g13webb

If's and Maybe 's will always exist, whatever the meeting. Sure it was a tough draw, but I'm sure there are other reasons why Robert didn't qualify. When you look at the quality of some of the riders who didn't succeed, you realise just how difficult it was. Probably this was the right result, that will give him another year to progress to the standard of the top level. He has made a massive step up this year to a level where he's capable of beating any rider, helped by his gating, that is now on a par with those other top riders. Being top of the British averages illustrates the progress he has made. Being thrown into the deep end at such a young age can be very daunting, Nobody likes to be shown up by a young upstart, so his presence would have added a new dimension to the SGP's. that he has yet to experience. No doubt he is disappointed, being so close yet so far to those qualifications, but he now has another year to consolidate his form and when next year comes he wont be worried what gates he has,. having been there before, he will rise above any deficiencies like all top riders do, and rightly qualify......

Probably this year would have been too early.. Lambert has time on his side and meetings like this will add to his experience. I had hoped he would do well tonight but it was always going to be a big Ask... 3 pts from his first 3 rides has all but eliminated him from the top 3. All our hopes now rest with Niels....

Not having the time to go through the whole thread, was wondering if the was a live TV link, a broadcast that we could home into . Seems such a shame that BT haven't took this on board to show... to compliment the SGP contract...

Probably as good a suggestion I have read. No doubt a lot of time has been devoted to recognise the issues that are bound to exist, but overall pretty good. I have always thought there is very little to choose between the strength of the two leagues, and have said before, nothing will ever prosper while promoters have different agendas. for this sport to works we have to all want the same thing... I find it amazing that our closest rivals are in the other league elimination many local derby clashes. Having a North and South divide would allow more spectators to travel and generate a more intense local rivalries.. A win, win situation..

This should be a good meeting to televise. If Buster's tracks of late are anything to go by it will be a spectacle not to be missed. Whether it can remedy the damage last week done is another issue. I would normally say this should be a home win, but most teams perform well at AFA so I expect another close match going to the wire. But will be disappointed if we are defeated again. Still not heard if Jason Doyle will be riding. I read he was to be out for a couple weeks following his accident at Cardiff, but bearing mind this to him, his closest venue , I imagine he'll be there. Whether he rides is a different matter... Should be a one of the better meetings we've seen of late on the box...

Forgive me for being sceptical, but from experiences in the past, I have reasons to believe there is something in the saying of Poole's secret army. Once a Pirate always a Pirate. So this talk of Kyle Newman as a temp guest , worries me !!!. There is no doubting his ability, and has more than most proved what an asset he can be in important matches when scoring invaluable points for Poole in the Play-Off's . I will be hoping by the way he has been dropped, his loyalty to Matt Ford has been shot to bits and he is looking for a new club to resurrect his career . He would always get my vote when making comparison with Garrity, who to me is always in the wars.... For a team to be successful you needs riders who you can rely on , and somehow I don't see that in Garrity... If Newman goes well in his 2 guest appearances, Would he have an opportunity to replace Garrity on a permanent basis.. ???

I appreciate both teams lost a reserve rider, but I am no doubt that it benefitted Swindon more than it did Lynn. I believe the top 5 of the Robins is more than strong enough but there are not enough points available to have a strong 1 to 5 and decent reserves, Rosco choice the former.. To strengthen the reserves, I believe he will have to get rid of one of his better riders..

I have never been a Troy lover, but he has a point speaking out about bad tracks.. Monday Night was the biggest turnoff of the sport I have ever known. The track was an utter disgrace. Someone should be held to account that this was allowed to happen... Tatum even pointed out the problems on his track inspection, but still nothing was done about it. It was as if they wasn't bothered...

It will be interesting to hear from Swindon riders and Fans (and promoters) when making comparisons between their homes meeting on Monday and of that we saw last night. The two occasions were a world apart. Basked in the hot weather we have endured Buster prepared a track that was fitting for any meeting and not one speck of dust was to be seen. The meeting flowed with efficiency and the good crowd went home happy. I thought Swindon battled well, had no answer to the Stars strength in depth. By only supplying 4 heat winners, in the end, Swindon were never going to find enough points to inflict any damage. The star of the show was undoubtedly Robert Lambert. In all my years this was as good performance I have ever witnessed by a Stars rider. Even comparing him with the likes of Lee, Crump, Henke, Rickardsson, this was comparable with them all . Back in the years when Lee ruled supreme, I sometimes thought he missed the gate on purpose to demonstrate his brilliance from the back, and last night the thought again crossed my mind. Lambert's heat seven win was something else, utterly spellbinding.. In heat 11, against the fast starting Morris, he hunted him down before executing the move as they stared the last lap. another exhibition of his ability. Even against riders of the calibre of Batchelor, Morris, Ellis, and Musielak, when Lambert made the gate, he cleared off in front, sometimes 50, 60 mtr ahead as if in another race. He was that good. All in all a good night, decent crowd, good racing and the right result. Watching Lambert on this form was worth the admission fee alone...

There was not much about the Swindon v Leicester to remember,, but only a fool will not have noticed how good most of the Robins were at getting out of the gate. That alone could cause the Stars some problems tonight. With Rose and Kerr we use to hold our own at gating, but just recently it hasn't been that good. Usually the points are hard earnt. I'm going for a close one, hoping the Stars can again edge another 3 pts...

I agree the riders do deserve a track to race on and yes the track at Lynn that night was a disgrace. I agree with everything Troy's says but you cant go walking out of a meetings when the racing is still going on. It has to be enblock. With Poole continuing to ride the rubbish track that night, we in effect gifted them the points.. and that was what upset people....

He didn't get sacked for saying the track was crap, he got the sack for walking out on the fans, saying he was injured, then riding the next night for Swindon at Belle Vue. Don't let facts get in the way of a good comment....

What a pity Rosco doesn't put as much interest with his track as he does his hair. Cant remember seeing a track as bad as this. This meeting was a disgrace,. proving a health hazard to the riders and the fans. Never seen so much dust and the spectacle of bike racing was a joke.. Every race was over by the second bend. When Rosco was interviewed he seemed oblivious of the appalling track and conditions... The biggest problem of all was that it was being televised. There could never have been a bigger turnoff of British Speedway then this. If fans had witnessed the programme last night, they would be put off for life. Its all very well saying the television can advertise the sport to millions of new fans, but in the same light it can have a damaging effect too. For all the good the SGP did when showing the meeting at Cardiff, Last night was the biggest turn-off I have ever seen. Had the truth be known probably the BSPA should've paid BT sport to stay away...… Least that way would have preventing such an horrendous advert gong live....

A few years back I travelled to Wimborne Rd to see an upbeat Stars beaten on the last lap. Having lead the whole match, we went into the last heat leading by 2pts , we only needed a draw to win the match, when Holder on the last lap went by Neils and Magic to partner Darcy to a winning 5-1. I was devastated. The journey home went on forever. I've waited a long time to see them roles reversed. so yes we know how the Poole fans will be feeling. The rules then never allowed us a point so Poole should be grateful they did receive something from last nights effort. Not the best of matches but the score kept it interesting.. Both teams will look at riders who could have done better. Some performed far better than their scores suggest, while other were flattered by there's. I thought we would have won easier, but as long as we get the 3pts that's all that mattered. but last night our reserves were weak. Poole will find other tracks less accommodating than last night. Next month Klindt will be less effective when he moves into the team proper and Harris will not have the open spaces his riding requires. For them to reach the PO I think there will be some more changes to come...

I can see Batchelor and Andersen leading from the front , but feel the peloton will be too big and too far adrift to catch up, resulting in a close home win. NB Probably if the fans were allowed to stand that close to the action, might persuade more fans to come and watch..

This match is far more important to Lynn than Poole, after all, if we are to have any chance to be in them PO's we have to win our home meetings. Poole will come and try to gain unexpected reward, but for the home team its essential that we will get them 3 points. Failing to do that will diminish the achievements of our winning at places like Leicester and Belle Vue and the fine results we have attained on our travels We have already suffered an unexpected home defeat against Somerset, appreciate we were understrength, so any other result than a convincing win, will be massive to those other teams chasing a top 4 finish. This is the first of a series of meetings in quick succession, where the Stars can really lay down the gauntlet and show the other teams our intent . The outcome is in our own hands. With this level of even competition, never has the P/O been more important. Once there, any of the four teams could achieve success.

Really felt for Lambert last night. Everything that could go wrong did. Obviously the Ref had a problem with Lambert and excluded him twice, when in my opinion both were wrong. What did impress me was the way he rode in the two races he completed and his attitude of those bias decisions.... No doubt his time will come. Well done Robert, you did us proud...

Bomber's form has been alarming of late and that has to be a worry. But he usually goes well here at the AFA.

Don't he always..... Brilliant when he gates, but disappears when he don't....

Strange place Leicester, having been there half a dozen times, it still difficult to offer an opinion of the track. I've seen many races won from the gate, but I've also seen some terrific wins from the back. I was of the impression if you wanted it enough, you could find away past, but then I've seen races where the rider behind has given his all and cant find a way by. Strange track... The biggest difference I've noticed on my visits is the state of the track, some times there's loads of dirt, whereas other times there's hardly any at all. Some days it very wet and others its as dusty as hell. There never seem to be any normality in the preparation. Must be very difficult for their own riders to set their bike up not knowing what the track will be like. Them wonderful days we used to go to Blackbird Road seem a million miles away. Such a brilliant race track that every rider loved to race. What the sport would give to still have those racetracks today...

As is the case with Poole, you never know who will be riding for them. With all their team changes of late, their remaining riders will be trying hard to justify their place. The inclusion of Harris will make them stronger, but Sandstrom was no slouch round AFA and would have scored decent points as well, so in my reckoning the inclusion of Harris will only make a few points better off. I have always thought Poole are weak at the top end and will therefore rely heavily on Klindt at reserve. He goes well at Lynn but will find it a lot harder than he did at Leicester last week.. I cant see them getting much from this fixture. I see the Stars winning comfortably with Poole being happy to go home with a point at best.....

For the first time in many years, the 7 remaining teams are all of a similar quality and each are capable of beating the other team. I think the Swindon match against Leicester will be closely fought and offers the BT sport crew a decent match with a tight finish. I for one am pleased this is not on the tele, giving me the opportunity to watch another meeting apart from the one I go to. (selfish, I know) I cant remember this being mentioned before, but when there is live TV on a Monday night, what effect does the it have on attendances from the other matches at the same time. There must be some who get the weekly dosage off the box in preference in shelling out to see their home team live. Because of their standing, usually our matches against Poole are well attended and I don't see this any differently. No doubt Buster wouldn't want to jeopardise his biggest gate of the season by having the TV cameras there for a pittance they receive for the privilege. Id like to think there will be other opportunities. when the business end of the season comes around, when these two will be in competition. Probably better to leave the TV cameras till then….

This was posted in jest, and in no way was it intended as fact. Just a backhanded comment of how some of the rule changes are achieved.....

Remember, Not all teams are allow a vote ! There is some stupid rule that says promoters have to be in office 10 yrs before they are allow a vote.....

Wouldn't you have thought that the promoters would have realised by now, all decisions have to be made for the benefit of the sport and not governed by the importance of ones own club... Rye House should never have happened...…….