gazzac

Looking at the quote over a few times, it was as you say a harsh but fair point aimed at the rider's mentioned, and a stupid and unnecessary line about the NL standard, which we know over the last 4/5 years hasn't generally been the case. It does look to me it may have been part of the 'rant' to give Wood and Morley a kick up the a***, but in what seems to be his usual way, not well thought out, be nice if he clarified it was that in the next programme but unlikely to happen, especially if he really believes that. I do think him being there is part of the long term project, be a shame if you don't attend whilst he's they're, especially if our ex NL riders do turn it around.

I understand, and wouldn't want him at Eastie and you're probably right, but if he does ok for Redcar other factors could have had a hand, starting at 1, track, management etc. Glad Eastie have the other Birmingham cast off by the way, think he'll do a good job for us in place of Tom Brennen in his correct position at 3 or 4.

Suppose wait and see how he goes, one of you will be right, the other eating humble pie.

Just looked, we're away at Redcar on Friday 14th, home on Sat 22nd and away to Scunthorpe on Friday 28th, so Fridays are out anyway, and Leicester already have a home fixture on Sat 29th. So Sunday 30th it is, think it'll be a bumper crowd again.

I do prefer evening's at Arlington, but even with the dust think the crowd will be bigger on a Sunday afternoon than a Friday night, at the moment that's the name of the game so can't see it being altered. I'll be going wearing glasses and not my contact lenses! Mind you, if this weather continues throughout June, dust won't be too much of a problem.

Think the odd results were the 2 loses earlier on to Leicester and Glasgow, the team seem to have got used to the track now, think we'll beat Leicester this time round, probably not enough to win overall, but glad we have the first leg first , should be 15 cracking heats.

Good news

I'm not sure how it works, just assumed if home riders take extra rides, would pay for the extra points won (hopefully) but a guest would be paid to ride plus points scored?

I think you're probably right, in the past that seems to have been the preferred route, sure a lot of it's financial, extra points paid to the current team must be far cheaper than a top line guest like Adam Ellis.

Obvious, you'd miss out on the usual fixture pileup at the end of the season instead of running on what would hopefully be a nice June evening unlike today , can't have that.

I agree, a very big ask to win overall, but everthing went Leicester's way last time at Arlington, including Pickering being a fantastic guest, and Richards heat 15 error. I for one am looking forward to it, still not sure when we play the away leg as we have a fixture on Leicester's reserved home date, hope we get the first leg really, will guarentee 15 hard fought heats, rather than perhaps a result one way or another earlier on.

Think I'll book my holiday now, sounds lovely!

Like a lot of people no doubt, I'm struggling with a reply to this. Can only wish Tom and his family well again, especially now knowing the full extent of his injuries.

Just to make it clear, I'm not advocating changes, I really hope they can all raise their game and apart from the enforced change I'd be only too pleased to end the season with this team. I agree with what has been said before, think now the main aim is to regain fortress Arlington, keep the fans coming in, hopefully Leicester and Glasgow are the best out there, and they could be, then the close losses at home won't seem so bad, just can't afford another one really.

Unless there's something in the pipeline already, I think with 2 home matches and the KO Cup at Birmingham to come in the next 10 days, probably Wood Morley and Bowtell are all on last chances. Hopefully Bowtell can kick in at reserve where he should have started the season, and Wood can regain last years NL form, especially at home. If they don't not sure what changes they can make. A Spiller or 2 maybe?

Hope he doesn't try to come back too quickly, get those young bones healed properly. Hopefully him, Edwards, and eventually Ablitt will be the basis of another great Eastie era, although not quite the same great era of speedway in general as it was in the Dugard, Norris etc time.

I hope you're right, should be so much less pressure, probably riding at 4, than being second heat leader to the lowest average no1 in the league. Although wanting a quick turnaround of fortune, I'm sure John Cook would have put that in his mind, especially knowing him from Lakeside days.

So that's a negative about being thought of being positive then.

Hadn't thought of that, but would be the 'easiest' solution in the hope he'd regain some form. Put him at 3 with Kerr, takes a little pressure off him to start with, and would give Bowtell a go at reserve, less pressure on him as well and should score more points.

What a positive person you are! We should all take a leaf out of your book and not always try to look for all the negatives, hard as that normally seems with speedway.

Spot on unfortunately.

sorry getting my weekends and matches mixed up, I'll go and lie down now!

Probably won't do either, definately not the home one as he's in Poland!

I wasn't sure, reckon if he's in the main body of the team by then, probably do r/r, certainly at home as Alfie will be at reserve, especially if Tom's above Ben in the averages, would mean all apart from the top 2 would be able to take his rides, even if he's 5th, would still mean Ben and the reserves would, so not too detrimental for the meeting at home, maybe a guest away would be better.

Exactly what I thought yesterday, assume the next average changes are 31st May/1st June? Should be no pressure on him really, be great to see him at this level, assume Tom will be at Glasgow on Friday, or will he be on his way to Poland, and we'll have to have another 2 point reserve, Jason or a n other.