Steve55

This is his chance I must agree, however I think he needs to realise this himself. I really like the guy, love his attitude and commitment, but (IMO) he just seems to be trying too hard of late, especially after they put him at 5. Seems to chase back wheels too much and in the Berwick meeting thought he was going to collect one of their riders (think it was David Bellego) on three occasions before pushing him out of the way from the inside of the 4th bend. Then look what happened in heat 13! Don't like seeing riders get hurt, especially if it's not their fault and it's caused by the reckless riding of others. Riding at reserve should give him the opportunity to build some confidence, especially at home and help him find the best places & times, to attempt passing. This little fella's got loads of potential and I'd love to see him achieve it.

Can't wait for Thursday to see our new rider Adam Roynon ....... riding for Dudley against us! It'll be good for him to have a competitive spin or five before the real deal and it won't get any more difficult than Newcastle. I see him fitting in quite well at 4, putting RH at 5, which is where I think most of the Sheffield posters believe is his home position. This will give him a steady intro and won't put too much pressure on him to produce results as Ricky usually gets some reasonable points at home. All the best to him and sympathy to Jake Knight, hoping he makes a comeback after sorting his disappointment out.

Well after the hammering we took tonight lets hope that they don't keep us waiting too long for the name of our new rider! Hoping he is going to be our saviour 'cos boy do we look like we need one. It's got to be someone worth watching or the gaps on the terraces are going to be huge. If it's only somebody who would make us unbeatable at home. Adam Roynon will be a big gamble, but that's how we started the year, with three relatively unknowns. Adam can do the business, or rather he could, prior to his last injury. Let's hope if it is him he soon gets back in the groove.

Can't see it being Andre as it states a deal's been done and that whilst he's waiting he's not earning. Adam well there's a different story, however as it has been pointed out there wouldn't be any pressure on him to perform initially, but how is his confidence going to be after yet another bad one! Don't get me wrong having seen this guy at his best I'd love him to ride for the Tigers. Rather see him mixing it with the opposition than a bloke riding 20 to 30 yards behind the other three riders!

Seen in Sheffield Star today that Hoggy has said it's vital that tonights meeting with Scunny goes ahead so that the assessed riders get their new averages so that our new rider can be brought into the team! Says that a deal has been agreed with this guy and that all that's stopping him being brought in is the averages. Any idea who it is? Lots of speculation, but who is it? Nothing on the official website though!

BBC weather site forecast for Sheffield 6 - heavy rain until 10 pm! Why is it always Thursdays??????? Now off, after much discussion!

Weather forecast doesn't look very promising - LOL !!!!!!!!

Yes these posts are put on after the meeting, but if you took time to read them the posters are quoting things that are being muted on the terraces during the meeting, at the times when the management are making their decisions! Guess that makes YOU number 1 Richard of the week!

Wells & Hall aren't a good combination, last night they produced 8 out of a possible 15 points riding together and it was 11 last week, hardly what you'd call a 'nailed on' match winning combination is it! Agree with you fully Thommo this should've been sorted at beginning of season(who should be riding at 5), again if this can be seen by the vast majority on the terraces it only shows how inept the team management really is. Thanks for the replies from the Worky fans gives me hope that Andre might pull on a Sheffield race jacket next week! (Please, please Mr. Machin)

It's obvious from what happened last night that we need a team manager who knows what they're doing. We didn't deserve to get a point last night and only the misfortune of Bech falling on the last bend (for whatever reason) gave us one. If it is so obvious to the fans on the terraces who needs to be in what heat, why can't he see it down in the pits! It's not that difficult, so get some one in with the experience to do it. Eric Boocock was there last night - any chance of him coming back? Damien Koppe has vastly improved over the last two weeks, his pass on Lemon in 13 was brilliant, pity he couldn't hold onto the bike going into the next lap! Jake Knight unfortunately must go, he's just not ready for the premier league yet, even though he did show promise in his first couple of meetings. What's happened to Richard Hall? Started the year like he could be World Champion (LOL), since his injury looks like the old RH from last year! Still putting plenty of effort into his long track season though! As for Andre Compton making a come back...... the way Richard Lawson was running around after him in the pits during free practice suggested there's more likely hood of him going back to join his pals at Worky than Sheffield. Any one at Workington like to comment on this... any riders that you're looking to replace? I'd certainly like to have him back in the team at Sheffield, would certainly make us stronger at home!

Think you could be right if Chris Schramm rides like he did in the British Semi final. Haven't really seen Jake Anderson, but if Jake Knight rides like he did last week, he won't be scoring many. Hoggy said he was having problems with his engine, hope it's sorted for tonight! He'll have to take one of Facu's rides - won't he? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just been on the BBC weather site for Sheffield 6 (where Owlerton is) - giving sunny periods from 6pm to 9pm when there might be light rain showers. Get it on. As long as there are no hold ups everything should be AOK! I'm about 5 miles from track we've got cloud with sunny intervals now. Did have an horrendous thunder storm about 1.30 pm this afters, but web site says track ok - I believe it and I will be there!

Well he wasn't coming off the throttle last night going around Owlerton! Seen him looking better though, looked good when riding here last year - still it is the fastest track in Britain, according to our management! Andre Compton went out a couple of times after Adam - he really did look good, rather him than Roynon for me, especially here. Although I'd have them both in place of some that are in the Sheffield team this year!

Just read the latest blog from our 'joint team manager'. It appears that they know what the issues are, but can't do anything about it until the 'new guys' have got the 4 home 4 away league meetings in, to get their new averages. So the answer for the time being is to put Haines to number 2, where he had so much sucess last year (don't remember him scoring that many against decent teams), Wells to number 3 to ride with Hall, apparently they think there will be big points throughout the meeting from those two together. (Did it work last year?) and this is the best one Albin to number 5 where he will sink or swim (which is more or less what it said on the blog!) Cannot wait to see what comments are coming on here about this. Feel sorry for Facu, but lets hope he steps up to the mark (might help Neil if you got him an engine from one of the decent workshops.). Oh and they're (the management) still comparing Koppe to Steve Johnston, well the situation when he first came over and couldn't ride Owlerton, I really do hope it clicks and he proves everybody wrong. Hope, what a big four letter word that is, hope the weather stays like it is now, especially on Thursdays, we don't want anymore amateur weather forecasting upsetting the management as well as the gripes about the team. Get Steady & Hally back to fitness and lets see some passing action on the track it's been bad recently and I've other things I could be doing on Thursday evenings, as I'm sure lots of others could be! Come on Tigers.

Simon doesn't think he'll be able to ride in the pairs on Friday so Thursday will be a definate no! However Hally seems to think he'll be taking Steadys place on Friday, so he'll want to ride on Thursday. Hope he's more ready than he was against Rye House! If not don't know how we'll go on at Somerset, might as well withdraw and let a team with a decent pairing take our place. As for the Leicester meeting think it will be close, Branford and Sergeant have both done plenty of laps round Owlerton so will be a good challenge to our bottom end (all 4 of 'em). Bjerre is usually good round here too and although Doolan doesn't particularly like it here, if he shows the same commitment he did at Poole last night he should do reasonably well. But if we suddenly get going who knows what might happen!

The weather has been on & off all day, sunshine, rain, hail storm, sunshine, rain. Been out in it all day, not surprised the track's water-logged! By the way there is a photo on the website showing the state of the track!

Don't fully understand your figures, but would agree that things have to change. Seen different posts about when you can/can't change riders, but as soon as is possible Damien Koppe has to go. As hard as he tries (and I give him credit for that) he just cannot ride Owlerton. As it is his home track I think it is important that he should be able to! However it also appears he doesn't do that well away either! Got to persist with Albin as he has potential and with help Knight might possibly improve - a little. From what I've seen and read the management just don't seem to understand or are turning a blind eye (which might be nearer the truth) to what's obvious to everyone else. There must be a decent rider out there without a team (not going to speculate) so get him to Sheffield ASAP. It may well be the only way to save the Tigers - especially if Bradford do start up again next year.

Been shown some 'snap shots' of the incident last night - Koppe was on the outside of the back straight, on the back wheel, next to the fence, alongside Wells who was much closer to the inside. Skiddy is on the inside of Wells and as they come to the third bend Wells starts making the turn and appears to be going for an inside line on Ostergaard who can be seen infront, mid-track. Skiddy then appears to start moving out toward the centre of the track and clip the rear of Wells. He then continues in that direction whilst parting company from the bike, misses the fence, and hits the dog track. Luckily he walked away from it and I wish him all the best and a full and speedy recovery. However I can't see why Koppe was the cause of it. Wells kept his line and the only one moving off line was Skiddy, towards Koppe. Explain that one ref!

Dunno about that - they're not riding against Sheffield every week and when the new averages come out in all probability, Dyer will be in the main body of the team and Wilkinson at reserve. They might not then be the same proposition, although if Summers and Kus can maintain their form of last night who knows????? Glad to see Skiddy walk away from that one, didn't really see what happened there, saw Koppe lift on the back straight, but he seemed to be on the outside and Hugh on the inside, behind Wells. Thought he'd hit Wells and that's why he went off at that strange angle. Anybody see what actually did happen? I do know that he was concussed and had to go to hospital to be checked out. Would appreciate an update on that too. Will he ride tonight?

Well we saw what was coming on Tuesday when the Scunny match was on Sky & he arrived tonight in style - Micky Dyer was brilliant, 16 + 1 from his six rides. Three of our riders scored a total of 3 points from thirteen rides! It was embarassing for the Tigers & would possibly have been worse had it not been for Steads 15 point max. You have got to change this team or the terraces will be empty come summer. Sheffield were very poor against what appears a mediocre Bears team on paper, however that was the best I've seen Summers ride Owlerton & Matej Kus seems to be getting over his early season depression, taking it out on the Tigers tonight. Joe was average & Ricky Wells had his best ride when on the tactical, just pipping Kus for second, however he just doesn't seem to be happy on Sheffield shale as someone has already alluded to. It's no good busting a gut to pass someone and then not defending the best line, allowing them to pass in return! After the meeting during free practice Steady went out on the bikes of the two reserves, he showed that there's nothing wrong with their machinery, it's the guys that are on them! Neil/Hoggy you've got to look else where - they are two good lads who are doing their utmost, of that there's no doubt, but their best just aint good enough and against teams with decent riders at reserve we are going to get hammered (again). Anybody know why Mr. Machin was wandering around the car park after the meeting? Had he a arranged a clandestine meeting with a potential new rider or was he looking if anybody had dropped their wallet so he might pay his riders later this month when there's no fans turning up!

Can't see him being anymore than 70% fit to ride tonight (it's only a week since it happened) rather than take a chance I'd be happy if he gave it more time. There's always the possibility it could cause further problems down the line - better safe than sorry! As for Facu Albin he's rode the track before - sounds like it might be a bit different to when he was last on it though, but it's his opportunity to show what might have been for the Bandits.

It's gonna be Aaron Summers if Stead not fit!!!! Good luck to him, at least he knows he's going to get paid! Just seen Tigers web site according to that he's was due to see a 'physic' this evening, thought a physio would have been more use to him!!!!!!

I would have thought with the size of the track the best option would be to prepare it for as many racing lines as possible. That would please all of the fans and possibly most of the riders! Yes Claus Vissing would be a good guest and if he were to do well it could assist in him in gaining forgiveness from the Sheffield faithful for past indiscretions.

Got to agree with that. R/R just makes no sense when it's your number 1 that's out, but it is the 'Cheap option' which seems to be favoured by Sheffield (or was last year). If the Tigers want to have any chance of taking something from this meeting and Steady isn't ready to resume then Joe Screen would appear to be a good option (if available). If not Josh Auty could do a decent job, looked fast last night in the semi once he got going.

Unfortunately can't make it tomorrow, if it's anything like last night there should be some good racing to watch. However unless we get lucky I can't see the Tigers taking any points away. The Comets reserve pairing is much stronger and the top three Sheffield riders won't be able to carry them at DP. I think that the Tactical ride will come into play again & I don't like that rule either - it's worked against Sheffield at home many times in the last couple of years. Think the Tigers will do well to keep it to a 12 point margin - enjoy!