CardinalSin

Yep fair play to Chris Louis for admitting he may well have built the team wrong although to be honest, not many thought he had at the start of the season with the majority again tipping Ipswich for title honours. The injuries to Poole and Risager can't be used as an excuse because others have suffered more than us and still guaranteed a play off place. Lanham quickly replaced one of them anyway which was seen as like for like for either rider at the very least. Which ever way you look at it, that team SHOULD have been good enough for a top 6 place and if that isn't achieved, then they have collectively let the promotion and the fans down regardless of what happens in the cups. On paper, that line up should have been a shoe in for a play off place. From Louis' comments, it looks like the team will be built differently next year. Wouldn't be surprised to see a Barker or similar brought in early or maybe a Klindt or Stead dropping down and doubling up, to lead from the front and then build from there. We've missed a dominant number 1 and Foxhall for what seems like an eternity now and I'd like to see that change. Of course as ever, finance will obviously dictate whether that can be achieved.

And then thrown immediately in to the #1 position, a position his far more experienced collegues have spent most of the season trying to avoid!!

I can see Lanham possibly being a Rocket next season. Odds on he won't be back at Ipswich and Len likes him.

Crumbs didn't realise things were this difficult for Plymouth. Worrying times indeed as it seems a few others are struggling too.

There could be another reason for the choice. It's common knowledge now that Lanham was reluctant to rejoin the Witches and took some persuading by Chris Louis before putting pen to paper. That much we can safely say is true. Based more on speculation, there were also whispers that Lanham was guaranteed the season and wouldn't be replaced by either Risager or Poole when they were fit to return. Whether that part is true or not who knows. But if so, it would have been incredibly difficult for Chris Louis to go back on his word a few months later.

That's a good point. It's all very well saying a change should have been made sooner, but Poole wasn't quite ready a couple of weeks ago. Can you replace a rider with a not yet fit rider and then get a facility for him until he returns?? Saturday was probably the straw that broke the camel's back as far as making a change is concerned. Just missing out on an away victory with Doolan only contributing two points was possibly the nail in his coffin. Yes Lanham also didn't put the points on the board, but at least he had the excuse of two blown engines on the back of an excellent meeting at Sheffield. With Poole now ready, it was only a choice between Doolan and Tungate so Doolan had to go. To be honest I'm a little surprised at how many are seemingly against the move. Doolan has let the side down badly at times this season with scores that are just not acceptable. More than Aljack wanted him gone on here while plenty of others from other clubs were quick to stick the knife in. But now Louis has acted it's suddenly a "bizzarre" decision? Not for me it isn't. As for Lanham, his average has now dropped to a level that I don't think its now worth replacing him. Who would you get in on his current average? Same for Risager, he's about to drop to reserve but who is out there available to come in and do a better job on his current average?

Yes.

Depends on whether they are thinking short term or long term. Chris Louis has constantly banged on about rebuilding the club with new young assets as the reason for dropping down to the PL, so here is another ideal opportunity to put another brick in the wall so to speak. I know the club struggled with cash flow earlier in the season which resulted in them doing business for Danny King with Birmingham, and I have no idea on what finances are involved in bringing in a brand new rider. If money is still tight, then it will be Poole as i'm assuming the loan fee to Peterborough has already been paid for this season.

So is bringing in Poole. It was a nasty break he had and who knows how long it will take to A, get match fit and B to ride in to any sort of form. By the time that happens the play offs could be dead and buried. Either option carries a risk, but the way Doolan has been performing (or not performing!), then it's definitely a risk worth taking in either case.

I would be all for that actually and get another young asset on board. That is after all, what Chris Louis say's he wants to do. Rasmus Jensen is a bright talent. Have a feeling it must be Taylor though but i agree, bit risky as we can't afford too many more slip ups if we're going to get a top 6 place and he may take time to get up to speed. But then again, so would Jensen or another new rider probably.

Indeed, what a stunning performance from Stefan Nielsen!!

I know what catch is referring to and he's not alone in his thinking. But I don't think there's a huge difference between the two riders at the moment in terms of current point scoring ability. I like Risager, and I still think he's capable of being similar to Lanham at this level, a solid 7-8 point man. Whichever rider misses out, won't be sitting idle for long. There will be a very handy rider available for some club to strengthen up. I'd bet there are a number of promotions watching the situation closely.

I, make out nothing of the sort, i think you have me mixed up with someone else. I see you haven't even attempted to challenge my reply on Ipswich' lack of British riders this season. Speaks volumes.

You see, this sort of post really winds me up. Which British rider who is sitting without a club, should Ipswich have signed and in place of which current Ipswich rider? Thank god our promotion don't include British riders just for the sake of including a British rider. We had 3 Brits last year, and won naff all, until we won the Fours with two Aussies, two Danes and a Frenchman. Its a business, and the idea is to put together the best possible 1-7 you can to give yourself the best possible chance of success and to attract as many fans through the gate as possible. Chris Louis has already lamented the fact that this year's side didn't include a British rider, but it just so happened with the numbers game, the best team available to him just didn't include a Brit. So be it. He has though, included a handful of promising young Brits as part of the promotional team at Mildenhall that maybe, will prove good enough to eventually be included in future Ipswich teams.

Danny King sold to Birmingham to "balance the books".

Interesting tweet from Mike Bacon an hour ago.... " In Thursday's @IpswichStar some VERY big Ipswich Witches news, which will get u talking. Don't miss it" Any ideas anyone??

Good performance by Manzares by the looks of it. A name that's been bandied around on this forum for a while in the past. Wonder if he would make a decent addition to a PL side.

Whats happened to Oliver Rayson? Just looked on the confirmed teams list and he doesn't feature anywhere. Is the lad injured or just not been able to get a team place?

The Rye team now looks quite impressive. A top drawer heatleader pair in Gjedde and Frampton, a strong reserve pair in Bunyan and Garrity, and a solid middle order particularly at home.

Mike Bacon has tweeted that there is "BIG" Witches news in tomorrow's Ipswich Star and EADT. You'd have to think its the replacement for Risager but we'll see.

Sounds nailed on to me listening to that Chris Louis interview that Lanham is the rider in question. Obviously can't confirm or deny while he's riding for Rye so i'm expecting that one to happen. Sensible to hang fire on a replacement for Poole until more is known on the length of his absence. With our side built the strength in depth route, i don't think we'll be badly affected by R/R.

No. Rye have stated he's on a short term contract. Nothing wrong with discussing a deal with a club asset for when that short term deal ends. Risager could be up to 6 months. Then has to work his way back to form and fitness which could take some time as everyone knows he's a confidence rider. Chris Louis said last year that it took Risager a lot longer to fully get over his hand injury than they expected. Probably sensible to sign a full time replacement and try and get Risager fixed up elsewhere when he recovers.

But they don't have to do they. With all their injury problems as well, and the form he's shown, I'd be staggered if they haven't offered him a permanent deal now themselves. They look to be in a right mess at the moment.

Does anyone even know what sort of contract Leigh has signed with Rye? Does it cover a certain date or just become void when Nelson becomes available? I'm guessing Ipswich can't get him on a contract and in the team until his Rye contract expires? Could be a waiting game.

Rye may well be interested but so are Ipswich it seems. As he's an Ipswich "asset", the Ipswich promotion are quite entitled to discuss a deal with him. My understanding though, is that Lanham may not be keen on an Ipswich return and as has been said before, he'll go where he wants to go. I'm sure we'll know more in the coming days.