Bitza

Even when injured?! Anders does always seem to try to race. He has my vote.

OK so it's ultimately the riders who have to go out and perform I get that, but surely Middleditch has to shoulder some responsibility for how the team "go" too. From the outside Speedway seems set up as "all turn up on the night and see how it goes". When do riders get to practice, trial set ups/equipment, and do team managers do more than decide who rides when, or do they help people manage as well. IMO a bit of team managing could go a long way towards sorting individual riders issues and to delivering better team performances.

Well yes, glad to see Hagon named instead of Gusts. So Oxford don't seem to be in a good place right now, but neither do Poole, so it should be a good match up. Just praying that the Pirates can finally get their s..t together and get back to fulfilling their potential. Time for Middleditch to step up and earn his crust, I'm thinking!

I still think Zac rides different machinery for BV than he does for Poole. Mind you he did manage that fastest race time around Wimborne Rd this year recently, that was a bit out of the blue. Does that mean he has machinery that you could be using come the sharp end? or am I just dreaming? I wasn't a fan to begin with but Kerr is now critical to future Pirates success this season.

I'm surprised that Ben Barker is ridding so soon after dislocating his shoulder, hard to see how he can be on top form, we'll see. By my quick calculation Poole are now confirmed in the play offs. But would be great to see them push on tonight, it should be a tight match up, so probably a matter of who wants the result most.

As I remember it Tom Spencer scored 2 that time, on the plus side for Poole Tobias Thomsen scored 9. Hope Ben recovers well, dislocation are agony.

While I appreciate that Neila is just having a pop at Poole, the reality seems to me to be that generally Poole supporters are only too aware, that this season isn't going to be like last year. The Pirates are still a strong team for sure, but riders aren't being very consistent or finding their best form at this point, Lawson being the obvious exception, and you might well include Kerr too. So it's an obvious concern going into the sharp end of the season, hence fans' on line comments.

Agree with the above, but Pirates have been making heavy weather of getting the wins of late. All riders and teams tend to have "off" periods during a season, I'm just hoping that this is Poole's off period, and that they hit some real form come the sharp end of the season. Would be good to have Anders flying again, Smarte seems like he's sulking a bit not being top reserve, and have Cairnes getting a fews scores too.

Smarte may well have been doing what was expected of him to begin with, but since Cairnes has joined the party his form has fallen off a cliff, probably not helped by Cairnes being chosen for heat 14 too. If you have a suggestion for an alternative rider now would be a good time to talk to the Fords.

Smarte had been doing what was expected of him but it seems to me that Smarte's form is falling off a cliff since Cairnes arrival not helped maybe when Cairnes is chosen over him for heat 14. If anyone has a suggestion for an alternative, now would be a great time to have a word with the Fords.

OK, My original prediction is now looking a little suspect, but to be fair at that point the Comets were averaging 2pts per meeting, now at 1pt per meeting I have to agree things aren't looking so great.

Tobias' action was strange, I had a good view from apex of 1&2, he seemed to pick up some unexpected drive through 2 and rode straight up the back of Lawson, have to say that it did appear avoidable. That one event altered the whole match imo, Poole's momentum was stopped in it's tracks, taking out Vinnie made matters worse cos he wasn't ridding well. In all honesty the Comets didn't exactly win the bonus point, but Poole did throw it away. The frustrating meeting I've seen by far. I don't hold a grudge against Tobias but he did loose the Pirates a point tonight.

Yes Pirates to win, but for me who wins the bonus point will be down to the attitude of the Poole team, hoping they come out of the gates fast and furious from heat 1. This season the Comets have great potential and could do far better than many predict. I think they are the 2025 dark horse. My other prediction is that this thread will soon become about the weather.

Workington to finish top of league. They are doing everything right(bar administrative matters). Forget Poole and Glasgow, Workington have a balanced team who are getting results. They will certainly be in the top four, and probably finishing top. Look at the stats, Poole might be on an average of 2 per match, the rest are pretty much on 1 or below. The play-offs will be between Workington, Poole, Glasgow and ?

MPT is but a shadow of his former self, as a promoter I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.

And the team were 1+ below the max. Good result tonight, have to question Scorpion team building strategy this season. As far as Pirates are concerned Kerr is improving, Cairnes is a quality rider who will improve, Zac is a sound rider, Lawson Mr Reliable, Tobias delivers, Smartie good for his GSA, my concern is with Anders Rowe's fitness, great potential but that groin Injury is it still an ongoing issue?

Well I guess you envisage deja vu of the worky result, well for me that ain't going to happen. But the Scuny team GSA profile is unusual all being between the 4s and 7s, so Poole really need a strong showing from 6 and 7.

Well much as "track whinging" makes me yawn, you could see riders having issues with uneven track, unpredictability which leads to limited overtakes. But at least it's the same for both teams, and gave a fair result. If I was the Edinburgh promoters I'd be asking for money back from MPT, he's a shadow of his former self, should probably hang up his kevlar imo.

Sure the reserves need to perform tonight, but it seems to me that they are up to the job. Lawson has been Mr Reliable long may that continue, Tobias is doing his job, Zac with a new clutch is back to his old self, all good. I'm more concerned with how Kerr and Rowe go, for a start hasn't Anders injured his arm? As always looking forward to tonight.

Yes good to hear that the Comets have got whatever it was sorted, and are ready to get racing again. We can't afford to loose any more speedway clubs. Interested to see how Vinnie goes this season, many didn't want to see him leave the Pirates. Good luck to you on Saturday just don't win.

If the track was extended onto the old dog track, even by say 2m it would make a big difference to the racing. Maybe the way forward should be for Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch Council to think BIG and look to develop Wimborne Road, into a national speedway stadium. OK I'm dreaming!

All true, I enjoyed that evening down at Wimborne Road, had expected Glasgow to turn-up and make a competition of it. Plainly you could overtake (Lawson, Harris, Rowe) but if you are at the front after turn 2 who is there to beat. Also some great defensive riding by Zac. All the winging about the Poole track is like a scratched record, the surface is only one factor, the length and width are equally important, but you have to go with what you have available. The ground staff appear to put the work in, is there a lack of depth to the shale I don't know. Are all the other tracks great? No only some of them. Roll on the 16th can't wait.

OK first we all want to see how young Will goes. Should be a competitive match up. Chris and Dan are a real threat, so Zac needs to keep scoring like last time out. Does anyone know how fit Anders is?

Maybe choosing your top twenty championship riders, based on current form although it can be based on hard fact/averages, it doesn't always tell you how exciting they are to watch. I prefer a rider who is always willing to mix it, rather than fast riders who rely on a good gate. On that basis Chris Harris would be top of my list.

Smith had already had a nudge from Smarte before he clattered into Ritchings. Upon reflection my first comment on last night's meeting was a bit harsh, the track particularly turn 4 looked difficult to ride and the relatively slow race times seemed to support that. I just would like to see more racing from our riders.