torpointfanatic22

So my starting 7 would be if possible... Fisher Sweetman Wells Gathercole Morris Kurtz Nielsen I'd also consider throwing in Lemon for Morris and replace Sweetman with Sanchez. Both teams would fit and I reckon potential for improvement across the board.

Doyle would definitely be in my 7 but Barker would be at 1.

Would come in on just over 9, interesting. Wouldn't mins seeing at least one Brit though! Kennett would be 10.00

Like the idea of Kurtz being our lowest averaged rider but not keen on Hawkins. I've never rated him and for me would only go one way! Aspegren would be nice too, he's impressed me every time I've seen him as has Mellgren although he has already signed for Rye

He was someone I totally forgot about actually, good shout. Converting his EL average I get 6.35 so he could easily slot into the middle order. Perhaps take Roynon out (who is riding for Coventry on Fridays anyway) from the above team I posted and put in Kling. I think he'd still fit if you took out Morris and went for Fisher too. More importantly who is going to be the new announcer with Bowden no longer around!?

In fairness Roger, Ippo have already re-signed Lanham and have compensated having Ben at number 1 by signing a 3 point rider at reserve. Whether that will work out only time will tell. The reason no-one wanted Fisher was because he wanted too much money rather than his high average. Fisher has been a part of championship winning teams in the PL on a high-ish starting average and I have to say I'm gutted Ben won't be back at Plymouth regardless of his average. I totally get your point (I think) though. When signing a rider on 9.87 or on that kind of average it's not often a team is successful, that's no fault of Ben's though as he can only get 15 each meeting. It does mean there is huge pressure on the management to go out and find a solid supporting cast whom can improve whilst the huge number one maintains his average. Rye House this year will have the same problem with Olly Allen on 9.5+ and he isn't the rider Barker is in my opinion. But that is where promoters earn their money finding riders who can improve their averages especially at the bottom end sadly ours over the years hasn't managed to do that. Signing Fish with Barker was great for entertainment but that was highly unlikely to warrant good results as the rest of the team weren't good enough as a collective. I still maintain had we got the right supporting cast behind Barker and Fisher we could have had a good season and the points were there to do it but Bowden built the team poorly. On the other side of the coin look at Sheffield of last year, they had no out and out number one and struggled nearly as badly as we did so it is a fine balance but like a few above have said we must have a rider that you can put your faith in to win almost any race on any track and that is what a Barker, Doyle or Fisher can do. Don't get me wrong every now and again a team will surprise us and riders will improve their averages by a couple of points (ala Doyle a few years ago) but it's about finding those riders. For me I'd be looking at something like this if we can't get Fisher back... 1. Morris - 8.00 2. Sanchez - 6.20 3. Wells - 6.47 4. Gathercole - 6.33 5. Roynon 7.07 6. Kurtz - 4.38 7. Glanz - 3.69 Now whilst I'm not suggesting for one minute this is my proposed line up, this is how I'd like to see the team built as far as average split go.

I really hope we don't have Anderson, he's no more than an average reserve, I'd take Glanz over him every day or for that matter I'd go for Stefan Nielsen if we need a 3 pointer.

So let the team building commence! Whilst I'm just delighted the Devils are going to be at the tapes come March I'm sure we all have ideas about who we'd like to see in the Devils bib for next season. I'd like to think the new consortium will have seen the past disasters with top heavy teams and will go for a more all round strength in depth approach. Of last year's finishing septet Barker has gone and Ksiezak has retired. Leaving Fish, Cory, Todd, Jake and Jimmy. I can't see the latter two returning myself but Cory and Todd could well be back me thinks. If that did happen Todd has to be at reserve and Cory needs a much better season than last. As for the Fish well he's on a far more attractive average of 8.78 but I'm hearing he's already signed for three different PL clubs so who knows on that one. I'd love him to return though! As for the rest of the team well I'd love to see Nick Morris personally, I think he could well improve on his 8.00 starting figure. Given his connections to Spargo, I wouldn't be surprised to see Emiliano Sanchez in Devils colours next year either. I'd welcome a return for Glanz as he's only on 3.69 and lots of improvement in him in my opinion and he's a Devils asset. All interesting and I can't wait to see who actually dons the bib for next year.

Oh it's on!

It's well and good saying go back to the way it was but sadly times have changed, people want more for less so giving 2 less races would be a bad idea in my book. Although people talk about this north / south divide as a way of cutting costs which clearly it would, seeing the same team over and over visiting your track would get quite tiresome in my view. I think tracks need to start to impose some kind of deadline as to when to call off a meeting for teams having to travel a considerable distance (ie northern tracks to southern tracks) which would save an incredible amount of money. Yes we know the weather can be unpredictable and the forecasts aren't always right but we have to trust them or get track covers! As for the smaller tracks, I wont disagree with that one, the best racing I've seen has been at smaller tracks where its all very close quarters and becomes more about track guile than out and out speed.

Come on Roger move to the 2013 thread it's far more optimistic than this one

So Plymouth provisionally included in the PL for next season on the premise that a new lease can be agreed by Friday. Fingers crossed that Godfrey and the Consortium can sort out a deal by then!

Since I'm not actually in Plymouth right now can someone who is, kindly bash on the door on Monday morning to ensure these beggers talk!

Perhaps the College have stated to those involved that their reasoning for wanting a higher price was because they are a Catholic School. Not sure what difference it would make but perhaps they feel it makes a difference.

So following today's article in the Speedway Star it seems this thread should perhaps be moved to the NL section following Bowden's comments that he's looking to drop down to the NL as it's more 'viable'. Or basically that he makes more profit in the NL. I'm not going to go into the article because quite frankly I don't believe one single word of it and it will just infuriate me.

Well since the 2012 season is now over and this thread already exists I thought I'd bump this thread in the hope that we have speedway in 2013 at Plymouth, besides the 2012 thread was getting boring! So NL or PL, Bowden or no Bowden, speedway or no speedway? These are all the questions that remain unanswered and hopefully in 2 weeks (post AGM) we'll have some kind of news on the way forward for the club.

Bin the tactical ride and have one tac sub off 15 metres is a must - If you can't build a competitive team tough! 4tt qualifying rounds would be fantastic too but then we say that every year!

Well it doesn't go into the business or the riders pockets!

Clearly the fan base isn't good enough else he wouldn't be and I quote 'Using money out of his own pocket'!

With no promotion to come in and keep it alive, do you really think they'll axe Bowden? I don't. He'll opt for the N/L and that will keep the BSPA happy. It's the beginning of the end peeps, it's sad but it's true.

Come again Dave? Who've we signed? Oh and just in case it was in doubt about how Bowden treats his 'staff', out going team manager Lee Trigger found out he was being replaced in exactly the same way Gary Spiller did, in the paper! God help anyone who associates themselves with this man!

Bowden's comments in today's local paper, taken from the Devils forum... Bowden is set to stay in control. He says" We did suffer some financial problems last season, but those difficulties have now been resolved". "I will now be looking to have some discussions with the College in the hope of extending my lease to ensure the future of Speedway in Plymouth". Those people who have been critical of me on the various websites must realise that it is a case of Speedway with Mike Bowden or no speedway at all". Mr Bowden has also replaced Trigger as Team Manager, although has not named his replacement. Enough said sadly.

That will have to be a question for Godfrey and the Consortium I guess but would it be worth it if it's only likely to be for one year? I'm going to remain a 'glass half full' on this and hope a breakthrough happens but if he doesn't it'll be one year of NL probably and then no more.

Well with one year to run on the lease, speedway can run in 2013 at the SBA but from what I can gather the Consortium wont buy the club for just a year as it simply wouldn't make business sense if the SBA is to be sold. I guess that means Mr Bowden will remain at the helm and unless the authorities decide to withdraw his licence he will run the club next season if he wants to. Interestingly though I believe the Team Manager has already stated he wont carry on under Mr Bowden unless he is given more freedom and you can bet your bottom dollar no-one will want to ride for him nor will the fans want to support him. Unless another location can be found for the 2014 season and beyond it looks like Plymouth Speedway is likely to close this Winter or next.