Arch Stanton

Another good meeting. Absolute cracker of a heat involving Allen Bewley and King. I’ve no idea what happened to Allen off the final bend as I was watching King’s theatrics after grinding to a halt but I’d assumed Allen had it sewn up until I looked back to see Bewely cross the line first!?

But that’s not his decision, and shouldn’t be his decision. He declared himself “fit” to ride against Wolves, and after the first bend, put his bike in reverse before pulling on to the centre green wincing in pain. So if Ipswich put him in tonight because “he was going to ride for Plymouth” and he does exactly the same, other than the Belle Vue fans on the back straight pi$$ing themselves laughing, what have Ipswich achieved by doing that? Another likely home defeat which in turn hurts their business. If they want to be cautious and make sure he’s 100% before they include him, good for them. If their intention is to pull a fast one by getting a guest in as was alluded to be Rob in his original post, then they’ll be doing that for the rest of the season and he’ll never return. There’s been no inclination that that is going to happen to my knowledge. We won’t agree here, so we’ll agree to disagree and I’ll bow out on this particular subject. On the meeting itself, I can see it being another close one, could go either way. I’ll go for a draw.

Sorry disagree. Plymouth and Ipswich are not one entity. One club is prepared to let an unfit rider ride, another isn’t. So you’re saying because Plymouth are prepared to let him ride through the pain barrier and ride whilst not 100% fit, then for the “integrity” Ipswich should do likewise? Nah not having that sorry. Ipswich are entitled to make their own private decision regardless of what Plymouth decide. They will have spoken to Crump at length no doubt about it. They’ll know more than any of us if he was going to do himself justice. They’ve decided against it. Their prerogative to do so. Bugger all to do with anyone else. Hardly cheating is it? Oh and disagree about Belle Vue fans not being bothered either. They’ll want to top the table, no doubt about it.

By Plymouth, not Ipswich. Look, we know how it is, you Belle Vue fans would much rather see a half fit Crump struggle to a few points to give your team a much better chance to grab 3 or even 4 points (you might still get them anyway!), we get it. As I’ve already said, if Plymouth were prepared to take the hit and still include him without him being 100% fit, then that’s their prerogative. What’s that got to do with Ipswich? Their stance, is they’re going to wait until he’s 100% and will do the team justice, which surely they’re more than entitled to do? I’ve even seen Ipswich fans question Ipswich here which to be honest, has totally baffled me. Why should Ipswich give their opponents an advantage before the tapes rise in the first heat by fielding a 45 year old bloke who only a few weeks ago broke 8 ribs and isn’t yet totally fit? Are you THAT desperate for success??? Ipswich have a business to run, have little to no chance of making the play offs, and up until Monday had lost 7 matches on the spin. They need supporters through the gate as much as everyone else so they’re quite right not to gamble on the fitness of their number 1 until he’s back to full fitness. To me it’s very simple!

You’re clearly a fan Badge and have defended the boy a few times, and that’s absolutely ok. We’ll agree to disagree. I personally don’t think he’s been “excellent” other than those two televised meetings at all, that’s quite a stretch. He’s scored well enough in a handful of meetings sure, but without looking particularly impressive whilst doing so. Just doesn’t look anywhere near the rider of 2019 for me, SO FAR. Time for that to change obviously.

I was actually expecting that move to happen.

So it’s Allen and the two reserves. Shouldn’t be an issue with Starke going so well particularly. Allen needs to start pulling his finger out though, looks a shadow of the rider we’ve seen in previous seasons.

Kind of disagree here. Plymouth may be happy for Crump to ride whilst not 100% fit and be patient until he does get back to full fitness and take the hit. Ipswich on the other hand would rather wait until he’s fully fit. They took a chance on his fitness last week and got burned. Don’t see the issue on either stance it’s one of those that isn’t black and white IMO.

You mean you wished Ipswich had a half fit struggling Crump riding so your team had a better chance of winning? At least be honest rather than chucking a sly barb in.

I’d personally like to see the club bite the bullet and tinker with the side again. Crump was making a decent fist of it before his crash, but 8 broken ribs isn’t easy or quick to come back from especially at his age. With restrictions easing maybe a few that didn’t want to come over at the start of the season, could now be persuaded? The season is dead already from an Ipswich perspective, so try out another couple of riders with next year in mind. The likes of Rowe and Starke have been real plus points, try and find a couple more.

Allen has looked so shaky not just tonight, but all season. Strangely just never looks in control of the bike

That wasn’t a dead heat though

I’m disappointed in my team here. Where is Louis? Hawkins? Or even the Captain?

Hang on, they’ve even got the cameras here! Did the referee not actually look at the footage like everyone else? There is a tapes rule in place, if you touch them you’re out. Nicholls touched them first so has to go! Unbelievable sh!te this is. Nobody from the Ipswich camp protesting that??

Im sure tonight’s meeting would have been discussed whilst they were on the golf course this morning..

It was. Some though will always have their “couldn’t watch that cr@p every week” readied before the tapes even rose in heat 1.

I just posted a link about Jason Crump on the Ipswich thread, and stuff like this makes me admire him even more. Cook has openly admitted that not racing for a year has made him very nervous and affected him, and he’s not alone. Quite a few riders has struggled early because of the break in racing. Crump hasn’t just been out for a year like these riders, but he’s been retired how many years now? And yet he comes back after all that time, at the age of 45, and still starts banging in double figure scores! Incredible really.

Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t not admire the bloke

Same here Baldy, wasn’t bothering, definitely am now. Just a shame Crump took that tumble as he was starting to get going nicely, much better than I was expecting. Looking at the line up above, MUCH more competitive. Kemp is starting to get going so the reserve pair looks strong. Cook for Heeps gives us a more potent attack too.

Same, but the opposite to what you’re thinking Taps. I’ll be attending now on Thursday! Edit: Very surprised actually that they’ve replaced Cam. Yeah injured, but so is Crump and Cam’s wasn’t expected to keep him out too long. Never thought I’d see the day that “one of the lads” got the boot, so pretty ruthless from CL. That Lynn defeat on home turf must have really stung..

Same at Ipswich

Excellent showing from Drew Kemp.

Craig Cook guesting for the Witches at Belle Vue Monday, along with Aaron Summers.