Teromaafan

We'll never know what impact Vaculik would have had, but the unavailability of Bates & King sound like convenient management excuses. The recent changes have taken us back even further. Mountain is only there because of his very low average, which is all well and good if the team is stronger over all with the other riders brought in. Auty and Robson? I rest my case, their averages will only drop. Let's face it, David Howe has probably doubled what Auty would have scored in the last two meetings, which has prevented the opposition from reaching the 60 point mark. I wouldn't have minded a trip down to Poole tomorrow, but money has put a stop to that, Bates Co have politely refused to pay me. As a Lions supporter, my enthusiasm for the season end is as strong as ever.

Having followed the Lions since the mid 70s I cannot recall a season where a team with realistic hopes/expectations have nose dived towards the familiar wooden spoon within a couple of months. It seems like consecutive 5-1s against have become something of an ailment that we cannot shake off. The most encouraging thing I have read lately is Simon Stead's reference to performances and team places for next season. The fact that there may be a next season in the current speedway climate is something to look forward to. I say draw a line under 2018 and do whatever is necessary between now and September to keep the club on a sound financial footing. I have admired the management's efforts to change fortunes with rider changes, but I think that they have to hold their hand up and admit that the current line up is the weaker than ever. Most supporters are now waiting for next season and are not that bothered about further changes (although the season is probably now at cut off point for changes) in a desperate attempt to avoid the basement position.

Not so sure about the green helmet colour but I think the yellow black yellow idea as opposed to the current black yellow black may be the right marketing strategy to catapult the sport from minority to mainstream status and bring the missing thousands back through the gate. Perhaps mauve for R/R and guests, keeping the red, blue, white, Y/B colours in case riders in a teams official 1 to 7 declaration are by chance available and not riding in Poland/Sweden/Denmark on that night.

Yes, the track was pants and any non speedway follower accidently tuning in last night will surely never bother again, which is another shot in any part of the foot that remains. As a Lions supporter though, I do not think that too much can be blamed last night's track where the racing matched BP on a bad day (now that is saying something). The track was slick and riders simply had to trap, which (as you supposedly have to do at Leicester) was something that the Lions could not get to grips with. With the (experienced) rider changes brought in, I would have expected them to adapt better (set up changes etc). Swindon had their problems last night with injuries and riders moaning about conditions, but we still failed to take advantage of the situation. With the recent downturn in home form and need for collecting points on the road, where are these away points going to come from based on last night?

My understanding is that a new rule was introduced this season (Regulation 15.8.1) regarding heats being re-run after a rider has been disqualified. This seems to a sensible rule aimed at protecting a team on a 'certain' 5-1 when an opponent causes the race to be stopped, with the rider in third place at the time put on a 15m handicap in the re-run. In heat 1 of the Swindon v Leicester match last night, my recollection was that Bellego was well adrift of the Lions pair when Morris kissed the dirt. As so often happens, that 5-1 was wiped out when Bellego flew from the tapes in the re-run. If Bellego wasn't handicapped in this instance, what is the criteria for the handicap to be implemented (Kelv and Nige never brought the matter up)? The rule states that it is at the referee's discretion, but there has to be a basic yardstick for them to consider making the call. So what is it? Has anyone attended a meeting where the re-run handicap was applied? As it happened, the outcome of heat 1 did not go on to affect the over all result, but it would have given me something to moan about had the score been closer!

Four changes in one go, is that a record? Hate to see the lack of rider continuity like most people, but credit to the management for their swift attempt to stop the slide (no pun intended). As poor as the recent form of the axed riders was, I do not think that the team is now any stronger with the Rye House refugees. The reserve pairing appears to have more clout, but it is unlikely that they would be utilised beyond their allocated programmed rides to run up double figure returns. For some time now we have entered the last three heats of meetings with scores tight (often after squandering decent leads) and have lacked firepower, even at home, in heats 13 & 15. I still see us struggling at the business end of the meeting. Hopefully Wells will now move away from the No.2 berth where rides are finished after heat 10 (home) or 11 (away) and he will be involved in heat 14. Hats off for the management's efforts to address the situation and I hope I'm proved wrong in thinking its changes for changes sake.

Our reserves are a concern as we know but Bjerre's scores are simply unacceptable for a No.1. According to my programmes, he has won two races (add in two further paid wins if it makes it look better) in the last 4 home meetings and is struggling to hit his CMA for performances on his home track. Whilst BP, as we are constantly reminded by all speedway followers, is supposedly all about gating, it appears that nobody told the KL riders that tonight. Bjerre has been referred to as a 'gating tart', but as a No. 1 you should be able to come from the back on your own track in some races. Top riders can make passes at Leicester, fact (seen it too often from visiting riders). The heat where Nielsen took Bjerre on the run in to the flag was the race of the night, but I asked myself, could Bjerre ever do that to an opposing rider? From what I've seen this season the answer is an emphatic no. If he doesn't gate first, bend 2 of the first lap seems to be the last effort he will make to pass. Being brutally honest, I do not think he has the bottle/desire to chase a rider down, which usually means being prepared to leave the throttle open a split second longer than the rider in front and being prepared to change your racing line. KB simply does not deliver from what I've seen this season. Regardless of my opinion, its about points/results.

Just hope that Charles Wright doesn't turn out to be a (w)right Charlie! ......What do you mean not funny? Compared with the state of British Speedway which is 'a sitcom script in waiting' (hilarious potential), maybe not then.

If we are serious about a play off finish, then I suspect that the management are looking at availability of riders for changes (yeah, I know, like every other team). I have respect for the current management set up and I am sure it is not lost on them that we are winning narrowly at home, but do not look like gaining anything away (and risk becoming embarrassing on the road). Since we have only had 2 away matches to date, current averages are likely to fall (particularly assessed averages once 4 away fixtures are completed), which will give us more points to play with after the Wolves away fixture on 25th June. A month is a long time in the speedway calendar though, so do they consider tinkering with options on current averages? Personally I think that Danny King is expensive on his current 6.73 and there must be options on slightly lower averages (Eric Riss, based on last season's average), to free up points for an additional reserve berth swap. I know Sarjeant is a club asset (if that means anything), but is he any better than Kurtz? I love team sports and fan affinity with player(rider) familiarity, but speedway is no longer like that and it seems that 'building for the future' is now something to be reviewed every week.

I wonder why there was no mention of the team line up on the Lion's website? Only Harry & Megan's wedding will see more guests this week. (Actually there is a rumour that Schlein may stand in for Megan's dad on Saturday)!

So Ricky Wells comes in for Danny King. Whilst R/R never seems to favour the Lions, I would have thought it might work in the absence of DK on his current form. Everyone except Bjerre can take an extra ride and I don't really think that would weaken us. No disrespect to RW, but stepping into a heat leader berth is a bit of an ask (then again we don't know how far down the choice list he was). Unless King will be out for some time (news is that his arm isn't broken as first feared though), in which case a short term replacement rather than guests should be sought, R/R would be worth a punt for this cup fixture (yeah, quarter final I know!) to provide other riders with a bit more track time. I do however have faith in the management this season and they appear to be on the ball with swift assessments of situations and required actions.

He hasn't completed a lap for us, so why is Toffy's average suddenly down to 2.00 ( from over 5.00) in the latest averages? Getting him back in at any cost is a no brainer if this is correct ( or am I missing something)? Quite pleased with the all round team performance against the Rockets last night. Sarjeant looked a bit better and may well think his place could be on the line, although what are the alternatives at that end of the averages? ....... Ah, yes, Bomber in a couple of months time if he has many more nights like Monday!

We will never know what Vaculik would have produced unfortunately. Although a GP rider, how committed to the UK would he have been in terms of bike priorities for this country? (I think that there will be a few people looking closely at the current World Champion's UK performances this season). My impression is that the management want to make a real go of it this season and today's changes are positive. Sorry to see that MPT has to make way (loved watching Toffy at BP), but we do need an established No.1. Past seasons have shown that so called great signings with no UK experience have not delivered and either jump, get injured or are pushed back to where they came from. If KB has a season like last year, I do not honestly think that MV would have performed better. With the current race format, it seems that, providing a team is no more than 6 points adrift by Heat 13, you are in with a shout regarding match points if you have some clout with your top two riders. The Lions have fallen away many times at this stage of a meeting in recent times (sorry DK but you seem to bottle it in Heat 15). Kenneth and Hans in 2 out of the last 3 races would seem to be a match for anyone in this league. I hope the situation regarding Josh Bates is correct, in that team re-shaping is not based around his average when he becomes fit/available and that family connections are put to one side. Nothing against Josh, but if he is in the seven, it has to be on merit.

A track does not go from being considered suitable to race on to a state of being unfit in less than one minute, but this is essentially what the Referee has admitted to. If the crash was down to rider error alone, then the meeting would have continued. The fact that the crash (involving injuries), seems to have been a wake up call is poor. Whilst the Swindon promotion should not be exempt from some criticism regarding track preparation, the Referee should be questioned here. They can hide behind the excuse that riders were willing to race but the riders did not abandon the meeting. If you have the authority to abandon the meeting, you are surely singularly responsible for giving it the go ahead (despite pressure from other parties).

I don't think I would be sticking my neck out if I said that with MPT we could be even stronger than before, at least at home anyway.

Looking at replacement options, with Sarjeant's average now being confirmed as 3.00, a few of people's preferred riders (Bjerre, Klindt, Riss & Barker) would takes us over the 42.5 limit. Palmt Toft would fit and would seem a popular choice. After that, there isn't much out there, maybe Lindgren on a converted average? As has been mentioned our R/R options make us weaker and the management have to be realistic regarding Josh's injury (and put aside family connections). With the efforts gone into team building in the winter, we need to hit the ground running with the strongest possible team for the first competitive fixture. Surely options are being sounded out?

Lasse would fit, but I certainly wouldn't have a problem with Toft, has always looked committed whenever I've seen him.

So, time for the first team change, a month before the season starts! Looking at averages and who isn't fixed up with a Premiership team, it seems that former Lions Lasse Bjerre, Erik Riss and Nicolai Klindt would all fit. Any of these as a replacement would not weaken the team (Klindt maybe improving it).

A few people have said what a nice man Lynch was and made reference to what he's done in the past etc, but sport (and speedway!) is about the here and now. Jim is not he reason we did not make the play offs but he contributed to our wooden spoon position. I remember early last season in a post match interview in front of home supporters, he emphasised the importance of winning at home, but said that away from BP he wanted riders to 'just enjoy it'! Sorry Jim but that is unprofessional and when you look at some of the early away meetings where we surrendered leads (often late on), it makes you wonder what (if anything) was said in the pits. On the evidence of last season he appeared to be tactically naïve. Jim would now seem to have time on his hands. So, wishing him good health, 'just enjoy it'!

Agree with TNT and TDM posts above but we are where we are as they say. Whilst I don't know Simon personally he came across as being a very honest person when taking part in post meeting interviews when he rode for us a couple of years ago. I just hope he has that ruthless (but preferably more subtle than Norrie) management streak when it is required to fire up riders. The familiarity of riders with management/owners should be to the clubs advantage, although this is Leicester and we are talking about speedway.

Now Sarj is on board the management are probably thinking that stronger start gate elastic is needed! Not a good idea. In these times where health and safety over rides everything, there is a potential injury risk to spectators on the 4th bend if Sarj catapults himself backwards due to an over enthusiastic start and the start tape remaining intact. Joking aside, if he can learn to trap at BP ( without being penalised) he should outscore all visiting reserves and maybe some second strings.

The amount of Heat 15s (one every meeting from my research) tell us what?

I see on the Lions website that Specsavers are now sponsoring us. Have they not been involved before, providing rose tinted pairs for the previous management?

Looking at our team for next season, I'm as optimistic as you can be for a Lions follower. If we are to be serious title contenders, then we cannot carry anyone. The key could be trigger happy Sarj. The margin between a warning and making a perfect start is so slight and if Sarj can get some help from senior team members on this front he could pick up some valuable points, particularly at home, against opposing reserves and second strings. If he does start trapping better it would also be a saving on elastic!

Like the sound of this, where exactly (web site/link) has this been confirmed? Would seem to leave room (finances permitting) for another top end heat leader to give us much needed clout in heats 13 & 15.