Terrace Grumbler

While I should say at the outset that I don't particularly want to see team changes, I don't think it's right to describe the team as you do. Rather, I think we have three of what used to be (in the days when the top three in a team's averages were heat leaders) third heat leaders, one (hopefully) improving second-string and a rider who probably isn't as good as he has been and is unlikely to improve at this stage of his career. Kerr and Worrall may - and I hope they do - train on: for me, on his day Ludde is in a different class to either but is hopelessly inconsistent - healways has been, and probably always will be (though he is by far the most entertaining rider we have, imo, and long may he remain a Diamond). If a change is to be made, were all bridges burned with Neddy? 100% gater but always gave his all.

I think it's just that our riders are in and out: they have 7 point averages because, unlike the top guys, they can't and don't deliver every week. Such is life, and if there is no money to make changes, so be it. Robert Lambert's performance is testimony to George's ability to spot a rider. Last season would probably have been very different with RL and the King of Kings in the team. I thought last night saw the best racing of the season at Brough and I'm looking forward to next week, though I do wonder how competitive Plymouth will be.

Interesting - do you have a link to the heat formula?

Same for us. We gave up season tickets last year, but the only meetings we missed were when we were on holiday. But people who have stood near to us for years and years have drifted away and just don't come any more. I guess they may all have different reasons but at the end of the day if it's not that they can no longer afford it, the reason must relate to the quality of the product, whether of itself or in comparison with everything else that's out there. Speedway can get under the skin - my elder son is 23 and lives in London, but every Sunday I have to text him the teams, the condition of the track, who the ref is, and the weather, and then after every heat!

Newcastle were outgunned yesterday, I think it's as simple as that. decent meeting, though. I also think that there is a direct relationship between the number of people [not] on the terraces and the ability of the promotion to strengthen the team - so we'd better batten down the hatches for a tough (and possibly short) season. On the upside I imagine many of the matches will be close. We normally follow the team to away fixtures in the north, but are giving it a miss this season as I can't see the team being competitive away from home, especially as other clubs strengthen up.

What about "Two Tracks" Tully? Has he retired?

If there are no funds for changes to the Newcastle team, so be it - that everyone has to live within their means is a lesson which, over the years, a number of promoters could have heeded. When all of the team are fit and have their best bikes with them, we should be able to give most a run for their money at home, although I think only Ludde has the outright speed needed to take on the ten point boys. Last night's meeting was as poor as the Glasgow meeting was good. With the current standard of riders in the PL and the prevalence of gaters in all teams, it's a crap shoot. I enjoyed seeing Birks bully Rose last night - good experience for LR, and turned the clock back to the days of Banger.

Afternoon all, It's back to the days of sacking Grant MacDonald and Will Beveridge because (as I recall) someone couldn't count. Hopefully the team will be strengthened when King gets a PL average. But in the meantime the MC (again) hasn't done us any favours. The only positive I took from last night was that Greenwood was increasingly on the pace as the meeting wore on - I hope that he can gate and/or pass, though. I thought I'd never think twice about what to do on a Sunday evening, and holidays apart I haven't missed a meeting for a long time. Now I'm no longer sure, really, which is a pity, but there it is. (How many more times will we see Redcar this season? None may be scheduled but they and Workington appear to be on rotation and I bet they're back).