Bleeds Pirate Blue

It's false because he is one of the best riders in the world, a x2 World Champion and is currently over achieving his average by 1.50 points per meeting. Did you honestly expect Tai to average 7.03??? Personally I think Woffy is the best rider in the world (perhaps not on form right now, but bigger picture and all that...) and he should be able to post a 9.00+ average if actually trying in the weakened UK Elite League. It's people allowing this kind of BS, including all the times Poole have done it, that make this sport a joke. Which is a real shame, because it's actually quite good.

Well, this thread is just a flaming dumpster fire of cry babies and haters. It's fine for Wolves to sack a healthy rider and bring in Woffy on a false average, yet Poole sign Lindback on a much more feasible average for a season-ending injury to Hansii and they get slaughtered for it. As pointed out by SCB we've got several GP riders riding in the Elite League averaging in the mid 7s; Zagar 7.55 and Lindgren 7.54, who are a comparable standard of rider to Lindback in my opinion. What the BSPA does to with regards to re-assessing Lindback's average is THEIR decision, but I'd guess they are protecting their interest by ensuring a more competitive playoffs by allowing Poole to sign a heatleader calibre rider to replace their captain and No.2. As for Woffy's average, well anyone with any modicum of sense flat out KNOWS his average is a joke. Why can't he be re-assessed? If he was given a more realistic average when he signed I don't think anyone could reasonably take issue with it, but bringing him in in the way they did stunk. It's within the rules, but it's pretty filthy. I'm aware Poole have made similar moves in the past, and while it benefits our side, I'm capable of acknowledging they were also fishy as fook moves too. To my mind the problem is that speedway is a mickey mouse sport that constantly makes short-sighted decisions and shoots itself in the foot. The BSPA really does lack self-awareness and foresight, and it is THEIR fault the sport is dying, not the Poole Pirates. As many people on this forum can see Matt Ford is an excellent promotor and does a better job than all his competitors. It's a shame he's a bit of a tosser, but hey, no-one is perfect.

As much as I'd also like to see Magic back, I wouldn't count on it. To be honest we need a league in which all teams can compete and race, and a Poole team with KK and Magic would be on of the league's strongest IMO based on the turnout of the sport's top riders in British speedway. I'd rather see more meetings like last night, and by that I mean close, competitive racing. If that means no GP riders, so be it. Riders like Kurtz, Ellis, Newman, Stevie Worrall, Charlie Wright etc... have turned in some of the most enjoyable racing I've seen all year. I'd happily pay to see those guys duke it out every week and not miss the likes of Doyley, Zagar, AJ and Iversen, despite the fact they are all superb riders.

KK is currently peerless around Wimborne Road. There isn't a currently a rider in the world I'd pick to beat him round there in a match race. Gating is irrelevant for him too as he just seems to blow by anyone. For some mad reason Ladbrokes were offering KK over 9pts at EVS last night so I filled my boots! You'd have to think he's eyeing up a return to Poole next season... Bjarne did look surprisingly quick last night which is promising for the playoffs, but we really need Buzz to step it up a gear. He's been very inconsistent for a good six weeks now. Last night was a case in point, as his sole win was arguably the best ride of the night to hold off Zagar? and Cook? who were both riding different lines and attacking him at once. I still don't get the negativity about Kurtz's performances. I've been pretty pleased with his development in his first year in the top flight. Yes he didn't score well last night but he has clearly got a fast setup and good line at home now, he just got caught out going too wide after gating in one heat (the great ride by Buzz) and fell off in another when he had made his mind up on his line heading into bends 1&2, and the Belle Vue rider in front ran across his intended line and forced him to go wider than he wanted - he was carrying too much speed was he wanted to blast round the boards, and drifted too far wide and laid it down. He'd already be on my 2017 teamsheet, along with Ellis and KK. Throughly enjoyed the meeting last night and bearing in mind how good the Belle Vue v Poole leg looked on TV in the highlights package, I'm really hoping that British Speedway gets these two teams in the televised final, as we'll be in for a couple of crackers.

@Poole Keith - Bjarne has been better than Davey Watt. And for what it's worth, I am not complaining about Bjarne - he is exactly what I expected. Can't complain about his point scoring, but he is exposed as a second string. IMO the current Poole 1-7 with Holder, Hansii and Buck as heatleaders, Ellis & Kurtz as second strings, and Bjarne & Newman at reserve is how the team should be, form-wise right now. Not sure if getting Kurtz or Ellis back at reserve for the playoffs would benefit us. Their increased points (and rides?) from reserve counters the drop in scoring from Bjarne or Kyle in the main team.....

Really don't get where the comments about Ellis and Kurtz under-performing this season have come from (*may not even have been in this thread to be honest!). To my mind they've been the highlight over the past month or so! Both have been sensational at home, and a tad inconsistent away. I don't expect every Poole rider to instantly turn into a world-beater and future World Champ, so I've been pleased with the progress I've seen from both, and really hope both will be back next season. Also, since the loss at home to Belle Vue, Holder has made a big leap forward. His home form has been exceptional, and other than KK, no-one has really been a threat to him around Wimbourne Road. The problem for me with the current Poole side is that Bjarne and Hansii just look slow/under-powered. You can see Hans is 100% committed when on track, but he simply doesn't look fast enough. Bjarne has looked slow ever since he's been back, it's just the race format for reserves is, as has been discussed several times, laughable, so he has been scoring fairly well. He is getting by solely on gating and track craft. You can see him holding up the other less-experienced riders who have been unable to pass him. As for Buck and Newman, both have been inconsistent. Obviously Kyle has had his injury issues, but I'd have hoped to see him coming back to form by now in time for the playoffs. I never know what to expect from Buck - he isn't always the smoothest rider on track, but he is always trying. He needs to be a little more aware of his teammates perhaps, as I felt he was a little hard on Hansii and I think Kurtz last night in a couple of races. If Poole are to make a change I'd imagine it would be Buck who makes way, which is a shame. He hasn't been "bad" and would not deserve to be fired, but he seems the obvious guy to replace. We should have every chance of an upset at the NSS on Monday, and if any team knows what is required to dig deep at the end of the season to snag top position and choice of opponent in the semi, it's Poole. I fancy our chances against anyone over two legs as we're very strong at home. It would be a case of limiting the damage in the away leg....

Can we also change the result of the race where Adam Ellis lost 2nd on the last bend please (to Thorsell?), and tell Bet365!!?? I backed Ellis -2 vs Howath. ROBBED! Damn extra ride for Howarth and a silly dropped point.... GRRR

It pretty disappointing to me that we have so few matches in June. I'll go to pretty much anything speedway staged at Poole. I also miss international test series, the good old 7 v 7 style with a PROPER race format that didn't create unsustainable averages for reserves. How hard would it be to set up a three match test series between Team GB and Australia at Poole, Swindon and say Coventry (they need revenue from the sounds of it!). With so many riders complaining about a lack of race fitness due to rain-offs, why not sort something like this out?

Poole by 14 tonight. Disappointing to see the trolls out in force. Joonas is not equal to Buzz at Poole.

Nationalism! It's them, versus us!

I'm a human being and I support all human beings riding speedway. Nationality is irrelevant although for me in individual speedway events. I'll always be cheering Team GB in international team events though. Not sure why other commentators on here feel the need to judge people or who they want to cheer and support.

Poole by 6-8. Hope the real Noddy turns up! Poole getting "screwed" by the rules. Well, we can't be one step ahead all the time...

Poole seem to be struggling away from home quite badly so far this season. Thankfully we also look quite dominant at home, but we'll certainly need to buck our ideas up to make it four titles in a row. Holder's form away from Wimbourne Road is diabolical. The problem with replacing him is that there are not too many riders that would probably want to come to the UK and ride for basically a whole British season. I'd love to suggest Magic, but guessing his average is too high. Lindback would be a more feasible option I'd imagine. *I'm not calling for Holder to be sacked here, just discussing the difficulty of replacing an underperforming No.1. Have to say Hans Andersen has been fantastic. Am enjoying him back in Poole colours. Keep Rollin' Hansii!!

Not sure why there is such an obsession with Newman and his ambition (or lack of), let alone the instance he is compared with Garrity. Why is it so important to judge Kyle being reserve in relation to his development? Poole have had strong, league winning sides for the last three years and look to have an ultra competitive team again this season, so him being a reserve for top notch Poole side seems a strange knock against him. Doubly so when you consider his importance to the Poole team in winning those titles... I'd also add that anyone who has been watching Kyle race in recent seasons will have seen his development with their own eyes. Also, as pointed out by several others on the forums, we're not talking about a rider who has been touted as a future World Champ, or even a British Champion, so the criticism of his perceived lack of development/ambition comes across as excessive. I think the affection he gets from Poole fans is that he is a local lad, who is exciting to watch and gives his all in every race. This was typified for me last season by the fact I introduced a friend to speedway for the first time, and now he loves the sport, attends every week, and his favourite rider... Kyle Newman. I'd love to see him kick on this season once he gets in the main team, and hope he puts himself in the conversation for a spot in the National side, but that might be too big a jump this year. I don't think it's unfeasible though over the next 2-3 years if he continues to improve as I believe he has been.

Planning on attending. Will be good to see you Steve.

Starman, your opinions and posts on here do more damage to the reputation of Poole Speedway than any of the alleged "cheating" over the years from Matt Ford. You are a disgrace and embarrassment. Ridiculous ban for SCB.

So we only have two heatleaders then... Anyone still want to complain about Buzz's assessment and Poole's supposed rule manipulation?

Contradiction?? Bad bait I say.

@GRW123 thank you for your reasoned and honest response that featured no bickering. You've instantly become one of the most respected people on this forum in my eyes. Sorry if my initial lines seemed petty. Being a Poole fan in here grates after a while... While I don't disagree Newman is better than Howarth, Howarth is only 21, and the reigning BU21 champ. The British league should, in my opinion, be doing their utmost to help his development. A season at reserve to ensure his employment in the top British league is fine in my books. As a huge NFL and fantasy football fan I'm very much au fait drafts and their benefits (and pitfalls). For it to actually work anyone in the draft should not be an asset of any club, or protected. They should essentially be free agents or temps awaiting assignment. And there should be a set draft order based on league finishing position. I'm fine with using PL averages for team building, but deciding draft pick position allows for manipulation. That is something all promoters agreed to. They wanted a system they could game, not one that is actually fair... Your points on MF and his use of assets are likely valid. This situation would have been arrived at though after several years of MF out promoting the others. It didn't just fall in his lap. I have a hard time disliking MF for his success (I dislike him for my own reasons), and I have a feeling that most promoters wished they were as sharp and astute when it comes to running their clubs. Loopholes and obviously abusable rules are left in so everyone gets their shot at the cheeky fiddle. Unfortunately for them, they always come off second best to MF. As for your point on secrecy, well, its no big deal to me. It tends to be the conspiracy theorists that have the issues with all the cloak and dagger goings on at the AGM. Probably just covering their asses.

Sounds like your opinion is that any Poole fan who doesn't think their side cheats and manipulates the rules every year is 'clueless in the extreme'. Some general points on this topic... Howarth at reserve is a bit of a p***take. But who cares? It's helping a young British rider make sure he gets an Elite League place. The goal of the system is to make sure young British talent is included in the Elite League, which in this case it is doing as its unlikely Howarth (and Newman) would have NOT got a spot in a 1-5 this year. Considering the draft hasn't really been published, there are a lot of assumptions being made in here by some very assertive people. Does anyone on here definitively know the order riders were taken?? Did Poole defo get Ellis as the 2nd pick in the 2nd tier? It's interesting the some people seem to think riders are opinionless robots who will ride anywhere, for anyone. Not human beings with preferences and other commitments. Is it not within reason that Adam Ellis made himself unavailable to some teams because of travel and PL duties etc? Let alone personal preference! Also, it is all very tiring reading the same old opinion that Poole and/or Matt Ford are secretly running the sport behind the scenes by setting up the rules to suit themselves every year. Or coercing the other promoters to consent to his Poole-favouring rules. It's madness. It seems much more plausible that Ford is an astute Promoter with a commitment and work ethic that makes the difference. I'm not saying he doesn't push his luck and test the rules to breaking point, even stepping over the line on a few occasions. However, the idea that he is actively pulling all the strings behind the scenes is just fantasy. There is no point pretending speedway isn't a mickey mouse sport, and the British league is on its knees. Poole are the most successful club in the last decade. They are the best supported, its a nice area to live and there is a decent amount of local sponsors keen to get involved. Riders actually get paid. On top of this, success breeds success. Is it really that surprising that the wealthiest and best run club is continually successful?

Hehehe. Touché. Note to self, reread messages typed on a phone!

Sigh. I made a spelling mistake. My bad. Where has my f'n editor gone!

Always nice when someone starts a debate with you with a nice aggressive opening. Nice to meet you too! I was talking with the colloquialism "first bend bunching" which is a common speedway parlance used by fans, commentators and riders alike. Essentially we were discussing whether Hancock was at fault and should have been allowed in the re-run. I'm of the opinion he should have. If you want to disagree with my assessment feel free, but I'd appreciate it if you were less confrontational. We are all speedway fans here now!

I understand your POV, although don't agree. We'll have to agree to disagree rather than have a debate.

First bend bunching doesn't have to include all riders as far as I know. I saw two riders going for the same piece of track on the inside of the first corner in a GP Final. They collided and caused a three rider pile up. If you start excluding the rider in red (Hancock) it acts as a precedent and discourages ultra-competitive racing. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of our sport. We want the best guys to push themselves... Also, Doyley has shown all year that he is a hard rider, willing to mix it up with others. That doesn't effect how I see the incident being all four back, but I do want to highlight Doyle has not been afraid to put himself about this season. By the same token, few riders are considered as fair as Hancock... Added: For clarity's sake I'm a fan of both riders, and they would be two of my three ideal picks to replace Magic as Poole #1 in 2016.