Little Nicki

No politics/favouritism in the GP's, really? Would think Nicki Pedersen and some of the other non-Monster Energy boys may feel differently?

Thank you for that and, yes, I was aware of the loyalty that Adam showed to Birmingham last season (see my Post #13 on this Thread). The concentration on set-ups in the EL looks like it has paid off handsomely. Enjoy your trip over from Bordeaux and hopefully you will enjoy seeing him on the podium at Owlerton on Thursday - British weather permitting. Hope that I will be there cheering him on and if not, yes, I'll have a chat with Adam as I know he doesn't bite and is a grand lad of whom you should rightfully be very proud.

I always thought that with John and Chris Louis at the helm, they would be able to both talent spot and develop riders, from which they would build an asset base to either dominate in the PL or move up, when ready, to the EL. This just doesn't seem to have happened. Kevin Doolan, Ben Barker, Richie Worrall all signed on and discarded. Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate appear not to have developed as far, or as quickly, as they possibly should have and are now departed. Morten Risager brought back. Castagna signed on as an asset, knowing he would have to start 2017 on a minimum 5.00 average. Darryl Ritchings signed as the No. 7 when, with respect to the lad, there were a number of better options to be had. Showing effort is one thing. Showing ability is another. Does Chris think he can help develop Sarjeant and, if so, why did he miss the pre-season trip to Italy? Did he realise Kerr would be switching to Jawas this season? Why was Ashley Morris considered as not worth retaining? What happened with Adam Ellis? No long term plan in evidence and too many switches of team building ideology. Should there not be a closer link up with, say, Mildenhall to discover and develop riders? Covatti has turned out to be a great signing, but was that more by luck than judgement? Is Covatti an asset? Also, probably too many riders signed who are involved with other British teams. When was the last time a local lad was brought in as an asset? Is Louis too reliant on and trusting of other people's recommendations? How much influence did Danny King have in this season's team building and Team Manager appointment? Has Chris taken his eye off the ball with his Sky TV involvement? Is that where his future lies? Track preparation seems to be being overlooked. With the pre-season Italy trip, the team should have hit the ground running, but it was effectively out of the League Cup after one home meeting and has now started with a league loss at a track that they won at last season. That is not progress. In hindsight, a disjointed start to the season, with so few home meetings and no challenge or individual meeting to commence with has not helped. Maybe, when the mismatched race-suits arrived, that was a sign of the season to come. Far too much yellow(s) for a proper Ipswich team. With it's proud history, Ipswich should be a club that finds and develops British talent with an overseas nugget thrown into the brew.

But why revert back to the easy pickings in the NL, a league your son dominated last season, rather than accept the offers he received to further develop his career in the PL, which would provide him also with extra rides, confidence and more £? Do you and he not see the PL as a league in which Adam could develop, or is it a suggestion of a lack of ambition or confidence compared to, say, his Poole team mate Brady Kurtz? Adam did well in the PL in 2013/14 at Ipswich, he could well be crowned the British U21 Champion this week and, if he continues his terrific early season form in the EL, must be on the short-list for Team GB's SWC Reserve team position. Adam is 20 now. I truly hope he does not regret this decision to step back into a small pool where, as a big fish, he will be a target for the numerous ambitious little fish and piranhas that are in there. Whatever happens, I only wish him well, as a British rider and a lovely lad.

How can I be confusing myself with JE when I said that I didn't claim claim to be hopping mad, but that the League's sponsor had? That is distancing, not confusing. You said that you had spoken with a league official - but no name given. Does that suggest there is no name to give? And, "a sanctimonious drama queen who uses a nom de plume"? Where have I claimed to be superior to anyone? And 'arnieg' is not a nom de plume? Sticks and stones buddy. Sticks and stones. And remember, attack the post not the poster. Resorting to personal insults is neither a sign of maturity or intelligence.

Seems you need to spend more time reading other Forums other than just the Eastbourne one to gain a broader knowledge of the sport. You know that Adam stayed loyal with Birmingham last season rather than sign for a PL club, as it would've meant him having to give up his berth with the Brummies?

Not a problem.

No, but I'm sure James would've received a lot of feedback on this issue and could provide names if he wanted to, but does he have to? And who said Adam was ineligible to ride in the NL this season? Thank you for that comment. By your misuse of the word 'their' I can see that yours is not that brilliant. Always love it when someone asks for names, then claims to have spoken to an official without giving their (not there) name themselves. And I didn't claim that everyone was hopping mad. The League's sponsor did that. Maybe your grasp is not as strong as you believed?

Oh dear, as Countershaftcounter says, JTS is Adam's dad.

You don't believe James, really? Think he would know if anyone does. If Adam wanted extra meetings, he should have taken one of the PL berths he was offered this season. Think James is a good enough example on his own, being the sponsor of the National League. Probably knows more people involved in speedway than you do at least. Never really a great plan to p1ss off your league's main sponsor.

Oh dear, and still a Whoooooooooooosh.

So you have changed your mind because your club has signed Adam Ellis. Really!? And you can't really be suggesting that Adam is struggling in the EL this season? Now you are showing up your speedway naivety. Adam should have taken one of the PL berths he was offered this season.

Honestly, what is wrong with you?

Didn't think so. Easy to rubbish stir though isn't it. Maybe you should crawl into one of those 18 holes? Shouldn't forget that Davey Watt finished last season with a bad crash at Rye House.

Have you got that evidence yet about Rod North's injury?

As I predicted on the PL 2016 Predictions Thread and you took umbrage to. I thought Louis had put a very poor side together this season. Sarjeant, Castagna and Ritchings are passengers. King won't improve. Kerr on Jawas. Risager is Risager. Covatti a class apart. And don't talk about your Team Manager - more interested in golf and beer than speedway. Really can't understand some of the teams Louis puts together as Ippo with their heritage should be a top club in the PL. Should have hit the ground running after that pre-season jolly trip to Italy. Then, maybe Danny King had more to do with the team building than Louis jnr did?

Well, I hope you have as many years enjoying the sport as I have (and that is a genuine sentiment and not "half-hearted" as gee-jay suggested previously). With James advisory role with Mildenhall this season, it may add a bit of spice to the upcoming KOC matches.

Always helps to know who's who in speedway and on the BSF. Then I have been involved since the late '60's.

I'm not telling you...

Who cares? Well, it sounds like the sponsor of the League that your team is in does, so it may be wise to listen rather than take a short-sighted viewpoint. Interesting though that you liken this situation with Poole.

Just the one thanks. What about you?

They weren't half hearted at all. Why should you think that? Always enjoyed my visits to Arlington since I first visited there in 1970 and was a big fan of Gordon Kennett back in the day. As James has pointed out in his post, Adam's short-term signing appears not to have gone down well in the wider world of speedway outside of Arlington and its probably not a good thing to upset the NDL's sponsor.

At it again I see. You really aren't a very nice person are you? Anyone who makes Starman seem mature and sensible, should really take a long look at themselves. I am not supporting Gavan, just pointing out what you actually posted. You have posted some despicable comments on the BSF in the past. You must feel very brave behind a keyboard. Pathetic.

You really think so? Personally I think that Adam would be far better served with a season as a Heat Leader / 2nd String in the PL rather than drop back to the NDL. He is far too good for the NDL now and won't learn much more from riding at that level again. I wish he had stuck to his guns and turned down the Eagles re-approach, but he is such a nice lad that he probably found it difficult for him so to do. I just hope it doesn't back-fire on him. By the way, just read Len Silver's comments about the rain-off. What a great wind-up merchant he is. More promoters making statements like that would fire-up some good old-fashioned inter track rivalries. Looks like he got a couple to bite on here. Good old Uncle Len. Enjoy your speedway guys.

Mate, Buczkowski scored 6 + 0 last night as opposed to 4 + 1 last time he rode there. Not what you meant though by 'a few more' eh, mate ????? Got that wrong didn't you, eh mate? Not there to see it though were you eh, mate (more of your favourites there) And still not able to congratulate your opponents on a victory, eh mate ? Pathetic (oh, another of your favourites there)