STEVEHOLS54
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Posts posted by STEVEHOLS54
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21 minutes ago, Trees said:
Bet Matt wishes he hadn't kicked CH 'in the b*lls' last year...... maybe you might've had him in the team from the start of the season...
Let's put things into perspective here.
CH was dropped only because of the CRAZY BSPA rule which gave likes of Chris a 12.53 GSA. He was never going to achieve anything like that, and based on his VERY in and out form since the Darcy accident and personal relationship split issues at home he was arguably no better than a 7 pointer last s eason. As his real GSA turned out to be while with KL. I am not even convinced he would have scored higher than 8 even if he had rode for Poole. Just look at his results and av in both POL and SWE to see how he had fallen from grace. His POL team should have been relegated to Nice 1 had it not been for the Laguta drugs case which got his team relegated instead of the rightful wooden spoonists Torun.
He was dropped to give Poole a better chance of having more points throughout the team. Had KK ridden to anywhere near his potential/real av it would not have been a problem.
Let's not get into the KL issue as enough aired on it. He got his ban, served his time and most know the visa issue is more complicated but nobody can talk about it for fear of their posts being removed.I don't know the actual issue but have maybe an idea. Not for this post but is jut another kick in the teeth for Matt on top of the other issues of riders not performing.
On paper Matt had a very attractive team which SHOULD have had all round strength to take some of the pressure off Kurtz who is still finding his way. On paper Spaniak should have been a very strong reserve and Woryna should have been regularly banging in 7/10 per meeting against the quality overall in UK. Sundstrom should have been steady and at least holding his assessed lower GSA at start of the season based on what he could do in POL/SWE. The facts are that none of then did. With also Josh coming up short the problem is evident. Even Killer didnt do it in my eyes (but then his results in POL in 2017 and early 2018 said its own story and his fall from the SGP).
Maybe some Poole fans partly deserve the gloating form others based on how the team was lauded up. You can blame the management as well for that as Poole have always been high profile in how they advertise/play the media on signed riders.
But the forum is there for the lovers/haters and in betweeners when it comes to contributions. Suppose it makes the thing more interesting to have different views even if some of them seem to go out of their way to be antagonistic towards others. The latter we can do without but suppose you cant have it perfect
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Matt seems to be in a difficult situation.
His Echo comments seem to be setting us up for the fact the top riders dont want to come. Or also part of the reason is those that MIGHT be interested would involve mega bucks together with all related flight costs and also maybe unsustainable parent club expensive guarantees for the riders Polish teams in the event their top riders were injured. Even more so for their talented youngsters like Drabik/Smektala/Kubera. Can't say I blame them with the amount of money tied up in POL with sponsorship etc and the affect it could have on a POL EXL team if one of these guys was injured.
Maybe we just have to accept now that with the perilous state of British Speedway - we cant afford them - many don't want to come here and we cant affords the crazy insurance guarantee premiums for their POL clubs with no doubt crazy high premiums in a hazardous sport on our smaller, questionable quality tracks.
The likes of Doyle/Iversen/Holder live in UK and have property/family so have a vested interest in UK. Some come here as they are in their thirties and are arguably in the advanced stage of their careers so want as many teams/countries as they can fit in during maybe the last 5 years or so of their careers so want to boost income.
The problem Poole have is that Matt created a bit of a monster in respect of the teams he has put out over the last ?? years and its really since the Darcy situation (both his 1 year ban and subsequent accident) which coincided with our fall from grace as a speedway nation that we now partly paying the price. it wasnt that long ago where we had Pawlicki's/Janowski/Holder/Ward . Now we have riders who were supposed to be potential hidden gems who are/have not performed.
Perhaps there has been an element of arrogance amongst some fans but any different to a lot of sports where you have had a dominant source for a number of years ??. Having a forum also sets such a club up to be shot at when we fall from grace. Human nature I suppose and always plenty wanting to gloat when it goes wrong.
Matt has done well with his signings in the past and he has been shrewd over the years utlising the rules to his advantage where he saw fit. Ok the last 2 years (especially last year and so far this) it hasn't panned out. BUT not many thought they would struggle to this degree. The 2 Poles that even with their relative inexperience of UK tracks should have been better based on lst seasons form in both POL EXL/Nice 1. Did we really expect Sundstrom to be so bad (apart from Wed performance). Yes there were risks but they still should have been better. Same with Josh although I didnt expect him to be a real HL as been around the block a long time in UK and feel his standard in Prem is between 6&7 imo.
Holder situation- Less said the better as its just an addl kick in the b*lls for Matt.
So as it stands we are a Holder type short and an 8 pointer as really unfair to throw it on young Brady (yet again).
Let's hope he can salvage something but even from his comments in the Echo he is maybe bracing himself for another possible 2009 scenario.
One thing seems also certain though and that is that in the main we can probably forget seeing the real big stars again. That makes me think increasingly that perhaps one big league may be the way forward or perhaps split into 2 Leagues with a mixture of some stars who want to ride here. No idea how you put it together but that's what we have the BSPA for isn't it?
P.S: Looking at that one heat from the recent RH V Swindon match posted on SGB today. That perhaps gives you some idea of how bad the crowds are for a Prem match. Can't see them surviving in Prem with such a poor looking crowd. Check it out. Or is it me ??
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11 hours ago, lisa-colette said:
Looks like Klindt is looking likely. Not sure how many clashes there would be with Denmark though..
This article seems to be Ford kind of setting us all up for disappointment on the team change front.
He may well bring in some changes but reading this article it seems to near enough be saying that he cant convince anyone to come and chances are he cant afford the cost involved either.
Klindt possibly for who ??. I thought good possibility at reserve last season but even before his injury I was starting to have doubts what impact he would have when taken out of riding against juniors and low pointed Prem riders. He has done ok in DK but even then a lot of not so good riders can accumulate points over there. Last night was not good but he did have some retired rides so assume engine problems. Even so he has not been inspiring so far in his meetings for Scunthorpe. Don't forget though it was his poor Champ GSA that got him into Poole in the first place on the Prem conversion last season.
Maybe try and sign Auty for the not so clever Spaniak ?? and ride with Woryna at reserve. Risks again but cant be worse than Spaniak and Nielsen. Stefan would have had good and bad meetings and hopefully Auty can be like for like swap (maybe even better). If Woryna cant better Spaniak then for sure we have a problem when a rider of his supposed ability cant do it from reserve.
The article doesnt inspire confidence imo and feeling a lot less optimistic we will have a proven heat leader in the team come redeclaration. While many think Holder also wont be in the team then we could be heading for where we sit currently in the league.
We shall see but cant say its looking too clever.
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8 minutes ago, Call me wolfie said:
Meetings up to and including the 23rd of the month are included in the new GSA's and are applicable from the 1st of the following month so Mondays meeting will have no bearing on June's GSA's
Didnt think so which raises the question why did Matt allegedly say it.
Wont really affect much as maybe Ford is thinking after Monday of having the 2 Poles at reserve anyway with any team changes/redeclaration. Or he could be thinking of binning one of them ?? Cant believe Woryna would be going though.
Just think last night was a missed opportunity to have Woryna at reserve for at least a month. Having said that Spaniak in the main team ??? - No thanks, not the way he is riding.
Maybe Auty and Woryna as reserves - could be a lot worse in that department the way Auty has ridden this season for Scunthorpe, he's been punching in plenty of high scores to date.
Just got to wait for any team change news to break next week I assume ??
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6 minutes ago, ray c said:
Never new auty was an asset ?
Was under the impression he was only cover for Monday and thought Matt was in negotiation with another Poole asset which he would have news on next week following Mondays meeting after which he says the riders new GSA's will be known. 9Thats what the SGB release said). Wouldnt surprise me if its Klindt but he is on a Danish contract and has ridden all 3 matches out there so far on a WED. Unless of course more money on offer here with more meetings as he is UK based.
Now i am not being padantic on that BUT yes Monday is before end of the month being 28th BUT this is how i read the SCB rules set out in assessing riders/new riders GSA's. I was under the impression it had to be a cut off the 23rd of each month. Hence why I have posted comments about it. Rules shown below
16.2.1.4 Updated MA’s will be calculated monthly on a rolling basis on all eligible meetings, up to and including 23rd of the month to become effective from the 1 st of the following month. 16.2.1.5 NDL Established MA’s are issued when a Rider completes 4 NL Meetings (irrespective of whether home or away) to be effective 7 days after the last qualifying Meeting. 16.2.1.6 A SGB Premiership or Championship assessed League rider will establish an MA after 4 Home and 4 Away fixtures, becoming effective 7 days after the last qualifying Meeting.
Is Matt incorrect - has the SGB release been made out of context or are the SCB who write the rules incorrect ??
I ask as if the new GSA's are set AFTER Mondays away meeting at Wolves then chances are the riders GSA's for june will probably drop again.
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Well if as it seems from posts on last nights match, poor Stefan could be out for the season.
Maybe the SGB should withdraw both the video and comments about "later reported no major injury" if the broken fibia/tibia is correct which a few have now seemingly good info on having spoken to him.
Looks as if Matt Ford really will have some replanning as such cruel luck certainly wasnt on the agenda even if he was initially signed for 28 days. With such a low GSA I would have thought Matt had him penciled in with working the team with him in it.
Having said that with Woryna having ridden a point or so out of the reserve berth (before Stefan's injury outcome known), I really do wonder what he is planning now. Maybe it will be the 2 Poles at reserve and work around them and Brady.
Suppose just got to be patient but I am preparing myself for maybe some underwhelming news perhaps. Hope I am wrong.
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26 minutes ago, MrMungo said:
Definitely broken leg. It is completely unnecessary to me SGB have actually uploaded a video of the crash, and quite frankly appalling that they give out wrong information.
Agree on both points.
There was plenty enough racing last night to have concentrated on something far less palatable. As for the wrong comment they made as to his injury - Why am I not surprised.
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6 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Lahti is going really well on the continent!!
Anyway back to last night, the track was done to the riders request after a long post-meeting 'lock-in' after last week's meeting!!
The forecasted evening showers duly arrived mid-meeting but were only light and not enough to keep the dust down. Even the 'blue groove' appeared again but on turn 3-4 this time.
However Poole's main problem still seems to be the inability to consistently gate!!
Linus picked up Rider of the Night and fully deserved it in his best meeting so far. I see from earlier comments that Kacper Woryna has been getting some stick, but he provided some great action in some of the best races last night - albeit being taken out of heat 9 by a Kurtz T/S.
As for the Poole rumourmill, well it seems there may be further complications for CH's return. Also although there are a couple of 'big-hitters prepared to come in, they both want a 'guarantee' plus flight costs, so I doubt that will be the way forward although you can always suspect that MF has some alternative options - even though they may not be to everyone's liking?!
Onwards and upwards (well it can only be upwards....!)
I really thought that Woryna slipping in to the reserve slot would be a big plus with a 6/7 ride possibility. He could easily have done that last night but by my calc Spaniak is ahead by a crazy .03 of a point. All it needed was Woryna to score one point less from same amount of rides as Spaniak. Again thats IF my calc are correct.
Linus proved me wrong last night BUT the stats dont lie. He last 14 matches in POL EXL have been poor and he has not started great in SWE after 3 meetings. My concern would be him falling back into his previous UK/SWE/POL form of so far this season. Having said that his new 6.00 GSA will be useful maybe in team rebuilding ??
The poss further delay of Holder is indeed frustrating, but honestly from what I have so far this season I dont see him as their saviour and would not surprise me if he just holds his av. (If he comes back as patience must be on borderline now).
It is definitely a recognised number one they are missing but of course comes down to both finance and who is available anyway. Maybe Matt let comments out about the high cost of the real stars as a prelude to a bit of a let down IF he is planning changes. If thats the case then it just strengthens the argument that top flight speedway is maybe on the ropes with falling crowds - less decent sponsorship. Let's not forget that although Poole Volvo stepped in, I am sure it was nowhere near the lost Readypower deal (which I read was in excess of £100k per season ??). Add to that the loss of the Sky deal for much lower BT offer, falling crowds - cancelled meetings and it kind of sums up where we are. A club that cant even afford to kit out its own riders let alone maybe pay top Dollar for any stars that may be available.
Makes you wonder what 2019 will bring.
Anyway lets see what/if Matt does in the coming week.
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4 minutes ago, A ORLOV said:
Really feel sorry for Stefan, he has had injuries in the last few years, usually as soon as he gets back to form from the previous one.
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
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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.
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3 hours ago, Sidney the robin said:
It is going to be very interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks i still think Poole can pull things around but with King's Lynn in the mix it wont be easy.The base of the side that i thought might start in 2018 for the Pirates was Holder ( both) Brady, Hans, Woryna, i was very worried about the look of that spine just think those riders with two others it looks pretty strong.
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.
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14 hours ago, thecoombdog said:
46 44 to Poole. Don't know why but I've got a funny feeling we will see a few engine failures and tape exclusions tomo.
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
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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.
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19 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Not sure why someone suggested some doubt as to whether there would be Premiership racing at Poole next season? I mean its not as if there's promotion/relegation anymore?!
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.
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14 minutes ago, Starman2006 said:
I cant add to that, except to say, if both ride for Poole next season Chris will be able to keep him in check Jack has the abillity to go a long way in the sport but needs to calm his emotions and as he matures he will. Thing is as you know, expectations are very high at Poole, and riders who come in know this. Same applies to Kyle, a year at Leicester will do him the world of good, and talking to his dad as i do, ive already said, had he not had the injuries, he would have been averaging 6.50/ 7. 00. You've only got to see some of his scores as you probably have, sinse joining Leicester at No 2. Good sensible post..
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.
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1 hour ago, Starman2006 said:
You call what i had meaningless. I dont think so. I forgot he rode so many meetings which is not like me. I to looking at it am suprised that Matt didnt retain him, but there you go. It would have been nice for both Chris and Jack to ride for us, maybe next season.
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).
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16 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:
I watched both meetings. Sundstrom was very unlucky in his meeting. In his first ride he was with Wozniak team riding. But Wozniak didn’t look once for his partner and on the third lap rode wide squeezing Sundstrom who lost all speed, had to adjust racing line and lost speed which sent him to the back. In his next he was second but entering bend three of lap two Musiliak tried to drop it on him, Sunstroms dirt deflector touched Musiliaks front wheel and the Pole did a dying swan ala Kildemand after thinking about it for a second or rwo. Extremely harsh call which incensed the home support. He was worth a much better score but that’s speedway for you.
In the other meeting Cook got a paid max but the opposition were absolutely pish.
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.
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3 minutes ago, Gavan said:
Good to see Hans Andersen and Jack Holder going through to the next round of gp qualifiers. If only Poole would have kept those 2 who knows how they would have got on this season
Yeah but Poole have got the likes of Sundstrom and Spaniak this season.....
Saw this after my last post ;-)
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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.
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51 minutes ago, Gavan said:
8 points off the top but only 2 off of the play offs.
The only issue is Poole have ridden more matches then everyone bar Swindon.
Poole have 8 points from 7 and the 2 teams below them both have 7 from 4, so you would assume Poole will be back bottom very soon.
The issue is trying to find riders who want to race over here.
Last season Poole sacked KK and got Kennett..........hardly a top replacement. Its alright banging on about being ok after changes but we heard that last season and it got worse. If Josh and Sundstrom go , who out there is better that would be prepared to ride over here?
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.
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58 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
As who says? All the interviews with Middlo and the riders refer to the excellent team spirit this year - much better than last year!!
What they are lacking - in my opinion - is a senior experienced rider as a proper leader. No disrespect to Josh G but his current form (set-ups) cannot be helping his team captaincy.
Things will change for the better once the new averages are sorted after we get beaten by Wolves on Wednesday as I fully expect we will, on current form!! Of course if we manage a win then things are clearly not as bad as many are saying!!
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.
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2 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said:
After next Wednesday.
Would be good timing together with a redeclared team
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7 minutes ago, Steve0 said:
Chris Holder is not in your declared 1-7 and to introduce him (or any other rider), there are three options:
1. Bring in another rider with an average equal to or less than the rider he is to replace. Unlikely to help your situation unless acted on before the new averages come out.
2. Redeclare your team to the 42.5 points limit which means that you can do whatever surgery you want up to the average limit - based on the CMAs of riders at the time of the redeclaration. There is no limit on the number of 8+ riders and you can’t have any riders who rode for you last season and not in your initial 1-7 this year.
3. Keep your current team and pray for a miracle.
I’m sure there are probably other options using a combination of the above. I still don’t think there is any need for panic but I’m sure we will find out more over the coming weeks.
Also, once a rider is released, he cannot be reintroduced at a later date.
All subject to the usual caveat of approval by MC or the purchase of bricks or any other suitable bribe!
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.
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4 minutes ago, Wolfie456 said:
You can try but he said he's happy to not ride over here this season and think that's even more so now the way he's started abroad and in GPs
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.
Wolverhampton v Poole Prem B. 28/5/18
in SGB Premiership Speedway League
Posted
I think CH openly said in a SKY interview between races at Wolves 4/5 years that it was his least favourite track.
It was also back in the days when a Poole team could go and win at Wolves so wasn't so important.
Having said that with the problems Poole have had over the last 2 plus seasons it does seem like many years ago.