King Jamie

He's been paid, week in week out, for doing his job throughout those 7 years. What further public thanking are you expecting? Fishing for platitudes is a sad way to live life. At least we won't be subjected to any more "Joshie" nonsense in the updates.

Poole's change was due to injury. Unavoidable. Glasgow's change was due to a rider being told to go home. Unavoidable. Oxford's change was an attempt to strengthen their team. Wholly avoidable. Bad Oxford. Cheats!

Makes a difference from the usual saggy old cushion

I hope you didn't hold your breath Monarchs achieved the grand total of 15 points from 16 meetings. Being crowned Champions on the basis of the final 6 meetings would be nothing short of embarrassing. Thankfully, it won't happen. I'm going to put the above down to a transposition error and say well done on your correct prediction.

I don't think you'll need to touch any wood (Dayle included) in order to get your wish. Neither side deserves a chance to claim themselves as Champions this season. Here's to Poole winning the group and going on to clinch the title. #Peoples'sChampions

If Charles wasn't injured, would the call for a ban still be "appalling"?

Ian Barney was one of my auld man's favourites. I recognised him from the black and white pic but not the colour one.

Edinburgh and Glasgow currently sitting top of their respective groups. Could we be in for a repeat of the 2015 Final?

Good to see Dayle Wood back in action yesterday. His presence could be key in the Monarchs' upcoming play off push.

Who writes the live updates on the Monarchs website? Repeated use of "Joshie". His name's Josh. Always has been. Always will be.

Why? If they finish top, they'll be the People's Champions in my eyes and I for one hope they go on and win the stupid play offs.

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Does that mean Zach is Master Chef? As for our namesake, it seems it's more a case of Can't Cook, Won't Cook.

It was a joke about them being twins. Lighten up.

If Richie had half a brain, he would've sent Steve to Plymouth in his place last night. See if anyone noticed.

I suspect that comes back to another part of the family Courtney quote - "lack of rider availability". Arranging meetings must be a complete nightmare nowadays, especially at weekends when all sorts of competitions take place (in UK and abroad). Therefore, in a bid to have as many of the declared 1-7's of both sides on show, perhaps double headers are the only 'solution'. Beyond that, you're looking at one / both side(s) filled with r/r and guests. I remember when I travelled to every meeting, home and away, religiously (Monarchs and Devils). I said to one of the guys then that British Speedway was dying. That must've been 2009 or earlier. Here we are in 2023 and the sport is, somehow, just about clinging on to dear life. Sadly, each passing year sees another nail, small or large, drilled firmly into the coffin

Ellis is French.

Of course you'll improve. You've just signed Tarasenko to replace Nowak! Think of Friday as Glasgow's 'last night off'. The warm-up league meetings are almost over. The stupid play-offs are almost here and they're all that matter nowadays. #whybotherwiththefirstfivemonths?

Rosenberg? That was some game!

I'm good, thanks. Keeping busy and out of trouble! Unlike yourself, I'm still following Sheffield's finest football club

A double header is classed as one meeting. First time I recall the rule coming into play was many moons ago at Rye House. I can't remember the exact details but somebody was injured during the first meeting (I'm guessing it must've been an RH rider). They were allowed to use a guest in the second part of the double header. Obviously choices were somewhat limited (!), so they had to choose a chap from the first opposing side. As has been stated, the rules now give an 'allowance' in relation to riders 'guesting' vs 'riding for your own team' so Birmingham, in theory, could use a Poole rider if their average fits. Edinburgh can do likewise, should such a situation arise.

Josh has already guested for Birmingham this season. This month in fact. Maybe even more than once? Can't be bothered checking. Perhaps Monarchs fans could take to social media and see if they can force a change of heart, like they did previously (last season?). Or we could just get on with our lives, agree the play offs are Americanised garbage and it would be embarrassing for a team which has been as woeful as ours to even qualify for such a competition. Play offs have gone a long way towards killing the sport in this country. Sadly, those at the top apparently don't think along the same lines.

Reminds me of a story which may or may not be urban myth... BBC commentator asks Chelsea player, "how do you pronounce your name? Is it Mon-koo or Mon-cow?" "It's 'Ken'". You're right though. Pre meeting research costs nothing. It's disrespectful and unprofessional to repeatedly mispronounce a name all evening. Eurosport kinda used it as some sort of comedy sideshow. Very poor. On a personal note, it's extremely rare that people pronounce my surname correctly. There are even a few in my office who still get it wrong, despite me having worked there over 30 years! Quite pathetic really.

Much better than a year of Castagna.

Is it not just down to fixed race nights and riders being able to plan their calendars much more easily, as opposed to previously when race nights were all over the place?