spin king

I would say that he stands a very good chance, especially with Steady been out of the mix. Interesting fact is that Steady and young Brady have not raced each other at Sheffield yet, which is disappointing as they would produce one hell of a race in my opinion.

I suppose it is what you term as as main opposition. Both Sheffield and Peterborough have put themselves in prime position for a Play off place.

Top Tigers performance and as time passes on a place in the Play Offs is starting to look a distinct possibility. The threat of the Comets reverses which included until recently the rider the Comets had as their number was gone quicker than Simon Stead doing 4 laps around Owlerton, and it became abundantly clear that there was only going to be one winner. For Sheffield; Brady Kurtz proved to be about the best viable replacement for Steady. Ash Birks was solid in his scoring. David Bellego did well and entertained. Jason Garrity did what we expect of him these days and put in another double figures score yet again. Andre Compton was unlucky and deserved more points. Arthur Sissis did well and like Andre had bike problems. Josh Bates for me the Man of the Match looks to have matured overnight and put in a match winning performance that most Sheffield fans know that he capable of. For Workington Kyle Howarth could fault the effort, but you have to question a rider who was only one place away from the full Team GB starting 4. Rusty Harrison lived up to his Christian name. Rene Bach was good in parts. Matt Wethers was poor. Ricky Wells was the pick of the Comets. Nicki Barratt poor Kenneth Hansen okay but could and should have done better. Not quite sure what happens at Workington year on in they put together some very attractive sides that should do well and be competitive, but for some unknown reason it never seems to happen, and this season appears to be the norm.

And the Texter is a Workington fan.

Not the best televised meeting at Peterborough, but it did have its moments and looking at both teams I think you will see both sides in the mix when the play offs starts. Also agree with Tsunami that the Brady/Berge incident could have gone either way dependanton what camera angle you looked at.

Hard looking fixture on paper and Workington always usually give us problems. But looking at recent results the Comets have looked pretty inconsistent. Add to the fact that Brady Kurtz is an excellent Guest replacement for Simon Stead, Newcastle had Richard Hall at reserve last week and did not cause us any problems. I going for a Sheffield win by at least a 10 point margin.

Exactly, the sport is has its complications and contradictions, riders classed as assets but also classed as basically self employed. Like I say the sport can be both unique and frustrating at times.

Point taken, but you could also say the same thing about a rider who is doubling up or riding for clubs in other countries. An interesting fact is that in the recent article for the next match at Sheffield, Sheffield thanked Somerset for their co-operation in letting Sheffield borrow Brady Kurtz. I wonder what would happen if a club at the start of the season told rider that they would not allow them to take Guest bookings what would happen.

Would tend agree with teams not replacing riders and using Guest riders. The problem we face at Sheffield is that Simon Stead virtually impossible to replace especially at home. But Guest riders are part of the culture in the sport in this country and with the obsession of points limits and trying to level teams up. In some ways it make the sport attractive and some ways it puts some fans off.

Obviously you don't rate Sheffield then.

Maybe it time to start asking teams to have a compulsory number 8, that way teams in the situation that the likes of Plymouth found themselves in today would stand a chance of putting out a full 1 to 7 side out.

Who me never.

Well sat here in my armchair and it is nice to see Newcastle have a full team.

Bit difficult to drag my armchair down to Owlerton on Thursday as I was at the meeting. Fact is Newcastle turned with three Guest riders and a Rider Replacement, okay if you had a few injury problems I could accept it, but to have all those four riders fit and ready to ride elsewhere. Also annoying when you think that the general census was that the changes actually made Newcastle stronger, in fact more than one Newcastle fan was looking to take a point of us. And lets not forget last season after signing two Kings Lynn assets who were riding Kings Lynn George English tried to sign a third, which if there was a Newcastle / Kings Lynn would have meant two Guests and a Rider Replacement. To me that is plain stupidity I like to see my own riders and would guess most other fans would want to see there own riders. But Dave if you like what you see fair enough, sit there in your rocking chair and enjoy the meeting. .

Good win for Sheffield last night against what was a Newcastle select team. Last night showed what is good and what is bad with the sport in this country today. The track last night was superb and produced excellent racing. That is the good. The bad. Newcastle turn up for a meeting with three Guest riders and Rider Replacement. And of all of the missing riders none were injured. If there are problems at Newcastle then they really need to address the type of teams that they put together, we are never going totally eradicate the need for Guest riders but turning up for a fixture with three plus rider replacement for riders who are injured is absolutely farcical. Its even more farcical when you see that Newcastle Promoter and Team Manager is a member of the Management Committee of the BSPA, which to me speaks volumes. George English needs to take a long hard look at his team building skills, because the one thing that speedway fans want to see is their own riders riding for their team not a bunch of Guests while their own riders are off riding for other teams.

Has to be yes again. Possibly Rider Replacement for Worrall Richard Hall for Rose. Actually potentially makes Newcastle stronger.

Does that mean no Steve Worrall.

I wonder if Manager Dickson has a Guest on standby for Mick Norris.

Well Done to the Tigers,

Would that be Mick Norris.

Quick question, there was a new track record time set today. Does that time stand with the problems with the tapes?

No there is not, but it would be helpful in cutting down on Guest Riders/ Rider Replacement if the Elite moved to one night per week racing.

I think that Newcastle have to be very concerned with the result tonight. Sheffield traditionally don't go well at the Hot Dog Stadium, and to top that off we turn up with one of the bottom of the league's reserves who did not score a point at Newcastle filling in as a Guest in the heatleader role. This should have been a stroll in the park for the Diamonds, but we got to within 5 points of them and to me that constitutes a result for Sheffield under the circumstances. Never mind I am sure that the food outlets will have done well.

Thank you.

Never mind the weather surely the biggest talking point for this match has to be. What colours will Baby Shadders be wearing? Will it be the Yellow and Blue of the Rockets Or the Black and Yellow of the Bandits.