TheReturn

You could argue the US were a one man team. You could argue we were too (Tai). I think our other riders are better than the US other riders. The US beat us because their team was man managed and motivated better, in my opinion.

And that is what a good manager can do, instill that in players/riders lacking it.

We are, and will be, and pretty much have to start from a blank canvass, other than Tai, who is after all the world number two right now. For starters, if I was involved in the BSPA I would be asking Tai what he feels we need to do and who we need to bring in. I would listen hard, and I would then ask someone else, like a Jason Crump for example and again I would listen hard, then I would talk to the last British World Champion, like Mark Loram and again I would listen hard. But do the BSPA do this? Hope so.. doubt it. Will the BSPA do this? Hope so.. doubt it.

I totally agree. Whilst Middlo may not have the power to force a promoter to host an international meeting, he can certainly put some pressure on the BSPA by talking to the media saying that is what he wants. On top of some awful management last week, the biggest concern for me is the lack of direction. Somewhere I read him quoted as saying the SWC is no place for kids, yet when and where will they get interantional experience? He brings in Cook then drops him, which makes no sense to me. The way he dropped him appears to be dubious too judging by Cook's outburst. We were never going to win it this year, or next year, but I think we would all be more forgiving if there was a clear plan and a clear direction to blood two youngsters in the SWC alongside Tai and maybe Harris/Nicholls if their form picks up. Ideally, a meaningful test series would be helpful for the sport, maybe an Ashes test series against the Aussies every two seasons, one here, then 18 months later in the Aussie Summer. Make it meaningful, make it passionate, make it mean something. Note: We would lose the Ashes for the next few years, but maybe that is good, it gives the BSPA a target to aim for, and improve to regain the speedway Ashes.

What a rubbish justification. Every other sport I can think of seem to manage fine without the need for 'jokers'!

I agree, that needs to change too, but the joker saw riders 'pretend to have engine problems' just so they can drop points to use the joker. For me that simply makes a mockery of the term 'speedway racing'.

I would still be 100% against it, because I am commenting from my head, not my heart. If Team GB wanted to race a World Cup Final in Manchester, then they have to earn the right, and if they went on to win it, I hope and think it would mean even more because they qualified the right way.

Not sure that needs to matter. I always thought there was friction with some of the Aussie riders (Batch)? I am not sure all the Danes used to get on so well, i.e. Hans and NP, but when they put on their natonal race jackets they come together as one, or at least that is how it seems.

I think last night is proof that it is totally ridiculous to seed hosts to the final. A World Cup final should be the pinnacle of any sport, and teams should earn the right to be there. Last night we saw what happens when a lesser team is seeded to the final, they are totally outclassed, and what happened is the final became a three team final, rather than a four team final.

I don't care how close it helps the scores stay, the joker is a pathetic ruling that penalises the team that is winning. Show me any other sport where a successful team is constantly penalised (i.e. averages, league title team usually needs to break it up. Joker last night, Denmark did not get to use it). Joke rule for a joke sport. Lets get back to basics... four riders racing for points (not riding to drop points to bring in the joker).

Read a quote from Middlo somewhere whuch says the SWC is not the place to blood young riders, or words along those lines.

You are missing the point. A great manager is a master motivator. In his selection and dropping tactics alone, Middlo came up short and failed. Every time the TV panned to the Team GB team in the pits at Kings Lynn and last night, I did not see much motivational talking going on. Rosco is not my cup of tea, but he does seem to do more with the motivational side of mnagement that Middlo. Look at Poole, they win by buying the best riders, and from what I can tell, the promotor chooses the riders, more than Middlo. Yes we are short of talent, and anothe rmanager may not have had the same result, but it is fair to say that the Team Management made some obvious mistakes this week.

Well and truly stuffed? We got beat. narrowly, not stuffed.

But he could have picked a better team at KIngs Lynn, by not selecting the out of form Kennett. We could all see it, and we are nothing more than 'idiot BSF fans', so him being a speedway man should have known it, and picked another rider. I am not saying another selection would have helped us qualify, but it proved whoever picked the team for KIngs Lynn failed. The handling of Cook seems inept too.

And promoted constantly by Pearson.

The joker rule is pathetic, speedway should be about winning races, not allow a team to benefit by deliberately dropping points. Pearson is not doing much to hide his love of the US team tonight. God help us if they do win.

Stop moaning, it adds to the atmosphere.

Any success tonight and at the weekend would be in spite of Middleditch, not because of Middleditch. Awful selections on Monday, and man motivation skills 'seemed' to be lacking. Although I accept I can't see eveyrthing that goes on, hence why I put 'seemed'.

Harsh on Cook, and I feel Team GB management have made huge mistakes, but right now lets all get behind Barker and Bridger and support them.

Do you not think the selection of the latter is why the former is occuring.

What does being a nice guy have to do with anything?

Based off his rider selection and rider motivation skills over the last couple of years, if he could not obtain the right license then I am afraid trhe BSPA should look for other options.

Rather unfair and unnecessary thing to say. Can only blame Middlo for picking an out of form rider. Middlo is at fault tonight, not Eddie.

Rubbish, he is the best we have had for some time. He seems fairly knowledgeable for what I assume is a 'non-speedway fan'.

If I was standing next to Sophie I would be slurring my words too.. Mmmmm