Macca

Interesting shouts. Personally, I’d try to get Masters back instead of Riss and downgrade Palovaara and/or Hook, to be stronger in heats 13+15. If Brum moving up means less likely Oxford moving up, realise chance of Masters returning is slim! There’s no way we can gamble on Cook with his average. Particularly after how bad we were this season - next season needs to be far, far better obviously!

I can definitely see 2 teams moving up to ‘protect’ the premiership. Oxford and Glasgow maybe?

Last night prime example. As good as his heat off 15m was last night (with the tape touch clearly being intentional) it was heat 13 that won the meeting. And (had it mattered) heat 15 producing the same result.

Kye yes, Lasse no.

Rumours (and only rumours!!) that Sam has asked us about next season. Time will tell. Too many ifs and buts, probably, and mainly relying on Oxford moving up a league. Sam’s reason for moving was travel, but it’s not as if we’re riding every Friday night these days and will be less if any clubs move to the premier league and are not replaced. Clutching at straws perhaps, but this would genuinely be one to get the fans feeling positive about next season. What’s the Richie Worrall situation?? Available for discussion?! Haha!

Logically, you are spot on re Paco. A classic ‘heart says yes, head says no’ for many fans, I suspect. Out of interest, what would be your rationale for taking Kye and Bastian back?

Appreciate that and know it’s generally true, but I’m sure he rode the outside in his last 2 rides and did he not take Kemp from the outside in 14? Can’t recall (someone watching back can maybe correct me). If so, just highlights the inconsistency!!

Agree with the comments. The way the team was built and being too loyal to riders. Kye had a good meeting last night, credit to him, but he’s not progressed to be a heat leader this season, as was the hope. That, and having R/R or poor guests for Cook, left us with only one heat leader who, as exciting and hard working as he is, is not a reliable number 1. As well as carrying Wood as a passenger, Lasse as a passenger whenever returning from an injury, and Borke on all tracks apart from Berwick and Glasgow. Personally, I’d have Picko back next season, if we could get a more reliable number 1 (e.g. Masters). Other than that, maybe Paco, but can someone please explain how that is the same rider in his first 2 heats and then second 2 heats. Literally goes from Dayle Wood to prime Ryan Fisher. Unreal but frustrating! Although maybe next season is when Paco does sign for Birmingham!!

As expected, not even competitive. Shocking crowd and deservedly so. A glimpse of the sort of crowd to expect next season unless a totally different 1-7.

That’s fair. Can totally understand that at this stage. Particularly as he is your captain(?). Our hope was obviously Worrall (not riding in playoffs) before what happened, happened.

This sums up our season. Not sure about Howarth, but apparently Schlein agreed before being told no by Wolves.

Pick a number, Pirates, pick a number… Hopefully Picko and Howarth can give you some competitive races at least.

Embarassing but not at all suprising. Should’ve just let Birmingham get the last playoff spot to make things mildly interesting for Scunny and Poole, really. Big changes needed over the winter. Realistically, a team this far off the pace shouldn’t be keeping any more than, say, two riders. It would be great to keep Picko, if he is riding at five and we could have Masters at one (if Oxford moved up). Struggling to see who else.

Agreed. Although what happens if (hypothetically) Oxford move up a league.

Clearly Oxford calling the shots. Why would Killeen not sign to secure a championship spot, particularly when he’d just scored paid 8 points from 4 rides at the track before being replaced.

Aye. Can only assume other changes needed done before a certain date, so had to declare Wood, and then didn’t manage to get the 2 pointer they wanted. Sam Hagon was mentioned.

Great question!! To my knowledge, nothing else on the matter has been announced since this being the last year. Think it’s widely expected that we will continue at Armadale, given the issues the owner has with selling the place, but nothing announced from the club, as far as I’m aware. ‘Farewell’ meeting 2.0….

Think it was just a genuine question out of curiosity, to be fair, no one losing sleep over it.

Good point. Official start times are 7 and 8.45. So maybe working on the assumption that they can complete each meeting in 1 hr and 15 mins, with a 30 mins break in between, taking up to the 10pm curfew. All going well(!!) Not sure if 30 mins would be enough or whether there is extra space in pit area. Where do juniors/second half riders usually set up? Purely guessing. Sure someone more in the know can clarify.

Agreed re Jacob. Could tell how hard he was trying but the track just didn’t have enough racing lines tonight to allow for more passing.

Congrats to Poole. Different class. Lawson very impressive - more of that on Friday please!! Also, Newman deserves a mention, paid max - some hard but fair riding! 3 points compared to (paid) 21 points from the respective reserves says it all really.

Aye, the gating gives me the fear. At a Berwick or a Glasgow, Borke at reserve is a trump card. Can’t see him doing anything tonight, sadly. Hope I’m wrong. As usual, a lot will come down to the Kye and Paco pairing.

Fair play. Wasn’t sure if you watched British finals or any of the British GPs or World Cup where he represented (presumably) your country. Anyway, back to the meeting haha! Ben Cook doing particularly well.

So immediately loses any respect in recognition of a highly successful and entertaining 15 year career. Christ.

Fair enough. Everyone entitled to their opinion, of course. I’ve said in another thread I sympathise with Leicester fans right now. Just thought the sarcastic comment wasn’t really needed. Not for someone who has given so, so much to British speedway over the years and (along with all riders) risks his life and the life of others for our entertainment. Not for the sake of scoring 0 in one meeting when trying to get back into the swing of things after what happened (which I imagine can only really be done by getting competitive track time). Just my opinion. Maybe not a popular one. Best of luck to Leicester for the rest of the season!