TotallyHonestJohn

Honestly I don't think you are in a minority to be fair and I certainly agree with you that its been duller than a "rainy day in Gateshead" at times; however what I cant understand is when you state "in my eyes this isn’t a Newcastle team" which I find a strange comment (although I agree again) However we have what I would consider as standard Newcastle fair with three Danes; a Worrall; Cleggy and Wethers who we know from old and young Phillips the promoters son who again we have had for a couple of years now but again I find myself agreeing with you and the team just doesn't seem to be right but what is the problem; as it is; as suggest; "a very typical looking" Newcastle side; I cant put my finger on it; because as I have posted on previous occasions this isn't a bad looking team on paper but it just hasn't seemed to gel whatsoever; but who would you have preferred to see in the team; the rider or riders that you feel would have sorted that feeling of distance (for want of a better word) out and made it feel more of a usual Newcastle side; Personally for me it would have been nice to have a showman; someone like Jason Garritty someone with a bit of edge and brashness who can stir things up a bit and to be honest I thought Baby Bjerre would have offered that edge but it just has not happened and the team seems a bit flat and to continue the "Terrace Grumbler love in" and agreeing again I definitely think we have been spoilt in the past. Strange to say the least... However it would be nice to see if we could pull off a victory in the cup against Redcar and reel in those 12 points to get something out of a season that offered so much promise at the start and ended up feeling rather deflated and flat by the end Regards THJ

Tero Aarnio is also an asset... don't rule him out... Regards THJ

Agree but IMO Newcastle will need to be at 48 points by heat 12 to stand a chance of gettng to 52 as 13 and 15 have not been very productive for the Diamonds all season and my bladder may give out if we need anything more than a point from the final race... Oh and Doug Lawson better bring his rubber pants to wear over his terry nappy because he is gonna be doing some drinking and I will be on a mission and using a taxi... cos a was driving last night and had to be on my best behaviour... Grrrrrrr... Regards THJ

Honestly I do think that Glasgow and Leicester at home would give that Poole side a good run for their money, in fact I could fancy my lot at Newcastle giving them a good go at Brough Park and they were 2nd Bottom in the Wobblers PL/CL 2nd Tier this year... Gone are the days of Ward, Holder and many other of the top riders who were someting special, this current bunch are what you said possibly 1s or 5s in the current 2nd Tier but they ain't GP riders that's for sure... Regards THJ

Agreed and it comes back to what Jenga said in a roundabout way that you don't need to pay (or shouldn't be paying) the Superstars top notch rates in the second tier of this sport and again you are spot on in the whole of the second paragraph but something needs to give as many clubs cant afford to do all of the good ideas that you suggest and pay out for "Top Marque" riders as well... Big dilemma... Regards THJ

Honestly What do you think you are watching now? You have a PL/CL (Championship Team) in all but name now; The likes of Glasgow and Leicester could give this Poole Team a good run for there money for sure and if this team was to drop down they would not be a "shoe in" for to win anything. What a crass comment... Regards THJ

I did say it was a conundrum and yep I don't disagree it is just that having a big hitting Number 1 isn't a factor of improved crowds IMO; no Newby to Speedway will know who Craig Cook Robert Lambert or Sam Masters is or any of the others mentioned for that matter, and yes losing a Stoney did (I would suggest) have an impact but that is only from the club faithful and did not have an impact on attracting new fans and I think in a roundabout way that's what Jenga was getting at and Geoff100 puts in a nutshell 1800/2000 fans lost to Workington who ended up with 400/600 regulars which wasn't enough to sustain the team at the level they were at and maybe only Stoney himself could have brought back the lost fans in any numbers. Here's a daft idea maybe they should have brought Stoney in as team manager and there may have been a numbers bounce on the back of that as he is a character and showman from the old school, however its all pie in the sky now so we will never know. All clubs and promotions have to do what is best for them to attract numbers through the turnstiles and as stated in Workington's last year they didn't have a big hitting No 1 but even having a very successful side failed to attract the additional 2/300 regulars it needed to survive. It all comes down to what you can afford (or what you are prepared to lose or write off) and without the cash its a difficult balancing act getting the best team you can on the track; to be competitive; and provide entertainment to keep the public happy; and on a budget; and its a vicious circle and to come back to the point Jenga made paying large wages at this level for some clubs is flirting with disaster and he knows better than most from when his old man had a go at promoting. But; and here is the rub; if you could attract New Fans through the door rather than lapsed ones it wouldn't matter to them who the No 1 was as they won't be aware of who the top riders are to start with due to them being new to the sport... Regards THJ

Honestly Paulco I don't think he is (anymore than usual anyway) as when Cookie was at Workington; pre-season the promotion budgeted that he would bring in an additional 60 bodies through the gate (not many really) with him being a local lad, average crowds did not increase whatsoever. Then Alan Hedley at Newcastle brought in Danny King and then boy wonder Robert Lambert for two seasons and neither of these added any additional bodies through the door and to be fair to Alan he spent a lot of cash on bringing these guys in and he even said; he just didn't know what else he could do as a promoter as there weren't many better second tier riders around than Lambert and he (Lambert) added nothing to the crowd numbers at all. So it doesn't go to say that bringing in a big hitting number 1 will bring in the crowds as both Newcastle and Worky can prove, however I would concede that they may retain the people (or the crowd) you currently have and mitigate against some fan drift. Again 2018 Workington did not have a recognised "big hitting" Number 1 but won the lot however even having a super successful team it didn't increase the crowd numbers in that great a level so it is a bit of a conundrum to say the least... Finally Jenga may have a point when he says (in his own way) a big hitting number 1 probably doesn't bring in new fans it just brings back the fair weather fans who drifted away from the sport and their support can only be seen as temporary I would suggest; but fair play to the Monarchs; Sam and Josh are entertaining and quality riders and their promotion are trying to do something to reduce fan drift by bringing in quality riders, however bringing in these big hitters does not guarantee success and as Workington can attest a successful team does not guarantee new fans coming through the door either... However I am looking forward to watching these riders next season as a committed fan like yourself (and others on here) and thank the Monarchs Promotion for what they are trying to do as I appreciate watching good riders who can do something a bit special on the track however I feel we are becoming part of a dying breed... Regards THJ

Think you will find it might be Adam Ellis for the Away Leg Regards THJ

Ad rather vote SNP than Tory... I come from Shipbuilding stock and Satan's daughter (MT) decimated that industry in the 80's.... (never forgive them or her for that) An aye av still got me Tigers beanie a won up there in a raffle a couple of year back which a wear on very special occasions... usually Newcastle's home match against the Monarchs (can't help me self).... closet Glasgow fan whose struggling to come out the closet? aye ya could be right.... a do have a soft spot for anything North of the Tyne... Regards THJ

To many "touchy" people who take things too personal and offer opinions as fact... trying to deride or shout down what others have to say with bully boy tactics... people allude to the facts that what they state is right, correct, close to the club or what the club mean, what a statement, adjudication or position is taken by the club, when in reality they (most not all) do not have one idea or clue as to what is going on or the reason behind any decision made and it's the hypocracy what spurs me on the constant chastising and criticism of others who when it doesn't fit with the image that is trying to be portrayed find themselves rounded upon by the clique and the so called self appointed experts who think they can get away with making crass statements who I like to remind on every now and then what the truth actually is and if the humour and content is near to the bone then so be it... respond how you deem fit or laugh it off its your choice... after all Edinburgh have had it off the Weegies for a long time now... but the positions have changed and all that is conveniently forgotten... Someone once said... And I think I agree with the sentiment of that post and there is certainly nothing to apologise for... unless you want to give me a specific point... and finally get over yourself there isn't any "obsession with all things Glasgow" there are a few who need to lose the chips off their shoulder and get rid of the persecution complex... Lighten up not everyone in England votes Tory or wanted Brexit... Regards THJ

Gordon Pogue Mahone We have had conversations about this in the past at both Newcastle Workington and Kings Lynn if you cant be bothered to read the thread don't get your knickers in a twist at page 105. So I refer you back to my opening statement... Pogue Mahone... Regards THJ

Go back into the tread it's all self explanatory and been covered ad nauseam Regards THJ

Well if you go back to my response to Fromafar I think you have sussed it Regards THJ

Er och aye... Nah sorry Rabc deffo not guilty you have that crown... Regards THJ

Honestly It was in reference to a comment made by the expert on all things Glasgow and Speedway about the value of Rasmus Jensen in "this watered down league". On Worky, they never lost as much as Glasgow (ever) however financially the promotion didn't have bottomless pockets. It's well documented on here... Regards THJ

Póg mo thóin, or if you like Pogue Mahone Regards THJ

You were told by many a Worky fan what a class act you were getting... but many a Glasgow fan wouldn't have it.. because they thought they knew better...but they didn't... apology accepted and humble pie all round... Regards THJ

Dam av been rumbled... I think the press call it a slow news day... Regards THJ

Honestly You read it all... but I appreciate the honesty... Also I like to add content and context for dramatic effect... oh and to give people something to read... Regards THJ

Honestly If Glasgow win the Play off final will there joy be tempered knowing really deep down that this is a "Watered Down League" That they haven't really won the Championship title like Workington did last year (treble as it happens... H18tory...) in a much stronger league, but they have only won the play off final of a "Beefed Up" National Development League. A watered down lesser product on the previous years Championship; after all what is the point of winning something if the whole product is watered down, getting excited over such a devalued product must surely take the edge off any glory that might be gleaned. Worky may be gone but the glory will always remain of winning the Championship when it meant something not the Championship Light or the NDL + with cash to buy in the talent Never mind if Glasgow take the 30 pieces of silver they can go into the Premiership next year which although "Watered Down" and is on a par with the Championship of last year; then they can have a pop at that and see if they can buy what basically Workington won on merit last year... H18tory... Regards THJ

Not every team does!!! Glasgow did though!!! but Gazc didn't... Disappointment it is then for Gazc... But Worky Worky thinks Gazc could be swayed... But Gazc is adamant... no Rasmus for Gazc as Rasmus has never impressed him.... Really... Worky Worky finds that hard to believe... Honestly... I mean really... HONESTLY Oh hang on whats this... well well well... what a turn around... well... light blue touch paper and stand well back Honestly Though my Alzheimer's was bad however it cant be that bad as I seem to always remember "Hypocrisy" and "sanctimonious clap trap" and it usually comes from pub landlords and as it happens and there is nothing more pious than a retired pub landlord as you can see from the thread above Want some "Squirty Cream" with that "Humble Pie" Gazc? I'm sure your little "Pogue" pals could shake some out for you. Oh and some mild salve for the teeth marks on you bottom? as those posts have come back to bite a little bit have they not Slated Rasmus from the start then turn into a Sycophant "Pure Class"... Sarj was bigged up as a better option than Rasmus... Really... of course you turned on Sarj as soon as he was dumped but we wont mention that or the way you slated young Kyle Bickley who was another rider you didn't rate and castigated as not being worthy of a place at Glasgow and that you would rather keep Luke Chessell and Joe Lawlor (remember them)... doubt they would have put an uplift on their averages of nearly 90% like young Kyle did... even Rasmus has only managed an increase of 37% on his starting average to date... but not bad for a rider you didn't rate like eh... Think Worky Worky was right you were swayed... and you definitely wouldn't have Sarj in place of Rasmus that is for sure... must be hard work being a sanctimonious old "raspberry tart" all the time Like Jenga would say... Bill-Shot... and you me old pal... are absolutely full of it... Regards THJ

If only Gaz if only.... If I could predict the Euro Millions numbers mate I would happily share them with you; after all; I'm sure you could manage with 85 million just as well as the full 170 million (I think I could that's for sure... it would be a struggle though... but I would bear the responsibility with modest humility) (Would I... Modest Humility? NAH not a chance) Also I would bring back Workington and not give a monkey's how much money it lost.... However if it helps I have had some success with a "Balance of Probability" method for the lottery that has had some near misses. This concept works on a given axiomatic mathematical formalisation in probability theory, and will bore the breast plate off you; so its lucky dips all the way mate and fingers crossed... (Good Luck Me Old Pal) Oh and on your five fold if you cant pick five teams in the Scottish leagues to win you're just not trying however here are some English ones to have a go at Bristol City to beat Reading Preston to beat Barnsley Sheff Wed to beat Wigan Swansea to beat Stoke Northampton to beat Leyton Orient Oh and here's another tip "never pick Newcastle United as they are renown coupon spoilers" Or how about Man City to beat Wolves over 2.5 goals (3-0 or 3-1 or more) Arsenal to beat Bournemouth over 2.5 goals (2-1 or 3-1 or 3-2) Norwich vs Aston Villa over 2.5 goals (3-2 or 2-3 or 4-4 or anything else? doubt it will be 0-0)) West Ham vs Crystal Palace West Ham to Win or Draw over 1.5 goals (1-1 or 2-1 or 2-2) Liverpool vs Leicester Liverpool to Win or Draw over 1.5 goals (1-1 or 2-1 or 2-2 doubt it will be 0-0)) There you go...and while I am not doing much at work here are some Scottish predictions Aberdeen to beat Hibernian over 1.5 goals (2-0 or 2-1 or more) Motherwell to beat St Mirren over 1.5 goals (2-0 or 2-1 or more) Ross County to beat St Johnstone over 1.5 goals (2-0 or 2-1 or more) Livingston vs Celtic Away win for Celtic (sorry) over 1.5 goals (2-0 or 2-1 or more) Rangers to beat Hamilton Academical over 2.5 goals (3-0 or 3-1 or more) I will be watching these with interest (although not putting any cash where my considerable mouth is) Correct there were a few caveats however I held my nerve on the top two of Leicester and Glasgow from the start and the only disappointment was my home town team of Newcastle who looked strong on paper but have been a total enigma on the track; and to be fair with some good individuals in the side they just have not gelled as a team. However as often is said it ain't the team on the sheet of paper that does the business its the team on the track. Finally I have seen Derren Brown and to be fair its all he does (run the options) however you don't connect with it because it isn't written down... (so you don't see the methodology; or the con) and as said don't write off Redcar yet as they look really strong with Lawson now in replacing Toft in that home leg!!! it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the Leicester/Redcar clash and I ain't predicting anything on that one... Good luck to all concerned Regards THJ

Honestly Newcastle apart it wasn't very far away was it; (and not to blow ones trumpet too hard) I still haven't changed my mind and think it will be a Leicester/Glasgow final; although I would love to see our nearest and dearest in Redcar upset that form book and do it for north east speedway, however; and IMHO whatever the outcome it is building to be a good finale to the end of the season Regards THJ

Honestly I wish I could predict the lottery numbers as easy Regards THJ