Mad Max

As with most things in life, your immediate thoughts and recollections are fuelled by emotion. With hindsight I'm sure Richard would agree that he would had done the same manoeuvre, if positions had been reversed. And again vast majority of us look back on something we have done and think "why on earth did I do that" - fortunately most of us don't have a video recorder focussed on us to highlight it again and again!

Agree on both counts

have they improved track drastically over the last week then?

The only way to strength team was to drop two riders and make top end weaker whilst improving reserves. realistically no one wants to drop any of top five (despite all comments on commitment, Ludvig/Rose etc etc), but the downside is that we have two very weak reserves and I have been saying all season that (in my opinion) it was the wrong team building strategy, however I still think we will win most of home matches and pick up odd points away. I don't see us beating any of the top sides over two legs and really would be surprised if we end up in top 4 Ippo, the 2 Scotties and Sheffield will all be above us. Hopefully might be able to get Bacon on board soon.

yes he learnt how to beat Lawson round Ashfield

Bacon on his way to Newcastle very soon

Have a look on BSPA website under "championship" then "Averages" this link may work http://speedwaygb.co/championshipstatistics17 this gives you ongoing averages, so you can see who is up and down - however as it states those are not the definitive green sheets

I think there is a bit of playing hopes down in here. Ippo have the riders to do very well at Sheffield - King, Schlein & Sedgman should score well, Newman & Heeps have the capability and background to go well, Probably struggle at reserve, but now have track knowledge in there. If you gate you win at Sheffield, so get the gating boots on!

the "bend Its" - I like it - it may just catch on

which is the exact problem with our team!

Sorry, but bemused why you think a rival team replacing their no 6 are not going to have someone who will beat our 6 & 7? As I have constantly said our management have gone for a team make up which leaves us potentially woeful at reserve on occasions and we have to hope the top 5 score big enough to get the win. Don't get stressed about Redcar, they have made an excellent choice at 7 (when fit again) and now have a potential good scorer at 6, that is how they chose to build the team - when we race at home I would expect us to beat them (as long as track isn't too wet or dry!!), away I expect to be beaten but with a bit of luck can get close.

Sorry, but this result just highlights oue weaknesses, people will point at heat 13 and say that was the problem, but it is totally unfair to rely on Robert & Steve to keep on producing - the issue is lower end and not getting enough points. But then I find out the real reason - the track wasn't right - it was too dry!! So whose fault is that? It appears at Redcar it was too wet, and now we don't like it too dry, poor Jonny swales must have headaches all week planning his prep! He doesn't need to worry, because if we win track was perfect, if we don't it wasn't. Amazing logic that this affects the home side more, so in future I don't expect any moaning from George if we travel away, track is "different" to usual because of weather or any other reason and we lose - by his own logic it should have given us a better chance!

I was hoping for a win in this match, but as I posted earlier, it really depends on panthers, they could easily have one of their good nights and all scored well. As it turns out they did have the usual inconsistency, and we took advantage. However you have to be fair and say that it was danny's injury, and astute management that actually got the victory, with Danny or Hopwood at reserve Panthers win - no question! So with that fact in mind I'm not following George's view that this results shows us as one of the best teams in the league, quite simply we aren't , not with the weakness at reserve we will continue to carry!

Does highlight the potential problems of using r/r for your number 5 rider and not naming a number 8, I realise it costs, but even asking the home team to borrow a junior would allow riders to be tracked in races!

It is certainly an embarrassment when you have two 2pt riders and they really are 2pt riders!!

I agree - Ipswich change should also be vetoed along with Berwick's Heeps' average needs to be reviewed, just the same as Gapp mans

Certainly makes us stronger with Shanes in. Result will depend on how Peterborough go, I think Panthers can be good due to strength in depth with any of top 6 capable of putting in a big score and winning races - however ironically I also see this as their weakness, because although all are capable of winning races they are also all prone to finishing last and really you don't know from race to race what you are going to get! If Lambert & Worrall lead from the front then Rosey & Shanes will pop in some points - skipper & Morris just need to add a few aswell.

If that is case then only possible alternative I can see is Lee Payne (when/if Blacklock is fit)

Unless he is moved out in another team change - Bandits following Peterborough's recipe for success last season !

The only possible direct alternative I can see is Ryan Blacklock (when/if fit) - and before you all shout at me, I'm not saying it's what I want, but the best option available.

Are you using the Ged Rathbone average calculator, thinking of bringing in two riders totalling around 8.3 to replace two on 7.25 Don't see Busch being anywhere near a comeback, and if he is Redcar would be mad to keep Garcia instead

and if they did in this case and not another, or vice versa it just causes uproar and accusations of prejudice - madness to have a rule stating MC could/may/might implement something - of course always in the best interests of the sport!!

Afraid I agree with SCB - 5 riders total 29.10 leaving 10.90 for Gapp man and an other - the gapp will be given 5.79 leaving 5.11 for your last rider. This scenario is exactly why the rule is there, if it isn't applied now then BSPA are totally shooting themselves in the foot and will be left looking well stupid - however it has been known before and will happen again!

Best Wishes to Danny for a full recovery. I know I have been critical of him this season, but it was more aimed at the team setup which made him the senior reserve, when realistically he should have not have had that pressure placed on him.

I would suggest he should have said best no7 in the league, I can't think of a better one!