torpointfanatic22

This post aged really well...

The thing that interests me about this post, is that because you made a trip down south for this meeting and feel like it's a wasted journey you call out Plymouth as a club and suggest they shouldn't be in the league next season. I'm very keen to understand away from the utter selfishness how you came to that conclusion? Even worse is that a number of people liked your post. When I see so many people post in some many threads about clubs going to the wall and how the sport in this country is dying, I then read ridiculous things like this. Moronic comments!

Bit of a mockery of a competition really, only 3 teams actually at full strength which is a shame for what is normally such a prestigious meeting. Can't have been helped due to injuries etc and well done to Redcar!

So I guess that means all Liverpool and Man Utd fans living in London despite them growing up in the north and can't get to games anymore means they don't support their teams, cracking argument that!

Indeed he did, when I'm wrong I say I'm wrong. Fair play to Leon, I think he's a good rider with a very good future in the sport, however I didn't fancy him last night based on his previous, delighted for him and for the team. Never expected us to get a point.

Based on his scores this season (and last) I'd argue that's not the case at all. Did I say anything about our previous guests? I simply said Flint will be a poor guest at number 1, take your Berwick hat off and see it for what it is, a rider nearly two points below the average we have to play with who has never scored well at Armadale at this level is a poor choice of guest. Suggest you do some research and have your facts straight. We agreed to sign a replacement a while back but it was blocked...We've played within the rules, crap rules, I'll give you that.

That means a cosy night for you Monarchs then!

Poor guest choice at number 1 given Flint doesn't appear to have ever gone very well at Armadale, get the impression we aren't bothered by this fixture even though it's likely that this will be a rehearsal of the playoffs as I fancy the two teams will finish 4th and 5th.

Only himself to blame. Zero sympathy should be given. Any rider who fails a drug test should be banned indefinitely. They are putting not only themselves but others in significant danger. Sadly and I do mean sadly, as Ben is a real talent on a speedway bike, I can't help feeling this was only a matter of time.

Thank the lord! Wright would have been a shocker of a guest.

Without being a kill joy, I personally think Poole will win this with ease. I'd love to see us get something at Wimborne Road but with McGurk, Morley and Bowtell we'll be lucky to get 5 points based on recent form. I'd love to be wrong but I'd say Poole by at least 10, probably more like 54-36.

Shocking that this is now mid-week and if I'm not mistaken won't those north of the border be out of school holidays by then? To be fair the fact that it's not a neutral track or in the midlands to allow supporters a chance to get to this is a joke, but then what's new with this sport...

I made the trip up not overly hopeful of getting anything from the league leaders and by the end was gutted. I thought Plymouth rode really well on the whole, the two Ben's being the underperformers for us on the night. Morley just made a few too many mistakes which was a shame as in one heat (12 I think) he was 3rd until the final lap where he made mistake and dropped back. That would've been enough to get us a point. Couple nasty incidents, Harry's looked especially nasty and very pleased everyone walked back to the pits seemingly okay. Some cracking racing, MPT was superb value excluding the final heat, him missing the gate proved entertainment value. Special mention to me goes to Alfie, his away form has been poor all season but last night he rode really well. A good night, good racing and well I'll take the aggregate win

I think this was probably all you had to write.

Sadly I have to agree. It's becoming quite a theme at Plymouth. The track is obviously very small so too much grip would potentially be disastrous but for me the best meeting this season was the league match against Poole where there was some genuine grip that allowed some passing. I've supported Plymouth since their re-birth and found a lot of the early meetings to be dull as dishwater due to the slick track (and comparative strength of the opposition where only Scunny and occasionally Weymouth provided competition) but then things improved and the racing became superb. Sadly for me under the current track prep the track has become very one lined. I don't buy the argument on the weather because all tracks have that challenge in the UK, it comes down to track prep and that's sadly making meetings really quite boring. That said if Plymouth keep winning then I'm sure the fans will come back for more and that's ultimately what it's all about!

I have to agree, very limited passing after the 1st turn. Well strung out races too. Down to the track and conditions though so can't necessarily be helped.

I don't know all the ins and outs but it's easy to say 3 team taking the Mickey this season, lets not refer to the countless teams who have done this season after season. Put simply, there aren't enough riders to go around and while I don't know the stat of Brum and Newcastle, I do know that Plymouth have tried very hard to secure replacements from two nasty injury incidents and a rider withholding. It doesn't help when the the Chairman blocks moves for his own gains either. This is far bigger than 3 clubs, yet again it goes straight to the source and the complete farce that is the BSPA and existing promoters making decisions. As for Brum, I hope they resolve the issue and bring in a replacement if required.

Probably the best available. Ben has proven this season and in previous years that he's very good at Plymouth, although I don't think he'll do much away. As for Harry he's probably the best NL rider out there not with a team and I wish him all the best. Good luck to them both!

I'm pretty sure once Atkins' ban for withholding service is over Plymouth will have to sign a replacement. My guess on the other two is that while their prognosis or return date remains uncertain we will continue to have a facility to use. But I'd be shocked if we didn't sign Morley until Gilkes returns (if indeed he does this season). While I don't know specifics I do know Plymouth are actively looking at replacements for both short and long term however it's not always easy with the low availability of riders and the politics in the continued farcical world of the BSPA.

Didn't think we'd get as close to the Tigers as we did and in the end left ruing a couple of falls / exclusions or we could have grabbed a point. Fair play to young Jason guesting, Dillon however proved to be a shocker. Concern for me is Alfie's away form, from my calculations that's zero points in 3 away meetings in the league (he managed 3 points at Poole in the KOC meeting), his home form is decent but away he needs to start contributing. He seemed unlucky at Scunny from the stream I watched and would be keen to know from anyone there last night if he was anywhere near the pace?

I think it's 1. Howarth (G), 2. Bowtell, 3. Barker, 4. Palm Toft, 5. Andersen, 6. Edwards (G), 7. Ruml (G) Not sure on riding order but something like that.

Reserve wise it's probably as good as Plymouth could do with who is available, Howarth went well last night at Brum so hopefully he can repeat tomorrow. Will be really tough though, not expecting much so hopefully I can be pleasantly surprised.

Nail hit firmly on the head! It's all about reasonable expectations. 1. Dan Gilkes has been flying and arguably the best reserve in the league why wouldn't you be putting him in at every opportunity, I didn't see Alfie complaining at Scunny etc. 2. Henry's form both in the NL and CL has been questionable (bar one NL meeting at Plymouth) 3. Henry is only a handful of meetings into the season after a year out so was always going to need time to get going and I'd have thought those around him would appreciate that The point being that there is a massive impatience to Henry getting CL rides when his form doesn't warrant it. That sadly won't bode well for him at any club. Those around him feeling entitled will only end one way.

Harris isn't great at Plymouth and while the reserve guests are pretty decent, Gilkes can't be replaced so can't help but see Poole take this fairly comfortably. Hope I'm wrong.

As ever speedway is never straightforward. Have every expectation that Henry will end up at Oxford. No question he is withholding service but I'm sure Mr Godfrey will brush it under the carpet as he continues to hold his grudge against Plymouth. I wish Henry all the best as ultimately he's a good lad it's just a shame people close to him are calling the shots and interfering when the lad should just be allowed to get on with racing. I can't help but feel these things will ultimately have a negative impact.