Steve Shovlar

The point is clear. Run a NDL team at Poole, and due to stadium rental on top of other issues, and you will lose a crap load of money. No one in their right mind would do that.

For those moaning that Poole don’t have an NDL team. Contact Matt or Danny Ford, tell them you are willing to put together a NDL team at Wimborne Road. Tell them you are prepared to cover all expenses, from stadium rental to paying the riders and getting the programs printed, to paying the BSPA for officials, to the advertising of the meetings. You keep all the gate money. And pay for the shortfall. If there’s a profit it’s happy days! If it’s a loss, you dig into your savings. What’s not to like? Go for it!

I haven’t seen Cairns ride live, and the videos of him racing last season at Oxford don’t show him as a Leigh Adams or Craig Boyce. Riders who started as a two pointer and ended on a 9. I don’t think we should be bigging up young William to be a match winner. He is starting the season behind the rest and if he can pick up 4 points a meeting he will be doing his job. Too much expectation leads to failure, and I am sure there will be plenty lining up to laugh at him if he finds the going tough. Already there seems to be too much expectation on his young shoulders.

As expected. Didn’t realise he was 3.36. An absolute gift at reserve. He knows bike issues won’t be tolerated and what’s expected of him. He is more a 5-6 pointer. Should make mincemeat of many of the Championship reserves.

Glasgows lineup is decent but not much more. Howling gaping cavern at reserve, plus Flint not done much. If one of the top 5 have an off night there’s no scoring reserve to bring in. Teams with two weak reserves don’t win much.

Seriously? I have just had a look and would put it at decent to good. Nothing more than that. Glasgow Tigers 1 - Chris Harris (9.07) 2 - Ashton Boughen (5.03) 3 - Dan Thompson (7.36) 4 - Leon Flint (6.68) 5 - Kyle Howarth (7.27) 6 - Freddy Hodder (2.00) 7 - Max Perry (2.00) Total Average: 39.41 Harris is solid but now getting to an age where it’s difficult to maintain. Blistering races and defending in third. Boughen is a rocket in front and a slug at the back. Think he has potential but needs to get over some issues. Offered big money to ride for Glasgow. Dan Thompson a very good signing I would have liked to have seen him at Poole. Heard on Thursday night the money he is getting at Glasgow is far, far beyond what any other club could and would offer. Leon Flint hasn’t improved as expected. Seems to have stagnated in the last couple of seasons. Might be a good rider in there somewhere though. Kyle Howarth is a decent third heat leader. Fast gater. Can go AWOL away from his home track and no improvement in his average. Hodder and Perry are weak reserves. Will pick up the occasional win or second place. I think Glasgow will make the playoffs this year. I am guessing they are going to try to be invincible at home with big wins to get aggregate wins. Improvements in Boughen and Thompson. The others to maintain their averages. Nothing to fear for Poole. Just competition.

Poole fans will again be looking forward to our trips to Cowley in 2025. Like Poole they have had to weaken down but other than Masters they will be wanting in certain heats. The Masters/Nicholls combination in 13 and 15 was a serious threat to any side but not next year unless one of the others really steps up. The joys of the more successful clubs having to get under the following years points limit.

Josh Grajczonek?

Howarth is certainly on his way down. If he gates he is quick but that’s it. Kerr, well he’s injured a lot. Wouldn’t want Danny King. Certainly past his best days. Lawson and Kerr the experience. Zach still improving, as is Rowe and Tobias now he knows the tracks. Starke I wouldn’t have had but if he can get reliable bikes and gives his all could hit 5 points. The other two pointer knows he will be likely replaced BUT can put himself in the shop window against failing reserves in other teams.

Lawson Thomsen Cook Rowe Kerr Starke whipping boy until Cairns.

Mikkel Andersen. https://www.fim-awards.com/en/mikkel-andersen

If Foord is elsewhere and it’s management decision, then I just hope the rider coming in lives up to the potential that Vinnie has. Not only is Foord a huge fans favourite on and off the track, we can all see the raw talent he has and he’s a Brit on top of that. Let’s hope the rumours of Starke are just that. No offence to Paul Starke but we know his level and he’s been on a downward trajectory for the last few seasons while Foord is only going one way. Of course we have to build up to 40 points but I for one would rather be a point short at 39 than 39.95 with Starke.

I just hope the rider replacing Foord is as exciting and has as much potential. Think Poole have made an error dropping Foord, who is clearly a fans favourite. Pirates loss is Workington gain.

Sheffield would run riot if those two teams met.

They might be used against Sheffield, but if by some fluke we get to next round and draw a club one of these two rides for. We would have to use guests who haven’t probably ridden Wimborne Road for a few seasons, if ever. is it just Poole invited to this comp? What if Cheetahs and drawn against Spires? Perhaps they could use guests who haven’t from the other team in heats they are not used.