Hamish McRaker

I previously tried to defend Phil Morris, but his performance to camera yesterday made it 100% clear Eurosport has dictated the playoff schedule. If this is put within the context of what he said in the recent podcast, the priority is now, by far, to please Eurosport, other broadcasters, and other sponsors. Doesn't seem like there's any option for anyone else, promoters, riders, supporters, except to accept that situation.

Is this the ideal chance to revive The Border Trophy?

Had a listen to some of his interview on the Podcast. The phrase "commercial considerations" would best sum things up, in terms of his approach to his role. We are in a far, far different world now, one in which numbers of "views" of online content and associated exposure to brand names, dictates what is done and how it is done. Mr Morris has built himself up to be an indespensible person in terms of what he can offer and bring to the sport's promoters as their main link to this world. It's not a world I personally partake of, but I'm old and set in my ways, and I'm not speedway's future "consumer" because I'm not a social media junkie. Understanding and tapping into the ways in which the majority of the population now and increasingly "consume" their leisure interests is something that Mr Morris has built up an expertise in. He's clearly a highly intelligent man and the promoters are probably now quite dependent on him.

It looks like that is effectively what has happened, so why not make it official in the future (if there is one)?

A panel of experts should be convened, to decide the results of any league matches not staged beyond the cut off date in any season. The matches could still be staged but the panel's decisions would be final as far as deciding the league table and the playoff matches.

But do the Polish clubs have a problem with their best riders being at Kings Lynn because they are concerned about them getting injured there?

Too much of this sort of thing going on. Riders doing the TeamGB/Union Jack thing before they've done enough to prove their ability at club level. For example, how come Dan Thompson wasn't one of the GP reserves at Cardiff?

I think those questions are now well past being relevant. Signing both of Milik and Pawlicki was probably a last resort option. For all of the preseason trumpet-blowing by BSPL etc about the return of "world class" riders to the league, a combination of a savage injury toll, Polish control, and poor performances have resulted in the actual product being poor and Birmingham has unfortunately been the worst victim along with Kings Lynn and Ipswich. Despite all of the fanfare, this league is only capable of running competitively with 6 teams, reducing and hopefully eliminating the need for charlatans like Pawlicki to be hired.

Fell out with Keir Starmer and joined the Tories.

Who would have been the recipients of a loan fee for Kyle Newman. And for Nico Covatti?

It's got ridiculous, professional sportsmen dropping out of events because of wives etc. having a baby. Best to send her a bunch of flowers with a note saying "all the best, can't be there because my employer needs me to be working for them and I need to earn some dosh so we can buy food and pay the mortgage".

Clubs should remove their TV match from being included within season tickets. That would allow them to charge season ticket holders a special rate for that match, and to anyone who has paid to get in at other non-TV matches within the previous 12 months (obviously with proof of purchase)

Think they'll need to find some suitable land first. Unless there's a stadium sitting hidden away somewhere that nobody knows about.

He was getting too involved with the track work, at one point running around with a shovel, when there was no need to. There were ample staff and he could have been in control without needing to go around like a blue arsed fly. He'll end up in hospital unless he calms down.

But what was Morris doing? Was he present in his capacity as CEO of the Premiership? If so, he was being a very naughty boy by taking the side of Oxford by making a visible and audible protest. The man needs to calm down on the evidence of his behaviour in Sweden on Saturday and at KL on Monday, for his own good.

Yes I think he did. And the camera went close up onto Schroek and Phil Morris, both protesting most vociferously!

Kind of reassuring to know there are some out there, who know of the American comedian/,musician Alfred "Weird Al" Yankovic!

Will Jan Kvech be nicknamed Weird Al?

As Groucho Marx said "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them.....well I have other ones"

Could the race for 6th place in the league be about to become a race for 5th - or maybe even for 4th??

Nicholls absent from Eurosport in Prague yesterday. Was it temporary or permanent?

Having glanced through the Ag Soc's annual report 2023, it does mention something like "the sale of the Showground to AEPG" as though it is a done deal. It also describes successful negotiations (after the original deal with Bellway went wrong) with a builder/developer. But it's still shocking that an organisation with it's purpose, is facilitating building on land, something you'd think would be contrary to their principles as a charitable organisation. Loud raspberries in their direction

He should work out better, but you never know with the speedway gods. The comparison I was making was in terms of the rider who will make way for him.

For a preview, refer to the Kasprzak for Laguta change last year at KL. But hope that Lindgren turns out to be better business than Laguta was.....

Yes, what the hell does "character of the area" actually mean!?