STEVEHOLS54

Poole were not prepared to take on the costs associated with Rew being based in POL, I doubt they would take on similar type costs for Gino who is supposed to be based in SWE in 2023 from things I have read.

You would think IF a broken shoulder that all of Dec/Jan/Feb and a good part of March would put him well on the road to recovery unless it was really bad. The 4.29 temporary guest cover (plus 5% for home meetings ??) still leaves a plenty of potential guest options as cover for maybe a few weeks ?? You only have to look on that SGB signings page to see who could cover.

By the way JT/Newm/Roynon is a whisper I heard and not what I was initially thinking. But then I w as blinded by having the 2 most exciting Aussie youngsters around. But the horrendous costs involved in at least one of them based in POL seems to have probably killed that idea.

With regards to Roynon, for those interested in his (and other riders stats please feel free to look at the excellent Speedway Statistic website and the link to Roynon is http://speedway-stats.co.uk/Rider/373 Shows his whole history in Prem/Champ & NDL. It kind of highlights what an injury free and fit Roynon is capable of and at 34 still capable. Bit of a standout against many of the 2 pointers in Champ. Even his NDL av is way above the 2 pointer Champ guys so could be an astute signing with a stronger reserve like Newman. Surely Newman can be fit by the end of March period. Even if not 100% should still be too good for most of the 2 pointers. Just an opinion of course

When you think about it JT/KN/Roynon looks the best strength in depth that fits. Roynon would beat many of the weaker 2 pointers and Newman would beat plenty of the reserves on higher av. If the other side has 2 weak reserves like say Oxford then both would probably be beaten in near enough every ride. This really hits home if you look at most of the SGB Champ reserves already named on page 1 of the SGB Champ signings 2023 page on the Championship forum where not only the riders but their GSA's are shown next to their names. Newman av alone is higher than any of those named and Roynon also higher than many and arguably going to be worth a lot more against the lower ones as the season starts unwinding. Could be a case where fortunately bonus points DON'T count towards GSA's. As for Thomas he is an improver with a GSA lower than what he is capable of and Ippo have taken note of that as their rising Star for 2023. His injury of 2 broken wrists sure kept his GSA anchored lower than what he is capable of in 2022. Of course it's a case of IF it's those 3

Can't see it happening. We have 12.97 left for 3 riders. Batch would tie up 7.29 leaving us only 5.68 - Take 2 for Ablitt only leaves 3.68. Look at the last GSA sheets and looks who is left. Would give you 2 weak reserves. My money will be on strength in depth with what will look like strongish reserves who will sweep up lots of points against a lot of the other reserves in my opinion and not put us on the back foot from heat 2. Now we have only 2 proven H/L (if Lawson added to Worrall) it makes sense that we go for more points over the other teams reserves. Especially the 2 pointers. I think a number of us have a good idea who the last 3 will be. If you assume for example no 2 pointer in our team then you can kind of work it out from the final GSA sheet by taking 2 x 4 point plus riders and 1 x 3 point plus rider from those not yet announced. (Don't forget to discount the 2.5% for all 3 riders as think they will all be Brits).

Then the whole thing made perfect sense in my opinion. Danny Ford knew well in advance the new points limit would be 40 so knew he had the difficult decision of losing one of the three H/L. If King had a good offer on the talbe already and if it was above what Poole are normally prepared to offer, (and even if it was similar to Poole), then that decision was made easier to release him if Worrall & Lawson were happy to continue in 2023. My own opinion was it was totally amicable and an agreed wording and an excellent media write up was agreed upon by both to reflect how difficult the decision had been to release him and what a great servant he had been to the club in the 2 seasons he had been with then in Champ. A good piece of PR all round and both come out of it with credit.

I read that Tate crashed into Sedgeman after he finished third in the A Final. Probably the young 16/17 was so excited at having finished 3rd in the Aussie Champ that he lost concentration and control . Apparently had an ambulance ride to hospital. Some Glasgow fans think he is heading to them for 2023 and one commented that his Aussie season may be over due to injury which would be a shame as was looking forward to seeing this exciting talent performing in the 4 rounds Aussie Champ the first week of Jan. . Especially after his performances in his last 4 meetings.

Nope if you read the press release of 7th December, it was Stewart Dickson who clearly refers to Dan as its an article about Dan signing for the Prem Team. I've read it again to make sure it wasn't me making a mistake.

There are a good few still not named in teams. Both the above plus Rowe/Ruml/Nicol/Starke/Morris/Bailey/Morley/Newman in that 4 to 5 range. Okay some may find slots as last places announced but get the feeling some may start season without clubs. Suppose the price of one less club so 7 more riders become available over less teams plus the points reduction meaning its a scramble to fit in meaning more NDL riders out in to squeeze into the new limit. Scunthorpe will probably announce Duglas & Allen as their last 2 so the slots available shrink even more.

A colleague who is normally well in the know on things Poole just reminded me of comments made on the Leicester website on the press release when they announced Thompson only a couple of days ago when they signed him for the Prem. The below is what was quoted. Obviously it would have been ideal if he’d found a Championship team, but hopefully that door will open for him as the season progresses.“He has nothing to prove to me, but if he can show the form that I know he can then I’m sure he will be an option for any teams who don’t start as well as they are expecting.” I can't believe that Poole do not already know their team, as can't believe they would have gone in only in the last couple of days to sign him. That's in my opinion. It would also mean they would have had to sort out the last 2 slots in the same period due to the reduced av to play around with. No doubt we will find out in the near future.

IF Poole are not signing any of the 2 Aussies (Rew or Zischke), then I think they would aim at maximising points by going Thomas 4.78 Newman 4.29 Roynan 3.47 = 12.54 of the 12.97 we had left after the obvious 4 expected signing. Gives a stronger reserve pairing. Just my opinion. For those not aware the Aussie Champ one of meeting final for 22 was today and report is on the below. https://speedwaynews.pl/zuzel/fricke-broni-mistrzostwo-kapitalna-forma-zuzlowca/ Decent meeting for both Rew & Zischke. I know I keep banging on about both but more in hope than expectation. Noises being made on Glasgow Forum about maybe Zischke to them.

On the subject of Roynon many may not be too impressed. However although 34 it worth remembering that before all his injuries he had back in 2012 an av of 8.24 or 8.79 incl BP over 35 meetings with Workington, so he is no mug. Plus was touted as a rider with a big future back in the day. Also his 3 seasons in NDL over 2017/18 & 22 reaped between 9 & 10 average per meeting each season incl BP so more than capable of beating most of the 2 pointers in Champ. Yes injuries took their toll but from the reserve slot could well be capable of 5 to 6 incl BP and then could even swap in and out of reserve with the likes of Thomas (if he is signed) or Zach Cook. Similar with Newman so we potentially have decent reserves all season providing no injuries. The important thing is we stay in the play off places and then anything can happen. Of course that's IF these are the chosen reserves

I think that while it is a bit unfair on Nathan I can fully understand the reasons IF Danny/Matt are going for a stronger reserve pairing. When we had 3 H/L, that with the improvement of the Cooks enabled us to carry Nathan through the whole season with no pressure on him. Now that comfort has gone with the new 40 point limit and with only 2 established H/L I feel that more than ever we will need a decent reserve pairing which if it's Newman & Roydon you would hope at worse a 3-3. A number of times last season we dragged a bit at home in the first half but with 3 H/L we flew in the second half of meetings. We may not have that luxury in 2023 with only 2 established H/L. Having say the stronger reserves hopefully takes some pressure off the top end. We can't just expect Ben to step up as third H/L although we hope he does push on. Similar with Zach. Looking at others teams reserves (those named to date), it should on paper reap benefits, although that's got to be shown on track. Also with the new aggregate and BP system plus only 2 points for a win it will be important to try and keep close on away tracks to try and get that additional BP. A strong reserve pairing could prove important in that respect.

Another crazy idea. How about JT plus 2 other 4 point Aussies. I know I keep on about the Aussies. But that's how Matt/Danny signed the Cooks. Both I believe on 4 and were looked at based on the various close season meetings and the 5 round Aussie Champs (over about 10 days in early Jan. Or maybe Macdonald who had 1.5 season's racing here and another untried but maybe promising Aussie who will be looked at over te Winter. Just a thought as we are trying to work out who. That would avoid using a 2 pointer or the likes of Smith/Bickley or another 2 pointer. Just thinking aloud. Macdonald had a base in UK in 2019 - had it fixed for Covid year 2020 and also had it for 2022 bfore injury cut his season short and still on a 4 GSA.

Like me you come to similar conclusion in that last reserve slot.

You have to admire Smith persevering in the sport. He is 24 on 17th December - ridden 6 full seasons with a combo of NDL/Champ and even 2 seasons in Prem and still only getting barely 3 points av in Champ. He must love it as I think a few would have maybe called time on it. Perhaps his dad keeps him motivated to keep trying. I remember when both him and Jack Parkinson Blackburn looked the 2 riders who would be our next Brit stars back in 2016/17/18 but wan't to be.

Yes but playing the name the team game each dark/cold winter adds a bit of fun. I just hope Matt/Danny have already sorted their team a while ago, but that will no doubt become more apparent when they start naming. I just hope they don't leave the missing 3 riders until last as it may be a long wait. Suppose if most of the others do complete naming earlier at least it will be process of elimination as in last couple of seasons.

Maybe a case of promoters in the South like at Oxford & Poole think people are a lot better off and will pay it. When you consider what the likes of Arsenal & Spurs rip off their supporters for and still get 60,000 plus turn up each match it wouldn't surprise me. Not that I am making a fair comparison but suppose they will charge what they feel they can get away with. Whether that be fair or not.

Based on a lot of earlier comments and Nathan's own initial comments, that would indicate that perhaps The Ford's team plans have not gone as planned on either the so called Dream Team or plans B or C ??

My only slight worry is it would tie up 9.87 of our 12.97 leaving only 3.1 left and moves Zach out of reserve. Looks like that may happen anyway the way things are going. Must admit I am struggling looking at the final GSA and without Rew/Zischke or both to come up with a decent last 3. Whichever way I calculate you end up with Zach moving into the main team plus you end up with a very low pointer in the second reserve slot. You can try Thomas with Thompson or Newman with one of them or Rowe/Starke/Ruml/Nicol/A.Morris/C.Bailey. Whichever way I end up with Roynon or Bickley in the last slot purely on points left. Think either would pick up odd points but both would rely on a strong reserve partner like Cook which then puts me back on the merry go round of who to get within the 12.97 we have left. A slight curve ball. Last week Josh Macdonald was worried he would be looking for a job in Aussie if no UK club came calling. He's on a 4 and was a Poole rider before Covid struck in 2020. Had his own UK base up North so assume not such a large expense ? Jeez - I bet Matt and Danny's calculators have been working overtime trying to get the right mix.

Appreciate your comments, but is the last bit based on the fact you have hard fact concrete information neither are definitely not coming or based on your own opinion. I already aired my own comments on here that maybe one reason for neither signing could be the financial constraints now the club is in the Champ and following those difficult times when they were dropped in it back in the day by that sponsor and then the difficulties of the Covid lock down. I fully understand why they maybe would not go down that route UNLESS there are some deep pocketed sponsors maybe willing to help. It was Danny who mentioned the words "Dream Team" and then added he had his option B & C. The Aussies would have people thinking that maybe this was the route he may be taking. Personally I am struggling how he could come up with a dream team based on the 12.97 points left available for 3 riders after discounting the obvious top 4 we already know. But then it could be my idea of a dream team is different to his, and the Ford's are past masters of using the Echo to big up possible plans. I don't blame them for it as it keeps people like me excited as to what may be coming for next season. Their record of the last 2 seasons in Champ cannot be faulted as the team performed when it mattered.

Not me. I would still like to see Rew & Zischke but a couple/few seem to think neither coming. They are entitled to their opinion, but have seen nothing from any of them as to the reasons why neither would be riding. Rew openly said in his Polish interview that he intended to also ride in the Champ as well as Prem in 2023. Unless he changed his mind then the obvious 2 clubs are Poole who we know were interested quite a while back and Glasgow with their financial clout. As for Zischke, seen nothing so far to say he is staying in Aussie but with his impressive displays as a 17 year old in Aussie with Darcy Ward giving a decent write up on him reminding him of how he was at the same age, then the Poole connection kind of made sense on only a 4 av. Also Danny openly stated in the Echo recently he had a "Dream Team" first choice side plus already in place an option B & C. To make a comment like that you would think he had something different up his sleeve in mind. Just my opinion but these 2 for me were the standout options on decent averages at 5 & 4 points with the obvious Poole criteria of being both young with massive scope to add to their averages. Again this is just my opinion and no doubt others have theirs including the expected contributors who will maintain neither are coming. It's simpe, if not then I assume they know why not, in which case just say why instead of just saying they are not joining Poole.

You know our team then or you know Gino ??

I would like to know how close the Ford's are to securing their "Dream Team" as Danny put it or if he has his back up plan of B or C which I assume already had the riders he wanted some weeks ago. On Newman, I agree would be a decent signing at reserve but its that second reserve that would be a key part of the pairing.