Wee Eck

I think it was a good result for both teams - Edinburgh fans went home happy that they beat the Pirates, especially the way they did it, Poole happy because they are only two behind. Who might have scored what had line ups been different is just silly talk. You can only race against what’s in front of you and that was the case for both sides. Edinburgh had some unexpectedly good performances which is always a fan pleaser, Poole were solid from one to six with only Rushen findings things tough. I can see a repeat coming up for the play off final once Dan T is back

To be fair, I think maybe it’s you that are missing the point. Poole are successful as a business and as a team. They have a strong supporter base who have been treated to a winning team year after year. They are addicted to winning because they have got used to it. But the team can only beat what’s in front of them, and last night, the opposition were not only poor but disappointing - 5 race wins out of 13. And three of these were by Harris. After last year’s clashes, much was expected of this match but Glasgow were a let down. But that’s only half the story - not only do Poole keep their own supporters happy, but the also make other promoters happy when Poole come to visit. Because the home supporters turn out in greater numbers because they want to see the mighty Pirates humiliated by their team. And sometimes that happens. For example, if you were an Edinburgh supporter, would you prefer to watch the Monarchs against Poole or against, say, Scunthorpe?

I don’t have a problem with you having said something. It wasn’t you who aired his anguish in public. And, although the original post has been deleted, I’m sure there are plenty of screen shots around

I think you lose the right to privacy when you put all your troubles on Facebook, strong language and all, available for the whole world to see

Did you know or were you just guessing?

Cluff yes, Loftus maybe not so easy

Cluff yes, Loftus maybe not so easy

You’re starting to sound like Shovlar with your reverse psychology

Not after winning the league. Worky had been living way beyond their means for several seasons so their bankruptcy was not unexpected.

I think that’s unfair. His ambition is to make money running a speedway team and when you look at income vs expenditure, I’m sure he does that. It’s the other teams in the league that are crazy, spending money in order to put out decent teams and good entertainment for their fans, the fools

I think that’s unfair. His ambition is to make money running a speedway team and when you look at income vs expenditure, I’m sure he does that. It’s the other teams in the league that are crazy, spending money in order to put out decent teams and good entertainment for their fans, the fools

You do know who @crescent girl is, don’t you? You’ll get into real trouble for attacking speedway’s equivalent of a national treasure

How long before Howarth goes to number one? That might be the wake up call Harris needs. Or is it one season too many for the ageing Bomber?

Silly season started early I see. Both Bayern’s and Poole’s supporters love them winning. That’s why they both attract relatively big crowds.

Has this all changed since the season got underway? Not the bottom two for sure but Glasgow still number 1 and Plymouth down at 5? Unless Hausl and Bowes up their games then both Glasgow and Poole look vulnerable, Glasgow especially as they lack Poole’s powerful 16 year olds. Redcar have started steadily as have Berwick, perhaps helped by a Stewart Dickson style rain off. Oxford need meetings to come together as a team and Edinburgh need to find out if the win at Glasgow was indicative of things to come. But Plymouth are the stand outs. Will Garry manage to keep his team injury free? Worky need to get a reliable 1-7 otherwise they’ll be the same as last year. And, yet again, sadly, Scunthorpe just need a 1-7. Swapping Gilkes for Lambert is hardly likely to swing the needle. IMO

This has all gone quiet. Do we take it that Ben, and his ghost writer, finally got the contact from BSPL he wanted and deserved?

He’s changed his user name to Trackrat and just trolls for what he thinks are laughs

I didn’t name any rider. Deliberately. Many have a claim for a place, been offered a chance to ride in a lesser event, turned it down and now want to come in for the big event. Should they be allowed to leap frog those that have shown commitment to GB? Or do they need to show a little humility in order to earn a place? But I accept it’s a dilemma - Painter and Blackwell have built a group around them to develop a winning team and, with the exception of last year have done really well. My view is that part of the success is continuity - the team is stronger as a whole than the individual parts. Bringing in riders on a one off basis runs the risk of ruining that continuity. And as far as paying for a rider to compete - where is the evidence that Paul Cairns has paid (bribed?) GB to allow Will to ride? And suggesting that Hagon Shocks sponsorship - when was that, by the way, as I don’t recall seeing their logo on GB Team suits in the recent past - has got Sam a team place isn’t really borne up by the facts. The main team that rode last night were chosen on merit. The reserve perhaps on availability - and willingness to race. And we qualified. What more do people want?

First of all, and I’m not sure if anyone has said this yet, congratulations to the GB team for making another big final. The success of those running the team is a fair reward for all the effort they have put in, turning a cheap pizzas and beers operation into a professional looking and performing team. Some might try to detract from the result due to the nature of the opposition but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Secondly, I hope people picked up the not too obscure comment made by Ollie Allen of picking the best team available to him. Much has been made of Dan T missing but Dan chose to ride for Edinburgh rather than his country. I find that disappointing especially as I gather - though hopefully I’ve been misinformed - that Dan is missing Berwick tonight because he’s headed off to Poland. Thirdly, we do need a strong fourth rider if we’re not going to finish fourth out of four in the final. But it has to be someone who will fit into the ethos of the GB team and not just be someone who, having previously turned down chances to ride for the team (and there are a few of them) now fancies a bit of the glory that has been brought about by the hard work of others. That has to make selection difficult and controversial. Do you want someone like Adam Ellis who’ll ride whenever and wherever he’s asked or (insert your own chosen name here) who’s first question is “how much will I get paid? Fourth, Will Cairns selection. He was willing and able to be there, and maybe his dad helped with the team finances, maybe not. But who else would you have? It was a shame that, unlike the other teams, he didn’t get a ride but (a) unlike other teams, GB wasn’t built to use the reserve tactically (b) the other four did the job and (c) to put him out cold in the nominated heats on a gaters’ track would only have got his bikes and himself mucky. Will’s day will come, it just wasn’t yesterday. Finally, and this repeats my first point, congratulations to the team, not just the riders but Ollie, Vicky, Rob, Chris Neville, Steve Williams and all the sponsors big and small. No more “plucky Brits bringing up the rear” but World Cup Finalists. Again.

With two bikes?

Ban would be for failing to ride in UK on Monday due to injury picked up on Friday but which didn’t stop him riding in Italy at the weekend - I suspect he’ll be let off with a warning. The second sentence? Evidence for even thinking like that?

Ah. Another cheap dig at Cami Brown. Is his company still a sponsor as I can’t see anything on Glasgow’s website to suggest it is. And do you really think Glasgow’s owners, arguably the most successful business backing British speedway at present, would appoint a team manager because his company had supported the Tigers in the past?

Now, I’m probably being even thicker than usual but which team manager has got a team place for his son? I assume you mean UK and just can’t think who it might be

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Paco_Castagna It’s his name

Non speedway reason for missing a meeting is an automatic 8 day ban, isn’t it?