STEVEHOLS54
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Posts posted by STEVEHOLS54
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5 minutes ago, BWitcher said:
Yes I agree with that 100%.
The same is happening at Wolverhampton this year following their decision to leave Lindgren out.
The issue of some riders not being full time is the part that I suggested doesn't correlate as much.
Probably even more worrying for Wolves then.
I thought Adams was not so happy at the lack of people turning up last year even with Lindgren in the side. If its dropped further its yet again further evidence of how bad things are. Similar with turn outs at Poole but much of that may be down to poor team performance and the constant rain offs & postponements for track issues.
When the likes of Matt Ford are feeling the pinch big time even with all their sponsors and cant even afford team kevlars then you know the sport is in trouble.
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5 minutes ago, Mafiarule said:
I recon Swindon far worse. Rye house best chips in league
Ah yes but Swindon have a new stadium coming dont they.
Its due to open in 2017 or is it 2018 now or maybe 2025 or more likely probably never as the Housing development takes over and eats up more and more space.
There was a lot of hype over this new Swindon Stadium or rebuilding it on part of the existing site but like much in respect of the sport going forward in UK it hasn't happened (so far).
We have seen Coventry go (and no way they will be back at Brandon). Rye House (we are all left currently guessing). Not counting others who have slightly deeper pockets or good sponsorship that are keeping their heads above water but only just FOR NOW.....
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3 minutes ago, Najjer said:
Surely the best way to prevent speculation would of been to give an explanation as to why it was called off.... Not just treat Rye House fans, Swindon fans and any other Speedway fan as absolute mugs. I never understand why speedway has such a 'closed shop' environment about it. It just doesn't make sense.
It may be that BMR and the BSPA are working on a joint statement.
If there is bad news on the way then there are ramifications not only in respect of matches so far this season and points earned/lost but also for Speedway in general in UK. Any terminal news would go down badly in UK and overseas plus there is the BT TV deal even if worth bugger all in real finance terms, as well as situ with current RH riders so plenty to sort before they can announce if it is bad news.
That's what makes one suspicious as the silence is deafening nearly 1 day after the announcement, and if was something operationally wrong such as track - airfence - stadium issues etc then they could have put all the rumours to bed by now with a simple statement which many could have understood.
I know this is our Poole form but this news seems to be spilling into many aspects of the forum which perhaps understandable with all of us being Speedway supporters who want all clubs to survive. Let's hope something is put out soon to clarify.
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6 minutes ago, frigbo said:
It's simple economics though surely?
You can't spend out more than come in - too many tracks are doing that right now.
if substantial funding which tracks don't have is needed drive up incomings, the only option to stay afloat is to minimise outgoings.
Personally, I think we're at a stage where not enough new people think speedway is anything but dull (which let's be honest most of the time it is) and as its hardcore support dies off there are insufficient new people to jutify the spend on massive promotional costs.
As a fan of 40+ years, the reasons i no longer go are purely down to the lack of credibility as a team sport. I want to support Swindon, not some random selection of seven mercenaries each week who will prostitute their services to whoever wants them next. For me some of the best seasons in relatively recent times were the 2000-2003 seasons in the lower league. We had continuity, regular meetings, full away teams and Swindon side that gave a toss - nothing to do with it being second division.
I am similar to you Fribo. A fan since 1970/71 and have seen several teams/tracks I supported go to the wall over the years. Hackney which at the time was my local track for some years - West Ham - Wimbledon - White City (Where 700/1000 people would get completely lost in such a big stadium - a strange atmosphere that was).
For a while now I have been advocating having one big league (Maybe with some regionalisation and then play offs between a top ??? - or even a home/away between each team and the play offs same as Prem/Champ) does now. I think we could use the NL more as feel there may be plenty of riders willing to double up if their could be some form of race grading so these N/L guys come up against riders of similar calibre but also get a little exposure to riding against more expereinced or better class riders so they can learn without getting hammered in every race.
One only has to look at the poor stadiums and facilities of many teams now to see that the sport in Prem for example (except for the NSS at BV) is in potentially terminal decline as it stands.
As for some of these top riders ??. Many don't really need UK if they have POL & SWE. When you think about it. Many probably have deals and sponsorship in UK which covers their equip and travelling costs and what they earn from the club itself probably contributes to their other expenses travelling around Europe. For some resident UK like NKI/C.Holder then yes they have a desire to race here as also gives them also a chance to go home during the week. But for many non residents I can't help thinking what they earn just helps them to pay other expenses and better to have something that gives you addl earning than not at all.
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Its is now 3.15 p.m and nothing has come out of the BSPA or BMR Promotion about why/what is going on to supplement the "Unforseen circumstances".
One would have thought that if it was a track condition issue or airfence or some issue with the stadium, then it would have been easy to come out with something to at least allay the fans and speedway supporters in general's fears of what may be going on at RH.
The ongoing silence just heightens fears of what many think may be happening at Rye.
Maybe something will break shortly, but if it is what many are starting to fear then perhaps the BSPA are working with BMR in the preperation of some form of formal statement to be circulated for which one can understand the lack of news appearing. Anything that revolves around some of the rumours circulating will not only have a profound affect on what happens this season regarding results and matches so far but on British Speedway in general.
Again a lot is just speculation and we all hope that the position is not a terminal one, but the longer this goes on the more it increases the fears that the worse may be upon us.
Fingers crossed it isn't.
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3 minutes ago, lisa-colette said:
Though if you say 'postponed' I think you have to give a reason for it.
Well if there is integrity within the BSPA, let's hope we get something one way or another as its unfair on the dwindling faithful followers. I can't believe they won't be in the know as to what is going on somehow.
Worrying though that such a notice so late in the day without any back up info or reason and the word cancelled being used, is obviously going to cause concern and rumour.
But let's not get too ahead of ourselves as tomorrow will soon come (and go).
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3 minutes ago, Bald Bloke said:
It's now on their website. No reason given.
Let's hope Wednesday brings some clarity if for nothing else to put to bed what many of us are thinking at the moment.
The word postponed rather than cancelled would have been so much better if it has something to do with riders or the track.
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8 minutes ago, Shadders said:
What are they supposed to do at such short notice?
At least give a reason to stop the obvious rumours that will spread before we get something more concrete.
It's obvious that such a worded notice and at such short when many know the speedway finances are dire would send things like the forum into overdrive.
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2 minutes ago, Aces51 said:
This Poole team are not currently league winners but they will qualify for the play offs. I can understand the disappointment after the team didn't live up to the pre season expectations but if you compare points lost at home to points gained away, a more realistic guide to the league table, they are currently 6th and most of those above are in reach. I can't see this team losing again at home, not after after next week
and they are picking up points on the road. Everyone in the team is inconsistent but there will always been good reserves and generally, enough of the team will have good nights to get results.
I do hope you are right.
P.S: Those interested in our sport may want to look at the last couple of pages over on the Rye House Forum. Interesting but maybe worrying ??
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I made a cryptic comment on maybe Poole signing somebody the other day in relation to wondering if a track may be going out of biz possibly. With the falling crowds and what looked like woeful support for RH on one or two recent videos of races from recent matches maybe there could be something in it.
I sincerely hope I am wrong on that score as none of us want to see any club go out of biz.
Perhaps something more revealing will be released shortly as they are my closest Prem track even if not my supported team. Nobody likes releases that leave you hanging and maybe it is something to do with rider availability or ??
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10 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Crikey for someone who doesn't come to the racing that much, I'd hate to see your 'glass half-empty' posts!!
Skidder - If I had attempted to drive the 3.5 hours from Chelmsford for every home match since season start, I would probably have blown my brains out with the late cancellations/rain offs/track issues and poor Poole rider performances.
I know its got a bit better recently but can't help vent some frustration about the fact we get into some decent positions and since 2016 (3 seasons) we keep blowing it. I remember vividly the 2016 season when we let a lead slip at Lakeside (Painful enough as I was there.....). That was with Holder in the side.
Of course I want to see the side do well and like many who like Poole it's so damned frustrating.
But my last post at least highlights for some not fully aquainted with this seasons only av where the problems are even though I am sure it is painfully obvious to most we have had problems. It also shows that other than Woryna (partly with the help of the reserve berth) none of the others are performing even to their season start GSA's. In effect not one of the other six. As for Spaniak I kind of party exclude him re his starting GSA as it SHOULD have been a crazy false low GSA for one of his reported talent. Even the Poole haters/dislikers were having a pop about the fact we had signed a ringer. Well that one had been put to bed big time.
I know its only end of June but you have to be a supreme optimist to really believe this side is play off material. I would however love to be proved wrong.
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This just highlights the level of under performance from our riders in 2018. This after last nights match and the actual GSA's for this season only based on 2018 League meetings.
Kurtz 7.05
Woryna 6.25
Sundstrom 6.07
Worrall 6.00
Josh Graz 5.68
Klindt 5.00 (from his 2 matches)
Spaniak 4.80
Observations:
Kurtz a full point below his starting GSA and not performing as a number one heat leader. Remember last night was 13 from 6 not 5 rides. But many said he was not a number one at this stage of his career. Matt thought otherwise and didnt factor in his new regime of 3 Countries per week of racing. In his defence his hands were partly tied due to the one over 8 rule and he was only just over.
Woryna has shot up mainly due to his reserve rides this month. If I am right does he not go back to the main team from 1stJuly as 23rd is cut off date for new GSA's meaning Klindt goes into reserve ??. Don't expect any big upgrade although riding better than season start.
Worrall is what he is a 6 pointer but even then his current GSA is below what he was retained on.
Josh G - Well stats dont lie and he we have a 7.35 starting GSA point man riding at 5.68 this season. Enough said as have well aired my opinion as to maybe why he is.
Sundstrom - I have said enough on previous posts about this guy and his scores overall prove it. Over a point below his starting GSA and its like Lahti revisited.
Klindt is already below his starting GSA of 5.78 after 2 matches and for me that is what he is. Will probably increase that after he goes back to reserve but ultimately he is what many have said a "Gating Tart" and will swing probably between 6 or 5 depending on whether he is in reserve or not. Him going to reserve and Woryna coming out is to Poole's loss as Woryna the better rider with more potential and Woryna won't get 6/7 rides which Woryna benefits from as a result of the usual various riders inconsistences & poor performances.
Spaniak - What a waste of expense that has been. A man signed on a false GSA based on all known overseas form in 2017 yet has bombed big time in both UK and more importantly for him in POL. It was his poor form yet again that cost Rybnik a win at the weekend. Scoring 1 point from 3 rides and he shares the mantle of a disastrous fall from grace with Lebedev's who was last seasons SEC Champion. Both are failing miserably for the relegated Rybnik side and both were new signings for 2018. If Matt had hindsight he would never have wasted the money on the guy. But it just shows one good season for a guy of 30 plus doesn't mean you are the next Jason Doyle. Maybe Matt should have looked more closely at his previou 3/4 seasons which were nowhere near as good in POL.
Anyway despite all my comments still plenty to play for this season is what we are constantly being told. Let's hope so.
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So. I suppose we can cut through the hype of the last 24 hours or so.
Vaculik not coming back to UK so that dumbs down any talk of Bjerre coming to Poole. Cant blame him and he will probably sign in Swe for 2019 after an injury in UK that could have cost him his season - GP place and possibly his career.
Madsen signs for Vetlanda which once again is probably further evidence that Uk in any form of a Speedway force is a busted flush.
Running out of any decent options and that's even IF Matt Ford has any intentions anyway in shelling out more money in what is increasingly looking like a lost cause in respect of 2018.
Last night yet again another case of points lost from a winning position. Has happened so often in the past 3 seasons.
Yet again it was rider inconsistencies that cost the team. Sundstrom yet again proved he is too much of a more out then in performer. Come on guys, 2 points from 4 rides for a guy who is supposed to be a heat leader. Yet again let the side down when needed. I can pick holes in others as the scores don't lie but what's the point. Its the same old same old for this season. From what I hear yet again we went from a winning position to a fortunate 1 point reading various media reports/posts. Once again it is reported as a good point. Got to keep up the positive hype huh ??
Perhaps Ford does have a last trick or two up his sleeve. After all we see comments like Skidder's about moves afoot. Believe it when I see it I think.
Must say that with NKI having recaptured his form I see it as KL/Leic & Som all possibly fighting for that 4th play off qualifying place with Pool and RH fighting over the wooden spoon. Hopefully RH will continue to be weak away (other than at Poole) and will finish below us. The ignominy of finishing bottom having gone into the season as many peoples favourite's would be too much for many to bare.
Anyway I said in a previous post that 3 matches may define our season. The away BV match - lost. I anticipate we may go out of KO Cup Wed (now that KL can use Doyle and Holder Jr for the crap Dane who would have struggled to have scored a point) and then we face BV again next week. Whatever the outcome I am still not convinced this team can make the play offs. I certainly can't see an away 3 pointer anywhere with so many inconsistent riders.
I do hope I am wrong but will take some decent new faces to change my opinion.
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3 hours ago, Skidder1 said:
To be in the top 4 (rather than the bottom 1 or 2, or 3) you need to win meetings or at least pick up some away points. Poole haven't been doing enough of that.
nb. Interesting to see so many fans jumping on the MJJ bandwagon??!
Not sure that any changes will be made in the short term although it may all revolve around changes elsewhere?!
Your last sentence looks a bit cryptic. May revolve around changes elsewhere ??
Hopefully not a team folding before the season ends thus freeing up riders ??? Nothing would surprise me with the doom and gloom surrounding the dwindling support around many of the clubs. Some surely cannot keep bleeding finance as some are currently.
Maybe not changes afoot then as you eluded to in your orginal post ?? Note also the word used changes. i.e more than one ??
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1 hour ago, Aces51 said:
There's a noticeable difference in the attitudes from fans of different teams. Poole fans seem quick to criticise and want changes as soon as riders go through a bad patch or don't live up to their expectations. Kurtz was a hero, the new superstar and now he is going through a bad patch he is constantly criticised, Josh G is what he is, a good second string, possible third heat leader, he is having a difficult time and so must go, Szczepaniak is not far off his starting average but because he was expected to be far better, a ringer, he must go.
At Belle Vue Cook had been going through a difficult time, the fans are loyal and supportive not calling for him to go and if this week is any guide, it seems he may be getting back to form. Drozdz has struggled, not achieving his starting average but again fans are not calling for his head, they can see he is giving 100% and like Cook,. he has had two impressive performance this week.
Maybe, just maybe, riders respond better when fans and teams offer encouragement and show loyalty than when they must feel the insecurity of knowing that there is a sword hanging over them.
Easier to be patient with the odd rider or two when like BV you are sitting close to the top and knowing you will probably comfortably make the play offs. BV have been in that situation for a good few years now even if they have just lost out in the semi's/finals.
BV have had riders lose a bit of form and then find it again but overall the team has performed well and has won more than it has lost thus allowing all to be patient in letting riders either find their feet or find some lost form.
When you have so many decent riders in a team like Poole had at the start of this season and of course there was excitement an a level perhaps of expectation. Then for various reasons the team finds itself bottom of the Prem with so many riders not performing it kind of beggars belief to be honest. Yes I know that some will say that this isnt POL and their form means nothing here but lets get a reality check. POL is the World's top league/s. Based on all logical form you would have expected Spaniak and Worna to have scored way above what their GSA's were and I reckon in the case of Woryna especially most if not all clubs would have bitten your hand off if you had offered him as a freebie without all the expense involved. Kurtz was a man going forward although in his defense I fully expected ups and downs as he finds his way as a 21 year old now also undertaking the rigours of POL/SWE/UK. The last week or two he has been bang out of form.
Sundstrom for me was a risk as his POL form wasnt good last season although his SWE form was ok. BUT he had not ridden UK for years and if he was that good then why didnt anyone go for him in the interim. This season he has been poor in POL and to a degree in SWE. Recently lost his place in POL to a returning Vaculik and wont find it easy to get back in imo. Now finding some form for Poole but with so many riding so bad its difficult to carry riders when the pressure is on and you sit bottom.
Josh G has been poor pure and simple and the stats dont lie. Yes again one of many not performing so pressure is building the more it drags on. Worrall is what he is - Can be good one minute - av the next. Not as good as his twin and maybe a 6/6.5 pointer is his level in Prem.
For me Klindt will be ok at reserve but he will always be iffy in the main body of the team.
Anyway if Poole ever get back to the giddy heights of a regular top 4 and looking good for play offs then I think most Poole fans will happily be patient in letting the odd rider find his way or rediscover some lost form. In the meantime you can't blame them for not being happy at the current situation. On paper this team did look good. I doubt if anyone expected them to be so bad with so many under performing.
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17 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Changes afoot - will surprise a few!!!!
There you go Skidder. You are throwing us some scraps again to tease us
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I always take on board comments you release as you are normally close to hearing whats going on locally
One thing I didnt factor in to an earlier post about where we might sit after 5th July is the fact that as it stands on the rolling GSA Av, come the next GSA's we could see Klindt and Woryna switch with Klindt going into reserve. Certainly makes us weaker than having Woryna in there. According to Poole site the stats show as of today with the rolling av Woryna is on 6.15 and Klindt on 5.73. We should not be surprised as at the very start of the season I was so hoping that Woryna would be our first reserve where he would have had it easier while trying to get his set up right and get used to our UK tracks again. Unfortunately Matt thought better by going for a so called strength in depth team with the mighty Spaniak coming in.
For sure irrespective of what the GSA's showed on Spaniak from many seasons ago, Matt seriously thought that based on his POL Nice League form of 2017 where he was top of the rider league rankings and his reasonably decent SEC form, he would probably be on at least 6.5 to 7 per meeting in UK after a few matches to bed in. That's my opinion on it. He was never signed to be a 4.5 to 5 point guy as IMO Matt would never have undertaken the expense.
There are a whole host of reasons for the problems this season in the team which could fill pages. Starting with the Holder issue even before we started. The bottom line is the riders on the track for one reason or another have not performed. I honestly don't believe Holder would have made too much difference anyway as he is back scoring not much different to last season. His best days are behind him and if he is not careful he will be out on his ar** in Torun as well as they continue to under perform as a team with him being one of the culprits.
We keep saying plenty to still play for but to me it will take a Herculean effort from whatever team to get anywhere near the top 4. It seems whoever we put in the team - you get one or two perform and other key members not.
Josh is not a bad rider overnight but you have to admit the timing with him culling the Champ for constant commuting back and forth to POL for both training and not even guaranteed matches is'nt without coincidence. Have never thought he would go to the top even though Matt said some seasons ago he saw him as a possible GP rider. Well you know Matt puts possible spin on as much as he can when it comes to the press/Echo. However we was always for me a steady 6.5 to 7.5 rider. Now he is nearer 5.5 he has been going that badly this season.
Notice you say CHANGES afoot. Indicates maybe more than one. Wouldnt surprise me to see Wright as one of them being an asset wont cost him anything.
I remain to be convinced. Maybe the odd rumour about MJ Jepsen has gathered some pace as he seems to have rediscovered the form he promised some years ago. Doing well in POL & SWE but who knows.
I await with eager interest
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I see that Poole's next 3 meetings are away to BV in Prem - home to Somerset in KO Cup flwd by home to BV in Prem.
I expect us to go out of the KO Cup over the 2 legs - Doubt we will get anything at BV with Garrity having proved a decent signing over last week or so and Poole could well bomb out in the home fixture.
Come 2 weeks time Poole could be out of the cup and possibly be bottom or 2nd bottom of the league with no real hope of making the play offs.
Not scaremongering just a reality check on what is Poole's nightmare 2018 season.
Can't believe all the positive spin being put out by the club in the media etc as if last nights performance was good. One report plus Steve Shovlar made it clear that Somerset were on 2 5-1's when poor Jake Allen was unlucky to get a puncture in one and hit a large rut in another which forced him out. Both times he was ahead of our so called Star riders.
Bottom line is we lost by 6 which should have been more. Thank God Woryna has finally started showing the potential his POL Form should be showing. Too many others are letting the side down. Kurtz seems to be struggling to adapt to racing in 3 Countries and his form is going backwards. Graz - Seems he is suffering with 2 Countries but amazing how far back he has gone this season. In 2018 he has gone from a 7 plus to a 5 plus after last nights poor effort.
Too many in and out performances and for me can see it continuing that way for rest of this season. Have seen nothing to suggest this team will get anywhere near play offs and even Ford at some stage will realise his attempts at positive spin in the media won't pay off. How long before he fires last years comment that many of this current team wont be in next years line up.
At least he wont have any conflicts with Kurtz on getting an 8 point plus man for next season. Having said that IF anyone wants to come and IF he can afford him which must be big doubts on both points. Kurtz could be on a bargain av for next season at this rate. The again maybe not unless he gets his backside into gear.
Assuming there is a next year as none of us know where British Speedway is going in the Prem in its current format with falling crowds and little money coming from outside.
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3 minutes ago, Pirates Of Poole said:
What can I say! Kurtz and Josh rubbish and how JG has kept his team place is shocking, people keep saying he will come good! Haven't seen it all season.
Wooden spoon I think
A reality check finally kicking in with those who know a few things about the sport.
Can't blame RR tonight as it produced 9 plus 1 for Klindt and IMO no way he would have scored that many.
The team is full of inconsistent riders (same story all season) and under achievers. How the hell riders such as Kurtz and Graz can score a combined 6 points from 8 rides on what was both their previous home track beggars belief.
Once again a rider dumped by the club comes back and bites them on the backside. Last season was KK and this season young Jack who for the record I NEVER wanted to be released but some egos are bigger than finding a solution to what was a frustrated young man last season who was also let down badly by the rest of his team. Going to be interesting what his attitude to Ford will be next season should he want him back/ He might be his asset but ultimately he cant make him ride. What a joke the whole Holder family saga has been with Chris's visa/permit problem and Matts attitude of nobody messes with me in regards to Jack.
One match doesnt make a season but this team doesnt look capable of lifting itself off the bottom, let alone finish in the top four.
YET AGAIN when the heat was on the riders didnt do the biz as in the final races. Look at the Wolves match - This match and no doubt others to see the point.Not just this season but last season and even the season before, Poole threw potentially match winning positions away.
Its incredible they pulled a point out of this one considering the rider let downs and missing out in important end of meeting races.
As for Brady - He has hit a bad spell as his performances in POL & Swe the last week or so not so clever - Josh G ?? well he is paying the price for choosing to ride in POL his new Citizenship nation. So much travelling each week between POL & UK even when not guaranteed a meeting and missing out on what he has spent his whole long career doing i.e both UK leagues has come back to bite him.
Dont care what some may say about Sundstrom he will always be a nearly man. 9 Plus 2 from 6 rides is not heat leader material. Yes again was not good enough in the last race. As for Spaniak - He was signed not to score 3/4 in line with his actual GSA but as another heat leader which Matt got sucked into based on last season's POL Nice form which he has got nowhere near this season and has struggled to even get in at time into Rybnik.
Not getting carried away with this result as its a defeat by 6 BUT it was against Somerset not BV/WOL or Swindon.
If I am wrong come season end I will happily put my hands up and say I was wrong. However like many Poole supporters who have been around the block a few times in this sport, one can spot when it doesn't look good. This is one of those times.
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1 hour ago, Starman2006 said:
You can only beat whats in front of you mate. I told everybody who would listen to give Sunstrom time, now he's slowly starting to find it, if you watch ht one again you will see he roared off into the distance, find that sort of form on a regular basis and you have those extra points, that we are looking for, Ritchie Worrell is the same,then Matt can shuffle the side accordingly.
His form abroad is the same concern as it was here, when he has the right machinery he's a class act, and he will get it right there as well. and with the aditional help that mr Smith of Bournemouth bedding has given him towards the engines things should continue on an upward curve.
Chris has been through hell in the last few years, some documented and some will not be, some he's maybe brought on himself and some out of his control, as a big fan of his, i will still support him from afar, Chris would still be a massive player for us, but sadly maybe not this season. Make no bones, this side has a lot of potential and it only has to string 2-3 results together and the rest of the league will be shaking. But everybody to there own, and i really couldnt give a monkeys what the merchants say on here they just talk from there keyboards, i saw enough weds to convince me we will still make the play off's. Weds the boys started to relax talk act as a TEAM, even Josh was doing his bit, even made a tongue in cheek quip when he came back in the pits after ht 11 i think it was, which everybody saw the funny side and we saw what the team could do, they are all good riders, who will hopefully grow in confidence off the back of Weds, the track will improve, believe me it has now got two weeks to bed in properly, the lads will have the dust under control, and most, of the junk has come off.
Everybody knows, you come to poole there is presure, but, after weds they will all grow in confidence, and when that happens the presure will come off. knowing they can, do a job.
As for Lambert riding for poole, difficult to say, who's to say he wont skip the uk altogether next season, but if he doesnt, and im very sure he wont be at Lynn next season, im sure that Matt could well look at him as that out and out No one. Brady still has a big future with Poole, and Woryna will grow in confidence at reserve, but lets keep the talk of next season, we still have plenty to race for this season..Sundstrom always had the ability as shown several years ago when he turned over the turbo twins in one race at Poole so its always been there.
Just feel that he has not pushed on as one would expect. Really had it all to be the next best Swede after Lindgren & Jonsson but hasnt quite got there. Yet that is.
Ultimately POL/SWE form means nothing as its what he does here that will be what he is judged on. Wasnt aware of the new help he has (you are closer to the pits talk and gossip then I can ever be). Hope he does keep up his recent UK form as he can gate but needs to be consistent. On his day he is VERY good.
Josh is a good steady team man who may fall just short on being a heat leader but he has been good for Poole over the years and hopefully will be that Mr Steady we need just like all teams need one. Plenty of experience and good to help bring younger riders along. An Aussie in effect with no baggage
Our wins dont have to be massive wins. Any win good enough for me although with a much tighter top 4 situation we don't want to hand too many BP away to teams around us. Could be important in that final calculation come season end. Still plenty to play for as many of the teams seem capable of beating each other week in and week out. Just want us to stay in the mix.
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11 minutes ago, Starman2006 said:
Nope, its all mine. and my views only.
Been called a Ghostwriter. That's a first.
Always happy to engage in good Speedway discussion and share opinions even if we will not always agree on certain points. What the forum is all about
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8 minutes ago, poole keith said:
think starman has found a ghostwriter,his last post was certainly not his usual style
Starman is always willing to engage with those who post sensible comment/speedway discussion.
He is a through and through Poole man where I live miles away in Chelmford, Essex so only get a chance of limited support. Doesnt stop my love of Poole or the sport in general though.
Starman will always try and find time to make sensible comment to people who post sensible and discussable Speedway content. Like me he doesnt want to engage with those who use the forum only to have a dig for the sake of it.
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13 minutes ago, The Doctor... said:
Other ‘Aussies’ haven’t been in the aggro he has. I’d be astonished if he ever got a work visa here again.
Indeed would not be surprised.
Hopefully (and if UK Speedway is going to retain its current format in 2019), Matt Ford can plan his team for next year without all the added drama Holder has brought to the sport over 2017 & 18. This drama which many don't know the serious and full reason behind it, can be put behind Poole who can plan a side without him for next year. Matt has tried to help all he can but ultimately he has a Speedway Club to run which has been damaged by this saga amongst all the other drama's of this season.
Matt has the nucleus of a decent side as Brady Kurtz will improve once he adapts to riding regular in POL/SWE/UK. Many forget he is still only 21 and this season is a massive learning curve for him without all the added pressures put on him by so many under achieving in the team and the lack of a proper recognised heat leader. His form has been as I expected it with ups and downs plus he still needs to mature mentally as has let himself down in some important races and finals. Also lets not compare him to Nick Morris. Nick is 3 years older but importantly he is in his 9th season in UK where Brady is in his 5th so 4 seasons less.
Still think Matt needs another decent new rider for 2019 to go alongside the likes of Kurtz & Woryna. He was gushing of Rob Lambert the other day (and rightly so as he has stepped up big time this season). Would be interesting if he could get someone to help sponsor the finance to purchase him as an asset as plenty of noises being made about him maybe needing a change of scenery in UK IF he chooses to ride UK next year that is. Will have no problem getting team places in POL EXL next season if he carries on as is as well as SWE and DK if he wants to give up UK for a less punishing schedule. For sure a full contract with a POL EXL Club would see to that just as it does with so many of the top riders.
The other thing is does Lambert live in UK now. I thought I saw somewhere he was living in Germany with his GF who is from overseas which in a way places less reliance maybe on UK. Although perhaps UK can give him both decent sponsorship - regular racing and perhaps what he earns would go some way to cover all his travelling expenses between the various Countries. UK may not be the big earner but sure comes in useful for the expenses a rider has around Europe ?? If he doesnt live in UK then I am sure Matt or Middlo would sort out accommodation when needed if he doesnt want to keep going to Norfolk to stay with mum ??.
Anyway just a thought.
Sundstrom would still concern me going forward. He has finally found some form but in both POL/SWE top leagues his form has been poor this season. I need convincing he can perform to Wed night level more consistently to be honest.
Plenty still to fight for this season but have this gut feeling we will lose out not having a real recognised number one when it matters. One match against a KL side missing half decent riders - a not fully fit or on form NKI and young Rob finally running out of steam in his last 2 rides after a manic week doesnt mean Poole are out of the woods yet. Remember them beating BV in that first home meeting against a weakened side glossed over some of the issues.
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6 minutes ago, Starboy118 said:
Going through the motions and producing plenty of them!
Maybe only riding UK because he lives in UK with his partner so gives him a chance to get home in between his busy schedule of POL/SWE/DK plus SGP and qualifiers plus other meetings incl the DK qualifiers.
I question whether he or Doyle would even bother with UK if they didnt have British partners/wives and have property here ??
If the so called Speedway superstars are not interested in UK as they get more for training in POL then why would it be different for these 2. Can only assume its because of these UK ties. At least riding UK also probably covers their expenses in and out of UK to SWE/POL if nothing else ?? Without a UK team then visiting loved ones and home in between these more lucrative Countries would have to come out of their overseas earnings.
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Bet Sundstrom not a happy bunny today.
Just read that Vaculik returns to Gorzow on Sunday and replaces Sundstrom.
Bearing in mind there are only 8 teams each of 7 riders, the fact he sits 42nd in the av tells its own story. Was similar in the 6 matches or so he rode late last season where he was down on a similar av. His 4 ride av is 4.27. The guy has been less than impressive and although some say a but unlucky in some rides, the stats don't lie. Only one win in 32 rides and 8 seconds. Not going to find it easy to get in again with the other riders they have. He can only get one of 5 slots with the 2 POL junior rule. Ok maybe as a number 8 picking up odd rides if others fail to impress but not named in the squad for this coming Sunday. Anyway if he scores like he did last night for Poole who cares.
Suppose he can concentrate more on Poole and his 2 Swedish teams. Not sure how it will affect him financially as he is part of the squad but no doubt a blow as no points - no money. Similar situation with Spaniak who was dropped for some matches by Rybnik. With Bewley also riding for the first time in their last match and getting a paid max sure won't help Spaniak's situation. Currently he only rides for Poole as in no SWE or DK team.
27•06•18 - Premiership - Rye House v Swindon
in SGB Premiership Speedway League
Posted
On your last comment. Indeed.
You have riders like Sundstrom at Poole doing UK - both Swe leagues plus POL or Hans Andersen doing UK/POL/SWE/DK.
There are others and how can you be so focused when you are riding in 4 countries per week. I personally think the likes of Brady Kurtz have suffered this season from taking on 3 per week for the first time this season. Just all the constant flying and travelling between airports and tracks is enough to take it out of most let alone do your best when racing all over Europe.
We rightly expect our teams riders to do their best when they turn out for us but how can they with such a workload and constant commuting. Just getting to and form airports - checking in - delays - Customs borders - onward movement to and from airport to tracks etc. It's all addl mental pressure. Two Countries is probably difficult enough but 3/4 ???.