thebaron

Gutted for Stefan Nielsen; surely curtails his season ?, but gives some certainty to Tero who has covered it really well in Stefans absence. We have to carry on; and with the two Josh's back in situ; the team looks stable again and we can push on.

Tell you what ? some of what Terry Hardaker came out with at Bradford 80s-90s wouldn't have passed. Right now I can hear Terry delivering one of his classics involving a local corner shop & some fireworks; that had us creased up laughing on the terraces and I am still laughing sat here !. RIP Terry - legend. Rob at Scunny's nearest you'll get these days; occasionally irreverent; un-PC and entertaining to listen to when he is on his game. Always calls it as it is.

In order to establish a more stable framework (pardon the pun) for the riders and more identity for teams; and consistency for the fans. I would propose that for next season we introduce two Transfer Windows. On the 01 June and 01 September a team would be permitted to make one change to their 1-7. In all other circumstances a change to the initial declared 1-7 would only be permitted for reason of injury (the rider being assessed as unavailable for at least 1month) and/or actual retirement from the sport. There is far far too much swapping and changing of riders between the teams; including the use of guest riders. This makes a farce of the sport and is actually one of the things fans hate. Team identity is important; and it should not be the case that as soon as a rider is a bit out of form that he is jettisoned for another. There should be some level of commitment on both sides of the fence to the team originally declared by the club. Affording two Transfer Windows is more than adequate opportunity to effect a change. If as I say a rider is 'long term' injured or retires then special dispensation would need to be sought to bring in a replacement outside the transfer window. It would place a good deal more emphasis upon Clubs to make informed decisions at the outset of the season; knowing there are fewer opportunities to make changes. Also it affords riders a fair period to establish their form; and work out their equipment and build up rapport and loyalty with the fans. There was nowhere near the swapping and changing in the 70's-80s goodness me had there been surely Scunthorpe would have ditched the entire 1-7 in 1972 when they were being battered to bits home and away. But they stuck with the team pretty much the entire season !. Also; crucially we have to be prepared to merge the Premiership and the Championship for at least one season to gain some stability and consistency at each club. This season is a complete farce the amount of times riders are appearing for the different clubs and at the same track week in week out. I realise there is not a endless supply of available riders but I am convinced that it is having a negative impact on attendances and interest. There is so little difference between the Premiership and the Championship; as to make no difference at all. ! Riders would also be busier with their clubs operating across a expanded League; and the ridiculous 'doubling up' could be moth balled. We have to try to join up the dots on speedway; and overall the structure and rule book so it makes sense to those of us who back it whatever; but more importantly for those we want to hand it on to for the future.

This period minus a regular No7; has made me appreciate Josh all the more full respect to all the riders who have stepped in for him; but it has been up hill for sure. So I am looking forward to Josh coming back; no pressure and just getting back into his stride and enjoying his racing. If he hits 2-3pts I'll be pleased and we all should be.

Hang on I'm lost ...why would be changing Kerr ?

Can someone clear something up for me ? - can we include Stefan Nielsen as the direct replacement for Josh Bailey ? and how do we arrive at that ? Wallner/Aarnio will just about case the place if we can !

Yeah it's crossed my mind about that; he was quoted as saying that when he came back after that injury he took a more 'cautious' approach to his racing and more along the lines of; was it necessary to go for the gap now; or weigh it up first?. That's not a bad idea to be fair; but so often its the gambles that pay the dividends in races; and racers will out. If you try to reign it in; very often the opportunity is gone. If you have been out injured when you do comeback you want to stay fit; because you want to ride. So no criticism from me for Ryan; we want to see him on track. He'll get it sorted he's a racer.

To balance you comment; it may well be that Ryan moves on to develop his career; but just you watch when he does we'll be looking at it and questioning why we let him go. He has it in his locker to be another off the Aussie production line of top riders he just needs to believe in himself more. Not sure how much riding the GTR has come into this; only Ryan & his team can tell us that ?. Its confidence is speedway; when you have it you can beat them all when your running low; it drags you down.

Ryan never seems to go well at Newcastle. But a sterling show from the Scorpions to take a point. Some pride and faith restored I think. I am assured that everyone is working very hard behind the scenes to keep the club moving foward despite the set backs.

Just be playing around with options and I reckon Claus Vissing would be a fair bet. Always think there's something about him round Scunny and 6.80 on the numbers. If we could get Liam Carr 3.00 at 7. Then for now we would look. MPT; Wilko; Lewis; Ryan; Vissing; Tero; & Carr. Then there would be a decision to make once Stefan is fit and maybe Fritz might come into it as well ?. Thing is come what may we need to get behind the team there's still more than half of the season to play out interesting times indeed. Let's hope we can get a respectable showing at Rough Park Newcastle this evening from the depleted Scorpions.

Sorry yes I got a bit excited for moment. Good spot.

Not for one minute do I believe Josh is lost to speedway for good ?. Surely he has invested too much of himself and financially over the years just to call it quits for ever. He's a racer and is actually when it boils down to it a very good rider on his day. But he is at this moment out of form and probably after numerous injuries feeling done with the sport right now Speedway cannot afford to be saying bye to riders like Josh Auty he is an entertainer; and we at Scunthorpe know only too well how he has served up the thrills down the years So no; I don't see this as the end of Josh in speedway this is a hiatus to a time when he feels the pressure is off and he can get back to enjoying his racing again. Personally I would like to thank Josh for all his racing efforts he was is and always will be a club legend at Scunthorpe and rightly so. Good luck Josh and thank you Where do we go from here ? Hard to be clear but with Peterborough bringing in Chris Harris, Berwick bringing in the Premier League No 3 rider Nick Morris I think we need to try for a bonefide No1. I would try for Pooles Brady Kurtz or dare I say it Sonersets 2015 No 1 Aussue Rohan Tungate ! is available I know controversial or what?

It is a surprise that JB is stepping down but it's looked tough for him at times and he probably isn't 100% fit from his collarbone injury. Speedway is a confidence game and if your a bit low it can bite you back on track. Sure that's not the end of Josh on the speedways. Bit of time out; some none pressure 'leisure time' on the bike and sure he can get back and push forward. As from who comes in at Scunny ? Got to be a young 2-3pt riders few about but we need one who can get his average not many of the calibre of Redcars Ellis Parks sat on the fence ? Ben Morley Lakeside with a 8+ NL average and experience at this level?

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.