4thbender

Brady Kurtz has turned his back on PL to concentrate on EL with Poole.

Dark winter months lie ahead and it's a good time to start some early speculation about what 2017 might bring to Owlerton. For my money, Sheffield have under-performed this season and radical change might be necessary to shake things up. For what it's worth, here are my thoughts: Simon Stead: past his peak and whatever average he finishes on this season, he won't be able to maintain next season. Time to move him on to pastures new and say a hearty "thank you and well done." Jason Garrity: The only rider in the current team who can fill Stead's shoes and step up to no.1. He may have blotted his copy book with his antics in the pits, but he's a total crowd-pleaser on the track and, whatever the current state of his relationship with the management, they must kiss and make up and get him back for next season. Kyle Howarth: The outstanding surprise of the season, particularly his away performances. Must be back next year. Dimiti Bergé: Another surprise package. His early form at home paired with Steady demonstrated what he's capable of, but I think there's a lot more to come from him in the future. Sign him now. Josh Bates: His team performances have gone backwards this year and, in my opinion, he would benefit from a move. Family ties to the management are not in his best interests or those of the team. Time to move on, if only temporarily. Arthur Sissis: Generally disappointing since his comeback, but has started to hit a bit of form in his last few outings (since he learned how to move outside into the dirt). If his form continues through the playoffs I'd give him another chance at reserve next year. Nathan Greaves: Clearly out of his depth and needs another year or two in the National League before stepping up. Who to bring in: David Bellego has prospered since leaving Owlerton. I thought it was a big mistake to let him go last year and would plead for him to come back. Him and his mate (and fellow-frenchie) Bergé in the same team would hit it off a treat. Also a return to British speedway for Ty Proctor is overdue and the way he was treated two years ago means we owe him one. So my 2017 team would be: Garrity Bellego Howarth Proctor Bergé Sissis A.N.Other from National League Don't know how that would stack up points-wise, but I'm sure someone will inform us.

Can anyone explain why we started the season so well but are finishing it so badly? In the first third of the season it looked as though the Tigers were set for a top three finish, but now it looks as if we'll finish sixth (AGAIN!) and draw Peterborough in the play-offs (AGAIN!) and get wiped out in the first round (AGAIN!)

Notable that Arthur only started scoring points when he took to the outside of the track. Will he have the nerve to maintain this new-found skill?

JPB reaches 16 on 2nd September. 6 days later Sheffield have a tricky away clash at Ipswich, followed by a home encounter with Somerset. If I were Nathan Greaves I'd be looking over my shoulder in 3 weeks time.

Richard Hall is perhaps past his best and approaching his sell-by date, but that doesn't mean he's got nothing to offer. The ease with which British speedway disposes of its former talent is frightening. Has anyone ever considered that the shortage of up-and-coming riders and the haste to push the older guys through the exit door might be related in some way?

Don't know why so many people have a downer on Richard Hall. He's had a tough couple of years and a spell in the NL might help restore his confidence. People should be reminded of what he's capable of. Watch here from 2½ minutes in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqogJAPDL8c

Watching Josh Bates from my perch on the fourth bend, it seemed just a matter of time before he came a cropper and - sure enough - it happened in heat 8. What is it with Bates and turn 4?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "Thursday nights are for speedway, not Eastenders". The promoters' conference should go for a league policy of facing each team twice at home and twice away, with a single cup competition and do away with play-offs altogether. This would guarantee every team a 27 match season at least.

Brilliant news - so pleased for all the fans.

Stead WILL be fit, which led me to believe (in my ignorance) that for the first time in a year, a Sheffield team would be taking to the track without a guest rider. Then what do I find? Garrity is riding elsewhere - meaning we STILL have a guest in our ranks! As a paying customer, my desire is to see a full-strength side of genuine Sheffield riders taking on all-comers. I'm heartily sick of seeing "Sheffield" teams cobbled together with riders from here, there and everywhere. When oh when will we get to see a full-strength Sheffield team instead of the PL All-Stars we've become accustomed to?

Didn't turn up for a 'practice' on Sunday though!

Just noticed - it's 50 years today since I attended my first Speedway match... think I might treat myself to a pint in the Panorama Room tonight.

Terrible news for the whole of the UK Speedway fraternity. I really hope the management and fans manage to pull something out of the hat to get things moving again.

Kings Lynne is a bogey track for Sheffield. In 2013 Steady busted his ankle there when he only went down to try out some new machinery, causing him to miss half the season. In 2007 there was the infamous 75 - 15 scoreline, when Andre Compton went out in Heat one and went a***e over t*t into the fence on the first corner, claiming afterwards that the track was so slippery he couldn't get the bike to turn. I always have my heart in my mouth when Sheffield riders visit KL and, it seems, not without just cause.

Clearly Marc Bates is being groomed to become the permanent manager for the long term. Eric's influence will harden him up: teach him how to be a complete b*****d when the situation demands.

How long before the joint team managers come to blows?

My money's on Josh to go like the clappers this season and depose Howarth for the third heat leader spot.

Doug Wyer?

I think Hall is taking his (last) chance seriously. He's on the lookout for new sponsors (see http://goo.gl/l3YGl0 page 3) so he must be thinking of investing in some new kit.

For any PL side looking to win the league, this Sheffield side looks to be the one that stands in the way. Whilst I welcome Howarth, I'm a bit disappointed not to be including Ty in the team after the way he was treated. I hope he gets fixed up.

Ty Proctor's tweet yesterday: "Relieved would be an understatement right now! Now who wants me in 2016?"

Whether Steady can keep up his average or not, we mustn't overlook his impact on the rest of the side. If riders stay fit, Stead's influence on the likes of Bates, Garrity and Greaves will add 5+ points to the overall team points average. We saw last season how, even on crutches, Stead's mentoring helped transform Bates from a reserve into a heat-leader. Can't wait to see him team up with Garrity!

Before the play-offs Barker said of Owlerton: "It's not a track that excites me". Doubt we'll see him in Tigers' colours.

One of the true "greats" of Sheffield Speedway, but he's struggled for pace lately and he's finished the last two seasons with bad injuries which could easily have been far worse. I hope he retires gracefully and with his health intact. It would be a travesty if he were to cop some bad injury now, after his many years of faithful service. I would also hate to see him end his career struggling to retain his place in the top five. In his glory days he was good for double figures anywhere and that's how he should be remembered. He should go out on a high, having done his fair share in helping the team reach the playoffs in 2015. I hope he can be found a place in management or coaching, so that he can continue to use his vast experience to serve the sport, but where he no longer has to risk life and limb to make an impact.