Birmingham V Lakeside April 2 El (a)

[Bryn 413]

Thanks for your response Bagpuss and I accept what you say. I would mention though that many track curators I've talked to over the years have said to me that they don't put much loose shale on circuits in the early stages of a season as tracks are prone to staying far too damp after watering and prone to 'cut up.' They gradually add more shale as the season evolves and outside evening temperatures generally rise.

One thing I know is that there's no way I'd want to be a track curator because whatever you do, someone will moan!

[Haza 1,774]

 

Apologies for going slightly off-topic but would be interested to know what your definition of a 'slick' track is "Bagpuss?" Alas I was unable to get to Brum last night but managed to get a lift to King's Lynn instead. On arrival at 6.40pm looking at the track from the press box the track "looked" to be deep in shale and obviously very well watered as it looked very wet indeed. Initial thoughts of all (including the meeting officials) up where I was that it "looked" as if it may well prove to be too grippy especially for the several really inexperienced riders taking part. The track was watered again prior to the 7.30pm start, the truck might have gone round twice in fact but there was a lot of chat 'up in the box.'

I should have known better of course for the well watered seemingly too deep Saddlebow Road circuit proved excellent throughout the night and NONE of the several falls during the match and abandoned MDL match in the second half were attributable to it - all were as a result of 'pilot error!'

So "Bagpuss" how would you and others define a 'slick' track - genuine question.

easy one to answer Bryn slick track =Lakeside EL Rye House PL

[semion 2,192]

Easy Answer Bryn. Slick is the word for those 2 tries England ran in at Twickenham in The 6 nations against some team playing in Red.

[E I Addio 15,845]

You are right but Brum has always had a grippy outside line and as a home rider there is nothing worse than turning up to a home track which is completely different to what you expect or are used to. A slick track played right into Lakeside's hands although I'm sure they would have won anyway.

 

 

Can't really see how a slick track played into Lakesides hands. Barker, Kennett and King have all had big scores at Arena in the past and Kennett in particular probably rides Arena as well if not better than he rides any other EL track. I agree it is a disadvantage when a team finds its home track not as they usually expect it but that alone doesn't account for a defeat of this size. I see the Brummies t/m has put it down to poor gating by his team and that might well have more to do with it than track conditions. When riders are not totally focussed gating is often where it shows.

 

If you ever watch Phil Morris at work in the pits he is on to the riders encouraging them all the time and trying to get the best from them, arguably the best t/m in the country. He worked wonders with the Brum team last year and maybe that's whats needed now although the riders themselves have to respond of course.

[OGT 612]

Just a point about Aston Villa's "dwindling" attendances. They currently have the 9th highest average home gate at 36,230, which considering how bad their home performances and results have been (for quite a while now) is pretty good.

 

I can't really explain why Blues' attendances are so low though.

[Steve0 5,517]

Is anyone really surprised with the scoreline? Birmingham have put together a team on a budget and unfortunately they look like a PL team - they are lacking in both the heatleader and reserve positions. I think this team actually looks worse than the Swindon team of 2011 - when we were cast adrift at the bottom of the EL with no chance of strengthening. The net result is that there was less and less of a crowd each week and it was painful to watch.

 

A long season for Brummies fans and they will need to have some resolve to go and watch that team every week!

[woofers 467]

OK, so it's not helpful if the track isn't prepared as usual or expected.......but these guys are professional speedway riders with years of experience and aspirations of performing at World Cup level. I would expect them to be able to adapt, change their set ups and ride accordingly. The problems must be bigger than the track being too slick.

 

With regard to replacements, surely the introduction of around 20 NL riders has free'd up a number of riders who were EL last year and now without a ride, some of whom would be eager for another chance.

[Bagpuss 10,784]

 

 

Can't really see how a slick track played into Lakesides hands. Barker, Kennett and King have all had big scores at Arena in the past and Kennett in particular probably rides Arena as well if not better than he rides any other EL track. I agree it is a disadvantage when a team finds its home track not as they usually expect it but that alone doesn't account for a defeat of this size. I see the Brummies t/m has put it down to poor gating by his team and that might well have more to do with it than track conditions. When riders are not totally focussed gating is often where it shows.

 

If you ever watch Phil Morris at work in the pits he is on to the riders encouraging them all the time and trying to get the best from them, arguably the best t/m in the country. He worked wonders with the Brum team last year and maybe that's whats needed now although the riders themselves have to respond of course.

Don't get me wrong, there is far more to Brum's performances so far than track conditions but I have no doubt it was a major factor last night. That said Lakeside look a very decent team this year, better than I probably have them credit for. The heat leaders may well be found wanting occasionally on the road but the second strings and Ellis look like they will more than make up for it. Should be a good and very tough meeting at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday. Edited April 3, 2014 by Bagpuss

[mudflaps 664]

Karol Baron ^

 

Oh Boy I remember the Baron nights around the EOES!

[greyhoundp 990]

I really fear for The Brummies this season, the supporters of Birmingham have shown in the past, they wont support a poor Team, and this is a poor Team, it would struggle to hold its own in the PL never mind the EL. King as we all know isnt a No1, Kennett is on a downward spiral, Barker is at best a 3rd heat leader, Nermark has seen his best days, Skorniki again another on a downward spiral. The 2 draft riders, Starke will get some points when he gates, Lambert still a NL rider after how many years ?.

 

I can barely see The Brummies winning a meeting with this Team, in fact i will predict, They wont win more than 2 home meetings and none away. The big unknown is will they complete the season ?. Im afraid i have my doubts. . three riders on a downward spiral with their careers, the other two are inconsistant at best. I just hope there is another investor lined up.

I really fear for The Brummies this season, the supporters of Birmingham have shown in the past, they wont support a poor Team, and this is a poor Team, it would struggle to hold its own in the PL never mind the EL. King as we all know isnt a No1, Kennett is on a downward spiral, Barker is at best a 3rd heat leader, Nermark has seen his best days, Skorniki again another on a downward spiral. The 2 draft riders, Starke will get some points when he gates, Lambert still a NL rider after how many years ?.

 

I can barely see The Brummies winning a meeting with this Team, in fact i will predict, They wont win more than 2 home meetings and none away. The big unknown is will they complete the season ?. Im afraid i have my doubts. . three riders on a downward spiral with their careers, the other two are inconsistant at best. I just hope there is another investor lined up.

[stevebrum 6,824]

I really fear for The Brummies this season, the supporters of Birmingham have shown in the past, they wont support a poor Team, and this is a poor Team, it would struggle to hold its own in the PL never mind the EL. King as we all know isnt a No1, Kennett is on a downward spiral, Barker is at best a 3rd heat leader, Nermark has seen his best days, Skorniki again another on a downward spiral. The 2 draft riders, Starke will get some points when he gates, Lambert still a NL rider after how many years ?.

 

I can barely see The Brummies winning a meeting with this Team, in fact i will predict, They wont win more than 2 home meetings and none away. The big unknown is will they complete the season ?. Im afraid i have my doubts. . three riders on a downward spiral with their careers, the other two are inconsistant at best. I just hope there is another investor lined up.

 

 

If i was a Brummies fan the answer is simple. Do i want Speedway at Perry Barr or not? If you don't support don't whinge if the doors close for good again.

The club is struggling financially. Now IS the time to be supporting!

[red5 14]

Looks like there are doubters and followers at Birmingham now. FFS sake it is the start of the season and all things are not right but they will get better. Not many of the boys have had any track time yet, what with rain offs and that, If you were on the testemonial circuit you will have had practice if not you are stuffed.

There is a new format as well and getting to know your new team mates is going to take time. Last year Danny and Ben were the dogs Bo----oks and had a good time , now both have got to start again. Yes we are not GP riders but on the day they can and will beat the best.

Why not just shut the F--k up and go and support them before you lose the team all together and thats another track gone.

[Woz01 3,589]

Can we get one thing straight here although the Birmingham side is poor its far ahead of anything in the PL. The top 5 would probably be number 1s in the PL. The side is poor as it hasn't got enough EL quality heat leaders, I'd say King is the only one while the rest are 2nd strings.

[OGT 612]

Looks like there are doubters and followers at Birmingham now. FFS sake it is the start of the season and all things are not right but they will get better. Not many of the boys have had any track time yet, what with rain offs and that, If you were on the testemonial circuit you will have had practice if not you are stuffed. There is a new format as well and getting to know your new team mates is going to take time. Last year Danny and Ben were the dogs Bo----oks and had a good time , now both have got to start again. Yes we are not GP riders but on the day they can and will beat the best. Why not just shut the F--k up and go and support them before you lose the team all together and thats another track gone.

I admire your optimism.

[Yikes 28]

Fans need to get behind their team. Now more than ever.