Bagpuss

I assume you are talking about Cook.....in what context was he testing engines? Was it to find extra speed for his next league match or did he turn up not knowing which bike to use for the event? If its the former then I'm not suprised he was dropped for the Race Off. The rider has a large amount of responsibility to turn up for such an important event prepared (I'm guessing the practice on the day was the first time Cook had ridden at Lynn in 2013) but if you were the team manager would you not get everybody together for a few days of practice and make sure they all know what kind of engine is required for the event and how to set it up etc? Personally I'd leave nothing to chance. Nobody is totally blaming Middlo but he has to take a large share of the responsibility for the disastrous SWC last year. Post 192 tells me nothing, you said there was no chance of a team practice but can't tell me why. If I was the manager of Team GB I'd pick a squad of ten at the start of the season and at the first opportunity I'd get the Norfolk Arena booked for three days, get Buster to prepare the track as it will be on SWC night and make sure everybody knows exactly how to set their bikes up and how to ride the track properly. I'd also pick the best four of five youngsters to get involved to so they know what to expect for future years and make sure there was a good team spirit so that come the event everybody is working for eachother and knows whats at stake.

Ward & Hancock or Ward & Magic?

What is the point then? You said I was dreaming earlier when I suggested a collective practice /training day(s) but haven't said why. I'm not talking about beating the Poles, Danes or Aussies yet but we should be beating the Yanks and Latvia, and to that end we need to be as prepared as possible to give us every chance, which means training sessions, test matches and any other get-togethers which van be arranged. Time for 'can do' attitudes rather than can't do.

Poole asset so they get first call.

Why? The Danes do it every year, why can't we? Rob Lyon managed to do it pre-season when he was in charge a few years back. You seem to concentrate on things which are negative and can't be done, how about a bit of positive and practical thinking?

How about Scunthorpe, or the track where the SWC will be held, Lynn? Both can be hired on a variety of days throughout the season. The biggest problem will be getting all of the riders together during the season at the same time but perhaps it can be done over a couple of sessions. And certainly a few days in early March before the season starts can be arranged. Its no longer acceptable for everybody to rock up on the day of a Test match or SWC round and expect things to just happen IMO.

Woffy & Freddie?

Pedersen & Dryml for Eastbourne?

Cook with either Zorro or Wolbert for BV?

If we beat them both under Rosco that will answer the question.

So are you saying that those two nations have better riders than us?

But I'm still expecting us to beat Latvia & USA under Rosco, however far behind the top nations we are.

Apparently Cook tried to get rides in Sweden and Poland but was unsuccessful, partly due to his EL average.

You are right, but there are tracks like Eastbourne and both Ipswich & Poole prior to being widened which are just too narrow to provide much passing, however well prepared they are.

Something that needs to start happening again is the squad practice session at Lynn, for me Cook hadn't done enough laps at the NA going into last years event and a couple of days of solid testing and practice would have held him in much better stead. Plus there are the benefits to team spirit and togetherness which come from getting together.

I don't think Cook has reached his level yet but he probably won't until he broadens his horizons beyond the two tight circuits he rides on. King deserves a go on big tracks which will suit him but Nicholls would be a backward step and I expect Cook to be outscoring him at BV anyway.

Barker was never going to do any better than Cook in Prague and won't ever improve now. Cook was deprived of some invaluable experience by being dropped.....at the time I could kind of see why the change was made but in hindsight it was a mistake.

Should have stuck with him though.

Congrats to Rosco, and I'll put money on him doing better this year than Middlo did last.

Craven Park, Hull.......for the view from the Grandstand if not the racing.

That is fantastic value for watching speedway at arguably the best circuit in the UK.

Ipswich P'boro Workington Newcastle Somerset Redcar

Good signing.

Seems a bit daft to me though that some riders will be racing in the top and bottom tiers but not the middle one. The idea of the EL draft (putting aside the cost cutting argument) is to give our youngsters a great opportunity to progress and to do that while racing in the NL but not the PL is a contradiction IMO. Riders like Stefan, Josh Bates, Max Clegg and Joe Jacobs should be guaranteed PL spots somehow and those who aren't interested in the PL really shouldn't be in the EL draft. Of course the ideal if the rider is able to do it is to ride in all three tiers. Really looking forward to seeing how Lewis Rose progresses this season in those circumstances.

Indeed, was referring to those who weren't going the last time Panthers were PL really (1998?)