Bagpuss

There are many, many negative words which could be used to describe Michael Lee but I don't think overrated is one of them.

Proctor will miss less than half the meetings that Morris will and his average gives more scope for a guest, seems a no brainer to me. Same for Doyle riding at number one in the EL rather than the PL, had to be done if he has GP aspirations.

No disrespect to those riders but we shouldn't be giving them jobs over British lads who could do just as good a job.

That's innacurate, I'm pretty sure the 2001 ELRC was live on Sky from Owlerton too.

Hancock, dull as dishwater. Pedersen and Fisher, mucky too often. Gollob, couldn't always be arsed.

Eight years ago and then it was dropped, allowing sub standard foreigners like Edberg, Nielsen, Graversen, Barrett, Lykke, Dilger, Helfer etc to ply their trade here instead. Hopefully the PL will follow the EL's lead in 2015.

Lots of risk in this side through people coming back from injury but if those riders can get back to their best this team will score big at home every week and be competitive away, a big if though. Reserves look very good but I think Nielsen will struggle.

I think the match scoring system is the best decision to come out of an AGM for years. No different to bonus points awarded in cricket or rugby, and any system which rewards an away team for not giving up and fighting to the death must be a good thing.

I don't think Boxall's ability has ever been an issue, its his application and machinery which have let him down in the past. If everything clicks for him this year he could be one of the leagues top men.

Well done to him but its never sat well with me that somebody can clean up in the qualifying heats and not win the meeting.

I'm sure it was mentioned at the time by Rob that some of his riders had been tapped up and he was a little disillusioned by it all as well as struggling to track a side because of the aforementioned tapping.

Good idea by Newcastle to keep everybody informed with a giant scorecard. Over the years through rider interviews at tracks and on telly its apparent that many don't always know the score from race to race but I think its better if they do.

Have heard a rumour that Matt Tress may be on standby to take his place.........

What has stopped the Heathens stepping up out of intetest? Is it a case of every spare penny going towards a new stadium fund? Its such a shame as both the club and Monmore Green would be an asset to the PL. As it is the NL is a very lopsided league which is realistically a two horse race. Primarily its about youth development for me and its great to see plenty of youngsters getting their chance.

I don't think Dryml will clean up but he should prove to be a very reliable heat leader.

Laugh all you like but at least he earned his GP reserve spot on track rather than relying on a handout. I think Dryml will do well in the PL and P'boro look very competitive indeed.

Don't think J-Lo will ever ride again, completely smashed his ankles up and broke his back a couple of years ago at Scunny. Used to ride Owlerton bloody well though.

I've not disappeared Starman, but I've kind of given up because you can't back up the claims that you are making.

No, in March FFS............

So I repeat, if the Danes can organise exactly what I've described on a track in this country, why can't we?

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?