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Big Diamond

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Posts posted by Big Diamond


  1. Glad Diamonds are running and hopefully with new promoter to help build for future. As for the team we aren't likely be top side with best riders gone so strong at home should be priority. That should be possible with the usual suspects still available and we must be strong at reserve. The big question is who will improve which every team needs and who will be 1 and 5 hope George has something up his sleeve.


  2. This lack top riders is why I was worried about raising point limit. It sounds great on paper until some teams can’t put together competitive side. I can see 5 or 6 good sides rest filling the numbers and hoping to survive.



    If we run and I hope we do Diamonds might need 4.5/5 pointers at both reserve spots to even be competitive, Signing 2 pointer can’t happen unless heatleader situation changes.



    Only hope might be going abroad like we used to hopefully find another Kenni Larsen type rider, if not might at least get few assets.



  3. Its pretty difficult to predict a team till we know that Diamonds are running, and what the rules are. Although i dont understand why teams can sign riders before AGM. That means promoters automatically go in with a biased agenda as they wont accept any rule that effect the signings, even if its a great rule that will benefit the sport. Hopefully this is best AGM in years with no politics it cant continue as it has been.


  4. The problem with Steve is he may want do the same as Robert this season and try Poland, and if he does Diamonds cant sign him or we could have same problems all over again. Mind you he might not have wait and see what happens. As for the rest of the team everybody is an option for next reason, it was the balance not the individual riders but I do expect some changes has to be really.


  5. This is what happens with stupid rules that don't make sense, and every team would have taking advantage of the loop hole its clear as day and Diamonds must have been giving permission. Easy way to avoid this in the future is have no 24-7 or strict rules about riders in foreign league that everybody understands should have been done years ago. That also includes sorting out doubling up and other things.


  6. There was me thinking Newcastle had 6 riders + the R/R facility and before you say anymore i'm neutral to both sides on this.

    Any team riding against top heavy Diamonds team without Lambert covered by 4-6 pointers, with Robbo having bike problems and struggling reserves getting 1 point against opposition should win. Bears had fantastic opportunity get 3/4 points very surprised they didn't take it.


  7. Well done Diamond expect complaints from Bears promotion about r/r but surely nobody blame but themselves on the lose. Onlyriding against 4 man team and Robbo was poor so 3 and half really. Well done to Ashley and Steve and Ludvig was flying that move in heat 15 was excellent in such pressure race.

    • Like 1

  8. Yes, but supporting youngsters need not equal having wobbling reserves. Sorry, but my view remains that second halfers are being passed off as professional speedway riders in the interests of enconomy.

    Yes they are but as I questioned before hasn't that always been the case seen programme cards and footage of riders bend behind that cant buy a point in 70s and 80s.

    The first priority should be removing daft rules like tactical and select sides every week if not improving standard or points limit would achieve nothing long term.


  9. It's not. In the early 00's there was the Conference League which was well as bringing in new riders, also reshuffled 'old hands' riders. The stream of young riders started to slow, and there was a reduction of CL teams. With the introduction of the British Youth Championships rounds, this is bringing in youngsters under 16 who have got a lot of racing behind them at different cc levels ending with the 500cc class. Unfortunately the poor foreigners were still being preferred for team places, so ideas like the Draft Riders initiative was introduced, so every team needed to have minimum requirement of youngsters who obviously the displaced the poor foreigner. The BYC has come on leaps and bounds and just last week at Belle Vue round 6 had the greatest number of riders in track than any other round before. The kids riding that day started at about 10 up to 16, and obviously the younger ones will need to progress through the cc classes until at 16 they are competative riding on a 500 in real races. It takes a number of years to get to say a second string position and many will not make it, but at least it is better than not tackling the problem and be at the mercy of other countries for their poor riders.

    It may be cheaper to employ a couple of kids, but don't let people tell you that that is the main reason for giving them protected team spots. It is NOT.

    I agree always support youngsters its the last thing I want to see changed of all the current rules. Plus our promotion have done their bit some good riders who used be 3.00 pointers for the Diamonds.

    • Like 1

  10. I have only been going speedway since 2000 but family have been long before and I never understood this idea developing youngsters is new. I got programme from my dad going back decades which suggest that is not the case some absolute dross seems rode back then. However strong core of British riders was important and still is its big reason for current problems, and league not taking themselves seriously with daft rules. Also putting up points limit sounds good, but it means more doubling up which fans also want rid of cant have both. I don't like it but reality is likes of Robert, Worrall twins, Cook, Bomber and many others miss meetings or don't ride in this league at all it needs decided in winter which is more important.


  11. Great news well done to the promotion for getting Bowtell sorted quick one of the best 2 pointer performances at Brough Park this season, and still didn't get the points he deserved paid 7/9 if not for bad luck and inexperience. Even if he struggles least its somebody new who will learn from experience Greenwood was not or even looked like he would.


  12. Easy win for the Diamonds, but to easy no racing cause Bandits weren't good enough to create any apart from Lawson. Even then Glasgow riders weren't going take any risks against each other so generally follow the leader. Bowtell was impressive though compared to Greenwood who was lucky to get the points he did Bowtell beat him twice should have been three but for bike problems and nearly got him in heat 2 took lap to long to learn track. Not sure if Bowtell would be interested or available but might be worth promotion asking.

    • Like 1

  13. Personally think the Diamonds have done good job chosen guests on paper anyway. Gonna be weird 3 Glasgow riders all good riders mind, Lawson better in general but probably the worst of the three round Brough Park which is probably why promotion didn't pick him. Although the points they score might depend on how much they try against each other first to gate wins and no risks or fight to be the highest scorer be interesting. Also big meeting for Greenwood who cant afford another nothing meeting must score some points.


  14. Bit late but wanna congratulate Diamonds on second leg performance, didnt give them any hope of overturning 16 points until heat 14. Just shows meetings are won on track not on paper, and its nice to praise Ashley, Ben, Lewis and Ludvig all received a lot criticism lately and rightly so.Key now is for the team to show that fight and determination more often not just a one off meeting. Just a shame meeting went so long and was overshadowed by events of heat 15, even more cause Steve and Ludvig were on 5-1 anyway, before crash never seen Ludvig make such a gate left Cook for dead which doesn't happen often at Brough park. Personally think Cook should have gotten more time not his fault Jorgensen hit him, who should be excluded in my opinion shouldn't be 1st bend bunching if both teams riders aren't involved and opposition on 5-1 but I could be wrong 1st bend incidents are difficult. However Cook also should have made more effort in such vital heat, but sure it was just emotion happens best of us doesn't change that he is one of my favourite riders to watch hope he has great meetings at Cardiff and World cup.

    • Like 2

  15. Shocking performance tonight granted the no Steve is an excuse, but apart from Robert who was sensational and pass for greenwood winning heat 2 on his debut Diamonds were shocking. Even worse 7 against 1 we lost by 4 so didn't need excellent performances just needed to be average. Be honest Glasgow weren't as good as Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Edinburgh were all better, but against a tougher team with Steve scoring useful points. However Glasgow took advantage so well done to them important league points. Also ask if Rose and Lindgren but that effort in 14 and 15 all meeting instead of when it doesn't count just to make score look good. Plus whatever side people are on with Ludvig or is off track work doesn't matter he been a disgrace this season in my opinion. Personally sick of hearing about bike problems and poor on track get it sorted or get somebody else who will.

    • Like 1

  16. The team is nowhere near playoff level i cant name many teams it might finish ahead off. Nothing wrong getting it wrong start of the season other sides have, but they tried something do about it we need do the same.The problem with having poor reserves to have a strong top 5 is it actually has to be strong and reliable to begin with. Ludvig is only heatleader at home only average second string away and Ashley and Lewis were reserves last season big ask to step up to second string or heatleader level with nobody to back them up at reserve.

    • Like 2

  17. I could not agree more. The league has now been watered down too far.

     

    The Terrace Grumbler manifesto includes :

     

    - a 45 point limit

    - 3 point lowest permissible average (wait, it gets better!)

    - unlimited tactical substitutions

    - regional rounds of the 4TT

    - a team's 3 highest averaging riders at 1, 3 and 5

    - inter league ko cup

     

    Tsunami and Parky will no doubt say this is pie in the sky but it would bring back a good few people I know. The tactical ride was the death knell for a number of previously regular supporters.

     

    Interesting ideas something has to be done to get the fans back, although i believe unless more good Brits are produced British speedway will never move up in standard this decline has taking years as would any improvement. In my opinion the problem wasn't dropping points limit it was not changing the structure same top 5/6 as always but asking some youngsters to replace much better riders was never going to work whatever average they were giving. Rider development used to be in past decades second reserve, Top reserve, Second string, Heatleader, no1 then you move up a league when proving your worth a chance now its all over the place.

    • Like 1

  18. Personally always had a lot of time for Rene reckon he could yet comeback to Diamonds one day especially when we lose Robert and Steve to better leagues. He was never better in Britain than at the Diamonds in that great side that came second and won plenty silverware, with three top men with Kenni and Lemo 30 points minimum before meeting even started. In fact he was predicted by many to make Grand prixs, just a shame Rene broke his leg was never the same rider.

    • Like 2

  19. Good to see Conner taking out the team so he can enjoy his speedway now with somebody else getting the chance. The problem is signing another 2 pointer probably isn't enough, as the pressure will still be massive and we wont get big reserve points other good sides can get. However Greenwood cant be any worse so good luck to him hopefully he has improved from his last short spell.

    • Like 1
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