Sings4Speedway

I would like nothing more than the Warriors to have a successful season and by that I would say mid table and decent crowds would be considered a success. If they achieve any better then superb. As for the question marks over signings all fans / enthusiasts are entitled to their opinions and most will be gracious enough to accept it when proven wrong (I was very wrong with Brum last year). The backing and promotion im certain will be excellent however of the riders signed that I know / know of I question how strong the team spirit will be as there are some fiery characters however that also goes hand in hand with passionate about what they do. Without doubt IOW has a team of triers it remains to be seen how much success that will bring them?

Just wondering if this went ahead this weekend 13/12? and if anyone has any results?

That's a shocking press release. I hope and pray now that Mildenhall stuff Brum home & away this season just for those comments alone.

Only knew Kirby was taking a break. Thought Wooley was on the tba list and nobody wanted Banks.

I think this Cradley side looks better than last years Brum side (although I did massively underestimate them). However Morris & Clegg are like for like with Ellis & Perry but the middle order looks much more solid. Chessell, Purchase & Kingston are a much better engine room than Chapman, Kirby & Banks. Yes Brum had the Waj effect but I still think Andrews & Basford will be a solid reserve pairing so for a team that started out looking top heavy has actually ended up looking very strong throughout. A lot will depend how they do on their travels but I can see this team notching 50+ most weeks at home.

What a mixed bunch of signings. Tedham fully deserves another year, Macdonald has had plenty of chances and will continue to fall off constantly. The return of Ben Wilson however is a major shake up. A top NL number 1 and a sign that Stoke might actually know what they are doing?

Perks & Baseby start to make the Warriors look a reasonable team. With the signing so far there is potential to do well or all crumble on the same night. That said im surprised and disappointed to not get Mark at Kent. I did think IOW would have had a younger flavour given the links to the Long Eaton MDL and then signing two reserves who have done two MDL matches between them.

Seeing as all my team wish list appears to be signed elsewhere and im getting a little nervous im going to list a few more I "hope we sign" Danno Verge, Jamie Cousins, Tom Wooley, Sam Woods, Luke Harris, Harvie Banks, Adam Sheppard, Adam Kirby.

Very solid looking 1-5. A lot will depend on how Chessell & Kingston ride together at 3&4. Could be brilliant, could be a disaster. If Basford can chip in with a few points and Andrews is as good as the hype I think its a very dangerous looking side.

Definite missed opportunity with Mark Baseby signing for IOW. Owen & Ritchings are both the same in that they have the potential but never seem to kick on each season and remain a steady number 3 level rider. That said maybe a little consistency is what Kent needs but if we are going down that route then id expect Aaron Baseby back.

What odds on Bjarne getting double figures when they visit Leicester this year? Form is temporary but class is permanent and I think he will prove to be a great dane for Lakeside.

In fairness of that list Greaves & Govier are confirmed elsewhere, Neale & Moggo taking a year out and Harris was a bit pants didn't improve as expected and Perks was a yoyo rider bouncing from heatleader to reserve and back again (although I think he will be fixed up somewhere). Could be a 5 & 4 or a 6 & 3 point combo if you want to run Purchase in the main team. You can have Verge if you like.

If that's the rules the Kings Lynn and Mildenhall are going against them? Mildenhall only by a tiny bit. Still think Clifton is cheap on a 3.50 from what ive heard so not too panicked. However the list of 3 pointers with some experience / composure are limited now as most have been snapped up.

I also thought that was odd from the press release. Is it Chris getting confused, have Kent already signed another 3 pointer or have the rules been changed but not announced?

Im wondering if Eastbourne are going to try and set themselves a bigger challenge this year? Phillips & Verge @ 6&7? I get the feeling the next signing will be another surprise package.

Agreed. Blackbird is one of the few riders smart enough to stay retired rather than make sporadic comebacks. Mear only wants to do one league so a lot will depend on how he fares with limited rides in the EL only.

Im certain that Len is stubborn enough to try x3 3.00 riders again. Needs to different from last years dross though. As for Basford he was always heading elsewhere. Last year was just a chance to put himself in the shop window.

Even on 4.5 he has to be worth the risk. Decent pedigree and knows what's involved. Like several of the returnee's he may need time to settle in the current era but should be a potent second string.

I hope not. That would round off a very dangerous looking team. Im hoping you sign Chapman and Verge to keep it sporting for everyone else.

I cant make my mind up about Brum. The reserves are decent and the top end solid but not spectacular. Waj & Perry turned in good performances last season but aren't head and shoulders above Carr/Greenwood, Morris/Clegg, Ayres/Shanes combos. The final middle order signing and 3rd heat leader will be crucial but top 4 certainly looks a strong possibility.

Phillips needs to kick on this season but should do a solid job at least. I could see something like; 1. Wilson / Kyle Hughes 2. Burnett 3. Phillips 4. Tedham 5. Atkin 6. 3 pointer 7. 3 pointer Not done the maths regarding averages but would be a Stoke like team.

Agreed. Kent need to look at getting Clifton in the number 7 jacket. Then like other teams they will have a trump card reserve. If he starts in the team and they sign another alongside Jack Thomas (depending who it is and given Lens iffy record) they could have the worst reserves in the league (again)

I suspect you are right about Clifton. Im yet to be convinced about Couzins. Nice lad and was lumbered with a main team place for most of the season however like Danno he just doesn't seem to have that edge. Plus he also seemed to catch the Baseby travelling bug as the season went on.......

Think Jack needs to get his life off track sorted then he will be back with a more relaxed style and hopefully the points will come again. Basford has requested a transfer which is hardly a shock as both reserve berths are already filled unless one was destined to start at 2? Not a huge loss. Plenty of effort to travel down every week but didn't really improve and seemed to struggle with maintaining / setting up his machinery for the changing Kent track?

Basford as one of the reserves? Looks like he is heading either your way or to Cradley?