SCOTLAND1314

Sounds like the answer to my question was 'no'. It is a pity that PC didn't offer up alternatives to the rules he doesn't like. Interestingly he is critical of the play offs and yet indicates that they are a success. Personally I like the concept of the play offs as they help keep interest in the season for many clubs. Likewise the match result scoring is a positive for the sport imo. I don't know what the actual stats are but there can be fewer sports that an away win is harder to come by than speedway. Therefore to reward teams keeping it close is a major positive in my book. The joker/tactical rule also helps keep meetings 'alive'. Some of these rules have probably contributed to one of the most exciting finishes to any season i.e. Peterborough v Reading as well as keeping many more meetings interesting. As for the movement at the start comment I would loathe to think that speedway goes back to riders moving all over the place at the start. Some of the old footage of riders pushing the tapes is just ... amateurish imo. Speedway imo has a big task on its hands to make it more popular and personally I don't think the rules that have been mentioned have made too much difference either way. It would have been nice to hear a positive comment or two coming from the old stars. For example the Edinburgh promotion made some interesting and popular changes to the way they run their Friday night entertainment and the public voted with their feet and crowds were up on the season before (maybe even seasons before). It is the easiest thing in the world to criticise, personally I respect criticism more if it is accompanied by a credible alternative.

I haven't read the article in question. Given that PC has offered his opinion on a few aspects of the sport that he doesn't like. Did he offer any way to improve the sport for the better?

Interesting I would be tempted to have the following formations: Home 1. Cookie 2. Derek (he knows the position quite well) 3. Sam (to cover for Aaron in the first few heats) 4. Aaron (I would keep him away from 2 to give him a chance to find out the correct set up and to avoid the top 2 riders on show (in the opening heat), plus in theory he could learn the nature of the track on the night and get an easy-ish ride in heat 14) 5. Max (maybe slightly more difficult than 3 but hopefully Max should be able to handle this at home - plus allowing him to put his toe in the water of the competitive heat 13) 6. Stevie (this is a slightly more difficult position than 7 - so I think it's more a case of letting Justin really find his feet again after a year out and hopefully get a confidence boost at 7) 7. Justin Away 1. Cookie 2. Derek 3. Max 4. Aaron 5. Sam 6. Stevie 7. Justin

Really sorry to hear that. I hope he can get himself fixed up with another PL team asap. He is a real talent and is definitely going places in the sport. Good luck.

Cheers. What average did he finish on? When was this?

First impressions suggest reasonably solid team without top end strength unless someone pops out the pack to fill the heat leader positions consistently. Closer examination of the team would potentially suggest home domination is what they were after with a decent chance of keeping it tight away from home. If Steen Jensen is the same bloke that rides for Esbjerg (29 year old) he looks to have had a great season last year. What average is he coming in on .. 5? I don't understand the assessed averages rules anymore but I am aware that Brady Kurtz could potentially be saddled with a 7 point average, so why not Jensen? Really pleased to see young Carr get a reserve berth. I hope he gets a full season under his belt (all other things being equal). Solid side that could be in with a top 6 chance should one or two come out the pack and improve.

Asking a question

Very pleased to see Claus get a team place. Berwick should suit his style. Berwick putting together a solid looking team that should be difficult to beat at home.

Is last season's owner still with the club?

I like your optimism. It would be good to see that come to fruition. You just never know...

You might feel a bit of a Lemon for saying that.....

I like the look of the team for 2014, it's a team packed with riders with potential. Diving back into the USA market is also quite an exciting move as it looks like the US are beginning to unearth a few good riders again. So as a club perhaps The Monarchs are looking to get in early as the conveyor belt of talent begins to roll. With our nearest neighbours putting together a Monarchs select the El Derbies look like they are going to be crackers. 2014 looks like it will be another exciting season for the Blue and Gold.

Yes you guys have got to be delighted with the way team building is going this season... real shame that a team like this one couldn't have been rolled out last season... but I guess there may have been reasons for that. Edinburgh are piecing together a bit of an interesting selection of guys that should be able to up their averages... so hopefully we'll get both Scottish clubs fighting at the good end of the table this season. Fingers crossed that the feel good factor at Glasgow can help swell the gates both home and away. Decent chance that there may be a few through from the east of a Sunday... and I don't just mean half your team... ;-) Really pleasing well done to the Glasgow promotion.

Good to see Kevin hasn't chucked speedway... Excellent signing by Glasgow... they are building a very interesting team. Hopefully the punters will turn up for this team.

Really good signing by Glasgow. Great to see more promising speedway talent coming to Scotland.

Ta I hope he can kick on. Does he ride on the continent/grasstrack/long track?

Let's hope he gives you cause to change that impression.

Yes I'd be pleased if Bellego had returned also. Great entertainer. Just surprised that his average isn't higher. Previously advised that this was due to inconsistency. Any idea what caused the inconsistency?

Sedgie obviously to date hasn't quite hit the ground running over here but he certainly flies around some of the tracks in Oz. Let's hope he can turn his undoubted talent and potential into lots of points for the blue and gold in 2014.

I reckon the law of averages could mean that R Lawson ends up at Redcar ... any news?

Brilliant.

Any chance the team could start with: Bellego Wethers ..

Mike Faria?

Of the other riders that haven't moved on and any others linked to the club who do you reckon will be in the 2014 line up? Doyle? Morris? B Kurtz? ..

I really like the look of that team not just a gate and go bunch either. If I understand other comments on this thread correctly really good to see the promotion improving their asset base as well. Full credit to the Worky promotion for that team I really hope it is rewarded with big attendances.