torpointfanatic22

Nicki averaged over 7 in his last season at National League level away from home for Plymouth so to say that's no better than a reserve is way off the mark. Nicki has potential and in my opinion can be a better rider than Kristiansen in the long run but the Premier League is hard work for any rider and to have not ridden in it for three years makes it even tougher. I fancy Nicki to be on or around 4.5 - 5 early doors but when he moves into the main body that is likely to drop at least half a point initially. It will then be a test to see how he copes long term with a main body role. I do think Nicki can reach a 5+ point average come the end of the season but I don't expect him to.

He put it there in the first place!

Personally I think he is capable of 5ish. But sadly with the make up of our team he is likely to find himself in the main body after the first set of greensheets meaning it will be very hard for him to maintain that or even improve on it. But he is our key rider in my opinion, of the bottom four he is the most likely improver and could be the difference between us being in the bottom couple or in the top 10.

Indeed their were some Monarchs fans in who I had the pleasure of standing and chatting with on the back straight. Cracking bunch and noisy too

Ashworth went on record saying he was offered a very good deal to sign for Plymouth but he still went elsewhere and he did state travel as part of his reasoning (not the only reason though granted). When you get a reputation for yourself it can be very hard to get the monkey off the back so to speak. There have been comments on here from individuals claiming Mr Bowden owes riders from last year money and other comments that suggest he has gone back on his word on various 'deals' he has done. Whether these are true or not they don't help when trying to attract riders. As for Lanham I'd say he's very much unlucky rather than lucky. He had a club until last week and through no fault of his own now finds himself possibly on the sidelines, I get your point though about him being lucky to have a contract on the table so soon after Newportgate.

When all is said and done the whole speedway fraternity has seen the antics of Mr Bowden and his way of running things. He has sadly put riders off wanting to come and ride for Plymouth and right now that isn't what is needed. As for the Lanham situation, well he is a better option than Boxall given his consistency at all tracks around the Country but Leigh it seems is not that keen on the idea as he is contemplating not riding initially rather than the travel to Plymouth every Friday. What worries me, which has been already mentioned on this thread, is that if Lanham turns the offer down Plymouth have a rider in Boxall who is clearly not wanted by the promoter due to 'excessive demands' if you believe everything you hear. I can't see that changing so if Lanham does say no, Plymouth may have yet another problem. Sadly it's the same old song on repeat where it concerns the Plymouth Promoter. On the subject of Berwick, they are my dark horses for the title. Superb top 5 and if young Edberg gets going they have every chance!

Well I can't see Mr Bowden taking on Mellgren or Aspegren if its true that they cost a lot in travel expenses and Gjedde is a no go. Kurtz is the obvious thought although Jones has always been reasonable at out place. Could we see Holder, Boxall and Franchetti gone for Lanham, Kurtz and Jones? Not saying it's right or even what I would do but something like that could happen! Although given Gino has only just re-signed I would suggest Jones is more unlikely that the other two.

Im not keen to drop Boxall, but on the grapevine I hear that his demands were too excessive (in Mr Bowdens eyes anyway)

One thing is for sure is that with a top 3 of Barker, Fisher and Lanham we should have a competitive rider in more than five races away from home next season and that is progress.

Indeed I forgot we will be racing a fair few on Saturday's, can't say I had much of a clue about Newport but if Lanham has indeed signed I'm sure things are sorted for both Plymouth and Coventry.

Indeed Lanham being at Coventry will ride Friday nights but they do race on other nights too. When there is a GP weekend they sometimes switch to Thursdays and of course when on Sky do race on Mondays. I suspect Summers will be first choice of that pair anyway. If what is being muted happens then Lanham will replace Boxall which still leaves us about a point under the limit. Meaning we could still have done away with the idea of signing Franchetti, left Cockle at reserve and brought in a 4 point man with potential to ride in the main body. Whilst man for man the difference may not be huge, having Cockle at reserve instead of Franchetti is.

OK so lets imagine Lanham signs and we get rid of Boxall (which may I say would be a disgrace). It doesn't solve the problem that we have which is that our bottom four are all reserves. Yes Lanham is likely to be more reliable than Boxall and more consistent for that matter but having a 3/4 pairing of Lanham / Holder is no better infact probably worse than a 3/4 pairing of Boxall / Aspegren or even Mellgren. The fact that we will still have a three point rider and a four point rider in the main body of the side is a big problem that wont be solved by signing Lanham or anyone else of a similar average.

To bring Leigh Lanham into the Plymouth side it would mean dropping Boxall, Fisher or Barker. I can't see that happening to be honest. On paper if we had brought in a rider of sufficient second string / third heatleader standard to replace Werner we would be OK. There are loads of options out there that could fit but we've gone for Franchetti to save money. I don't see the point in a total re-jig of the side at this stage of the season injuries will happen as it is the nature of the sport and when that happens we can look into a few things just like other clubs will. Given what has been going on Fisher is the last one who is likely to be dropped in my opinion, I'd be more worried about losing Barker if I'm honest given the shenanigans of late. I also know that a certain rider was promised a spot should Werner step out of the side yet funnily enough he isn't the man who is filling that void.

In fairness your right Roger we can do nothing about it, but it is an terrible move as we both know and one that has been done on the cheap. Plenty of options were available and now poor Cockle will be in the main body. Quite frankly I've had enough of it all! From our initial declared 1-7 we've now made two team changes and the season hasn't even begun. I wouldn't be surprised if one or two more changed within the next four weeks.

Well once they've all attended P&P and are seen in the flesh then I'd start looking forward to it, until then keep an open mind!

I think this situation sums up Mr Bowden to be honest. I can understand if he feels let down and frustrated by Ricky deciding to do a U-turn (we all have our own theories as to why), but the fact remains there has been no professionalism on the part of Mr Bowden here. No dignity. Voice your thoughts yes but to 'slag' off a rider in the way he has in the press is bordering on childish. There are an awful lot of things that have gone on behind the scenes here and to be perfectly honest by throwing the toys out of the pram as Mr Bowden isn't really going to help his cause.

In the case of Sweetman he probably had to say the right things as not to get a 28 day ban.

Doubt it as Ben has gone on record to say he wanted to double up as it's a big money earner for him which he needs, although I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. Werner out, Sweetman in would be nice. For that matter Werner out, anyone else in would do me.

Do you know something we don't?

Yeah because that way young riders that are learning get hammered, lose confidence and have nothing to fall back on to earn money ala Sedgmen. The d/u rule is needed to help riders (in particular Brits) develop however the rules for doing so should be tightened up. Perhaps age, average or nationality could be considered. The likes of Barker / Gjedde are 7 point men in the EL these days and so they aren't going to improve by racing PL (other than their bank accounts). However riders like Lawson, Newman, Auty need to be riding both to continue developing. A squad system would no doubt help the cause which I'm very much in favour of.

Fisher to Plymouth http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.14355.8

Mon the Fish!! Barker and Fisher in the same side well something tells me HalifaxTiger could be down for a few more meetings this season Superb coup for the club although in the press release there was no need for the slating of Ashworth, that's uncalled for!

Yes, it's not the first time he's done it either!

I'm told exactly the same!

So Ashworth will no doubt line up for Berwick now and fair play to him, if what I hear is true the old Bowden magic worked again, agreed a deal verbally but something very different was in black and white! If my calculations are correct 10.24 is available to replace Ricky. Totally shambolic the BSPA need to do everyone a favour and remove his licence. Oh but for the record...Mon the Fish