TheWellBehavedWorrall

How did Brown get the job? Like, what are his credentials and background? Admittedly, I haven’t been to Ashfield for many years, but I’d never seen or heard or him when I was a regular. I remember when he replaced Stewart Dickson, wondering who he was.

That’s interesting, Mike, and very insightful. Thanks.

Cami Brown’s decision to give Pijper a fourth ride on Monday night was criminal, but he knows what he’s doing putting Basso at three and Tarasenko at five; it allows them the opportunity to ride together in heat three, or anywhere else before the final heat. Impossible, had Tarasenko been at three.

Not Tarasenko though. Taking into account everything I’ve said in my last post, I’m confident. I feel like it’s reached the business end of the season and Glasgow have flicked a switch. Whereas Poole dropped points at home to Scunthorpe and we’re rag-dolled for most of Monday night.

Poole defeated a severely depleted Glasgow side without Basso and Tarasenko 53-37 back in August, so I’m confident that with them, Glasgow can score at least two more points. I’m conscious of the momentum Glasgow have, including inflicting Poole’s biggest defeat of the season on them. Poole’s “top guns” were made to look like National League riders by Chris Harrris; that’s a significant marker to put down. In my opinion, Poole’s play-off group - which was as challenging as a spa weekend - was evident at Ashfield on Monday night. They’re in unknown territory; never been tasked with such a battle in 2023. I’m also not sure who Steve Worrall was trying to persuade when he said “they’ve got a few things going against them”… us or himself?

I’ve liked this for honesty, but find it somewhat a defeatist mentality and that isn’t a criticism; I simply don’t know the costs associated with running a club. Your comment about enjoying the racing, but not getting bothered by the result is sad (again, not a criticism) because if you had been to Ashfield for the Oxford and Poole matches and no doubt Wimborne Road tonight, you’d see how much those results mean to people. You’re obviously well-educated on the subject, but I’d be interested to hear what your thoughts are on what’s caused British Speedway to find itself in this situation? Again, I’d like to reiterate that none of this is a criticism; you’re more than likely accurate with your comments and sometimes, the truth hurts.

It’s play-off final day, what do you expect? I’m on edge.

You’re now just making throwaway statements, Lisa. No-one is saying anyone should require additional motivation, but they’re sportsmen; their motivation has propelled them to this level.

Christ, there’s nothing worse than a smart arse, but there’s nothing better than one whose failed to read the full discussion, so ends up looking obnoxious. I said if I was Cami Brown, I’d be printing the quote and putting it on the wall of Glasgow’s pits area for motivation. At no point does that require Tarasenko to seek-out a local media outlet. You’d have known that, had you read the discussion.

What a meeting this is shaping-up to be. I just hope the track affords the fans and cameras some good, quality racing.

I’m not saying it’s controversial, but a fan making that statement is entirely different from an opponent doing so. If I’m Tarasenko, I’m wondering why a Poole rider is speaking about me to the media, especially Worrall’s suggestion that his unfamiliarity with Wimborne Road might be a weakness for Glasgow. It doesn’t have to be controversial to motivate someone.

Absolutely not. Don’t get me wrong; there will be some disgruntled riders and clubs, should the leagues merge, but it’ll be for the long-term health of British Speedway. Our very own Chris Harris will arguably suffer most, but we’ve now reached a point of farce: the Premiership will have one more club in it than a Champions League group and the qualifying for the Championship’s play-offs isn’t a novelty because more teams do than don’t. Variety is near non-existent in British Speedway and that is the biggest threat to the sport in this country.

If I’m Cami Brown, I’m printing this and sticking it up around the Glasgow pits area tonight. Steve Worrall’s comments, FYI.

Good morning, speedway fans. Hows the weather in Dorset?

See above Lisa. I’m not saying last night was the greatest meeting ever raced, but it’s outright nonsense to suggest there was no passing. If every meeting in the UK consistently included the number of passes I’ve mentioned in my quote above, Speedway in this country would be in significantly better shape.

We’re being pedantic here, are we not? Off the top of my head, Harris passed the two Cook’s in heat ten, then Lawson and Worrall in heat fifteen. As you mentioned, Tarasenko and Thompson had a really good battle shortly after Tarasenko and Ben Cook were wheel-to-wheel for two laps before the Russian passed him in heat seven. You’ve even got Complin passing Thompson, Basso passed Newman before Complin did the same, but fell off. Need I go on? A bizarre observation to make. That wasn’t the 2007 British GP or 1996 PLRC, but that was a very good Speedway meeting last night; let’s celebrate it, not downplay it. That’s the last thing this sport needs.

It’s fair enough, too. It’s Poole’s track, so it’s theirs to prepare. I just hope it doesn’t ruin the meeting. There was some fantastic racing at Ashfield last night, worthy of a grand final, so from-the-gate speedway tomorrow night would be a shame.

It’s a massive testament to Glasgow that this is even crossing anyone’s mind, as the side who won the league outright and were unbeaten from July to October prepare to host the second leg of the grand final.

Those statistics don’t look great, do they? I don’t think you can underestimate momentum, though. Poole earned the right to Group A in the play-offs which was essentially a spa weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow put a marker down against Oxford during the final league fixture, then again in the play-offs and I believe that showed last night. Make no mistake about it, Glagsow rag-dolled Poole last night and even in a more tame second half of the meeting, Chris Harris set the tone by playing with Lawson, Worrall and Ben Cook in front of the BSN cameras before doing all three. You can’t quantify momentum, but it’s definitely with Glasgow because Poole’s top boys were made to look a bit silly last night.

If Harris, Brennan, Vissing, Complin and Pijper, plus Richie Escobar as a guest, can score 37 points at Poole in August, then a Glasgow side including Basso and Tarasenko can win the meeting. I’m genuinely buzzing to watch this tomorrow night, but I just hope some people are exaggerating how poor Wimborne Road can be. It’s the grand final; people want to be entertained, like last night.

I love the attempted reverse psychology on this forum and it’s coming from both parties here. You better hope neither sets of riders visits this place for inspiration because all they’ll find is their own fans writing them off.

It probably did. I’m not sure there can be a great deal of argument against his exclusion from heat two. The frustration should come from the fact that he was clearly quicker than Pijper, so would almost inevitably have passed him, had he not clipped him.

Perfectly summarised.

That would make sense because by f*ck was he poor. He went from smoking the Pirates to being slapped about by them. It was bizarre. What happened to his first bike? I saw him out doing a practice lap after heat fifteen and before the parade which is unusual.

I know, I’ve just said that.