torpointfanatic22

I think Kalle will be in the main body with Benko at reserve. Isn't Kalle on something like 5.4 - I'm sure he was last season for all of one lap that he rode for Plymouth in. Lemon is quite frankly a disgraceful signing that will see many fans think twice about attending. No-one wants to watch him poodle around at the back when he misses the gate. So much for 'loads of riders' wanting to come to Plymouth. That team is pretty piss poor and believe you me the last rider I'm hearing won't make things any better!

If our last three were Jensen and the Kurtz brothers we could maybe do Okay - However none of those are in the three I have heard about. The big rumour is that Lemon is returning which I hope to god isn't true!

From what I can see Benko has never raced in any professional league and all of his meetings have been individual ones so hopefully he gets a 5. Wouldn't be sure though.

I reckon we did a swap deal 3 for the price of 2 Boots style!!

Christopher, he was beaten by Luke Chessell in the Top Gun at Sheffield and scored one in the pride of the midlands at Leicester after Klindt packed up. His form on the continent is similar to Stichauer from what I can see. Hence my lack of enthusiasm! If he is a 7 god help us! If he is a 5 I could just about put up with it!

Devils sign Ben Barker (9.44), Alex Davies (7.38), Kyle Newman (5.32) and Roland Benko (5.00). Just been announced on the Devils forum and soon to be on the club website.

So the first four Plymouth riders have been announced for 2014, they are... Ben Barker Alex Davies Kyle Newman Roland Benko Forgive me for not getting the party poppers out - I have heard three names for the other possibles and I'm afraid it could be the wooden spoon coming our way again.

Superb line up for the Comets - That top 5 will take some trumping and Morris is improving year upon year. Considering the 7 I have heard Plymouth are looking to track I'd expect you to be top and us to be below bottom!

There is a possibility that riders like Kyle Howarth and Josh Auty could find themselves without EL rides unless they are included in the 'Draft Riders'. Whilst both have EL averages in the 4's they have hardly 'made it' in the EL. I think both would be risky main body riders and I'd question whether teams would go for them especially given that the reserves are likely to be weaker this year than previous years. I hope some common sense prevails here as both of these riders are still young and improving and surely this system should be designed to help them as well as others who aren't yet at that level. You could also argue a case for the likes of Richard Lawson.

I wonder if this reduction of quality will see a reduction in admission prices?

Todd has a higher average than Wright.

We'd be battered at reserve but the top 5 is nice. As someone has previously stated though I believe Nelson is Rye bound and Kurtz is supposedly off to Somerset.

Difficult one for the Devils in 2014 in my opinion. Last year was much better than the previous two but still nowhere near good enough (especially at home). Do we go for a total overhaul or try to tweak here and there. What we do know is Bech is unlikely to be back and it seems Kurtz is off also. The likes of Boxall and Nelson (who openly admitted he wanted to sign for Plymouth) look like returning to Rye despite both being very good at the SBA so that likely rues them out. I'd be shocked if we didn't consider Ricky Wells who is good value at Plymouth and Barker could yet be back (although I think he has too high a starting average). I know the promotion are keen on Rasmus Jensen and I'd welcome him back. I hope I'm wrong but it looks like Anderson is on the radar for a reserve spot. Lets see what comes out of the AGM!

Surely it'll be all bar Doyle and Rose with Brady and Todd to complete the side?

My Plymouth team next year would have to include the two Danes (Bech and Jensen) if they are both committed to British Speedway and if Jensen rides tomorrow at Glasgow. I say that as Jensen will get a new average and become an asset if he completes one more away match, that would drop his average from assessed 7 to around 6.1ish. Barker for me is a great rider but his average is very high meaning we have less room to manoeuvre in the rest of the side and I believe Bech will be a better option long term. Steve Boxall, as shown last night, is still great value at the SBA and an average of 5.69 is very attractive if he is willing to commit. Elsewhere Ricky Wells would be great as a 2nd heat leader and the Kurtz brothers would be a great reserve pair. Tyson Nelson seems to like our track and if he can put aside his differences with Boxall would complete a very good looking top 5. So for me... Bech Boxall Nelson Jensen Wells Kurtz Kurtz I think that fits but only if Rasmus rides tomorrow. Elsewhere Mellgren would be an excellent signing as would someone like Garrity if he was available, also Robert Lambert at reserve and I wouldn't be too gutted if Cory returned. I wouldn't want Lemon back nor Anderson I'm afraid. Jake is a top guy but hasn't done enough to warrant a place next year when in my opinion there are better around.

Kozza was excellent value on his last visit to Plymouth - Made one cracking pass if I remember rightly. With no Bech and the new guy Nielsen at reserve (who has never struck me at being that great in all honesty and I'm surprised we've signed him), Berwick to get at least a point.

Updates will be here... http://www.speedwayupdates.proboards.com/thread/12379/sheffield-plymouth-pl-13-45pm

I have to say I though the track grading last night at Rye was shocking. I think the tractor did more laps than the actual riders. It was crazy almost every heat! As for the meeting, I think both teams had their share of good and bad luck. Cory packing up when comfortably leading, Morris picking up a couple of times and dropping points because of it but Allen's injury and less so Bunyan's injury were the turning points. Allen didn't look like getting beat until that crash so I wish him well. Also I'm not quite sure how the ref allowed Anderson to take the win in heat 2 when he followed Lykke into the final bend fence? Surely both should've gone but hey ho I'll take it

Finally it's out and we can celebrate what is a truly brilliant signing for Plymouth! Get in!!

I'm led to believe Covatti was on Plymouth's radar before the season started but for some reason the deal fell through.

So because Mikkel tweets he is signing for a UK club everyone assumes it's an EL club then because he is at P'boro having a few laps today they assume he's signed for them. I reckon he's Buxton bound...

Indeed but when the crowd see you visibly trying your hardest you tend to avoid the flack! Yes, yes we are and I for one am buzzing!

Super unexpected point for the Devils - Monarchs I'm very jealous of you having Cookie, he's the best rider in the league! 3 points combined from Lemon, Kling and Schramm is simply not good enough and I'd be happy to see all 3 replaced. Lemon and Kling were brought in as heat leaders and have performed like a second string and a reserve so I'm looking forward to hearing about the changes. Special mention to Todd and Jake - The first time they've both clicked on the same night and look at the impact it makes, more of the same please chaps!

Updates are here... http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ply&thread=12265&page=1

Ty has been using a specially tuned engine for his home matches for us (a different one to the one he uses for Wolves). That engine has been giving him trouble and he's trying to sort it out - Hence the bike trouble at the SBA and not in the EL! It's easy to forget his double figure return against Ipswich two weeks ago - Jeez I'm pleased the Plymouth faithful aren't all as unforgiving as you. Give the guy a chance eh!