The Voice Of Reason

Why don't other clubs pull the same strokes as Fraud? Very often I'd imagine that this boils down to one thing - money. You only have to see the team Poole assemble; or the sudden appearance of grinning boy the other year, to get the idea that this bloke is minted. It's also apparent that he has a 'win at all costs' mentality because he's probably always been brought up by Mummy & Daddy to be a spoilt brat. "What Matthew wants, Matthew shall have". Proof indeed subsequently evident by his pathetic, childish, poor-loser mentality when Coventry pipped them to the title. It broke my heart the other year when Cook basically allowed him to get away with cancelling a meeting with Lakeside; despite Poole having a team, and being advised by the SCB to fulfill the fixture. He called it off 'in the interests of (Poole) speedway' and our promotion rolled over and had their tummies tickled. That subsequent 3 points, achieved in the re-arranged fixture, basically gave Poole their (4th) place in the play-offs and they won the league yet again. Cook's defence was "what could we have done when Poole called off the meeting"? My argument was to have advised Poole that we were not prepared to re-arrange; subsequently turned up at Poole with our squad ready to race as arranged; as advised by the SCB. I'm sure that the local (national?) media would have loved the story. If they didn't proceed with the fixture then, possibly with the media attention, it would have forced the arm of the numpties in Rugby to have done something. They could hardly have then contradicted their own advice; so they would have had to take action such as awarding Lakeside the points; or deducting points from Poole for non-fulfilment of a fixture. Without the subsequent win over us (when their team was back to full strength) it would have been impossible for Poole to get into the playoffs by the cut-off - justice done. I am not jealous of success - just how it is achieved. I despise an "I'm alright Jack, sod the rest" attitude in any form (hence the reason I despise Cameron & Co. and their despicable supporters) - because I abhor lying, cheating and selfishness. And for people to say that Fraud simply manipulates rules - they must truly be living in their own little Utopian Bubble. So, it's OK for people to say other promoters should follow the 'Poole Business Model' and 'do as Matt does'. But at the end of the day we surely aren't delusional enough to not believe that this would require significant financial input that, I would imagine, the vast majority of promoters just do not have at their disposal. At the end of the day, if people truly think what Poole continually do is helping speedway at Elite League level, then I just give up. There seriously is no point in debate.

I bet Davey Watt will have a face like a smacked @rse by the time he gets to Lakeside. Then again, why break the habit of a lifetime!

If Rob Mear struggles (yet again) then surely Ben Morley is a better punt for future home meetings? With all due respect to a bloke who has always given us 100%, constant 0's is basically making us a 6 man team from the outset. I truly hope that Rob hits some form and improves; but he currently looks so off the pace, it's extremely worrying.

Probably nothing with the odd race but how long Lisa before it's completely exploited; and entire meetings are streamed illegally? Put yourself in the position of a promoter. They pay stadium rent; administration costs; riders wages......in fact, countless other expenditure from diesel for the tractors, right down to the nuts and bolts holding the fencing together. If you were having to outlay astronomical costs to present a meeting, would you honestly be happy with your product basically being stolen, and given away for free, to those who are making no contribution? It's rare that I stick up for speedway promoters, particularly your one, but I fully understand and appreciate their reasoning for clamping down on, what after all, is theft.

Despite our superb away performance at Leicester, I really can't see us infliciting any damage at Poole. AJ, Nilsson, Lawson and Swiderski were all admittedly flying but, and with all due respect to Leicester, they were pretty poor throughout. Reserve-wise, Rob Mear struggled to come last in his rides on Saturday night - so we are basically a 6 man team straight from the off. Many of our points at Beaumont Park were earned overtaking - not from 'jet-propelled gating'. Passing riders of the quality of Poole, will be a whole different challenge. So unless we can sharpen up from the tapes, I think that this has got defeat etched all over it. If we did manage to secure an away point, I'd personally be delighted. As for the comments about Gerald Richter. He'll do what he always does - provide a decent, fair racing track to the best of his ability.

Must admit that I didn't think it was too bad a crowd - bear in mind the kids are off school, it's the weekend after Easter and people may still be away on hols, short of dosh, etc. I also didn't notice many people walking out - albeit I didn't stop to listen to the interviews as it began raining. Thought it was a very good meeting - my first fix this year so long-awaited. Clearly, Leicester Supporters must be hurting after that performance - wow, how you need Doyley back. Track changes seem to have worked - to be fair, The Hammers were finding overtaking lines on the bends and straights - so it can be achieved. Seb Ulamek looks so completely off the pace - sad to see a former speedway star just so out of touch. Then again, we had this with PK and he came back firing. However, you have to wonder whether Seb should have just hung up his kevlars or gone PL. Greg & Simon show a lot of promise - couldn't fault their commitment although they need to get dialled in to the 4th bend if they are going to keep taking it at full pelt. Otherwise, you'll be replacing air bags before your number 5. Paddy was down for a long time after his spill with Swidders - and is a competent rider, along with Klindt, at this level. However, consistency is key and clearly Nicolai needs to get some bike problems sorted pretty sharpish. However, looks a steal on a 3.53 average. Starkey and Auty - really gave it everything for the cause and worth every point. Two very strong reserves (at the moment) who are going to be key riders for you at home. Lakeside - Mearo apart (who was so far behind it was embarrassing) rode like a side possessed. Sublime riding from AJ and backed up with a very powerful looking Lawson and Nilsson. Swidders clearly used his knowledge of Beaumont Park to his advantage (particularly finding the fastest line coming out of bend 2). Bridger delivered what was asked - but his riding style now looks 'wobbly' (literally). Lewis Kerr chipped in with a useful 5 rides and, most importantly not a last place - which is possibly all that you can ask of your Number 7 away from home. In fact, our only three last places all night were Rob. He's a real worry if I'm honest - just looks so off the pace at this level. AJ is AJ and is worth his weight in gold to us. But I have to say that both Richard and Kim (even Swidders) looked just as fast last night. Best of luck to Leicester for the rest of the season. Nice fans, excellent facilities and superb viewpoints from around the stadium. Looking forward to my return visit on 28th May. Might even come to a few other meetings this season given its only a half hour drive. Keep the faith!

Not if BBC Weather have the right forecast - there isn't any rain expected from now until Midnight in Leicester.

Initially it was in 2011 - when I had to check his two bikes over to ensure that they met conformance standards. I was quite a jobsworth.......ask Ed Kennett. When Adam took to the track, I turned to the other Machine Examiner (Steve) and my words were, along the lines of, "the last time I saw a British rider on a bike handle it so competently was Mark Loram". If you doubt my words, head down to the pits pre-meeting, and ask Steve. He may remember. And yet again, the point of your post was? Anyway, any chance of seeing you at Beaumont Park tomorrow? I assume not.

I will be supporting them tomorrow night at Leicester. But, given our dire away support, will possibly be one of only a handful. And I'll stand by the fact that I believe Adam's improvement is down to the fact of him now being under the leadership of a proven team manager; rather than someone who has not only never ridden a speedway bike competitively, but also appears to have considerable difficulty stringing a sentence together. Finally, if my points of view don't tally with yours (or others) do you really think I give a toss? A forum such as this is about opinions. If you find that concept too difficult to understand, then maybe you are in the wrong place.

Putting things not perspective, Andersen scored 11 at home against Swindon; 11+1 against Coventry. So what's your point? The fact remains that Ellis is flying so far this year - both home and away. I'm no admirer of Fraud or Middleditch but what do you put this newly found confidence down to - Bob Martin tablets? Ellis clearly had talent from when he first took to our track as a kid in 2012. The fact is that our Promotion, particularly his ex-manager Neil Vatcher, clearly couldn't get the best out of him; Poole (so far) have.

Or maybe the fact he's now working for a confident, efficient team manager that actually knows what he's doing; sets high standards and ensures that riders achieve their potential?

And don't give up yours and ever become a track curator - because you clearly haven't got a clue about track prep. Added to which if you really think it is advantageous for a Speedway Promoter to call off a meeting, then you are truly living in 'cloud cuckoo land'.

What socialist media is that then? And as for their recent (completely legal) withdrawal of labour, please enlighten us as to how many lives were lost.

What 'services to the country'? You mean being used as pawns by successive governments to illegally invade other countries and (often inadvertently) killing innocent men, women and children? Personally, I'd prefer concessions for Doctors and Nurses; those people in society that actually SAVE lives. I don't expect you to agree and we are all entitled to opinions. However, there are still some of us not completely brainwashed by the capitalist media.

Why?

Good to see a fixture with no R/R's and/or guests! Score-wise, I can't realistically see us getting within 10 points. That said, and with all due respect, Kings Lynn aren't the strongest team in the league (not saying we are either); but if we have serious title aspirations, this a meeting whereby we need to at least nick an away point. Acid test for Tatum's worth - let's just hope he has us all 'jet-propelled'. However, I doubt it.

BSPA Chairman Keith Chapman said: This is a massive setback to the sport in this country and it can have a negative impact on every other club throughout the UK. It was down to the promotion to ensure the meeting went ahead under the supervision of the SCB referee and failed. It's an embarrassment and the rest of the sport in this country could be hit by it". A thorough investigation has already started. _____________________________________________________________________ Says a bloke who cancelled a meeting at Kings Lynn against Lakeside because, although he had 72 hours to do so, couldn't identify and fix a blown fuse. Pity there wasn't 'a thorough investigation' over that incident isn't it Chapman. Pot bleedin' kettle if ever I've seen it. Two-faced tw@t!

This is seriously NOT an anti-Poole comment. However, the likes of Newman riding STILL as a number 7, is proof beyond any reasonable doubt, that both sets of clowns at the BSPA AND the SCB, are so out of touch with reality, it truly beggars belief.

Yeah but they aren't betting odds; that's our rider ratio against the opposition!

What was Ellis's problem with the track then..........did he actually manage to do four laps somewhere without ending up on his arse?

Oh, the sheer irony (Part 2). Part 3.

Oh, the sheer irony.

The definition of 'rose-tinted spectacles' - "if someone looks at something, and only sees the pleasant parts of it". I couldn't find a definition of 'blue-tinted spectacles' - albeit I believe the term 'blue-tint' often refers to older people that dye their hair a certain colour for vanity (despite the fact it subsequently makes it look completely unnatural). Now, whilst 'blue-tint' may aptly describe Matt Fraud, I'd stand wholeheartedly behind my initial assessment that 'rose-tinted spectacles' more accurately describes some Poole supporters upon this forum.

More than some of the Rose-tinted spectacle Poole ones on here, most definitely.

What I was inferring had nothing to do with rules - simply the fact that you can't count Alan. Or maybe you could enlighten us who Lakeside's 'squad of 10 riders' are............as alluded to in your earlier post.