Steve55

Looking at who is available it might be that if Andre is coming back he might have to go into the top five with A.N.Other at reserve. IMO can't see that being a major issue, but what a rider to have at reserve he could prove to be. Plus he'd be a big help to young Josh and would allow him to be brought on, allowing him to develop at a steady pace. Personally I would like to see Albin return to the team, with some better machinery, as I think having a second year might release some of that potential I believe he possesses. Back to Andre though as I've posted before I think he could easily improve, at least two points on that average. Still lets wait and see what's delivered this week by the new promotion!

Tsunami is absolutely right, let's concentrate on what's coming. Steady's been training with Ash Birks and Josh Bates at Ryan Rhodes boxing gym, so he's really pumped up for the new season and apparently very happy with the way team buildings been going. I'll take this opportunity to wish Ash (another Sheffield lad) good luck for the new season after his horrific injury, although bizarre how it occurred.

So this means that the sale of the Club still hasn't been completed, c'mon Neil let go.....

And my point is this: Joe Screen has been a master of the shale sport for 25 years, so he's got to be one hundred times better at managing a speedway team than a retired Police Inspector (as good as his intentions have been over the last two years!) Looks like Joe will have a better septet to deal with than Nigel did over the last two years, but IMO this has got to be one of the best moves Sheffield has made in the last three years!

Heard from a source in Scunthorpe that Josh Bates has a relative who is a member of the consortium that's taken over the Tigers and that it was a condition of their involvement that Josh ride for Sheffield! Might be a load of Bull, probably is, but he didn't do very well at Scunny last year did he! Think he'll have a better chance of developing at Sheffield rather than Swindon, more local involvement, might be more chance of new sponsors!

Might've been, but he is fast and wouldn't have any problem catching me! Let's have him then! Cheers. Didn't think I'd seen his name mentioned, but just wondered if he'd been an 'Also ran'.

Might've been, but yes he is a 'Big bloke' and he wouldn't have any trouble catching me 'cos he is fast!

Has he been riding in the Aussie Championships?

What's Big Joes average? As I remember it was around the 9 mark. Think that'll make us a bit top heavy if it is!

Can't see what's wrong with having the season run into October, as long as the weathers ok. Makes the 'closed season' seem shorter! It's not that long ago that Scunny and Sheffield organised a 'Halloween' meeting to end the season. When was that Rob, 2007 or 2008? Remember getting wrapped up for that one, fireworks also seem better and more appropriate at that time of year rather than the end of August!

Think we'll all be happy when the news comes about the take over being completed and the team being announced officially. However after what Neil said on the official site on 22 November that he wanted to hand over the reigns as soon as possible in order that everything could move forward smoothly for the forthcoming season, it don't half seem to have taken a long time and it's understandable why a lot of fans have been wondering what's happening. Especially after the first two signings were announced and then nothing more could be done until all the 'paperwork' was completed. From all this it must be concluded that all the negotiations were done with Neil being on his usual Australian winter visit. We know it's not that difficult now with electronic mail and face to face computer conferencing, but it must be awkward crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's. Still there's nowt' like keeping all the fans/paying public guessing and it has helped pass on a few dark winter nights!

If you look at the fixtures I think you'll find that these 'extra' fixtures have been fitted in throughout the season and not at the end so the factors you are alluding to shouldn't be that much of an issue. As for Somerset struggling to complete their fixtures I think that was down to them being involved in all competitions to their completion and their number one having a similar situation in the Elite League.

Enjoy your two extra trips to the 'reasonably close by clubs'.

You're right, we won't be able to to get Richard Lawson guesting either now he's riding for Redcar!

Rude person!

I agree with what you're saying Spinny. Including Andre in as a second string rider on a 4.36 average is really a 'no brainer'. Having seen his return at the end of last season IMO he showed enough for me that when he's sorted out his gear, what with the new silencers etc, although he'll not be the same guy we remember from 2008/9, he will surely be able to build on that average - 1.5 to 2.5 points. If not and Albin returns, with new engines and starts firing to his full potential, then he might make it into the top 5 and leave Andre as a very experienced and capable reserve.

I take it from what you posted that you're not sure if Facu is coming back, although he has got money for new engines? Think most Sheffield fans would love to see him in the team this year, so hoping everything works out ok.

As skj says Iturre would have to come on an assessed 5.00 point average and from what I saw of him he wasn't as good a prospect as Facu. He also has same issues as Facu in that he'll need sponsors and residence, plus he will need visas etc, which shouldn't be a big issue. However why have him and not Facu?

Like I said before I've got the same feeling about Albin. A report a few weeks ago mentioned him and that the club were looking for sponsorship and somewhere for him to stay. Then nothing. I would like to see him return though, he's not a quitter.

As others have already said Richard Hall started off last season in really good form, both home and away. Looked like he was going to have his best season for years, then he got injured. He then lost form and his place in the team. As I've stated on another thread I heard he was getting rid of his speedway bikes last year and concentrating on his long track racing. Unless somebody knows different?

Wouldn't mind seeing Albin & Koppe back this year. Albin for his constant enthusiasm and Koppe, well he seemed to have got dialled into the track. Not the fastest by any means, but he started gating well and once in front others seemed to struggle to get past, like he had a bike 8 feet wide! Either that or they were all scared he'd fall off infront of them!

Probably be the two riders that'll be in the reserve births. Then they'll be seeing who they can fit in. I expect there might be a delay whilst the BSPA hold their inquest into the 'Morris incident'. That's if there's anything to look into!

In which case you'll have seizures and not the aforementioned!

Anton Rosen to put two points on and Max Fricke one and half. Can't tell you about Sheffield riders yet as we've only got 2!!!