MD

On 10.35 most teams would require a complete restructure, thats if they could afford him in the first place!

Some decent races despite the scoreline with the lower order Tigers coming from the back to chase points. Lunna's stalk and pass of Busk Jakobsen in ht10 was quite superb. Shows what confidence the younger riders can get when the track is well prepared without himalayan amounts of dirt. For PB they only came to the party with Ostergaard in ht11 and then ht13 but it was long over by then. Whilst those watching updates can only see the heat scores, Tom Perry was decent, Porsing started ok but faded and the rest werent at the races including Lambert who was exceptionally poor. Roll on Armadale this Friday, if it ever warms up.

The mounds of dirt gathered at the bottom of the fence of the third and fourth bends after a couple of heats suggest it was overly deep. No one wants a gating contest but likewise heats where the leader races off into the sunset being so fast the rider behind has no chance of catching them.

Forecast to be around 7 degrees with a bit of rain forecast for Sunday. Prepare the track as deep as it was last week and we'd better have extra air fence panels ordered. Looking forward to this one and hopefully giving both sets of riders a circuit for racing.

Barker kept it wound on even when he was almost out of control though he wouldnt have got near a better rider in those opening heats with his lack of speed. Bellego stuck like glue to the inside all meeting and never braved it out to the deep stuff. There were times I hoped the track graders would pull the dirt out to the fence rather than pull it back in. I think the deep stuff was more detrimental than entertaining, Ayres was getting frustrated he couldnt ride it, Garcia twice ended up in the fence and Lunna bent a frame after losing control, all on the same bend. The experienced guys can ride any track but lets help the younger riders by striking a balance between a bit of dirt and being able to stay upright taking the bend at speed. We have some good racers down the order who couldnt show it today.

Once again a poor start from Glasgow who had to work hard in the middle of the meeting to get the win. It was noticeable that the start line was well watered and grippy for the opening part as Glasgow were again outgated but got back into it as the start dried out. The third and fourth bend were excruciatingly deep, presumably to unsettle Redcar who are used to it being slick but all it did was unsettle Garcia, Ayres and Lunna and cost us points. Do either of these things next week against Peterborough and we will get slaughtered in the opening heats and be unable to claw back their lead.

Another mediocre return from Campton, should at least be beating reserves.

A touch of red mist from Worrall, exiting bend four on the previous lap Wethers flicked his back wheel out to block Worrall who wasnt happy and switched to the inside to try to unsettle him on the first turn but almost lost control and narrowly missed his rear wheel. The incident then happened at the next turn where Worrall came in too hot under Wethers and couldnt make the turn as well as avoiding the rider. Hard riding and nothing more. Wethers is as fair a rider as you'll get, disappointing to hear that.

Had Berwick had any presence at 1 & 5 they would have buried Glasgow having consistently outgated them in the opening heats to build an admirable lead. Alden won ht9 by a country mile, the only time he gated otherwise not interested. Fisher came down in first bend bunching in ht5, never made it for the rerun and i suspect had bike issues as was poor thereafter. Carr was superb from reserve but ran out of steam in his latter heats. Wethers too was decent until the big crash with Worrall. Just like 12 months ago in the corresponding fixture the Bandits took it to Glasgow and made them fight for it, a decent meeting if absolutely Baltic.

Its off so Wells not required today anyway.

Old habits die hard. Likewise I would like to see our own 1-7 line up whether we are going to win or not. Glasgow's have form for this type of manoeuvre which makes you doubt its authenticity, particularly as its our Armadale guest of choice replacing him. Worse than that will be if we win, jibes of you can only win with a PL select when we really want to rub their noses in it with our own 7 riders.

Would hope for Clegg to ride a stinker for this meeting to give us a helping hand!

Perhaps but that just moves the issue to ht12.

Ht14 now takes on more importance with Riss swapping with Etheridge to cover ht8. Still going to be a busy night for Clegg!

Bizarre when his EL track has been Lakeside for a good few years which isnt dis-similar to Armadale. Glasgow have got to make it count in heats 2 & 8 against their inexperienced riders. Clegg will be guaranteed an extra 2 rides, his performance is crucial to an EDI win or an EDI loss IMO. Edinburghs top 4 will be up for it. Will be glued to the updates all night.

Does Etheridge remain on a 5 unless he goes above his assessed average? Or will he be at reserve in the not too distant?

Similarities with Katajisto who was tentative when he first rode for Edinburgh but came good up to a certain level. Even managed an extra month at reserve when he really got going! EDI might be worth persevering with Bewley for longer than the 4 meetings to gain his registration then bank him for future use.

Perhaps now is the opportunist time to visit with Etheridge and Bewley still to find their feet. Only Ayers has never ridden there for Glasgow.

Barker threw a chain on the last turn to gift it, Riss otherwise not at the races along with Fisher & Clegg. Masters outstanding, Etheridge needs time, Bewley a bit wild but not scared to turn the throttle, looks a decent long term prospect. As lacklustre a derby as you are likely to see, decent crowd, mediocre away support. Didnt miss the Spring Trophy, role on Berwick in 2 weeks and some better weather.

Glasgow is one of the easier PL tracks to ride. 0131 confidence will be reflected in how many travel over, the excuses are in just in case its a pumping. IMO it'll be a Glasgow win by around 10.

Think id prefer Worrall at No4 to cover ht14.

In the interests of British speedway.

A more than decent opener with the lower order riders providing great entertainment. Ayres looks pretty fearless and got stuck in. Refreshing not to start against the usual 0131's, hopefully we do this every year from now on. Bring on the season.

Wonder if one of the three who turned out was the rider Campbell was claiming in December was holding the club to ransom. #justsayin

True but since 2008 the general population has experienced an precedented drop in living standards where wage inflation has been non existent. The only growth seems to be in zero hours contracts and semi skilled jobs being driven to minimum wage by a never ending stream of very cheap labour from eastern Europe. Pricing is a difficult issue, Glasgow look to have priced themselves between the Rocks basketball and Braehead Clan. The proof is in the pudding, we may attract fans particularly families who attend the hockey during winter but alienate a minority of long term speedway fans who cant afford to attend every meeting especially in a 5 week month. I think we should be calling this one now rather than try to get it on for the sake of it.