STEVEHOLS54

Yes a couple of ways at looking at it. My idea is one way. Your idea seems to lean towards an Aussie with no UK experience which imo could be a massive risk if we keep Ablitt. Tate Zischke I think was mentioned as a possible rider of the future. Reading around the forum on other possible reserve combos would imo leave us horribly exposed at reserve and possible on the wrong end of many 5-1's with little cover in main team if called upon. Not unless he is another Keynan Rew . Could sign Brennan with the balance but I fear the lure of being in POL U24 League and Glasgow big bucks may swing him a way from Poole ?? Having said that is he not a local Sussex lad having raced all his junior/early days with Eastbourne. Suppose that could be a attraction to sign for Poole. Even with that I would have some fears with 2 guys with such youth and inexperience being our 2 reserves. A position which has yielded us big dividends over the last 5 years at least. Even youngsters who showed promise in Aussie such as Hook & Pearson as well as when Jed List came over for a while some years ago how difficult it can be for the really young guys to adapt. Its food for thought though.

Danyon Hume 5.68 (adjusted after 2.5% Brit reduction) Keynan Rew 5 ( A rider with a lot of potential if they could convince him to come as he will be doing POL Lge 1 next season as Leszno loaned him out for the season plus so far not signed on DK or SWE) Still only 19. Would put us just shy of the 40 points. What I like about this line up would probably allow Z.Cook/Hume & Rew or even Ben Cook to swap in and out at reserve. This important on 2 fronts as 1) Don't expect Ablitt still to pick up much in points & 2) All of the named could prove useful in replacing an off form rider as a reserve, plus taking at least one of Ablitts rides if we need him to in tight meetings. Just my thoughts.

I agree. I feel that we are becoming a dwindling number on the forum to be honest. Especially since we also dropped to Champ. Its becoming more of a case of a few hardcore die hard's who contribute these days. I know one young guy who was always on here and was a Poole fanatic, following most of the forums and social media sites and his knowledge of riders around the World was arguably the most exhaustive of anyone of his tender years. Even he seems to have moved on sadly. I said for a long time that the Fords were the masters of any UK club releasing news to the media for maximum affect. Its jut that last season it kind of dragged on and most teams were already known well before Poole's was finalised, meaning we near enough knew what it was well before it was announced. Be interesting to see who we can eliminate as others start announcing there line ups. A few already announced multiple riders even before today's meeting.

Only problem is that if you take 2022 for example most of us kind of knew near enough the full team well in advance if only by process of elimination. Virtually all Champ teams/riders were announced well in advance so you could near enough work it out based on what had been announced and the 2 point reserve had to be between my choice Mulford or the other reasonable option Ablitt. For me Mulford proved at B.V junior team in 2022 he was the better rider as he had shown back in 2021 when racing with/against Nathan. I had a particular interest in following both riders progress as they were near enough the same Birth month March having been then raw young 17 year olds. I think Jake wanted to concentrate on his grass track. Shame as K.Lynn even announced his as their number 8 before season started so they obviously saw the potential. Also know I keep going on about him, but checking all the news and forums doesn't look like Keynan Rew is staying with his Danish side and so far can't see him signed up elsewhere or in Swe. Is he really only going to do Poland ??. I'll keep dreaming

If the clubs already know what the team limit is for 2023 and assuming it is ratified today, I wonder if the Fords already know their team for next season ?? Danny near enough admitted in his Echo article yesterday points limit was already agreed and was just a case of rubber stamping at today's BSPA meeting. Also as there is no Bournemouth football news for the next month due to the World Cup there should not need to be any drip feeding of announcements having to work around Bournemouth grabbing the Echo sports headlines. As per usual I am sure they will still drip fee us to get as many headlines as possible which is also good for getting the news out with potential sponsors. Hope the BSPA give us the news on today's meeting asap.

Think that will be the plan for 2024 plus also maybe Brady Kurtz if they do move up to Prem, I assume all 3 still Poole assets but think Brady will find it hard to move from BV as now captain and he loves the track. Anyway that discussion is for next close season plus if we are racing in 24.

Now that Holder has just signed for a new Swe Team as per Speedway News POL, I can't see it happening. Could only see it if he had maybe doubled up with Prem to make it work financially. Let's hope that after the BSPA meeting (due Tuesday according to reports on here) that we at least know the points limit. I reckon both Prem and Champ limits already agreed in principal as clubs are already announcing riders in both leagues.

Whichever way it goes the Ford's are faced with one hell of a juggling act if it is 40 points as going to be difficult to retail the current 3 H/L. I think that's why a signing like Rew could be one way of overcoming it. i'm sure Danny/Matt probably already know which way the limit is heading and are already ahead of most in team idea/planning even this far out of next season.

I think that if the limit is as some rumours indicate, say 40 points then getting Rew on a 5 would be a real bargain. I also read on the forum last close season about Rew so I assume there is decent connections/contact between the Fords and him/his team (what with the strong Aussie connection). If you factor in rumours of a possible Prem return in 24 then could be an interesting move. Have no idea what accommodation they may be able to sort out considering Middlo has I believe both Cooks lodging in but would not surprise me if he came up with something for what COULD be the next Aussie big thing coming through. I mean behind Lidsey for now (he is 24 in Feb) but remember Rew is still only 19. As for Visa. Surely if the likes of Pearson and Hook could get one then you would hope he could. Again its only a dream/vision but one lives in hope ;-)

Does anyone out there on the Forum have any idea when the BSPA meeting is due to take place this month ?? I enjoy the name the team game each close season and knowing the new points limit will certainly help in calculating who Poole may (or not )sign). Was slso thinking about it in respect of some of the Aussies coming through (if they can get work Visa's). The idea of joining on a 4 (or a 5 if they have ridden in the POL U24 or POL Nice 1/2 Leagues) may find some attraction in UK. I mean this in respect of a 32 match minimum league season in Champ plus a min of 2 up to maybe 4/6 play off matches. Factor in also possible doubling up with a Prem Lge team for more promising youngsters such as say my personal favourite, Keynan Rew, could make it a busy and worthwhile season for these guys showing promise. Getting lots of experience on our mainly smaller tracks with their usual mainly Sunday appearances on POL tracks.

To me Kemp confirmed the fears i had aired on the Forum twice earlier this season. inconsistent and unreliable for both Poole and Wolves. Both were supposed to be moves to revive him as a rider of big potential. There have been plenty of comments aired after Fridays win about him and whats going on in his head so I won't get into that, but i comment just based on what he has achieved this season. I think we were fortunate that Zach dropped into reserve at just the right time, because if it has been Kemp i really question how we would have fared. He was failing to beat some more junior/inexperienced riders at the time. Even if his GSA said otherwise. I think heat 14 Friday where he was turned over by the Thompson twins 2 years his junior with less riding experience just highlighted his poor form. Even his 2 meetings at K.Lynn in the regular season produced next to nothing for Wolves on a decent race track. I just think he would be a risk for 2023 and as for his petulance last night which was mentioned in more detail on the match write up on the forum in itself was perhaps enough for Danny/Neil to show maybe its time to part ways and move on. He has even missed out this season in POL where teams in the U24 league and POl Lge 2 have chosen not to use him where a good number of other young Brits of similar age have been used. The Poles are not stupid and no full well who is and isnt worth a contract/use in the season. I hope he does get it together as at times he could win races and compete, but for me on a lower team limit (probably) I don't think we have the luxury of waiting if we end up with one H/L less. Just my thoughts.

Maybe a little risky but let me put this one out there. if we assume worse case scenario of 40 points and allowing 2.5% Brit reduction. King or Worrall as I reckon one will have to go 8.07 (after deduction) Lawson 7,97 B.Cook 6.09 Z Cook 4.92 Young Aussie Tate Zischke (mentioned on here as a Darcy Ward recommended rider who no doubt Poole are watching) 4.00. Keynan Rew (another young Aussie at 19 who has shown massive promise in the U24 POL Lge with 2nd highest av out of 93 riders and is signed by Leszno but will probably only get odd rides as a number 8. - 5.00 This guy could make a mockery of his official GSA and would also be signed up imo for a Prem team. Would get plenty of racing with new Chap format and add in Prem appearances.one of the Aussie brightest hopes. Could also be a potential for Poole in 2024 if they move up. That gives you 36.05 with only 3.95 to play with if its a 40 point limit,and perhaps too risky to throw Ablitt in on 2 as waste of almost 2 valuable points . Could make us too weak at reserve when first GSA's come out. Ablitt only works if you have a strong reserve in with him. Our team suffered when we had Kemp in there with Nathan as he was unreliable. Going to be interesting playing the name the team game again close season and new points limit will help for knocking ideas around.

Another school of thought is that if Poole are planning to move up in 2024, then he could form part of a H/L double with brother Jack in the team. He could use 2023 to also get used to riding UK tracks again. A double up would also give him lots of meeting being free for mainly Sundays in POL and give him reasonable earning potential. Riding SWE again would give him limited meetings and even less if his team didn't make the play offs. Think that riding both UK leagues plus having his Brother here plus his Son may be an attractive lure. Money will play its part no doubt. Maybe wishful thinking on my part but perhaps not so daft when you analyse it. Even Jason Doyle gave up SWE just to do Prem because of family. Maybe he will take SWE on again now its gone to accepting 2 leagues on top of POL.

Just read something interesting on the Speedway News PL site posted yesterday about Chris Holder. Apparently he is leaving Swedish team Kumla after riding for them for 4 years. But this was the bit I found interesting. After a change in the POL regulations foreign players participating in PGE Ekstraliga will be able to play in two foreign leagues. Holder's club future abroad remains unknown. Let us remind you that when it comes to starts on the Vistula River, the 35-year-old reached an agreement with Fogo Unia Leszno . So firstly he will join Leszno as his last club were relegated but its the 2 foreign leagues which intrigues me. Bearing in mind he is now 35 is it beyond thinking that maybe he could be looking to try and work/reside in UK and double up in Prem and Champ lge as the new POL laws would allow it. Bearing in mind Jack committed to UK over Swe to ride Sheffield and has commited to them again in 2023, plus resides here during UK season with his girlfriend, could Chris also be looking to get back to UK as his son resides here and he was seen at Poole during or in late season. Just a thought.

I would even take him on a 5 if he could be accommodated, based on his performances in POL Lge 1 and especialy the POL U24 EXL last season. These were his per ride stats in the POl U24 Exl which had its initial league season in 2022. That's 9.852 per 4 rides against a lot of the best young under 24 riders in Europesome who are riding in POL EXL as juniors. That's out of 94 riders listed, Full list on https://speedwaynews.pl/ekstraliga-u24/statystyki/ for those statistically interested. Considering the guy is only 19 - lost a lot of 2021 I believe with an injury and of course no 2020 season of note with Covid thats some pretty impressive stats, No wonder Leszno signed his as like a number 8 having sighted the potential. Statistics Player M. B 3 2 1 0 T. AT In D Pts B Mean Bartłomiej Kowalski 12 62 35 19 5 2 1 0 0 0 148 5 2.468 Keynan Rew 10 54 thirty 16 3 1 0 0 3 1 125 8 2.463

interesting. Skidder mentioned how about Newman - He fits if the level were 39 based on his Redcar final GSA. Always liked him when he rode for Poole. Always thought he would be a bit better than Howarth as proved it around Poole when younger, Shame injuries intervened and probably robbed him of meeting his full potential. One to mention who was mentioned in the past by me and others and was supposedly considered at one stage - Keynon Rew. Still only 19 and rode POl Lge 1 mainly with odd ride in POl EXL for Leszno. Never ridden UK so does that qualify for a 4 pointer like other young Aussies who have ridden here for the first time like Pearson/Hook. Chances are he will not be in Leszno starting line up for 2023 which means he would have POl Lge 1 and could be considered for UK ??. Assuming Middlo could board him as he did with the Cooks. Maybe this POL U23 mid week thing could scupper that, but UK would give him good experience on smaller tracks. Would be an exciting young option if its possible. Maybe the cost is too prohibitive and Newman for sure would probably be a cheaper option living also more locally. Looks like a longish tail but when you look more closely, all teams would have similar issues to meet 38/39 points anyway.

Could be an interesting close season then. If Zach does get 4.92 would be a great reserve and could push them towards going with Ablitt again on 2. He may pick up some more points next season you would hope, as a year older and with a full season plus B.Vue at NDL under his belt. Would then maybe edge towards one of the 3 H/L going but the worry for me would be Kemp. So up and down he is a worry . Really thought he would push on in a strong team but he seems to have slipped behind a number of riders of similar age. Brilliant one minute - abject the next. He can't complain of lack of experience riding Prem & Champ last 2 seasons. Going to be interesting how the Fords juggle with the new points limit if it is in the 38/39 points range. Having said that looking at all the last GSA's for Champ teams near enough all will have to make changes if it is 38/39 points. Especially Glasgow if they don't move up who are on 46 points.

okay - This for those in the know. I would assume that Danny would try and get the 2 Cooks back for 2023. If so based on what GSA would they have for 2023 ??. If I recall the play offs didn't use to count in calculating GSA's for the next season when final GSA's were calculated ?? (Correct me if I'm wrong) We know both Ben & Zach have improved their GSA's a lot since the KO Cup and Play Off latter stages have been held. Would those points count (or not) in calculating what their 2023 GSA's would be. Could make a difference bearing in mind we may have to change the line up in 2023 when the new team limits are finally announced. Thoughts ??

With only one league match left does it mean we will go into the play offs with Zach Cook at reserve until the final match however far Poole go. I ask as my long time reservations on Kemps form and development is raising its head again. Difficult enough we are carrying Nathan which expected but even I thought we would get a little more from him. Shame we could not have secured Mulford who exactly same age felt showed more ability. That's been proven since he came back this season for B.Vue outscoring Nathan. Maybe his grass track is his priority. I really do fear we will be found out by the better clubs like Leicester/Glasgow in the play offs. We no longer look invincible at home. In recent matches we have relied on dragging ourselves over the line in the latter part of meetings. How we will fare at Gl/Leic is a worry carrying these two. Could give us too much to do at home if both not firing. Feel sorry for Nathan who is out of his depth but is trying. Kemp is an enigma. We have seen similar young riders such as Gilkes/Flint/Edwards develop better than him and he is in his 4th season - 5 if you include his junior 500CC championship win. I deducted the covid year. He should have pushed on but if anything he seems to be going backwards. Even Jason Crump has aired reservations. I don't want to knock any young rider finding his way and if he was the junior reserve it would be different as you can carry him. Just fear for the direction he seems to be going. Can turn in the odd good ride but far too many poor ones for someone who should be on an upward trend.

But in Poland some youngsters ride in POL Lge 1 or 2 plus there is the U24 league and on top of that the Polish youngsters have lots of team meetings of 4/6 teams per meeting almost every week. I think though the difference in part may be the Clubs support to a large level on equipment etc

The earlier comments I made about Kemp are an observation not a criticism. I am sure the Fords signed him as an up and coming rider who did a great job when he signed for Edinburgh after Eastbourne's demise. I am sure they expected to at least sign that rider which would easily have allowed Nathan to find his feet with hope he would score a bit more as season progressed. They guy obviously has the potential as neither Poole or Wolves would have signed him. There were some negative comments at first that maybe he would not push on but early doors he laid that to rest with decent scores for both clubs. It has to be a bit of a concern coupled with Danny struggling which most unlike him. The good news is we will almost certainly qualify for the play offs later this season. Doesn't matter if you finish top or not as Poole's strength was being best over 2 legs. Our reserves were a bonus last season but as it stands getting next to no points at home and possible away could be a problem, especially if Danny doesn't start getting back to double figure scores regularly. With little money in the sport now I think Poole's options may be limited anyway if they do need to reshuffle later as little available (if anything here) and bringing riders over from abroad with equipment supply etc not easy. I sincerely hope Drew can resolve the issues and get back to scoring and showing what we know he is capable of producing in both Prem & Champ. Also relieves things for Nathan to develop in his own time. Getting 3-3 in reserves races so much better than getting hit 1-5 especially if heat one doesn't go our way.

Can't see us winning anything with only 4 riders and a misfiring King. I am sure he will eventually sort it (well I hope so), but its the reserves which give the biggest concern. I attach no blame to young Nathan as it was expected although had hoped he would have picked up a few more points to justify his 2 point average. This team should be able to carry him though as it was their decision to go with 3 H/L. Once again its the issue of them all firing together. Once again young Kemp is causing more head scratching. Off form for both Poole & Wolves. It seems to me that more riders of his age are overtaking him such as Gilkes, Edwards, Thompson/s, Brennan etc. Young riders can of course be inconsistent but he has been around for the last 4 years and is he pushing on ?? Something has to give soon as we can't keep carrying 2 reserves and god knows what will happen with Kemp if Cook moves down to reserve. I read somewhere that they were trying to address some issues with Kemp but no idea what they are. An on form Kemp is ok as we can carry Nathan, but with the triple issue of an off form King, poor returns from Kemp, then much as we may get into play offs it will be an issue in the later stages. just throwing this out there but have been following Keynan Rew the young Aussie this season. Really smashing it in the Polish U24 League beating decent riders and way above our youngsters riding in same league. (scored paid 15 point max the other day - Zach scored 7 from 5 rides in opposition). Only 19 and believe was even mentioned as a potential for Poole sometime last season. Well recovered from injuries and really pushed on). I wonder if the Fords may already be trying to persuade him if we could get him as a 4 point young Aussie with no experience in UK. As I say just a thought.

Ok so it has been recognised there are some issues. Let's hope they can find and sort what it is. An on form Drew like the one who started he season is a big plus at reserve, especially when Nathan is finding his feet. Fortunately its still very early season so plenty of time to hopefully put right.

Any thoughts on what is going on with Drew Kemp ?? Started season well with both Poole & Wolves but suddenly his form has fallen off a cliff and his scores for both have been poor last week or two and also didn't do well at the World U21 meeting at the weekend either with only 4 points. from 5 rides. Started this season like the rider who was finally realising his early potential after 4 seasons of riding in all 3 leagues, but do admit a little worried whats going on with his form some 3 months short of being 20. The point being that fully expected Ablitt to be getting us almost zero each meting as a just turned 18 year old in only his third season (discounting wiped out 2021), but we can ill afford carrying two reserves producing little. Its early doors I know but again our top 3 we are getting inconsistencies as all 3 not always firing (especially away) and Kemp's initial start to the season was decent. He is at Wolves tonight but Ipswich have decent reserves and another zero to two score wont do confidence any good. Hope the drop in form is temporary or we could struggle a bit, especially away.

Thanks Skidder . Yes happy with that move. You only have to look at that Eastbourne race on Youtube to see that the lad has potential, and that was his first meeting for them. Such a shame Eastbourne closed so quickly after thus depriving him of more meetings/experience at that level. I really hope Poole supporters exercise patience with him. We have been kind of spoiled for so long having strong reserves over the years. Will be nice to see him progress and also as an asset (following your above comments) its an added bonus. Will no doubt have plenty of last places, but let's concentrate on the positives when he does beat riders and picks up points like he did in that Eastbourne ride & meeting with 4 paid 5 from 4 rides. Will also be good having experienced riders in the pits to help and a good manager in Middlo. You never know, if anything like late last season we could even have Jack Holder (and maybe even Chris as well) attending in the pits when not on riding duties elsewhere. They sure did help out some of our young riders during those last meetings giving advice. That's the kind of experience young riders like Nathan will hopefully learn from.