rabbit

Sadly I think the corporate machine that is BSI will have as much say in venues as the FIM.

As I think you're referring to my post I'll debate with you. I don't agree that we need a new manager. Whoever is in charge won't get any more points out of the available talent than Middlo. I don't see why we need to change. What we need are more Brits coming through, and that's an inherent fault of the system, not Middlo. People talk about ex-riders managing, fine, but I tell you, a year down the line we will be having this exact same debate as we have done the previous couple of years. Putting someone else in charge won't make a blind bit of difference - if anything might make it worse - the riders have a great rapport with Neil and he treats them all according to their personalities rather than just 'riders' - some need a kick up the arse, others need coaxing and given confidence. But at the end of the day, if the guys on the track can't put in the performances we won't do Jack and we just do not have the concentration of riders at the top level or just outside it that the other top 3 nations do. I don't see any improvement for at least 3 or 4 years to be honest - the likes of Stead still aren't at the top match winning level and the next generation are still too young or inexpercienced atm. If anything I'd say Middlo should be congratulated for making a silk purse of out a sow's ear when we have finished on the rostrom several times in recent years when realistically we shouldn't have had a chance with the injuries we have had. Just my opinion...

Actually..Middlo - if you're reading this - quit the Team GB job. You don't need this flak. Stick with managing Poole where you know you're appreciated and let some other sucker catch the crap when they don't get the miracle results either!

Never! Us women are always right!

On current form around Reading I'd say replacing Stead was a good move on paper. Plenty of people before the World Cup were saying how poor Simon was around there and the teams from Thursday were a slightly different proposition to tonight!. And isn't hindsight a wonderful thing? If Stead had ridden tonight and scored zippo, then that would have been wrong and he should have brought in Loobie. He had his chance on Thursday and didn't impress. His time will come - was impressed that Middlo gave him the chance to stake his claim on Thursday. Afraid he didn't take it. As for replacing Middlo, as I've said on another thread, with whom, and which riders out there have we been missing as potential match winners? Sure as hell can't think of any. You can out cut your garment according to the cloth.

And exactly who would they have picked for the team then SCB? Do you know what was going on in the pits? Easy to sit and home and play the manager isn't it?

Another intriguing meeting with a bit of everything. If only the GPs and league matches were like this. Quality moments included Boycey looking straight to camera and saying 'that phone is a waste of time' or similar on Trav's exclusion and poor old sophie's face when Hans had his little hissy fit. Brilliant. Oh and some of the racing was good as well. As for VV - I've vowed not to respond to his weasely whining any more. So I won't.

Ok, so name the new manager and name the 5 riders who you think would have won the SWC tonight or any other night on any other track?

Sod the GPs give me the SWC anytime.

I'd agree Paul - they rode out of their skins. But we just didn't have the gating or the total firepower of a Crump or Andersen tonight. I'm as proud of them as you are, but just seeing it realistically. Sometimes pride isn't quite enough to carry you all the way...

We just have to face facts that we don't have the strength of riders available as the other nations do. No disrespect to the team amd Middlo who busted a gut and got us 3rd but we really don't have any riders that you could bet your house on to win a race or be consistent through an entire meeting. Maybe in a few years time but for now, don't think we can ever do more than aspire to the lower rostrom places. It was a valiant effort anyway.

Top quality entertainment tonight. Who needs soaps or muppety reality TV shows when you get the lot in a speedway meeting.

Thankfully your views are not representative of the majority of male posters, just like those comments you refer to are not representative of the majority of women posters on here. Do you prefer your women to walk 5 steps behind you as well?

It's official then - God is a Team GB fan.

I'd agree Shalefan. Middlo kept faith with Steady for the run-off to I assume, see how he went. He's not taking this event lightly and obviously feels that Loobie might give us more of a chance if it's a gaters track. I don't think Simon should feel too bad - he helped get us where we are. It was widely reported by those who've seen Simon around Smallmead that he wasn't the best performer on that track. The fans demand success - you only have to read posts on here to see that, and Loobie's experience and recent scores on the Reading track indicate he might do better than Steady. Horses for courses sums it up perfectly. We'll see tomorrow night whether it worked or not, I just hope Middlo isn't blasted if we get beaten by a better team on the night.

Same here - poor girl. Won't name her - wouldn't want to put her through the same sort of attention Shazzy etc get.

Try here

It already has been. Louis in for Stead.

Headline on the back of the Daily Echo here "Middlo Wields Cup Axe" - confirms that Stead has been dropped and Chris Louis has been named for tomorrow. Middlo quoted as saying 'Simon has done tremondously well for me but sometimes it is a hard job being a team manager. You have to make tough decisions and this is one of them. Tonight Simon didn't make starts and at this level you can't afford to do that. Chris Louis is a trapper and hopefully he will show me that on Saturday". Hopefully the full story will be on the Echo site later.

So let me get this straight Shazzy...are you telling us that Loobie will definitely be riding tomorrow? Edit: now confirmed. Never doubted you shazz!

Blimey Paul..going to make sure I don't ever upset you matey! You're a man on a mission on this one. FWIW - as Hans said what comes around goes around (or is it the other way - can never remember) and Scotty has pulled a few hard moves in his time as well - neither are angels. Just lucky for us that last night it fired Scott up and he got the win. He has to use anything he feels over last night to make sure he beats Hans on Saturday - preferably fair and square with no need for retribution.

VV with all due respect I think (and would hope) that Middlo has more more important things on his mind like winning the run-off tonight, rather than answer your bitching.

But Holder is an Aussie... Not sure about this decision. It's going to put so much pressure on KK who will only have had 3 (if someone posting about him having 2 meetings for Leszno at the weekend was right) meetings back (and that's if he gets through tonight OK) before the race-off. Just hope his shoulder and his mental and physical fitness are up to such a pressure cooker situation. Walasek must have had engine issues in Poland, because any Poole fan will tell you how he's flying over here at the moment and his engines, as tuned by Boycey are doing the business for him (interesting scenario, the Aussie team manager doing the engines for one of his oppo number ). Plus on his recent outing at Smallmead he did OK getting 11/6. Of the two, I'd have gone for a fit Grzegorz rather than KK, even if just on his EL form.

Hmm..try Anton at Foxhall a couple of times - that might come a close second. To be fair to Toninho, his return at Reading was in the middle of that hectic spell of racing for him and he, along with Bjarne were looking pretty zonked by then. Reckon you'll see a different showing from him on Saturday. His performance last night was first class and I'm dead pleased that he was able to show just how good he is now as sometimes on the big stage he falls a little short still (lack of experience rather than anything else) - anyone who goes to Poole regualarly will have recognised that cut back and long straight move - he's not bad at it for us either. As for Millard - the guy should go. It was embarassing listening to him wibbling on about substitutions at the end of the meeting. Pearson is far more enthusiastic and knowledgable about the sport - throwing in random snippets of info about all the leagues and riders rather than the length of the track, what the start marshall does in his spare time etc. Who cares?!! The Pearson and Kelvin pairing from Sunday was pure quality. Definitely added to the spectacle with their whooping and whoaing!

Slight flaw in the plan, that would actually mean VV socially interacting with someone in the real world. I don't think he does personal contact...not with other people anyway.