Speedball

We can have no complaints. Well beaten by a very good Sheffield side. Top three speak for themselves but Pickering and Gilkes provided very good support. Vadim had a nightmare evening. Dropped three primary chains in succession so something clearly not right there, but can’t say it made much difference to the score. Patryk struggling with his engines. Apparently too strong for the tracks so just spinning and he can’t detune them enough to get them working. Bringing some new equipment over to try. Other than Tobi and Tom Brennan though, we didn’t really offer much of a threat. Not sure I can see anyone taking points of Sheffield at home this season. No weak links in top 5 to exploit.

Planning to come across for this as having a break in the Peak District. Hoping weather holds off as it robbed me of Belle Vue on Monday. Was a tough ask with a full 1-7 but with the middle order ripped out, going to be even worse now. But we’ve got nothing to lose. Most will expect us to get beat comfortably. Up the Stars.

Possible elbow injury I believe. Crashed while racing for Fjelsted.

Yep, it's put me off. Was going to come up for the final, but £65 to stand is a complete p**s take so will just watch it on TV instead. By the time I factor in fuel, food, drink, it just doesn't add up.

Looking forward to finally get our home meetings underway. Rob Lyon said on this week’s Pride of the East podcast that a few of the boys had a spin yesterday, so hopefully we’ll be dialled in from the off. Would be much more confident if we’d had those the Leicester and Birmingham meetings under our belt first, but still think we have enough. Stars to win 48-42 (hopefully)

Currently lashing it down here. Disappointing it’s another call off but tbh think they’ve got it spot on with the call again.

100% correct decision to call it off. Used my spare evening to visit a relative in Lynn hospital and it was slashing down when I came out at 8:10pm. Clubs often get criticised for getting it wrong, so only right they get praise when they get it right.

Some Stars news from the local paper: https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/danish-ace-raring-to-go-for-lynn-stars-9358188/ https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/stars-fans-launch-pride-of-the-east-podcast-9358150/

Hoping so. 3 of us coming from Lynn tonight. Looking forward to a good meeting. Difficult one to call with it being both teams first meeting. My gut feeling is Leicester will have too much for us, but hopefully we'll put on a decent performance and hit at least 40. I predicted 49-41 to Leicester on the podcast so better stick with that.

Yes mate, I do agree he should increase his average. He’s had some horrendous luck and I was probably harsh on him earlier. I trust Rob’s judgement so if that’s what he thinks is the best option, it’s good enough for me.

Winning home matches is the key to start with and this should be a side that’s very competitive at home, especially if Wojdylo takes a liking to the track. We know Musielak loves the track and Basso always done well on previous visits. Tarasenko won 3 out of his 4 races before a fall in heat 13 slowed him down. Only problem is they won’t be riding against teams as weak as we were

And it’s the “one other” that will make or break this team in my opinion. A rider like Thomson would be an amazing coup on 5.53. MPT after two injury affected seasons, not so much so unfortunately. Edit: Well the announcement has put that to bed. Nice to dream for a few days.

That certainly seems most likely though I did see Phil the Ace mention about talks with Anders Thomson on the 2024 Predictions thread. Not sure what average he would be come in on. Last rode for Peterborough in the Premier League (now Championship) in 2016 and averaged 8.29. Can’t see him being allowed back here on a converted Championship average considering he’s been in the GP’s since. I can dream and think we could field Musielak and Thomson, but being realistic, I just can’t see it.

My concern is if we don’t get Musielak

So looking like: Musielak: 8.69 Tarasenko: 6.94 Iversen: 6.64 Basso: 6.25 Leaves 11:48 for final 2 members. Wojdylo must be a strong contender on 5.00, so 6.48 for final team place.

Klindt along with Kerr to Oxford is the rumour.

Adding together different rumours etc, how about: Musielak Basso Iversen Tarasenko Wojdylo That leaves about 7.48 to fill. Not many 7 pointers available though.

Yep, Bomber at Oxford if rumours are true.

I imagine if it’s anyone’s cunning plan, it will be Rob Lyon’s. Logical for him to work with riders he knows and trusts. Plus he’ll know the ones who are good for team spirit etc.

At least let us dream for one night

They were definitely conversations last season. I'd bloody love it if true. Team building average must be something like 42.00 if that's the case.

IF the above rumours are true then I make the averages: Tarasenko 6.94 Iversen 6.64 Lawson 6.41 Harris 6.37 Basso 6.25 Leaves 6.39 if team average is 39:00 again. Solid throughout but would still prefer to see someone like Wojdylo at reserve and the extra points used for a No 1. But is there one available that we can afford and wants to come? If not, then there is certainly strength in depth in this team. Basso at reserve on 6.25

I kind of ruled out Lawson as Phil the Ace had him in at Leicester but just checked his average out. At 6.41 (6.57 - 2.5%) he looks a really good signing, especially when you consider how well he rode at Lynn last year (then again everyone did bar the Lynn riders) Just shows, there a definitely options in the middle order (around 6 - 7 pointers), but we need someone to compete in 13 & 15. Need to learn from last year.

Harris is one of those who I can’t believe has never ridden for us before considering how much the track suits him. He might be at the tail end of his career but I’d love to see him have a stint with us. Probably wishful thinking as sure a Midlands track would suit him. But I wouldn’t rule it out.

Congratulations to all at Glasgow. Been so impressed with how the club has improved on and off the track and also the friendliness of the fans. Came up to Glasgow in 2017 and @Gazc went out of his way to help me when he didn't need to. Had a brilliant night there for a derby match vs Edinburgh (Bewley max) and been rooting for you to get the title ever since. The club does so many good things off the track as well, especially social media and community activities.