BackInTheDHSS

What do you want them to say? 'We were rubbish, don't bother coming to any of our other meetings'? That's probably more accurate, but now how PR works.

I'm sure it will be a good meeting, it looks relatively close on paper. I think Poole might nick it though, hard to see where Oxford look stronger apart from at 7. Will need Gilkes and Jenkins to show the same kind of form from last week, and McDiarmid to have a good debut. Oxford 43-47 Poole

The Poole fans are incredibly quiet on this thread. Bet they aren't so quiet after the meeting.

Oxford are certainly not suffering financially, quite the opposite in fact. The finances are very healthy. The problem comes from incredibly poor team building - and loyalty to riders that could arguably be replaced with far better alternatives. Courtney and Schroek put their eggs in certain baskets (Madsen in the Premiership and Nicholls in the Championship) only for it comes back and bite them hard when neither of them ended up being available. Lots of last minute scrambling around to then try and build teams. If crowds do drop, which they probably will without changes, there are contingency plans for that. They would have to fall considerably for the club to start making a loss. There's no danger of he club being at risk - only danger is them thinking it might not be viable to do all three leagues in 2026.

Yep, I agree. Although it needs to start with another heat leader and then build other changes around that. If a Leon Madsen-type signing can be made, then the other changes can work around. Could also do a lot worse than Dan Gilkes based on how he rode for the Cheetahs the other night - surely only a matter of time before he's fitted in somehow.

Weird how so many Belle Vue fans are bothered by the Ipswich team. Seems like most fans of the other clubs appreciate some good team building, and just wish their own clubs could field a similar team.... not Belle Vue. A lot of jealousy coming from the NSS. As an Oxford fan, last night was a pretty tough - but not unexpected - watch. A lot of work to do for the Spires, but a lot of wiggle room with points if they can find the right rider.

I should just ignore it. The majority of speedway fans surely just appreciate anybody that takes time out from their own evening to send updates for the rest of us. On behalf of them, thank you.

Can only see a home win personally, although a lot depends which Cameron Heeps turns up. A few of the Oxford riders (Masters, Knudsen, Jenkins and Killeen) have already ridden the track this season, which should help. Looking forward to seeing Mitch McDiarmid - arrives with enormous potential, so let's see what he's capable of.

I'm not expecting you to appreciate the irony of your last post, but I'm putting it here for everybody else to enjoy

You'll have a nice day watching Ipswich lift the trophy? Strange!

Can you imagine Belle Vue and Poole in the same league? *shudders*

@TTT can you post any further updates in Polish please? Don't worry about any of us, but at least one person who thinks he's the forum king will be happy.

It's better late than never. Perhaps you should have re-read you post as well...which is considerably shorter. Stop having a go @TTT, he posted an update (which perhaps he should have read, although it's pretty obvious it's a translation issue), he's now edited it and has been very courteous about it, which is more than can be said of you!

A good signing, but still think the Spires look a little weak overall. Should be competitive at least. Interesting that Jamie Courtney said this in the release: "At the end of October last year we believed that the Spires team was in place however, a couple of unexpected complications meant that I had to go back to the drawing board"

That’s almost certainly what will happen.

The punctuation is hurting my eyes!

Great shout!

It was in 2023, not 2024, and he averaged 8.21 across both spells at King's Lynn and Peterborough. Just 0.11 behind Dan Bewley's 2023 average. Now while it's not what you'd probably expect from a former world champion, it's a bit better than 'decidedly average' in my opinion. It's also a higher average than any Oxford Spires rider managed last year, so he wouldn't be a bad signing.

I'm sure many fans did. I've always thought Phil was on the money, so had no reason to doubt him. But not everybody gets things right all the time, and things also change. What's your point exactly?

You better ask @Phil The Ace that. He started the rumours back in September. In other words - no - they're not the same.

Jody Scott was part of the Cheetahs plans up until when Scott Nicholls was ruled out. When that happened they had to have a re-think (Knudsen a late signing and Heeps retained - as opposed to Nicholls and Scott). He'll definitely be in the Chargers team.

They spoke to Dudek, but nothing came of it. Last I heard it was between Madsen and Kubera - but nothing concrete.

Yep, Gilkes riding for the Cheetahs in 2025

Dan Gilkes, Jonas Knudsen and Mitch McDiarmid.

Not a criticism. Just a general comment that he really will be delighted.