Skidder1 7,637 Posted April 26, 2014 Absolutely. As he was in the top 20 first draft list there is no reason why he would be ranked lower than Smart. No doubt `it will be in the best interest of Speedway if he is ranked lower and Poole can therefore sign him`. Well to keep things relevant to this thread, whatever happens longer term - it won't be Bates for Smart on Monday, as he's not available or on the FT list til 1st May according to article in SS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted April 26, 2014 Bates is lower on the list than Smart. It was said at the meeting to chose draft riders that Matt Ford took a long time in choosing Lee Smart. When Matt Ford chose Smart he chose "smartly". Matt Ford said at the time he knew very little about Smart but from a tactical viewpoint if it didn't work out it would leave more scope to manoeuvre. Josh Bates is a lower in the draft so if Poole wanted him he would probably be available. No rules broken, just a swap from the draft pick, once Bates is available. Now before anyone jumps on this, I am speculating that Poole want Bates. And remember, if Smart is dropped, he returns to his position in the draft list of available riders. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BluTiger 21,697 Posted April 26, 2014 If Poole can replace Smart with Bates, it would make perfect sense. Team changes are a fact of life in all sports, and there is no doubting Pirates are masters of that.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.V 72 1,054 Posted April 26, 2014 Just a thought Ben Reade is having a hard time and on the original list Bates was lower than him and with Bates living in or near Sheffield i would think that If Belle vue and i say if wish to release Ben i think Belle vue would have a better chance of signing him than Poole but what do i know time will tell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy robin 2,963 Posted April 26, 2014 Amazing that all these posts are about a rider who has barely scored a point in the Premier Lge this season. Just goes to show how much the draft riders dictate meetings this season. Bates is lower on the list than Smart. It was said at the meeting to chose draft riders that Matt Ford took a long time in choosing Lee Smart. When Matt Ford chose Smart he chose "smartly". Matt Ford said at the time he knew very little about Smart but from a tactical viewpoint if it didn't work out it would leave more scope to manoeuvre. Josh Bates is a lower in the draft so if Poole wanted him he would probably be available. No rules broken, just a swap from the draft pick, once Bates is available. Now before anyone jumps on this, I am speculating that Poole want Bates. And remember, if Smart is dropped, he returns to his position in the draft list of available riders. A very clever move by Matt when you compare what Swindon did when Josh left & they got Darryl in who was so much lower in the list & then when he got injured we were so limited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss 10,780 Posted April 26, 2014 Bates hasn't done an awful lot in the PL yet this year but his U21 win shows the potential he has. If Poole do sign him OIhave no doubt he will develop over the season and make quite a difference over Smart. I still stand by original comments that one he unpicked himself from Swindon he should sit out this year and return to the draft in 2015. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heathen chemistry 660 Posted April 26, 2014 would be an injustice if that happened , swindon picked bates first , if he chose pl instead then he shouldnt be allowed to crash the draft list now , seems the strong can get stronger and the weak get weaker not the way to run a successful league , Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,637 Posted April 26, 2014 (edited) Bates hasn't done an awful lot in the PL yet this year but his U21 win shows the potential he has. If Poole do sign him OIhave no doubt he will develop over the season and make quite a difference over Smart. I still stand by original comments that one he unpicked himself from Swindon he should sit out this year and return to the draft in 2015. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but why keep repeating it when it ain't gonna happen!!! Edited April 26, 2014 by Skidder1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss 10,780 Posted April 26, 2014 Just to round off my point really and put it on record on this particular thread where the discussion had developed if it's OK with you bossy boots Replacing a no hoper who has a modest NL average with the British U21 champ will probably go down as one of Lord Ford's best ever fiddles. No wonder Smart was graded so high Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted April 26, 2014 I wonder how man y pages a thread would run if Poole signed Bates, compared to say if he went to Belle Vue or Eastbourne instead. Have a feeling this bates to Poole rumour is no more than that. It has no substance at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Leslie 3,213 Posted April 26, 2014 I wonder how man y pages a thread would run if Poole signed Bates, compared to say if he went to Belle Vue or Eastbourne instead. The difference is that Belle Vue and Eastbourne haven't declared "guest TBC" in place of one of their reserves for no reason. And Belle Vue and Eastbourne haven't got a history of making highly dodgy rule bending changes to their teams. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted April 26, 2014 As Skidder said though, Bates won't be joining Poole. So a waste of time posting about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Leslie 3,213 Posted April 26, 2014 As Skidder said though, Bates won't be joining Poole. So a waste of time posting about it. Master Bates would have been ideal for Poole.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A ORLOV 8,628 Posted April 26, 2014 Master Bates would have been ideal for Poole.... Now that would be a good new name for the multi poster from Peterborough and elsewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil The Ace 2,860 Posted April 26, 2014 (edited) Bates won't travel to poole for his home meetings so forget poole signing bates Edited April 26, 2014 by Phil The Ace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
