GiveusaB

Hope you posted your thoughts on the Brummies forum : ) I'm surprised at some of your comments as I often see you socialising with the manager/management and you often slated me for my previous negative comments about the manager last season??? However, I don't think any speedway manager could make a difference with our current line-up. However, you have made some very valid and respected points (especially Tobias being replaced in arguably his weakest race? I also pointed that out to a fan last night) I feel you've been harsh on Ulrik, who at least performed credibly last night. He shouldn't be made a scape goat (or at least appear to be...) A new commercial manager is definitely an avenue to explore now that Lee is a much busier man at Swindon! We've only had 2 home meetings.... 1. We were very close to a 'great' victory over Somerset 2. We were out gated and out fought and were definitely 2nd best in all departments against Eastbourne (I don't think the slick surface helped) Don't lose faith just yet

Zach is fine and he is performing admirably. He's hard to beat if he makes the gate....unfortunately, he doesn't get out in front often enough at the moment. When he misses the gate, he has the speed, but I don't think he quite knows how to use it to its maximum potential just yet......he still has time and I think he'll make a steady heat leader at this level, but I can't see him going any further (i.e International) just my opinion? Whereas...Tom Brennan is going all the way!

Well, well....yet another 'gating' lesson for our boys??? Well done to Eastbourne....especially the promising Tom Brennan I've been a critic in the past, but I can't see how the manager was to blame in any part of this 'poor' performance? My only differing opinion of his tactical changes would've been in heat 12....I'd of gone with Ulrich over Kyle ? but it wasn't going to make any difference to the result either way! As for the reserve switches ? they were spot on imo and obviously tactical so far as Paco's average goes (trying to keep it down....) The most disappointing aspect, was the 'crowd level', or lack of it? It does look like football swallowed up a big part of it ? I cant see how we can criticise the riders for not being good enough??? Nobody tried harder than Shanes/Thomsen.....really feel for Tobias. I'm only just beginning to see what a tough/competitive league the Championship is....I'm afraid there's going to be a few more spankings home/away. Well done to Ulrich on his couple of wins...he beat both of Eastbourne's best 2 riders Kennett/Kerr! I have a small concern about the track last night? far slicker than usual ? hope that wasn't tactical, because we seriously are the worst team I've seen for a long time at gating? P.s Although we were effectively hammered...I wouldn't swap the racing for National League and will gracefully accept defeat by better teams in the Championship!

I agree with you entirely about the weather chat, but after last weeks early decision, it's bound to be a popular topic this week (imo) plus, it's a very long way for Eastbourne fans to travel midweek, so I think it's only fair to give them as accurate updates as possible.....just for the record my last (weather)comment was: If it helps (to any Eastbourne supporter)? It's lovely and sunny at the moment : ) and to be fair (in the past) PB has coped very well with rain....so I'm very hopeful! Have a great night too.....'Up the Brummies' !

Which thread are you referring to ? P.S I think Barcelona v Liverpool will have more of an impact on crowd attendance tonight, than any passing comment about weather forecasts (unfortunately) !

If we can make a few decent starts then I think we might be able to keep the scoreline respectable.

Makes sense! Keeping everything crossed ! If it helps (to any Eastbourne supporter)? It's lovely and sunny at the moment : ) and to be fair (in the past) PB has coped very well with rain....so I'm very hopeful!

Funny.....this is how serious our sport is taken by our local radio station??? .... 'all morning on the sports bulletin, they've been announcing that Brummies kick off their season with a championship shield meeting against Somerset' ???

Fingers crossed for the weather....unfortunately the forecast is almost identical to last week! Be interesting to see how the management play this one ? It will be a gamble whatever the decision!

I agree, they are one of the weaker teams away from Arlington....BUT, their so called weaker riders 'Bowtell,Morley,Wood and particularly Brennan' all ride Perry Barr very well. So with this in mind, I think they're favourites to nick it by a few points.

Shall we re-name the thread 'Wednesday's weather forecast' and then drop the odd comment about our predictions/thoughts of the meeting ? As per the first comment from 'Ptbab'....I agree about the scoreline. Eastbourne to turn us over by about 6 points. Spot on about using 'Paco' at the right time (may be heat 8) I still feel that Tobias is only a couple of meetings away from hitting the right notes.I don't think he'll achieve a 5 point away average , which will place even more pressure on his performances at home. If any of our riders miss the gate in this division, then they're 'all' going to find it difficult in every race. The gating has been very poor in both home meetings so far (with the exception of Paco)

Luke Becker would be a great acquisition imo…..

(slightly off thread) We might not be anywhere near as strong as Leicester...….we've come from the National League and Leicester from the Prem, this surely helped team building/finances etc... However, I don't think team changes are imminent at B'ham as we're a credible competitive team imo….(give the boys time to settle) One thing that we do have that's far superior to Leicester and that's a race track! We will see far more entertaining/competitive speedway throughout the season....and that's what I pay my money for ! (on thread) The fans may not have far to travel.....but the owners/promotion/riders may have....coupled with the fact that there might be a fair few away for Easter hols (not to mention the 'Man chester derby' ….yawn yawn....) The forecast is woeful and it's a good call imo.

Postponed! Due to weather forecast! On Birmingham's website!

Not sure??? But it'll make a massive difference if/when it arrives!?

Great meeting from a speedway spectacle. Obviously gutted that we lost, but not downhearted. I saw a lot last night which gives me hope and excitement about our next 'home' meeting!? The difference last night, was the same as when we rode Wolves in the challenge match ??? 'We're 2nd best when it comes to getting out the gate' !? Is Covatti that good, or did we make him look even better than he is? He looked a 'class' act last night and looked unbeatable in every department. I've never seen him ride so well? Somerset will struggle against better teams as their reserves are 'good' prospects, but they're not good enough at this level just yet and I can't see that changing this season. As for the Brummies? Our first replacement is a long way off 'imo'.....(Incidentally, I did spot Adam Ellis at the meeting last night? ) Thomsen has been thrown in at the deep end....he showed that he has the ability with his gutsy/excellent 2nd ride when passing Summers on the line. He'll benefit from dropping down to reserve and I'd stick with him for sure! Shanes will do ok at home but struggle away....he's not quick enough from the start and he's not alone? Morris and Newman will score most of their points from the back as they too are slow starters. Up to Heat 9? the track was perfect and we always had a chance when we missed the start.....but after that, it became drastically slick and we couldn't get near the fast gating Rebels! No fault of the track prep, just the lack of shale that 'unfortunately' is of short supply around the country apparently?

It's good to hear/read some fans giving us more of a chance than they were before the season started Shame about 'Bomber'....regardless of the result, I was really looking forward to seeing him back at PB !

LOL...not sure why I made the comment about 'Gate 1' ? (being a dipstick...) just feeling sorry for the boys They tried their best and that's all you can ask !

52-38 ? hardly the mauling the so called experts predicted ? If we're the weakest team in the league and Somerset are predicted to win it, then its going to be a close championship. Gate 1 was the biggest advantage tonight and Somerset won the toss and had the lions share of that! Well done Paco....yet again! Great reserve switch by Bossman in heat 8 !

No surprises, as 'home' track advantage was definitely the deciding factor...not the 'BIG' home win that nearly everyone predicted? A 14 point loss at Eastbourne is no disgrace..... Well done Paco....hope you keep managing to silence the doubters!

Paco and Tobias both on the pace last night and both winning races on their B'ham debuts respectively. I was impressed by the fact that Tobias wasn't afraid to try different lines and to mix it with the opposition. A well run meeting and some very fair/competitive races....'no risks' taken (apart from Tobias ) Zach/Ullrich looked a little off the pace at times.....Wolves were 'superior' from the gate and that was the main difference!

Good luck to all the lads tonight, on what should be an enjoyable night's racing! Steve Worrall guesting for the Brummies. Max Clegg replacing Scott Nicholls.

Eastbourne will do far better imo...simply due to 'home' track advantage. Personally, I'm just happy to see 'Championship' racing.....win or lose....

A good and well attended practice session yesterday .... Roll on next Wednesday for some 'real' action! I thought 'Paco' was really pushing it and he looked very smooth ! There was a 'young' Dane on show(Nick ?)....17 years old and he didn't look out of place amongst the more experienced guys! Josh Mcdonald was there practising and it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't get a team spot somewhere before the season's out.

I think most 'B'ham' supporters will agree that Ostergaard isn't a No.1 rider... but all we can do is back him and the team to do their best!? I seem to recall a post/s on the Peterborough thread, that Ulrich's machinery can at times, resemble a 'lawnmower' ? Being a No.1 rider carries a lot of weight/responsibility...it's going to be a tough season for him, hopefully the fans will be realistic and not expect too much. P.s S4S's comments/observations about James's 'Grasstrack' style is 'spot-on' imo....