HadrianDog

Had Thorsell not broke his arm just before joining the Diamonds last season, maybe he would be the no1 facing Ludo's currant arguments. At the end of the day George and co. made their decisions and we as fans must hope for the best.

'Watching' on live update and the writing was on the wall from heat 1. The sooner the new averages put Lingren away from 1 the better. Seems like the stress is showing. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether the wholesale introduction of air fences has had an effect on the 'little black book' of bike settings for each ground carried by all riders.

Much was said during the latter part of the close season of Ludo regularly lending a hand with Sunday works on track prep. fence works and the like. I think that that alone speaks volumes as to his commitment to the club. Can anyone say whether he had any input as to the reshaping of the track. On another point, was I the only spectator to pity the poor young Somerset riders as they marched on past the normal line-up point thinking "has nobody told them our routine". Only to then realise that it was us poor home supporters who were really in the dark as the regular parade was hoisted in favour of the nights lamentable farce.

Just tries too hard so can not lack his commitment just his judgement at times. Prefer him to a rider who just 'goes through the motions' and actually tries.

As a Diamonds fan, I was really pleased to see Steve Worrall back to his winning ways. Edinburgh, your gain is our loss and looking forward to seeing back at Brough, even if on their currant form, he will run rings around our existing reserves.

Could not agree more with WhiteDog re. the lack of response to the crowd. Hated the new parade, it truly sucked. What this team needs is a Kozza Smith- anyone who saw his repartee with the Berwick fans would surely agree. Was there for a double bow by the then unnamed Turnip Twins and it was a hoot, more such needed to encourage the fans to support characters. I for one think that the 'Rant' is a hoot and a breath of fresh air, even if some of of the fossils I stand with disagree. Apologies White Knight for the misnomer. Drowning sorrows and the like clouded the brain.

Hells teeth, what happened, it was tonight at too many times truly too painful to watch. First they lose a top rider who I was looking to see ride Brough {although heartened by their apparent 'weakening'}. Then I watch us let their team score 11 from his programmed rides as we ineptly bungle our way around our supposedly home track. Sorry for the negativity lads but trust me the view from the stands {a bright point of the night was seeing the excellent progress on said stands by the way} was often far from pleasant. That all said and done, can I move on to the plus points {yes, there are always plus points}. Its really good to see Robbo back to near his best and maybe soon at no1. to take the strain from Turnip 1 and allow him to regain his carefree{and best}riding style. Given his recent point scoring and soon to be re-assessed average Turnip 2 may also be in the mix for no1 and good luck to the new Swede and to the management for retaining his services. Young Kerr has had a rough baptism to the main body, but tonight I think showed his desire and further promise. With Rose I really believe we have the Kerr of 2013 in the making. In hindsight, did anyone watching tonight really think we could come back from 25 down, and given that, did not the lads coming into the meeting[mechanicals notwithstanding]really not just show what we as a crowd conveyed to them. Never have I seen a more subdued crowd at Brough and did the lads not deserve more encouragement from their own home crowd. Sorry folks treatise now firmly nailed and flak jacket buttoned up cos incoming fire expected and welcomed. As a PS, what was that parade farce.

If the away meetings to date are anything to go by, we may be undegunned across the board, but in particular tonight our reserves were bleeding points {cant spell the 'h' word}at an alarming rate.

The understatement of understatements to date for this season. It will be interesting to hear the views of those in attendance, as to whether the score line flatters the Rebels or is a true reflection of 'Rosen notwithstanding' a pretty awful away performance. Always thought that Schramm in particular is seen as something of an Oaktree specialist.

OOh err, these 2014 Rebels look a touch fragile. Maybe the Diamonds can turn a few heads down south, let alone the return fixture come Sunday 'weather permitting' and give the champs a thrashing.

Was watching on live updates and it seemed like a one to watch. The refs. on the forum to gating may have changed my mind. Seemed like an obvious to me, all the riders have a little black book as to away track setups, but these blowy-up things and the necessary track alterations to accommodate them may just have thrown a few of them out of the window.

So this is based on your bigger track and our lack of power?. Hang on though, remind me again where the Dynamite Kid and the Kerminator ply their elite league services.

About as likely as William Hill repairing the terracing at Brough. Hang on, they are {no smoke without fire, just maybe} Seriously they are and poss. ready for your visit- some fantasies are real.

Pretty new to the sport and was not here in your Diamonds days, but people in the stands do like your 'get in the face' riding style. I was at STMP last year when you held your team together against us for a draw and you cert. gave it everything. Keep doing it and forget the armchair critics.

Good to see Richie performing down there, our loss def. your gain. Looking forward to seeing him against Ludders, Robbo et al.

Good to see the Diamonds triumph on Sunday. The bears look to have problems{am I the only one to think that Summers has reached his final level} Our overall performance bode well for the coming season with young Rose seeming to getting the hang of our tighter circuit. Another effective pick from our management methinks.

Firstly, thanks to Steve 55 for correcting my spelling [had a bit of a brain funk there]. Thanks to Mr Ruff the thread seemed to become an attack on the older generation which was far from my main point. I simply wished to point out that 'staying the same for posterity reasons' would not encourage a younger and more vibrant audience. By the way I am 50 plus myself.

Looking forward to seeing young Mr Kennett have a run round Brough Park. It was a shame his loan stint with Berwick ended prior to their visit last season.

Hoping we can get off to a running start. Will not be there, will wait for lighter days mid season for a Worky visit. With a bit of luck we will still be on fairly even terms come Sunday. Good luck to two Rene on his debut as Workington skipper.

Sorry, but this whole anti team kevlars topic is symptomatic of what is wrong with our sport. Too many of our fans lark back to to halconey days instead of realising that this sport must and I repeat must move forward or die. The modern generation embrace a team ethic rightly or wrongly based on 'the strip' and to ignore this is stupidity. Thankfully the Diamonds management realise the marketing potential of this and long may it continue.

As a Diamonds fan I just hope that Mark can make an impact for you and regain a true average. I was there when he scored a dead heat first with Ludvig Lingren last season and again during his probs. late season. I truly hope he has a couple of good seasons left in him even at Brough.

Good to be back at the track which looks just great. The new air fence is the finishing touch to a superb track layout crafted by the largely unsung 'mud farmers' who create the platform for our unique sporting spectacle. A huge thanks to all who regularly participate in track and surround prep. The only sad note was passing Jason King and family at the gates pushing a four wheel baby buggy instead of a two wheel speedway bike. Come back Jase. you have it.

A big thank-you also and a hope our fence aint the hideous colour of that at the STMP PLEASE