spin king

Ash has indicated that he is planning to fit for the start of the season. Also if Scunthorpe go down the rumoured line of signing Nick Morris then you can also add to Thomas Jorgensen's name to the list f available 2nd string rider available at an average of 6.15. Could it be that Sheffield have been simply waiting for Rob Godfrey to make up his mind on his team plans.

If it was Ash Birks, which would get my approval and listening to what the Management has said , I would imagine a side that would look like this. (1) Simon Stead (2) Andre Compton (3) Ash Birks (4) A rider up to the average of 7.08 (5) Adam Roynon (6) Facu Albin (7) Damien Koppe Possible riders for the number 4 slot Dakota North 6.55 Ulrich Ostergaard 6.52 Mark Lemon 6.44 Nicolai Klindt 6.84 Again a lot will depend on which way Rob Godfrey will be going with his team building, but I find it strange that he has not named his full team yet, which is very unlike him and made something has swayed him to change his team plans.

The big problem with Magnus is that we are a Thursday track and the second tier of the Swedish Leagues run on Thursdays which would rule out Magnus and any other Swedes signing for Sheffield really.

I think that you are pretty spot on with what you say, I think we are probably looking at a team has Steady and Adam Roynon as heatleaders, Andre as a 2nd string and Facu Albin and Damien Koppe at reserve. That would leave us with 14.38 for one heatleader and one second string, For the heatleader Leigh Lanham is not a name that would spring to mind for most Sheffield fans but I agree he would be a good solid signing. Lasse Bjerre would be a dream signing. But I have a .sneaky feeling that we could see a local lad return back with Ashley Birks, that would be a signing that I would love to see us make I just wish Rob Godfrey would get on and announce his team. The second string I would like to see is Dakota North, he would be my first choice. But what about Ulrich Ostergaard. Not quite the out and out number 1 he was a few years ago, but more than capable of been a very good 2nd string. I am amazed that although most teams have completed their line ups, there is still plenty of options for the new promotion to go for.

The Berwick team looks a very solid team. Doolan is probably at his limit at this time in of his career, but still a more than capable heatleader. Vissing is a bit of a fruitloop, but I would imagine or expect that the Berwick will be more to his liking than Edinburgh so would imagine he would more than likely up that starting average. Wethers is Mr Dependable he will maintain around his starting average. Bellego, big season for him where he will either push on and become a genuine heatleader, has the talent and the ability, possibly needs to be a little more professional in his approach to machinery. Kus has been a bit of an enigma and has a tenderness to blow a bit hot and cold, but lets not forget its not so long ago that Poole were looking at him for team place in their team, so there must be something about him The Jensen signing is something of a gamble, too be honest its so long since I saw him ride I can barely remember what he was like. But from what I can remember he was pretty useful and I have seen some footage of him from a recent meeting and there is no doubt that at reserve he could well be a massive bonus for the Berwick team Carr, been a local lad he should have the crowd fully behind him, and don't think that there will b huge pressure on the lad, which is good because it give him a huge learning curve. Like I say a team built on solid foundations and as long as it stays fit and some of the riders reach their true potential has every chance of challenging for a play off spot..

Would not two seasons away from the sport qualify him for a reduction.

I am in total agreement regarding Ben, if he has the equipment and the desire I think at worse he would maintain that average, even when his form dipped he was still averaging around the 6 point mark. I know there are plenty of Sheffield fans who don't see it that way but genuinely think that he could be a trump card.

Not bad choice for a team. Like the fact that there is 3 Sheffield born riders, Sheffield always do better with local born riders. I think that Jamrog would have to come in on a 7 point average which take the team over the limit and Polish rider riding in the Premier League have to ride on ACU licenses rather than a Polish one and they cannot ride then in Poland. I suppose it depends whether or not he would be prepared to ride sorely in the UK. But if you were to replace either Ben or Andre with either say Ollie Greenwood or Damien Koppe it fits.

Fair point, but they did not ride all ride in the same Sheffield team. For instance how many meetings did Roynon and Compton ride with Stead in the team. Answer; None. Same with Koppe. Also I did say Albin would be on condition that he upgrades his bikes. The big problem last season was the balance of the team between riders on true and assessed averages and the change of the rules which meant we got to the back end of June before those on assessed averages got true averages and we could make a decent change to the side. We brought in Adam Roynon straight away to replace a rider who was on a 3 point average, and day after we lost Steady for the season. Not too sure how many meetings Roynon did for us but I would say it was barely 10 meetings. A fully fit Roynon and Stead are a good start to the team. If you add to that A 7 point plus rider like Bjerre, Birks, Lanham or Tully. The add a 6 point plus rider like North, Lemon, Ostergaard or Wethers. You have the basis of what looks like a decent competitive top 4. I admit that with Steady's average been a little artificially high it does not leave many points to play around with You are probably looking at between 10.30 and 11.30 for the last two riders. Looking what is available there is not an abundance of 4 point plus riders, and I think the best option of Andre. And for the reserve berths Albin on the proviso that his equipment is better and Koppe based on his riding prior to his injury would get my nod, but otherwise I would give Ollie Greenwood in the team instead. But would be interesting to see which way you would go. .

Afraid I don't follow the Danish League that much, the last I heard of Steen Jenson was 2005 riding for the Isle Wight, he came over the same time as Ulrich Ostergaard. Not as good as Ostergaard, but useful, but that was a long time ago.

Steen Jensen that is a blast from the past, I thought he had retired.

Six seasons Scunthorpe have competed in the Premier League. On four occasions Sheffield have finished above Scunthorpe.. The average position for both teams over the last six seasons is identical. So by virtue of the fact the fact that you won one League title over a Play Off situation I would say honours even.

I think biggest thing is we go back to basics, and remember what it was that gave us the success all those years ago. And that is make Sheffield Fortress Owlerton, for too many seasons now we have had teams that have come to Sheffield and turned us over, we need riders that are going to ride the track consistently well, and with that we need a team that has a fair share of entertaining racers. With that in mind the first two names on the team sheet are absolutely bang on the button. Nobody in the Premier League rides Sheffield better than Steady, and he is a local lad who understands the fans in fact in the words of my Redcar friends "He is one of our own," Adam Roynon is another who can beat anyone around Sheffield, and when he is fit I believe that he will do that and wil entertain the fans while he is at it. Richard Hall is another name that possibly fits the bill, but the thing with Richard is that is not consistent enough, and end of the day he had his chance to pick up on what the problems were with him and all the promises that he has given have never been fulfilled. Would welcome back Andre now I think, he is a little inconsistent, but still can beat anyone around Sheffield and as a second string/ reserve I think he could do us a good job. Add to that Facu Albin entertaining and a crowd pleaser but I think the club would re-assurances that his bikes were up to scratch. I also think that Damo Koppe probably deserves another go, he really had started to get it together around Sheffield before he was injured, and I was impressed with his dogged determination to ge things right. As for the other two riders there are still riders out there who could do a very good job for us, I suppose Lasse Bjerre is the one rider that springs to mind when thinking about a rider that rides the track well and is entertaining, but there are others and I think we could have a competitive team going into the season.

Been there, done it and bought the T shirt.

No mention of Neil Machin signing riders, the man signing the riders is Dave Hoggart. At a guess he will be staying on as either Co- Promoter or Team Manager.

There is no doubt that the Damien Koppe just before he got injured, was a totally different one to the one at the start of the season. I suppose a lot will be down to the rider budget for the new owners, so could be that we need to possibly use one or two of our own assets. Maybe we need to use Koppe, Albin and Compton to offset us putting together a quality and entertaining top 4.

The amazing thing is that either way that team comes in well under the limit.. Including Bjerre its 42.11 Niemenen its 41.99.

We could go with the following; Simon Stead Andre Compton Dakota North Adam Roynon Ollie Greenwood Facu Albin Then one other from the following; Leigh Lanham Lasse Bjerre Andrew Tully Ashley Birks Kauko Niemenen Ncolai Klindt Ulrich Ostergaard Mark Lemon Still plenty of riders to go for, and to give us a competitive team...

For me two quality signings Stead is 9.33 Roynon is 7.81 Still plenty of good riders out there for us to go at, and still feeling positive, I make no secret of the fact that I am a big fan of both riders.

Funny I thought he was very disappointing against a weak Sheffield side last season.

maybe but I doubt it. I appreciate those words,, maybe its a blind spot on my part but I just don't want either of those riders riding for my team. But like I say it would not stop supporting the team and I would not be sway to going to another track to support another team.

I don't think I would go as far as going to another track and supporting another team. A speedway team comprises of 7 riders and 6 would get my support not so sure I could guarantee the same for either Vissing or Gathercole. Both incidents talked about were blatant dirty riding, and totally out of order, and to be honest I frankly would not welcome either at Sheffield. Yes Gathercole had a good meeting at Sheffield last season, but that was the exception rather than the norm, and that was against not one of the better Sheffield teams. Vissing is in my opinion a nutcase, I think since the Paul Cooper incident he has been to Sheffield 3 times, twice he has finished up in the ambulance and had a stay in the Northern General Hospital, the man is accident waiting to happen

I also know what Gathercole said to Birko after the race. Lets just say not for repeating on this forum. . Too be honest forgot about that one, and we have it on DVD. Vissing actually looked too where Cooper was before taking him out.

Have to agree with you to a certain extent would find it very hard to support him, I too remember that move on Birko and it was totally unnecessary, I suppose you could put it down to inexperience and youthfulness, but I don't think I have ever seen a more clear cut case of taking out a rider as that night.