Fourentee

Fair enough. Nicki Pedersen always thrived on being booed at Wolves. One year some Monmore fans cheered him to the echo during the introductions in the (as it turned out forlorn) hope of destabilising him psychologically. Worth a shot!

Yep to both of those. The only small caveat I would note is that, precisely because people put such great store by the success of the T/R, the 3-3 and 8-1 might have a bigger psychological impact than the 6-3 and 5-1 despite them having the same effect on the scoreline. I've been in the pits and seen the effect on riders after an 8-1 for their side (bear in mind that many riders have only a general idea of how a meeting is going rather than knowing the actual scoreline, so the 8-1 is perceived as a huge boost).

You gave it away with the word 'meeting' (my bold, italics and underline). They weren't losing the meeting. They were losing the tie. As pointed out elsewhere, in effect what you're saying is that the team riding away in the first leg would be the only one able to use a tac. Again, as mentioned elsewhere, surely you either stick to the rules used in the league or decide that, given it's a one-off aggregate two-legged match, no tacs at all. Reluctantly, I'd say keep it as per the league -- team managers' roles have been diminished enough already. Full agreement on your most important point, though: Tremendous meeting. Have only seen it on screen -- was at work on the night -- but must get to the NSS next season. Wonderful track and stadium by the looks of it. PS: Just a general observation on Cook's interview. Did really well to keep his comments controlled despite his obvious bitter disappointment. Very impressed by his passion.

Ringer: "An athlete or horse fraudulently substituted for another in a competition or event." I think the word you were actually looking for was "replacement".

Nice touch to put PK in heat 15. Well done Wolves, commiserations to Belle Vue who have had a fine season.

Steady...!

It might be acute!

Finish? Finish??

For goodness' sake cheer up man, Poole will probably win the thing again next year.

Well, however it finishes up I'm pleased Belle Vue have had a good season. Their performances on track and, of course, the new stadium have brought some much-needed lustre to one of the sport's great names. Poole set a high benchmark season on season and, in some respects at least, represent the level to which other clubs must aspire. I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts next season.

Amazing guy, always good to hear the legendary dry Karlsson humour expressed in those unique Swedish Black Country tones! Am I right in recalling that his first Swedish individual final was about 1985 when he was 15?

An unusual and surprising miss on the part of Matt Ford.

Gemini will sort that out for you. I'm not one of the people harping. The reason Woffinden has a lower average is because the last time he rode he didn't do as well as he should. As for Doyle, if that hypothetical scenario had taken place -- and we're ignoring the fact that riding here may well be what helped him develop so well anyway -- and Poole had signed him on a bargain figure, I wouldn't call it crazy. I'd call it clever.

You can't have it both ways. Wolves fans had to suffer during the season in which Woffinden attained that average. Now they get at least some benefit.

I bow to your superior inside knowledge concerning the hirsute qualities of his legs, while declining to speculate on the information gathering process contained therein...

Not much between them at Monmore, IMHO. You'd always want to go with your own rider when possible, but if not then Harris would be an excellent choice. Had plenty of gritted teeth pleasure down the years watching him in opposition race jackets, would be a welcome change to see him do it in black and gold!

A former (Scandinavian) Wolves rider who shall be nameless turned up at the local newspaper office for a pre-arranged video interview wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the legend "Storm the castle and screw the princess". He was loaned a jacket.

Traditionally, yes. However, courts are beginning to take a view that slander is a more appropriate section for internet use. http://www.seqlegal.com/blog/10-things-you-should-know-about-libel

That might have carried some weight had you been brave enough to post it before the match. Congratulations on your 20;20 hindsight.

So, assuming -- and of course we should never assume -- that Lakeside beat Lynn and Swindon go pointless at Belle Vue, as Bryce pointed out it would all come down to the Sep 16 Arena match against the Robins with the away side needing a point and the Hammers trying to deny them it. Are teams that finish level in the league table split on race points? That would automatically be Lakeside, given two home wins and Swindon missing out in Manchester. From the neutral's point of view, a Hammers/Robins heat 15 with the home side say six points up would be ideal!

I'm only a semi-wolf really, by work and residence (Workington are 'my' team), and that's post-Dudley Wood closure. Back in 77-78 I was at college in Harlow for a year and went to a few Rye House matches for the speedway fix. Good times. As to the planks, don't be hard on yourself...

You certainly had that blackboard in the late 70s; I can remember Len walking round the track with it to announce John Jackson's tactical sub outing in an Ellesmere Port match. He then put it under the nose of the two Rye riders on their bikes waiting to go out on the track so that they would know too; a pretty good sight gag on his part as they were sitting next to Jackson at the time... Perhaps Mr Y -- perhaps the Coventry senior character recollected the blackboard also and was upset by its absence???

Best not to ask!

I heard one at Wolves a few years back without the 'v'. It brought a determined cry of 'Woles' from a knot on the terrace. This was mentioned the following week in the programme; unfortunately the proof reader, looking at the words and not the context, helpfully inserted the missing 'v' and rendered the piece unintelligible.

Impossible to say definitively, of course, which is why sports fans get so animated when comparing the stars of different eras. But the two world titles, with the potential of more to come, and his performances in the Polish top flight clearly mark him out as among the very best of his contemporaries across the world. As to the point you make on riding ability (as opposed to machinery), I would think anyone who has watched him for any length of time will remember a string of superb rides. There's certainly a lot more to him than straddling a Peter Johns rocket.