Nutz

Lawson has become a Workington asset again after a buy-back clause in his contract... He's not become a 2015 Comet!

Lol... Sam Masters... really??? Silly season cracks me up, it really does!

Doesn't say an awful lot for your own rabble then does it...

No, you really didn't did you!!!!!

Think you'll find Cookie is already home:)

Source?

My God, please let the Speedway season start 5months early... Surely one or two of these comments are close to the border as well... I for one, would be careful what is typed on a forum these days...

I don't see what the arguments are here to be honest... Craig himself has tried and failed to get places abroad to further his career which (from the GP qualifier last year), he desperately needs. However, his average from 2013 in the EL practically ruled him out of any team building plans from foreign clubs who won't take an untried rider on European tracks on the average he was carrying. His average has now dropped in the EL yet as much as we know, he's not signed for anywhere... Whether this is down to the right offer not being forthcoming or no offer forthcoming, only Craig knows the answer. He's a British rider and his bread and butter is in the UK - probably because of his late start in the sport, it always will be. The EL is practically dying on it's proverbials so the guys still got a living to make. That leaves him with the PL and is an attractive proposition on the average he's carrying (which if you include his BP's from this year, isn't too far shy of 2013's level)! The best thing I think could happen would be if he could somehow get a team place in Sweden racing on Tuesday's and a squad place in a Polish 1st division team (where Doyle is thriving and there's no reason after a few meetings, Cookie wouldn't also) whilst earning his bread and butter in the PL - unless of course pigs can fly and the EL finally sorts out it's own mess.

Then all Workington fans, please accept my apologies for previous post!!!!!

And you'd say that to his face would you? Still the jealousy is evident that Craig became the best rider in the PL for Edinburgh and not Workington... Get over it... As for having a brain...? Which speedway rider does??!!!! These guys get on bikes with no brakes and race within cm's of each other at 70mph!!!!!

Lol, because if those riders had have ridden anywhere else, they'd not have reached the heights they have!!!!! I do hope so... Scotland needs a strong Edinburgh AND Glasgow...

Kevin would be a risk if he was back as a No.1 or back up to No.1... However, as a third heatleader / potential second string, he's a no brainer, surely?

We were hammered to be fair with a team consisting Fisher / Jonasson / Tully / Rajkowski et al... Yeah, we were given a +10pt lead but lost 58-34 at Saddlebow...

Maybe around Kirky Lane, but missed a fair few away meetings for you did he not? He'd learn a lot at Brough Park??? Really?? lol!!!! Aaron in the second half of the meeting was superb at Somerset without scoring the points he deserved. Certainly was finding drive off the inside where not many others could but didn't quite have the track craft to move out and block the moves of the quicker home men. If there are no visa problems etc., he's an absolute must back next year... If all the above is true, looking at Craig, Justin, Sam and Aaron (If Max is away and Stevie can't be fitted in), Max's average could surely be split between two from Woelbert/Tabaka/Katajisto? Therefore, using our own assets and then whatever we'd be left with at reserve... Top 5 would all be Heatleader status and give us a good grounding yet again...!!!

For the sole reason you're never anywhere near being able to challenge for the Premier Shield (That's tongue in cheek by the way, as Workington is my second team!!!) True... it was only ran at Kings Lynn where the Strops handed out a bashing - Darcy Ward at reserve iirc... And (though if you're under the age of 18, please don't read any further...) . . . . . . a 5 ride paid maximum from Chris Schramm!!!!

Sorry, disagree. I think the Premier Shield is a good meeting to have right at the start of the season - a-la the Charity Shield in Football... Logic would dictate it should be Somerset that is raced due to them being League runners up but I think Dekk may be right that it could be the Twitchers due to being the Runner's up in the KO Cup...

Surely the best scenario for the Cookie Monster would be: 1) If he wants to be back at Edinburgh, get his name on a contract now... Already an Edinburgh legend and I doubt he'd line up for another PL team. 2) Sort out where in the EL he'll be. Belle Vue may be a big doubt if they were so cheesed off with him missing so many home meetings due to a race-night clash... Wednesday night track maybe? Poole? Kings Lynn? 3) Try and get a Swedish place (though team spots are filling up fast)... Secure league, he'll improve and gets his desire to race the top boys and is on a race night that won't affect the UK. 4) Become a squad member in Poland. If he rides in Poland full time, he has to give up the PL as there are too many clashes. But if he was a squad member, it'd be easier to ride some meetings when required to without clashing. 5) Work over the close season to gain more sponsorship...

Yes, of course you do, but that isn't completing a registration???!!!!! Name me something that you can purchase on the internet these days without having to give your name and address???? Anyway, for 2mins work, I don't see the issue with away supporters purchasing them online... I know if Somerset had this option, I'd be doing it before Friday night irrespective whether I'd have to register or not.

You don't need to set up an account to purchase tickets... so it's no fuss whatsoever. It's swings and roundabouts with guests / R/R's. R/R for Kurtz at Somerset doesn't weaken them one bit as those that can take a ride can score what Kurtz does around the OTA. Losing Stevie for us on the other side, (based on last time) doesn't really weaken us either as his 4pts from last time should really be achievable by Justin and Max (who both top scored in the league) and maybe a point or two from Derek and Aaron. At Armadale, Kurtz was woeful so R/R (including one for track expert Morris) strengthens the Rebels considerably. R/R for Edinburgh for Stevie can be hit and miss but it's hopeful that his rides can score 6-8pts from R/R thus matching Stevie's expected form around the Dale recently. The guests? Have no clue how Kennett goes at OTA but Summers for Allen at Armadale again is a big advantage based on this seasons' form. Overall? with the changes now, it seems as though Somerset are capable of scoring more than their previous 38pts in the league. Therefore, we're going to have to hit minimum of 40 on Friday at OTA to stand a chance of winning the league (which we've done anyway by finishing top...)! This showdown may go down to the points that our top 2 score on Friday. Surely Cook and Masters woh are bang in form, will outscore what they achieved a couple of months ago... All in all, it's an intriguing tie which could go down to heat 15 on Saturday... Here's hoping we pull a "Foxhall" on Friday and at least keep it close for the return... Not being smug (as I really can't stand all that rubbish) but I'm still believing in this team... They've been at their most dangerous with their backs against the wall and it seems certainly on Friday, this will be the case.

Absolutely... Teams with a home track that's a fortress have it as the opponents are defeated before they turn a wheel. I remember a few years ago (2007 in fact), Edinburgh had one of the worst seasons in history and we turned up at the all conquering Kings Lynn... However, people I spoke with that night said it was the best speedway they'd seen in a long time as we came and fought hard and weren't defeatist from the start... Yes, we got hammered (61-34 if I remember correctly) but we gained a lot of friends in Norfolk that night. It's proof right enough that riders that have ridden for Edinburgh for years on end, change track and return with their new team, only to look like a novice! The track doesn't change, the mentality of the team does. We've pulled a lot of victories out of the jaws of defeat this season away from home as the mentality has been there not to lose. It's worth a lot of points on the track when you believe you can actually win. As for the camber at Rye, if it wasn't there, the speed Cook came into turn 1, he'd have still been travelling to Harlow!! He needed the camber to stop him!

On the subject of the starts, the only one where anyone was actually moving, was in heat 1 where Sedgmen was rightly warned. None of the other fliers I saw, was anyone moving... This is the age old debate of anticipating the start... If you just make an ultra-quick gate and drop the clutch at the right time, it seems as though they've jumped the start. As long as they're not moving, I don't see the issue. They'll penalise themselves more often than not by either touching the tapes or missing the start. As for the Masters / Worrall clash, it was impossible to see from my vantage point on turn 2 if there was enough contact for Sam to fall. It's one of those that - if it were at turn 1, it would be all 4 back but as it was going into turn 3, someone had to go. It's a pity as it would've been interesting to see if Cook could overhaul Tungate (it was the only time he was headed) - trying to be unbiased, I don't think Cook was in the mood to be beaten last night... I did say that it was harsh on Worrall to be excluded though. As for Ellis? Shame on you... Even as an Edinburgh supporter, I was disappointed in the Ipswich performance... However, it's unfortunate they didn't turn up (Heeps and to a lesser extent Hawkins/Ellis excepted) and that they met an Edinburgh side that just don't know how to give in... Maybe the track played into our hands as it seemed a bit slick (due to the previous weather) and not as heavy and deep as previous times I've been there... One side note though... Surprised Manzares was allowed to be replaced in heat 14... Was really nice to see so many home supporters on the back straight, appreciative of the racing last night... NOT! We all like to see our team win and get upset when we don't, but I've never heard such vitriolic abuse from some since the heated Scottish derbies of the Carr/Schott days!!!! And what was with the mass exodus prior to heat 15?!!! Here's hoping we can carry this form into next weekend and finish off with what we've raced for all season...

Think we'd be silently happy if we can keep the gap to single figures...

Well I'm heading across for this one so I don't want it to be a wasted journey...

They'll need it It's not a case of what the weather's like tomorrow, it's a case of what damage has already been done...

We have the second leg of the Play-off final as it is our right to have it, having finished higher in the league. I'm guessing the KO Cup Final is a matter of circumstance having it ran on practically the last weekend of the domestic season, leaving very little leverage for different dates... God only knows what will happen if the weather intervenes with either cup final..