torpointfanatic22

Ooops! I even read the bit about Worrall before posting - Must have had a senior moment! Ah well all irrelevant now as we got a tonking anyway!

Somerset are always a good bench mark so will be interesting to see how we get on - We have a shocking record against the Rebels but I think this is one of the weaker Rebels outfits to come to Plymouth since we stepped into the PL. That said Starke knows the SBA very well as does Todd so both will no doubt go pretty well. Wright has never done much at the SBA though so that could be an area for the Devils to target. Not expecting Reade to do much but will be interesting to see how the likes of Kalle, Benko and Simota go. Barker shouldn't drop points to anyone other than maybe Morris and then of course there is Brady! I'll go for the draw 45-45! But if I was pushed to name a winner I'd probably lean the way of the Rebels, should be a belter though!

Surely your problems lie at the bottom end rather than the top? Aspgren out for Davies would be an improvement for you there is no doubt but surely if you need to replace anyone it would be one of the reserves to potentially allow Todd to ride at 6 or 7?

From what I've been told this is spot on. The tools are all there so I guess no excuses! (That isn't meant to sound harsh). I understand his biggest issue tends to be gating which of course is very important especially at the SBA. I couldn't make the Demons P&P last weekend but I spoke to someone who did and they felt Benko showed a fair bit of promise. I accept P&P can make any rider look good but at least that shows some potential. Totally agree - I don't see him being okay - I think he will either prove a decent little signing or he will disappear in a whimper. Will be interesting to see which way he goes. Part of me fears the worst but the other part is excited at an 'unknown' who could be anything! The Simota signing on the other hand is a bit of a meh for me as although he has pedigree I'm not convinced by him or his results on the continent. As I said previously continental results don't necessarily transfer to the UK. From what I've seen his last EL average was 4.44 in 2007 so there is at least something there to cling on to but that was 7 years ago now. Be interesting to see how he looks at P&P tomorrow.

I think most are going by his appearances in the UK last Summer where he was underwhelming to say the least. His form on the continent isn't that great and continental form doesn't always transpire to the UK anyway. Sticky had excellent form in the Czech Republic but his form in the UK was poor.

Simota confirmed in the local rag today - He has signed on a short term deal in the hope that Davies will still get his permit!

Just because he wants to ride for Plymouth doesn't mean he should. We will of course be short of options due to the timescale but would R/R not be better as Barker and Jensen could have an extra ride, given it will only be short term? I know we all want to see 7 riders in a team but I'm not sure about Simota.

I sincerely hope that's not true, he's dreadful! Only rode in Czech Republic last couple of seasons on the whole - Bar a couple individuals / pairs meetings. Form on the whole is no better than Stichauer's. Have a look here... http://speedwayresults.com/rider.php?name=Zdenek&surname=Simota&season=2013

One thing for certain with this Plymouth team is that we have a team of entertainers, win, lose or draw and personally I don't care where we finish as long as the racing is entertaining. I do find watching a team of gaters can become quite dull and that is something we definitely don't have!!! Can't wait for it to get started!

Couldn't agree more about the reserves - Early on Kalle will hopefully do the business but Benko and Reade could be the sticking point. If one or both struggle and we replace them with better then we could well hold our own as a mid-table outfit, if not it could be bottom 3. If I were a betting man - I'd bet Tim Webster will at some point be in the Devils 1-7!

If the point your getting at is that Davies isn't second heat leader material, Benko is unlikely to do much and Reade could struggle then I'd agree. But who knows! As I've said before about the Plymouth side - I don't see us finishing in the play-offs but I don't think we'll be bottom. My worry is Barker, as on starting averages there is a lot of pressure on him to do the business and I've heard his off season hasn't been that great.

Premier Shield - Newcastle Premier League play offs - Workington First place - Workington Premier League Cup - Scunthorpe Premier KO Cup - Workington PLRC - Craig Cook PL Pairs - Sheffield PL Fours - Peterborough Wooden Spoon - Redcar I think it will all depend on the first eight matches as to how far off the pace Benko is - If he surprises a few we could do okay, but I'd be shocked if after four home and four away we aren't already looking at two changes and that alone could make a huge difference. It's always difficult to predict these things as teams can change so much throughout the season but I fancy your lot and Glasgow to be below us on current line ups.

Demons team confirmed for 2014 as... Tim Webster Ben Reade Lee Smart Matt Bates Danny Stoneman James Shanes Richard Andrews Matt Bates will captain the side. http://www.plymouthdevils.co/devon-demons-complete-line-up.html

Yep, fully expecting Benko to struggle so can't really be a disappointment. If he ends up averaging above 3 he will be a great surprise.

A little extra news non team related is that Plymouth have had a variation planning application accepted so we can now host meetings on Bank Holiday Mondays as well as Fridays and Saturdays.

I do hope we are in it to develop our own side. Scunny have had some great prospects come through their ranks and I'd love Plymouth to replicate something similar. I'm actually quite surprised there aren't more fresh faces but hopefully in the future we will see more youngsters come through. Yeah Reade has also got a place in the PL side which does worry me a little, what with him racing all three leagues but he's a good lad and if he can get going and get his tail up early on I think he'll do okay.

When I say improve I'm talking about the team as a whole and that they are all young. From what I have heard and from the scores I've seen, Benko is probably going to struggle to average 3 initially but the hope like with all overseas newbies is that he gets better with time. Fingers crossed! If not I'm sure the promotion will make changes!

Wouldn't necessarily disagree with that, but it's all about improvement for me and every member is still young enough to improve in my book. 11th last season so top 10 will do me nicely.

Kalle Katajisto (4.92) and Ben Reade (3.00) complete the Plymouth line up... http://www.plymouthdevils.co/new-year-cheer,-the-devils-are-complete.html

Nice to see a young side with plenty of potential, Barker at 25 is the old man of the side! Reade coming back from injury will probably need a little time but hopefully Kalle can take the pressure off him with some good scores at reserve. Pretty happy on the whole.

Indeed...I'm led to believe the final two riders are to be named in the coming few days.

So it appears Danny Stoneman and James Shanes are going to be in Demons colours for 2014 from the club website. On the Facebook page it also states Lee Smart, Ben Reade, Matt Bates and Richard Andrews will be in the side.

Good shout - I've done that on the Plymouth forum so might as well be consistent.

Ouch! I may have to seek legal advice on that one, oh wait I've heard that one somewhere before... The comments about them needing work permits were not what I responded to - It was your persistent barracking of the promotion. The work permit issue is a fact that can't really be argued so why would I argue that? I didn't! The only reason I even responded to your post was because quite frankly your constant abuse at the promotion and management is in many cases unjust? You love to come on here and go off about replacing people here and there but never seem to offer much else, how about you offer something a little constructive for a change? I wish I was in the position to write that kind of stuff, sadly yet again your WRONG with your accusations!

Indeed you would have thought so.