bellevueace

Not bitter at all mate, i think teams should be able to replace their number 1, considering all the comments about Lambert last season, and BV being called everythin from cheats to scum over at Owlerton just comes over as a bit hypocritical.

Cheers so Sheffield can bring in a guest for Tai then, does seem somewhat ironic considering according to many we should not have been able to replace our number1 last season. No doubt Mr Steads opinion has changed. Dont think we will do it with r/r, we need Blodorn and Brennan really on it and the extraliga version of Dan. I have a slight incling towards Ipswich, can never disregard them with their spearhead

Yes Leicester capitulated in the end but Ipswich still had to go out and win meetings to acrue the points to be in a position to take advantage. We know what we are going to get from Doyley and Emil, if Ipswich can give them that middle order backing over the play offs they could actually go all the way.

I know that what i meant was we always seem to pick up injuries as we go into the play offs, Bjerre, Kurtz, Etheridge, Wright during the first leg last season and now again a week before the semi. Whats the rule now as regarding season ending injuries, for example if Tai is now out can Sheffield bring in a replacement at number 1? I thought that so called loophole had been closed after all the moaning about last season, if so seems Simon Stead is happy to go down the same path we did last season. Just asking as to be honest i gave up trying to keep up with the rules. I wouldnt be surprised if Ipswich after just sneaking in go on to win it.

Best wishes to Charles, injuries during the play offs seem to be a given with BV.

Hes booked up by Sheffield

Easy home win.

Totally agree with you Speedy, i know the arguements for a GP style series but it has nowhere near the atmosphere of the one off final.

Years ago every track had their own big individual meetings, Pride of the East, Golden Gauntlets, Internationale, Golden Hammer etc, top line ups and big crowds, even challenge matches were well attended. These type of meetings nowadays are unviable to run hence their disappearance. Hard to think now a speedway season would have 36 league matches, KO cup, challenge matches, individuals, World Championship qualifiers. With the exception of Poland the sport seems to be struggling everywhere, the influence of the Poles and the GP,s has had a negative effect in my opinion, and with rumour of increasing GP rounds will speedway end up like F1 with the GP taking over?

If they wanted to progress in the world championship they had to.

No at Coventry when the final was full of top class riders, compare those days of the British final to recent years. No wonder the crowds came out in force mid week in those days.

The wednesday night British finals were always packed out every time i went, always thought it strange being mid week even though the quality on display was top class.

For me even the GP,s are becoming played out, there were great individual meetings in the past the BLRC which usually had a field that was better than the world final, the British Final at Coventry packed with world class talent, and every track had their own big individual meetings again packed with the top talent available. I remember travelling to Kings Lynn for the Pride of the East for example. I suppose those meetings back then were popular due the riders participating, compare to this years British Final for example.

The league format isnt the problem, that is down to the powers that be that implement the rules, for me the rot set in when the old school promoters who actually knew how to promote disappeared.

After 55 years following speedway if we had no league speedway i would walk away from it.

Agree no real speedway fan wants to see any club disappear, at this rate those few clubs that are secure will have no one to race againt if this current trend continues.

Not a good advert to introduce the groups of newbies to for their first meeting. I remember Man United getting fined by the FA when Sir Alex fielded a weakened team in a cup match even though United won by a couple of goals, if the BSPL did the same Lynn would be in trouble, hopefully they can get to the end of the season and come back stronger next season whatever the format might be.

Well it appears its Stevie who is the winner in that family

Im surprised you watched it all the way through

Bouncing down here im 20 mins away from the track.

Me neither and the powers that be wonder why the sport is struggling. At least United match in on live.

The "Winner" withdraws

Exactly he would be nowhere near the title no matter how many rounds were held. Never heard riders moaning about it being at Coventry every year, was always a great meeting there but look at the differnce in quality compared to today.

Ive always found coming out by what used to be the flouch pub cuts out the nightmare of Mottram, going home after the meeting you should be ok with your regular route.

Come along the Stocksbridge by pass and through Holmfirth, Mossley i always go this way never had a traffic problem better than snake and woodhead.