NJC71

To be fair the team as it was, was going nowhere. We'd already lost twice at home and been largely uncompetitive away. I agree the changes without Lambert have left us arguably weaker and certainly not obviously stronger but it was probably a gamble worth taking. The downside is dropping riders inevitably damages relationships. Hard to see Henry or Rosen riding for us again which is a shame as Henry is one of the best middle order riders in the league and Rosen had potential to improve. Other side of the coin is that King may end up being the number we have craved for the future. Basically we are paying the price for not getting the balance of the team right in the winter. It's always a gamble to some extent and it didn't work on this occasion.

Wasted trip to Brough. Never even crossed my mind that this would be off. Been a fine day other than a heavy ish shower for 20 minutes this afternoon. Certainly seen meetings take place when the weather during the day has been a hell of a lot worse. Never mind.

Not so sure about that. Fisher has a hitty-missy record around Brough, Dryml was absolutely woeful here in the play-off match in 2010. Main threat could come from Bjerre and Ostergaard. Much will depend on Blackbird and the two reserves. Agree that the Newcastle side is now weaker on paper but that said we weren't going anywhere with that 1-7 anyway.

His average will be over 5 which when converted will rule him out although there appears to be some rule whereby he can't double down regardless because he doesn't have a true PL average or something like that. Crazy.

Thought so and I can't believe such experienced promotions would miss such an obvious rule. This must be down to a technicality on assessed averages.

So if that is true, how did Belle Vue start the season with Cook, Worrall and Reade all in their side and all doubling-up with Edinburgh, Ipswich and Plymouth respectively? Or does this rule only count for top 5 EL riders and not the fast-track reserves? In which case King's Lynn & Newcastle are not breaking any rules.

Shouldn't matter. They are both young British riders. Current rules allow foreign riders to double up but won't allow a young British rider to. That is madness whatever the rule book says.

Firstly, it was clear changes had to be made. The team was just not strong enough at the top end and would have continued to be too vulnerable against teams with strong heat leaders. We were also not strong enough at reserve to compensate. As ruthless and harsh as it was then, dropping both Christian and Anton to bring in King and Lambert was the right decision. A complete no brainer. However with only King and a 3 pointer, it is not so clear cut. Yes we'll have the top end strength we so badly needed but we now have a very long tail. I wonder if the promotion had committed to the change before the Lambert decision was made; that is my worry. If they have then they may have created a bit of a hole for themselves as options for another reserve look non existent. If however they have gone ahead because they know a further change can be made in the near future then we'll have to wait and see what that is. Perhaps the view is to change now and reassess when King gets a true average. A risky strategy as that will presumably take a while to happen. Certainly no problem with making changes; I think it had to happen, jury still out though on whether this was the right move. As an aside I can't understand why Lambert has been refused a double up role. Lewis Rose has assessed averages in both leagues. I don't see the difference.

Deserved win for the Comets tonight. Out gated the Diamonds time and time again and with not a pass of note to report that was the decisive factor. I can't recall seeing a Diamonds side being left at the start as often as they were tonight and three races winners all night tells its own story. Bottom line is that the Diamonds are lacking firepower and are going to find it hard work when a side turns up with one or more strong heat leaders. Grajczonek was a case in point tonight and always looked likely to end up with a maximum. When this side was put together it clearly lacked proven top end strength with the highest average rider on not much over 7. I think the hope was that Rosen or maybe even Kerr would step up and fill the void left by Richie's departure but it just hasn't looked like happening so far and although that weakness was perhaps accentuated due to the poor gating tonight, it is a clearly a serious issue. Despite all of that there was still an opportunity to get out of jail tonight. The 8-1 reduced the gap to just three, but Henry's ef when leading could hardly have been more badly timed. Even then there was an opportunity when Josh G was finally out gated in heat 13 but Robson failed to drift and block the outside move which he surely should have done and that was that. In reality though we only had a chance because of the 8-1 and I remain of the opinion that the home side should not be allowed tactical rides. With 12 heat winners out of 15 the right team won.

Can't complain with the performance tonight. It was a cracking effort from all. Win, lose or draw I will never complain when I see effort like that. If only I could say the same about NUFC. Lindgren is not a number 1 but he gave everything tonight. Nobody can complain when he rides like that regardless of the number on his back. Can't ask for anymore just need to see that more consistently. Had we had any luck whatsoever we would have picked up a deserved point but when you have a rider have 4 engine failures, three times when leading, then what chance have you got - not to mention losing another rider through injury. I am not a mechanic so I won't criticise the lad. Just hope he can sort it soon as he's having a nightmare with machinery at PL level and it's obviously hurting us badly. Superb track - absolutely wonderful and a brilliant meeting. Heat 13 was breathtaking.

Another very disappointing away performance from the Diamonds. Comfy home wins aren't papering over the cracks. We are not strong enough I'm afraid.

Simon Stead has never ridden well at Brough. Expected a sizeable win as Sheffield, Lanham apart are not equipped to go well at Brough. Without wanting to be a party pooper I don't think the Diamonds will prove anything in terms of this season until they start winning races on the road.

Lewis has been ON the pace from the word go this season so far. His starting has been good, can't think of many races where he has been left standing still as you put it. He is doing more than fine, there is no way his place would be under threat. Don't get your point on him at all. Again the glaring problem with Newcastle is not at reserve. We have a number 1 and number 5 (not fair to single out Lindgren as Rosen has been just as poor), who are, at the moment, out of their depth. Hopefully that will change and they will turn it around but if the poor form continues into the league matches that's the only place where changes would make any difference. Replacing Lewis with another 3 pointer, or a 4 or 5 pointer for that matter, would be absurd and won't happen.

Lewis Rose is doing very well and is absolutely not the problem. The problem is that we aren't winning heats (only three last night). Changing three pointers is not going to make any difference to that. Strange post.

Pitiful. We won't be anywhere near the play-offs on the form of the last three matches. Just don't think there is anywhere near enough top end strength in this Diamonds side. Maximums for home heat leaders won't take much getting.

I don't think it will make much, if any difference if Anton rides at number 1. He will find it just as difficult and is similarly inconsistent - although to be fair he has far less experience. The bottom line is we don't have a number 1. We didn't really have a powerful number 1 last season either bit we did have Richie, who with his consistently fast starts was more capable of challenging and beating opposition heat leaders. We also had a high scoring reserve. My problem with this side is that, yes we lack top end power but we don't have the powerful reserve to compensate for that like we did last year which is why I think we might struggle. Early days of course but I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with a change or two at some stage although not yet, I'm sure the riders will be given time and support to find some form. We did build this side 1.5 points under the limit though.

Poor performance from the Diamonds and defeat would probably have been heavier had the Rebels been at full strength. It's early days but certainly there are clear warning signs. It's fine having a solid side without strong heat leaders if you have a solid top 5 coupled with powerful reserves but at the moment we look lacking in fire power and also weak at reserve - although that's no criticism of the riders as they are in the main riding to their averages and young Lewis is actually doing very well. Just not sure we have got the makeup of the side right this year. It looks like we were relying on Anton stepping up to ride at number 1; who knows he might do that in time, but not sure he is ready for that yet or will be at any stage this year. Lindgren is a good rider but he is inconsistent and looks exposed at the moment. On the plus side Robbo looked as good as I've seen him for a good while tonight. Somerset didn't look that strong on paper to me but they were very impressive tonight and will clearly be up there again. Charles Wright in particular was superb. He has improved massively since I last saw him ride. Good on him.

Hmmm...bit of a thumping for the Diamonds tonight. Didn't really fancy Somerset's starting 7 this year compared to other years but clearly they are going to be up there again and very strong at home at least. I think this meeting highlights that the Diamonds might not have the top end power to challenge this year. Solid yes, but do we have anybody who can consistently beat opposition heat leaders on the road? Probably not.

Good effort from the Diamonds. Just a fall away from would have been an important point. Fancy us to hammer Sheffield at home so we'll need a win at either Scunny or Redcar to have a chance of going through. Not impossible.

God that was a struggle. 40 minute delay, iffy track, usual pitiful Redcar showing, freezing cold weather, over two hours to get through it....not one that will live long in the memory.

Aggregate score doesn't count for anything though. First meeting of the season for me. Lawson scores well at Brough if he gates. Never know what to expect from Summers or Wilko but Skidmore is normally dire around Brough and Hall only normally capable of the odd good ride if the outside line is working. Looks like a comfortable home win to me.

39-51 at Peterborough. "52 would do" Havvy said before the match. 52-38. Last heat Thorpe, Bargh 5-1. Happy memories. First trophy I ever saw a Newcastle team win!

Decent top 3. Lawson is a decent number 1 - not in the Cook/Doyle mould but will do the job and give Redcar greater strength in heats 13 and 15 than they've had in recent seasons. Smith is still improving and is good to watch. Not a huge Summers fans personally. I think he's levelled out as a 7 point rider and is inconsistent. That said plenty of scope for a solid bottom 4. Need a good reserve though for this team to be contenders.

Top 3 is very, very strong. Doyle is probably the best no 1 in the league bar maybe Craig Cook. Morris would be a number 1 anywhere else and Allen is capable of a 9+ average if he can stay fit. Not sure about the other 4 though. Looks much weaker than some of the other contenders and although Wright & the Kurtz brothers will no doubt be good at home it could be a different story on the road. Somerset will be up there but don't fancy this side to win the title.

If only speedway was that simple. Many a strong line-up been ruined by injuries. Obviously don't want that to happen to any team but I'm afraid it always has a big bearing as the Comets know only too well from recent experience.