Bagpuss

Looking at Leicester's team this is going to be bloody hard work, wouldn't bet against another home defeat. Looks like it will be a bit warmer (with a possible sun delay) and hopefully we get some good action. After seeing absolute garbage racing away ay Rye and home to Belle Vue I feel we are due a good meeting. In fact I'd say it's essential for those of us who aren't always sure whether or not to bother on a Wednesday night.

If we are nit picking then Cook wanted to 'drop down' to the PL last year but I do very much see your point. However I guess it boils down to how you view the NL; for me apart from the professional third division riders like Halsey, Armstrong, Priest etc everyone else is making their way in the sport and looking to improve as quickly as possible. In essence the main role of the NL is to be a production line for the leagues above where younger riders can learn their trade. As I've said you can only sympathise with IOW but to block a young rider from taking a Championship spot would be bonkers.

Feel for the IOW but it's all about rider progression surely? Greaves needs to be riding in the Championship and if that's at the expense of his NL spot then so be it, as unfortunate as that is. Good to see Chris Louis issuing an apology.

Seen Roynon suggested on the Lynn thread too, no disrespect to him at all but I don't see why any Premiership team would sign him on current form. In the cases of Poole and Lynn they'd be mad to drop Shanes or Bailey for him.

Fair point, don't think it will happen too often though.

Edinburgh aren't the kind of team to get a clattering anywhere, they have some top end oomph and with Ayres always likely to score a few and P'boro being inconsistent a narrow defeat always looked on the cards.

Why without Phillips?

The idea that a former British world champion that the vast majority of young riders would look up to and admire has nothing to offer in a coaching capacity is quite frankly laughable. I can understand why people aren't keen on him and I don't agree with him not riding in the British Championship or for Team GB but he would have lots to offer youngsters if it ever happened. And he was born in the UK to British parents, so he is British.

SCB has summed this situation up perfectly, it's a complete common sense decision.

Preview on Lynn website http://kingslynnstars.co/news.php?extend.30421 Not a sausage on the Mildenhall one. 60+ for the Fen Tigers.

Bridger has so much natural talent which nobody has been able to make the most of, on the right average and in the right environment he could be a very useful signing.

Mon the Brits

This will be a lot closer than people think.

You'd imagine that Belle Vue would be one of the most attractive fixtures, hopefully the West Ham home game was the main reason for the small crowd and that things pick up. Don't think the Colts will be the only team to struggle a bit around the tight Purfleet turns this year.

Is the match rearranged then? Because otherwise Belle Vue should have priority.

Which Lynn could prevent if they so wished being Kerr's parent club. The team put up earlier by Danny with Kerr in it and Holder at second string plus Huckenbeck and Porsing at reserve looks good.

I wouldn't want Wolbert back, was far too inconsistent last time. Although there wouldn't be the priority issue with him that there would be with others.

Pretty obvious that if you sack Holder, you go with a much more solid line up and strong reserves so no 'big name number one' is required. Two Championship riders would come in for Holder and Bailey.

Indeed. Poor racing + a losing team = declining crowds. They need to sort at least one of the issues, preferably both.

You could have come round here for tea Chris Will be interesting to see how this plays out and what Eastbourne have to say.

Speedway in the UK desperately needs to sort itself out, whether that be better fixture planning, changes in race night or ridding itself of riders who aren't 100% committed to our league above all other competitions. People are sick to the back teeth of missing riders.

Agreed but the issue is whether he can be bothered or not, if he is 'in the mix' and putting in effort then he is. He should be winning races in Poland and GP's too, there is obviously something not right generally with him. If it was just in the UK that he was struggling it would be a different matter.

Personally I don't regret Rory moving on, I think he had become stale at Lynn at you always had the feeling that the next big smash was only just round the corner. Both he and Bjerre were old hat at Lynn and needed pastures new which seem to be working for them. Best for all parties that they moved on.

The argument about it being an ex rider is weak when, as pointed out elsewhere, Peter Adams, Rob Lyon, Ian Thomas etc weren't riders and have all been very successful. Dale might be the problem, he might not but people are guessing that he is. He's not responsible for Holder's failings this season unless he's there with him in Poland and the GP's too and that is where 75% of the problems lie. It's all doom and gloom but get Holder going and a number seven in who can contribute more and things will look a lot brighter. I wouldn't necessarily disagree with giving Holder the heave ho but can't see it happening.

Indeed, my point was more of a general one referring to his season as a whole so far. He gets round Lynn ok but hasn't scored over seven there yet.