Edward Barrett Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Rob Lyons indicated that the captain for team GB would be Scott Nicholls. At the risk of upsetting people and being accused of "putting the boot in", "kicking someone when they are down", and other similar things, on present form that would be a mistake. He has not performed well on his return to the Elite League, his form in the GPs against riders of the calibre that we will meet in the WTC is exceptionally poor; The riders I would like to see would be ; Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Harris is not performing well in the GPs either, but his Elite League record is better, and he is the current British Champion. Richardson is having a good season, the youngsters are all riding well and will be eager to make their mark, we need riders for the future who are hungry to succeed, Nicholls, I am afraid, has lived too long in the "comfort zone" of expecting to be automatically picked, when his form was better, perhaps now is the time to look to the future. What do others feel? (Time to put the tin helmet on and dodge the brickbats!! ;) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stirlik Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Rob Lyons indicated that the captain for team GB would be Scott Nicholls. At the risk of upsetting people and being accused of "putting the boot in", "kicking someone when they are down", and other similar things, on present form that would be a mistake. He has not performed well on his return to the Elite League, his form in the GPs against riders of the calibre that we will meet in the WTC is exceptionally poor; The riders I would like to see would be ; Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Harris is not performing well in the GPs either, but his Elite League record is better, and he is the current British Champion. Richardson is having a good season, the youngsters are all riding well and will be eager to make their mark, we need riders for the future who are hungry to succeed, Nicholls, I am afraid, has lived too long in the "comfort zone" of expecting to be automatically picked, when his form was better, perhaps now is the time to look to the future. What do others feel? (Time to put the tin helmet on and dodge the brickbats!! ;) ) Looks like you have pulled together a solid and exciting line up there. How'd you fancy being the Team GB Manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyHart Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I'd go for that team too. Nothing to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 100% agree with that lineup .... 50% because it is currently the most consistently strong lineup we have ....... and 50% because it isnt but this is the only way to bring on the youngsters quickly in a short amount of time I cannot decide if Scott is in the top 5 on form as of right or not........ but if he is then he is scraping it and I think just on that basis and on the basis of these pits images of despair increasing .... it is a good excuse for money to really be put where the mouth is and to make this year about the youngsters....... and for it to be meant when it is said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Can't argue with that line up. I wouldn't contemplate putting Nicholls in because 1) his form is fragile at the moment and a poor performance would not do him (or TeamGB) any good whatsoever. 2) Team GB are extremely unlikely to go straight to the final at the EOES anyway so give a youngster experience. Whether he does or doesn't ride I think he should be relieved of the captains role, he clearly can't motivate himself at the moment so cannot motivate his team mates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnitedUnitedUnited Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 that line up is the only one that can happen IMO, if it doesnt, Lyons will be under major scrutiny straight away in his early reign as gaffa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotnoaj Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Rob Lyons indicated that the captain for team GB would be Scott Nicholls. At the risk of upsetting people and being accused of "putting the boot in", "kicking someone when they are down", and other similar things, on present form that would be a mistake. He has not performed well on his return to the Elite League, his form in the GPs against riders of the calibre that we will meet in the WTC is exceptionally poor; The riders I would like to see would be ; Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Harris is not performing well in the GPs either, but his Elite League record is better, and he is the current British Champion. Richardson is having a good season, the youngsters are all riding well and will be eager to make their mark, we need riders for the future who are hungry to succeed, Nicholls, I am afraid, has lived too long in the "comfort zone" of expecting to be automatically picked, when his form was better, perhaps now is the time to look to the future. What do others feel? (Time to put the tin helmet on and dodge the brickbats!! ;) ) I'm not going to accuse you of putting the boot in pantostar. I've got no problem with peoples opinions of the WC squad and yours looks like a good one by the way. All you've done is tell the truth. His form is poor and you feel he should be left out, fine, you've made a valid point without feeling the need to make nasty remarks, which no one can have a problem with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 2) Team GB are extremely unlikely to go straight to the final at the EOES anyway so give a youngster experience. the more people like Kelvin talk about trying to go through from the EOES the more I get worried.................. obviously we want to get to the final but I think the only way we should attempt to is from the race off as at least we will have the bikes setup for the final then I would prefer us to go out fighting at the race off than being slaughtered in the final because of setup once again........... and if this year is about the youngsters then i'd suggest that was the most sensible for the experience they will gain as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnitedUnitedUnited Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I hate the defeatist attitude some people have, yes were very weak compared to the rest, but come on....anything can happen aslong as they stick out the 5 best riders, they give 110% what else can be said? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I hate the defeatist attitude some people have, yes were very weak compared to the rest, but come on....anything can happen aslong as they stick out the 5 best riders, they give 110% what else can be said? it isnt defeatest ... it is realistic.....the chances of us winning are low ...and for it to be a positive campaign that needs to be understood so that the same team can go out in 2 years time and win the thing.......... do you really want a performance from us like the last two finals? ..... Those performances stemmed from the fact that we qualified directly..... ie we missed the opportunity to get the bikes setup in the race off..... this also directly ties in with the overall 'team budget' .... as the more shoestring a team is the more something like this is going to contrast and we all know practice is useless for setting up bikes at this level I see no point in Tai, Ed, and Lewis suffering a excruciating embarrasment in the final because we tried to qualify from the EOES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Spot on. To select Nicholls would be a big mistake IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 the more people like Kelvin talk about trying to go through from the EOES the more I get worried.................. obviously we want to get to the final but I think the only way we should attempt to is from the race off as at least we will have the bikes setup for the final then I would prefer us to go out fighting at the race off than being slaughtered in the final because of setup once again........... I seem to recall last year Team Oz had the right set-up for the race-off but when the final came round things were a bit different to say the least. As far as leaving Scott out - so who'll be the scapegoat when you fail again this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 As far as leaving Scott out - so who'll be the scapegoat when you fail again this year? Leave Nicholls out & treat this as building for the future. No scapegoats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornishman Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I would love to see that line up. Our top 5 in my opinion too on current form. But as we all know, Scotty doesnt actually have to achieve anything these days to be 'Britains number one' and 'deserve' to be captain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 have to go with this 5 im not sure about richardson tbh but i suppose on current form he gets in . also theres not really anyone else just yet. i think the form and mindset of scott would be bad for the team lets move on with the youngstars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Can't argue with that line up. I wouldn't contemplate putting Nicholls in because 1) his form is fragile at the moment and a poor performance would not do him (or TeamGB) any good whatsoever. 2) Team GB are extremely unlikely to go straight to the final at the EOES anyway so give a youngster experience. Whether he does or doesn't ride I think he should be relieved of the captains role, he clearly can't motivate himself at the moment so cannot motivate his team mates. I'm a big Nicholls fan but cannot disagree with any of the above. He is so out of form and frustrated it must be awful. Having watched the peterborough match on sky it looked like his bikes lacked any power at all. Unless he turns the corner by the World Cup it makes sense to unfortunately give him a rest. hoping he can get some form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Unless he turns the corner by the World Cup This is the decider surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Genuine question - When was the last time Nicholls wasn't top Brit in the end of EL season averages? If Nicholls starts to ride as he has in the two meetings at Brandon (GSA 10.22 and CMA 11.11) then he has to be in the team. Anyone calling for him to be left out on that form would look foolish. If he keeps having dodgy/crap meetings then perhaps it would be better for him as much as the team if he were removed from the spot light. I always think you should put out your best team. Nicholls Richardson Harris Bridger King Kennett - only because he admits he doesn't like P'brgh and King has looked good. Switch these two if it were any other track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Genuine question - When was the last time Nicholls wasn't top Brit in the end of EL season averages? If Nicholls starts to ride as he has in the two meetings at Brandon (GSA 10.22 and CMA 11.11) then he has to be in the team. Anyone calling for him to be left out on that form would look foolish. If he keeps having dodgy/crap meetings then perhaps it would be better for him as much as the team if he were removed from the spot light. I always think you should put out your best team. Nicholls Richardson Harris Bridger King Kennett - only because he admits he doesn't like P'brgh and King has looked good. Switch these two if it were any other track. the problem is, Peterboro is a track where you need speed, and lots of it, and Nicholls didn't have that last night, despite what his scores at Coventry show. regarding Kennett, i never rated him as he couldn't ride big tracks, but i've seen him have some decent meetings at Peterboro in maybe the last season and a half and he can certainly ride the place well now .. IF England got to the play-off or final, then that's where i wouldn't have Kennett, i think Leszsno is still beyond him. i would have for the Boro meeting the same as was posted at the top of the thread .. Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) I seem to recall last year Team Oz had the right set-up for the race-off but when the final came round things were a bit different to say the least. As far as leaving Scott out - so who'll be the scapegoat when you fail again this year? think you are thinking of the previous year dave as they qualified directly last season...... but yeah it certainly isnt any kind of fool proof system...... however I think it should also be noted that team Oz were also probably at the end of their dip in that year before the youngsters started coming through ive been a bit of a sad statto again as the raceoff has always frustrated me as much as interested.......... ive always seen it as an advantage over those who qualify directly while it is held at the same venue as the final... and although home advantage pollutes the results it is quite clear to see that it does work http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddmhmf6b_22d62td7zx the summary is that - since 2001 five teams have gone on from the race off to win the thing (03,04,05,06,07) compared to three teams who have won it without coming from the race off (01,02,08) ...... (03 is a red herring though) - only once has a race off team not come in the first two (01) - the last 4 years has seen a team that qualified directly finish last in the final... the previous 4 years it was a team from the race off - Interestingly there have only been 3 home final wins.... but 3 of the 5 of those winning on foreign soil won in Britain (doh!) - and perhaps more importantly only 3 teams could be described as embarrasing themselves in the final ..... two of those qualified directly (Oz 08, GB 07) .. one from the race off (PL 04) courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedway_World_Cup so like I said there is nothing foolproof at all but supposing GB did make it through from the race off ...history dictates that only one team over the last 9 years has managed to have a disaster in the final after coming from the raceoff.... which leaves the question of .......one of the 'big 5' wont make it to the final should we be bothered enough about that to try to qualify direct? personally with the youngsters i'd say no ............... but then again like I said in another thread if I was GB manager they would be replacing me at the next AGM because I dont believe that kind of reality check would go down well re: Scotty ...... I was incorrect with my earlier comments ... after looking through these http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=48634 .......... Scott is clearly on paper still our number 2 ................... but I still wouldnt put someone despairing and in a funk in the team...... especially if its about youth Edited June 10, 2009 by spook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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