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It's because Poole understand that speedway is a team sport and winning is important. People who say that speedway should be about the excitement of 4 people riding bikes with no brakes and it's all about the quality of racing are missing the point. Yes, people like to see good racing, but what gets people through the turnstiles is having a winning team, and Poole strive to get one every year whichever league they are in. It's the reason so many people like to slag them off, and also the reason why their own fans continue to support them. Plus, winning teams create an atmosphere, and a good atmosphere encourages people to come back. A plethora of old folk sat in deckchairs, quietly filling in programmes and counting marking the number of passes on a sheet of paper doesn't. They also ride in a decent stadium and know how to promote the sport. If more clubs were run like Poole, the sport would be in a much healthier situation. On the subject of last night's match, I'm generally not really a fan of the bonus point and prefer the old system where points were awarded for getting within 6 points, but there's no denying that the aggregate bonus point was what kept it interesting on this occasion. Good to see Anders Rowe going so well.

This topic seems to have moved away from "we like (or don't like!) Poole, but I've been reading through it with interest. My opinion is that although there is a certain amount of envy over Poole's lengthy success, one of the reasons why the club is unpopular is the way that some of their supporters (not all of them of course, but a vocal minority) instantly over-react to any form of criticism whether it be about their track, their management or their team manager etc. In many ways, Poole are a great example to other clubs, and I certainly don't begrudge them their success which is obviously good for Poole fans, although I feel it isn't good for the sport overall, to have one team dominating all the competitions year after year. Perhaps if some of the more touchy Poole fans would let the criticism ride over them, and not feel that they must reply to it, things would settle a bit?

Basso on instagram, is saying its the worst track he's ridden this season

#BusterGate provided both openness and transparency: apparently there was no "openness" for the pit gate, and we could all see through the excuses ...

Still, after 25 years, about not being able to find set ups.

After the excellent away win a Leicester they followed it up with two superb wins at tricky Kings Lynn & Peterborough. Both these latter two meetings really show off the Witches title winning credentials, especially the last heat decider against the Panthers. If they beat Kings Lynn next week then I’d say they’ve one hand on the trophy.

I think this hits the nail on the head. I suspect the owners prefer pounds in the bank to passes on the track and the fans preference is for points on the board. One of my first meetings there was vs Swindon when Leigh Adams was their number one and every heat was effectively over by the second bend on the first lap - but the packed crowd were ecstatic with the overall win. It still has to be close to the best attended track, possibly being beaten by Oxford, so the business model is successful and sustainable, and also Poole is the most successful team in terms of league positions and cup wins this century. The snippy comments of supporters of others tracks, and none, just makes it all the better if you’re a Poole supporter. There’s nothing better than beating a bad loser. Mind you, a few Poole supporters - and we all know who they are - go over the top in winding up the rivals, but then some of the anti-Poole brigade follow suit. And although the exchanges might rile some people (on both sides) that has to be healthy for the business and survival of speedway

Why waste the tactical in a guaranteed 3-3 race with Emil, odd team management from Lynn.

No.but I've seen couple of pheasants and a woodpecker

Is he really....what's his average then?..he is one of the only things left that I like in British Speedway and I would pay to watch him so you lot can speak for yourselves..if only there were more like him then this league would be more exciting.

Worrall away, has averaged 6.09 for the Panthers, and Bomber 5.83 for the Lions.

They don’t need too if there is constant flow of them during the summer months when there is speedway.A lot of jealousy regarding crowd levels at Poole.IMO.

Another fantastic win by the Pirates this time over table topping Cheetahs. The win was NID but the bonus point......what a valiant effort by the Boyzzzzz being 16pts up on 4 occasions only to av it snatched away in a last heat decider. Poor old Ben in heat 9 with an ef when leading Nicholls & Masters turned out to be a crucial blow when it came to the bonus point. Luck came our way though with Nicholls early engine troubles. Special mention to Nathan Ablitt.......well done lad you are on the way after your apprenticeship last season as a Pirate. The confidence in your riding is there for all to see and you took a well deserved lap of honour after heat 2. You've come a long way and you will go a lot further in your career. C'mon the Boyzzzzz

Really disagree with your two man team assessment, like said elsewhere Kerr is averaging over 8 and Atkins was scoring well at reserve .Jordan Jenkins has been very solid no less than Anders Rowe for Poole plus Heeps was solid enough at 2 previously this season. I would say Killeen is going to remain carried but no different to Ablitt for Pirates last season, Oxford are a good solid side who as a unit score solidly at most away tracks.

Well... They did say Jehovah

If he didn't dangle his leg off the footrest mid bend every time he may find it more stable. Adapt your riding!

Nicholls and Greaves in cup final....

Tbf I don't really know. Don't really look into BV much. I just remember the 2-4 points he used to get as a no1 and still was in H13, used to wind me right up haha.

Updates saying hagon and him tangled in heat 2. Wrist injury possibly

My opinion but, sometimes, passing in every race isn’t always all that makes a meeting. To a newbie it means a lot to see riders going wheel to wheel and swapping positions.. or simply overtaking. That is Speedway in its most simplistic essence and, yes we all love that. In reality, these days, it is a little rarer and, so, is much appreciated when it happens… However, I like to think there are many more layers to a meeting. For those of us that appreciate the finer points, there is as much excitement on a close scoreline where heat by heat the match can hang on the result of the next four laps. Last night the Pirates were chasing the bonus point and it was tense to see them real in the 14 point advantage and then to see it snap back and forth once it became within two points! And, most importantly, the bit that the uninitiated will never see (obviously) is when a lesser rated rider goes on a giant killing expedition such as Anders Rowe leading Sam Masters for 4 laps which kept people on the edge of their seat for the whole of heat 11 .. a huge ovation for his effort adding to the atmosphere but likely to go over the heads of a newbie. Similar for Ben Cook seeing off Sam (on a tactical) and Scott for three and a half laps before his engine gave way in heat nine. High drama. The final result (for the bonus point) went to a last heat decider so despite a pretty dominant Pirates’ performance which might otherwise have been regarded ‘one-sided’ there was much to entertain and, even though my team lost out in the last one, I, for one, was entertained. ”yes”, I’d love to see some wheel to wheel action but my heart rate never dropped much throughout!….. it’s a little bit like that brilliant TV series you tell your friends to watch…. Until they get comfortable with the various characters, they probably don’t get what you see in it …..at first?

That someone on here started the rumour and many went along with it.People love all the negativity. Would have been nice to see A.Boughen given a chance tonight instead of Hagon,just to see how he goes in the PL.One for the future by the looks of things.

Have Leicester now discovered some available dates then?

Trackrat

It's hardly "talent spotting" when another club takes the plunge on a rider and once successful you sign them then is it? Especially in those days when Aussies came in on a 9 then a 7

No problem with that... if the sport wants any kind of loyalty they need to salary the riders, like Football does. He can't have it both ways though... I'm not sure what his beef is to be honest

Lebedevs moves from wildcard to replace Holder and new wildcard is Francis Gusts. Ansviesulis moves to 17 and Majtusonaks comes in at 18

It's an interesting one isn't it... a rider who has shown zero loyalty to any club he's ridden for over the last few years, has become a running joke in the sport, gets his knickers in a twist because all of a sudden a club decide to do exactly what he's done. His loyalty to British Speedway is not in doubt, be he has absolutely no problem in riding for which ever club calls him up on any given day even if the result of the match may effect the club he is contracted to and captain of

Not sure Oxford will finish top now to be honest. If Oxford and Poole both win all their home meetings, it will come down to if Oxford can get away wins at Edinburgh and Glasgow, and if Poole can win away at Edinburgh and Scunthorpe. If Poole win both away matches (which is entirely possibly), it means Oxford would have to win both of theirs - and not sure they will at Glasgow. Therefore the final points totals could be Poole 35 and Oxford 34. Of course the good old super heat could add some confusion into the mix.

Maybe if he knew who they were....

Good meeting. Great home debut for Tai. Quality team riding from Tai too again. I would guess best crowd of season so good night all round for Sheffield Nice to see Ace giving his all too. Got better as the meeting went on and will benefit from the experience.

Very good article including Nigel Tolley interview. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/perry-barr-birmingham-brummies-speedway-27495331?utm_source=mynewsassistant.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=embedded_search_item_mobile

Absolutely disgusting from Klindt

Gives you less time to whine about it I suppose .

Ok Emil just broke the Track record in heat 1 and Artem was 2nd

Oh for a John Berry type 'supremo' who could bash a few heads together for the common good. I think it needs someone to take control with the clubs falling in line with him / her. Who it could be I've no idea sadly.

I do think at this stage if Laguta isn't there it is a total embarrassment. Apart from someone on here mentioning an unsubstantiated rumour there is nothing to suggest he wont be there.

I also work on contract, I'm contracted until the end of September, I expect it to be extended... I have one days notice on this contract. Nobody will sort my next contract out for me, I'll have to find it myself. That's what being self employed is all about

If you need to be a genius to understand it, just imagine how hard it was to produce a 'user friendly' Spreadsheet for it!

No agreement then for Darcy which is why Poole coughed up £30k for his signature! Since Darcy's accident and recuperation he is now a Promoter in Oz and running regular training schools with Watty and Boycie for the youngsters.

Too late now, or a gamble on a foreign rider and hope it pays off like Peterborough, looks like when we stuck with Batchelor all season when he should have gone

It seems some do! Personally i think coming in to a team after the play offs have started should not happen but changing your team during the season is fine and I dont see why there should be any restrictions on that as long as its within the averages.

IOW was a bit of a feeder club for Poole with Chris Holder and Jason Doyle too.

Remarkably consistent. He's no Finn Jensen.

Instead of criticising everything why don't you get yourself down to your local track and support them, it's because of people like you that speedway is dying, yes i shall continue to pay to watch my favourite sport, there is nothing better, the atmosphere at Poole last night was brilliant, with a massive crowd, they keep coming so obviously like what they see

Should of been your original post..... Lets hope he rides then eh

I honestly think Ipswich's I only chance is if Sheffield don't complete their home fixtures. I'd say Ipswich would have a fair chance over Wolves or Leicester, but Belle Vue look likely to finish top. Since I dislike play-offs to decide league titles, I'd be quite delighted if a team that finished 5th (4th at cut-off date) won the league

Bournemouth are in the top tier…

I’d fancy us to be honest if we snuck in, all depends on Riss. We lost the aggregate in the latest round of fixtures with Belle Vue by 10 with Riss scoring a single point in each fixture. A modest 6 point return in both fixtures would have squared it up on aggregate, very tight. We’ve carried him all year due to his health problems and only Louis knows why he hasn’t done anything about it but it certainly looks like it’s cost us. Last couple of meetings he’s looked better (although not that great for Redcar last night) and he has an opportunity to gain more confidence against a weakened Kings Lynn this evening.

In the latest average change Drew has dropped to reserve so need a guest

You cant polish a turd, I`d have more respect for the Plymouth promotion if they just come out and admitted they got it wrong.