thebaron

Cant be either it distinctley says "a new signing" like it did last week for Zaine. Its a new rider ?...Kasper Andersen ? or maybe Jason Crump ?

Kasper Andersen was superb round Scunny last season and theres room for him to up his 5.87 average for sure. He can be the third heat leader we need. Whereas Tero has flat lined for me and I dont think he can better his 6.61 average. As I have said he always seems 2-3 poor meeting from the axe. But I do accept hes very capable of putting in a big score. Inconsistent is the word I think. For me Douglas 7.74, Allen 7.72, Lambert 5.98, Andersen 5.87, Palin 5.69, Kennedy 5.00, Kinsley 3.00 = 41 Leaves us one point under but not just Andersen can improve his average. Jordan & Zaine can up their numbers and I reckon both Ryan & Jake can push on with some big returns around the EWR. Certainly this line up would set us up nicely for the 2022 season.

Tell who we could get for that ? JASON CRUMP 6.93 !! Bloody hell Douglas, Allen, Crump, Kennedy, Lambert, Palin, Kinsley ..little Australia. Ok Jasons had a few knocks last season but if we could keep him fit what a "marquee signing" he can still be. If he did one league with us. Wow ! Would Jason Crump score as well as if not better than Tero Aarnio..me thinks he would on balance.

Cant be a rider with a higher average than Jordan Palin 5.69 ? he is going to partner Ryan at reserve and from "abroad" ? So Kasper Andersen on 5.87 much as I rate him would not seem to fit ? I dont think many if any visiting reserves did better than Zaine Kennedy did for Leicester. Hes a proper force around Scunny so my money is on him. Can up his 5.00 average for sure and would be a great signing.

Just seen the tweet by Josh Auty who seems a tad put out hes not in Scunnys plans for 2022. Dont think he need fret British Speedway needs riders of his calibre. A new challenge could just be the boost he needs to reboot his racing career. But back to us ? Ryan Douglas I read wants a mid week track to fit in with his weekend Polish commitments. He already has Prem Wolves - Mon and wants a Champ club ? He might be pushed to get mid week as that would limit him to Poole Oxford Plymouth and I dont see him going that way. Edinburgh might fit the bill for him as he can team up with fellow Aussies Josh Pickering & Sam Masters who are also doing Poland weekends. Got to say if Monarchs land Ryan and have Pickers & Masters thats some top three ! But we'll see. Kinda hope Robs managed to talk Ryan back to Scunny because ihe would be a great top two with Jake Allen. At the moment having pfaffed around with these averages and looking whats already been rumoured on here and gut feeling I am left with Douglas 7.74 or( Ellis 7.66) Allen 7.72 Aarnio 6.61 ? Lambert 5.98, Palin 5.69, Kennedy 5.00, Kinsley 3.00 Total 41.74(41.66) Plenty of room for optimism there as you expect Jordan to push on in 2022 and Kennedy can be a match winner home or away. We would have a strong reserve come what may. Prefer Douglas over Ellis because hes better round Scunny of the two. Aarnio fits points wise in this team; he needs to convince though. Took a few meetings to get going last season ; then it was inconsistent; then the visa issue. Always concerns me he ends up two-three meetings from the axe ! Seems like we have to wait for Santa to know what hes leaving "under the xmas airbag" for us in 2022. But Ive put me list in and hoping for the best.

If thats the team then 4/7 that were in my stab at the line-up are there. Douglas, Allen, Palin & Kennedy. Has anyone any idea what average Jordan Palin is on ? On the Green Sheets just says "fifth rider in the team" ? Does he have an official average for team purposes or does he keep Rising Star Ave from 2021 - but has to ride as the 5th rider (lets say his ave is 5.00+) I can see where Robs going with that team as Palin; Lambert & Kennedy could all interchange partner Kinsley at reserve. But to be fair I think it lacks a real third heat leader if Aarnio is back ? Lets assume Poole have King , Lawson & Steve Worrall . .I would not be confident we would win the big heats ? Even Oxford with Nicholls, Batch and Ellis (rumoured) would have the whip hand. Leicester set the bar for team construct in recent season and hate to say it but with this team Robs probably letting heart rule head again. Tommy Jorgensen would be far better bet than Tero Aarnio home or away. I always think Aarnio is 2-3 bad shows from us making a change ?. Then there was the visa issue last season ?. Great that we would have our own version of "the Turbo Twins" at the top end. Also great if the others can "step up" to back them but I'm thinking that theres too much inconsistency in these riders to make me think we will be pushing for the Championship medals in 2022.

Looks like Josh McDonald has'nt got a callback to Scunny in 2022. Just tweeted hes hoping for something to come up. Shame if so; despite the knocks he stuck at it last season and will be all the better for it next time around. On a 4.00pt ave would have been a useful inclusion. If were serious about making a real fist of it in 2022 we have to make sure we have three top riders plus a fourth capable of stepping up. On the lines of Leicester. For me Adam Ellis, Ryan Douglas & Jake Allen would give us a fantastic top three. Then if we went for Broc Nicol a proven EWR specialist on a 5.50pt ave. Hes capable of backing the top three home & away. It might mean no callback for Lambo this season as his 5.98pt ave seems a tad high. ? In Jordan Palin we have a rider who can really push on in 2022 and certainley capable of heat leader returns round the EWR. I would have no hesitation in bringing in Zaine Kennedy another EWR specialist having been released by Leicester/Sheffield. Fairly sure this all fits within the 42pt limit. Then we might be looking for a upcoming rider at reserve. So Ellis, Douglas, Allen, Nicol Palin, Kennedy & ANO ?. Not bad that if I say so myself.

For gods sake I hope your wrong ? Not this idea again ? Set up for the EWR and absolute no hope away when are we ever going to learn ? We need riders who are consistent home and away !

Hows this sound Douglas ; Allen; Jorgensen; Lambert ; Palin; Kennedy; MacDonald. Proper "Aussie connection" there.

Would be great to see Ryan back but I reckon his eyes are on Poland and another season with Wolves. Not sure that back to Scunny would not be a backward step ?. But if he did then he is coming back as a bone fide No1. Not sure if he is still a Scunny asset but if he is then is it not the time to start making use of our own riders rather than letting someone else have the benefit. It is not guranteed that Jake will be back even ? Despite buying his contract from Somerset ?. Would be brilliant to pair Ryan & Jake together '- "the new Turbo Twins" ? . I would not put it past Rob to bring Josh Auty back ?; its his delayed testimonial next year and he might still think he can get a tune out of him round Scunny ! Not sure of his average which may kibosh the idea if hes still stuck with last seasons starting average ? For me Lambo & Jordan are shoe-ins. So if it was Ryan & Jake; Tommy might be the third heat leader ? Adam Ellis might have got a return but I think hes more likely to show up back at Poole or new boys Oxford with Rosco ? I would have no hesitation picking up Zaine Kennedy following his release by Leicester/ Sheffield. A cracking rider around the EWR and pretty handy at most other places. Then we need a good young rider at the tail end and someone like Kents Dan Gilkes again one who goes well round the EWR. As I say theres ifs and buts about this but if we were lining up; Douglas, Allen, Jorgensen, (Auty) /ANO , Palin Lambert, Kennedy & Gilkes certainly those six names (less Auty for now) should put us in a good place to try to relive our 2012 Title winning success !

Yes an brilliant meeting so echo the sentiments of the previous poster But it arriving home I find I have dropped my Halifax Dukes programme board on the walk out and across to my car parked on Lysaghts Way next to the business on the right. Should anyone by chance have found it would appreciate it if you might hand it in next Friday ? So great win today; Uli great guest and Jordan getting a stunningly sweet 16 ! Great racing throughout topped off with that blanket Ht15 blanket race start to finish.

Nice to see all the Championship teams decked out in their new team kevs for the season. Cannot wait to see the Scunny set next week !

Based on what we know of the riders 18 months ago I would agree with that ? Redcar v Scunny would be an absolute massacre at their place. And thats even allowing for two former Teddies in our 1-7 in Auty & Tommy ? But if you factor in that no one bar Jake & Stewart for them and Jordan & Josh Mac for us have had any real track time in the last 18 months ?. Would it be too much to hope that there might be some "levelling out" at least in the short term. Otherwise yes if everyone does come to the tapes bang on it from Day 1 it could be a reboot of Scunthorpe Saints 1972 debut disaster season for those of us old enough to recall being on the ropes at every turn that year. But hey lets wait and see, give the riders chance to repay Robs loyalty. We might just be writing them off too soon ? and after a year with no Speedway just getting back to the tracks will do me !.

Cannot help but feel a bit gutted now Jakes late change of mind sees him join Redcar. But he wasnt making the trip so I suppose we moved on. Some line up for Bears with Charles Wright, MPT and Jordan Stewart. Redcar must be up there as one favourites this season. In Jake, Wright and MPT they have three top riders in this league and EWR specialists. But just reading Robs quick statement it does seem that we could have included Jake. It maybe wasnt as had been intimated down to money ?. Its a big statement of loyalty to the riders we have. No doubt Jakes inclusion makes us far more competitive therefore better for business home and away. Applaud Robs loyalty but we will find out soon enough if its misplaced. Lets hope that Robs loyalty is rewarded by the riders. I think this means come hell or high water we have to stick with the starting line up bar injury. Otherwise if we do what we normally do and bin off an out of form rider inside 6 weeks ! This decision to allow Jake to bolster a rival into potential Champions is going to look plain ludicrous ?

I think this season is a akin to a complete freebie as far as our Promoters are concerned. They know after 18 months of zero compeitive action the supporters will take pretty much anything ? Even if Scunny ran out a 1972 reboot of the Saints disastrous debut League season. We'll take it just to have regular speedway back in our lives.? We know that seeing this season through is what its about and no matter if the Scorpions take a thumping here and there. Because we surely will. We have no idea how the riders are going to be when they resume their interrupted careers ? I honestly think we will see some struggle in the first couple of months. So a No1 on paper might not be No1 on the track. Scunny have two riders in Jordan Palin and Josh MacDonald who could genuinely claim to have been a Speedway riders through the enforced sabaticle. The rest were delivery drivers or operatives for benevolent sponsors ? So its all up in the air when the tapes go up !, in two weeks. We might just be writing off the Scorpions too soon ? But it should be interesting finding out ?

If Jake Allen ends up at Redcar alongside Charles Wright thats two Heat15s we can kiss goodbye to now ! Home & Away ! So somewhere in the preceeding 14 Heats were are going to need to find a way somehow ? To have sufficient leeway in those meeting to take a 1-5 and still be in front ! ..Mmmmmm ??? I know !!! can Jordan Palin take 7 rides because I seriously fancy Jordan to be our Scorpion of most resistence this season !

I think theres more than just good chance Scunny will cope at home. There are EWR "specialists" in that 1-7 without question. But that said they wont go undefeated at home and will certaintly take some 30+pt defeats on the road. So it does equate to a bottom four finish on paper. I agree there are many unknowns about this truncated 2021 season ? How quickly will UK based riders overcome a "18 month" recess to their racing ? We can say oh so and so will pick up where they left off ? But will they. 18 months is a long time out; though granted its the same for all. However if in normal times say a rider was coming back into competitive racing after 18 months on the sidelines I would certainly be a tad concerned at first ?and its a fair bet a fair number of them will have those concerns as the tapes go up !

Well as I have said all along it makes sense. Based exclusively in the UK for the shortened season. Has the knowledge of the tracks and the workings of the UK scene. Should be ahead of the UK riders having had reasonable track time down under during the pandemic. Ability to add a couple of points to his 4pt start average. A good solid signing for the times we are in. Welcome "the Chunk" !

Although things on the one hand look good for a UK Speedway season. Unless riders are based here then the concerning Covid situation in Europe is going to take effect. I understand both Tommy & Aarnio will be flying in and out to meet their European commitments ? So they are by no means assured of an uninterrupted season ?. Thats why it probably makes sense to give Jakes spot to a UK domiciled rider ..say James Sargeant ? or one of the Aussie lads ?. We have the new SGB online show tomorrow so perhaps Rob can add some reassurance. But as it stands I have to agree with the prev poster who favours 6 man teams ? It would have been one way of increasing the availability of riders or ensuring everyone at least could field a full team. As we are; we will surely see some reliance on Guests and R/R and thats without contemplating injury and absences ? Speedway does have one thing in its favour ? The ability to gerimander the rules and circumstances to suit the need. We are steeped in botched up teams ; and interruptions to the schedule. So come what may I am keeping faith with Speedways ability to come up with something even if we might not agree with it ?. Again this season of all seasons I reckon we will pretty much let them off anything wont we ?

Crikey thats a late curved ball ? Maybe he thinks he was a bit hasty to rule himself out now things are looking set for a summer of UK speedway ?. Ippo is an issue for him as they are declared 1-7 so that ships sailed. Might well up his terms to race initially in the Champ with Scorpions ? Then hes here and a Prem opportunity is sure to crop up for him. But he will want more to commit to riding soley for Scunny in the first instance. Clear dilemma for Rob & the team if so but if we want to solve our problem position - No1 Jakes the man and he would be a game changer no doubt about that.

That would be unexpected to say the least and frought with red tape I guess ? But if it happened I'd take Zane Keleher in jiffy ! Hes one great lad and super professional. Easily the "Lockdown Rider 2020" for his resolve and innovation whilst stuck in the UK earning nothing and waiting on a start that never happened. Do agree looking at the Poole pair up against JMac & ZK they might be behind in UK track experience terms. But do not under estimate Keleher & Cook both could be suprise packets in this League. If Scorpions can add either Kennedy or MacDonald I would be confident we will be getting a rider who can be up to speed from the off and soon pushing for a top 5 spot. If IF ! Newcy failed to make it to the tapes that would be a big negative for Speedway GB just as the big launch is set with Eurosport. Plus their confirmed 1-7 being "tipped out" on the eve of the shortened season ? Cannot see the League Commitee letting things get to this stage only to let the Diamonds fall by the wayside ?.

I think its high time the management ended all this guessing game. Josh Mac seems the one reading between the lines. But agree Zaine Kennedy would be my choice. Either way I think both are capable of adding a couple of points to their start average. But now with heading into 4 weeks before tapes up I would expect riders to be arriving in the UK all being well. So I dont see the point of dragging this out ? We know its not going to be a 7+ rider so we may as well just make an announcement so we all know where we stand ?

For me it was always a flick of a coin for one of the available Aussies. Not least because of their increased track time in the past year or so. Josh MacDonald was unlucky to be cut loose by Pirates so its a great opportunity for him. Had made progress at Sheffield in 2019 so has the track knowledge already. On a 4 point averages means Lambo steps up into the main body of the team. Six and two threes though because JP & JMac should be amongst the points at reserve. Meaning that they and Lambo become interchangeable ? Auty, Lambert, Tommy, Pijper, Aarnio, Jordy and JMac it is then ? No No1 there on the face of it. Auty should have it tapped round Scunny but up against sides with two No1s its going to be tough going away. Still everyones been out for nigh on 18 months so no one really knows how well any of the riders will fair when they return to regular league racing. 2021 is at least a summer of some Speedway and win lose or draw lets be thankful for that. Just watching how we get on is going to be really interesting and especially having a true rising star in Jordan Palin in his senior league racing debut season adds that bit extra to the anticipation. Reminds me of when Kenny Carter made the step up in his first season for the Dukes ! If hes half as good we will have a rider.

To me if we were going for a 7pt rider I can understand the delay. But we are clearly not bringing in a rider on that kind of average. So no point in dragging this out any longer ? Everyones declared their hand already so theres no need for a "big reveal". Personally I would favour one of the Aussie lads who are race ready and committed for what amounts to the 2021 season. They can hit the ground running. But with the likes of Brit James Sargeant still needing to get fixed up could well see us "sticking to the British based" ethos of the league set up and Rob giving the jacket to him ?. Infact is it almost incumbant upon the SGB Chairman to show his support for a young British rider forced onto the sidelines because he has been let go by his club ? We just have to get on with it and see where it takes us ? As Dan say lots of "pan handlings" away and we wont win all the meetings at home. But hey at least we might very well have our Speedway back !

Doesnt Jordan Palin remain at reserve for the whole season and keep the same average ? Surely if he ends up being promoted into the main body of the team that ends his "protected heats". Is that not the idea or have I missed something ? In which case JP can slam in as big a scores as he likes it wont impact our team average. I think ...?