TheReturn

Is Rosco having a little dig back at Cook by leaving him out this race following that issue earlier in the week, or is this just a clever tactical move by him?

The qualifications are always going to have the top v lesser teams. We will see a few similar matches in the World Cup qualification round. Come the final we will have teams all much closely matched.

Pearson.. "he gets a standing ovation from this home crowd", the camera pans to everyone sat down in their seat.

Oh dear... I think someone thought that was being pre-recorded and not live. #Professional

But should a professional commentator be getting it wrong? He repeats himself every few minutes, which defenders claim is to educate the non speedway masses following... well calling the score wrong (not first time) is not educating any of us, speedway fans or non speedway fans. Can you image if this summers World Cup final commentator calls the World Cup final score wrong? Or a few days prior to that miscounts the inevitable penalty shootout that plucky England will go out on? I am not sure that commentator will be getting a big gig again anytime soon after. Edit: The defence that he doesn't have a team of people helping him with the scores is bollocks. He's paid to get it right. We pay to be told the right scores.

Most sports perhaps have to accommodate TV, I.e play off's in football, and I guess we all accept speedway will have to also. But there is a real point here, most other sports don't completely give away credibility of their sport for TV, as in the play-off's in football are for third, not the all important title winners. Speedway shouldn't either, but all too often thet do. That said, I think they got the balance right in the SGP now, a final for TV each SGP, but that final doesn't really impact on the championship too much other than the additional three points for wining the race.

See, the racing was so crap we're talking about how crap Pearson was. It's such a same that Fletch is brilliant at his job and snapped up by BT to cover football. Now he ticks all boxes, brilliant and balanced commentator and he's a speedway fan (used to see him down at Long Eaton), think he did something to help Tai last season didn't he?

I do take your point Tyler, but most seasons it would be Poland v one other nation who happen to have a good four riders capable of matching Poland. At least with this format there should be three or four nations capable of putting decent pair of riders together.

Being positive is fine, but Is it moaning to simply want a better commentator for the product we pay a lot of money for that actually gets the score right? I don't think it is. Tatum is fine, at least he interjects some technical knowledge now and then. I am not sure what Pearson adds to the product?

Tonight wasn't ideal, but I do think it's got more potential than the SWC which requires teams to have 4 good riders. This allows smaller speedway nations with less top riders to still have a chance, and brings us the art of team riding back into world speedway.

Not sure this is that bad, just needs tweaking. I love the idea of team riding, a lost art of the sport. But, when we get to the final, we should see more riders of similar ability which should make it much more interesting.

But in theory should still be some racing for that third place with the lesser riders. I just wonder if the problem is the track tonight? Do need to tweak to provide a third rider to cover.

It's more interesting than the racing...

Hey this is the professional commentator that failed to realise when a rider had become the new world champion a few seasons back, so not at all surprising, no!

Lame excuse.

How come according to Pearson every other race is a big race? What does that make the final... a massive race? a gigantic race?

Pearson sucking up to Hancock again big time, lost count of how many times he's called him a legend... frankly pathetic. As usual you defend them, but come on Philip, Pearson as always been woeful, no matter how many times you tell us those that employ him are happy.

Bit harsh. I am looking forward to it. I was getting bored of the SWC seeing the same teams most years.

So Hancock's gracing this event then? I thought he was all about giving the youngers a chance? Guess it suits him to ride tonight to try and find some form.

How do the contracts work in speedway, is it like football where when a player (rider) is loaned out, the parent club approves the loan? However no sympathy, there was issues with Holder at the end of last season anyway, so it's his own fault for risking a spot on Holder.

I wouldn't poke speedway too closely with that stick if I was you!

I am sure they have tried to use to their advantage, I mean it is Poole!

I am guess that may have been tongue in cheek, but I am actually not up to date because I have only been dipping in and out this season so far (just not the same without your own team to support), but I read Holder had decided not to ride due to personal issues, but I notice he is riding in Poland now. Have Poole actually dropped him or is he not riding in the UK this season now?

Thanks for the info Flagrag. This cost puzzled me though, I am not sure how many staff you have per meeting, but £1000 on catering seems excessive... Give them all Big Mac's, might be cheaper

So in order to do a professional job he needs to be kept happy?