dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

Having ex riders like Kelvin and others involved with young British riders I believe is vital to future development. I once had the pleasure of sitting between Kelvin and another rider in an Exeter taxi whilst he explained gating technique and clutch control. As a fan with no riding experience it is fascinating to hear how such small adjustments can make so much difference.

Go and have a lay down now Jackal - all that positivity must be exhausting!!

Thank you agent Neilsen!

but they could be with the right change!

What agreat result for the Witches! Well done to the boys.

Custard or cream with that pie? great minds and all that!

Back home. More than a little bemused. I havent seen the track but when I got there with half hour to start time rain had stopped and sun was out with no apparent chance of more.

Sunshine and blue skies all the way now. Bring on the racing!!

Looking at many posts there has been a dark cloud over the Witches since 20.00 (the year that is!!) Come on everyone cheer up and get behind the boys!

Jurgen Hultgren and Franz Leitner are another 2.

A big home win seems most likely here. If the Witches pick up even a losing point it would be a surprise. Will go for 54 - 40.

This one could be a humdinger. Witches by 6.

Foxhall - Hultgren,Clouting,Baldwin,Teager

Ipswich have a commendable reputation for giving a rider time to turn things round. However if there is a true desire to be Premier League champions then there comes a time that a ruthless streak is needed. Now could be that time. The first 'real' match comes along on Thursday and any dropped home point could be vital.

No thread yet with just hours to tapes up. Whats the weather like? Is it on or not? If yes Witches win by 4.

Why not get excited over 1 meeting? There were plenty of doom merchants after 1 poorer one.

Solid team effort from the Witches and Id say there is still some more in the tank to get better. Heats 2-15 saw a 50-33 scoreline(minus tacs) which is superb. Onwards and upwards from here? Lets hope so.

Hopefully close to perfect condtions and a little bit warmer!

Very good point apart from the fact that Boro decided not to have any of their riders as double uppers and therefore Dak was never available!!

If the Witches are going to be contenders for a play off place then this is a match where they need to show their mettle and pull off a win that most will see as unlikely. The result wont count towards that play off place but would show that they have what it takes. A defeat would fuel the lack of confidence some have in the team and ramp up the pressure.

A very disappointing scoreline for the Witches. This early in the season though it is not a disaster and Ive no doubt that the effort is there to put things right. Well done to the Rebels who look the real deal this year.

Youve been working too hard mate - it is snow and not just TV interference!!

Next week

On the face of it two very similar sides and a toughtest for the Witches. Key men I see as Morten and Kling. The winner of that personal head to head may well be the difference in the final score. Witches to win by 6 - 10 points.

I expect the Rebels to be too strong for the Witches and to win by 10. A point would be an excellent result and anymore too much to expect.