Lord Lucan

That would be some risk that, Kenny wasn't riding particularly well when he got clattered!! When we get to the tapes in 2014, reduced average team etc, carrying potential passengers would not be high on my "to do" list? see your point tho.

Or more likely, into the ranks of the unemployed!! If/when the figure for next year is ratified very few clubs will be able to afford a genuine high scorer at the expense of a side with more balance and potential built around 6.5/7.5 av riders? Maybe 2014 will be the Comets year if that were to be the case, getting rid of all those big guns from the Elite and evening out the playing field could play right into our hands? We haven't had a big scorer for ages and look how we've done, always close but no cigar always outdone by clubs with a "main man" in their line up, perhaps it would be no bad thing but I guess it depends on who or what you would like to watch?

Cant beat a bit of early doors speculation!! . Until the promoters meeting in November verifies whether the points limit is going to be 38.5, as certainly appears to be the case, it would be a bit previous to suggest getting any 9+ heat leader in to build a team around? Definitely see Lawson at Sheff next year, seems to be putting the signal's out for the move, of the others I agree Kyle/Ash deffo probably Rene too after that, well, any other four?? Campton would be a good choice if the visa issue can get sorted but two ht leaders and a middle order will be tricky especially on a restricted pts limit, potential improvers a must next time round? . Going to be an interesting time shortly!!

Can agree with you there HT, our reserves are much better at home than away and it has been a bit disappointing that their improvement has been as slow as it has? The problem though isn't all down to them, Rusty is too inconsistent at the moment so couple that with, as you say, under-performing reserves and we are effectively a four man team wherever we go!! You can get a good result with four men doing a good scoring job but if they drop points as well, well, look what you get? . We don't have consistent back up to the regular scorers and that will always make our lives difficult in the pressure situations, you have to get someone picking up more than their share when someone else doesn't get their's, that's where we struggle most on the road and we have to correct that to stand any chance of success?

Last heat decider for a point and still come up with a 1-5 against, will we ever get on the right side of one just for a change? . Still think we will scrape through despite this result, 5/6th place, and where we go from there is anyone's guess, our away form against the top sides is moderate to poor and we need a serious, concerted effort now to realise a play off title? Some fair performances tonight by the looks of things just not enough back up points where we needed them, slightly better show than predicted but, pointless nonetheless, should have got something from this match against an injury hit team, but again our Achilles heel showed up, not ruthless enough when it matters!! . Still, never mind, we live to fight another day and long may that continue otherwise it's an even longer winter break!!

Then if we "are" to win this event it's about time we started to do something about it, isn't it?

Seem to recall from a previous thread that the points limit for 2014 was being reduced to 38.5, if that is the case then you stand to lose more than "one" of those riders? I'm sure someone with a better memory than mine will confirm that!!

That's what I'm thinking, and not just for today either!!

Would like to think that after last night's performance we could be in a more confident frame of mind to tackle Brough a bit better than we have done lately, still believe that Newky will be too strong for us but expecting the result to be a lot thinner than previously predicted so will amend to 52-38!!

Very pleased with that result, should just about guarantee our play off place and did show a glimpse of what our riders "can" do around DP when they all p**s in the same pot!! No point singing any praises tonight for any one individual as they were all worthy tonight tho felt a bit of disappointment for Millsy, where he got that race from to beat off Tully/Lindgren I don't know but I think he shocked himself so much that he never got a shilling after it?? Very impressed by Anton Rosen, Newky have a potential star there looked fast and competitive all night, never gave up, definitely worth more points than he got, the type of rider you cant beat off with a stick!! Worrall was moderate tonight never looked like winning a race, think he left his big score here with Plymouth the other week, Tully was fast but again, didn't look like winning, Lindgren's score built up slowly looked fast and won well, "when" he gated, Kerr wasn't as impressive this time as he was previous and Schramm tried hard but not the scorer round here as he used to be? Overall, we were the better side tonight and deserved the 3pts, Newky a bit hamstrung by the late loss of Robson who would undoubtedly have got more than 5pts, still gave it a go so fair play to them for that. A nice confidence booster for us and one that maybe does start to suggest that we "could" still do this, as long as the Comets continue to ride like this at home but, more importantly, do the same "away", some tough matches coming up so, lets go to work!!

Thank's for that topaz, don't follow continental racing!!

A tough job just got tougher, is Tero missing with injury or a fixture clash with something abroad? Not the most reliable of riders but I would rather have his potential than not against a team like Newky, hope the reserves are well fired up, going to be a busy night?

Is Ashley back for this match or not? If yes, then I think we could have a good chance of a 48-42 win, can definitely see Newky getting a point at least from this (tho I hope not really) as too many of their riders know a very fast way round our track!! Weather was looking OK for the weekend so here's hoping for a dry day and a good match!!

Not confident at all about this match, expect Rich/Kyle to go well again but not confident on the away form of Rene, (especially at Brough) and Rusty, who didn't go too good on Sunday in the international!! Disappointingly going for 60-32, think Newky are too strong at home for us? . Hoping to be proved wrong of course!!!!

That's not a half bad idea as ideas go, finish 12th get ten more matches, qualify for the sixth spot that you clearly don't deserve, then, win the play off's and be called Champions!!!! Rags to Riches scenario, you could make a film about it!! Kerrrr ching?

Was the NL 4s today mate so a lot of those younger riders wouldn't have been available anyway!! Looks like a pretty poor match judging by the score alone so here's hoping that Oz can cobble together a rather more competent team for the re-staged Workington leg in Sept, otherwise, with the series over bar the shouting, it could be a very sparse crowd at DP that night?

Well, beats sitting at home on a blank Saturday, least it will be something to watch and could even be a decider??

What a shame this meeting has gone by the wayside, it had all the making's of a very good match with plenty of track experts on show, now a Saturday night of mediocrity looms!!

Still poor now as of 1.35pm?

Now there's confidence for you!!

My apologies Tourettes/SCB, completely lost track of this thread, Thank's for the updates it is much appreciated!!

Thank You george.m, I'll sleep well tonight knowing that my highly paid, Scottish based doppelganger is doing his job!!

I wasn't at this meeting either, can I have an opinion on it?

Why Thank You Comet49, I do try my best to give a balanced judgement based on what I've seen, with the "odd" opinion thrown in!!

Thought we were good for my prediction there for a while, certainly looked on but again we let ourselves down when it mattered, too much inconsistency that we can now barely rely on us even getting a win at home? Full marks to Scunny tho for making a match of it, too much of a match really for my liking as it's cost us another home pt!! Got some very good racing again this week with some great battles between lots of riders!! Very impressive show from young Ryan Douglas, great talent and well worth the Ht 15 run out, good performances from Klindt/Bellego/Auty and Jorgensen with Blackbird chipping in some vital points. The Comets, Bach looked back to his best great show tonight and deserved the paid max, Lawson again rides well but cant do it when he misses the gate, Rusty battled hard just cant seem to win thesedays, Tero in and out same with Mills, tho he certainly looked quicker and tried hard, young Crang had his moment in the sun and looks a talent for the future and Kyle gave it his all and didn't get the points he deserved. Still, were in there and at the right end of the table so we have a chance, but unless the Comets "are" sucking everyone in and waiting for the play offs to hit top form, (which is fine by me of course) our rivals don't really have too much to fear from us at this point in time, our inconsistency will beat us more than the opposition, the team is plenty good enough to win against anyone, but "not" in the fits and starts mode we're in at the moment? . Not to leave anyone out, again, thumbs up to the track staff lovely smooth strip, just needs a bit more dirt on it now!!!