thebaron

In Ryan's defence I reckon Redcar is of his least favourites; never looks comfortable on it.

This is really baffling; Josh Auty brilliant on form; Ryan one of the best Aussie prospects in my opinion and Wilko as experienced a rider as you'll find at this level and 'all at sea' ???. Then there's JB who really is finding it hard at the tail end. No wonder we're running low ?; at the moment we only have three riders we can call upon MPT; Lewis and Tero as it proved last night. Once Stefan is fit; there will be a decision to make I suppose. The team as it is; is far far better than our form suggests and it just is really disappointing and baffling really. On form you would take them to give any team a run for their money. Riders do run in and out of form; that's speedway; but rarely do you see three riders in the same team doing so. Injuries may have played a part; speedways a tough sport and if you are carrying a knock its bound to 'reign you in a bit'. So fully understand that and the riders have my maximum respect at all time for what they do. We just want them to do well and want them to know that we back them; through this tough period. If you look at the best reserves in the league and it has to be Matty Williamson - Worky and Ellis Perks; plus Ayres - Redcar and the first two were actually attached to Scunny. JB is a great little prospect but he's finding it hard going at the moment. Berwick had a stinking start to the season; but then went out and brought in Nick Morris as No1 and with Gappmaier on form things are turning around a little. Point is they have made the changes; to try to turn things around. Newcastle at home Monday has become a 'must win' to put a stake in the ground and restore a belief. It will not be easy with Lambert & the Diamonds in opposition. Keep backing the team.

This does not look good tonight; in all fairness we should be running Redcar closer than this. No Barker for them and still we fighting the tide ?. Think Rob will be taking everybody into the boardroom at this rate.

I kind of get the feeling that Scunny are under the microscope from the management tonight. Rob's ultra loyal to his riders; but I feel his benevolence it beginning to wane a little. Certainly cannot see him accepting another home reverse on Monday v Diamonds; so all Scorpions will be under the beady eye I reckon. Tonight is a meeting we should be 'in' all the way; at least if not looking to take points so it is going to be interesting. Great night for it as well.

Agreed; we do need more from the main body of the team on a consistent basis. I reckon Aarnio will give us his average from reserve. But you are right to say any dividend from the reserve is squandered if our heat leaders cannot go up against the opposition big guns ? As was born out on Sunday.

I think its been said in previous posts pretty much; although I did think there was plenty of good racing in amongst to tick the meeting along. Bradley Wilson Dean showed just what a good rider he is; and was actually leading the charge for us and he's the guest rider. Early on the track was a tad unpredictable but BWD was masterly on the bike; compared to others and eventually worked his way out to the dirt line. Used it to advantage as well. Kyle Howarth and Josh Grajzoneck were unstoppable; Howarth was imperious a word I put into my programme write up. I think we have done ok; bringing in Tero Aarnio for Stefan Neilsen; he seems really keen to get back into British racing and show what he can do. He should be a trump card at reserve. I never like singling riders out for criticism; its darn tough out there and they all have my maximum respect; so we'll leave it at that. We keep going and pick ourselves up.

Been thinking about our sickening injury plight ?. What is at the bottom of this ? Riders racing on the edge ?, unpredictable machinery ? poorly prepared track surfaces ? just plain rotten luck ?. There could be anyone of things. But one thing that does not help is the requirement for riders to take extra non programmed rides filling in for missing team mates - rider replacement. This has happened over years I know but it's happening more and more these days it seems ?. Tomorrow we have r/r v Sheffield for Ryan which means any Scorpion below Ryan's average in the team can take one of his 4 programmed rides. By nature this facility places an onous on the incoming 'lower average rider' to try to make up for Ryan's points. Acknowledging that most riders want to be racing it's still added pressure within the race meeting for the riders. They probably welcome it ? but sometime you have to protect the rider's from their own bravado and think about the bigger picture ?. For that reason I am moving away from thinking that rider replacement works in the interests of the club and riders. I have mentioned 'the good old days' in the 70s-80s at Bradford and Halifax and the team's managing to go through the season with the same 1-7. I can remember seeing Flying Dutchman Henny Kroeze knock out a 7 ride 21 point maximum at the Shay. He was the first to do that not because he was the first rider to appear on 7 races in the same meeting. But non the less 6-7 rides in the same meeting were indeed rare. Nowadays 5-6-7 rides are normal and that has to increase the chances of hazard for all riders. Let's not forget a team speedway meeting is just 15-20 minutes long in reality that's intense for the competitors and 4 programmed rides with a possible fifth is probably about right on man and machine.So I am concluding that we need to manage the riders better and almost protect them from themselves I am sure the management do their upmost to look after the team and Ipswich was just one of those nights. But for me I think we need to seriously consider whether rider replacement actually works against us in the long run and that fielding 7 riders in each match is key in order to give Dave Peet the best chance of managing the team across the 15 heats, and if we need use the extra guest rider then let's do so.

Has anyone got the foggiest idea where we go with this ?; Wallner out 6 weeks; bring in Stefan now he'll be out at least that I would think ?; Ryan out how long ?; Josh Auty coming back from an injury; Lewis been injured, Josh Bailey coming back from injury ? Wilko injured and coming back from it. Only man actually left in one piece Tofty !. What is going on ?; are we riding two much on the edge these days; are these bikes just two hard to predict. What I mean is back in the 70's at Bradford and 70-80's at Halifax we pretty much ran with the same 1-7 for the entire season. At this rate Scunny will have fielded two teams of riders by the end of June !. Its really sickening and I feel for the Management who work darned hard to put on a fantastic show at Scunny. You always back the team; but two guests and R/R on Sunday can really impact the crowd. The show goes on I know; it has to; but its not the same when the team is so decimated. I do think we have to look at what is happening with riders; and machinery, so many injuries and not just at Scunny; speedway riders are starting to look line nine pins !. It never used to be this bad. Looking further ahead; we are going to have to make changes again !..that's clear. There's US kid Brok Nichol in the Star this week wants a ride in the Championship. Apparently he's "in a phone booth; just the one across the hall" I wouldn't leaving him hanging on the telephone !

Thank you for explaining; that makes a bit more sense of things; because it seemed a bit harsh to me on the face of it. Hope he still gets his chance in the Prem and I think he will.

Josh Auty has been released at Leicester in favour of Lasse Bjerre ?. Bit harsh on Josh so soon into the season; how many meetings has he done; and with his injury at the moment. Ok it appears to work for us; because his focus will be Scunthorpe; but any rider will tell you they want to be riding; and for me Josh seemed to do better when he was getting the meetings in the Elite League at Birmingham & Leicester. Still there is every chance he could soon be fixed up in the Premiership again; as we are seeing already the rider situation is definitely 'fluid'.

Fantastic meeting of 'two halves' Scorpions raising hopes and excitement by winning the first half to Ht8 and then Monarchs exerting their superior team strength on the day; from Ht9. Lets be fair here; this was always a tough one given the loss of Lewis Kerr and Josh Auty. Rider Replacement for Lewis (who would have been expected to score well in this meeting) was never going compensate for his loss. But we battled and the racing was top draw. Ht8 "what a bloody race that was" ! to quote genial Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey on the mike and he weren't kidding either. Monarch New Aussie second string Josh Pickering was making his EWR debut; but clearly closed his eyes and crossed everything when he decided to barnstorm it round the fence on Turns1-2 to jet propel himself into first down the back straight. Never mind the Crazy Frog as Rob exclaimed this is Crazy Speedway ! So much in this meeting to keep you focused with both teams at it hammer and tongs. Monarchs may have exerted their advantage in the second half but got to give credit to the Scorpions for taking the fight to them. Ryans fall in Ht13 when challenging and MPT's Ht14 blow up on the line stalled our attempts to stay in the meeting to the last; but we were up against it from the off. Just a mention for guests Richard Hall - giving his 'all' and involved in close combat with the Monarchs throughout; and "Crazy Frog Frenchman Dimitri Berge - who despite some indifferent early season form for the Berwick Bandits again underlined his liking for the EWR with some exciting passing attempts on the opposition. Cheers guys your welcome anytime. Seeing this in the context of the result; is only half the story and probably not that. There was so much more to savour and the promise of more to come from the team once we make the anticipated change to the line up. With everyone back and Rob's promised 'game changer' on board this season is far far from over for the Scorpions. The win at Berwick on Saturday and the performance at Workington a week earlier; showed that we have it in us to be challenging in this League. A look through the results so far; tells you that all teams are competing and there is a long long way to go. Few rumours circulating the terraces on the new signing David Howe an obvious name; while Joe Jacobs and Stefan Nielsen garnered a few votes. For me respect to all; but I would favour Nielsen; never a dull moment at Sunny Scunny Speedway is there ?

Now that's what I like to hear.

Right; I missed yesterday so I am taking reports of us being outdone at our own game on a 'daytime track'; when our boys want a 'dusk time track'?. Can we try and get this imaginary barrier out of our heads ?; it is the same for both teams and we have to get to grips with it and find a way. The riders do not need you or I to point this out; they are professional; and know best what it takes on all types of race tracks. Not blaming Fritz who clearly was having a right old go at it; but coming off in three heats has been costly and with Josh Bailey feeling his way in 2pts from the reserves has made the difference here. We have to maybe reign Fritz in a tad; as he just goes for it from tapes up; when there's still four laps to make his move. But that's in him; he's a racer and you don't want to drum that out of him. I understand that the crowd was decent yesterday; certainly we do not want folk like the last poster; saying they'll be going to Redcar?. Come on fella give the lads a break it is one meeting we have a whole season ahead of us. This team demonstrated its potential for a third of last season; we have not just thrown this team together. Certainly Rob and the managements belief in the riders is not unfounded and it must not disappear overnight we need to give things time to settle down. Ryan is on new machinery and has his own injury to overcome; and Josh Auty has been open about the need for this to be a year where he finds better consistency. As I say Edinburgh and Workington away; interjected by Glasgow at home next Sunday will again be tough meetings. Honestly I can not see us winning either away?. That's not being defeatist that's being realistic; but we should go to both and try to keep in the meeting and try and restrict it to a six point margin where we collect a point. Then set about restoring confidence with a home win against Glasgow; no worries if its a last heat decider just win the meeting. This league is really competitive this season; so we are going to have to get used to it. Lets stick together; believe in what we are doing and back the team; they do better when they know we that we remain behind them.

Will miss this on Sunday; as I am away in Germany; brushing up on my Deutsch. Reading the Star; practically universal is the opinion that we will finish rock bottom of the SGB Championship. Looking at this Panthers look tough opposition for opening night. If you can it is best to get off to a winning start to 'take the crowd with you' as the season unfolds. Simon Lambert is a bit of an EWR specialist and Ostergaard; Hansen and Holder will be a danger, and I always rate Starke. They do look to have heat winners so we will need to be taking some ourselves and packing the seconds and thirds. Ryan and Josh Auty will need to be on top of their top four and take some pole places. Maybe a tough return for Josh Bailey and expect Fritz to be worked hard. One thing is guaranteed; a closely fought high action meeting.

I don't think it will be massive; but looking on paper at the two teams; you got to say that we should be able to get about that Glasgow team given the 'experience' advantage over the likes of Bewley; Smith; Perry and Nike Lunna. I would not under estimate those riders but at this stage of the season; we might have a chance to catch them out before they get into their stride ?.

Had an inkling last Friday that JB wasn't ready after his plate removal. I though Campos quit speedway last season ?; didn't he ride his 'last ever' meeting for us at reserve ?. Remember last season; going down to Peterborough and getting a right 'pan handling' ! came back thoroughly hacked off. Don't see it this way this time; a few changes to the Panthers 1-7. See Lewis & MPT as key men; Lewis had a decent meeting there last week for Coventry so should be dialled in. Might stick me neck out and say we could nick this.

Hi Ian Looks like a half decent forecast for tonight; so plan to get over for the P+P; so may see you there ? Would not disagree with the Home order. Can see the logic in Ryan being the No1; then we are showing some belief in him and that he can make the next step this season. Big Josh at 5. for me too; takes the "monkey off his back" of being No1. I think MPT will be a big scorer in this league this season and will surely get a Premiership ride as the season unfolds. Wonder if David Howe will be practicing this evening ? reading Robs enthusiasm for his comeback makes you think he's our 'go too rider' in the event of any hiccups. Wish the club legend well for his return; but really hoping we will not be needing to change anything. Speedways Back !

Reading the Star this week there is clear frustration amongst the riders over the demise of Coventry. This has impacted the on likes of Danny King; Lewis Kerr and James Sargeant. For me this has moved the goalposts (sorry Cov fans they've gone as well !) in terms of the Premiership team line-ups. Sargeant a British rider does not have a team place at all; while Kerr and King now only have a team place in the Championship. Surely this cannot be right; when the likes of Josh Bailey and Ellis Perks have THREE team slots this season across all THREE LEAGUES. ? With respect neither rider is of the standard of Lewis Kerr or James Sargeant just yet; so would it not be common sense for Kerr and Sargeant to come into the Premiership team of the two riders?. I know we want to push forward British talent (actually Perks is Australian) but neither are at Premiership standard (yet) so arguably the racing would be better if Kerr and Sargeant replaced Bailey and Perks ?. Sargeant at least would then have one team to ride for. We really are cutting our noses off to spite our face with this. There are a number of very capable riders who will start the season on the sidelines through no fault of their own. Surely there has to be a bit of fairness and consideration given where some riders have THREE TEAMS. No disrespect to the likes of Bailey and Perks who clearly have potential. But Kerr and Sargeant are definitely more on the pace in the Premier League for sure. Is it too late to look at the teams again?; it would not be the daftest thing the Speedway hierarchy had come up with by a long chaulk.

I have ended up with both BT Sport and SKY. I am BT for broadband; and phone but the chap reckoned he could do me a deal to bring my phone costs down and throw in a free BT View box and BT Sport for free. All in £60. But the thing to be wary of with BT Sport is that the subscription channels are through the Ethernet cable. I am using Plug Adapters to send the signal from Router to BT View Box. But do need a direct link to your BT View box from the BT Router to avoid the picture pixelating; so where your Router is positioned is crucial. Ok if its directly behind the TV but for some daft reason BT positioned our Router in a bedroom so I need 25ft of Ethernet Cable to get a watchable picture or I need to pay £200 to have the Router moved to the back of the TV set downstairs. So for now I just stick the 25ft of Ethernet cable in to watch BT Sport on the BT View box. I also have BT Sport on the SKY box but if this is right and SKY have ditched League Speedway then I'm ditching SKY and will put up with the 25ft of Ethernet cable for now. I like BT Sport; to be honest it kind of mimics ITV World Of Sport for being prepared to cover motorcycling; US sports etc. Yet still throws in some Premier League football and most of the European Football. On the downside it shows where Speedway is when at a time when the sport is trying to re-launch as a product that the long standing TV partner is pulling out. I read that SKY cannot sell advertising when Speedways on and when you think about that; its probably correct. Think of the adverts you see on TV today; that's right picture them; think of what is being advertised and who they use in the adverts; stay with me and then ask yourself why those same adverts that run between say Ant and Dec's SNTA and The Voice just do not run in the intermission between the Speedway heats. Are we together on this ? Lucky if BT Sports picking up the gauntlet; but with two weeks to go to tapes up on the season we seem to be in a right old mess to me.

The demise of Coventry Speedway is a sad indictment of where speedway has ended up. You can mess around with League branding and all you like; but you have to say that the professional structure of speedway in the UK has been declining since the mid 1990's. There is no sense of the Speedway Governing body being able to place a 'stake in the ground' and stop the 'slide' (pardon the pun) by holding existing ground; or being able to reclaim old or new ground. In a nutshell we're in a 'right two and eight'. Speedway has allowed itself to be shunted out into the fields; on back of the 'green' staszi's' relentless drive to close down anything that perceived as not environmentally friendly. Look at all the proper stadiums closed to speedway since the 1980's including my local tracks Bradford and Halifax. What has to happen to save Speedway is for the governing body to get a grip of this extremely precarious situation and make its own statement of faith in the sport here in the UK. What I am suggesting is that SpeedwayGB after the loss of such a historic venue as Coventry should counter that by re-opening at another legendary venue to show its own faith in its own product. SpeedwayGB needs to enter into negotiation with Bradford Council and the RFL to re-introduce the sport to Bradford and that would be a clear statement that the Governing body of the sport is prepared to reclaim a lost major stadium for the sport. Speedway needs Odsal Stadium and what is more it will never be easier to revive this historic track. With the Bradford Bulls RLFC on their backside financially; Odsal Stadium crying out for regular use here is a great opportunity to start reversing some of the damage. We would have Cardiff; Belle Vue; and Bradford as major venues for the sport and that would help put the handbrake on what looks like a slide into professional sporting oblivion otherwise.

The demise of Coventry Speedway is a sad indictment of where speedway has ended up. You can mess around with League branding and all you like; but you have to say that the professional structure of speedway in the UK has been declining since the mid 1990's. There is no sense of the Speedway Governing body being able to place a 'stake in the ground' and stop the 'slide' (pardon the pun) by holding existing ground; or being able to reclaim old or new ground. In a nutshell we're in a 'right two and eight'. Speedway has allowed itself to be shunted out into the fields; on back of the 'green' staszi's' relentless drive to close down anything that perceived as not environmentally friendly. Look at all the proper stadiums closed to speedway since the 1980's including my local tracks Bradford and Halifax. What has to happen to save Speedway is for the governing body to get a grip of this extremely precarious situation and make its own statement of faith in the sport here in the UK. What I am suggesting is that SpeedwayGB after the loss of such a historic venue as Coventry should counter that by re-opening at another legendary venue to show its own faith in its own product. SpeedwayGB needs to enter into negotiation with Bradford Council and the RFL to re-introduce the sport to Bradford and that would be a clear statement that the Governing body of the sport is prepared to reclaim a lost major stadium for the sport. Speedway needs Odsal Stadium and what is more it will never be easier to revive this historic track. With the Bradford Bulls RLFC on their backside financially; Odsal Stadium crying out for regular use here is a great opportunity to start reversing some of the damage. We would have Cardiff; Belle Vue; and Bradford as major venues for the sport and that would help put the handbrake on what looks like a slide into professional sporting oblivion otherwise.

Another week and another Scorpion gracing the Star front page - this time its Josh Auty and an article previewing his season. Just 5 to go for a 1-7 full house this year !

The answer is; it is weaker. However I have always believed that for British Speedway to survive it had to find its level here. There is simply not the numbers coming through the turnstiles to sustain teams with 1-7 top riders; like the European Leagues. What we have now is a bone fide League structure that offers up the possibility of promotion and relegation creating another interest for us all. We will still be watching some very competitive racing at PL/CL tracks this season. I made a hypothetical point on the Leicester thread just now about Scunthorpe v Leicester being far from done deal for the Lions. Indeed the Scorpions would win the EWR leg in my book. To me its a bit like turning the clock back to 1965 and the British League formation where 20+ tracks; aided by Rider Control I grant you; arrived at a balance amongst the teams. I understand the point about losing some of the bigger names; but we have a very productive National League/Youth structure here that is managing to feed into the PL/CL and out of that we create new British 'stars'. The best way for the rider to learn is for them to be actively racing in these leagues and then 2-3 years down the line your not looking at these lads as make weights; no they're bone fide competitors. Now we have committed to this re-launch of League racing we have to resist the desire to revert to the old structure. I think that a more cooperative administration of the Leagues was needed to secure the immediate; medium and long term future of the sport on this Island.

I'm looking at the Leicester team; and thinking hypothetically; say with us (Scunthorpe) having first call on Josh in the event of a 'fixture' between both teams ?. My money would be on Scunny to take out this Lions team at the EWR; and I reckon we would give you a run at Beaumont Park. One trick you and the rest of the Premier League seem to have missed is Michael Palm-Toft; a quality rider who demonstrated last season in EL outings his ability at that level. To me he was the rider to have 'on your list' Even more so with a 'levelling out' of the leagues following the re-branding. Surprised you guys didn't see that; but then we're not complaining. Good luck for the season; if it gets bad; you can always latch on to Coventry I suppose.

Manchester United and all PL teams could let supporters in FOR NOTHING - the actual gate receipts for football at that level are a tiny proportion of the income for a football club. The income for PL football is generated by TV and sponsorship deals where the vast amount of it goes into the pockets of the players and agents. So to try and draw any comparison between Speedway and Football is hopeless on that basis. But look at it this way; if its £50 to sit and watch a PL football match for 90mins that you should actually probably have paid £10-15 quid for (see my point above) then it would then compare to £15 for 15mins of Speedway. Then you might argue that Football is better 'value for money'. But even then I would say 15mins of action around the EWR Scunthorpe knocks 90mins of Manchester United 0 Hull City 0 into a 'cocked hat everyday of the week.