frigbo

Lower end of PL sides should be NL fast track not sub-standard overseas riders.

What, about PL teams signing 3rd rate foreigners to clog up team places - why? I've got no issue with PL teams using foreign riders of an appropriate standard at the top end of their teams - it's the rubbish at the bottom ends of teams that's causing issues.

I've expressed this view on threads a lot lately - it's not anything particular to Sheffield. I suspect there will be another PLclub along with a rubbish foreigner soon enough. Although Sheffield haven't been shy to sign the likes of Albin and Maassen in recent times.

Then fact that a rider like Ellis can't have a team slot in the PL is nonsense though. The leagues should be structured so British riders develop through them as their ability increases. Ellis shouldn't be a 'flat track bully' in the NL just to appease Birmingham or any other club. Castagna may join on a 5 - but you can bet your bottom dollar that the PL sides will keep most of them on 3 point averages at reserve next year. Palovaara and Benko being just two examples. Time for the BSPA to formulate the league system to balance the benefit to both club and speedway in nthis country as a whole.

The latest poor foreigner rider off the conveyer belt in the PL. The attitude of clubs in this league does no favours to the bigger picture in British Speedway.

The tightening up of the tape-touching rule is one of the few good decisions that have been made in more recent times.

What a load of claptrap about Zengota. Do you really think riders give two hoots who they're riding for? As long as someone is filling their wallets they give no consideration to the team position.

Just watching it now. Seems decent enough to me - gate 1 bias apart.

So Konopka is significantly better than Greenwood? I think not....

Why do PL clubs continue to give team places to guff like Konopka? The league is awash with 3rd rate foreigners.

Sums Hancock up, decides to have a cuddle rather than punch the bloke. Absolute whining wuss who isn't beyond dishing it out when it suits.

Nice work

Hancock clearly not up to it anymore. Time to quit when you start bailing out when things get tight.

At last Hancock's fake persona drops. Hopefully Nicki wiped that false grin off his chops.

How many EL matches have been between first choice 7's so far this season? - ie no guests or r/r.

Once you stop giving a toss, speedway really does become quite hilarious!!

If only all Speedway was like that heat 11. Brilliant!

Hehlert rode 1 match for Hull back in '74. Hehlert rode 1 match for Hull back in '74.

Yet another second rate foreigner cluttering up PL team places.

Great stats but a saddening indictment of the mess that British speedway has become.

Can't watch anymore of this Hancock love-in.

Jeremy Barraud?? Christophe Cayre was proper special!! Although Aurellian Lemarque I saw in an u-21 round at Poole made Cayre look like Ivan Mauger!!

Way too many poor foreigners clogging up team places.

In an ideal world, set race nights, big hitting teams and squad systems are where top level British club speedway should be aiming. The key point is "ideal world." Obvious stumbling blocks are track availability and cost, both of which are debated here. Track availability may be surmountable as Monday and Wednesday nights look like they will fit. Although i'm still not convinced riders would arrive in droves to perform on those nights, or any nights for that matter! Cost is the show-stopper in my opinion. Many fans already see admission as too high and the additional overhead of top riders and/or squads would have to push prices to £20-25. Better value than now maybe, but I'm not convinced fans would part with that price, even every 2 weeks. The other debate is whether the lost fans would return simply because the better riders are back in the league. Speaking as a "lost fan", personally my answer is "no" as there are numerous other issues which have made me throw in the towel. In no particular order, the folowing being addressed would go futher to getting me back than the likes of Hancock or Jonsson rocking up every week/fortnight: Promoter and governing body integrity Rider commitment and attitude to clubs (most don't even know (or care) what the score is!) Settled teams Absolutely no guests one rider, one club better value for money weekend racing (getting in from work at 7 doesn't help) oh, and..... :drink:cheaper beer Personally i would love 2 bigger leagues with promotion and relegation to give the sport credibility to people outside. Unfortunately speedway will never make this work because of the self-interest inherent in every decision. The re-balancing required would end up like 1995 as richer clubs hog prized assets. It's all well and good debating race nights and if riders want to race here. But until the people running the sport get it's recovery as top priority, those debates are futile.

Squads are ideal in principal but a financial non-starter. I'm not convinced riders would accept a "pay as you play" deal and retainers would cripple clubs.