Friddy75

I said that statement with the factual information that me you and every body else have been told. We were told that 3 riders will return from last season-Fact We were told that Sheffield could not accommodate Franc and Hall in the same team due to long track commitments-Fact Last weeks Speedway star quoted Hoggy saying they were talking to Wells and Hall-Fact I am not posting make believe like many do, I am using the information infront of me to make my own personal suggestions, If you don't like it...don't read it. The point of a forum is a place where fans can express their own opinions good or bad. I try very hard not to insult the rider individually, as I did yesterday when I explained why I wasn't keen on the Knight signing( it's not the rider but as part of the team we have and the one I feel we'll end up with I just don't think he is right ). Maybe your a little upset because your starting to relise I might be right, Hall will return along with 2 other cheap options and we'll have a poor team again. Several others expressed some negativity yesterday, are you going to throw your dummy at one of those today??

Why you have to throw a personal attack at me Spinking I just don't know!! What a bloody hypercritical idiot! So I'm not allowed to express my opinions about who I would of liked as a 3 pointer but you've done it in the same post as the one where you've mocked me. I seem to know every signing blah blah blah! The only one I've tried to express I feel will definately return is Hall. And this is because he has been talked about in several press releases, the last being Thursday's Speedway star. I'm getting my information from factual sources the same as anyone else can get, Sheffield star, speedway star. And as for waiting for the team to be announced blah blah blah, I would guess its a toss up between me and you who have tried to guess the team for 2012. I've enjoyed reading and discussing some of your posts, some which I've agreed with some that I haven't and vice versa. Why you suddenly feel like you need to turn on me I do not know. I can see why several have thrown insults at you before. Theres been several other posters expressing their worries about next years team and signings. Why you have to point the finger at me I do not know. Once again HYPERCRIT!!

My problems not with Jake Knight or Stead or Koppe. It's the set up of the team. If we had gone for Haines at reserve or brought Lambert back then I would be happy to have Knight. Yes I would of preferred Sarjeant or Nielsen but that is my personal preference. But Koppe and Knight at reserve is very weak. Add to that one of our second strings has just come out of the reserve berth and then our number one, however good or bad he is going to be will struggle to hold his average. We haven't got many points left. Taking into account what riders remain available I feel we are going to end up with a very weak side. If we are building for the future that's fine but after the crowds dropped so rapidly last season can we afford to risk another poor team? This team might look good in a season or two, but will Sheffield still be running then? Many voted with their feet last season but the die hard fans still went whatever. The worry is how long will the die hard fans still keep going if the team is built on the cheap lacking any ambition. The more and more the crowds drop the less atmosphere created. Which is going to make it less likely that new fans are going to come back after a first visit.

Many are throwing suggestions around but I'd like to see who people suggest are the riders to up their average or riders who are going to be our other heat leaders to back Stead up? The averages are on the BSPA website if anyone's unsure of riders averages. To me these riders have already gone or won't fit with what's left. Or are just not realistic due to expense.

There's some very optimistic people on facebook thinking we're going to sign Ashworth or Cook next..... I'm sorry if I cant say anything more positive, but good luck to Jake. I'm no speedway manager but I saw enough last year to see he's not up to the premier league yet. And how ever you try and interpret the statement, Joe Haines will not be the only rider returning from last year....WE ARE GOING TO GET HALL!

I think we're looking at 1 Stead 9.53 2 Haines 5.04 3 Wells 6.47 4 5 Hall 6.89 6 Koppe 5.00 7 Total 32.93 Leaving 9.57 1 Stead 9.53 2 Koppe 5.00 3 Wells 6.47 4 Haines 5.04 5 Hall 6.89 6 7 Total 32.93 Leaving 9.57

I accept Your comments about Stead, he's signed and I'm fully behind him! My worry is 'one man doesn't make a team' and I'm worried we've spent so much time chasing, whilst many good heat leaders have been signed elsewhere. So much money trying to bring in one rider that that there isn't any left for any more quality riders. And with Steady's average combined with Koppe I can't see how we're going to make a good team. As I've said before its the teams total that wins matches not one rider. Not sure if I've mentioned on here or a different thread. I think there's a misconception that the crowds are gonna be increased due to Steady returning. If your a die hard fan you'll go week in week out even if its a poor team like I did last season. Some who already know who Stead is will return to see that rider but....my neighbour who doesn't know what speedway is isn't going to suddenly get interested because some bloke they've never heard of has returned. If an exciting teams being successful and written about in the press then they might. If the teams not good enough to back Sready up I can't see any difference from last season. Whatever happens I'll still go! I also only want riders who want to ride for Sheffield. Ashworth was left in the dark last season and made to feel unwanted so had to go to Plymouth before changing to Berwick. I can't blame the lad for wanting a return. But did Simon Stead really want to ride for Sheffield....only if he didn't sign for Swindon or if we changed the race night to suit his priorities.

I agree with a combination of two previous posts. I think we do need to retain riders to create hero's and legends at a club. Some that the fans can call their favourites. Ones that kids will get excited about going to get an autograph from year in year out. My lads loved Ricky Ashworth their first meeting was when he won the PLRC. They'll never forget that night. I also think it would help with sponsors as I'd rather put my money into someone who's going to be there the following year. But we also need to change a few riders every season to freshen up, search for the next hero, and because the averages means we have to. I can also see why most would like Nielsen at Sheffield, won the under 19's there, possibly last seasons top national league rider has some PL experience. But I would rather we went out and bought a local lad like Sarjeant and gave him a chance. There's massive hysteria because Stead has returned after 10 years, again a local lad. We could be saying the same about Sarjeant in ten years. We could be comparing him to Ricky Ashworth thanks to his ten year service to the team. We won't with Nielsen(Scunny will). Again I also think it would help with sponsors throughout Sheffield. It could also help with promotion if the local press are talking about 'Sheffield lad Sarjeant'

My dream team was riders I would of liked before any signings. Was never going to happen, just showing a different set up. Each to their own with Stead. I would of preferred to have kept Haines at reserve to cover a young British and Sheffield lad Sarjeant rather than Koppe. Everyone has different opinions that's what a forums for. Remember what we've been told in press release's 3 Riders will return from last season. We can't acccomadate Franc & Hall due to long track Wells would like a return as Hoggy supported him We are talking to Hall and Wells Hall WILL be back! I just hope Wells is.

2012 Sheffield dream team 1 Ashworth 2 Toft 3 Wells 4 Birks 5 Auty 6 Haines Sarjeant 2012 What I think we'll get 1 Stead 2 Haines 3 Wells 4 Sanchez/Skiddy 5 Hall 6 Koppe 7 Jakobsen/Davey

They've already broken the bank to sign Stead(someone I didn't want and have explained why many times)so their isn't a chance they'll splash out on another decent heat leader. The best we can hope for now is riders from last season returning(Wells is the only rider thats a MUST)and a mixture of riders that other teams didn't want.

I just hope Plymouth are as bad as last year

Everyone's allowed their own opinion. I'm happy we've signed a good rider and it's great he's a Sheffield lad. But it doesn't leave a lot to play with and there isn't many heat leaders left. I just hope this isn't the only big signing we make. One rider can only score 15 points a meeting. It's the team total that wins meetings.

One man doesn't make a team! We HAVE to sign Wells and another heat leader next! Grajczonek Masters Karlsson Lemon.....there's not many left! Skiddy or Sanchez and a 3 pointer. Still like to see Sheffield lad Sarjeant given a go.

We've not had much talk about potential teams for a few weeks so I thought I'd try and ignite fans imaginations. 1 Grajczonek 7.44 2 Haines 5.04 3 Doolan 7.29 4 Wells 6.47 5 Masters 7.43 6 Koppe 5.00 7 Sarjeant/Nielsen 3.00 41.67 No out and out no1. But 4 heat leaders all with the possibility to be no1. Three of those are young lads with great potential and then an experienced head in Doolan. Maybe a bit questionable at reserve but Nielsen has rode at premier level or go for the local lad. 1 to 5 should be able to score home and away. Masters might qualify for under 21s, otherwise no grass trackers or long track commitments for the rest. I'd pay to watch that team and be confident to take new fans and expect good racing, provided there's some dirt!

Also agree about the pairings! I couldn't understand why Hall wasn't run at 5 I also thought we should of ran Skiddy as a heat leader at 3 or 4 at the beginning of the season with Wells at 2 when he was initially struggling. It would of taken the pressure off Ricky till he found his set up and confidence. It may have also given Skiddy a confidence boost to push him on. Instead he's remained at 2 and his season levelled off. This maybe the reson why he remains a second string rider. The lad was riding superb but was ignored and now many are saying he needs a move to improve where as his own club could of helped push him on.

Doom and gloom again from me but I can't see us surviving after this season unless Machin sells up and someone else gives it a go. To be fair the weather was terrible and we maybe lost a few punters because of it. But as spin king says the numbers were already down from the very first meeting. Your always going to loose some supporters through the winter, only die hard fans will turn to the forums and check Facebook and the BSPA website to keep there interest going. Others will find something else to do to fill the void, some will continue with this, for others a few rain offs and a couple of poor meetings and there'll go back to what kept there winter nights going. The price increase and the ridiculous rise in child prices( all under 16s should be free ) destroyed chances of new customers being interested and wiped out a lot of families chances of returning. Add the poor team of last season and several fans voted with there feet. The misconception that a good or even outstanding team will return the crowds back to the size of 2010 and before is quite far off. Even if we signed Hancock, Holder and Ward it's only going to be fans who know who these riders already are that will be interested. It's not going to make the bloke across my street suddenly become interested in speedway. The die hard fans are still there and will be to the end. Something needs to happen at the very top. New ways of promoting or some way to tempt new customers in there hundreds and at every track should be found otherwise we'll stay on this downward spirral. My worry is after reading the speedway star last week, it wouldn't matter what ideas I or other supporters had they wouldn't be heard. And with so many self centred differences of opinions it really wouldn't matter. Here's hoping our beloved team finds the answers and we can watch speedway and the Tigers for many seasons to come!!

Why would anyone not want Ricky Wells back! Young lad who got better and better as the season progressed. Came out of the reserve birth at Wolves and held his own at no2 then no4. Was our best performer away. On the way up. Stead started at 4 for Swindon, struggled then dropped to no2, struggled then dropped to reserve. Still didn't score well until the play offs. Not sure how everyone thinks he's going to hold his 9.20 average. Also look at other riders who also rode Elite and managed to stay or move into the main body who have lower averages than stead. Morris, Auty, Doyle, Roynon, Barker. All young lads on the way up. We may also have to change to Sunday to fit him in. Looking at comments on here and Facebook we could stand to loose half the crowd doing so. Screen tweeted today he may be looking for employment after the shocked phone call he had yesterday and Grosjczonez tweeted he hasn't had a call about a Premier league spot. Only rumours admittedly.

Spin king you need 3 returning Tigers from last season.

Your right there's plenty of riders out there but you can only fit so many in to 42.50 and after what's been used, and what we're expecting to use, I'm loosing confidence....again

I've stopped myself from posting recently as it seems any negativity gets you slammed from certain posters for being doom and gloom. But the point of this forum is to express your own opinion so sod it. I'm becoming more and more worried our team is going to be quite poor again. Firstly good luck to Koppe! I hope the lad is a revelation, stays safe and enjoys his first year in the premier league. But....he's 24, hasn't been snapped up before and after riding in this country at second halfs still didn't get picked up even though we had the worst year for injuries. He may have beaten Josh Auty once but Auty has had a season at no 1 in the premier league and no 2 in the Elite league(racing no1s). My problem is given the information we have been told(I understand this is not always correct). A number 1 in excess of 8 points. 3 riders retained from last season(Haines is one) And Koppe Doing my sums and many combinations I can't see how we are going to make a strong team. 8+ riders remaining Morris 8.00 Ashworth 8.84 Cook 8.50 Screen 9.18 Gjedde 9.22 Doyle 9.17 Can't see any of these being at Sheffield so looks like a 9+ Elite double up. If you put 9 points at one, fit Haines 5.04 and Koppe 5.00 along with any two 6+ riders returning from last year. I cannot make a team that will not be either massively weak at either heat leader, reserve or second string. I was hoping some of the rumours about Birks returning or Lambert might give us a chance but now they've gone I feel we may be in for a poor team. It would be great if I'm totally wrong but myself and many from last season were right about wooden spoon contenders.

You can still put your vote on there. And comment just above. But the round up of voting only happened the one day. Surely after reading on here and looking at Facebook the promotion have thrown the Sunday idea out the window.

There's an unofficial poll on the Sheffield Tigers Facebook page the information gathered on there is to be passed onto the promotion.

I'd go for that, or 1 Neminen 8.18 2 Haines 5.04 3 Masters 7.43 4 Wells 6.47 5 Grajczonek 7.44 6 Lambert 4.41 7 Sarjeant 3.00 = 41.97 Only problem is its been stated that 3 riders will be returning from this year and we've both only 2

Proctor could be a possibility or what about the way we were set up the season before. Instead of a 9 point number 1, what about 3 strong heat leaders. Like we had with Parker, Ashworth and Auty. All 3 swapped between the number 1 spot. A decent reserve covering a new 3 pointer then fill in the second string gaps. The excitement was massive in 2011 and the racing was fantastic, any of our top three could be in heat 15 and was good watching Birks improve.