The Voice Of Reason

Cook had a Polish superman lined up. Utter BS. We could gain home track advantage with 6 riders (inc. 1 x NL). Utter BS. Jon Cook is an utterly DIRE Speedway Promoter. As I said a week ago, Lakeside are simply 'cannon fodder' to opposition. Please do the decent thing Mr. Cook and just GO! As Eastbourne Manager, Lakeside Promoter, and your involvement/tenure with the BSPA as Vice-Chairman, you've been an UTTER abject FAILURE and an embarrassment.

Do what? When have I ever said anything about Neil's Wife???? By the way, despite what the programme states, our website carries articles referring to Tatum's appointment as 'a coach'; and it is in that capacity that he's also referred to upon our club's website. But I'm sure you know best.

'A reliable source'. No doubt that we are all enamoured with confidence.

Says a bloke that sells the 'Speedway Star' for his 50 Bob pocket money!

I don't think Liam it's people's perception of us having amongst the two worst reserves in the league.... I think that their CMA's prove that particular point. Irrespective of our reserves, given that Sir Kelvin was brought in to (given our Promoter's previous rhetoric) 'improve our away performances', maybe you'd care to illustrate where he has been successful in his endeavours? Please don't say Leicester. Please!

Maybe we were even worse?

On hinsight Liam I must agree. With such a plethora of superb speedway teams, consisting of a raft of the Sport's top World Class riders, I'm sure that us scraping into the play-offs with a scored points differential; coupled with a home track advantage; had nothing to do with it. All hail Messiah Tatum. Who needs to spend millions on flood defences when Kelv can just part the waves. As for sorting out swarms of locusts....."No question Nige"!

Tatum thinking of quitting as our 'Motivational Coach'? The role model that was going to share his wisdom, expertise and knowledge in order for us to improve our performances away from home? Apart from 2 wins at a woefully weak Leicester, we didn't pick up A SINGLE AWAY POINT throughout the season. In fact, as per usual; on many occasions, we've been an embarrassment. Added to which reading between the lines pre-season, Tatum wanted Kim Nilsson dropped. Let's see now; who next to AJ has been our most consistent (often at Arena, prolific) rider? Tatum talks a good story BUT if the 'proof of the pudding is in the eating' then we're still suffering from malnutrition. Absolute waste of a wage packet; not only in my opinion - but because a season's worth of (dire away) results don't lie.

As the play-offs are an utter Sky-engineered farce, I still want Belle Vue to win the league title - it's rightfully theirs. Just hope that we put on a decent show for everyone; and don't fall apart as usual away from Arena. Great shame that AJ cannot be part of it. The guy is the ultimate professional.

Why is it a sh!t track? When did you last ride on it? Fact is, it produces more overtaking than many of its' counterparts.

Sounds more like a photo of Matt Ford.

With all due respect to the 'blue rinsers' Tai Woffinden was re-signed for Wolves around August 11th - BEFORE their qualification for the play-offs was assured; and with a number of meetings still outstanding. There is quite a difference between that and a 'Johnny Come Lately' being thrown into the mix at this late stage; on a (let's all, despite the rules, be perfectly honest) ridiculously low average given his World Class ability. Anyone that cannot at least concede the latter point is extremely blinkered.....to put it mildly.

Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of Lindbach's average, his signing demonstrates that Ford still nurtures this 'must win at all costs' mentality. Whether that's right of wrong is up to individuals to decide. Suffice to say that in my own view, the euphoria around his inclusion at this late stage by 'the blue rinse brigade' really does leave me somewhat gobsmacked. - Can you honestly feel any sense of achievement; bringing into your team a 'mercenary' that has not bothered riding for you for many years; and has done nothing whatsoever throughout the 2016 to contribute towards your current position? - Does winning the league title yet again really mean so much to you? Undoubtedly, the answer to these two questions from the South Coast are probably 'Yes'. How very sad - not only from a speedway supporters' perspective; but possibly a true reflection upon the values that you adopt in life generally. Nothing against Antonio as he's an exciting rider. But any subsequent wins that you achieve with his recent inclusion would, for me anyway, have the depth of a grain of sand. With every best wish to Belle Vue for the 2016 title. YOU have earned it.

Presumably said at some stage by Tatum to Jon Cook........"pay me a wage to be Lakeside's 'Motivational Coach' and I'll fire the boys up to win meetings away from home". Perhaps we just aren't riding these 'jet-propelled' bikes Tatum is always talking (make that shouting) about; because our performances outside of Arena are still utter gash.

Obviously gutted.......as Lakeside even nicking a point is going to be extremely difficult now. However, a tremendous gesture by Krzysztof. At a time when many GP 'stars' (quite rightly) get vilified for turning their back on British Speedway, it's encouraging to see that there are a few of the guys that recognise the meaning of the term - loyalty. And how nice that we'll be served up a FULL evening of Speedway AND at a realistic admission price. If we get the usual 70's/80's songs playing, it will seem like we're all in a retro time warp! Nothing wrong with that in my book. Looking forward to my visit to Brandon on Friday; even more so given that it will not be my last.

Sure that you didn't really come on here to see if there was a film of the crash..........and have now got the hump - NOT in reality about the content, but because such a clip doesn't appear? If there were people hurt (and thank God that there wasn't) then clearly the source that you read about the incident from, would surely have said about casualties?

Let's be honest, irrespective of whether it's us (Lakeside) or indeed Swindon that make the final play-off place, either one of us is only going to be in the top 4 to make up the numbers. And with the Aces, Wolves and Pirates all going so well to cause this particularly close three-horse race (in recent memory anyway), it endorses the fact that the play-off system isn't actually necessary, nor required. But as long as Lord Shoutalot and Kelvin 'no question Nige' Tantrum get a few extra nights pay packets, I guess Sky Sports are happy enough. Maybe it appeals to the newer brigade; but as a Hackney fan, I was always bought up to not really give a tuppenny toss who won the league; as long as I saw WEEKLY meetings on a well-prepared track; with teams 'as per programme' and close, fair, exciting races throughout. I'm sure that I am not alone. Those basic, fundamental requirements now seem to have vanished into the ether. The trouble is that Speedway has become so sterile; with incomprehensible rules and dire decision-making re: 'guests', etc. that the powers that be needed to introduce this pathetic system in order to apparently make the sport more exciting. Along with double point tactical rides, they've been clutching at straws for years now to balance things up. Has it worked? Of course it bloody well hasn't. In reality, it's completely unfair; and turns Elite(?) League Speedway into an utter farce.

I can only imagine Lisa that it's because the written word is probably the only way most people can understand what he's going on about!

Despite our differences Bryn, it's great to learn that you've returned home from hospital. Sincere best wishes with your recovery.

Not sure exactly what rainfall Brandon was getting but where I work in Canley (about 8 miles away) it was peeing down pretty consistently from 9am until around 4pm. Can't see that Coventry called this off out of malice or self-gain; and if the track was salvageable, I'm pretty certain they'd have run the meeting.

Just to clarify that I was not for one moment suggesting that Palm Toft is in the class of KK. What I was alluding to is that KK is inconsistent; and that Palm Toft is a good, developing rider. No doubt that it weakens Coventry. That said, you are riding against Lakeside. As someone recently said, we are (as visitors) the new Eastbourne. Despite the travel sickness pills prescribed by our 'motivational team coach' Mr Tatum, results clearly show that we are generally whipping boys outside of Arena.

With recent returns ranging from 8, 11, 6, 13 & 1. You've got a strange interpretation of the word 'consistent'!

Lakeside head to Brandon tomorrow in an important away meeting that could help consolidate their play-off place ambitions. Coventry have Michael Palm Toft replacing KK - not too sure if this will help or hinder The Bees if I'm honest. KK is inconsistency personified whereas Palm Toft is generally a very useful rider. Lakeside are at full strength with the inclusion of Kennett (albeit some may deem that to be a contradiction in terms). However, we witnessed against Swindon how Coventry can gel and deliver as a unit; coupled with Lakeside's generally dire away performances, it's certainly not an easy meeting to predict. My gut feel is that we may nick a point. However, we've got (in my opinion) the two weakest reserves in the league; and we've seen this year just how instrumental the riders at 6 & 7 can influence final results. The return leg, at home, should be a Lakeside win. Thoughts?

Rio is hardly the safest place on the planet to visit at the moment (along with Zimbabwe). Around 3 weeks ago, I know of someone who was mugged at knifepoint (with his newly married Wife) on Copacabana Beach......at Midday! It's a great shame. Obviously these instances are going to happen in countries of high unemployment and an absolute derisory social security system. If you cannot eat, what are the other options for your family than to starve to death? And, when the monies from tourism (and most recently, the World Cup) only filter upwards into the pockets of a corrupt government and the richest, then instances such as this will only increase within society. Political rant over! Just to add, for balance, that Latin America is generally a beautiful, inspiring, very safe (and very cheap) place to visit - unreservedly recommended - particularly Chile, Bolivia, Peru and my beloved Argentina.

I wonder if the next edition of Speedway Star sold at Wimborne Road will have a page torn out?