Shale Shaker

We need to get behind the team we have. Ask Newport, Reading, Oxford followers if they would or would not get behind a team like Sheffield is assembling. Be very careful what you wish for.

By the same token, perhaps the "fans" who stayed away in 2012 and are promising to do the same next year are now also getting precisely what they deserve. Criticism is one thing, but boycotting the club benefits no-one and can only lead to further decline

I just don't like the way some people seem to be crowing about the fact that they boycotted Owlerton last year and are promising to do the same next season as this will somehow "show" the promoters. It won't benefit anyone.

Most teams have ups and downs over the years. Most fans take the rough with the smooth. If you don't turn out to support your team (whatever it's makeup) - then you'll ultimately get what you deserve - poorer and poorer teams and eventually no speedway at all.

Don't understimate the effect a rider like Stead can have on the rest of a team. Last year's team was effectively leaderless.

I would argue that signing Stead will definately get people back through the turnstyles. I suspect the average occasional supporter would'nt be bothered one way or the other about the likes of Hall, however Stead is a known "name" rider - particularly in Sheffield, and I suspect many fans will return just to see him alone.

In what way was Holder given an advantage? Pedersen also had 2 attempts, his first didn't work, his second was simply not good enough.

Ok, I meant to say "had gate 2" rather than "picked gate 2". But as I said, I'm sure he had a plan - it seemed to me as though much of his reaction after the incident looked suspiciously rehearsed rather than spontaneous.

I'm positive Pedersen had a plan as soon as he picked gate 2 outside Holder. What we saw was the result of his plan, and having executed it he milked the situation for all it was worth, including the handbags at the pit gate. The only problem for Pedersen was that Holder didn't get excluded as he had intended. Suppose the ref had excluded Holder, and Pedersen went on to nick the title through his pantomime act - would that then have been a fair result?

I suspect the producer knew exactly what he was doing shoving a mike under Nicki's nose in that circumstance and knew exactly what to expect.

Thanks chaps, Just cracking open the first beer now. Cheers

Could use a link here too, if anyone can PM, thanks.

Joe Dolce

But would they actaully be able to make a valid claim, since the cancellation was down to their own incompetence. Also, if the cancellation was indeed pre-meditated, then any insurance claim would be serious fraud ??? If my car was stolen because I left it unlocked, with the engine running, I've no doubt my insurance company would be somewhat less than willing to stump up.

I agree. The most entertaining thing on display last night were the Reading adverts, complete with slobbering bulldogs!! Good move by the Reading promotion, though, having Hancock and Zagar on the rostrum will have done them no harm either.

ZENON PLECH DUKIE ERMOLENKO and the evergreen Turkish champions: TEARIN ROUN FASTEH ENGIN

Why bother with facts, it seems most people here prefer rumours and hearsay.

One of the things that impressed me most about last week's World Cup was the performance of the Poles, particularly the yougsters. I know the team as a whole were not really competitive in the final, largely due to an under par performance by Gollob, but I think the young "unknowns" rode a blinder, especially that Rimpala fellow. It's difficult to see any of our own yougsters performing at this level, which makes me think that the future is very bright for the Poles, but pretty bleak for GB.

Oh Yes I Can..... ..........I'll get me coat.

I don't think I've ever read anything so childish as this thread related to a professional sporting event. It's SPEEDWAY, not PANTOMIME !!!!!

I'm fairly certain that this will have been debated before, but it seems that Sky are trying to keep Monday night's regular for speedway. With this in mind, would it not make sense for all EL meetings to take place on Mondays (I beleive the Polish & Swedish leagues stick to one night). This would give the opportunity for any given match to be screened, not a choice between 2 or 3. Also, when the league gets down to the nitty gritty final stages, would it not be more exciting and fairer to have the crucial results coming in all at once, rather than spread out through the week. That way no teams have the advantage of knowing results in advance. Given TR's imminent departure, it may be more inviting for the top riders to stay with the EL if they know in advance that they only have to commit to Monday nights rather than travelling all over the place. Just an idle thought this, I know there are many disadvantages also, so don't all jump on me at once.

Has to be: Mark Loram Scott Nicholls Lee Richardson Carl Stonehewer Sean Wilson I guarantee we would win it. Forget the form books, it's guts and determination which will win the SWC.