CardinalSin

I'm assuming Taylorj was formerly Davidj?

But it's this meeting we should be talking about, not previous meetings. I thought it was a strange comment to make too in all honesty and I also didn't see it as any major criticism. He'll surely be disappointed not to score from 5 rides no? It's not a dig, it happens and it'll happen again I'm sure. Jonny is this going to happen every time someone makes a comment that is not particularly favourable towards Adam? You really are in the wrong place if you are going to become irritated so easily in what I personally don't think is even a harsh point made.

Good old Ipswich. Just when they raise your expectations and give you some hope they then knee you squarely in the nuts Well done to Workington on an excellent comeback mind.

Decent enough meeting I thought. Certainly as good as anything seen on Sky this week that's for sure! Obviously I've seen better meetings but I thought there were moments of real quality.

So does Doyle for Barker on this season's form. Last year you couldn't seperate them with a cigarette paper but Barker has started this season poorly by his standards.

Competitive looking field for the Star Of Anglia, and a very interesting inclusion in Gino Manzares. "Introducing Gino Manzares" say's the official website and a link to the rider's profile. Plan B for the Witches if Hawkins doesn't remain after the 6 weeks? http://www.ipswichwitches.co/index.php/news-centre/626-star-of-anglia

Come on 2 points from 6 meetings is bloody awful!! Tonight was tough for him yes but it's still zero points and the continuation of contributing absolutely NOTHING.

I hate to keep talking about needing to axe a rider especially when we've just achieved a terrific result at a track we rarely do well on, but it's really starting to get frustrating. Just a single point would have done from him tonight. Needs to go. Other than that very encouraging start to our PL campaign. Apart from the obvious, nothing wrong with this team at all and a shoe in for a play off place if Makinen gets replaced.

Yes....

Totally disagree with this. As I'm not a rider, a father to a rider or a "track expert", my opinion on last night probably means diddly squat. But I've been watching speedway ridden in various conditions for over 30 years and to say I was surprised when I got there to learn it was off, is the understatement of the century. I can't agree with your statement above though that it's a regular occurance because to be honest this is very unlike Ipswich who normally do all they can and are very good at getting meetings on. all well and good saying it's the ref that makes the call and that is correct, but that's normally after consulting with the riders and promotion before making his decision. how much encouragement was he given that enough could be done to get the track in shape to race? Not a lot by the sounds of it. A shame, but time to move on now I think.

Bizarre!

The reserves will see us home in this one. Hopefully Barker's 14 at Plymouth will kick start his season as he's looked really slow at Foxhall so far. Light years from the Barker we saw at Foxhall with Plymouth last year.

I said this yesterday. The promotion would have had a budget in mind in which to build the team and it's more than likely that Sedgman would be more pricey than Makinen. But sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate and push the boat out a little if you want success. I doubt it would be THAT much of a financial difference to put the club at risk. Put Sedgman in the team in place of Makinen and the team is strengthened without question. That would lead to better results, more chance of success and money spinning play offs, and more paying punters through the gate. That change as you say would more than likely pay for itself.

The problem is it's now or never. Replacing him is not going to be easy with the limited points available but one rider is screaming out and that is Justin Sedgman. He's issued a come and get me plea so is available, and his average believe it or not fits if the club signed him and re-declared the 1-7. I don't think he will sit on the shelf too long before somebody snaps him up so the opportunity is there if they move quickly. Whether they can afford it financially is another matter but sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate. Make the change, more chance of success and more chance of numbers on the gate.

Good win. Makinen remains the big concern and that problem needs to be sorted if we are to have any success because you simply can't carry any passengers if you want to win things. 2 points in his 5 meetings?? Woeful in the extreme. On a brighter note, Heeps' great start continues. It seems such a shame to be in this position so early in the season. I do feel sorry for the lad but Louis had a decision to make fairly quickly I think. A rider like Justin Sedgman in place of Makinen could see the club fighting for honours. Leave things as they are for too long and that chance could disappear.

What on earth has happened to Ben Barker? He's been dominant in the PL the last couple of years but has started the season for us poorly. A couple of times he made half decent gates and was on the outside on bend 2, when you then expect him to fly up the back straight in to a clear lead but he did the opposite and went backwards! Looks generally slow. The reserve pairing looks as good as any in the League and to be honest there isn't an awful lot wrong with the team. Just need to get Barker going and solve the problem of Makinen.

Due to the very cold weather recently I think every track is having problems at the moment producing an entertaining surface. The track at Foxhall on Good Friday was very slick and didn't produce good racing either. Give it a few weeks to warm up and allow the track staff to prepare a track for good racing before condemning it.

It wasn't a classic no as the track was understandably very slick. Anyone trying the wide line wasn't really getting anywhere but that will come in the coming weeks no doubt.

Must say the view from the stand was fantastic. Didn't stay up there long though as it was even colder up there! Another stand going up and other improvements planned also so all very positive. On the meeting, delighted to see the kid Heeps start very well indeed.

looks to be some good match ups and I agree with blupanther the Allen/Bunyan pairing looks a good one. Barker will have to be on top form. I'd expect Lanham to have the measure of Nelson though and the reserve battles look very interesting. Very much looking forward to this.

A little early but it's been a long LONG winter. No challenge warm up this year so straight in to a competitive League Cup fixture. All sorts of goodies for the kids including face painting, bouncy castle and an Easter egg hunt. Kids go free with a paying adult too. All details here http://www.ipswichwitches.co/index.php/news-centre/602-season-starts-on-good-friday Not sure on the rider order for Rye, but we now know the Witches will line up as follows 1 Barker 2 Makinen 3 Tungate 4 Risager 5 Lanham 6 Ellis 7 Heeps Very much looking forward to getting under way so fingers crossed for some decent weather! Any Rye supporters planning on making the trip? Predictions for the meeting?

Well I'm really in no position to judge as I've only ever seen the one meeting and that was the Fours in 2011. But I have to be honest on that day I was quite impressed and saw some decent racing. I can remember Tressarieu making a good pass on Niemenen and I also remember Risager of all people, having a great scrap with a couple of riders. All three passing and repassing each other which brought great cheers from the crowd. But as I say that was only one meeting maybe I got lucky

Crikey it can't be that bad surely! Sometimes even a small alteration can make a difference. I remember reading once from someone at Oxford, that a relatively minor track alteration made a big difference to the racing so maybe best to just wait until the racing starts and give it a look before slashing your wrists

I've only ever been to Leicester the once and that was 2011 when the Witches won the fours. I've got to admit I also thought the straights looked a little narrow too. Not overly so and Ive seen narrower, but still a tad tight. I enjoyed my visit and thought the racing was actually ok and better than I was expecting after reading so many negative comments about the track beforehand. But I guess the comments from those that attend on a regular basis hold a lot more water than mine who has seen only the one meeting.

Me too. The off season always seems to take forever but this year it seems to be dragging even more. Just need to get this month out of the way and get stuck in to February, then we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.