Grachan

Remember at the start of the year. Swindon were roundly mocked by opposing fans for keeping hold of Doyle and making up the team with a bunch of "fillers". Swindon fans groaned as the side was put together. Ellis on a 7? Bellago.. eh? Who? But what Rosco did was actually very smart. While everyone gushed over Rye House, who filled up with "name" riders on the way down in their careers, he made up the team with riders who were rapidly improving. It was pretty clear that Ellis and Bellego, in particular, were riders he was very keen on signing irrespective of what average they were on. The averages these riders were on were no more reality than Doyle's 13.41. He focussed on a team that would gel and riders that were improving. And in this past week this has kicked in big-time. Then there was the troublesome position in the side which needed to be sorted out. Grondal not really scoring well, Gappmaier not even being there most of the time. And Rossiter was getting a LOT of stick over this position - people calling the side a failure. People demaning he sign Josh Auty, for example. Rosco is not a great tactical manager, but where he really shines is finding riders to sign. When all the slating of the side was going on by those now glorying in the recent success, not one person mentioned Tobias Musielak on 4.5. But he came in and has been brilliant. And the amazing thing about it is that the side's current form really kicked in with Doyle not even riding due to his broken foot. If this current form lasts we could even be in with a shout of winning the title - but things can change so rapidly in this sport. Look at King's Lynn all of a sudden. And the last time Swindon looked to have a potential league-winning side was when Darcy came in to the side, and we all know how suddenly that all collapsed. But, for the moment at least, it's great to see a side of no-hopers confounding everyone - and a lot of the credit for that has to go to Rosco, who clearly knew what he was doing when selecting a side that gave everyone else kittens.

There's no question of average fiddling. Poole have nothing to gain from KK doing badly. It's just Gater1 being silly.

We've had a surprise match winner in each of the last 3 meetings - Bellego v BV, BWD at BV, Musielak at Leicester. Just one point dropped between the 3 of them in those meetings. One of the bottom 5 needs to put in a match winning performance again. Maybe it's the turn of Adam Ellis?

I think 4,3,2,0 is a better way of doing it. A lot of people know nothing about bonus points and don't care about them.

Let me guess. Tried for one year, then scrapped because it didn't really work well. Doing that is fine for speedway nerds like us forum users, but it would confuse an awful lot of people I think.

When were bonus points included in the team score? I'm not sure I'd go along with that idea. It would make scoring more complicated to understand and not everybody fully understands bonus points.

I don't have them personally. You could always post a topic in Years Gone By. It's amazing what old details people sometimes come up with in there when asked!

I'm guessing that's when Uncle Tim took over and pretty much won the match for them.

A UK visa wouldn't allow him to work in Poland now anyway.

Is he resident here during the winter or does he go back to Australia? If he goes back to Australia every winter he can't apply for British citizenship. He would need to live here permanently for 6 years before being able to do that.

I don't know where people get the idea from that a UK visa would allow someone to work in Poland. It wouldn't. He would need a seperate visa for Poland. What is the theory behind the claims of Holder riding here for a visa. What other reason does he want a visa for?

Poole can't have Holder back unless King's Lynn release him before the end of July. If they do then they are mugs.

Great that Swindon are picking up assets. Let's just hope there's a stadium for them to ride in. I guess Lakeside are clinging onto Zach and Adam. Would love to see this side kept together and allowed to develop.

Last night, heat 13. Nick Morris rides between two Leicester riders to join his partner on a 5-1. Nigel Pearson yells: "Oh no!!!". Slightly annoying if you are a Swindon fan.

it's because heat 15 is a nominated riders race, so Bachelor had to be replaced by another rider who is eligible for heat 15.

Can someone point out to these commentators that Swindon also lost 2 riders during the course of the meeting. Great last race there. Made up for the TR cock-up.

Swindon now a 5 man team btw.

That's what I thought. Not what they are saying on tv though.

If Batch can't ride is it a reserve out or another nom rider?

Fair play to Leicester who are really getting stuck in If Morris had been a TR and won heat 9 it would be level now.

The most Swindon can gain from deliberately losing the race is one point. If Nilsson wins here Leicester have gained.

Morris chucking the race here. Bad tactics all round.

Is it ok to fence the opposition then? Further proof here that we cocked up on the tactical.

I know that.

Yeah. If Morris doesn't win we are stuffed anyway so put him on it. Rosco is thinking about 8-1 I suspect.