Pinny

I reckon the double points tactical rule has done the sport absolutely no favors at all.

Same scenario as at Newport in our last few seasons. Ashworth, Smith, Aspegren, Bellego, Wethers, Edberg and Barrett looks a decent team that wont come cheap just as our 2012 named team of Gjedde, Lanham, Gathercole, Aspegren, Mellgren, Kurtz and Jones. As I have said before, you cannot write to the press begging for more people through the gate or sponsorship or threat with closure. I would be stunned if none of the other Bandits riders are making other arrangements now for team places or making inquiries, although theres not many spaces left. Aspegren in particular after his 2012 club shut down on the eve of the new season! I dont even recall Steve Mallett threatening to shut down in between signing the 1-7 and actually closing down... threatening to close once the side is all signed up leaving them with little options of a ride elsewhere IF the club shuts is very unprofessional. As Backless has said on here countless times, those Berwick press releases are absolutely awful... I know football is a much bigger sport than speedway but can you imagine a football press release being like some of Berwicks? I remember the signing of Bager was quoted as being the signing of the PL season, an international superstar being signed in Magosi, Swedens next big super Swede in Benny Johansson etc... not to mention that shocking one about Gjedde and the bonfire in 2011! Berwick have a decent-ish side lined up and now its signed, I think their best bet would be to get out and advertise, plaster posters all over the North East, try getting some tv coverage, offer decent deals for entrance fees (sure I read it has been done already, well done) and generally just promote the place and see how things are after a few meetings... they have the biggest meeting on the GB calender after the Cardiff GP in the ben fund, use this as a massive promotion for the Bandits too. It's not my money so really I am only posting my opinion BUT I think pulling out now is a silly move. Not only will it see seven riders without clubs but also it leave the promotion out of pocket (I dont believe they are entitled to get their £40,000 bond back once they've declared to ride in the next season but maybe wrong?) and will give the Andersons a bad name around Berwick like it has done to the Mallett's in Newport. Also what about the fans who have bought season tickets or paid sponsorship money, do they get that back? Berwick really should have learnt that getting the begging bowl out and pleading with fans and sponsors to the local press wont work. One thing I did wonder when Newport closed was would a meeting where riders raced for free of worked? I mean it could of been possible... fans turned up in numbers for the Air fence meetings in the EL where the riders raced for nothing whilst the fans paid normal prices to get in so the promotions could purchase the air fences. If it could be proved Berwick are in need of say, £10k to keep them afloat for the season, could something be done? May sound silly but worth a think although once one club does it I imagine every club will be looking for excuses to do it! That said, good luck to Berwick and I hope to see them see out the season at least.

This team will struggle. Stead was a better rider when he last raced PL than he is now IMO. Sure he will get 8 with ease but will struggle to get 9 unless he is dominant at home like Wilson was. I can't see him being untouchable around Sheffield personally. Albin is struggling in his homeland if you check out the Argentina scores, theres about 3 or 4 other local lads beating him . That said I dont recall Carlos Villar being thought of very much until he banged some scores in for Berwick so you never know.

Rob grant in the pl? Good lord!

I'd expect him to get snapped up quickly... on decent kit he would make a mockery of a 4.9 average without a doubt

How long has he been out for this time with a broken leg? Has he recovered yet? He aint getting any younger. Iversen was third in the EL averages last season, top of the Swedish and second in Poland. It shouldnt take a so called professional world class rider like Bjerre so long to sort his mechanical set up. He was woeful before his unlucky injury, theres no excuses. I'll have a bet with anyone that Bjerre: 1) Doesn't average more than Iversen based on 2013 meetings alone 2) He averages under 8.18 Any takers

Can anyone send me a stream link via pm please, cheers

You really think a rider who was in appauling form last season pre injury anyway will improve after coming back from yet another broken leg?! Dream on! Iversen was always a rider on the verge of big things and last year it finally clicked for him. I'd take Iversen over Bjerre every time, two years ago no but now I would. Bjerre will do very well to maintain his 8.18 figure next season... definately.

Stevebrums comebacks are about as successful as Ricky Hattons. The amount of people he has on block, wouldn't it be easier to just ban the disturbed indivudual instead?! Anyone who thinks such awful comeback shots are amusing and valid really should take a long look at themselves! Personally hope Dumb isn't banned, not because I like him but it always brightens up my day to see a fully crown adult making such a tool of himself online.

Just about!

Nah, think this is actually Cockle. The guy who has done absolutely sod all in over a decade in speedway!

Havent you blocked me Stephen?

Yes seen them both ride. Not in the flesh but most on here havent seen the likes of Dudek, Zmarzlik, Michelsen etc ride yet seem to be sure they will be big hitters!

Aspgren only raced 4 more meetings than Thorsell including a long spell in the team and still managed to go above 3 whilst Thorsell didn't. If your happy with Thorsell rather than Aspgren fine but looking at their scores, I'd of gone with Aspgren personally.

Hang on... you said out of their depth... didn't you shoot me down for stating Burmeister was last season when miles off a 3.00? Yet aspgren from number 2 averaged over 3,00 yet he is out of his depth! Yes seen thorsell ride many times on swedish tv and on the box last season and seen aspgren on sky too. How was the view from portugal?

If your referring to Thorsell and Aspgren... I disagree that they were both out of their depth. Aspgren's real time average was 3.88 and 3.15 without bonus... Although he was far from impressive he didn't do THAT bad a job and in a good side at number 7, he would improve I reckon. Thorsell on the other hand... dear oh dear.. Geoff?! My name is Lewis actually and no my middle name isnt Geoff!

The signing of Thorsell proved this well and truly... failed to reach three by almost half a point and was invited back! Asprgren looked the far better prospect. And on 3.15 would of been a far better option

A very cheap and desparate signing really. Do well to hold his average

But what top riders thats the whole point!! We all know come March NKI will be at KL, Hans and Troy at Swindon and Bjerre at Peterborough. No idea what the fuss is about!

Its not even Xmas yet!! Christ. Andersen has waited until April before knowing his destination before! Theres still plenty if time yet christ calm down

Maybe because they havent decided who to choose between Andersen, Bjerre and Batchelor!!! Lol

Believe Gjedde has retired

Correct Shawn the closure of Newport Speedway is as much Tim Stones fault as it is the Malletts he ran the place so far into the ground

Batchelor came good when it mattered, okay most fans would like it to be done all season but in speedway sometimes that doesnt happen. Look at most riders PL and EL on an 8ish average, its rare any of them consistently post scores of 8, 9 and 10... most have up and down scores spread over a full season, in Batchelors case he ended poor and finished superbly.

Can only praise Berwick for their price... thats a cracking deal.