Bitza

Seems to me that setting the initial fixture list ought to be down to the BSPA. Fixtures to be set to give a maximum of two weeks between home fixture, but aiming for one a week especially during holiday periods etc. Team promoters would then have to work within that constrain, in determining which riders they sign bearing in mind their likely availability. Maybe leaving rescheduling postponed meeting is best left to team promoters. The Guesting procedure could also be more structured, by having say 2 (from different clubs) nominated guest riders named at the start of the season for each of the main team riders. Making guest preordained and part of the initial team selection process.

Here's a thought:- what if clubs could only have the second leg in semis and finals, if there was some form of live stream coverage.

Poole certainly had the opportunity early in the season to fit in BSN & KO semis. Signing riders with overseas priorities doesn't encourage teams to be flexible with fixture days. Nice to have a semi match with Redcar, instead of one of the more usual clubs. Pity Poole are getting a string of 1st legs.

So it's game on for Workington they now know what they have to do to get into the play offs, win all three of their remaining fixtures plus the aggregate bonus points and build up a plus 16 points difference along the way, so for clarity that's plus 25 points over three meetings so an average of just just over +8 per meeting. Not an impossible ask. The most tricky bit is on the 5th Sept vs the Bears me thinks, bearing in mind that they lost the home leg 39-51.

Well to get back to Poole 2025, I'm feeling more up beat about Poole's current form after seeing the last two meetings. Good to see Zac, Tobias, Cairns & Starke, all coming on strong at this crucial time. We are blessed with Mr Reliable Lawson, who continues to do the business. My only concerns are: Kerr's bike preparation presumably down to his spanner man or lack of funds? but totally fixable. My other concern is Anders form, he seems to be putting the effort in but isn't getting the results. Not sure what I would suggest. Pity the fixtures are getting spread out, making it harder to build up momentum.

From where I was stood Glasgow were just holding their own till heat 7. The track grading did go on for a while, but was in both directions. Anyway as always it's the same for both teams. I'm begining to think Glasgow's form might be on a downward path, certainly Dan Thompson didn't show the form of his last visit guest appearance at Wimborne Road, I know everyone loves Bomber but I see a rider riding on experience rather than adrenaline, great in many ways but without an edge. Bowes was pants, the reserves mediocre, the rest inconsistent. That's why Glasgow lost, even though Kerr has rubbish bike prep, and Anders is struggling. Poole can be expected to come out on top overall with this one, unless Cami is able to work some kind of magic.

What is Knee-La on about? Worky track isn't gate and go. He's post is just havin a pop twaddle.

So for Berwick or Workington to get into the top 4, first Edinburgh have to score no points at Glasgow. Then they would have to win all their remaining matches plus the available aggregate points, plus they will need to pile on the points. Edinburgh currently on plus 31, Worky minus 9 and Berwick minus 44. So in conclusion, my original prediction of Worky coming out top of the league is still on....... well just.

Sorry to interrupt, but just thought people might be interested. Just had a chat with Middleditch to ask about Tobias's foot. Apparently it was just a sprain, and he will be back for next Wednesday.

Well hoping it's going to be a decent contest and result, cos the last time I went to Sandy Lane was last years league final, that was a painful watch. Anyone else going?

Tobias to miss Wednesday meeting at Sandy Lane, covered by RR.

Well thanks for the update doesn't sound like great news, hopefully nothing that pain killers can't help with. Shoulder and wrist injuries, I guess are generally more of an issue.

Can anyone shred any light on Tobias's state, after having to withdraw from yesterday's meeting while guesting for Plymouth?

Well unless the Cheetahs win this evening, the top four are pretty much nailed. The top 3 averaging around 2pts per meeting, Redcar 1+, and everybody else less than 1. The average points difference per meeting are kinda interesting. Poole 7.2 Glasgow 4.6 Edinburgh 3.0 Redcar. 2.1 Oxford - 1.0

Seems like Cheetahs are leaguewise at the last chance saloon, so it's now or never for them. Redcar have pretty comfortable run in to end the league. Killeen did injure his wrist last time out with the Spires, so might still be a niggle. On balance it's got to be 3pts to the Tigers, surely.

Well something seems to have changed with the Pirates last night in the BSN semi at Wimborne Road. Maybe Middleditch reads this forum and decided to do some managing (I don't actually think this is true) . The track looked a bit different too, I thought it had a more uniform and finer surface. Racing wasn't particularly fast and there wasn't a lot of overtaking. But it's results we need now. So whatever has changed gave a very good result, long may it continue. Good to see riders realising their potential. Special shout out for Tobias who over achieved, great racing.

Well hoo bl.. dy ray, just as SteveArena said it would be "easy". Move of the night has to be Kerr's block pass on Killeen,. Killeen taking the wide line out of turn 2, but Kerr making an early apex taking the shortest distance to the exit, plonks his bike in front of the faster moving Killeen, he's just found the drive but has to roll off with Kerr sat in front. Text book. You should have been there Knee-La, it was great.

If it turns out to be an "easy win", that'll be a "big result". Bearing in mind recent meetings.

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.