enotian

That's exactly the point. A so called major final being held when most of the riders have packed up for the season (Bjerre and Jorgensen included no doubt). But traditionally the season has always ran until 31st October so that's what promoters do. The fact that the riders have moved on and end their seasons at the end of the Polish/Swedish play offs and GP series is totally ignored by the traditionalists and we end up with what could have been a season highlight being a literal damp squib. Not specifically Newcastle's fault or a pop at Sarjeant (who could make 5 'gates' and score a hatful) but a point on promoters apparent lack of understanding of what the customer wants or how their product (the riders) work. A recipe for disaster. Especially after any number of blank weekends during the season.

This is everything that is wrong with Speedway yet time and time again the same thing happens. A supposedly prestige event ends up a scratch challenge fixture made up of whoever is left standing/can be bothered and prepared to ride on a rain sodden track, whilst the punters freeze their nuts (or equivalent) off in the bitter cold and wet. And the promoters wonder why nobody turns up. Of course it's all the fault of the weather...... I'm a supporter of 30+ years and now can't be bothered to go to a nicely poised Cup Final 2nd leg against our local rivals!!! Shambles.

and with one Archie Freeman a potential NL rider next season and the fact that, as a Sunday team with limited finances, we struggle to compete for big names (even though we're perfect for doubling up for the same Sunday reason) NDL could be a possibility. However, if the rumours about Kent and Plymouth moving up are correct, plus the demise of Stoke, I'm not sure where that leaves the NDL anyway. I wouldn't mind watching NDL if it's competitive but then I am used to watching 3rd tier sport Perhaps if they made the NDL for any U-24 Brit, plus one over 24 rider and one U-24 foreigner the standard wouldn't be too diluted but affordable for the likes of Mildenhall and IoW and more sustainable for the majority of CL clubs. It would mean most of the riders would be UK based.

Dean and Darren Standing

Don't worry Dandelion, I think THJ might just be on his period. We can't all have insider knowledge so you keep speculating if you enjoy it. The sport is supposed to be fun after all... Although I must agree with THJ in that I've not enjoyed this season/Diamonds team at all. Perhaps if you were in charge of team building we'd be somewhat better off.

Berwick!!! Not Glasgow? Who'd have predicted that?

Can't see them going for a third Dane ahead of a second Swede Hancock, Woffinden, Laguta and Lindback, would arguably make it the best 15 riders again. Don''t think (with the exception of G Laguta) that anyone else stands out as deserving a place? Drabik as a double U-21 champ could have a shout if they go for four Poles.

https://app.box.com/s/fzngmofjdpxqb3ycqmkihyjmezg8mepe SGP Round 10 scorechart to print or electronic

Round 7 scorechart https://app.box.com/s/fzngmofjdpxqb3ycqmkihyjmezg8mepe

Havelock, Loram, Louis??? plenty of relatively recent experience to be passed on there. But to be fair does the team manager have that much of an input? Cieslak let his riders select the wrong gates and the Russian bloke didn't look like he knew where he was. To be fair the BSPA are doing a lot more to develop young riders than ever before but it will take a while before this bears fruit. No need to reinvent the wheel after today. It was embarrassing but any country would have struggled without Woffinden and Lambert. Cook and Harris were just the next two taxi's on the rank and were exactly that.... rank, but I'd struggle to thing of anyone who'd have done any better. The challenge for the BSPA is how to get the talent to become world class.

Some SON spreadsheet and pdf content here https://app.box.com/s/fzngmofjdpxqb3ycqmkihyjmezg8mepe

which are not the official green sheet averages as they only include this season's fixtures (and bonus points). i.e. they're not the rolling averages used for team building or position.

it looks okay on the excel version (with a colour background) but I should probably change it for the pdf. I only use the excel version.

SON score chart. Excel or pdf. (I think the format is correct) https://app.box.com/s/fzngmofjdpxqb3ycqmkihyjmezg8mepe

none taken sir. my point (not made well enough) was that as others strengthen it's often the #7 that get's the boot in the numbers game. perhaps Edinburgh for example. in which case Ruddick would appear to be a better option. note that Simon Lambert scored 3 at Kings Lynn last night. capable but not suited to Newcastle.

very interesting. I wonder if Austin Novratil gets an invite to practice whilst he's over for the SON. Yesterday 11 lasts (i.e. only 4 heats we could have gained a heat advantage) and our bottom three scored 4 vs Leicester's 22. Still not convinced there's a better 2.00 option out there than Phillips unless someone like Gilkes feels ready to go Championship after only a handful of National League meetings but perhaps once the points limit increases that'll either give us more points to play with or free up a 2.00 discarded elsewhere.

Reality is there is nobody knocking on the door who could go a better job at present than Phillips. Of the kids in the National League (Jenkins & Edwards) don't seem to want it yet or (Palin, McGurk, Ablitt, Gilkes, Thompson's) are too young. Others don't have places in the National League (unless Danyon Hume can get an injury reduction) so don't appear to be interested (Lawlor, Parkinson-Blackburn). Plus if there was a candidate I'm sure the Glasgow money tree would shake first. Without being able to make a change what should be done is to make better use of Clegg. I reckon there was about another 4-6 point swap in last night meeting if Clegg had been used in heat 5 and 8. Wasn't required last night (although it did get close at one point) but there'll be tougher opponents and he'll not be a reserve too much longer. No point in giving Phillips or Lambert the easier heats if they're not developing/scoring. I'm not sure that Lambert will ever get the hang of Newcastle but could be decent at reserve away from home. It's going to be frustrating to watch but in lieu of any alternatives you just have to accept it for what it is.

Nicol was impressive. These American's aren't phased by the tight turns of Brough. To a lesser degree Aaron Fox and Max Ruml have looked decent in 'recent' ish season's and it looks like Becker has the hang of Wolverhampton already. At 4.00 assessed it makes you wonder why the Diamonds never look in that direction.

And wasn't it JBA who trashed Stevie Worrall last season? Probably ruling out MBA who was clearly the best option. Anyway let's hope Simon Lambert goes even half as good as the last Diamond Lambert and remember with a lower points limit some of the opposition Lambert will face are far less experienced. Even starting in the top five he should be looking to increase his average. Also is it clear what happens to the points limit once the new set of averages are in force? Does it increase to 42.50?

If you're a hipster you'll name drop this band, Black Midi, every chance you'll get. They are the hottest band in London right now..... and look what they've done So perhaps speedway isn't just for old folks in anoraks after all. Enjoy

In lieu of nobody more informed responding I'd say GP riders make a decent living from the sport but nowhere near the earnings of even a standard NBA player. So I'm guessing that the comparison is with a factory supercross racer. In terms of league racing, they're all effectively Privateer's, signing contracts per season rather than being employees of a club. They aren't paid during the close season and they finance all their own equipment. Therefore, some have jobs during the winter and some supplement their speedway career with work during the season. I hope that's useful and a fair comparison. I'm sure someone more informed will be along shortly.

Yes, sounds a bit Harlem Globe Trotters/Barbarians which is a bit novelty act. I don't see any reason why the team(s) based in Britain would have to be comprised entirely of British riders. The product needs competitive teams to produce exciting action. The nationality of the riders is irrelevant.

Exactly what is sought by TV and sponsors though, a Euro League. A continental audience rather than national and therefore many more people to sell to. It would have to be FIM endorsed as the national federations are unlikely to relinquish control even if it could raise the profile of the sport. 12 to 14 teams should provide enough fixtures so that the gp riders only ride in the one league providing some much needed credibility. It's the only way in which league speedway including gp standard riders could be delivered in this country, albeit restricted to one track and 11 to 15 meetings per season.

It's probably not feasible but 4.00 assessed for new foreign rider has to be tempting giving the weaker Championship. Of course you've got to find a good one. I vaguely remember Austin Novratil riding well for the USA dream team at Brough about 10 years ago and noticed he podiumed at the USA championship recently. Starting at reserve could be a massive bonus, especially partnering Max Clegg who could be dominant. Even 5.00 for a European newcomer might be worth a gamble but we seem to have lost those links and the better options are probably in Poland on a Sunday.

Perhaps to justify the reduction in points limit???