spin king

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.

Seems to be how his career has panned out in this country in the past.

I am sure that this Somerset will be there or thereabouts when the honours are been handed out. But I don't think that it is as good as the side they had last season. There is no doubt that the top 3 has quality. And with Brady Kurtz on the average that he has come in on is an excellent signing. I am sure that I read somewhere that he is been tipped to be the next big thing to come out of Aussie. For me the question marks are with the other three, can Charles Wright cope with second string berth and the same goes for Todd Kurtz both have never really got past the been a good reserve position in a team, and I am not totally convinced that Paul Starke will good enough, I personally thought that they would have gone for Ollie Greenwood. But the one thing that Somerset have never been afraid to do is to change things around and they can be very ruthless, think back to 2012 Masters getting the chop and then last season Stefan Nielsen. Unlike last season where I had them out and out favourites I think that this team could do well but there is are no guarantees for me.

I think that we have to remain positive. If there was not a good chance of a buyer been found why would Simon Stead signed to ride for the club?

Add to that Roynon, North,Gathercole, Ostergaard, Birka and Proctor. Plus riders who might be interested. Wolbert and, Fisher. And that is jusrt off the top of my head without looking anywhere else.

And we have already signed one. Still quite few riders out there that could be possible signings that still don't have clubs. Lets not forget that there is one less team in the Premier League this season, and already 5 of the 12 teams have confirmed their full line up, still plenty of decent rider to go aound.

Think Hugh Skidmore is more than likely to be at Redcar again next season.

I think it is either one of their Grandfathers is Scottish so they qualify for a British reduction.

Throwing in another name into the ring Kauko Nieminen. On a starting average of 7.25. Like I say still lots of riders who still don't have teams as yet.

I think the main objective will be or should be is make Owlerton a fortress again, and stop the amount of meetings we lost at home over the last two seasons. The other is get the balance of the team right, that's with having a set of riders are entertaining and those who are good gaters. Riders with passion for the club, Tiger Owl touch on this with Ricky Wells, and in a way I agree with him. When Ricky Wells won a race he never engaged with the crowd, in fact when he did win and did a lap of honour he looked everywhere apart from the crowd. I was never a massive Ricky Ashworth fan, but when Ricky won his races he celebrated and he celebrated it with the crowd, and he gave you the impression that he wanted and was proud to wear the clubs colours. We have done the right thing by making Simon Stead the first signing, he is one of us and cares about the club, and the club have said to him that he will have some say in how the team is made up. Oily Rag has a point that Damien Koppe did not pull up many trees last season, but lets not forget that before he was injured he did rack up some decent points and beat some decent riders. Personally I would agree with Oily and would rather go with a young Brit like Olly Greenwood, but with new owners none of us know what the budget for riders wages is going to be any maybe we might have to take a hit But there is still plenty of riders out there for us to go at. Most fans thought that Lawson was nailed on at Sheffield to be honest I was not too disappointed that the club missed out on him, I would have much preferred to have seen Olly Allen but we missed out on him too. I would be definitely be up for Adam Roynon .returning and I think he would jump at the chance of riding for the club again, like Simon Stead would be a rider that would get the fans up off their feet. One rider mentioned by Oily Rag, was Ben Wilson, who if he got the figures right would have a starting average of 4. If Ben is up for it and has the equipment then I think he has be carefully consider for a spot in the team. But I don't think anyone should panic at the moment as there are plenty of riders to choose from.

And Ollie Allen has gone to Somerset.

Looks like that could be the Somerset reserve pairing.

No Paul Starke at Berwick next season then.

Not a team that would maybe get fans over excited as first glance, but would be a very solid team that I think would do well. Stead Roynon Lanham North Compton (Andre) Albin Koppe/ Greenwood (Ollie)

Looking at the points left over it would be probably safe to think that the rest of the team would be; Ash Birks Thomas Jorgensen 3 Pointer Did not Rob Godfrey say that there would be a new asset added to the team, maybe a 3 pointer. Luke Crang maybe?

Well that will do for starters.

Totally agree, and I think that he and Steady would push each other for the number 1 spot.

Would be surprised to see Hugh Skidmore back at Sheffield, as there seems to be a mutual love in between both him and Redcar. Would love to see Ollie Greenwood at Sheffield, but I think that would depend upon whether or not Scunthorpe plan to use him. I think Ollie Allen would be a better proposition than Richie Lawson on a lower average give us more points to play around, but Richie lives locally and maybe he could be more likely to sign. Got to bring back Adam Roynon, exciting rider who rides Sheffield well and get the fans on their feet. Ideally would love to have Andre back at reserve. Steady is a no brainer. Facudo would be nice with better machinery Other riders who could come on the radar. Ramus Jensen (surplus to requirement at Plymouth) David Bellego (could be ready to move from Berwick with riding in Poland) Dakota North Nico Covatti Alex Edberg Michael Palm Toft. At least the decision has been taken early and still plenty of riders out there to try and get into the Tigers

Richie Lawson does live in Chesterfield now, not so sure that he lives with Andre I have a feeling that him and his partner might have a place of their own down there. AS for Tony Mole taking over, it was stated that early on that he was not interested after the Bradford venture went cold, but it might have been a case of he was looking to see what happened at Birmingham. Not entirely sure how I feel about him coming in as he tends not to stick around too long before putting clubs back up for sale so it would probably not be a long term investment if Tony comes in. In saying that some speedway is better that no speedway, and if he can come in and stabilize the club and successfully sell the club on then I would be happy with that.

Andrew Tully?

Nearly a point and half over the limit.

Maybe the Rebels have plans for a two year plan, and are planning to put together a young team with the view to building a team for the next two seasons. They certainly seem to have cornered the market in young Aussies so maybe a team like this one. (1) Nick morris (2) Jack Holder (3) Corey Gathercole or Micky Dyer (maybe a move south could tempt him to shelf his retirement plans) (4) Justin Sedgman (5) Ollie Allen (6) Todd Kurtz (7) Brady Kurtz

And to be fair there is a lot of Sheffield fans who felt the same way as you did about Ricky. But unfortunately the chemistry between rider and fans just did not seem to work out for one reason or another.

I think that Ricky was the Marmite Kid at Sheffield, fans either loved him or were not keen. The problem was that most did not see his true value to the team as most of his best performances were away from Owlerton and most fans odn't travel away. I am personally sorry to see the fella go, and wish him well for the future.

Could 2014 finally be the Comets year. That is a very strong side and could well be a match for any team. Not too surprised to see Ricky Wells there,, but the Grajczonek signing was one that I did not see coming. The key signing has to be Howarth, he has to be looking to put up a major challenge for a heatleader spot.