mauger65

there was a lot more heat leaders in the last few years ........ the loss of 5 out of 17 riders averaging over 8 is quite a removal of top end talent ............ in the past everyone has had the opportunity to get hold of a heat leader

Yes of course there is a difference between the top no 1 and worst no 1 in the league - there always has and always will be - however trying to share out the top riders so that every team has 1 no 1 is surely a more sensible way forward than allowing half the league have 2 no 1s and the other half none Worrall and harris for Glasgow against summers and doolan or lindgren and kus (in the imaginary diamonds team) in heats 13 and 15 ....... yep that seems fair ............ even at home the diamonds would need to be 6 points up by heat 12 to scrape a 46 44 win again the top teams in fact the diamonds could be 6 up after 10 heats, then with a tactical sub ride we face the opposition 1 & 5 in heats 11 13 an 15 and easily lose those 3 heats 15-3 !!!! a lot of positive rule changes were made in winter but again the promoters missed the point and chance to set up a competitive league one of the major gripes last year was that we knew the top 4 by May ................. we haven't even reached 2018 and already it looks like a 2 division league ........... I think Berwick Workington and Newcastle inparticular are in for a disappointing and dispiriting season ............. (and perhaps redcar and peterboro depending on their signings)

cant fathom your logic at all .... there were 17 riders averaging over 8 last year with at least 5 not returning leaving 12 between 11 - an obvious solution would have graded the top 11 as no 1 heat leaders of which each team to have 1 !!! - but no ... that would promote parity and a competitive league ....................... we wouldn't want that ............... so assuming Howarth signs for Sheffield - that's 5 sides with 2 heat leaders ................ and Scunthorpe have stevie Worrall .... they will be the top 6 ....... given how important heats 13 and 15 are and the rest ........... well redcar have the 11th best no 1 rider in the league ................. whilst Berwick newcastle Workington and peterboro will come to tapes with a no 1 rider on an average below 8 ............ these 5 will form the bottom 5 the silence from Newcastle is worrying .............. but a uncompetitive team will result in large losses ....... a real concern for George .... never mind the lack of sponsor

I only meant it in the sense redcar have only announced 1 - and given whats available - I don't read the redcar webpage so im unaware they have their 7 lined up - no offence was intended at our lovely local rivals :-) as for newcastles lineup - I just hinted it will be probably made up of our assets and brough favourites - of course no one is really sure whose signed up for what in Poland perhaps that's why there is such silence ........... never mind sponsorship ...... but George could be struggling to actually pull together a competitive team ............ and without that he knows crowds will struggle with 5 top class heat leaders leaving the league, 1 extra team, it left a dearth of top end talent ............. and the 5 teams quickest to the draw have snaffled up those available I think Newcastle Workington Berwick and redcar should form their own breakaway league ............... we could still have a league , knock out cup, pairs and four team tournament rounded off with a riders championship (4 from each team) and end of season playoffs for the top 2 as well as the tyne-tweed cup, tyne-tees cup, tweed-tees cup etc .......... it will probably be our only hope of winning anything

well assuming we do survive ... there's not much left for Newcastle or redcar or workington I could easily see the following 1 tbd 2 rose 6.49 3 kus 7.03 4 robson 7.02 5 lindgren 7.21 6 morris 4.98 7 Philips 2.00 leaving 7.77 for our number 1 theres little out there rene bach at 7.46 ty proctor 7.15 or Jorgensen 7.10 .... of course luddo would become our no 1 if the latter 2 signed we would be cruelly exposed at heats 13 and 15 ............. and already Glasgow Ipswich lakeside Scunthorpe and Sheffield look way better Edinburgh and peterboro should be ok sides .......... at least we should give Berwick a run for their money - and heaven help Workington and redcar with their 3 signings to date geez not even 2018 and I cant see us finishing higher than 8th !!!!

pity about the worralls going elsewhere but i still think it be 3 kus 4 lindgren 6 morris and 7philips all 4 wanna ride for us ..... and i would like to see kus given another go

great news how the team building lol 1 r worrall 8.51 s worrell 9.02 s Worrall 9.02 2 aarnio 4.97 newman 6.25 morris 4.72 3 kus 7.03 4 lindgren 6.94 5 summers 8.21 rose 6.49 r Worrall 8.51 6 morris 4.72 brandford 3.94 7 philips 2.00 total 42.38 42.45 42.16 there you are simples lol despite being a critic of danny previously.... he was about to up his average before his injury so at 7 on 2 i think he is a bargain we must have a strong reserve .......... ashley at 6 no brainer lindgren and kus are our assets and solid middle order that leaves 21.81 for the 2 heat leaders and no 2 with tac subs u really want 2 heat leaders and there were only 18 over 8 points last year ....... so they are gonna be highly sought after ..... especially as there only 2 other riders above 7.5!!!!! with lambert, morris and holder possibly leaving the league that leaves just 15 between 11 teams !!!!!!!!!!

i thought glasgow had him next year I would think Steve is also very doubtful ..... he was very non committal and said he was looking to do poland ..... even if riding on a saturday ... the polish play offs could rob us of him lindgren looks like the only certainty we have tried rose and morris at 3 and 2 and with luddo at 4 .... we were too weak away..... team needs an overhaul or re-jigging 1 2 3 rose 6.49 4 kerr 6.89 5 lindgren 6.94 6 morris 4.72 7 Philips 2.00 27.03 ............ leaving 15.47 for top 2 .... should be 42.50 limit

Speedway needs the promoters to work together for once - instead of the constant fighting and self-interest in the top flight we have Birmingham Eastbourne and lakeside plummet into the nl and Coventry go defunct in the last few years ............ when are they going to wake up we are down to 18 'professional' clubs of which Workington, Newcastle and Peterboro face uncertain futures ...... and are there others ? we seem to say it every winter .............. but this could be the most important winter ever for british speedway..... but I actually think its true certainly if Workington and Newcastle go .... I think they are gone for forever if the promoters get this wrong - I think we could be down to 10 teams in 5 years .....

I don't know and Im only speculating here as I have only 'chatted' a few times with him I know in 2016 he was very keen to win competitions and him and George 'built a side to be competitive in every comp' - which to be fair they did what happened league cup we robbed by bspa ruling we fielded a weakened team of no fault of our own, british manager scuppers our pairs hopes, Sweden and Czech republic decimate our very strong top 4 in 4s comp, Robert is crucially missing in playoffs and we have a stinker and go out .... dispirited team then thrashed in cup final ................. this year, they kept faith with top 5 and gambled on reserves ........... within a month it was clear the gamble had gone horribly wrong but there was little re-jigging of the team could be done and the play off hopes were gone by may that impacted crowds and then the stadium went under repair which really hurt crowds again ..... disjointed season and rain offs .... lower crowds ......farcial away teams with guests afore.... lower crowds...... the threat of josh having to cover Robert ... . and then 2 big derby meetings in summer became a double header at end of season .... so ever bigger losses in the comps ...... pairs top two again didn't make it again and Robert didn't make riders championship for 2nd year.......... our fours hopes gone when Robert didn't make it ........ and our one remaining hope the cup .... was scuppered by guess who ? not turning up again So if I had been in Alan's shoes that's a lot of time effort and money for what ............. one very disappointing cup final display v Glasgow and faced with ever increasing losses due to crowds getting lower I do have a lot of sympathy for George and Alan ... the fates have not been kind to either in the last 2 years .............. who would be a promoter I am sure the crowds can return ............... but and this is beyond Georges control ............. the BSPA have to get the product and leagues sorted out this winter ........... frankly the product on show of only 10 teams ..... ie only 70 riders of which 10-20 cant guarantee getting around the track is not good enough ..... still what do I know Ive only watched speedway for 42 years

cost cut and provide a weaker product will just accelerate the decline..... this was predicted by many last winter when team limit cut to 40 im all for giving british youngsters a chance but the reserve policy this been a complete failure and provided many predictable races when riders like morris and wilson dean were riding at 6 ..... you knew 5& 6 could get a 5-1 or 1-5 watching 4 weak reserve riders take 16 races and struggle to get around the track is not my idea of entertainment they should have stuck to 1 nl at 7 and a 42,50 average speedway needs to get meetings done in 90 minutes with other efforts by promoters to improve the product

whenever Newcastle ride at redcar, there are a lot of Newcastle supporters who make the enormous 40 mile trip .................... and have spoken with many redcar supporters at those meetings who have never been to brough .............. you don't need a passport you know................ now I did miss redcar's last visit (holiday).............. but frankly the number of redcar supporters who have been at brough in the last 10 years has been frankly laughable ...... and has been commented upon many times Plymouth used to turn up with more !!!!!!!!!!!

The lads did a brilliant job getting a track ready given the amount of water on it (was flooded in many places) .......... but the track was tricky in the 1st match ..... Newcastle were outstanding and Workington were very poor Campton and Proctor don't really go too well anyway around brough and Sarjeant had his moments but he fell in 1 , excluded in another (repeatedly moving at start) and took a huff in another and stopped when alfie roughed him up on bend 1 but Jorgensen and cook were a real miss ........... cookie is always good for 13-15 but summers had a shocking meeting - worst ive seen him ride brough and scored 5 there was some passing .... all by the diamonds ............ 2nd match was more competitive but scoreline flattered redcar as Newcastle riders started falling off as they were trying a bit too hard from heat 6 to 15 we had 7 fallers by 6 riders from the mighty diamonds otherwise the score would have been more realisitic 52-38 but there was some good racing with summers better and sarjeant actually racing in 6 heats this time if it is the last race at brough park ..... it will be a memorable one and rather a reflection of the season luddo falling in lead when his chain came off, auty excluded for ambitious pass that ended in the fence and summers being awarded the winner ................... (pleased both guys didn't get injured) hopefully Workington will survive but speedway needs a good shake up and complete re-think where it is going

I think from what George said its trying to find a new sponsor that's critical to whether we race or not Many thanks to Alan and Sapphire Engineering ... les hope we can new sponsor

its hardly Newcastles fault that redcar are facing an injury crisis of titanic proportions (last year Sheffield nearly won the playoffs with only 3 riders so injuries at this stage is hardly new!!) and this could have easily happened to redcar in September and remember this meeting is due to a rainoff on September 16th and that Newcastle couldn't run 2 meetings due to the PLRC and Pairs still don't let the facts get away in of a good story im sure both the Newcastle promoters and redcar promoters would rather not race it all but its meant to be a professional sport and both team are obliged to complete their league fixtures I think £20 is a very good price .... and im sure all the riders will give it a go Newcastle v Sheffield meant nowt ... yet there was still some very competitive racing so come on turn up ..... its the last meeting for possibly 5 months ............ (or ever if people cant be bothered)

Assuming all 18 teams survive. ................. 1 league of 18 teams - so 17 home fixtures against different opposition every week with the champions crowned whoever is top after 34 matches end of season playoff for top 8 - get a sponsor so teams take it seriously the current 8 premier league teams - form 'superteams' and play in a superleague equal to the polish and Swedish league racing on only a MONDAY or WEDNESDAY - 7 home meetings and 7 away meetings - top 4 into plays in early October (it means these teams have had 24 home matches from mid March to late Sept - 7 premier + 17 championship) the other 10 championship sides - play in a league cup competition at the start of season ( 3 groups - 2 semis and final - completed by JUNE) and a knock out cup with quarters in july semi in aug and final in sept four team tournament - one week in july ..... 4 one off quarter finals staged with top 2 from each going to the final in aug (top 4 sides on averages seeded and host a meeting) team make up : for the 18 team championship .............. 42.50 points limit ............ number 6 must be a british rider under 25 .......... number 7 rider must be british rider but nl and average below 3.50 for the 8 team premiership ........... 42.50 limit .......... 1 gp rider or foreign rider not in the championship ................at least 3 riders from your championship team ............. the others from other championship sides and the number 7 must be a british rider under 25 (ie a number 6 of the championship teams) just some thoughts to mull over ............ we still have a top flight league for the 8, a stronger championship with more variety, plenty of other comps in FTT, league cup, play offs and koc ............. and the top riders can ride in 2 leagues with upto 48 matches with doubling not impacting availability as top flight only race on Monday or wednesday

well its hardly a surprise given the league only had 10 teams and 70 riders to choose from .... and riders like bach and kus were left with no teams we need a bigger league I do apologise ..........

A mixed reaction for young Robert last night ........... even the promoters weren't expecting him ..... toft in as cover and George's tongue in cheek comments about Roberts recovery I did note Roy didn't ask Robert about the smash he was involved in ............ which injured his leg And the rumours were true yesterday .......... the cookie monster is out for 7 days under BSPA ruling

Just a pity we couldn't see the real Sheffield Tigers .. given their injuries .. although Nicholls and Proctor gave their all They have been very worthy champions The diamonds alas looked sharp one week too late

well hopefully all newcastle supporters who want the sport to survive will turn up just to give the promoters some encouragement it is a dreadfully disappointing season and im sure we will all be glad to see the back of 2017 (mind you ... couldnt we end the season on the 29th with a challenge match with Workington ..... only their 5th visit of the season............ perhaps not )

Steve - are you for real .......... aggaravated his knee ????? have you seen the video and it was already known he was riding in poland this saturday in the open meeting im going to go out on a limb here ............. i bet on sunday night he didn't tell the polish organisers he was out for 2 weeks lambert should have been at Newcastle on monday and at glasgow representing the club that has paid (some) of his wages this year and its not knocking riders for fun,,,,, I WAS a huge lambert fan but his behaviour has been unacceptable perhaps people in the sport should stop taking the supporters for mugs

He wasn't in the original line up because of the stupidity of speedway rules and apparently polish playoffs supercede our leagues riders championship lambert is number 1 in our averages and should be there tonight as he should have been in our side on Monday night and his absence was the biggest reason for our defeat what is more appalling is a blatant lie was told to the Newcastle supporters he was in a crash and injured his leg and was out for at least 2 weeks we all know this was a total lie ...... yet the authorities and our promoters have said nothing .......... in fact they still have the story that Robert was hurt on the website perhaps between the heats tomorrow we can watch the video clips of Robert scoring his untroubled maximum last sunday.......... just a thought well said ernie ........... obviously Roberts conract with the diamonds means nothing from the 1st of september

I didn't realise Lublin were guaranteed a play off spot before the season started .................... and Lambert was signed up by December I think ................ a while before the fixtures were released but I agree I was baffled why Newcastle season wasn't mapped out in March I think we started the season with only around 30 confirmed matches

with the greatest respect ben, lambert hasn't been an issue until the authorities ordered the polish play-offs had more priority than the diamonds in September - im sure neither party would have signed up if that had been known last winter but lambert has a contract with Newcastle ... and yesterday was our last chance to get something from a miserable campaign he stuck 2 fingers up at George and the paying public If im wrong I will be 1st to apologise if he is genuinely injured however the tv evidence of him scoring an untroubled maximum and celebrating his teams success on live tv looks shall we say a little damning given it was reported by Newcastle he got injured in a big crash...... someone somewhere is telling porkies ............... (one wonders how injured he was for the 4s) its all very disappointing ... rather depressing and frankly very unprofessional .......... if there are any others tell me and I will crucify them as well (yes holder of peterboro is another) yes the sport is lacking leadership and happily walking into oblivion but this is about a rider clearly not fulfilling his contract ............. I can only imagine what George and Alan were saying when they watched the video

probably - cant imagine him getting a good reception from the crowd ............ the tv footage is damning