Diamond geezer

Is this the “surprise” rider?

Does Matty Wethers qualify for a 2.5% reduction?

I’m pretty sure Glasgow would have Craig cook as #1 even on a 12.00 average. It’s a statement of power, and consistency in the big heats 13 and 15 which often are match winners

Am I the only one who struggles to see Bukhave as a good reserve let alone worthy of a 4.00 average? Nice guy, but we have all watched him ride haven’t we? I would be underwhelmed if our fantastic reserve pairing involved using Jacob.......

Could see Zaine Kennedy with you guys. Then maybe an Alfie Bowtell or a Jack Smith at 7

I watched Jedd List do laps at Brough Park last year, he definitely had talent. I for one would have easily took the chance on him to ride for the diamonds. Then someone told me he had only been on 500cc for less than a year when he first rode last year. Blew my mind. With another years development the kid will make a laughing stock of a 4.00 average

I wish this was on the Newcastle thread. Arguably the greatest rider to have ridden for the diamonds in the last 30 years (alongside his name sake). i get the feeling you don’t speak for the Poole faithful, but welcome to the championship. i find it laughable that you ridicule bjarne, yet Klindt now feels your club is below him

Would that mean Danny and Ulrich the first two signings Dave?

Sadly Steve it’s the story of Newcastle Speedway of late (years not weeks). Underperforming riders/team. it’s like we always look like we have an ok/good team yet never spark into life. It’s almost like the mentality is that it’s acceptable to get beat away aslong as it’s not a hammering. At home, we applaud “good teams” that take points when the simple difference is that they want it more... I watch a team this season with 3 motivated riders (Matty, Max and Danny) all trying to prove. First two have had fantastic seasons, the latter I’m so pleased proving he belongs in this league as a no7 and is scoring points. Stevie just isn’t himself, but reliably is scoring points, but just hasn’t quite got back to being a true #1... I see a team with 1) Lasse Bjerre: A number 1 most seasons, an 8.00 rider two years ago, who is now a 5.00 rider 2) TJ: Our #1 before the team change - now on a 6 average 3) Ulrich: not done much wrong for us, but a #1 at Birmingham at start of year and soon to be a reserve. so ironically, we have three positive riders all improving their averages, and then 4 proven/chosen number ones and yet still can’t buy a point....

#gate for toffee

So another week, another home loss. I have followed speedway (and many other sports) for over 30 years - yet I have never been so disillusioned with anything as badly as I am tonight. The glorious thing with sport is that two factors can lead to victory, desire and ability. My last post was around which riders had succeeded (Matty, Max and to a lesser extent Danny who is now showing at home at least he has the better of most #7s) of the remaining: 1) Steve - what on earth is going on with him? I thought if anything would be the end of him it would be his injury, he was a far better rider at the start of the season - so what is the cause? He can’t beat even average riders around brough and quite frankly he doesn’t look interested. Not seen him so down on confidence since the season he asked to be stepped down. 2) Ulrich - can’t be blamed - on his average at least (although started the season as a #1, and right now is just a above average second string). 3) Lasse - Am I missing something? He is crap isn’t he? He picks up points where they are easy yet never ever looks capable of beating anyone decent! NO HEART 5) TJ - slightly different to the above - he can’t hate for toffee, but at least looks like he puts the flipping effort in. The move to us just not working - but I still retain hope he can fly if he gets out. This team doesn’t feel like a George team. And if I am honest, I am concerned - it feels like something is happening which is making top riders drop points (and averages)

So, I’m sat really disappointed tonight, reflecting on another poor performance from the Diamonds at the Media Prima Arena, and contemplating what exactly is the problem. For a number of years now, against often poorer Redcar teams we have failed to get close to them in terms of points, despite for many years having better quality of riders - something this season can’t be said. despite this, we were built this season as almost a Redcar reject side. Aside from Matty and Max, all riders have wore the Redcar race jacket (albeit in their less successful days). Danny whilst never technically being a bear, let’s face it is so close to the set up can be considered an honouree bear...... so it’s puzzling how we connect a poor past for Redcar, and a poor current Diamonds septet and struggle to understand why we are not competitive. As called out above, and quite frankly what’s blatantly obvious is that max and Matty have carried us all season and are the only riders to “appear” to have fight in them. No shock they are both not ex bears... Redcar made changes for the better and it’s worked... so to disassemble our current team, 1) Steve - not the old Steve, and for some reason last couple of weeks off colour. So pleased he is a diamond, but realise he is a number of steps short of his genuine ability 2) Ulrich - bargain average and can’t be blamed - I remember an Ulrich that can beat anyone, but on a 5 point average he is defiantly delivering, but the real Ulrich could and should be a heat leader not a second string 3) Lasse - the expensive mans Ludvig. Lasse is garbage and being passed by I think 5 riders tonight on his “best” track proves it. All season we have carried his excuses and quite frankly he doesn’t wear the name in my eyes. 4) Matty - fantastic season, carried our weaknesses, but starting to find it tough 5) Tommy - great talent, even tonight he is chasing and riding hard. Puzzled how a gater can’t gate, but can at kings lynn. Disappointment for me, but only to the sense I know he can do more and seems to be trying. 6) max - phenomenal 7) Danny - proud that he has proven he can mix it in this league, and any question he doesn’t deserve his place can be put to bed - regularly scores points at home and is a 2.0 rider The blatant route of the problem appears form. None of the guys except reserves and Matty give off the impression they are trying. That’s not my saying they aren’t, but they aren’t..! Contentious point - as much as I hated the bloke when he rode, i would pay to watch ludvig over Lasse any day

What was the crack with George and Martin speaking with fans after? Anyone stay behind and hear what they had to say?

Jedd List man = no brainer

I very much look forward to that Dave!

Two names for me: 1) regardless of desire to not have Aussies due to whatever visa/sponsorship/tracking - Jedd List looks the real deal. Second around Sheffield beating their own Aussie and a rider of a similar age drew kemp who is tipped for the top.... massive coup to get a rider who WILL get better, and given we aren’t getting points off Simon seems a total no brainier.... 2) The next big thing in the conference who nobody has touched - Dan Gilkes. Seen the kid ride he is out of this world, and albeit only his first season fully at conference level he will be a heat leader, if not top of Kent’s averages this year....... if you need to pick up anyone - pick up this kid now! 2 signings that would not only improve us this year, but both will become assets and both have huge futures in the sport, and will get better.. as an additional point on gilkes, if we elect to ride conference next year the promise of a championship spot and a national league spot to boot should be a huge draw!

I would have to agree Dave, really sorry that we have had to change the team too, and all the criticism of the promotion is unfair, had Nike not made the decision we would be kick starting our season with the original 1-7. looking around Stevie is a no brainer, out and out number 1, and makes our top 3 the envy of most in the league. We just simply need to make the right call with the last man, and if we do, we will be very hard to stop. My personal view is let’s try someone young/new who has potential and invest in them. Not seen anything about josh McDonald, but if comparisons are true, he is the obvious candidate. Mikel B also one to look at. After a year in the league you would have to expect him to put points on his average next year, and Newcastle could be a springboard for a rider who went to Redcar with real pedigree and is still young in comparison to other options. need to get the last one right however, as a weak number 2 leaves us really exposed and will undoubtably be the difference between a good year and a poor one. Here is hoping Nike returns to the league in future, too much potential and excitement and a big miss to the sport in this country if he doesn’t, shame however he wasn’t more open with the promoters before signing. Similarly, here is hoping Victor gets fixed up, was looking forward to seeing him this year, and he deserves a chance after committing the time and money to the season. Chuffed to see stevie back with us again, he was the first name on every team sheet I pulled together at the start of the year, and one of my favourite all time riders, great to have him back where he belongs!

I would ordinarily agree with you, however, Danny had a full season last year in a league with extremely strong reserves and wasn’t off the pace. This year the standard is an awful lot less, and seeing a lot of no7s and a few no6s that are NL standard, and most who are not out and out too dogs like Drew Kemp, I think Danny is definitely worth a shot, and if anything, a lot more experienced... i think it’s a big season for him this year, and one he needs to make inroads, but even putting a point on his average will be fantastic on the back of the injuries he suffered, but that would be the challenge I set him in this league. im more than happy with the team this year, a lot of opportunities if people click, but success is dependant on them clicking as it is with every team every year. hats off to the promotion team, what I would say is the new season fills me with excitement. New riders in the team, it will be fantastic to watch them all develop around brough,and defo far from the predictable “norm”.. bring on next season, well done Martin and george and thanks for giving us something a little different to wet the speedway appetite

Totally agree. As a Newcastle fan Lewis would be one of the first names on my team sheet. That lad oozes quality, determination, and quite frankly came back even stronger after that life threatening crash. For me, he is a year away from proving a real top man in this league, and this could be his year. In a season where you need riders to put points on their average, Lewi will put more on than Lawson and kennett combined, and for me is a better shout that Ellis, especially on such a lower average. best of luck mr Kerr, not that you need it!

Is it really? Howarth is in a false average, and king will be consistent. A lot of question marks however, nicol, Anderson (as good as he looked briefly last year has a lot to prove) kemp is a good 2 pointer but there are others close who could do a job... kennedy - well there are exciting Aussies throughout the league, not many match their starting average in year one.... and procter...... well in simple terms no improvement, and anyone thinking he can be the same procter from years ago is mistaken...... no improvement.... i see 2 riders upping their average, Kemp and howarth (on a false average) think there are better opportunities than that to complete what could be a good team

If this is fact, I would struggle to see him not coming back to Newcastle, be a good place to Assist his recovery on a track he knows well. That said, I won’t be bitter, and if Sheffield do get him hats off to you, best rider in the league for me on reliability and delivering when the pressure is on (get it others have a higher average after last year). For me however I can only see Sheffield with one of three riders at number one 1) Rory schlein 2) Danny king 3) Richard lawson All suited to your track, all would do a cracking job, and for me the number one you need

I would have to ask what the benefit would be of having him. George regularly says he is such a team man which explains his inclusion, I just don’t see it however. This season other riders are the ones doing the promotional work at schools and shopping centres etc. He can be dominant at home (occasionally, and less frequently these days) - I would argue this is less important on a track that has such a home track advantage where points can’t be made up elsewhere. He dropped us in it last year, George didn’t seem happy, and the captaincy argument I just don’t get. I get he isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, certainly not mine, but I struggle to see any positives with his inclusion.... happy for others to debate this however, I really could be missing something.....

I would imagine that Steve worrall would be riding Poland again next year, which is why he left Newcastle after years of loyalty. If Steve was no longer riding Poland (I would hope) Newcastle’s promotion would bring him home.............

I just can’t see ludvig back, not after last season. Defo seen a big shift in tolerance of ludvigs behaviour - called out with last minute choices not to ride and relinquishing the captaincy. Let alone only a 3.00 away average which even the biggest ludvig critic would admit is even low by his standards.......

Replace Lewis Kerr with stevie worrall and I think that might just be a team