Diamonds85

He is an ex Newcastle rider, yes. But I'm not sure he's the rider he used to be... Also, I agree the problems are much further up, but still doesn't mean we can't upgrade the bottom end either... And no offence to George, he looks like he could be alright eventually, but we can't afford to carry loads of passengers this year...

Yes, we had Connor, and he was a very raw rider at the time (2017 I believe?) It is now 5 years later, and yes he isn't a superstar in the making, but he is better than Jack Smith imo, who definitely couldn't ride Brough at all and maybe not quite as good as Ben Morley on most tracks, but I could see him beating Ben at Newcastle. Connor would be a decent 2.00 rider, if we needed one.

I just had a dream that Nico Covatti and Lidvig Lindgren signed for us... I could tell it was just a dream though Why is Ludvigs case so bad? Even with the new promotion? I was never a huge for of Pavlova but he'd be a massive upgrade on George. And the only Swede in British speedway!!

Him and Pavlova still scored decently in Sweden last year... But I can imagine both them bridges are burned are they not? Even if it is a new promotion...

Of course, George is better than all of our number 7s last year I would agree... But so is Connor Coles and Justin Sedgmen... Better than George too, I wouldn't mind keeping George either tbh... But Brad has to go (if he hasn't already...)

Did they win the league cup or whatever it was back then???

That's twice I've seen Ben Morley and Jack Smith mentioned, but no one mentions Connor Coles, who is better than both imo, especially at Brough. Ben Morley is alright, but I don't rate Jack Smith at all... And it's still too early for Archie, but I know Dave has been involved with him since he was little, so of course he'll be a little bit biased... If Justin Sedgmen is coming over, get him signed for George and start looking for someone to replace BWD. Even if it's something like Ondrej Smetana or a new 4.00 Dane (the Basso signing of 2022 possibly?) Something different please... George Congreve needs a season of second halves around the country I think, if he can afford it... What's Josef Franc doing these days, I bet he'd still be a solid rider, and what happened to Christian Henry's comeback, was it just a few rides in Aussie just for fun, or something more?? Dare I mention Davey Watt? Just to trigger the older fans... Ludvig would be ideal if he was truly there the other night... 1. Ludvig Lindgren 2. Matthew Wethers 3. James Wright 4. Max Clegg 5. Paul Starke 6. Lee Complin 7. Justin Sedgmen/Ondrej Smetana

Co-promoter Rob Grant said afterwards: “I can appreciate the fans will be getting frustrated after our latest result, but I can confirm we are doing the air miles in trying to contact as many riders as we can. “We are on the case, but the majority of riders who are not fixed up are either retired or don’t want to race this season. We are not clear on the shoulder injury of Bradley Wilson-Dean, and therefore we are looking at different options. “Yes, its a bit doom and gloom at the minute, but we know we have a job to do, and we will make a change as soon as the right riders become available.”

Come to laugh at us, like his 'fans' laughed at him for years for not winning every race

So no one would lend George a bike in heat 2 then he wasn't allowed into heat 9??? What's going in. Granty finally realise how weak we are??

Looking forward to seeing Charles and Erik tonight, they were brilliant at Redcar on Friday, that's about the only thing to look forward to. I suppose it would be nice to see Lee among the points also, always improving

Ah right, I wasn't sure I take it Declan is his younger brother is he?

His brother Luke??? Are they both called Luke, or are you getting mixed up...

I think tonight's crowd will be very telling for how the rest of the season goes... I hope Rob notices and has a long hard think about what he can do, I know he's got his budget and he's already done so much, but it would be such a shame just to let this opportunities we have now just go down the pan...

Hopefully Brad recovers from his injuries soon, no amount of unhappiness towards the team performances should I wish injury on anyone.

Surprised he got such a massive reduction tbh, but I'm sure it was all done fairly I do like Ben, from his days at Newcastle, always giving 100% and claimed a few decent scalps at home, even if he was well out of his depth, good look to the Chargers

If these are the types of teams we can put together based on our budget, we should be going National League instead until we find more budget, we clearly can't afford the Championship now?? Racing is better in the NL anyway

Can someone explain to me the reasoning behind Ben Hopwood's reduction? I'm not doubting the reason, whatever it is. Just want to know why

I don't see why everyone underestimates this Oxford side, especially once Killeen is here... 4 heatleaders, Jacob Clouting is only going to get better with age and Aaran Butcher isn't an awful junior reserve... If Luke turns out to be a hidden gem, I see them as one of the better sides in the league. Belle Vue is still my bets as champions though...

That's what I thought, shame Why not mention it? It happened and it was totally unacceptable, when JBA 'wiped' out Stevie at Scunthorpe everyone blew up about it, when Kenni was wiped out at Newcastle, everyone kicked off, it should be made a deal of, because petty things such as that do NOT need to be in our sport, aye have a punch up in the pits if you must, but do it off the bikes, they're far too dangerous... Let's face it, we're gonna go bust anyway, so we may as well try and be competitive... And I doubt BWD is cheap...?

Wonderful thanks, I wish I knew this earlier

What ever happened to Nick Skorja and Ondrej Smetana I'm sure when Zagar comes over for Belle Vue, Nick will come to the North of England with him

Only hope we have is a few of Redcar's riders either have never been to Brough, or aren't the best here... Although with 2 ex Diamonds, Charles Wright and Erik... I don't see us winning this at all. At least we'll see a decent team and what a good line up could be in this league

You're right, I know... Which is why I said it wasn't going to happen. Just responding to the previous poster. There isn't enough riders around to make any changes... May I ask why no to Rene? Do you have any insider knowledge, I've always wanted to see him back... As for Lasse's attitude... Doesn't seem to be much worse than Brads? At least he's never wiped out a rider after the race... And both pull up if at the back, at least Lasse was better around Brough, although I do agree, it's a pretty like for like change, only worth it if we can get a decent rider in for George also (I know it ain't happening)

I've been going to Newcastle since I was 5 years old, and this is the first season that I'm honestly not excited about one bit. I won't stop going myself, but the usual group of people I stand with, none of them were there last Sunday, so there 5 supporters who saw the team and didn't bother... not looking good is it?