EnglishRoundabout

Well done Dave.... I will assist in kicking things off with a prediction then. The Rebels are on a roll, so not a good time for our noisy neighbours to visit the OTA. A thumping great win for the Rebs..... 60 points on the cards.

I wonder if you would be defending him so vigorously if it was Lynn who had experienced his petulance? Spot on post.

He probably thought the extra responsibility would improve him both as a rider and a person. And to be honest, that wasn't a bad shout to try that. Certainly he did become more of a team man, and an improved team rider. The problem was when he was given the opportunity to talk. Especially with a microphone in front of his mouth.

Batchelor is a fine rider with stacks of talent. However his attitude stinks at times. He certainly needs a PR person because he hasn't thefaintest idea how to deliver a message. Some may argue that why should a speedway rider need such a thing....well maybe when a rider can hack off the best part of a home crowd by not considering the affect his words may have on the feelings of others (and when he is the captain of the side) then surely in situations such as was witnessed at the "farewell meeting" at Blunsdon, such an asset would come in mighty handy!

You getting the Somerset bug as well jenga?

You got the Somerset bug then Gresh? This year's team is excitement personified (a good old Tony Millard quote!!)

Wet forecast so Batchelor to fail on his debut! Watched the 3 Robins at Somerset on Friday and both Josh and Rohan looked fast again. Wrighty had an awkward first bend fall and looked to have hurt his left hand. He did however continue riding.

Everytime I hear 'Great balls of fire' it reminds me of Rico winning a race at the Abbey and that tune playing as he did his customary lap of honour, waving at the fans. Lee was a fine rider, thoroughly professional and a decent bloke. He's sadly missed.

How have they improved Sidders? You mean to say there is running water in there nowadays? What about the cockroaches? Any sign of them?

Brandon may have held 12000 fans 30 years ago, but not a chance now. 5000 tops. Health and safety and all that jazz.

starke and Wright must be two of the most exciting (and toughest) riders in the PL at the moment. Both were at their daredevil best on Friday. King looked as quick as ever before being squeezed out on the back straight by a determined Wright. King clipped the air fence before crashing heavily on his shoulder. Worryingly, he stayed down on his back for some time. Eventually he was helped to his feet and he walked gingerly back to the pits, his face blackened with dust and shale. Some stern words were then exchanged with both Wrighr and referee Dave Robinson. Prior to that, Chris Louis made his feelings known to Robinson about his decision to exclude King, with an angry gesture towards the refs box. No doubt King would have been good for double figures if he had remained in the meeting. For Ipswich, both Paco and Risager flattered to deceive to be honest. Sarjeant made a couple of his jet propelled starts (and stayed statue still). Kerr tried hard to mix it but lacked the speed to tackle the OTA's fast lines. Ippo on their recent showings look in for a long season. The Rebels looked very strong and will take some beating, especially at home. Debbie Hancock was a little disappointed in the size of the crowd, but another bitterly cold evening couldn't have helped. Josh was at his competitive best, supported by a very fast Rohun Tungate. The engine room of this Somerset side look most impressive. The aforementioned Starke and Wright are worth the entrance money alone. Jake Allen and the two reserves have bundles of improvement in them. Unlike Ipswich, the Rebels appear to have a successful season ahead of them. If they remain injury free, I predict they will win the PL in October.

I watched Rohan's 4 ride maximum at Somerset on Friday and he was electric from the gate.

Two terrific away wins in a week for the Rebels. Can't see too many teams coming away from either Peterborough or Ipswich with the points, so we'll done Somerset. Most people made the call that this seasons side was a bit of a risk, with Zach, Bradley and Jake in the team and a heavy reliance on Wrighty, Starkey and Rohan to support Josh, but they have all produced and appear to be a solid team throughout. In the absence of a Somerset v Ipswich thread, my prediction is the Rebels to score close to 60 tonight.

Pedersen's inclusion will increase the chances of Poole hitting the 70 point mark at Wimbourne Road.

Are you guys going to support him this season or will you give him the 'bird' like the last time he appeared in Poole colours?

Sad when you think back to the 70's when crowds were so much better. Swindon would always take one coach away, sometimes three depending what was at stake (to places like Coventry, Hackney, Reading, Oxford). One year I recall 3 coaches to Bellevue and even a double decker bus to Cradley, not to mention the Mad Wellie special train to Scotland! Nowadays an away coach is as rare as a new brick at Blunsdon.

Zach has plenty of potential and although not scoring too many at the moment, he seems to be on the pace in every meeting. He's an improvement compared to Ollie Greenwood and Benji Compton.

To be fair, I expect they were advised to set their engines up similar to the Somerset's track. Both circuits you need to 'wind the throttle open', both have a few passing lines and both very fast. That said, it does puzzle me why Peterborough have a poor record at the OTA in recent seasons.

The two Poles mentioned were definitely pure entertainment when I visited the EOES. Another terrific win for the Rebels at a track they have taken a liking to over the last two or three years. Solid team performance and Zack unlikely not to score points as well.

Pop down the M4/M5 to the OTA Orlovski. Ippo this Friday.

You after a pint of shandy off Sid then shocker ?

Topsey turvy season ahead for the Robins. After some poor performances so far, this unpredictable team of racers will probably do the business. Swindon by 6.

I'm confused!!

Guess my gut feeling is looking accurate at the minute. Two excellent away wins for the Wolves so far.