seeing Jordan Palin develop in the team and then look to 2022 when the club can reset the team to be challenging ?

Berge might be an option had a 4+ ave with Belle Vue in 2019 so whats that = in the Champ ? Looking through the 2019 Averages that formed the basis for the 2020 Line Ups. The nearest rider to Jakes ave is current at Her Majesties pleasure !. So I do think we there need to be two changes to accomodate a rider with a higher ave than Jake ? That means that Pijper's( who I am sure "retired" in 2020 ? ) or Lambert's place could be in doubt ? and a nearer 4pt rider to come in.

With the news that Jake has withdrawn from UK racing in 2021 it seems to me we likely need to make two changes to the proposed line up ? Maybe switching one of the 5pt riders for a 4pt rider and try for Rory Schlien ? or Bradley Wilson-Dean ? who are freed following Somersets withdrawl ? Bottom line is the season IF it gets underway ? Is only ever going be a truncated affair. Likely a June start and Sept finish. So Jakes position is entirely understandable. But the options around his average are limited around UK based riders so we may have consider an 8+ rider to get near Jakes scoring. Not many of those about. BWD even if he rides in the UK might be a good option. That said hes been out a year - but so has everyone else !. For a 4pt rider one Aussie thats prepared to race a "shortened UK season" is Zane Kennedy. With his previous experience at Sheffield he might be a useful option. As much as I dont like going back on agreements with riders from 2020 I think we might have to ? SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS AVE -2.50% 1 Josh Auty 7.78 7.41 2 0.00 0.00 3 Tero Aarnio 6.85 6.85 4 Thomas Jorgensen 6.47 6.47 5 Theo Pijper 5.49 5.49 6 Simon Lambert 5.28 5.03 7 Jordan Palin 2.00 RSx2* 2.00 Actual Total: 33.87 1 to 6 Total:  31.25 Rising Star 39.00 2.00 Remaining: 7.75 Team Total 33.25   41.00

Eurosport streaming meetings where fans cannot attend ?

Well if someone can come along and put the investment into re-instating a multi-use track for both Stock Cars and Speedway how realistic does it need to be ?. Note the clear intent from StarTrax is for Stock Cars and Speedway so then British Speedway as a collective body is well an truly up rubbish Creek without a paddle. So the track will be there if someone shows a modicum of enterprise for British Speedway ?; but afraid not ? Not sure where you have your information from; but the track as far as I am aware will meet the requirements for Stock Cars and Speedway. That is the whole point of re-opening Odsal !; it does not work unless Rugby, Stock Cars and Speedway are on board. Star Trax may yet decide to operate the Speedway as the promotion, but the preference is for a partner to come on board to run the Speedway. Bradford is very much a realistic option and failure to recognise that does Speedway a great disservice.

That says absolutely nothing to me ?; and just maintains the status quo. The idea that the Premiership with six teams and no real top riders massively underscores the broadcaster in my opinion. Yet I cannot see how the two leagues could have merged given the shortage of riders ?. British Speedway has missed an opportunity to use 2021 to reset and re-invent. Not just ploughing on with the usual format ?. In these circumstances supporters, sponsors, riders would forgive our custodians pretty much anything for the chance to see some Speedway. A real chance to trial things; some might work some not; but we would forgive them. But we will not forgive them for sticking their heads in the sand and thinking that all will suddenly be well in 2022 because all that will have happened is that British Speedway will have marked time for two years.

I realise its "a shot" but in this time of all times; for one of British Speedways all time historic tracks to just drop from the sky seems an almighty opportunity for the sport ?. We will never know; but if the sport was really serious about going anywhere toward reclaiming a foothold in the psyche of its supporters now and in future; Odsal back on the calendar is massive for Speedway. I think they owe it to themselves; the riders, the supporters, the sponsors and the broadcast partners to a least be prepared to make a collective attempt to make Odsal happen for Speedway. Otherwise in all honesty I do not think the sport is going anywhere with its present custodians. It is like an "open goal" and it comes to No9 Speedway an "oh my god he's put it wide" !

Might be a case of Speedway wanting it on the cheap; think StarTrax who are putting in all the ground work might just have a bit of licence to get a fair rate for it. But; the Stox people are all about "working together" to make Odsal happen that includes Rugby and the Speedway and it only works as whole if all three are on board. I would definitely say whoever is "talking" on behalf of Speedway may be missing that point ?

Come on lets try and be positive; it is Covid secure mind; I can assure everyone of that

Obviously we wait with baited breath for what if anything can come from todays AGM ? I am down the avenue of thinking that the Leagues just will not work and should be put on ice for 2021 ?. The Premiership is an issue with just 6 teams; how does that add up to what Eurosport bought the rights for ?. Yet merging the two leagues does not seem practical because of doubling up ? The loss of Somerset and Swindon are further blows to British Speedway and it all is very much driven by the pandemic and how that plays out. There maybe further fall by the wayside before "the season" gets underway ?. To me once we have a roll call of which promotions are definitely committed; it may be helpful not to commit to league racing in 2021 and rather that tracks stage "event meetings". These could be; Individual, Handicap, Best Pairs. Team - 2 team-3-team-4 team, with tracks committing to hold at least two home meetings within the month. This way; supporters (who will be just glad to see Speedway) will get a varied programme, it overcomes the rider shortage that crops up because of the need to staff League teams; whilst affording a fair amount of racing for UK based riders across the multiple tracks. At this stage we have no idea if overseas riders will be able to travel to race in the UK squeezing the rider numbers further. So suspending league racing is not as radical as it may sound. It would not be the first time that League racing was effectively suspended; this of course happened in the War Years and also last season. In respect of the loss of Somerset and Swindon; and needing to support the broadcast partner Eurosport. How about thinking outside the box ? this might seem a real shot but Bradford will be home to a ready made Speedway track in April ! Odsal is being restored even as I type and will open for stock cars April 2. Why not offer Eurosport a "sweetner" of the return of one of Speedways greatest tracks and stage a number of meetings under an "allied banner" to showcase the sport even in these difficult days. All the graft is being done by the excellent Steve Rees and StarTrax Promotions and they are openly inviting a Speedway promoter to come on board. It may not be something one promoter would be able to do on his/her own but as "a collective" this may be a chance to boost the sport in Britain despite difficult days ?. Bradford could stage 3-4 trial events to showcase the track and the sport. In terms of crowds there would be more than enough space to accomodate social distancing and it would just be a real shot in the arm to see a World Class track back on the calendar. Stock Cars are certainly making the most of it; selling out the initial 2000 tickets for the opener on April 2 with hopefully more tickets available if restrictions lift. Indeed Swindon and Somerset may be able to lease out some of their track fixtures and fittings to Odsal for the 2021 campaign ?. I think the start gate at the Oak Tree Arena might still be the one aquired from Odsal !? In summary; I believe that suspending the leagues and find a more nuanced approach to the racing in 2021; plus adding Odsal to the rosta would be a chance to reset and create postives for the Sport; for the committed TV Partner Eurosport and the fans. I commend it to the house.

Tad harsh ?; but this signing was a suprise. TP has been absent from British racing for 12 months; having posted a 6.23 average at Berwick in 2018. So there must be some reduction on that average, as we only had 5.44 to play with ? Sure there was a bit of "miss understanding" with TP at the end of his last stint in 2015. Where he was injured but still rode abroad when he had a commitment at Scunny could be wrong ? My man was Todd Kurtz he had the perfect average and just down the road at Sheffield with no Championship club. Would have made an outstanding signing paired at 2. with Jake Allen. I think we would have been unstoppable. Coupled with that Todd Kurtz would have been there in his own right. Not sure TP completely does that for me ? So TP is probably on a bit of a hiding to nothing replacing Danny and what he brought to the table. Must say notwithinstanding the tragic circmstances it appears a bit like Friends Reunited" at the EWR in 2020 and lets hope it works out as if they have never been apart ?. Clearly the motivating mantra is "doing it for Danny" and we have to hope that it will give us the"bit extra"when we need it. All this said come what may; we must have the strongest reserve in the league in Simon Lambert so we can always throw him in. Ultimately we will end up with a strong rider at reserve which as always the plan.

This is very difficult. How do we start to replace "The Greatest Showman" ? Yet somehow we must. I have one rider and one rider only in mind for this job. He would be there on his terms. He's a great guy, experienced and would carry the burden well. He would leave us with 0.01 to spare.

Jesus Christ ! ?? .have I missed summat ? Danny Ayres not exciting ?? I give up I really do .

Seem to have gone for our own assets. As much as this team should take care of things at the EWR. Not sure theres the level of consistency there to do well away and thats the difference ? One, two or three ? marks to start the season in there as well ? Certainly hope I am wrong ?

So all will be revealed tomorrow with the last 4 Scorpions in 2020 being officially handed their race jackets. Fairly sure that Josh Auty and Danny Ayres will be two of them. I cannot see any "suprise" if we bring back Tero Aarnio with due respect to Tero who would be a points scorer for sure. But the fact that Rob promised "suprise" to me implies a new face. Kyle Howarth would make us strong at home where its crucial we make the EWR a fortress. That leads me to think Stefan will get a recall. However I see he is linked with Poole in 2020 ?. But if Howarth was not to be ? How about US rider Ricky Wells ? not in Edinburghs plans and a big scorer in Championship circles. Always goes well at Scunny and a well prepared and professional racer. His average is lower than KH on 7.05 as well. ? Would be a starting line up of Allen, Auty, Wells, Jorgensen, Ayres, Lambert, Palin that stacks up at 41.06 can we get reduction on any of the averages to bring that in at 41.00 ?

Just revisting my thoughts here ..got to say if Rob got the chance to sign Kyle Howarth would he ? I think he would ! A real EWR exponent ; giving us a great top four with Jake, Josh and Tommy. With Danny back and Jordan already declared thats 36.00 so 5.00 for the last place. Simon Lambert on 5.16 would push us over the 41.00 limit. Tough on SL who pressed his case at the end of last season with big numbers. However we do have a rider who fits !...Stefan Nielsen who just needs a bit more luck to stay clear of injury. He could defo nurse Jordan at reserve while being every bit as much capable as Lambert at putting in big scores from reserve. Jake Allen, Josh Auty, Kyle Howarth, Tommy Jorgensen, Danny Ayres, Stefan Nielsen & Jordan Palin. Thats a team of contenders !

With a confirmed 41 point limit leaving 6.99 to play with I now cannot see beyond Aarnio ? Thing is he is a Scunny asset and a scorer home and away. I think Robs looking at "track specialists" to hopefully defend the EWR. Then looking for them to gel at least some of the time on their travels. Certainly Tommy and Tero have it in their locker to get big numbers. Bit will depend on fitness ? Tommy and Danny coming back from injury. We need to get condistancy from Jake and better from Josh away from home for sure. Jordan Palin needs some support in his debut season and Simon Lambert gives that. I can see that Stefan Nielsen also offers that. But Lamberts heavy scoring from reserve v Nielsens battle against injury and inconsistancy from that edges it for Lambert. All in all with a 41 point limit a team with Scunthorpe in its DNA on 40.85 should please "the homers" and gurantee more great action at the EWR in 2020. We might not win the league but we can certainly give it our best shot !

Personally would love to see Ryan back hes made great strides in 2019. But I can't see Rob not giving Jordan a more experienced partner at reserve and that would be Simon Lambert for me.? I think we should keep the rest of our powder dry until after the AGM as things may change team build wise ? That said sure the management have their favoured line up already ?

Workington man apparently he can solve Brexit ? But can''t bring Speedway back to town ?come on Comets if you can solve Brexit you can get Speedway back in Worky no bloody problem !

Sorry but I beg to differ on the proposed team ? Last time Tero was in our line up he had a real beef with the track !. He is generally a dark horse in most meetings though ? But not sure Tommy is a forward move ? and I have stated the concern about Auty away from home ? If Danny gets back to where he was ? and Jake comes through to be the No1 he can be thats a bit more encouraging ? Lambert will be a scorer at reserve but will be tough for Jordan Palin. I dont see the that team finding the sort of consistancy -especially away from Scunny to be a play off let alone Championship contenders ? Hope I am wrong obviously.

Where are the "suprises" there ? Tommy and Tero are Scunny riders as far as I am aware. So just more of the same really ?. My team is better with Howarth and we still would have a sizeable margin to bring in a quality rider as well ?. One thing we must realise is that for all Josh Auty is Mr Scunthorpe round the EWR hes not that away from home anywhere near as often as he should be ?. So we need two scorers home and away. To me Howarth and Barker would be good calls. So long as Barker doesnt "pick up" when the Gladiators call him ?

With Sheffield elevated to the Premiership would that allow us to bring in Kyle Howarth ?. A team on the lines of Allen-.7.26, Auty-7.61, Howarth-7.15, Ayres-5.51, Lambert-5.16, Palin-2.00 = 34.69 leaving (assume 42.5 limit) = 7.81 to fill ?. That leaves quite a decent margin to fit in a quality 7th man -Ben Barker ? Although he may be in Plymouth sights for a return now they have stepped up ?. But I do think Howarth who is a Scunthorpe track "specialist" doubling up with us and Sheffield is now a distinct possibility.