Wee Eck

PZM have said that, as neither Artem nor Tai were tested before during or after the meeting, there is now nothing for POLADA to find. Wrocław have clarified the treatments received as being anaesthetics rather than banned pain killers. So the much avowed integrity of Polish speedway is maintained.

I think the team was built in the expectation that Craig Cook “coming home” was a master stroke. But, for once, Glasgow outsmarted Edinburgh in letting Craig go. Picko started well but has not recovered his form after injury. Likewise Lasse. Paco will always be a hot and cold rider. Edinburgh’s loyalty to him is like Glasgow’s was to Lee Dicken. Always hopeful, always disappointed. Kyle Bickley was another strange choice. Not one team in five or is it six seasons has seen the results that Kyle looked like he would deliver when he was 15. It’s not that long since Edinburgh put together exciting and successful teams by bringing in young talented riders who turned into stars but the magic seems to have gone. Although consistency in promotions is to be applauded, there always comes a time when the old guard need to stand to one side and let the next generation take over. Glasgow have done it with Peter Facenna taking over from Gerry, Poole are doing it with Dan and Matt. Is there anyone at Edinburgh not just able to step into old man’s shoes but who the old men would be willing to stand aside for?

Do the mini leagues not count as play offs? I see Sedgmennwas guesting for Redcar this afternoon and for Monarchs tonight. Hopefully, he’ll ride better tonight than he did this afternoon.

Top of the league and, so far, top of the mini league despite a sluggish start at home, an enforced late change of team manager and the loss of a rider in heat one. Edinburgh now become the next potential banana skin for Shovlar to worry about

Had Cook performed as hoped, then Edinburgh were a decent team. And it was clearly too much of a temptation to sign him after Glasgow got rid. But the current Glasgow owners are no mugs and they knew that there would be two possible out-comes: either Cook would regain his past form in which case they’d only have to face him a couple of times at Ashfield (the less likely out-turn) or he’d continue his downward spiral. Either way, Glasgow were shrewder than Edinburgh for once. With Cook returning to form, the Monarchs looked decent but injuries to Pickering and Fredrikden hit them hard - so hard they didn’t recover.- and then Cook’s problems did for them. On the assumption that they have a track in 2024, they have the chance to come back stronger especially if they hang on to Picko, Lasse and Borke. But maybe it’s time to bring some younger promoters in to join the two auld guys? There’s a point where old age negates experience.

How early can you use a t/s?

Are you sure he earns more money riding Polish Ekstraliga? With prize money plus individual sponsorships - which are strictly limited in the Polish Ekstraliga - BK earns in excess of £50k for a GP win. By the way, I’m told that none of the usual FIM top brass, including Armando Castagna, were present last night. Strange when the world championship would probably have been decided had the champion-elect not been excluded from the meeting.

I don’t understand the pile on to Chris Holder. He was signed on just over 7 and averaged 7.5 over the two legs. If fingers need to be pointed they should be pointed on whoever was making team change decisions at Sheffield. I sudiect someone thought it was smart to bring Tai in when waiting for Jack to return would have made sense. A bit like the gut reaction changes at Leicester….. Anyway, well done Ipswich who seem to be hitting form at exactly the right time

Difficult to predict - on paper, Glasgow are a far stronger 1-4 who should hit 40 between then leaving r/r and the reserves to get 6. The Tigers - pre-Tarasenko - have shown weaknesses away from home but maybe the Russian will overcome the Cami factor? My predictions? Maybe 55-35 home win, 35-55 home loss, or 48-42 home win. I told you I found it difficult to predict

He’d not have been short of guest bookings though

No. A two legged tie is a tie decided over two legs. A league match, BSN, main or mini is a league match with the overall results of the league being determined at the completion of the league. It’s quite simple you know - two legged tie = no aggregate point league = aggregate point.

The point you raised was to do with tactical substitutes not aggregate points. I’m sure @arnieg or @NeilWatson can guide you on aggregate points in a mini or any other sort of league.

I think it makes perfect sense - a 2 legged tie is different from a mini league. At the risk of staying the obvious, a 2 legged tie is one where the outcome is decided over 2 legs. So a knock out cup round or a play off final (and semi in the case of the Premiership) is a 2 legged tie, a league, full or mini, isn’t.

Actually, I think having the likes of Tarasenko in this country is the complete opposite of the sport being “on its arse” His arrival in the Championship has opened up the race for the play offs. And I doubt he’s more expensive than, say, Schlein so not much cash needed splashed.

Ah yes. I hadn’t spotted that Edinburgh won easily at Birmingham. So the Brummies need to win by at 18 for a run off for the bonus. More than 18 to be secure. Unless Plymouth beat Edinburgh as well!

Tarasenko was Belle Vue. Wojdylo’s “visa” was more complicated…..allegedly

Will a win at Edinburgh tonight take his “other” team into the CL play offs?

Do you not think the riders know full well which other riders take or have taken recreational drugs? It’s like with the silencer issue. Many knew who were doing an “Eddie” but felt it wasn’t their place to dob a fellow rider in

I don’t disagree but the problem seems to be recreational rather than performance enhancing drug use which seems endemic amongst those involved with extreme sports.

The number being 3? And only one has been proved so far. It’s not very many, is it?

I see the inevitable has happened with Craig Cook

Winning the play offs or topping the league? Maybe to the first, no to the second! I can’t see Oxford picking Poole or Poole picking Oxford as they look to be the strongest teams and would each have bumper crowds for the final. As it looks like a mini league, then top will pick Edinburgh/Birmingham plus Scunthorpe or Redcar. Probably Redcar as you know that should be an easier track to score well on.

Perhaps “lack of visa” issue more accurate?

It was a rule, maybe still is, but one of the infamous “special dispensations” was invoked for Stoney which suggests it was a BSPA rather than an SCB rule