Bojangles

Steady on, I'm not sure my original response to Skidder was exactly about Oxford! Was more about Poole's form heading into this fixture, which was relevant to this thread, no? But blame me if you want.... anyway I'm heading off to buy a Glasgow scarf for the final

So you're saying it should have been only 10 points, and it's still unacceptable. Sigh! Newsflash, every team is built to the same points limit - you're never going to win every meeting like you think you should.

They lost away from home by 14 points (not 30) to a team that's top of the league and unbeaten. Some perspective is needed.

Haha. Classic!

Poole lost one meeting in June - away from home I might add - and they’re having a mid-season lull?! Hilarious.

I don’t think that’s the case. A winning team is great, but Workington’s return certainly won’t count for nothing if they don’t make the playoffs. What they’ve done has been amazing. Just look at Oxford last year, it wasn’t a winning team and it was a huge success….and they built on that for this season.

Problem for Belle Vue is I can’t see Oxford, Mildenhall or Leicester losing many (if any) at home. That means if the Colts win their last two away matches, it probably won’t be enough as they’ve already lost five away. They are going to have to hoover up pretty much every bonus point and hope for the best.

Big win for Oxford. That has to make them favourites I think, and they'll be even stronger when (if) Killeen returns. Playoffs might be a stretch for Workington now sadly - going to have to win a lot of away meetings. Leicester the only dangers to an Oxford v Mildenhall final?

I was hoping for a 'Yawn'

Bad weather forecasts seem to make you very sleepy!

Oxford sending a weakened side up for this unfortunately. Alfie Bowtell guesting for Jordan Jenkins, who is still injured. While it'll be rider replacement for Kelsey Dugard and Sam Woods is guesting for Luke Killeen. Elliot Kelly also back for Workington I believe.

They are now....but not sure you would have said that at the start of the season, though. Masters speaks for himself, but Nicholls and Atkins have far exceeded what was expected of them in my opinion - and Jenkins is also improving every week. On the flip side you'd have to say Howarth, Worrall and Barker have all underperformed.

But Oxford built their team in exactly the same way, and they are sitting in the exact opposite position having won every league meeting. Proves it wasn't a bad philosophy at the start of the season and it could have worked, but rider form is the issue.

Personally I thought they were quite noisy (in a positive way - except for the booing) - then again, I was stood next to them! There were certainly plenty of Poole fans on the third bend.

A thoroughly enjoyable meeting, and the atmosphere in the crowd was the best I've felt at a domestic speedway meeting in some time. Had the hairs standing up on the back of your neck. Poole fans always bring a good following and are very vocal, which adds to the occasion. The Oxford fans clearly fed off that and turned the volume up accordingly. It was all pretty respectful, apart from some sour Poole fans booing Nicholls in heat 15 when he just lifted and made a mistake - nothing intentional - and Lawson clearly accepted his apology with a shake of hands after the race. Some Poole fans were probably unsure if Lawson had forgiven Nicholls as they were already heading home after lap 2 of heat 15...a stream of them started to leave. I was stood next the Poole following and is was quite comical listening to them, as they clearly aren't used to losing. After heat 5 they were already accepting defeat: "I can't believe how bad we've been, this could be 55-35. We might as well give up now" After heat 8 they were making team changes: "Roynon is just not good enough at this level, and Worrall isn't a heat leader anymore. We need to make at least two changes if we're going to win the playoffs" After heat 14 they were dreaming of revenge at home: "If this was at Poole, we'd be thrashing them. No way Atkins scores more than four points. Masters won't get a maximum next time, so we'll easily beat them"

Oxford's Twitter account has r/r at 4. But they had the exact opposite yesterday, so your guess is as good as mine...

Rider replacement for Jordan Jenkins again tonight... Oxford: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. R/R, 5. Scott Nicholls, 6. Henry Atkins, 7. Ryan Kinsley Poole: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Anders Rowe, 3. Ben Cook, 4. Zach Cook, 5. Richard Lawson, 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Adam Roynon

I wasn't there, but it seemed like a strange decision not to put Gilkes out in heat 15, no? Not sure it would have made much difference, but he only dropped one point to an opposing rider all night - might as well give yourself the best possible chance of getting a 5-1, as I don't think Howarth and Worrall were ever going to get the better of Masters and Nicholls.

He's certainly flying at the moment. I had serious doubts about him in this team at this level, but he's proved me wrong - in style. Averaging 5.27 so far this season (across all comps).

Rider replacement for Jenkins tonight

Kerr back at 3, but guessing Jenkins might be a doubt after injuring his wrist at Belle Vue tonight. Plymouth: 1. Kyle Howarth, 2. Ben Morley, 3. Ben Barker, 4. Dan Gilkes, 5. Richie Worrall, 6. Jake Turner, 7. Ben Trigger Oxford: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Jordan Jenkins, 5. Scott Nicholls, 6. Henry Atkins, 7. Ryan Kinsley

Should have joined him Steve. You're long overdue a visit!

Don’t think it’s quite as simple as that. If it’s just a battle of the reserves, Poole win.

Oxford have confirmed that Lewis Kerr is fit and will ride, so the team should be at full strength with Heeps as well. Not sure where Kerr will ride though, presume he’ll be back at 3.

Poole always run Oxford close at Sandy Lane because of Kyle Newman. He's already a strong reserve, but he rides exceptionally well at Oxford having spent time there last year. He's top scored for Poole on both visits already this season (paid 14 and paid 13). Crazy scores for a reserve.