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I'm not a person who writes a lot on forums but tonight I thought that I'd make an exception. Some recent comments have appeared to suggest that someone or something must be to blame for the need to make changes, but does that really have to be the case? Speedway is a competitive sport and as in any competitive sport there should be a desire to win, and sometimes to do this a manager needs to make decisions that are not always popular. I've been to most home meetings and the occasional away meeting this season and overall I've been pleased with the performances and the entertainment value, with a combination of watching young riders develop and the skills that the more experienced riders bring with them. I also enjoyed watching some races where Bomber has team ridden to protect Henry when he (Henry) has gated well. I don't think that Henry has regained his confidence fully since his injury, but I think and hope that he has a long future in the sport. He's only a young lad and I believe that he'll continue to improve, but maybe a bit too much was being expected of him, at this crucial stage of the season. He appears to be a sensible lad and maybe he is aware of his current limitations, especially away from the OTA, where he doesn't get the protection from Bomber. Had it not been for a few potentially confidence knocking falls I think he would have progressed further, but maybe not as much as Anders who continues to impress. Sometimes it takes guts to put your hand up and say that all does not feel right. I just hope that the step up to the main body of the team isn't asking too much of Anders and that he can take the step up in his stride. As regards to Todd Kurtz, he has not impressed me this season and whilst he might consider himself a bit unfortunate to lose his place, I don't think he can have too many complaints and I'm sure that he'll find another club very soon. I'm looking forward to watching the new line up, not least because the weaker bottom end of the team puts greater pressure on the experienced riders, who all need to be competitive from the start of every meeting. The days of the second half Rebels have gone for the time being, but with it there should be some closer meetings and entertaining races, well hopefully anyway. We can go into heat 13 a few points behind and still have a realistic hope of winning whether at home or away. We might not be in the top league but we've had two number 1's from the top league in our team at the same time! When I look round the rest of British Speedway I'm a bit surprised at some of the negativity seen in the comments on this thread, because it appears to me that Somerset is in a much healthier position than the vast majority of clubs and I think the promotion deserve the support that they get from the majority of supporters. Finally I hope that the Rebels golf day that Andrew puts a lot of effort into organising is another great success and gets the support and good weather that it deserves .

Hope Matt lays on a lap of honour for Charles Wright. Fully deserved it tonight.

An enjoyable meeting last night and Congratulations the the Tigers on a fine win,really good team performance by them from 1 to 7,got the job done Reading some excuses on here is amusing,Fuel,track etc,never heard such Rubbish, The tigers did what they had to do and Ayres and Lambert were poor,its a simple as that Id even go as far as saying had the track been grippy we would have got thumped by more than two points on another note,bit of a naughty move by cook in HEAT 15,least he could have done was go check on Auty,i dont think it was as dirty as it looked really,more a simple mistake coming out the corner,least he could have done was checked he was ok Any chance Glasow could leave Jensen at the EWR? Well done Glasgow

Your positivity and commitment is very obvious. I hope the club respect your loyalty. The strong messages I read from the majority is they just want their track back and considered communication. The customer is not always right, but they are always the customer, and should be treated as such.

I'd rather blame those at the AGM, who pleaded poverty & insisted on such a stupidly low points limit, which people like Garry May argued against, stating that 42.5 should be retained so as to not dilute the product. In fact they wanted it even lower at 36, saying they wouldn't run if it wasn't brought in. In the end it was compromised at 38, with the increase to 40 this month. Guess what those same 'Poverty Pleaders' are still in the league at 40 points, when apparently they couldn't run unless it was 36, strange that isn't it.

Blobby is a lone Wolf now , the days of Sniper on here were hilarious , but the Edinburgh posters these days are more pleasant and not bitter , Blobs aside . Anyway after a wonderful away win and a hotel with a 24 hour bar, we're a bit fragile heading for Manchester . Cracking team performance though , just as well the fuel additives arrived after heat 2 , amazing what Red Bull does mixed with the nitro . Didn't work for our glorious leader though as he was 6 points down on his usual score . But cometh the hour , cometh the man , take a bow Rasser , you were immense .

Anyway we're all pissed , so it's been a good night and an excellent away win , so good bless the stripes and idiot the Monarchs

Hope not I want a Brit to win it. He is taking a Brits spot in the lineup. Totally wrong.

I'm all in favour of Topsoil's suggestion that ALL clubs should have a Junior Team - but this should be comprised of riders who are exclusive members of each club - not two or three different clubs all using the same riders! "Doubling-up" (in the main leagues) has become a monster totally out of control (a child of five could have seen this coming!!) - and it needs to be phased out as soon as possible whether the riders like it or not. Phasing it out though, seems to be and impossible dream - every season it is further extended. Whoever dreamed up this idea should be put up against a wall!!!!

What difference would that have made ,apart from him telling you his reason for doing it.would not have changed anything.

Seems abit cynical that point of view - Why would he need to make them feel uncomfortable? Gary May could of just replaced them whenever he wanted to. The signing of Nick Morris isn't actually that much of a gamble. The combination of the bottom 4 has been very little away from home so Nick Morris along with the odd point from Rowe and Stoneman should more than better that. Mind you, Nick Morris has been pretty average at best for Wolves so he will need to up his game considerably if he is to return to his best. Not surprised to see Kurtz go. He should of been pushing a 6.50 average easily this year but has gone backwards.

It doesn’t help when the team building average is capped ridiculously low at 38 points

Meatloaf - 2 outta 3 aint bad

Wonderful personality. At Weymouth he went fron second half to reserve to second string to heat leader in successive weeks. Guys with pony tails and beards were very rare at the time so he really stood out and quickly became a bit of a folk hero. Of course the usual instability at Weymouth saw messrs Mawdsley and Lansdale pull out of Weymouth after the season to start their new venture at Rochester. Pity as the local community was really starting to take to the then Eagles. Most memorable Barry escapade was when he clashed wit Terry Stone on the home straight and went careering off onto the centre green. Now the stadium at that time was in a terrible state and the centre green grass had not been cut for months. It was waist high at the lowest and much higher elsewhere. The surface was also incredibly rutted and Barry was soon separated from his bike with Barry and bike flying on in different directions. The ever dedicated Red Cross came over as fast as the conditions allowed but then they had a problem - they couldn’t find him! One shouted “Here’s the bike” but it was a few seconds later when another shouted. “OK. I’ve got him he’s over here”. Luckily Barry was just bruised and shaken up and it was always a pleasure to follow his later career regardless of his team. Nice to hear he is doing well

Somerset's top 5 led to the 2 young lads being thrown at reserve. Blame the management. They built the team that way.

Feel that no rider who has a Premiership average over 7.00 should be permitted to riding in the championship .

I feel sorry for atkins, this ridiculous points limit has to led to lads beings slung in the deep end very early in their careers, most of them after about 18 months in the nl, its a bridge too far for so many.

Certainly more entertaining than your present No 1

Came here expecting to read some Robins news.

Couldn't, agree more, while I'm sad that Valentin has packed in, he was slowly getting there but Henry has struggled since his injury and Kurtz apart from the odd ride has been woeful, he,s even struggled in heat 8 more often than not, I'm surprised he,s lasted so long.

I would question Schlien’s calling out of tracks,there would not be many meetings go ahead if he had his way ,his attitude is a disgrace ,the race times at Berwick were on par with every other meeting, what he did not like was a grippy track ,fans are getting p# sped off with riders like him’s attitude.Somerset fans are moaning about their track being far too slick this season ,now you know the reason why.Gate and go Schlein!

Did they ask you to ride at number 6 while you were on the phone?

These are supposed to be grown men competing for a sports team where the ultimate goal is to win. If the German can't hack getting a telling off from the manager every now and then, then he is in the wrong line of work if that makes him, and I quote you, "feel uncomfortable". Somerset have had since last Wednesday night to, and I quote again, "throw a team together". A whole 4/5 days depending how you look at it. There is no rocket science needed for speedway so it probably could take a single day, yes. For what it's worth, I would of sacked Schlein after the Sheffield away match if I had been team boss. When you throw in the Berwick one aswell that should of without doubt been the final straw if it was 50/50 after the Sheffield meeting.

How ironic would it be if the re staging was on a Thursday! Although unlikely, due to Danny King's commitments. Unless of course the Witches have any free Thursdays.

I have reliable information that makes me have that "cynical view" ! I have just read the new team listings, that wasn't thrown together in a day was it !!! Let's leave it at that.

There is more to this than meets the eye ! How is it that after the awful match at Berwick just a week before and No1 returns only 3 points and nothing is said and yet within a week we have lost one popular and improving rider and another who is a Somerset asset who is making inroads to his form and regain of confidence after injury and later an off that would have seen most riders withdraw from the meeting ! Did these lads simply leave by their own will or were their departures part of a bigger plan, so they were made to feel so uncomfortable that leaving was their only option ??? !!!

That’s my sentiments it is a sport and as in any sport nowadays money seems to be all it is about ,there are hundreds if not thousands who do not make the grade in their chosen sport.Like you say these people have to find something else.Harsh but true IMO.

I think Poland have it just about right. Whilst U21 you can stay at reserve.. Then its over to your capability.. If your not cutting it at reserve in the Championship then, harsh reality that it is, it may not be the sport for you if you have designs to make a career out of it..

You have a point . Not heading home for a while , got Manchester and Somerset to do first

I used the tram last year to get to and from the Stadium. They pack you on like sardines and keep the doors open with folk hanging out literally. Fortunately it's 10/15 mins max. It's about 2 mile to walk from the city centre though if you prefer. Very cheap but very crowded. Having said all that it is very good natured on board. You get on outside The Mercure Hotel in the centre. There are obviously other stops but that's very central.

OK everyone here is your fun packed holiday adventure line up..... Gates open at 5.30 Pits are open for full access 5.45 - 6.15 Mascots on track 6.15 - 6.45 Rider parade 6.45 First race 7.00 Halftime we have the kids on track race too plus all your other fun and games.... We have two places to get food... on bend one and in the premier lounge situation on bend 2... full range of, very well priced, food and drink. We also have a track shop on bend 1, seated stands with TVs in, tattoos for kids, sweet stalls, kids will get a whistle and sweet voucher on entry, there is a stadium map on the the back page of the programme. Any questions please let me know...

Granted I haven't read this entire thread and I may have missed a comment somewhere on what I'm about to say but as far as Danny is concerned he's preparing for the biggest night of his life in tonight's British final! Just maybe his head wasn't quite in the right place last night or his best bike and engine were wrapped in cotton wool ready for said meeting? Just a thought as his balls out style and with his attitude towards racing I'm sure he would usually have accrued a lot more than he scored last night!

Surely with a tasty meeting coming up Saturday. A more open minded approach would be more beneficial to entice old/new fans to return? Or, are you unable to make that vital connection. Rather finding it appropriate to 'as a supporter' offer to fight people and generally being inhospitable to others? Conclusion - Not much going on up top!

Thanks guys , a wee lull in the post meeting celebrations, and i decided to read this thread . Quality gold on the excuses , even the Monarchs couldn't think this stuff up , cheers guys

Seriously lol

Wrong again Geoff. Jason as said multiple times if they had the NSS while he was riding he would not ride for us as it's to easy to ride. He preferred turning upto a track like murky lane k owing the other riders hated it.

Don’t think people realise how hard Riding in 2 leagues can be time wise it’s more than a full time job and the amount of time spent in the garage on the road travelling time off work just leads to a lot of pressure and little reward think he also does grasstrack as well good luck to the lad

It's a team full of cast offs that no one else wanted, only Charles Wright remains from the original team. No one is surprised this team is nailed on for the wooden spoon ...

Not at the expense of entertainment which is what the people want and pay good money for.

No one forced them to build the way they did.

But it was Somerset’s choice to go so top heavy.

I think there'll always be those who fall by the wayside, moving up isn't just about riding ability, it needs a strong and determined mindset.

I was talking about Somerset, who have albeit made like for like changes - not a reflection on the whole league. Of course with rolling averages and lack of matches it takes longer for the full effect of the 42.00ish to take full effect thus meaning rolling averages don't keep a true reflection of the inflation involved.

From my two visits this season - the gate receipts would cover the bottom 3 okay, not so sure about top 4 though

Maybe that is one of reasons why richie should have been replaced sooner rather than later

Blobby might hate us , but honestly Iron Scorpions post is the funniest I've read in a long time , quality stuff lol

Except Bowen (and others) said the track was a shambles and the promotion a joke... its actually people like you in denial that get clubs shut down

It’s Somerset’s choice but I’m no fan of top heavy teams and almost having sacrificial reserves, to be fair Rowe has done well but it was inevitable that at least one of them wouldn’t see the season out. Hopefully he will come back stronger for the experience. A little bit of pressure is good for youngsters but not too much, plus does it really make for enjoyable, unpredictable meetings if like at Brum in Wednesday a team has ten plus wins and lasts.

That was the track tbf to Madsen

prob because he could not stand the constructive criticism as gazc would put it .!