Arch Stanton

I get the argument for keeping both, even at the expense of building a successful team because they are THAT good to watch.

https://x.com/ipswichspeedway/status/1691792234012676174?s=46

I’d say it’s almost impossible to keep both of them. They started this year on a combined average of 18.32 due to Emil’s assessed 8.00. And to fit both in this year we had to use Hume at 6 on an average that was reduced by 25% because of the first year as a non rising star rule which we won’t benefit from next year. Doyle and Emil are currently on a combined GSA of 19.28, practically a point more than they started this year. If the same team building rules apply next year as this and it’s clearly all up in the air at the minute, then I’d say it’s pretty much impossible to build a title winning team unless you can get really really lucky with a couple of low averaged ringers. If Emil decides to come back next year, then it looks like a tough decision will have to be made by Louis (and Nicholls ).

https://x.com/ipswichspeedway/status/1691726853684248967?s=46

Only thing you can do as far as this evening is concerned, is forget about the result and just hope for some good racing if Laguta is there. Laguta vs Emil and Doyle is something we haven’t seen much of calibre wise in recent years. We SHOULD know by time anyone has to set off from Norfolk if Artem isn’t going to be there or not. I did say when I started this thread I’ll be giving this one a miss, but if Laguta is riding then I’ll change my mind! Weather helps, cracking day today.

I’d fancy us to be honest if we snuck in, all depends on Riss. We lost the aggregate in the latest round of fixtures with Belle Vue by 10 with Riss scoring a single point in each fixture. A modest 6 point return in both fixtures would have squared it up on aggregate, very tight. We’ve carried him all year due to his health problems and only Louis knows why he hasn’t done anything about it but it certainly looks like it’s cost us. Last couple of meetings he’s looked better (although not that great for Redcar last night) and he has an opportunity to gain more confidence against a weakened Kings Lynn this evening.

Louis will have them fired up for that Wolves meeting and in the words of Kelv, there’s no doubt about that. Would be nice to go in to the final fixture at home to Leicester with a possibility of still squeezing in.

https://ipswichwitches.co/louis-we-want-to-keep-the-momentum-going/

Still very long odds. To win all the remaining fixtures is not likely. We’d already be safely in them without the Riss issue as we’ve lost a lot of tight meeting when he hasn’t contributed anything but that’s done and dusted now so no point going over it. He’s showing signs lately that he’s getting a bit of his old form back so if that continues, we’ll win the majority (not all) of our remaining meetings. Gonna be a case of “what if” this year unfortunately. A season having the best two riders in the league (one on a clearly bargain average) wasted.

Emil never rode enough meetings for Coventry to gain a proper average.

R/R for Rew, as for Lynn, R/R for Jorgensen, while Basso, Mountain and Hagon all guest for various absentees. Think I’ll give this one a miss https://ipswichwitches.co/raceday-preview-kings-lynn-sports-insure-premiership-r2-h/

Rew continues to disappoint by the way. Can’t use the excuse of not seeing the track this time either. We should be seeing much much more from him at this stage of the season but there’s no getting away from the fact he’s been a massive disappointment.

Hmmm that’s some swing in performance between one meeting and the next! Fast learner…

Did anyone see that performance coming? From scoring 3 duck eggs in the previous home meeting against Wolves, including being passed from the back twice by Leon Flint and apparently looking pretty useless, to scoring 12 from his first 5 rides including two victories against Jason Doyle in the very next home meeting! Bit bizarre that.

Made hard work of that! But job done. Great to see Erik back in the points, good to see.

Harris for Worrall obviously makes it more difficult, but it should still be a Witches victory really. Jenkins a problem at 7 from a Witches perspective, riding very well.

He did say at Leicester on Monday he was feeling tired. Big in to his fitness though and works hard during the winter so despite his age he’s fitter than most of the youngsters! Seen more meat on a butcher’s knife.

He wore the Kevlars purchased for Jack Thomas for the pre-season press photos but they weren’t a great fit. Used his own suit with a race jacket for the meetings.

Joe didn’t have Ipswich Kevlars either.

But credit to him for doing so!

It’s cost us a chance of a play off place no doubt about it. We’ve lost close meetings the last couple of months with Riss (a 6 pointer) scoring next to nothing. I really don’t know what’s gone on here cos Louis has always been quick to change things in the past when things aren’t going well but this year he’s done nothing. I found his quotes very strange also recently that we “Have” to go with what we’ve got, almost as if it’s out of his hands..

It’s a shame but King has become the fall guy for years of failure at Foxhall. He’s been a great servant and the failure to win anything as a team certainly hasn’t been his fault, but the groans on the terraces have grown louder the last couple of years so I think it’s best for all concerned if they both have a fresh break. Probably won’t happen though..

Hawkins had work commitments for his proper job that he actually gets paid for.

Mountain guests for Andersen. Terrible choice, Mountain hates Foxhall and has never gone well here.