TheWellBehavedWorrall

Nightmare for the Bandits. Not even a month into the season and you’ve lost Battye (a revelation, headed for the main body of the team) and your talisman. You couldn’t write that sort of luck.

I’m not that keen.😂

I actually think this will be a good meeting. I was vocally critical of Wimborne Road last season, so it’s only fair I give credit for the Oxford meeting on BSN; a really good meeting. Well done Poole. The battle of the reserves could be key and will be fascinating. I know BSN have to give every club a fair crack of coverage, but this would be a great fixture to cover.

I’ve no idea. Speedway clubs don’t disclose attendances, so it’s an impossible question to quantify. I don’t understand why you’re asking me this.😂

29-61.

Agreed and I think the bigger issue is our numbers two and six.

Okay… ?😂

You can have entertaining speedway, but still have an opinion on someone’s form. It’s the beauty of sport. No idea what you mean by the attendances comment.

Not having that @kerry, despite the fact Hodder has been poor. Stevie Wonder could see Hodder was the only reserve returning after last season. Perry was an empty race suit in the play-off final, scoring only 1+1 across both legs. He had 25 heats in the post-August “business end” of the season and didn’t score in 17 of those heats. Hodder scored 9+3 in across both legs of the play-off final. Hodder outscored Perry all season, ended with a greater average and 90% of that was from the more difficult number six while Perry was at seven. A no brainer of a decision to retain Hodder at the expense of Perry. It’s unfortunate it isn’t working out.

We’ve got the reigning two times British U21 champion at reserve.😂 I agree with your general point that we’re not doing well, but we were top heavy last season, not this season.

He’s still comfortably one of the top scorers in the league, but he’s not performing at the level we’re used to. His nightmare at Shielfield (3 points from 4 rides) instigated the dip because in our first two fixtures, he was outstanding (13+1 at Armadale and a paid maximum at home to Berwick). He went toe-to-toe with Danny King three times at home to Plymouth and King won every time. 10+2 at Plymouth wasn’t the worst input, but 4+2 of those points came when the meeting was over as a competition and Plymouth had clearly downed tools, emphasise by Garry May selecting Barker and Thompson in heat fifteen. When there was something to race for earlier in the meeting, King lowered his colours again, then he was on the end of a Nicholls and Klima 5-1. 9+1 yesterday; you’re expecting more. Thompson and Thomsen both took the chequered flag ahead of him. Even at Armadale where he had a good meeting, that complacency in the final bend cost us the win and handed the Monarchs a share of the spoils. Even at Berwick, falling and being excluded when he’s been introduced as a tactical substitute. It was over as a result of that, the meeting as a competition. So unlike him. We’ve got bigger issues than Chris Harris and by 95% of this league’s standards, he’s having a very good season, but like I said, by his usual standards, it’s not what we’re used to.

That last sentence needs to be the catalyst for changes.

It’s absolutely not an excuse, but Pedersen had mechanical gremlins in heat three too; almost pulled up, but got going again. Third home meeting on the trot he’s fired a blank in a heat due to engine problems. Ridiculous. Edinburgh deserved the win though. It doesn’t take anything away from that, but these frequent engine troubles are a joke.

Far more complex than anything I could comprehend, but given there are dedicated pit crew whose entire remit is to ensure this bike is capable of operating for at most a mere sixty seconds, it’s not an untoward comment.

I’d love to know what conversations take place between management, riders and mechanics after yet more mechanical issues costing points. Absolutely no excuse; you’re beaten in the pits before the track if you’re unprepared, but it’s a massive issue. Juhl Pedersen has now had issues in every home meeting, Harris has issues in the last two, Flint this afternoon, etc. It needs addressed. It’s become a nightmare. We’re talking about a basic, non-complex motorbike.

Well done, Monarchs. A thoroughly deserved win. Solid throughout (barring Cluff), but Thomsen was unbelievable. Big changes needed if we’re to compete this season. Their heat wins were needed, but we can’t afford for Hausl and Hodder to only compete in 25% of their races. I’d be tempted to replace Hausl and Hagon, given Hodder is at number seven, building confidence in the NDL and in fact, has delivered at least his average in each meeting. We can accommodate time for a number seven, but not the other two. A bit lost for words with Hagon. Reigning British U21 champion riding at reserve and as far as I’m aware, he’s lowering his average. Dreadful this afternoon. Who do we replace them with? Your guess is as good as mine. It’s someone at the club’s responsibility to make the phone calls and have the conversations that build sides capable of challenging, so it’s over to them.

Somewhat of a disaster of an afternoon.

Another mechanical issue. It’s like a pandemic in the sport of speedway.

I can see where you and @Mr Blobby are coming from, but I don’t mind it. He did it to Zach Cook in the play-off final at Ashfield last season, but equally, Reid Battye did it to him in heat four at Shielfield a couple of weeks ago. Frede Schott didn’t mind a bit of either.

Disagree entirely and FWIW, the chips at Ashfield are far better than the ones at Armadale. There. I said it.

Love that side to Howarth. Absolutely bullied Thompson.

Delighted to have egg on my face.😂 Just said the boy next to me ”always knew he’d come good”. 🤠

Bin time for Mr Hausl. Thanks and all the best, but your lack of input is a serious detriment to our play-off and title aspirations. A large outlay will no doubt have been absorbed by the Facenna’s for his services, but he’s God awful. One day, he might be decent, but for Glasgow, he’s a man down. Worse than a mentally withdrawn Boughen and worse than Ivacic.

That is poor. I’m here, but that isn’t fair on fans. Edinburgh gating really well here.