Grachan

Swindon actually made less changes than anyone apart from Belle Vue.

By loophole, I meant his average was an old average obtained in a league before the multiplier was added in 2017. But he was there for anyone to sign if they wanted him. He was probably signed on the basis that if he rode to his average it would plug the gap in Swindon's team. I don't think many people expected him to do as well as he did.

Another way might have been to ride well, increase the team average, get Sedgman up to a decent average, then, after sacking him, sign Musielak instead of Tungate. The loophole was Musielak's average. Belle Vue missed it. It's often been raised as an issue in the past that teams such as Poole have found it easier to strengthen when doing well duebto higher averages.

Also worth pointing out, of course, that Belle Vue were up near the top of the league when they made changes - and sacked a rider who was riding well to bring in Tungate on what they hoped was a false average, sacking a rider who was riding well to do that. Swindon's changes were brought in when they were struggling to beat an egg, and Musielak was brought in to a troubled position that had struggled for points all season, resulting in poor old Swindon being near the bottom of the table much to everyone's amusement. Having said that, though, Musielak's 4.53 average worked in our favour as it was achieved in a stronger league.

Although, technically, they didn't get the trophy for finishing bottom. They got it for winning the tie, as did the team that came top. If someone wants to put a trophy up for any meeting, I don't see what the problem is. The trophy was probably put up by someone and may have been separate to the relegation issue.

With respect, that's a load of old tosh. Belle Vue brought in Rohan Tungate - beating Swindon to his signature. Swindon changed one position - the same as Belle Vue. They couldn't get Tungate so went with a second choice - who turned out to be better due to an old EL average rather than a second division one.

Would love to see Adam and Zach back next year, but with Lakeside reportedly moving up, and Poole on the prowl for Ellis, it may not happen. If all riders from this year are available, I suspect it will be Bellego who moves on. I'd like to see him stay as I feel there is club loyalty there, but his end-of-season form probably makes him a bigger risk on his average. Someone will have to go, and he could be the one.

Funny, isn't it, how Poole and Somerset decided not to use Ellis and Wilson-Dean so they could get a 'proper' average. So Swindon signed them both, plus Doyle on 13, and won the league title. No disputing who got the team building right this year. They all got a 'proper' average during the season, enabling Swindon to strengthen up and cream everyone.

I dunno. I hear Bob Kilby was pretty keen to come back. To be fair to Hellsen it was only right at the end of the season, unlike Simmons who spent the whole year doing it!

Ah yes, Rickard Hellsen to Long Eaton. I remember that. He had to average below 6.00 to be able to ride in the lower league. In his final race for Swindon that year he needed a third place to be below the required figure and was suitably placed going into the last lap. The rider in front suddenly had an ef, causing a hilariously obvious bad final bend by Hellsen in order for the rider behind to pass him and keep his average down.

Was there? That one must have completely whizzed past me without me even noticing! Wasn't that the year of the 39.95 points limit and the exciting new era in speedway? Swindon in 93 is the only time I can recall a team getting relegated. Thankfully Jason Crump was available so it turned out ok.

As mentioned before, when Swindon faced Wolves without Doyle and Morris, they beat them. The very same 'never say die' attitude shown by Wolves in the first leg of the final came to the fore for Swindon that night. It's not so straight forward. Everyone predicted that Wolves riding at Swindon without Lindgren and Thorssell, would get a pasting. They never. Swindon were a side that refused to be beaten for a long stretch of the season. They seemed to lose that once nobody could finish above them in the table. In the second leg, they summoned that same spirit back up. Both meetings seemed to show the fighting spirit of the apparent underdog. It was a great final. Great to see mutual respect from the two teams' supporters too.

Actually, last time Swindon DID get relegated. It just took two years of the mighty Robins finishing bottom before it happened.

Best bit of speedway commentary ever on Wednesday. It went like this: "MORRRISSSS!!!"

That's an earlier match. Try this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9BQVjP-mE4

From Swindon website: SWINDON ROBINSvs. TO BE CONFIRMED DETAILS TO FOLLOW...WATCH THIS SPACE!

Swindon rode against a full strength Wolves earlier in the year without Doyle and Morris, and beat them. It's not as simple as just saying Wolves would have won. A lot of people blamed complacency on Monday, for example. That couldn't have been an issue against a full strength Wolves. Great to win the title, but, yes, you do have to sympathise with Wolves. You could see in the interviews during the match that they were losing belief as Swindon began turning the screw.

Bellego not even getting close!

Swindon not been great, but still level on the night. We threw this away on Monday.

Admission prices were unchanged.

That's how I read it too. First team to gain an advantage wins.

Swindling? Really? Admission prices were unchanged. A programme is something you don't have to buy. Wolves are sticking 2 quid on admission at 19 quid, I think I read. Last night we paid 39 for 3 of us to get in. My son wanted a programme, so we bought one between us. Had he not wanted one, we wouldn't have bought one. I've not heard of a club not putting admission up for a grand final before. Much better to put that money onto a programme, which is optional.

I don't think the track had much to do with it. Wolves were just so much more up for it. Jason Doyle as much as admitted in his interview at the end that they though twit would be easy whereas Wolves came fully up for a fight.

I would agree that this isn't over yet, but it's certainly Wolves now in the driving seat with Swindon as the underdogs. Were this the first leg - with the line ups as expected - people would be predicting a Swindon win. Wolves' performance in the first leg has changed that. Swindon are now underdogs, and need to take advantage of this. I predict Swindon coming out fighting and having a load of bad corners due to over-riding! Can't see us winning at Monmore if Wolves maintain their mentality from the first leg - bit it's certainly possible.

Ah, the joys of supporting Swindon! Very good from Wolves. You could see how much more determined they were, and those three 5-1s killed us off early on. As I said earlier, remember how well Swindon rode when they had to compete without Doyle and Morris. It was the same tonight with Wolves. Swindon didn't choke at all. This has been their standard for a few weeks now, and just looked good by having such poor semi final opponents.