Big Diamond

The promotion have a decision to make stay loyal or try and have a good season we cant do both with this team. Should be worried about coming bottom with Berwick and Scunthorpe showing signs of improvement. Personally I think 2 changes are needed,. but whatever they do Conner has to go i don't understand what anybody is gaining from this. The excuse of who do you get i cant answer that, but somebody must want it. We aren't trying to replace promising youngsters like Scunthorpe/Sheffield who could weaken the team, anybody who can finish 4 laps would be an improvement on Conner horrible to say but its fact. Conner needs concentrate on IOW immediately or this could be another early retirement which would be a shame. He can always try again next season he needs remember that.

Definitely a worry tonight it was with Ludvig never mind r/r. Steve,Lewis and Ashley must be better than last week and get 7-9 from r/r and Conner must score something . This is assuming with Robert and Ben having similar performances we cant afford them not to massive pressure on Ben. For Sheffield Grajczonek,Howarth and Branford will have ride well be as good as Kerr, Palm Toft and Aarnio last week, but they are capable of doing it and score double figures each. However the rest of the team is much stronger than Scunthorpe depending on what Bates and Bjerre show up. One positive is Macdonald riding as Blackburn has shown he can score 2/3 round the track, so could make a difference as i can see last heat decider.

Its a difficult one with no correct answer i like Ashley and Robert together so it could stay that way. No doubt George will try work out what he thinks will get the most points.

What rider order would people have i would be tempted give Robert pressure of carrying r/r and have Rose ride with Ashley who could have heat 1 anyway and give Steve heat 8.

I agree which is why Ben has to much pressure he going be inconsistent at least he needs somebody who can at least average 3 and rotate the role at the minute if Ben struggles we struggle. Good news about rose but wonder how r/r work with both him and Ludvig on the same average hopefully Steve can have a ride could make the difference.

I can see Ben adding point to his average based on his home performances,but its hard for a rider nobody wanted start of the season on a 2 average to become sole source of points for a team riding against better riders especially away. Tomorrow massive meeting for Conner without Ludvig, and possibly Rose don't know if he fit we need reserve points its a must. Also well done Josh Embleton on getting guest booking for Stoke hope he does well.

To be fair to Conner he has been unlucky to have so much pressure on him because of team building unlike Danny last year who had Rose taking pressure off him. Unfortunately we cant carry that this season another 3/4 points would make big difference. Think Coles he needs a break get some confidence back in NL and try again next season a more experienced rider, at the minute he either riders conservative but isn't fast enough or goes for it but always falls off his confidence must be shot. Agree about Hopwood think track suits him, he isn't the quickest but has more bottle than some visiting riders will have and more bike control than Coles and is clearly improving every meeting. I also agree about next year being another year that's what i like about speedway things can change quickly if you struggling. But there is still plenty race for this season might as well try.

Its disappointing today a rain off good or bad it would told us a lot about the side chances this season, especially when you consider how many home loses scorpions have had could be lot stronger when we go later. I also agree about our home form im not saying that's going to change we will win the majority and hopefully go unbeaten. i just think we are vulnerable getting hammered at reserve every week a team like Glasgow or Monarchs next time could take advantage.

Team needs minimum 5 points to be happy with the weeks performance unfortunately 3 is the most i can see us getting without massive improvement. WE have been awful at Scunthorpe in the past and struggled beat them at home, plus Ipswich are very strong at home so neither will be easy. Reckon will beat Sheffield but will be close again if we ride like last night they are a good side. I hate say it but i think we will lose a home meeting eventually been very lucky survive this long,but i cant see it lasting all season with this team. However Big well done Hopewood good signing on a 2 at home at least without him would have lost last night and against Monarchs but he needs help.

Wonder what happened to Kus seems waste of time buying his contract. Mind you Robert and Steve are superior riders suppose somebody had to go.

Happy with top 5 Robert and Steve will hopefully kick on to 9/10, say it every year but hopefully Ludvig will it is weaker league so possible. Delighted Morris is back along with Rose gives us second strings with potential. As expected reserves are a worry, Danny must improve it isn't optional we don't have a good reserve carry him which also mean slot pressure on his partner. Mind you i thought Coles looked decent when he guested for Plymouth considering he was at 1 for Kurtz against out top guys least he rode the track. Be fair plenty of teams could have rubbish reserves cause of shortage or inferior heatleaders so cant judge team yet.

Hard to think of a Diamonds without Ludvig or even Kus since we made effort teach him the track and its almost believe it when i see it situation. However if it did happen replacement needs to be somebody like Wells who consistently scores double figures when he visits, and in a weaker league i think is good value on his average. Even more so as he wont beat at 1 and will gain home advantage. Also been harsh critic of Ludvig many times during meetings because of lack of consistency not so much this year mind bit i believe he needs new track to step to next level. I'm also not bothered about how nice somebody is off track, i care about results on track even if better rider is boring but no doubt some young kids see Ludvig as a hero. I would also never dispute his contribution to the club behind the scenes if he signed again that's fine with me. Looking forward to team announcement just worried about reserves that's main concern and avoiding missing riders better than last season.

Good result considering Lindgren injury and Kus bike problems hopefully both sorted tomorrow, but again choice of guest was awful Barker wouldn't replace reserve on that performance never mind Robert. Hope can finish job tomorrow but should have beaten Sheffield but no guarantee. Hopefully team desperate put right last week poor performance, and win cup since have to win silverware when you got good team and this is our last chance, who knows what happen next year. Also important for riders who wan to return poor performances when it matters make rides less attractive signing. For that reason gotta give Ashley credit stepped up since he signed despite huge pressure replacing Rose, and must have given promotion something to think about kept us in it tonight and only positive last week give everything.

Massive win for the Diamonds which could be vital for playoffs push, be honest would have taken point Bears are much stronger at home than earlier in season. Bit worried by poor exclusions at silly times point thrown away, but shows strength team to still win the meeting despite being under par apart from Rose excellent job especially with him covering r/r. However everybody contributed something even Danny in heat 2 which was vital in the end.

Great result would of been happy with just getting through but a draw is fantastic, just Shame cant swap results with league meeting but confident will be in top 6 when it counts with semi final to come. The result also more evidence of potential of this team if everything clicks ends of season anything possible. Happy to see Danny contribute again those extra points make big difference hope it continues.

Fantastic performance by the Diamonds and could have been more, Steve fall cost him maximum, Kus be disappointed didn't win heat 12 and Robert and Lewis were under par but still got good points. Danny struggled and his points were gifted but good to see Steve helping him after meeting hope it helps Danny. Sheffield were poor apart from single win each from Stead, Howarth and Anderson and clearly missed Garrity and maybe Bates as Anderson was competitive but did little apart from 12 and 14 which made his score looked better than it should. Should have enough but professional performance needed cant take nothing for granted especially against Tigers.

Shame about r/r possibly cost us the win which sums up the season, but still excellent point which i didn't expect considering Somerset fantastic season so far. The extra point could be vital end of season,it also shows if we make playoffs we are real threat competitive away and strong at home just hope missing riders and called off meetings don't cost us. Also well done Danny he may have got lucky but need to be in position to take advantage he obviously was hopefully gives him confidence boost.

Great performance by the top 4 carrying both r/r and both reserves and still got through comfortably. Only opposition was Kerr and Palm Toft who was ordinary but still got 7 rides and decent points Bailey showed some promise through. Unfortunately Danny struggles seem to be getting worse he surely needs a break from pl before it ruins him completely. Problem is lack of replacements best option is probably somebody who would benefit from experience, but not score any points at first but would gradually improve. Its a huge disadvantage when every other side has decent brit, and our only weakness apart from missing riders. If we had good reserve would cause anybody problems at home since we have 6 riders capable of riding like heatleader already.

Tonight meeting should be much tougher than original staging with Scunthorpe stronger and Diamonds much weaker. Possibly okay top 5 depends on Ludvig fitness, my worry is reserves Danny struggling and Garcia never rode track well against Palm Toft who could easily have 7 rides and score big points. Least its dry had enough postponements don't need anymore.

Big meeting tonight cant afford to drop home points and with full team it would have been tough, but Glasgow are favorites as guests make Diamonds much weaker just hope for there best performances ever had round the track. Worrying that we are relying on guests biggest week of the season just hope this time next week still unbeaten at home and still in both cups.

Excellent win for the diamonds which i wasn't expecting and would have snap your hands of if offered point before the meeting. Plus as good a job Barker and Richie did which obviously grateful for not sure they got as many as Kus and Lambert would have which shows how good win it is. Also well done on Phillips getting win in heat 2 should help his confidence, and excellent performance by Steve Worrall but everybody contributed something to the result. Now need to make sure we get another win tomorrow.

Agree about the performance we need better if we are going achieve anything this season because we weren't great at Berwick or Workington either and had full team today so no excuses. Looking at the performances Danny will always find it tough away, Victor needs few meetings before we judge, but Kus has to score points away thats why we signed him and Rose need to take his home form on the road. Just as well Robert and Steve rode could have been a lot worse if they didn't. Fortunately Scunthorpe let us off with only 10 behind shouldn't be anywhere near enough as we are very strong at home and Scorpions have been awful round Brough last few seasons against weaker Diamonds sides.

Welcome to Phillips hope he takes his chance well and welcome back Rose hope he has the year we thought he would last season, and with a weaker reserve standard with 3 pointer rule he might. Essential now we sign another heatleader wouldnt mind Kus if we can teach him Brough, Robbo or Howarth both decent options. Ritchie still best choice depending on Glasgow wouldnt want new 7 pointer though could ruin the team rarely get near heatleader average which we need to help our low averaged reserves. Well done promotion on dropping season tickets after getting fans excited with team hope it gets more fans buying them.

Excellent signing wasn't expecting that one of the best in the league just what the team needed, hopefully the promotion have talked about missed meetings and got that sorted. Also it helps Ludvig signing because he wont be top man anymore instead back up for Lambert and Steve which is a more suitable role. Helps the other two as well Steve not riding 1 help his rapid development and Tero will have a good heat leader to back up whatever the team order. Interested who next 3 signings will be especially 3 pointer could be crucial.

Happy with the two signings Aarnio earned his spot end of last season big part of our improved home form. He gives the team options as he can ride as decent second string on low average which could to save points elsewhere, or big scoring reserve like last season. Steve has made big improvement last season so coming back this season was a must. Look forward to hearing the other 5 signings.