Hmm, I make that 44 posts to 1 in favour of Middlo. Make that 45, the British gave their all last night and on a great occasion for Speedway which has won it loads of new friends we were pipped at the post by an excellent group of Swedish riders.
People are right to point out that this was the first time that Middlo has had all his top riders available and look what happens, we wipe the floor with Sweden and Poland once and we just get squeaked in the final, after having annihilated the favourite Danes and the Poles again.
I'm not going to even comment on VV's suggestion, its designed to be deliberately provocative imo and has backfired spectacularly with the unanimous support for the men who have given us our best international week in 15 years.
Having spent a month in Portugal the comparisons with Sven are ludicrous - the guys last night did not go into a defensive shell, bore the pants off everyone and hang onto a 1-0 lead ! GB attacked all night. Moreover, Middlo does not have the highest paid bunch of prima donnas in the world to choose from but just enough riders for a competitive team if all fit. IMHO the football team underchieved but, if anything, Middlo and the boys overachieved.
I might as well deal with the other point which some other wind-up merchants are making about Sweden being the best team all night. Well, not true really is it, GB were in front all the way from heat 4 to heat 24 with maybe one heat exception and it was only really the last section of races where the Swedes got the better of us. Take nothing away from the Swedes as they were excellent but GB looked winners all the way and deserve nothing but credit for their performance.
Mark, Lee, Gary, Joe, David, Scott and Neil - you were great and if you're all fit and on top form you'll win it next year.