Steve Shovlar

They got lucky with the rain. We all know that. Do you believe they would have had a 12 point lead if it hadn’t rained? History now though and that’s the way it goes.

But really they are easy finalists. But for that rain at Poole we would have been there regardless of how poor we were last night.

You should congratulate them Starman. They won fair and square. No arguments there. It was our performance or non performance that cost.

Actually I fly lying down!

Two weeks time. Flying holiday in Italian Alps.

Who is bash. Another Debbs/KKs?

Think we got worse than that Poole v Kings Lynn 2nd leg of Shield to come.

And you would have done us in both legs. I was never under the illusion we would win it this year.

I stand by my statement. Not talking about crowd sizes. Talking about personal opinions. If it was a Swindon v Poole final or Wolves v Poole final most neutrals would be rooting for Swindon or Wolves. Wolves or Swindon v Ipswich? Neutrals don’t care who wins do they?

End of the day we all know (except Ipswich fans) the playoff final will be a poorer contest without Poole in it. Neutrals will have a couldn’t care less attitude about it. Wolves v Ipswich? Meh! Who wins who cares? Neutrals won’t give a flying toss. Swindon v Ipswich? Same. Other than the fans of these clubs no one else will really care. We all know with Poole in the final passions are raised sky high. There are no neutrals. And that’s the truth whether you like it or not.

Good. Can now watch Arsenal rip Utd a new one.

Holder has shown no improvement this season. Reached his level? Possibly.

This is of course utter rubbish. No way did Middlo or the Poole team, and certainly not the fans think it was “in the bag”. Hawkins is just plain lying and he knows it.

I heard The sponsors failed to pay which left a massive hole in the finances. Cloth had to be cut accordingly. Whether this has been resolved or not I don’t know. End of the day the promotion won’t spend more than income and rightly so.

Bassano Del Grappa! off in two weeks time. Bellisimo!

Where am I disagreeing with you?

The crowd was not huge. Decent is the best way to describe it. Thought the atmosphere was very flat until the end obviously. Different clubs have fans that react differently to the racing. At Poole the roof comes off the stand while at another club the race is received with almost polite clapping. Certainly in this semi the result was decided by the weather conditions which affected the race track, especially at Poole. What I am not sure of is why Poole had to have the first leg. There is an advantage to go second so why go first? Made no sense. As for next season, who knows? Pretty sure three are nailed on if they want the spots. Klindt, Grajczonek and Covatti should be invited back. I don’t believe Holder has done himself any favours and hasn’t improved at all this season. Same can be said of Kurtz who tends to go missing when the pressure is on. How on earth we finished top with these riders is a testament to a weak league as this has been the worst Poole team for many years. The thing is, the team is run as a business and if there’s no money you are not going to get quality riders. The months of r/r were not improved with Wells and Jonasson, though the latter did his job in the first leg. Neither have any chance of returning next season. At the end we were beaten by a lesser team (no disrespect intended) who basically wanted it more. We should never lose under such circumstances. Poole riders not fancying difficult conditions is not the Poole way. We expect total commitment to the cause. This has been the Poole way for the last two decades. Not feigning injury because conditions are not to a riders liking. That is gutless, weak and pathetic.

I am actually off for a weeks flying in Bassano Del Grappa. Flying to Venice in a couple of weeks time, the train up to the alps. Wonderful.

Just got back. Horrible journey in the rain and gales. Here’s a little rant, mostly aimed at underperforming Poole riders. A frustrating couple of meetings. Poole were are far superior side but luck and a bad attitude played their part to even things up. The short and sharp rain shower just before the first leg allowed Ipswich the opportunity they took this evening. I believe if the track hadn’t got the heavy downpour we would have won by 20 plus points and would have got away with it tonight. But an EF for Covatti in heat one when well clear, plus him losing a steel shoe latter, was unfortunate for us. Add to that the attitude of Holder and Kurtz and we were always going to come unstuck in the later heats. We had no cover.Our two reserves were actually worse than useless tonight. Both Wells and Jonasson, together with Holder and Kurtz, couldn’t handle a track which had been doctored, (which the home team are entitled to do)and basically gave up. They didn’t want to know. Nicolai Klindt, Josh Gracjzonek and Nico Covatti did all they could and should be praised for their efforts. Yes the track was diabolical with Iversen far from happy but they got on with it. Kurtz and Holder have let their club down, their team mates down and the Poole fans down. I am pretty sure Middlo is pissed off with them right now and so will be Matt Ford, who has just lost a big payday due to these big girls blouses. It was an abject, dismal performance and not of a standard we expect from our team. Where was the passion from our “top two?” Sure Ipswich got lucky in the first leg with the weather, but we should have managed to defend against a team, with due respect, who are not as strong. I hope next season sees the return of Klindt, Gracjzonek and Covatti. Those three have battled all season for the cause. The same cannot be said of the other two, who IMO haven’t shown the right attitude when it matters. When is the last time we have seen Kurtz actually battle through? Not this season. Holder? The same. This seasons Poole team has been the weakest I have known for years. How on Earth we finished top is anyones guess. Well done to Ipswich in making the final. I don’t think you will stand a chance against either Wolves or Swindon but at least you are in it. And that’s what counts. Congrats.

End of day lost it on a covatti ef and losing a shoe and the five min shower on Thursday. Thats how close it was. Some you win some you lose.

Bloody pissing down and everyone is blocked in the carpark. Stuck here!

Well done Ipswich and best of luck in the final. raining. Well done to Kurtz and Holder in riding like utter twats in the most important meeting of the season. a proper well done to Klindt and Josh and Nico for battling for the cause.

Being well beaten Bob. Cant turn the bikes and being left standing.

Our riders wobbling. Home advantage. We are struggling to turn the bikes.

Well done to ipswich deep doctored track allowed so nothing wrong. Crap meeting though.