TheWellBehavedWorrall

I think this is a bit of a naive/immature perspective.

There’s a happy medium between scoring double figures every week and everything I listed: on the end of two 5-1s, only beating two opposing teenagers and conceding the match winning points to one of said teenagers. I keep agreeing - this is the third time - that Thomson and Grahn were awful, but my point is there’s a bigger picture.

I thought Boughen did incredibly well to keep Thomson at bay in heat eight. He’s 17 years-old; he’s arguably a victim of his own success and Glasgow’s team building strategy in finding himself in the main body of the team, but one thing that’s for certain is he has the backing of the fans at Ashfield. You’d have thought we took a heat advantage in that race, given the reaction he received. It’s a lot of pressure on a young man; many, including myself, would have crumbled at that age, but with the ability that got him here, the support of the club, the captain and the fans, I’m in absolutely no doubt he’ll play a key part in Glasgow’s season. Speaking to other fans, it’s clear I’m not the only Glasgow fan who feels privileged to be catering this exciting young man’s development.

Ruthless from Scunthorpe.😂 While I wholeheartedly agree, it’s somewhat unprofessional if that is indeed a direct quote from Scunthorpe’s official website. As I said last night, there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. Your captain and number one doesn’t fail to complete four laps across four races without in his mind, reason. Three weeks ago, Workington were applauded for their judgement and in their decision to retain Batchelor over Cook who, as far the paying public knew, was still AWOL at Berwick. It’s a funny old game, speedway.

I’m a good guy, so I’m resisting the urge to sarcastically respond to your ”he scored paid 6” comment regarding your captain who was on the tail end of two 5-1s, only finished ahead of two opponents (17 year-old Boughen and 19 year-old Hodder) and was then beaten by one of those young boys in a heat which secured victory for Glasgow. Thomson and Grahn; shocking, but that captain’s armband is looking a little too heavy for Castagna.

Just watched the meeting back on BSN. I’ve never seen a rider purposely retire while in third place, subsequently blocking his fourth placed teammate in the process. One of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen in speedway. There’s more to it than we know. There must be. Your number one and captain doesn’t put on a show like that without reason.

If I’m an Edinburgh fan, I’m looking directly at Castagna after tonight. I’m delighted it happened, but for your captain to lose to a reserve, subsequently securing your rival’s victory, isn’t on. Thomson was, and has been, absolutely woeful this season. No doubt about it. Zero from three rides from “Sweden’s sixth best rider” too. Nowhere near good enough.

What an advert for speedway Ashfield is. A great evening of racing and an excellent result to go with it. I’ve been critical of Flint in the past, but take a bow son. We know what to expect with Harris, but Flint sensational. I thought Edinburgh were remarkably fortunate with the decisions in heats two and thirteen. For heat two, I can understand the decision because Perry goes down untouched, but let’s call a spade a spade, he hit the deck because Marson had little control over his bike. Perry would have passed him three bends earlier had he, again, had control of his bike. For heat thirteen, Polis - who I rate and was surprised by tonight - was all over the place; completely erratic. Had Harris not taken evasive action entering bend two, he’d have been on the deck and Polis would have been excluded. He didn’t though; he chopped it and came under the Pole while Howarth raced around him - or was about to - until he was obstructed. If you obstruct a rider going quicker than you, you’re both crashing. Regardless of whether your handlebars are in front or not; common sense should prevail. Great night, bizarre decisions.

Possibly, but I think it’s more likely a combination of both. Pre-crash which resulted in the hip injury, he had scored 5 and 4+1, including two race wins, across two Premiership meetings. For a top flight number seven, you can’t possibly ask for anything more, so the fact that struggles have been post-crash implies it’s the root of the issue.

I don’t think a period of rest, like Borke at Berwick, would be a bad thing for Boughen. I think it’s fairly obvious he’s struggling. Other than heat one at Armadale and heat eight at home to Edinburgh, he’s looked uncomfortable on the bike. Engine issues can be fixed, but you can’t ride through a hip injury.

A frustrating start to the season for the Bandits. Borke will benefit from a period of rest - much like I believe Boughen needs following his crash at Kings Lynn - but between that, Schlein withdrawing early, the uncertainty surrounding Cook and Kildemand’s injury, it’s been a mad start to the season. Sam Hagon has a lot of potential, but being forced into the main body of the team so early can go one of two ways. Hopefully it’s a positive move for the Bandits.

Can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win. Edinburgh, if firing on all cylinders, will be difficult to beat at Armadale. A lot will depend on Sedgmen’s fitness, Thomson’s form and which Castagna turns up. Double figures for Polis, 100%. A tough one for Berwick, being forced to move a reserve to the main body of the team through injury, but if Hagon can find some consistency, who knows what will happen?

Really enjoyed that meeting. Tough on Edinburgh to take nothing from two last heat deciders over a 48 hour period, but they were depleted tonight. I thought Cook and Polis were the stand outs. Cook’s mid-meeting interview was great; really insightful and amazing to see him upbeat, then to seal the win with victory in heat fifteen was deserved. As I said, Polis will top the Edinburgh averages. No doubt about it. They’ve found a gem.

Thomson’s had a poor start to the season, but he’s on three paid four from two tonight, so he’s starting to contribute. Castagna is a bizarre one. He looked great in his first three riders; hunting down Howarth, beating Harris and showboating. Yet, his last two, when it mattered, he was nowhere to be seen. Not just last, but two very poor last places.

This is only the third time I’ve saw him, but I fully expect him to top the Monarchs’ average come the end of the season. Ashfield, Shielfield and Armadale are like nothing he’ll have ever encountered in Poland, but he’s scored sixteen across the first two meetings and he’s on five from two already tonight. For perspective, compare him to Matic Ivacic for us last season.

On a more positive note, Polis around the big, long track of Shielfield will be interesting. I’m expecting double figures.

For Edinburgh to be going into this meeting with four guests is nothing short of a shambles. Calling them ”Edinburgh” is a complete stretch of the imagination. Yet again, only in speedway.

How do you know this?

Thanks. That makes sense of him going from leading comfortably to crossing the finish line in third at around 4MPH in heat one.

Yes, but from Tesco. I wasn’t at Armadale tonight, I bought Edinburgh‘s live stream for £12.99 which was great value for money.

That was a bizarre decision, but I’m not complaining. Sedgmen had just won heat thirteen, so I could understand if Castagna’s spot in the final heat was under threat, but to overlook Polis, dare I say it, cost the meeting.

What a win, but first of all, I’m delighted the above has happened; delighted for Flint, especially. He battled for and earned every single point. What a performance from Thompson and Howarth. Outstanding. Boughen too and again, Flint. The two reserves had a nightmare, but they’ll learn from evenings like this. This is the benefit of having a strong top five; the youngsters are protected and have time, opportunity and a platform to develop with experience. Harris must have had bike issues. There’s no other explanation for how slow, off the pace and underwhelming he was.

What happened to Harris in heat one? Miles ahead, then almost appeared to look at Grahn to allow him past.

Turned it off now. Genuinely woeful speedway.

Turned it off now. Genuinely woeful speedway.