Rayleigh

Generation X to Generation Y

Its important not to over react but the last two matches confirmed what many felt that this years team was not right. Kennett - Far better than I thought keep going Eddie we sure need you Boxall has been fine but being asked too much from because of others failings Garrity still has great potential but has had a real up and down start to the season so at this point not the second heat leader required Tres he is what it says it on the tin, but never a true replacement for Nelson Bunyan a fine second string but I doubt he will ever return to a genuine heat leader Bowen well done Luke clearly still giving it everything for the cause Lambert very sad In short don't panic but there must be concern at ground control that we have a team of a genuine No 1, 4 second strings a fine No 6 and a pure passenger. But luckily Asprgren is a total flop at Somerset

I also much prefer Trevor O`Brien to Brent Werner with lots of overtaking but I am just being realistic, it just don't happen too often, take the Ipswich match last week, we hardly had an overtake all evening in fact I think the only real overtake for Ipswich was Worrall against Kennett but that was only because Kennett lifted off bend 2. So in short the Rye fans were happy with the performance with our only points coming from gating. In regards to 5 gates, well if a rider makes 4 gates and scores 12 points you will normally find the fans are happy with that riders performance.

"Gating tart" maybe maybe not, but I never understand why it is such a crime to be a "gating tart" when sadly most races are won from the start. I struggle to remember many overtakes at all from the likes of Garrad to Neath yet they we both well appreciated by the fans and when you are not a "gating tart" re Kasper Lukke everybody criticises him for not improving his gating.

I think its far too early to judge Dryml A (actually almost reaching his average, forget the propaganda about being a GP rider) he has only ridden in three matches of which one was a challenge when riders are renowned for not taking extra risks or trying out machinery, I would imagine Glasgow must feel this regarding Wolbert`s really slow start (Two Air Fence meetings). Give the guy 10 meetings then start to form an opinion. Just to contradict myself, Bowen has made a pleasant start, just shows how you need a good number six, Scunthorpe lose at home with Williamson scoring 000 when Douglas probably would of scored double figures hence a comfortable home win. In short Rye House season may well be fine until/If Bowen gets injured and we get a three pointer to go with Lambert

I truly don't want to pick on Lambert and wish him well, but the "hes a big track rider" argument wears thin when 50% of his meetings are at Rye House, Kent and Birmingham and three 0s from 5 starts at "big" Peterborough is not enough surely. On the back of last seasons disappointment I really worry for him when the team as I previously mentioned is built in a way that it cannot carry passengers.

I had a 6 point loss before the meeting although after the start that seemed optimistic so I was not too upset with the final score. Kennett - a very classy performance and hopefully the Berwick experience was a blip Tres - A typical evening of more effort than points, but no real complaints Garrity - delighted and relieved in equal spades to see that he is back in more ways than one Boxall- did OK but I think the balance of this years team is asking too much of him too soon Bowen - got more competitive as the evening progressed Lambert - Oh dear I am sure he is a nice fellow but it was so sad to see the original 3 coconuts, whilst I wish not to be so harsh the team does not have to strength to carry him Not surprised by Worrall or even Ellis but the American was "right on it" and not the passenger I thought he would be.

Oh gosh. I started the close season with hopes of (1979, 1980 and 2005 revisited) A big No 1 Garrity Aspregren Nelson Mellgren Bunyan Anybody with that lot already in the side Massive potential in the four now we have a team where other than Garrity you can make a case that all the others may go down, not up. Yeas, I will give this team a chance (I await Chris`s response) and maybe I am too pessimistic but its far from what I thought we were on the cusp of.

An enjoyable evening at Rye. Aspregren looks excellent and is quickly working out the best way round his new home. Bunyan looking his sharpest for a few years in fact a level I feared he may not achieve again. Mellgren more than solid and Nelson just so easy on the eye and Morley enjoyed his day in the sun. Kasper although trying so hard must soon learn to at least gate somewhere near the rest or his talent will be wasted. I also thought Bager, Grieves Sarjeant and Albin rode hard not always getting the points they deserved. With Garrity back maybe next week the season is not over although the way we will probably finish it will a case of what might have been

47 - 46 Ouch, Ouch, Ouch. looks like a great effort from the Rockets, proud of them. But are we going for a record of losing matches when the opponent is 10 or more behind. The season was almost re-ignited, getting harder to find those three away wins to make up for the home losses.

The reason is almost every match his scores have been almost non existant with his only points often being "Naylor points" (points where you finish third from three riders) No doubt he is trying hard but he is a square peg in a round hole at Rye House and has been pretty well since he arrived. Some riders just are at the wrong club and I am sure back at Sheffield or another big track he will do a fine job but we cannot continue to carry a passenger. although to be fair to Lambert, Kasper needs to wake up as well pretty soon.

yes Pontus score was vital but as Josh was only a Guest his score and winning heat 1 must of "set the tone" especially after recent results.Back to Pontus I cant believe Len will discard him after the Doyle debacle and with Jason G at reserve the season may just be rekindled.

To josh, thank you, thank you, thank you. our season is just about still alive. Please put Simon out of his misery

No not a woosh or Len in disguise, All I asked for was a bit of balance it sounds unbelievable to get a point with four riders but it does matter which four riders you have (Doyle, Morris, Graz and Kurtz) and the r/r was mostly covered anyway as I also said well done to Somerset. we did something similar last year at granted at home with four riders (and won) it seems such a situation can galvinise a team as opposed to the "heads drop" syndrome. One other observation Shadders how long did the 14 heats take? I suspect not too long, if so I does prove they can crack on with the meeting at Rye if they want to (and all the fish has been sold) because it is a great bugbear for us that the meetings drags on, the suspense is lost and it becomes almost a sadistic attrition to complete the meeting.

The point was simple the rider missing in those races were either Perry or Rose

I think you will find that the only r/r that were not fulfilled were by Perry and Rose hence Kurtz winning heat 14 And Newman was replaced by Kurtz (not a downgrade if you have seen Kurtz at Rye recently with Plymouth)

Can we have some balance please well done Somerset but you were only missing Perry and Rose and how many points were you expecting BEFORE the meeting from these two (not many and if Lambert had gone weeks ago, probably 1 in heat 2) and you cannot blame the club for such a poor effort from the ambulance to travel for those who do not know the area about 4 miles. Still a wasted point makes this season even harder to recover another 1-5 in heat 15 cannot be ignored but there again Grazoniek, Doolan and Auty were never Cook, Doyle or Barker.

I wish to clarify the Kling suggestion, it was to replace Lambert not Allen, yes not great at Berwick but Neath scored 3 from 7 rides at IOW some years ago so it is easy to highlight a very poor performance but I said he flew in a very short notice to help out on that occassion. This year he won 43 races at Somerset including beating Doyle, DID LAMBERT? He was very unhappy at Plymouth so please do not believe that is all he can offer. If he has "lost it" OK but if not at 4+ he would be a great asset OK 3 races at Somerset

Ricky Kling (I think he was very unhappy at Plymouth) he would be a great improvement in the middle order. I know he was poor at Berwick last year but he actually flew in especially to help Len due to Frampton and other performances at Rye were more than acceptable.If he does not work out that Jason/Luke will be back, if he does work out we have a number of options on a falsely low average.

Oh dear, as feared the season is slowly slipping through our fingers. Shadders put it well by saying 4 points for Garrity and poor Lambert was, well just poor again. I fear a resurgent and fit team in July /August will be firing on all cylinders but it may just be too late and we will be saying if only there was different decisions back in June.

Another BIG collapse at Ipswich.The season looked so good six weeks ago, Len or John Sampford can not be blamed for what happened with the injurys but three decisions are indefencable 1) R/R and Morley when everybody else use Dyer, Tabaka and Kerr 2) Mear (although I did not realise what a big time Charlie he had become) 3) Last but definitely not least perservering with Lambert (I actually have started missing Harkins or even dare I say Kurt Shields). I presume the plan is to wait for Garrity and probably Luke but the season could be over by then. Sorry Bert, HAWKINS

A great effort from ales tonight, as I mentioned earlier what he has achieved from a few years ago is astounding. But no doubt people will prefer Kasprzak (Mr loyal just ask Lakeside and Birmigham fans)

A great nights racing again, Rye a totally different side with Garrity and Kasper at reserve (oh why we didnt use guests for the last few weeks like Toft and Wilkinson) Doyle - seen him more dominent but not a failure and still suprised he even rides for us after last year. Mellgren - complete rubbish so no need for any other team to sign him for next season - Man of the Match Lambert - did better than expected but there lies the problem I simply dont expect much, loads of effort not suited to Rye Bunyan - getting back (although not completely) to what he was and I suspect the season will finish too quickly for him Kasper - Will never be called a "gating tart" hard first bend will allow him to score points and will be a big reserve but oh that gating Garrity - Another big night got an armchair syle like leigh Adams and is fearless, should be the next big thing for the Rockets Edinburgh or should I say Redcar were very competitive to start with although they ran out of steam, was impressed with Pijper and Tully sometimes although sad to see Wethers so toothless

As Michael Winner says "calm down everyone". I am sad as everyone that this season has been a disaster from the first lap at Ipswich. But well done Shadders for not giving up, by always state your disapointment on the forum but dont give up. March will soon be here and I am sure so will Rye (rejoice). Garrity, Kasper and Mellgren will be back and maybe even The scarlett pimpernell from Aussie all on really low averages, combine this with a big No 1 and the 2012 season can be put in the dustbin. The presentation (laughable) Fish and chips and the raffle will then become irrelevant. When you are dismayed in the team just think Mel Taylor, it always helps.

I get the season we have had with a whole bunch of genuine bad luck Neath - one lap all season, after a great season last year Bowen - The annual injury Nelson - Should of paid attention in school when they taught form filling. Garrity - A big big finish to season was coming and then another injury Frampton - You seek him here you seek him there Frampton simply not anywhere Charlie Cheese - not one but two concussions Bunyan - some bright spots but being still at reserve tells the story all too clearly But I really believe we missed a trick in the last few weeks with the decisions to sign Lambert, has he got a second place yet never mind a heat win? (I have almost wished to hear that Tommy Allen is making a comeback) Using Morley, we are just too weak to allow him time to find his feet (whilst other teams have been using guests like Campton and Wilkinson) yet we use him to replace Garrity who is probably our 3rd best rider. Despite all the bad luck listed above we were still in sixth place and the end of season play offs were achieveable and remember there would of been 2 big home meetings to look forward to. Still next year does look very promising with Garrity a vastly better rider than his starting average will be, "Kasper the Ghost" will be around a 4 average and he is far better than that and with Mellgren we have been completely and flukerly lucky.