World Team Cup: Team Makeup.

[Mark 1,497]

Can't argue with that line up.

 

I wouldn't contemplate putting Nicholls in because

 

1) his form is fragile at the moment and a poor performance would not do him (or TeamGB) any good whatsoever.

 

2) Team GB are extremely unlikely to go straight to the final at the EOES anyway so give a youngster experience.

 

Whether he does or doesn't ride I think he should be relieved of the captains role, he clearly can't motivate himself at the moment so cannot motivate his team mates.

 

 

I'm a big Nicholls fan but cannot disagree with any of the above. He is so out of form and frustrated it must be awful. Having watched the peterborough match on sky it looked like his bikes lacked any power at all. Unless he turns the corner by the World Cup it makes sense to unfortunately give him a rest. hoping he can get some form

[Trees 2,814]

Unless he turns the corner by the World Cup

This is the decider surely?

[21st century heathen 220]

Genuine question - When was the last time Nicholls wasn't top Brit in the end of EL season averages?

 

If Nicholls starts to ride as he has in the two meetings at Brandon (GSA 10.22 and CMA 11.11) then he has to be in the team. Anyone calling for him to be left out on that form would look foolish. If he keeps having dodgy/crap meetings then perhaps it would be better for him as much as the team if he were removed from the spot light.

 

I always think you should put out your best team.

 

Nicholls

Richardson

Harris

Bridger

King

 

Kennett - only because he admits he doesn't like P'brgh and King has looked good. Switch these two if it were any other track.

[stevehone 3,425]

Genuine question - When was the last time Nicholls wasn't top Brit in the end of EL season averages?

 

If Nicholls starts to ride as he has in the two meetings at Brandon (GSA 10.22 and CMA 11.11) then he has to be in the team. Anyone calling for him to be left out on that form would look foolish. If he keeps having dodgy/crap meetings then perhaps it would be better for him as much as the team if he were removed from the spot light.

 

I always think you should put out your best team.

 

Nicholls

Richardson

Harris

Bridger

King

 

Kennett - only because he admits he doesn't like P'brgh and King has looked good. Switch these two if it were any other track.

the problem is, Peterboro is a track where you need speed, and lots of it, and Nicholls didn't have that last night, despite what his scores at Coventry show.

 

regarding Kennett, i never rated him as he couldn't ride big tracks, but i've seen him have some decent meetings at Peterboro in maybe the last season and a half and he can certainly ride the place well now .. IF England got to the play-off or final, then that's where i wouldn't have Kennett, i think Leszsno is still beyond him.

 

i would have for the Boro meeting the same as was posted at the top of the thread ..

 

Richardson

Harris

Kennett

Bridger

Woffinden

 

 

[spook 28]

I seem to recall last year Team Oz had the right set-up for the race-off but when the final came round things were a bit different to say the least.

 

As far as leaving Scott out - so who'll be the scapegoat when you fail again this year?

 

think you are thinking of the previous year dave as they qualified directly last season...... but yeah it certainly isnt any kind of fool proof system...... however I think it should also be noted that team Oz were also probably at the end of their dip in that year before the youngsters started coming through

 

ive been a bit of a sad statto again as the raceoff has always frustrated me as much as interested.......... ive always seen it as an advantage over those who qualify directly while it is held at the same venue as the final... and although home advantage pollutes the results it is quite clear to see that it does work

 

http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddmhmf6b_22d62td7zx

 

the summary is that

 

- since 2001 five teams have gone on from the race off to win the thing (03,04,05,06,07) compared to three teams who have won it without coming from the race off (01,02,08) ...... (03 is a red herring though)

 

- only once has a race off team not come in the first two (01)

 

- the last 4 years has seen a team that qualified directly finish last in the final... the previous 4 years it was a team from the race off

 

- Interestingly there have only been 3 home final wins.... but 3 of the 5 of those winning on foreign soil won in Britain (doh!)

 

- and perhaps more importantly only 3 teams could be described as embarrasing themselves in the final ..... two of those qualified directly (Oz 08, GB 07) .. one from the race off (PL 04)

 

courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedway_World_Cup

 

 

so like I said there is nothing foolproof at all but supposing GB did make it through from the race off ...history dictates that only one team over the last 9 years has managed to have a disaster in the final after coming from the raceoff.... which leaves the question of .......one of the 'big 5' wont make it to the final should we be bothered enough about that to try to qualify direct?

 

personally with the youngsters i'd say no ............... but then again like I said in another thread if I was GB manager they would be replacing me at the next AGM because I dont believe that kind of reality check would go down well

 

 

 

 

 

re: Scotty ...... I was incorrect with my earlier comments ... after looking through these http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=48634 .......... Scott is clearly on paper still our number 2 ................... but I still wouldnt put someone despairing and in a funk in the team...... especially if its about youth

Edited June 10, 2009 by spook

[Trees 2,814]

the problem is, Peterboro is a track where you need speed, and lots of it, and Nicholls didn't have that last night, despite what his scores at Coventry show.

They should, at least, all be having practice sessions at Boro so they can get a good set up sorted ......

 

I remember Crump saying it's one of the hardest tracks to get set up for when you're an away rider .............

Edited June 10, 2009 by Trees

[BigFatDave 258]

think you are thinking of the previous year dave as they qualified directly last season...... but yeah it certainly isnt any kind of fool proof system...... however I think it should also be noted that team Oz were also probably at the end of their dip in that year before the youngsters started coming through

You're right, spook, mind you I sort of ignored last year's comp 'cos it was in Denmark!! Qualifying directly certainly didn't help!!

[21st century heathen 220]

the problem is, Peterboro is a track where you need speed, and lots of it, and Nicholls didn't have that last night, despite what his scores at Coventry show.

 

You're right. For whatever reason Scott is struggling badly and seems so very very slow. In the last GP he made a cracking gate in one heat, didn't make a mistake but was last on the exit of turn two. Perhaps my post wasn't clear. His scores at Cov in the first two show that he hasn't completely lost it. The British number one is still lurking somewhere. What I meant was that if he were to start to reproduce that kind of form on every track between now and the SWC then it's a no-brainer in my opinion. An on-form Nicholls is a must.

 

I take your point on Kennett. I'd be tempted to give King a shot though. He's in cracking form this season and is a bit of a track specialist compared to our other options.

[Blazeaway 1,501]

They should, at least, all be having practice sessions at Boro so they can get a good set up sorted ......

 

I remember Crump saying it's one of the hardest tracks to get set up for when you're an away rider .............

 

 

Trees, they can practice all they like. If they can't or won't shell out on the sort of tuning etc of the other teams they don't stand a chance.

[paul84 105]

Can't argue with that line up.

 

I wouldn't contemplate putting Nicholls in because

 

1) his form is fragile at the moment and a poor performance would not do him (or TeamGB) any good whatsoever.

 

2) Team GB are extremely unlikely to go straight to the final at the EOES anyway so give a youngster experience.

 

Whether he does or doesn't ride I think he should be relieved of the captains role, he clearly can't motivate himself at the moment so cannot motivate his team mates.

 

Correct Star lady, and this isnt another go at Scott as he gets enough of that, But from what i see he really is struggling mentally and isnt fit to boost our young boys confidence. he needs to start from scratch with as little pressure on himself as possible if he is to get anywhere near his old form.

 

Hope he shows us some improvement at Cardiff, But sadly Scotts not riding with any aggression or confidence at the minute.....

Edited June 10, 2009 by Stoney=Legend

[Trees 2,814]

Trees, they can practice all they like. If they can't or won't shell out on the sort of tuning etc of the other teams they don't stand a chance.

Well obviously they need their bikes tuned for Peterborough, that goes without saying!

[Tweagle 2]

Rob Lyons indicated that the captain for team GB would be Scott Nicholls.

 

At the risk of upsetting people and being accused of "putting the boot in", "kicking someone when they are down", and other similar things, on present form that would be a mistake.

He has not performed well on his return to the Elite League, his form in the GPs against riders of the calibre that we will meet in the WTC is exceptionally poor;

 

The riders I would like to see would be ;

Richardson

Harris

Kennett

Bridger

Woffinden

 

Harris is not performing well in the GPs either, but his Elite League record is better, and he is the current British Champion.

Richardson is having a good season, the youngsters are all riding well and will be eager to make their mark, we need riders for the future who are hungry to succeed, Nicholls, I am afraid, has lived too long in the "comfort zone" of expecting to be automatically picked, when his form was better, perhaps now is the time to look to the future.

 

What do others feel?

(Time to put the tin helmet on and dodge the brickbats!! ;) )

 

I'd go with line up too.

 

[tocha 306]

I'd go with line up too.

 

Regardlless of form I expect or fear, depending upon how he does over the next few weeks, that Nicholls will line up at Peterborough. He will be joined by Harris, Richardson and Woffinden with the final berth given to either King, Kenett or Bridger. Whoever rides they will have to at least finish ahead of Slovenia but with a Zagar inspired team this might not be quite as easy as it appears and I expect the fast starting Ferjan to be in the side despite the fact he was omitted from the qualifying round. To beat Australia and Poland is a big ask. Australia will have, probably, Crump, Adams, Sullivan, Holder and Schlein whilst Poland may be a mix of native Poles and licence holders, ie., Gollob Hampel, Holta, Saifutdinov and Ulamek.

 

On a more general note, there was an article by Mark Loram in this weeks' Speedway Star outlining what we all know - no good riders coming through although he does cite Tai as looking better than recent predecessors. He then goes on to say that, although he has been linked with the GB set-up he has yet to hear anything official. However, from his personal point of view he planning a comeback.

Edited June 13, 2009 by tocha

[barrow boy 119]

Hope that Rob Lyons sees any of these posts or is told about them because it is fairly obvious that most of the posters are indeed in favour of not selecting Scott Nicholls but will he take any notice? I don't think so.

[iris123 20,922]

Most posters........don't have the job.I can't see 5 British riders better than Scott.Are there 2 riders better than Scott?I think it would be total madness to leave him out.I can't wait for all the posts about which 2 British riders should replace Scott and Chris in the GP's .................