Steve Shovlar

What is very important and a trap I believe the Poole promotion fell into this season, is of journeymen. Riders who have reached their limit of ability and make a living from it by maximising their earning potential. This is of course a common sense approach by the riders concerned, of which their are many, but these riders will rarely win a championship for the clubs they represent. To these riders it is a job, the same as any other job. Clearly its a risky job but riders can somewhat lessen the risk by staying out of trouble and riding as safe as they can whilst clearly at the same time have the threat of being ploughed in to. A rider can cover three leagues, have a 7.5 average through his gating ability and earn a good wage. Want to stick another point on his average? That is risk. Risk of making a pass which could see the rider in the fence. Which means weeks out and no money coming in. Better to sit in second and take the two points, or in third behind your team mate for a paid second. Only if last does the rider need to do something about it. And that's if he is only on points money. If he is on wages, he is being paid anyway so why risk his neck and be on the sidelines? By doing this a speedway career can continue into the riders late 30's, when finally nerves get the better of them. And I believe we ended up with journeymen in 2017. What we need is young, aggressive riders desperate to improve, alongside a couple of top riders who do take the risks when required. Pretty sure Matt is well aware of this.

No idea. I do know that Mich Horton was not going to use him if Coventry had run this year as he didn't rate the lad. Perhaps that shows his ability to spot talent. I watched Woryna's scoring for Coventry and while he struggled at times there were flashes of talent and it's ignited big time this season with three points on his average in the toughest league in the world. Woryna, along with Maxim Drabik, are both very young precocious talents and the next two top Poles to join the ever increasing ranks of Polish superstars. We just have no one like them.

Should be 4 and a bit. That's his average from when he rode for Coventry. Same as Swindon used for Musiliak.

Absolutely stonking signing! Well done Matt Ford. Woryna is a simply stunning talent and watching him race this year in Poland has been special. Even last night he showed Zmarzlik the way home in the pairs and has been banging in big scores nearly every week in the Polish top flight. And only 19 years old. Destined for the GPs in the next couple of years imo. Get in there!

Clearly the league structure and team rules have already been dicussed/mapped out/decided as riders are already being signed for 2018.

He will get a great reception, but I hope he doesn't get a good score!

Super ride by what looks like Poole's new 2018 signing Kacper Woryna. On a 4 and a bit average as well.

Yes got to be a Poole win. I don't see Leicester stealing a win from us as we start to build a bit of confidence. Looking to the return of Kyle who is bound to get a very good reception.

Nothing strange at all. Matt does not run the team on the night. He deals with the financial side on the night and is in the office sorting out the takings, and dealing with wages etc. The team side is Middlos to deal with. Everyone else knows their job and it runs smoothly on the night. Matt pops out of the office several times during a meeting to watch a heat before popping back inside. Always done this.

I could have sworn Thorsell picked his Polish club over Wolverhampton just a few weeks ago.

andersen and Kurtz were on a 5-1 when Andersen had an ef.

Finally got back to winning ways but made life extremely difficult for us when we were in control. A stupid disqualification when Wolves were on a t/r gifted them two extra points and in heat 13 with Poole on a 5-1, Andersens bike packs up. Second time in two weeks. Meaning what should have been a last heat decider. Only for Thorsell to completely miss the gate, tried to come charging through off bend four and knocked Kennett flying. Luckily Kennett stayed on but with Thorsell out of control the ref banged on the red light and booted Thorsells sorry arse out of the race. Suprised it was such a good crowd considering last weeks efforts. Shows Poole fanbase is still strong. For Poole: Brady much better than last week. Holder much improved. Lahti hot and cold. Just doesn't seem a Poole type rider to be honest. Kennett trying but slow bikes. Andersen tried but the EF could have been fatal. Starke battled and Shanes was solid. A far better all round efford from the team. We are not strong enough to challenge this year but at least showed some fighting spirit and pride. For Wolves: Lindgren started poorly but improved. Howarth got better as the meeting went on but had a monster roller in his last. Schlein battled. Thorsell had possibly his best meeting at Poole but cost his team dearly. Both reserves were dreadful to be honest. Greaves managed to hold on to a second place as Shanes had a howler of a start and by the time he had got past Perks he couldn't quite catch Greaves. Sorry Wolves fans even with Masters and Riss back I am struggling to see this team winning it this year. I had them down as favourites but have serious doubts right now. Just have to wait and see.

Matt dont hold back. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3pxvwrbastxg76w/Matts%20notes-1.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwo2pvsm7nmb7sh/Matts%20notes-2.jpg?dl=0

Leicester blew that and Somerset very lucky with a point. Lynch played a complete howler with the t/r. Ten points down with 1 and 3? No brainer. He must be the only person who thought, no. At least he has just publically apologised. And Somerset got lucky with the rain. Nicholls and King off 1 and 3 would have likely won it. Good meeting though.

Probably a mistake getting rid of the bumps! Now its like a carpet there's no home advantage to speak of and the away team are taking full advantage. Or perhaps the team are just crap.

Heavy rain on the way. Be lucky to see this on.

Krzysztof Kasprzak - 1, 3, 0, 2, 1', 0 And he wondered why Matt Ford got rid. His problem is he can't get himself up into a frenzy like on Thursday. This is what we had to put up with all season. And tonight he was a reserve!

Not at all. You are just cluttering up a thread with a pointless post. Better to stay out of it if you can't add to the debate.

A fantastic night of speedway. Loads of great racing and Magic with a 5 point lead at the top. Brilliant night. Antonio should have gone wide. So easy to see a lap before.

Magic doesn't though.

What. A. Final.

Two swedes and two home track riders in the final. Hard to call. Lindback looks the fastest but...........

Brilliant semis!

Agree. Very good GP. Some excellent races tonight.

Very snazzy new gate pick boards.