torpointfanatic22

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

I think the initial post about Mr Bowden asking for volunteers (which I cant find now) wasn't so much about a promoter asking for help, to which most clubs do, but more about the fact that one minute Mr Bowden is in the press slating supporters for their criticism and giving them the one finger salute at home matches but then has the cheek to ask those people for help. I don't think there was any knocking of the actual idea of volunteers. As for Glanz, someone asked about what they expect him to average, well given he's invested quite a bit in his machinery and in his last PL spell he averaged 4.8 for Reading (albeit 3 years ago) the omens are good. However what we have to look at is that if he hits the ground running he's very likely to be in the main body at the expense of Holder or Werner and that alone will probably restrict his increase. I think 5 - 5.5 is realistic but 4.5 by the end of the season would prove a decent year for him in my opinion. As for Ashworth possibly not signing after all, nothing would surprise me when the words Bowden, Plymouth and speedway are in the same paragraph!

Mr Bowden doesn't pay signing on fees for a start!

Whilst we all know the likes of Barker will be on more than £40 a point, I think your breakdown is pretty close. Add to that he has a couple sponsors on board also and I know his rent isn't that expensive. This is why Devils fans like myself have been infuriated with the various press releases and comments from Mr Bowden. He thinks we are all stupid yet it isn't rocket science to see that he makes a decent profit each year!

Your quite right he did say that, he was also talking a load of balony!

In summary we have 7 riders named according to local press releases however they are yet to appear on the BSPA site, I'll let you suggest why that might be but the general consensus from the Plymouth fans is that Mr Bowden is either on holiday or simply can't be bothered to send the paperwork in. Anyway the 7 named are...Barker, Holder, Boxall, Werner, Ashworth, Cockle, Glanz. Oh and along with that we've had enough drama to fill a year's worth of Corrie!

The best tongue in cheek post ever!? As has already been said Mr Bowden is apparently valuing the club at £100k yet in the figures published and in Mr Bowden's words it's making a loss. So either Mr Bowden is lying or the figures are. Having found some information on a few things the only way the club can seriously be making a loss is if Mr Bowden is taking a six figure salary (or at least declaring it).

Even if the venue isn't owned by the promoter?