Loyal hammer 5 Posted January 5, 2017 There's still plenty to look forward to. We have a strong top two, both young and big hitters in this league. We have progressive talent in Alfie and George. I'm sure both can progress this season under the guidance of Kelvin. I know very little about Nick Laurence but I trust the promotion see him as a decent scoring reserve. I wouldn't right the Hammers off just yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyE 822 Posted January 5, 2017 Hector,,please we are all at a low ebb already !! As a point of interest are there any riders around 3.4 left that we could fit in to give us a slightly stronger reserve ??? Looking at the final greensheet averages for 2016 the most likely scenario is a 3 pointer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halifaxtiger 5,318 Posted January 5, 2017 (edited) Very difficult to disagree with anything in the last four posts. I was prepared to give the NL a go and I wouldn't have minded paying £13 admission if it was entertaining but I am not going to pay when only half the team have ant prospect of improvement. I feel sorry for the four previously signed. They deserve better than this. Depending on the last rider, it could be 5 out of 7. I could make fair argument that Isle of Wight, Stoke, Buxton, Mildenhall & Plymouth are no different. Having said that, Mason would be hard for me to accept. I have no issue with a senior rider, but he has to be one of a decent heat leader standard who is going to make the team more attractive on track. Mason simply doesn't hit that. Won't stop me going, though. Lakeside is one of my favourite tracks and I see no reason why that will change. Edited January 5, 2017 by Halifaxtiger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted January 5, 2017 The main problem for lakeside is, competing with top flight speedway just down the road at hoddesdon. If I could only afford one meeting a week, I know where I would go. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex2000 266 Posted January 5, 2017 (edited) Hector,,please we are all at a low ebb already !! As a point of interest are there any riders around 3.4 left that we could fit in to give us a slightly stronger reserve ??? Its not a bad shout, maybe Niall and his newfound American love would be an ominous reserve pairing in this league. What was her time at CP? Edited January 5, 2017 by Al3x200 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cliv Clav 60 Posted January 5, 2017 Whilst I feel slightly deflated about these signings, I am not that concerned and am really looking forward to our new competitions this season, rather than just the one in the old EL! Mason is not a promising youngster, as I had hoped, but his average does fit and he used to be very good round Arena. He is not spectacular, but a solid middle order rider might be needed in our first year in this new adventure. Laurence has been around a while and not shown much improvement, but I think we may see some riders becoming eligible to race during the season that may be pushing for that number 7 spot. I grow tired of people saying Jon Cook is 'sticking his fingers up at fans'. He and Stuart are the only reason we can continue to have speedway in Essex. With Stuart living abroad, Jon is the only local guy trying to keep us going long enough to find a new home and secure our future. If he wanted to upset the fans, he wouldn't even bother trying to keep us alive! Alan hasn't been able to do too much recently due to his health and we have now lost Bryn, so even more falls on Jon's shoulders. I hope with more local riders, we can run more publicity events and discounted meetings to try to attract new fans from Essex. I notice that Vortex have disappeared from the website logo, I hope we haven't lost their backing! Looking forward to March and cheering on the new look Hammers! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teaboy279 1,038 Posted January 6, 2017 Thing is you have 2 out and out number ones, Ben can consider himself unlucky not to have a top flight with Rye this year, he is still young despite his experience and is a track specialist. In Zach you have the break through man of 2015 and despite 2016 being curtailed by a freak injury he should still be considered as the next potential Tai. And then you have two at times eratic youngsters who will blossom under proper tuition from Kelvin and be a joy to watch grow. Whilst I ve never been a big fan of watching speedway at Arena for a variety of reasons, but honestly I would much rather watch your class of 2017 then anything you ve had for a number of years. And with Mason in my opinion the last couple of months of 2016 despite bad luck he looked the best he had done in a decade. And moving off the white line to either make a pass or block one.and importantly at this level Magic is very unlikely to throw points into the airfence unnecessarily. Look at all the teams so far, all have strengths and all have weaknesses. We think we know certain riders will deffo up thier averages but I think the league will hinge on suprise packages. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halifaxtiger 5,318 Posted January 6, 2017 The main problem for lakeside is, competing with top flight speedway just down the road at hoddesdon. If I could only afford one meeting a week, I know where I would go. I'm not sure that totally stacks up. I might question why Cradley have been such a success, for example. What that requires is the wholesale desertion of Lakeside fans to a track that they have often being most critical of and pointing fingers at the team line up (not totaly unreasonably I'd say) smacks to me as a cheap excuse to desert the club simply because they have dropped to NL level. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
00000 1,279 Posted January 6, 2017 Well, from an Eastbourne point of view it will be great to cross swords with Lakeside again. Got to be a reasonable bet that we will go back to Good Friday home and away. Hope so. Be a good way for both clubs to get the 2017 season off to a start. You can almost guarantee decent crowds at both tracks that and it means the promotions get some money in the coffers from the off. Roll on Easter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,247 Posted January 6, 2017 I for one am looking forward to the additional option of watching NL at Lakeside & fingers crossed get to make a few visits this year. With the entry into NL, the academy already in place what are the chances of Lakeside running a MDL side to help bridge the gap and obviously develop riders to fill the reserve berths either this season or next? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nathan Mole 13 Posted January 6, 2017 Wouldn't it be a SJL(Southern Junior League) side, that's if it true that its three Junior league cut up into North, South and Midlands Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,247 Posted January 6, 2017 Wouldn't it be a SJL(Southern Junior League) side, that's if it true that its three Junior league cut up into North, South and Midlands I believe the NJL & MDL will stay in tact but a new Southern league is being created? However rumours are that this will include teams based around the Plymouth, Somerset, Swindon areas so might be a lot of travelling for a Lakeside team? The AGM for this isn't until the end of the month but it would be good for Lakeside to look to attend with the intention of competing in some capacity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 6, 2017 Wouldn't it be a SJL(Southern Junior League) side, that's if it true that its three Junior league cut up into North, South and Midlands I believe the NJL & MDL will stay in tact but a new Southern league is being created? However rumours are that this will include teams based around the Plymouth, Somerset, Swindon areas so might be a lot of travelling for a Lakeside team? The AGM for this isn't until the end of the month but it would be good for Lakeside to look to attend with the intention of competing in some capacity. A Southern Junior League to be discussed. Maybe a thread for it would be a good idea. The NJL and MDL are already debated in Youth Speedway and Development Leagues Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daytripper 1,123 Posted January 6, 2017 In other words all the signs of the experienced campaigner that will be an essential part of the Lakeside Hammers side in the season ahead. An essential part ? A rider whose recent record shows he finishes in third place three times as often as he wins is not essential for anything except coming cheap, making the numbers up, and failing to provide the entertainment that would otherwise entice more fans to come. A complete waste of space in a heatleader role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,247 Posted January 6, 2017 It also has to be said that David Mason was/is the most viable rider available on a sub 6.98 average which is what was required for the 3rd heatleader role. There are only 3 suitable alternatives (Jack Smith, Rob Shuttleworth & Nathan Stoneman) all of these are likely signed elsewhere, have other clubs with fixture clashes or priced themselves out of the market. Surely it must be better to get a rider with some of the best equipment in the league and be near the points limit. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
