DiamondGlory

A draw away is a bit optimistic in my opinion, even for me. If we lose and take the point, I'll be satisfied. With Morris being an ex-panther, wonder how well he'll do?

wasn't expecting that to be true. also predicted the Joshua vs Klitschko result correctly, so maybe it's just luck.

I predict Glasgow pull off an upset and don't even give the monarchs a point. Looking forward to seeing them dominate.I hope so anyway, that's one of the main reasons I'm going!

I don't think it gets worse than Worky. I remember 3 separate occasions where 3 different fans caused problems. There was a time I got chips thrown at me, parents did nothing. Second time, I was 12 and a grown adult threatened to hit me because I cheered for my rider winning a race. Then recently, a fan bumped into me and then demanded an apology for walking into him. I was standing still. It's one of the reasons I rarely go to Worky.

By waving, are you referring to the part of the night where he was gesturing for people to boo him louder?

I hate to say it'll, but after the performance tonight I'm a little bit embarrassed. It had the potential to be another close derby, but it just seemed like half the diamonds couldn't be bothered. I'll give credit to Lambert for staying on his bike in the first heat, but to become British u21 champion and then score one more point than Connor Coles (second place was well deserved. It's his first of the season, and he fought for it)? Worrall got a bit of redemption after winning while on a tactical ride, but the rest of his races he just seemed to flop. Ludde definitely won diamond of the night. It was good to have someone to shout for. Speaking of shouting, Ellis Perks. Wow. How he didn't win rider of the night baffled me. Should have been chucked in Heat 15. Here's some highlights if you weren't at the meeting: Connor Coles finally getting a well fought second place Robert Lambert + Ashley Morris receiving jeers from the bears fans, only for Robert to gesture for them to jeer louder. Ellis Perks top scorer overall. Hopefully the Semi Final on Sunday is better for us. You know...with the home track advantage..

My gut instinct says we're taking 4 points, but if there's anyone who's optimistic (and possibly deluded) about the diamonds winning, it's me haha! A win is a win at the end of the day, but the extra point wouldn't go amiss.

Why wouldn't we be? It's a similar team to last year, minus Kus and Palovaara. Kus probably would have helped but it's not going to be a bad season at all.

you might find a lot of speedway riders aren't married, gotta be more specific there mate.

It will be quite funny if Coles and Phillips actually have a decent season with us. Phillips proves on (very little) occasions he has what it takes to win and pass, he just lacks confidence. I reckon this year will be similar to the last. I'm almost certain we're going to the playoffs.

But then what if he fails in Poland?

Course you would!

I really hope you meant minor and didn't just try to go for a diamond mining pun.

just a bit, haha! That comment is beautiful.

Well, that's the diamonds sorted! Very happy with Worrall and Lambert back, wouldn't be surprised if Lambert beat the TR next season. Lightning back with no Kus is a bit of a shame, but he's still a quality rider on his own. Lewis Rose is back and in the main body of the team. Rightfully deserved. Expecting big things from him in 2017. Good to see Ashley Morris back in the team! Even though he was introduced back end of this season, he still shone and impressed me. My only concern is with the reserves. Danny is obviously improving, but can be inconsistent most of the time, sometimes not scoring anything. I can't say anything about Coles since I've never seen him ride, but hopefully he can score some big points.

I honestly thought Lambert would have gone to Peterborough or somewhere along those lines.

Well I'll be damned. A Ruthless return. Wasn't expecting that at all.

Check the diamonds website/social media every now and then, it might show announcements

I think it was Theo Pijper, back when he was a Monarch a few years ago. Really had to think there, haha!

It's a great team, and I'm clearly not the only one who thinks they're bound for the playoffs. However, speedway is unpredictable, and can go any way possible. Two 2 pointers at reserve is a risk, but Hume and Mountain certainly aren't bad riders. One of them will double their average, at least that's what my instinct is telling me.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1324346490940468&id=172498052791990 Ipswich full team announced on livestream Danny King (9.57) Cameron Heeps (5.07) Rory Schlein (7.17) Nico Covatti (7.49) Kyle Newman (6.31) Danyon Hume (2.00) Connor Mountain (2.00) Looking like the witches will have a good year.

The basketball dude? If you mean Andrew, who threw the basketballs into the crowd at the intervals, I have a mini vendetta against him. They did the usual thunderbirds theme and he threw it. Bounced around for a bit, and just as I was about to catch it he decided to follow in Shearer's footsteps and booted it up into the stands. I was gutted, I could've won something from the track shop. This story does have a silver lining, caught one a few weeks later, and much to the dismay of the fellow diamonds fans, predicted an opponent was going to win the race. Everyone told me how daft it was until he actually went and won!

Good point. But new riders, new season, (hopefully) new trophies. Just have to be optimistic! and hope the new riders aren't needed elsewhere.

Whingers or not, true fans will accept that it's the team we're given and they ride for the team we will support. Some people may not like a certain rider, and that's fine, everyone had their own opinions. It's when that rider helps win us a trophy and the haters jump ship that it becomes ridiculous. I honestly believe this year may be the year we win either the pairs or the fours. However, because the team hasn't been announced, don't hold me to that statement becaus it's subject to change!

It's hard to guess new riders when there's so many gaps in other teams say maybe a Kevin Wolbert signing because Edinburgh will probably keep him. A couple new signings wouldn't go amiss however! Edit: The page didn't show that Bach tweet first time, I'm well and truly gutted. Wish it was a joke. ):