Steve55

Ok so we have our 3 point rider, like it or not Jake Knight. Looking back over this last season it now seems quite obvious that this was already a done deal. Just out of interest does any Tigers fan recall seeing our 'official number 8' from last season - Jordan Tyrer, ever turn out on the track at Owlerton, even in a second half try out???????

No from me on the above. I know it's a long way from Plymouth to Edinburgh & vice versa, but it's a long way to both these venues from most places throughout Britain! It's good to get to see as many teams/riders as possible throughout a season, not the same ones over & over. Make tracks smaller???? Trackcraft???? Surely differing sizes of tracks can only make riders better, the more they ride the more they learn - well most of them. The new limiter that's being developed (which works from the tapes to the first bend) will also help in this respect I think. How many times do we see piles ups coming into the first bend at starts? If these can make starting safer & more predictable, more chance of having all four riders in contention throughout the race. Meetings down to 13 heats is a definite no. Keep it at 15 & if sponsorships available (A BIG IF), have three additional races at the end of the meeting for rider of the night. The 4 top riders from each team involved in 2 semis, first 2 in each semi contest a final - winner takes all!

From what I've heard Hall didn't come cheap last season, but I agree that we need seven riders who can compliment each other as a team, both home & away. It's the only way if you want to finish in the top half of the league!

I would agree, when there was talk of Swindon letting him go towards the end of last season, there were rumours going around that Sheffield were going to sign him, it created interest with some individuals I know who hadn't been for a while and their talking of making a return next year!

Have to agree with skj here, Claus Vissing is a good rider, who can pass both inside & outside at Owlerton, but after what he did to Paul Cooper coming into the third bend here a few years ago I don't think any Tigers fan would like to have him in the team however bad things might seem. While on about Danes another Klaus (Jakobsen) our last big asset signing, please lets not have him back as I've seen his name on one of our probable septets. I think he proved his worth last year, rides safe at the back most of the time and when he gains confidence and goes for it, falls off or gets knocked off and is then injured. No use to anyone, especially at reserve! Stefan Neilsen has got to be our 3 point rider,(said it before & will no doubt say it again) having seen him ride quite a bit over the last 2 years he has definately got potential & should be given his chance - please!

Don't think they'll be able to afford Lemon as it seems they've blown most of the budget on Simon. However I'd love to see him at Owlerton, as you say he'd bring a wealth of experience and advice for the younger riders and can still do the business for an old 'un. As I've already said forget Skidmore, but what about Taylor Poole, he's done it before at Sheffield, as has Stefan Neilson, he's got to be the 3 pointer!

Has anyone read the speedway star today? As well as referring to Simon Steads signing it also says that the promotion are in negotiations with Ricky Wells and Richard Hall. Wells deserves another chance as he rode well away, but struggled at home, mostly during the early season, but he was improving - slightly towards the end. However Richard Hall just doesn't compete away from Owlerton and can't wait to leave away meetings. As one of our heat leaders this year he just didn't cut the mustard and had some poor performances. He doesn't deserve another chance. Also I don't think I've seen it mentioned (if it has I apologise) that Skidmore was never coming back next year after refusing to ride in heat 15 in one of the later meetings of the season. The promotion criticised him publicly for this and it was quite obvious during the remaining fixtures that they'd fell out with him. I personally would like to see Stephan Neilsen ride for the Tigers next year, he's an exiting rider who doesn't give up. Saw him in his first meeting at Belle Vue for the Saints/Prowlers in 2011. He fell off, got knocked off, struggled with the track as all the riders did, but kept going - a hero in the making.