dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

Isnt the visa backed by the sponsoring club? New club - new visa application required?

Happy 18th Adam - seems like just yesterday since my own even though this year will be the 25th anniversary of it! Have a good one fella.

RocketBen is gonna love this so far! Will wait until after Saturday to give my real prediction.

Again WK? Surely this is just a statement of fact - there is no hint of pleasure in the words.

Witches by 20! lol

The carrot crunchers from Compost Corner may be enjoying their time in the the sun at the moment but after so many years in the shadow of the mighty Witches they are still as pale as a snowmans ghost!

So Athletics are wasting their money with the technology then when a sharp eyed middle aged man will do just fine! And what happens when you have a ref with eyesight about as sharp as custard?

The problem is that Speedway has no mechanism to distinguish between the rolling cheat and that perfect start. In Athletics for example the blocks are wired to the timimg and a start better than what is considered humanly possible is a false start even if after the gun.

I think you can see that in principle I am not that far off from agreeing with you both but just making the point that it is perhaps not quite as black and white as you paint it. I did say 'a little off' not wide of the mark after all. I agree that the draft is a good move (so long as its integrity is not tainted by manipulation) and that the PL should also be looking at similar on a formal basis for the next tranche of NL riders. The PL has and does however provide opportunities for young Brits and is not the 'big bad monster' you make it out to be.

. Some truth in both these posts but a little off the mark IMO. The vast majority of the draft riders are in the PL anyway and already been given their chance by that league. The PL therefore wouldnt be looking at this set of riders for a draft but perhaps the next 30 in line. I agree that the PL should also be offering more opportunities to Brits from the NL and a few more will be again this year eg Carr Crang Rose to follow the many before. With regard to costs yes PL points £ is lower but other fixed costs are the same. Just how much that extra points £ is offset by additional income for the EL is the question. If Sky money or extra sponsors fill that gap then you would expect admission to need to be similar although I agree in principle lower level should equal lower cost.

This isnt really about Bates or Poole or any individual/team. It is the principle of what the procedure should be to ensure that the draft is fit for purpose.

The clubs business it is but it was 'the clubs'that set out and agreed a draft system therefore unilateral changes should not be allowable. Any change has to be overseen and controlled centrally to ensure the integrity of the program.

See Skidders post at 9.56

replace reneged with forfeited then.

I find it very hard to believe Sayfutdinov cannot afford to compete. He is pretty much nailed on to make at least a semi in at least half of the rounds even if he does poorly. That would be £50k+ in prize money in addition to the annual upfront fee. Id be confident to say he must pick up some decent sponsorship even if it is less than for the euro comp. If if cant at least break even on those figures Id be surprised. Finances are a smokescreen IMO.

A tough question as I believe you should always aim to be at the highest level possible but at this time yes I feel the PL is best league for the Witches. The last 3 years have been far more entertaining than the preceeding 3 in the Elite IMO. Over the years I think we have been lucky to see some great entertaining riders in our ranks in both leagues. I grew up with Sanders Sigalos Cook etc but still loved Moggo Norris etc just as much. Then how could anyone complain to see Ricko Loram Gollob and Scotty? Barker was superb to watch last year and to see new talent like Cam and Adam has been a pleasure.

Agree that the lack of real local rivals has certainly been a negative for the Witches in the PL. IMO aside from that there are no others that jump out. Peterborough joining will be a boost to that end. As mentioned though we are starting to build some healthy rivalries with those further afield like Worky and the Moanarchs. These will only intensify over time. Weve had superb battles with the likes of Somerset and Newcastle inparticular too. Ive been more than happy with the choice.

so long as bruv doesnt forget the fueltaps!!

Good post Paulco with your point about evenly matched teams being spot on Id say.There are some posts on the Ipswich thread that are vocal about missing the EL but IMO in the main they are hankering for something that no longer exists.

Certainly confident that we will be competitive - would be very disappointed not to make the play offs. Lots of good solid sides this year so any team will have earned it if they make it. Would be great to see all/any of those really kick on - just a shame the 2 Brits are not assets as well

Seems to be concensus that Worky Pboro and Scunny will be favourites and Plymouth will be adrift. (Paulco aside!!)

Totally agree -there is nothing to complain about. Thats why the vast majority have posted with regard to the hypothetical scenario and not just as if its fact re Bates/Poole. The one fact is Bates withdrew from his draft position. Most of the debate has been the Ifs and maybes that could/would follow should ANY team need to switch and whether Bates could still be on the list.

His position in the draft and whether its Poole who may be looking to use him are both irrelevant IMO. The fact that he opted out of his draft pick should mean he is not on the available list this year. To allow that would undermine the whole pick system. As has been pointed out had Bates not been drafted by Swindon in the original pick others couldve chosen him. A choice that has been denied them in this scenario. Also IF it is true Bates has been phoning offering his services (to date there is no confirnation) then this is very wrong. A draft is (or should be) a controlled process and as such not a negotiation between just 2 parties. As and when any team needs to switch a rider theyshould be requesting from the organiser a list of who they can pick from not suggesting "we are signing Mr X"

Agree with this.If Bates is returned to the list then all teams that could've drafted him after Swindon should have the opportunity to change their pick in order before any team is allowed to use him.