Arch Stanton

Masters is absolutely superb around Foxhall. Lowered Doyle’s colours twice in one meeting last year, nobody else could manage that. He’ll be a big danger man again when Wolves visit.

It’s more like between five and six than between six and seven if his recent averages are anything to go by. 5.60, 5.22 and 5.51 in the recent seasons before last season’s 6.31 Probably not met with much enthusiasm because of the figures above. His 6.31 possibly looking a little expensive and not likely to see any improvement. I’ve listed a few riders of similar standard that every team has in their middle order, problem is when you have more than one of them which Peterborough MIGHT have if Andersen also signs. That can be negated somewhat if you have a couple of real quality bit hitters so Peterborough are gonna need a top rider at 1 I think. If they get one then I still think they’ll be in the mix for a play off spot.

To be fair the Holder thing may have scuppered his/their plans and they’ve had to chase a replacement.

Not sure about that. Get the top heat leader in whether that be Pedersen or someone else then the top end looks absolutely fine. Iversen will be a good second heat leader (much more suited than #1) and Basso is more than capable of improving further to nail down the 3rd heat leader spot. Ben Cook could do well at reserve also which just leaves the middle order. We’ve all got those Ritchie Worrall types in the side, Wolves have his brother, we have Riss, Belle Vue Charles Wright, Sheffield Howarth/Bellego etc etc. all similar average wise who aren’t exciting but are there to do a job.

Was just a rehash really of what Louis said earlier in the week at the end of the sponsorship piece ”The Witches generally do their work prior to Christmas and did so again this time in terms of their first five signings - but two places have remained unfilled, with the first of those clearly having a bearing on the club’s direction of travel for the second”. So nothing we didn’t already know really, get who they really want in and then Hume goes with him, or having to settle for Batch and Cook.. Still think Holder may come in to the thinking if he’s not the heat leader Peterborough are talking about.

We won’t really know until he rides but what we do know is that last season he was still scoring very very well and still mixing it with the best. The injury at his age will be a concern sure.

“Witches still hoping for a happy ending” is the headline in the Witches part of the Speedway Star…

He’s not a dreadful signing but I agree doesn’t really get the juices flowing. Had a spell at reserve for Lynn last season but with Cook and Jenkins down there you wouldn’t expect him to be getting easier reserve rides this time around unless Cook does a lot better than expected. Still, exciting news on the heat leader! If it’s Pedersen or Lindgren that would make you forget about Worrall pretty quickly

Richie Worrall confirmed. On a brighter note, “and as Speedway Star went to press on Tuesday, Panthers were understood to be closing in on a major heat-leader signing”. Assuming Andersen is one of the other two, that leaves 9.46 for the “major heat leader”.

Agree with the Lynn lot here, I’m sure the sponsorship money is very welcome, but it doesn’t then give you the right to sign riders/build the team. That’s down to the club owner. Guy Nicholls’ sponsorship is very welcome at Ipswich also, but he doesn’t build the team Chris Louis does.

“Hopefully towards the end of next week if we can” was what Johnson was quoted as saying in last weeks speedway star so he gave no guarantees. Unless he’s been on local radio since and updated?

Too many red flags for me. I mean, giving an interview to the local press recently down in Dorset saying that he hopes Poole return to the top flight because he’d like to ride for them again, whilst also stating that it’s just “not the same” riding for anyone else here when he potentially had a deal in the pipeline to ride for said someone else, isn’t the smartest move is it? Last time he rode for “someone else” he shed a big chunk off his Poole average whilst sitting in the pits with a massive cob on and refusing to ride in tricky conditions. Would he have sat there in Poole kevlars rather than Lynn ones and flatly refused to ride? I bet he wouldn’t!!

From a personal point of view I hope Holder gets his spot at Peterborough purely because I don’t want him at Ipswich.

If Buster is calling the shots then you’d think Worrall is a certainty to be green lighted.

A short term deal would make me even more wary of Holder. Hope that doesn’t happen.

Nobody can report what isn’t done really. Louis has already said in yesterdays press release they’re HOPING to announce more next week. If nothing has been signed it can’t be reported on. Elvin was very good though on reporting on the Witches, as was Mike Bacon so it’ll be interesting to see who from the local press picks up the baton.

Possibly, although Hawkins did say over a month ago it would be in to February before the team was revealed. At least it’s nearly over for both clubs

Louis also provided an update on how team building is going as they edge closer to completing the side. “I understand fans’ frustration that things this year are moving much slower than we are used to in terms of completing the team. It is very important for the club, sponsors, riders and fans that we do our upmost to get the best we can and to entertain the fans and put together a side that has the best chance of winning. It is frustrating that it is taking longer than normal but there are reasons for that. Things have sped up a little in the last few days and we remain on target to hopefully update the fans in another week’s time.” https://ipswichwitches.co/2023-partner-sponsors-rn-euston-scott-properties/ Partner sponsors announced. Interesting snippet on the team at the end of the article

Don’t forget poor ol Jack!

Sayfutdinov gained Polish citizenship back in 2009! Doesn’t sit well with me any of this to be honest. On Holder, is he really that interested in riding here? Maybe he is I don’t know him but I’m a bit sceptical about Chris Holder based on his past efforts at Lynn. If he isn’t now at Peterborough and then doesn’t end up at Ipswich either then it’s one of two things, he’s not all that bothered about doing UK or Louis doesn’t want him. Maybe Holder and Buster can smooth things over..

Always used to see Hans Nielsen in the wongs Chinese after the meetings whenever he visited Foxhall.

Actually not sure about Leicester. In the past they’re definitely brought the best away following! Well supported. Agree to a point. Once the team is announced not sure any amount of interviews will provide the same amount of interest as outstanding team members will. But, in this day and age there’s no reason why clubs and promoters can’t do a weekly or even monthly, blog on official social media with the latest updates on club matters even if it’s not team related. For instance, Louis at Ipswich told folks who attended the supporters club thingy that they were hoping to stage the much loved 16 lapper this year, as well as adding banking to the track etc. anyone who didn’t attend would have no idea of that, why isn’t it on the official website? It should be. As you say, it’s really not hard to do.

I’ll counter that, I’ll bet none of those have sold more season tickets than Ipswich..

I know some fans get impatient, but here we are six weeks from opening night and the Peterborough and Ipswich threads are the only ones still active. The Belle Vue, Lynn, Sheffield, Leicester and Wolves threads have died a death. At least waiting this long has kept fans interested and speculating over the long winter months! OK some will say it’s been nothing but a load of old guff and drivel but still

Well six weeks today so at least we know the end game is near