Fourentee Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 4 hours ago, GeneralMelchett said: Finally made it last night - very impressed with the set up there - the track was bladed etc after heat 2 and then after that produced some really good racing. Its a shame its a 2 hr drive for me as I would be tempted to go more regularly but its a great set up and sat in the grandstand on a warm sunny evening watching a 45-45 draw with quite a lot of overtaking I was very happy! First time for me, too. Very impressed with the set-up -- well-marshalled parking, friendly staff, good infrastructure with food/drink/merchandise etc all readily availableand an interesting programme. Problems with the new material on track led to a loooong delay, but communication with the crowd was good and the racing afterwards was excellent. Interesting to see a lot of fans, both adults and children, in Foxes shirts. Encouraging to see this response as the club tries to build its own fan base and not rely on Coventry and Peterborough supporters getting their fix, welcome as they no doubt are. The blue/orange/white colours are striking and the fox logo is a very clever design, immediately attractive to children but with plenty of character and detail to swing adults too. Full marks on that one. If I have a mild criticism it is that the stadium comes over as a tad functional at the moment. Even the odd tub of flowers would help there. But overall a really good and very welcome addition to the sport. Special kudos to the very young and very diligent litter pickers in action on bends one and two, they were great! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oleoleole Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 I too have enjoyed my visits to Brafield. The racing last night was excellent. Obviously a shame about the necessary track work but handled well by the track staff with informative announcements and the fan’s patience. Only 11 points between the three heat leaders is a big issue for the Foxes but I don’t suppose there is an easy fix at this time of the season. It’s a shame because the second strings and reserves are working very hard but without a big hitter it’s not enough to get those wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnolan Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourentee Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 25 minutes ago, paulnolan said: I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it. I think TMs are sometimes, understandably, a bit reluctant to throw someone in who hasn't been on track since heat 10. FWIW I would have gone for Thomson, but we never know what goes on behind the scenes and what the reasoning is for selections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 1 hour ago, oleoleole said: I too have enjoyed my visits to Brafield. The racing last night was excellent. Obviously a shame about the necessary track work but handled well by the track staff with informative announcements and the fan’s patience. Only 11 points between the three heat leaders is a big issue for the Foxes but I don’t suppose there is an easy fix at this time of the season. It’s a shame because the second strings and reserves are working very hard but without a big hitter it’s not enough to get those wins. I'm gonna be a bit of a "statto" here & point out they got 24 points from the heat leaders. Perhaps putting a second string at number 5 is why they don't get maby points from there? The inconsistency must be frustrating, I was thinking Jeppesen for Batchelor would be an improvement, then Batch scores double figures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 A rider like Batch should be hitting double figures every week from reserve, deep down he is good enough to do it but as we all know its whether he can do it mentally. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 Well done Batch.😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnolan Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 I'd still like to see him replaced - all the old guard levered out eventually - but I'll give credit where credit's due and he did well last night. Well, other than a heat 14 which should have set up the win... 😛 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 5 hours ago, paulnolan said: I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it. 5 hours ago, Fourentee said: I think TMs are sometimes, understandably, a bit reluctant to throw someone in who hasn't been on track since heat 10. FWIW I would have gone for Thomson, but we never know what goes on behind the scenes and what the reasoning is for selections. Agree with the first point, TM should make the heat 15 decision, not the riders. For the second point, I guess as theres a long gap between #2 last ride & heat 15, makes sense to have a weaker rider at #2. Problem with Northampton is their weakest top 5 rider changes from week to week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish McRaker Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 Batchelor probably relatively cheap, uk based, less likely to get a big injury, "he is what he is". The team's been put together based on reality including a limited budget to get started. But there haven't been many if any thrashings. A bit unfair to focus on his limitations when the main weakness of the team is the top end. And we know why that weakness exists 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 its a wierdly concocted team , all at the last minute so suppose you cant be too critical. 4 3rd heatleaders and a few others including thompson who has been the star really. you cant say the home matches arent close and competitive tho . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralMelchett Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes. From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnolan Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 The 59 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said: They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes. From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year The problem is that the problem keeps changing! It was Batchelor. And now it's Zagar. With Lidsey and Klindt also underperforming. Teams can afford to carry one rider and get a result but the Foxes seem to be always carrying two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralMelchett Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 2 minutes ago, paulnolan said: The The problem is that the problem keeps changing! It was Batchelor. And now it's Zagar. With Lidsey and Klindt also underperforming. Teams can afford to carry one rider and get a result but the Foxes seem to be always carrying two. That in reality is all part of the ebb and flow of a season - most riders drop a bit of form at some point sometimes people lose patience quickly - as the saying goes change for changes sake isn't usually worth it - lack of form usually corrects. No doubting however that due to the lateness of arrival etc you had a pretty weak top 3 - it was about the best you could maybe get at the time. For my money Batch has probably exceeded expectations riding in a tricky no 2 spot - now at reserve and for now scoring ok/ well he is merely replacing another reserve Thompson who had a storming first part of the season! Over to your promoters / team manager! BTW I was impressed with their comms and openness about the rack changes whilst we were sat waiting - as the saying time can go quick in a crisis but most people can handle waiting provided they are told why! I felt they handled that V well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin bass Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 5 hours ago, GeneralMelchett said: They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes. From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year It just proves the point that the aint enough out and out Number 1's available who want to ride over here no more for a full season, its no different to last season with what Birmingham put out as a team, there's enough Number 1's/ Heat Leaders for 4 or 5 teams but not for 6 teams and for them all to be competitive wk in wk out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralMelchett Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 45 minutes ago, kevin bass said: It just proves the point that the aint enough out and out Number 1's available who want to ride over here no more for a full season, its no different to last season with what Birmingham put out as a team, there's enough Number 1's/ Heat Leaders for 4 or 5 teams but not for 6 teams and for them all to be competitive wk in wk out. Agreed and the one that was signed be the No1 isn’t maintaining the expectation! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 2 hours ago, GeneralMelchett said: Agreed and the one that was signed be the No1 isn’t maintaining the expectation! To be fair General as we all know he's really a number 3 ranked heat leader , they have done the best they could with the scraps but having three riders in a team who may or may not fancy it you are on a hiding to nothing , plus they have Zagar looking a shadow of his former self. Credit to Niels , Harrison and especially Thomsen who has exceeded all expectations. They will never get him but as I've banged on someone like Anders Thompson a rider who will put in a shift week in week out would be enough to enable them to win at home most weeks and a better reserve to replace Batch, you might then just be able to carry Klindt and Lidsey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralMelchett Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 (edited) 1 hour ago, YeOldPitGate said: To be fair General as we all know he's really a number 3 ranked heat leader , they have done the best they could with the scraps but having three riders in a team who may or may not fancy it you are on a hiding to nothing , plus they have Zagar looking a shadow of his former self. Credit to Niels , Harrison and especially Thomsen who has exceeded all expectations. They will never get him but as I've banged on someone like Anders Thompson a rider who will put in a shift week in week out would be enough to enable them to win at home most weeks and a better reserve to replace Batch, you might then just be able to carry Klindt and Lidsey. Completely fair and no disagreement from me - Lidsey is a bit like Brennan at Ipswich you felt they had the chance to step up and so far they haven't made it! Hopefully both will. You would likely keep Lidsey on potential tho as you feel he will get back to where we think he can get / be. I did expect more than 4 from him however. Edited July 22 by GeneralMelchett 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 (edited) On 7/3/2026 at 5:50 AM, CTRSports said: Anyone got any idea what average Batch is on in both championship and premiership? If only there was something, it could be called something like the Internet, where you could ask questions while using the Internet instead of looking them up yourself. Edited July 23 by Triple.H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hobbit Posted July 22 Report Share Posted July 22 (edited) 4.59 in the prem, down from starting average of 4.73 7.32 in the championship , up from starting average of 7.1 Edited July 22 by the hobbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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