PE7Panther

It depends on what you mean by "it". I have no objection to people commenting about BB's and LB's averages, but to imply that Panthers have used the 'wrong' averages or somehow pulled a flanker, is what's way off the mark. And it reeked of sour grapes. It even continued after Neil Watson had pointed out that Panthers had used the correct averages as per the BSPA rules. My contention is that it's not really a Panthers-specific discussion. So I stand by what I said. And I'd bounce your opening comment back at you; of course it's NOT the right thread, man!

This Peterborough Panthers 2019 thread has become inundated with fans of other teams arguing the toss about the rules, and whether or not they are correct or fair. They try hard to mask it with what they hope comes across as reasoned argument and logic - but, sadly for them, it's pretty obvious that there's a lot of sour grapes around! Some people might well feel that certain riders are on a 'wrong' average - but hasn't that always happened in speedway? ForeverBlue hit the nail on the head in his post (qv) when he said: "That is the art of good team building to get a rider that is improving or on what is deemed a false average, the conversion rate system has always thrown up anomalies." Funny thing is though, most of them are never quite so outraged and indignant when it's their own club that has been as shrewd as Ged has this winter. Whatever, this really isn't the correct thread for it. Anyway, back on topic: does anybody know of a single Panthers fan who isn't pleased with the team so far? Or who isn't really looking forward to next season? It's too early to start getting over-confident - not that anybody is - and we just need to keep our fingers crossed that we don't have another injury ravaged season. That's going to be a key factor.

check ... and mate!

Exactly. Although they are entitled to their opinions, it really doesn't matter a fig. I haven't heard or seen a single Panthers fan making any negative comments. Every Panthers fan I know (which admittedly is only a handful) is over the moon with this team.

Neil, What about Bomber and Cook; Brit rider reduction for them too? And dare I ask whether BW-D also gets it...... ?

Yep, good luck! And if you need a character reference there'll be plenty of your fellow Panthers forumites willing to step forward

Quite so. We're basically singing from the same hymnsheet. Thing is, last time you just said "but Starke wont fit..." The reason I picked you up on it was nothing personal. It was just that there's far too much stuff posted on here that reads like it's an unequivocal fact. The danger then is that others pick up the baton and run with it From what I can make out, Ged is under the impression - rightly or wrongly - that BW-D will get the reduction. Hence the widely held belief that the remaining three riders will be BW-D, Starke & Barker. BigCatDiary has posted on here that he thinks BW-D does qualify for the reduction. I'm no expert on the rules & regs, but BCD is usually on the ball. But if it turns out to be wrong, or if Ged gets shafted over this reduction thing (which is far less likely now that Buster is involved with Panthers) then slotting in Lasse Bjerre instead of Starke would still give us a terrific team imho. I guess we'll find out soon enough! But however it pans out, I'm sure every Panthers fan is looking forward to next season with more enthusiasm than for ages.

and so...... boxes ticked in B W-D's case?

Point of order: you mean you don't think Starke will fit, or you expect that he won't. Maybe Ged has reason to think differently....

I'm expecting similar, but BW-D, Starke & Barker.

So that's crossed off one of the four riders most of us have been expecting.....

Sounds like it to me.

My thoughts exactly. It is possible, of course - this is flippin' speedway after all - but surely any contract glitches like this would have arisen and been sorted out before Ged was telling us that he's got all 7 riders.

Well, I guess everybody's entitled to their opinion but, with only 3 riders announced so far, surely it's a bit early to be writing a team off. We had similar bollox before the start of last season with some people rubbishing Panthers' chances before a wheel had been turned...... and who finished top o' the league? Just saying like

I'm sure many will

I'm confident that crowds will be bigger next season. I know a couple of fans who used to be regulars in the EL, but had gradually attended less and less since Panthers dropped down - but they're already talking enthusiastically about next season. And that's just me; I'm sure plenty of other Panthers fans could report a similar story. Anyway, nobody will be going less often, surely?! One positive aspect of next season's line-up is that most of the riders (assuming it comprises the 7 we're expecting) have some sort of history with Panthers. Ged could have brought in 7 riders who are totally new to the club; it could well have been successful and we'd all be delighted. But then it's like supporting a team of strangers, speedway mercenaries. I know that's the nature of speedway, but I'm really glad that the first three signings are not only top riders, they also give us a certain feeling of being "our boys". Same goes for Bradley W-D and Paul Starke. Even Ben Barker to a lesser extent. Then, if the rumours are correct, it'd just leave ChasW as a "new" boy. The fact that the management team is still Ged, Neil & Carl only adds to the feelgood factor, imho. And I can't wait for the new season!

Given that this rebuttal is practically from the horse's mouth, Wealdstone's comment seems to be way off the mark. Anyway, I'm over the moon that Hans is back - irrespective of whatever shenanigans went on a few seasons back.

I think most Panthers fans would love to see Buzz again at the EoES; he's a very exciting rider around our track. Third heat-leader - or lower - is what he'd be anyway (Harris, Hans....) but I agree that (i) he was never quite so hot at away meetings, and (ii) it's unlikely he'll be back at Panthers next season.

I'd be V. happy with that line-up. BigCatDiary seems to be saying that BW-D qualifies for a reduction (?) - in which case Ben Barker could fit. Or.... if Panthers went with K.Bjerre or NK.Iversen instead of Cook, it'd give a bit more to play with at reserve and (if my sums are correct) BB would fit. Either way it'd be a strong team; hard to beat at the EoES and capable of picking up plenty of points away too. I haven't felt so upbeat about a forthcoming season for ages - and I'm sure that goes for every Panthers fan.

Good shout What average would he be on? I can't see it happening though; he's just signed again for his Polish team.....

Exactly. I had taken Crump99's tip to put that kn*bhead on 'ignore'. It was all going fine - until somebody quoted him and my screen got polluted again with his inane drivel. Back on topic: I see the "pick a team for the new season" game has started. I understand the argument against bringing Hans back - but, even so, he's top of my wish list. It'd be great to see NKI back too.

I pop in from time to time, just to check for anything interesting on Panthers-related threads. I very rarely look at other threads, and post on them even less. I spotted this "Panthers 2019" heading and - silly me! - thought it'd be worth a shufty. But what do I find? Same old inane dross, very little that's actually to do with Panthers, and juvenile posts by people like Jenga and THJ. One thinks his posts are highly amusing and entertaining (they're not) and whenever he's taken to task he hides behind the "it's just banter" excuse. The other comes across as an argumentative **** who mistakenly thinks he's a master of the put-down. No doubt he basks in a self-satisfied glow at his posts, thinking them to be very erudite. Oh dear, if only he knew how unintelligent and inarticulate he sounds At the mo, the only thing anybody can say about Panthers 2019 is that Ged has given us an assurance that Panthers will run next season whether he finds a suitable buyer or not. After the umpteen winters we've had worrying, let's just rejoice in that. The pick-a-team game can wait until after the AGM. In the meantime, I wish the annoying numpties would stay the f*ck out of Panthers' threads - but I guess there's as much chance of that happening as the SCB/BSPA running speedway properly!

Oh perleeez..... I'm sure you're not a 14 year old trying to act like a Big Tough Man after a couple of beers - but that's how it sounds, and you're just embarrassing yourself.