Grachan

Pretty sure Swindon will pick Poole because it would be guaranteed to attract the biggest away support. You couldn't be sure either would get to the final if we picked someone else.

If you think Swindon are favourites, how come you were saying that their bubble had burst? Which one is it? You and Gater1 clearly thinking you have it in the bag now, judging from your posts on here.

So, at the end of the day, it is what I guess you'd call the big 4 that take their places in the semis. Big win for Poole, and it's clear that Poole fans now believe the title is theirs already, based on tonight's win. Although those in Dorset think they are favourites I'd say it's a pretty even play offs with all 4 sides having a chance and no safe picks. Obviously I hope Swindon can win but, as I posted a couple of days ago, they probably peaked just a bit too early, with David Bellego failing to score while the Pirates are hitting form at the right time. Maybe I'll wait for the Belle Vue fans to congratulate Swindon on winning the title because they came top of the league and try to convince myself it's true!! On form it's Poole's to lose now. I can see it coming. Well done to Rye House, too, for giving things a good go in their first season in the top flight.

No. I don't. But do you not, therefore, see the irony in you criticising Doyle when all you do on here is moan about UK speedway yourself? Why is it ok for you but not for riders to have a say?

Blimey, he must be getting on a bit now!! I wonder, is Bellego feeling the effects of his Superman impression on Monday?

Aren't you the guy who doesn't go to speedway any more because of the way it's run? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Easy solution. Let Second Division sides race on any day, but top league gets priority on riders. Having riders like Morris, Harris, Cook and so on in the Championship is ridiculous anyway. If these sides want to have international standard riders then they should be in the top tier.

It's odd that supporters think they can spend so much time on here slagging off the state of British speedway, but when a rider does it he gets criticised for it. If all the top riders are saying it's a pain riding in the UK and the tracks are not good, is it not possible that just somebody could take notice rather than a mass "stuff 'em" attitude until none are left? I, personally, believe the riders when they say these things as there are s many saying them. And Jason has stayed here longer than most have. Perhaps they just want things to improve, the same as everyone else.

Indeed. This will also be a good indication of whether or not Rye House have really improved. They should be able to beat a depleted Swindon tonight. If they can't then they won't deserve a place in the play-offs anyway. I suspect they will win, though with Swindon being without 3 key riders.

I agree. Although we are still winning we do kind of look like we've peaked. It's not something I can put my finger on. Just a feeling. Perhaps the lack of reserves is the reason. There isn't the same "wow" factor since we lost Zach, and we Bradley out too now the solid 1-7 is no longer there..

Rye House are 5 points behind Poole, and have 2 home matches in hand. On that basis you have to say Rye are favourites to qualify for the play-offs.

That is correct. I hadn't. I even looked him up when I got home and still didn't notice I had the name wrong. I've sure heard of him now though!

Like I said, I'd never heard of the lad. So it doesn't take a great deal of imagination to work out how I got his name wrong.

Such a long delay between the matches, then Somerset appeared with half a team. Decided to leave once they had a Sun break as I have to get up early tomorrow. I guess they needed to do the track but there must have been about 45 minutes between the end of the first match and the start of the second. I had never heard of Mitchell Daley and had him down as a zero pointer, but he impressed me. Would like to see him back. Missing Zach and BWD.

Why would it be a let down? If, as you keep insisting, Swindon are only at the top due to being handed results, they can hardly be expected to win it.

If he's averaging more per race it's because he wasn't getting into semi finals and finals so it's a misleading statistic as a last in a final is clearly better than not getting into the semis. Doyle and Janowski had obviously been better or they wouldn't have been above Tai in the standings. However, both have failed to stamp any real authority on the competition and will be nervously looking over their shoulders after Saturday.

It depends how Swindon finish the season. They may have peaked a bit too soon and come short against Wolves or possibly Rye House. Would fancy Swindon against BV as previous results indicate that we go well round there. Swindon will miss Zach, both for his points and for team cohesion. It's difficult to call. I think probably a Swindon v Wolves final, with the Wolves track coming up trumps for the Midlands side.

Well, if Woffinden had an Australian flag on his race suit everyone would say he was an Aussie, so, using the same argument, Doyle must be English. Spends half his life in the UK. Wears an England flag. Jason Doyle. True Brit via Woffy's law.

Woffy taking a great win and proudly singingbthe national anthem. Doyle proudly displaying an England flag on his race suit and taking the lead in in championship. Great day for the Brits! With the top 3 all dropping points at various times, Woffinden could win this.

Is that when they had Karger and Petersen? Who else was in the side.

Why do Rye need to win by 7 if Poole need a draw? If Poole need a draw the surely Rye only need to win by one point. You lose nothing for winning by less than 7 at home.

I thought that was David Niven.

I'm sure I recognise you from somewhere.

Somerset did against Swindon last week.

Dunno about the other Swindon fans, but to me they look like title winners with their new no 1/reserve.