STEVEHOLS54

Conflicting reports. One poster on Scunthorpe says broken tibia/fibia yet this morning the SGB said it was reported later no breaks. Someone is way out on info

Well after last night am a bit confused if Matt is planning a redeclaration. Although comments he made re top stars being too expensive may possibly scupper an 8 pointer coming ?? I really thought they may try to get Woryna in at reserve but as I see it his 4 from 3 rides plus Spaniaks 5 from 4 means by my calc that Woryna has a new GSA of 4.94 and Spaniak has 4.91. That blows my theory out of the water IF my calc is correct. Of course IF Nielsen is injured they could have both poles at reserve maybe ??. Perhaps also Matts thinking anyway if he is not aiming at a big hitting number one ?? I calculate Sundstrom now 6 - Kurtz around 7.61 - If Holder is coming back 7.16. Makes me wonder what he is planning now. Something has to happen though as no chance imo this current set of riders will make play offs let alone win the league.

I thought similar but perhaps with a better quality rider than Hans who I felt may be taking on too much now as he gets older. HOWEVER when I look at what we got in exchange i.e Sundstrom, how I regret him leaving. He has been as good if not better this season. Well better than last season and his last 7 matches he has been heat leader class. Only his not strong end to 2017 has dragged his 20 match rolling GSA down as in his 7 matches for Leicester he has been 8.42 at home (3 matches) and 9.43 away (4 matches). A bit different to Sundstrom huh ? who I won't repeat his current GSA as its way down in comparison. Sundstrom may prove me wrong come end of season (if he is still around !!!) but I am not convinced. Its only his 5.66 current impending GSA that makes it remotely interesting to keep him on and honestly I would rather have Worrall over Sundstrom any day if the team can get an agreement and his current GSA as of 14/5 was 6.36. IMO much better value than Sundstrom. Plus he is British and probably a lot lower cost than the Swede. Also factor in he is not busting a gut trying to race in 2 SWE Leagues/POL and Sweden (4 leagues). He only does UK and some meetings in POL. I think its easier doing Prem/Champ as you are travelling in the one country and you are based here so not constantly flying in and out of UK, not only for meetings but also going back home to his family in SWE after each UK meeting (and POL). Anyway let's see what tonight brings us and what news comes out maybe during the next week.

Not just me then who was thinking same?? See my post just now on Poole 2018 Hopefully we will have enough to secure the 3 points though. Will be ok with even the smallest margin win

I wonder if Sundstroms SWE team are losing patience. One point from 2 rides and then tactical subbed in his last 2 rides maybe says something about his form. Not doing anything really in POL/SWE and his much lower impending new UK GSA tells its own story I suppose. He quite rightly should have a higher UK av compared to POL/SWE as the standard is well below overall. However perhaps his 5.66 current av for 7 matches for Poole tells its own story. Surprisingly with BP his av is 7.31. But for someone signed as a replacement for Hans A its not a good return - Many of his BP have been when coming 3rd when he should be winning races plus from 29 rides only 4 wins. Personally I dont see any big improvement but maybe on his lower GSA he will keep picking up BP in 2nd but more likely 3rd. Anyway going to be interesting tonight. Woryna and Spaniak on exactly the same av going into tonights last qualifying match for the first new GSA's for new riders. In a way I really hope Woryna scores one point less than Spaniak (Get as many bonus points as you like as they dont count for the GSA). That way Woryna would slip nicely into the reserve berth where I can see him doing a lot of damage plus pick up plenty of extra rides. Brady will hopefully keep his 20 match rolling GSA just shy of 8 and he is on 7.63.If he scored even a 15 point max he would still only creep up to 7.84 so shy of 8. If it pans out this way win/lose or draw, it will be interesting to see if Matt does redeclare the team with a new 8 point plus rider to accommodate. We shall see.

Skidder - The comment was more aimed at the state of British Speedway. Its no secret that Matt was already feeling the pinch financially with no DECENT TV money prior to season start. Add to that the big meeting wipeout with all that bad weather and the expense of flying in and putting up all those riders plus the big bash with no incoming revenue to balance the books. Add to that the wipeout early season of meetings incl the meeting BH against Somerset that wld normally attract a big crowd. Not enough money for the kevlars (polish it up how you want but for me no modern speedway team in a top division should not have its own team kevlars). You can add to that poorer than normal attendances - fixed nights which not affecting Poole so much but its openly reported on the BSF that crowds are down or falling. IF and i say IF Poole crash and burn this season and with whats going on elsewhere, can Matt and the not so well off Clubs afford to maintain Speedway in its current format. The point I was eluding to is will the format of British Speedway change if clubs cant afford the big boys any more and are we slowly heading towards one major league ?? When you hear Matt Ford is finding it tight/tough and if he has another not so good season (as last year and so far this season), will he have the heart and fight to continue in the top flight. Same comment for others where you hear the NSS is also struggling on crowds partly due to fixed night racing and also more likely due to the continued falling interest in our sport. Matt had a successful team in the past which kept the crowds coming in. Having had supporters spoiled with that over the last decade plus, it soon hits the pocket when you get a team who struggle to even get home wins.

The wiser heads amongst us who have followed the sport for many years, know a rider with a lot of potential when they come along. What Jack and Brady need in any team is proven heat leaders to do their jobs so that these guys can develop. Unfortunately Darcy also being an Aussie set the bar ridiculously high that we may never see such a natural talent again like it. Doesnt mean to say Brady & Jack won't go to the top. They need to be brought along at their own speed and both have already made major leaps this year into the POl EXL with Brady also being in SWE Elite. Give them both time. I think both are ahead in development than say Nick Morris was at their age and Morris from a UK perspective has proved patience pays off. He is now slowly breaking into POL admittedly at League 2 but he is on the ladder. As for Kyle - Yes such a pity that injuries have curtailed his progress. Maybe not a top/top rider but a good team man who should get decent points with a clear run in the team. All teams need a workhorse or a rider who you can rely on week in and out. I think Kyle is one like that who probably would have been at Kyle Howarth's level had he kept clear of incidents. I remember seeing his in some good races for Poole against Howarth some years back where Newman came out on top in plenty of hard races between the 2. Let's hope he can recapture that form and consistently.

i think Jack is an angry loser which is a good sign as its one of a fighter/competetive racer. He is only 6 months older than Brady but has one season less in UK than Brady did having stayed in Aussie an extra year I believe to complete an apprentiship. I was a big supporter of Jack and feel he should have been kept. Just like Brady he had a lot put on him in a team of heavy underachievers last season and as usual riding for Poole too many thought they should/would win the league. His biggest problem was that his immaturity spilled out into the pits with some foul mouthed outbursts to Matt and the Management got him into hot water. It was his way of pouring out the emotions of not riding well as he and the team wanted and it got the better of him. Not good for his then relationship with Matt but at the same time let's not be too hard on a young guy who has a lot of aggression which needs channeling on the track like riders such as Nicky Pedersen. Not always popular but you are judged by what you do on the track. That bit of aggression can be the difference between being just another rider or hopefully a top rider. I hope to see him back next season and riding away at Somerset for a season tkes the pressure off a bit for too many thinking he is another your Chris Holder or Darcy Ward. Just like Brady he will have plenty of ups and downs before he is the real deal. Friday he wasnt so good for Torun yet on Saturday he was runner up in a GP qualifier with the likes of Pawlicki/Bukzkowski/Kildermand/Smolinski/Howarth out of the places. If Chris can get things sorted once and for all then would still be good to see them together at Poole next season. Of course if we still have Prem league racing at Poole by then should it all go t*ts up this season. (Hopefully it won't but it's a worry seeing how most teams can beat each other making a top 4 slot more difficult imo).

Don't get me wrong Steve as I would prefer both (and the rest of the team for that matter), rode to what their ability supposed to be otherwise Matt would not have signed them. However the figures don't lie. Whichever way you look at it Sundstrom in 8 POL matches last year achieved 4.5 and this year its 4.6 from 6 matches. I accept that maybe there are times when he didnt have the luck or something happened but you can use that argument for lots of riders. The fact is that in his last 14 POL EXL matches he has achieved only 4.5/4.6. Perhaps that is his true level in that League and will always fall short of a real breakthrough at top level ??. Even is SWE Elite he scored 12 from 9 rides this season. OK add a couple of bonus points. Even so hardly heat leader scores. Maybe he will improve but can't help thinking maybe he is a 5/6 point man and his soon to be new GSA reflects that. As for Spaniak. I dont quite get it. IF he is there number one then against one of (if not the) weakest team in the league, it would surely have made more sense to have him ride as there were nailed on to win anyway. It would have done him good to have hopefully scored plenty of points and also done his confidence some good after some inept performances for them so far. Instead they put Cook in who has proved his worth which may now affect Spaniak getting back in the team even if he is there supposedly No 1 (or was). Yes they have a squad system but I don't get why drop the guy at home to arguably the weakest team. Maybe they want to justify signing Cook in the first place and give a kick up the backside to Spaniak. If they dont then Spaniak only has UK as not in SWE/DK/SEC or SGP. Anyway. Hopefully we will get some insight into what the team plans are end of this week. Maybe also some news on Chris Holder. Havent seen anything since this alleged injury. I saw the match (all in Polish) and didnt realise he had an injury. All I saw were plenty of shots of Holder brothers sitting or standing with sour faces as there team got hammered again. Also NKI didnt look too happy (I supposed at being replaced) but that was before he got some rides due to both Holders being replaced during the meeting. (Which I thought viewing it was down to their poor riding for Torun). Is Holder injured and is it short term ?? - Is his Visa almost fixed ??. Seems always too many questions on the guy last 2 seasons but let's hope there is a resolution one way or the other shortly, same with whatever Matt is planning second half of the season.

Yeah but Poole have got the likes of Sundstrom and Spaniak this season..... Saw this after my last post ;-)

Couple of observations from the weekend with 2 of our new riders. Sundstrom scored only 2 points from 4 rides despite Gorzow firing in 53 team points. Cant help wondering how long they will persevere with him before they drop the guy. Hasn't done anything in the 6 matches he has ridden. Sits on a 4.6 - 4 ride av and a 3.33 - 5 match av, plus sits 43rd of the 51 regular riders used so far in POL EXL. Near enough where he was in the 6/8 matches he rode for them end of last season. Surely Gorzow they will empty him soon at this rate. His 2 match SWE Prem matches also not inspiring. Let alone his performances in UK (so far). I must admit I thought his new GSA (which will be around 5.66 to 5.7 looks attractive if Ford is redeclaring a new team. My concern is that he isnt really doing that well in any League so its not just a UK thing. Will he improve ?? Spaniak dropped by Rybnik again Sunday for second time in 6 matches (embarrassing considering he is their number 1) and his replacement Craig Cook seems to have found his form with a 5 ride paid max (plus he just won the SGP qualifier today in which Piotr Pawicki didnt qualify due to a last ride tape exclusion (ouch I bet that hurt him big time....). So Spaniak isnt really riding anywhere at the moment except Poole. Who would have thought that based on his last seasons form. He is sitting on a 4 match av of 4 per 5 ride av. Still its a long season, but even so the stats don't lie.

Would you want to get rid of Sundstrom ??? For all his under performance so far he is sitting on a rather enticing 5.66 GSA with only the Home match against Wolves to go before he gets his new GSA under the 4H - 4A rule. Meaning form 1st June he would be sitting close to his current 7 match GSA. If one asked a the start of the season could you sign him at around 5.66 most I think would have said yes. FYI he scored 13 paid 14 from 5 rides last night is SWE 2nd Div, which ok not their Prem league but shows he can ride when he wants to. If Matt Ford is heading towards another 8 pointer (if he can afford one and if one is available) then to me Sundstroms much lower GSA against his season starting 7.17 assessed makes it a no brainer to retain him. Unfortunately Josh G could be the one in danger as he is caught up with the 20 match rolling GSA where is current av is 6.57 against his starting 6.79. Looking at who could be the more likely to improve his av I would think its Sundstom who also fits nicely into a redeclared team with an 8 pointer to come in. IF a redeclared team is where Matt Ford is heading, with Holder also coming back in (Finally). Also Sundstrom has the most Bonus points (12) so far which helps keep his potential true av lower as BP are not included in the GSA. Brady Kurtz is also on 12 BP which fortunately dont get incl and are helping to keep his GSA below that magical 8 point figure i.e 7.63 on his 20 match rolling GSA. Of course my theory on all this could be blown out of the water the end of next week if Ford doesn't go for another 8 pointer, in which case I question where this team may end up. Will be interesting to see how this all ends up.

I would hope we sneak a win (just) as we are at home. No matter if Wolves score a point as they will be in play offs anyway with their home advantage this season. Important thing will be (hopefully). Nielsen scores lots at reserve (he can score plenty as he will hopefully keep his 3.67 having not ridden enough meetings to get a new GSA). Spaniak scores at least one more than Woryna (meaning Woryna would become a reserve from 1st June). Its incredible that they are both on the same GSA after Wed meeting although Spaniak scored more BP. Brady to make sure he scores steadily (should be ok as his 20 match GSA is around 7.67). Sundstrom will have a new lower attractive GSA which will help accomodate hopefully a new 8 pointer. Holder has to do nothing as he will come in on his attractive starting GSA of 7.16 although I am not expecting too many fireworks. I would settle for 46-44 win with team redeclaration news to follow within a few days afterwards.

Would be good timing together with a redeclared team

That's why I said in earlier posts that I think he will redeclare when the new rider GSA's come out and taking also advantage of Kurtz's current 7.63 rolling GSA after last night - Holders 7.16 - Sundstrom/Woryna/Spaniaks lower/new GSA's after the last qulifying meeting on 23/5 - Nielsen keeping his 3.67 as not ridden enough meetings for a new GSA - plus a new 8 pointer. There is now way he will drop Kurtz. Also I think its fair to Brady who had an av almost dead on 8 points but for me was always going to struggle to keep that being a new number one with also all the POL/SWE commitments and still learning his trade. The good thing about the 20 match rolling GSA is that it is more reflective of his true av and cannot also be viewed as rigged just based on say new riders 4H-4A where they are establishing themselves in a new league or havent ridden for some years. For me Ford will go for option 2 and if he doesn't then I for one will be VERY surprised.

Did he not say at the start of the season that Team Lindgren needed a min earning budget to consider UK ???. Much of Wolves decision was based on the finance of Freddie against Thorssell who I believe was a lot cheaper. Also Freddie lives in that tax haven of Andorra. Tough at the top huh ??? I am sure if the money was rigjt then Team Lindgren would ride UK but agree it would be expensive. Don't think he is committed to DK so no clash with them but for sure flying out between Andorra/POL/SWE/UK. His commuting costs wold be a packet with mechanics - equip etc/etc and thats without his actual cost to ride here.

Yes not an easy decision in a sport which is arguably dropping further in fan support looking at some of the comments coming from BV Fans etc BV etc. If the all singing and all dancing NSS is struggling to attract over 1000 then maybe some harsh and tough decisions need to be taken at the end of this season. Poole arguably have not been hit so bad as they kept their Wed night as not reliant on Danish League racers so dont lose out. What has hit their crowds imo is a combination of the rain offs/poor weather - poor start for the team as not lived up to what many expected (incl myself). Even last night had an element of doubt with rain soaked track delaying the start and even then RH took better to it. Or was it because RH had so many experts of the Poole track - or maybe Poole riders were poor (as shown in most meetings so far) - Maybe the truth is a combo of all of those factors. Another 300 souls per meeting would bring in say £5.5K plus extra's. Is it enough ?? or would sponsors also plug part of that cost. Who knows. The fact remains that if Matt leaves it as is we may well see a continuance of falling crowds if the team under perform. You are kind of damned if you do and damned if you dont. If Matts main source of personal income is from Poole Speedway then surely he has to do something in what supposed to be (and was well reported and advertised) a very special season. Let's be honest even if you look on the BSF Forum the amount of posting is hardly inspiring in general. Poole themselves by far take up the biggest content and even on here the input is at times slow to poor in contributors. Its like real interest in sensible dialogue and opinion is on the wain. Thats no dig at those who contribute as we need as many as possible, but we need more constructive contribution and less of what some call trolling/digging for the sake of having a pop.

Hence my earlier posts about how Matt Ford may well redeclare his team with an 8 pointer and keeping Brady Kurtz (and Chris Holder) and still be within the 42.5 point limit for June (and onwards). I suppose we will find out if I am anywhere near the mark with my thoughts in the next 10 days or so. I hope so as I feel that will be the difference between a challenging for the title team or one stuck in the pack. For me Brady is still learning and doesnt deserve the pressure of being an out and out number one at only 21. He has lots to learn and has already done well to be in such a lofty position in the Poole team plus now signed in POL EXL and Swe this season. He will improve as its as much mentally with him as well as skill on the bike, which he certainly has. If Chris is coming back I would expect hi to be steady if not spectacular. That proven heat leader for me is what may define Poole's season ultimately. Still fairly early doors but Poole need to fight its way up the league first. A top rider will lift some of that pressure off Brady and if the other newbies do improve (as we hope) and with a strongish reserve pairing then there is indeed optimism going forward.

Don't disagree with a lot you say Starman. BUT.... I can't help thinking Matt has something up his sleeve to come in and accomodate these new GSA's that will come in after the Wolves home meeting as that is the last qualifying date for the new riders this season (4h - 4A). What with Brady also now on target to be below 8 for June (7.63 on his rolling 20 match GSA going into the Wolves match)so allows another heat leader. I assume excl Nielsen who could be a real ace in the pack if he can keep that 3.67 going into June. he should do with what will be only 4 matches completed. We have 6 matches between 28/5 and 27/6 and would be nice if we could get Woryna also at reserve where with a 6/7 ride possibility could be another ace up the sleeve. We have already seen him starting to improve riding if not points wise and wouldnt surprise me if it all comes together for him June onwards. I see Poole have updated their stats on the website for the riders. Incredibly Woryna and Spaniak on exactly the same potential GSA of 4.90. Spaniak slightly higher if you factor in BP. Will be interesting if they make sure Woryna scores at least one point less than Spaniak for that last GSA qualifying meeting next Wednesday ;-) I just feel that if they can get a reasonably consistent top man (and I dont mean Chris as he is too inconsistent until he proves to me otherwise), then this team probably really can scale some heights as some of these riders who have been struggling really start showing what they are capable of. As I said before. Could be an interesting week or so on the team news front.

Wouldnt be the first time that rumour surfaced as it happened preseason as well. I do hope there is some team replanning being thought through as to have so many riders under performing to such a level is a concern. I cant see anyway this current lot will be challenging in the present format even if we are a long way off the play offs. A point against an understrength BV and another against a not great RH side is not optimistic for muchj needed points on the road if we are going to get into the play offs. Most of the sides seem capable of beating each other which means for me those top 4 spots are going to be harder than maybe last season. Suppose all will be revealed in the coming week or so after the Wolves match when we will know if these artificially low new GSA's are part of some plan to accomodate another top heat leader. If people think Holder coming back will change things big time, I am not convinced based on what I have seen so far. First GP was pretty good but his POL/SWE League from has been his typical inconsistency of the last season or so. We shall see.

I would happily take him or Piotr Pawlicki :-) Supposed we will just have to dream as to what Matt is thinking/planning ;-)

Last nights result also bears out my thoughts of earlier. For Poole all that was important was a win and 3 points. They get no further points irrespective of the 47-43 win or if they had thumped in 60 points and would also have ended up with higher potential new GSA's as a result. I hope that is the case as if these riders were all riding supposedly at the top of their game then such a result against a Rye team who have so far been hammered away and i expect will continue to do so, was hardly an inspiring team performance overall. I would hope it was more to do with the team post 1st June ;-)

I am starting to think more and more that an 8 pointer may be on his way, if the supposedly twice spotted Piotr Pawliki in Poole rumour is true. For me the current team stats would also back it up. Although surprisingly Poole on the website have been a bit slow to update the GSA's after last nights meeting even though they have updated the league table. Makes me think, I wonder why. Maybe trying to keep some of the planning under the current radar as still Wolves at home to go before the new rider revised GSA's apply under the 4H - 4A rule ?? My take on it (for what its worth) and for those who like playing the numbers game. Firstly I think Nielsen having only recently been signed will keep his season assessed 3.67 as he would only have ridden 4 meeting after the last qualifying meeting next week. Not the 4H- 4A so will keep 3.67. If so I reckon we could have. B.Kurtz on approx 7.60 after last night on his 20 meeting rolling GSA AV C.Holder 7.16 (His starting GSA having not ridden) Woryna at approx 4.91 Mats Spaniak 4.95 (Is Kacper close to dropping into the reserve slot ???. I wouldnt complain if thats how it pans out). Nielsen hopefully retained ?? at 3.67 Mystery rider 8.00 ?? I calculate those 6 to total approx 36.29 leaving 6.21 to get to the 42.5 limit. Now rather interestingly Sundstrom is on target for a new GSA after his 4H - 4A of about 5.66 - Grazoniak is on target for about ??? he was on a 20 match rolling GSA of 6.62 after Mondays match and would have dropped slightly but not by much after last night. Arguably doesnt fit in a redeclared side IF Matt is thinking along these lines. Sund would fit with his reassessed GSA. Of course these are just my thoughts. Other opinions are available ;-)

Any chance we can get Magic back ????? Has scored 12 points from 4 rides with Holder having 2 zero blow outs on the trot. A bit like Holders form in POL. Too many inconsistent rides with the odd flashes of brilliance. Think this is what we may get when he returns to Poole. I am not a believer that he will turn us from this seasons also ran's to play off status personally but thats just an opinion. I still think we need a top guy as Brady will continue his up and down scores as he develops around Europe. Its all part of a riders progress as they come to turns with all the different tracks - set ups and hardening up to being consistently at the top. Let's not forget he is only 21 and maybe another 3/4 years before he is true heatleader class throughout Europe. (Assuming he makes it as he is well on the way). Its all a learning curve. Anyway - Passing the forum over to others as on here for too long tonight ;-)

Brady must have been looking in. He just won a race beating Andreas Jonsson and Rob Lambert in the process.