Bojangles

This has already been mentioned in this very thread, but how can the Premiership teams strengthen if the big names don't want to come? Raising the points limit to 50 is absurd, no team will be able to get close to that. They simply don't have the money or the appeal for the top stars. And even if they do, it will just be one or two teams that are able to get close 50 and they will totally dominate.

Time will tell I guess. But it's a big gamble to raise the Premiership points limit, when they can just lower the Championship's. Not saying I agree with this by the way, but trying to look at the bigger picture.

They've relaxed their rules so they can have Thursday nights as back up. They are winning with this deal, not British speedway. Very few GP or 'stronger' riders will come here as we don't pay enough, or we have too many fixtures. It's not a point limit issue in the Premiership.

Problem is the Premiership should be stronger, but Premiership clubs can't attract stronger riders. So if you want a distinction between the leagues, the only alternative is to weaken the Championship.

Massive shame if this is true. He improved throughout 2022 and only has the potential to get even better in my opinion. Would have been my first name on the teamsheet for 2023.

Amen to that!

So the same riders and venues (bar one each) as last year. Well done Eurosport. Take over and change.......nothing.

Which three?

This comment is crazy! I’m no Poole fan, and some of the Poole fans on here do leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, but I’ve still got respect for the club and the way it’s run. Would never want to actually see a club close, we need as many as possible these days. Plus, without rivalries, the sport would be an even duller prospect.

It's almost as if people think it's only speedway that have playoffs. It happens in pretty much EVERY team sport now. All American sports (NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB and more), football (bar the Premier League and a few other top national leagues), rugby league, rugby union and cricket (bar the County Championship, although only a matter of time). I don't think the playoffs are the reason attendances are dropping! They are arguably what stops it from dropping further - only got to look at the attendances for the Grand Final matches at Belle Vue, Sheffield and Poole for evidence of that. There's a reason so many sports want playoffs, because they work from a commercial sense and fans across most sports mentioned above love them (it's just the ones where the league table toppers don't win that hate them).

Good grief. If you misquoted him, he deserves an apology. It’s the right thing to do regardless of what you think of him. Then we can move this sorry thread on…

What a team that was. Got to be the best team in British Speedway history.

Some common sense! I'm not sure why all the Poole fans are up in arms about it...whatever the outcome, it's more likely to benefit Poole than Leicester. If it takes place at Leicester, it’s less likely to have a home bias given the state of the track. If it’s a neutral venue, then Poole definitely have an advantage as they were able to have a home leg. If it doesn’t take place at all, Poole will more than likely be given the title seeing as they are 1) not at fault for Leicester’s track, or 2) already ahead from the first leg. Chill out!

It is what it is, perhaps Leicester could have done something differently or perhaps Leicester's track doesn't dry out as quickly because of the clay content (as mentioned on here before). Nobody really knows apart from those preparing the track - which certainly isn't me, and I doubt it's you. Every track is different. Fact is, if it wasn't for the rain, this wouldn't be a problem would it? Do you think Leicester are doing this on purpose?

Basically, the way I see it, the following should be applied in order of preference... 1) Leicester host second leg at their own track 2) Second leg hosted at a neutral venue 3) Poole host second leg 4) Second leg not staged, result declared from result of first leg

I'm no Poole fan, but there's no way the result can be declared based on the league table at this stage.

Perhaps, but water WAS the initial cause. No water, no problem.

Do you seriously think it's something other than water that's causing this issue?

Yeah, I’m sure they will come up with a solution. It’s early days, so plenty of scope for further stadium enhancements. As you said, I’ve also got nothing but praise for all the promotion have done this season. The fact it’s such minor niggles that are mentioned is testament to the job they’ve done.

Apologies, I meant the second bend. No idea why I said third! It cannot be used because the air fence has to be deflated, so would take a good 10mins each time there is a track grade.

They should draw lots, that way Oxford still have a chance!

I care.

I think it's down to the air fence, something to do with it needing the be deflated to allow the tractor to leave the track at the third bend. The other track exit on the back straight (by the pits) isn't big enough.

There are only two types of fans aren't there? 'Poole fans' and 'fans of whoever Poole are riding against'. Don't think any 'neutral' fans exist.

Just let Leicester have a guest for Howarth and be done with it. It is what it is. Do Poole fans really want to win the title because Leicester had to use a NDL rider in place of him?