NJC71

How about: Rene Bach Claes Nedermark Christian Henry Richie Worrall Ludvig Lindgren Steve Worrall Carl Wilkinson That team is under the limit based on current GSA's. Has a potential number 1 in Rene. Two potential heat leaders in Ludvig and Richie. Two of the best second strings in the league in Henry and Ned and a strong reserve pairing. Would also be a great team to watch with Rene, Ludvig, Richie and Wilko to provide the entertainment.

That team is about 3 points over the limit.

Strange. Hardly scores a point for Edinburgh against us for years and then rides for us and bangs in double figures. Suppose he wasn't riding against the Diamonds tonight.

Wethers is an odd choice. He's been woeful at Brough since that 21 point max. Don't suppose it really matters.

Nobody is having a personal dig at either Robbo or Lemo. Both are great lads who have been superb for the Diamonds in the past but I'm sorry the fact is that both have had by their high standards poor seasons and in all honesty have been dreadful at times away from home. I don't think either has been that dominant at home either to be frank. We all know Robbo is poor from the start but in past seasons he'd have been all over the rider in front. This season he's been beaten easily a number of times. Away from home we've conceded 5-1's in heat 13 and 15 more often that not and it's become fairly predictable. Anyone watching last night could probably have guessed the outcomes of those two heats before they happened. I'm sure there are reasons, Lemo has had a few bad injuries which would have taken it's toll and he's probably ridden a number of times when not fully fit or even close to it. But the harsh fact is both are in their late thirties and looking ahead to next season would anyone seriously consider having both in the team? Because of the rolling averages they both still carry reasonably high averages and it would be a huge gamble expecting them to hold or improve on those averages. Winning teams are built on having riders who improve their averages. Henry, Ned, Ludo and both Worralls have all upped their averages, most of them by a fair bit. Sorry but the injuries aside the reason we have fallen away is because we haven't been strong enough at the top end. We've had the best second strings in the league and at least one high scoring reserve all season and could still have won it despite the injuries had we won more of those big heats. That's the reason we failed to beat Somerset. I agree with Pablo 133. If there's any chance of getting Rene back we should go for it as he's only going to improve as he gets fitter and more confident.

2 points up with 4 races left and didn't even get a point. Obviously losing Henry didn't help (hope he's ok) but same old story for the Diamonds away from home. Just no fire power at all in heat 13 and 15. I would love to know the stats but we must have an awful record in those heats on the road this year. Needs to be addressed in the winter. We need a number 1 who can win those races on a reasonably consistent basis. Shame tomorrow is now a dead rubber as far as the Diamonds are concerned as we can't now realistically qualify.

Some of Newcastle's fans have been ascussed of this in the past but to be fair Robbo was up quickly and Ludvig didn't really fall he just spun it round. I don't think they would have cheered had either been a bad crash and that's what gets lost in this debate. They had just taken a big step to winning the league and were through to the LC final, can't blame them for being happy about it.

?? Of course I know why we couldn't use a tactical..point is that Newcastle performed better than Somerset did away from home over the first 12 heats and were penalised because of it. That is just rediculous. Been the problem all season George.

Very harsh on the Diamonds tonight. Already running rider replacement we needed all riders on form but Ludvig had by his standards something of an off night and Henry had mechanical problems. Of course we also had the disadvantage of not being able to use a tactical in the play-off match. That is totally unfair in my opinion. If no tacticals are used in the first match then none should be allowed in the second. That would be fair. As it was with Doyle and Monberg in such good from it always looked to big an ask and so it proved. Again we didn't get enough from the heat leaders to compensate slightly off nights for the others Ned apart. Congratulations to Somerset. Wright is absolutely awful, what has happened to him over the last few years is a mystery. He can moan all he likes about the referee but he was miles off the pace and beaten fair and square by a NL guest who has virtually no experience of this track. Doyle though is the most accomplished rider in the league. Rode inteligently all night and was a class apart. Monberg was always likely to be a serious threat on this track and so it proved. Both reserves were lively. Not sour grapes but I do think the Rebels will have been fortunate if they go on and win the league but that is speedway I guess. No doubt they'll change the rules again next year.

Tonight is PL play-off and League Cup Semi-Final. That is the League Cup (i.e. Premier Trophy) and not the KO Cup so tacticals will presumably be allowed in both matches tonight.

For a one off match why not go for Adam? Know's the track like the back of his hand and if he gates is capable of getting points. It's not the future but I would sooner have him for such a big couple of meetings than an NL novice who doesn't know the track and won't score. We are talking about Kyle who can fly around Brough and Perry who is no mug either. We need someone who can hit the ground running.

Battling effort from the Diamonds against a full strength Somerset side. Ultimately the 5-1's conceded in heat 15 could be crucial in terms of points difference and any chance of pulling the deficit back in the cup match. Huge respect to Ned for taking 14 rides and scoring in all but a couple of them. Tremendous effort. Unfortunately as harsh as it sounds after a tough double header we have yet again lacked points from the heat leaders in the big heats and that will probably cost us along with of course the injuries to Richie & Steve. We've done amazingly well to be so competitive without those two. Had neither been injured I'm convinced we would have won a bagful of trophies this season but I guess others could say the same. Still, we've done just enough to give us a fighting chance on Sunday. We'll need all 3 points from the PL match. Got to say this business of a mini-league must be scrapped. Takes too much of the drama away. We could be awaiting the result of a match we're not involved in to find out if we make the final.

I agree that the League Cup has gone on far too long but I guess the number of rain offs this year has been a real problem. Don't see where some are coming from by criticising the decision to run a double header. I just can't see what alternative there is? There are 5 Sunday's left (assuming no more rain offs) and a potential 7 fixtures to fit in. Running two matches in the same week would mean double the admission costs for the fans and presumably double stadium rent for the promotion. Nobody can reasonably expect the promotion to run two meetings in one night for the same or similar admission costs when they have double points money to pay. It is a big ask for the fans but £25 ain't that bad when you consider the cost of a PL game at St James' or a night out. We are only in this position because we have been so successful. Alternative would be season now over or a few matches in the Young Shield (or whatever it's called). I know which I'd prefer. Really hope we can keep at least one of tonight's matches close. My main worry is that we lose both heavily in which case Sunday could be a costly one for the club.

On no, Mr Snackette has infiltrated the Newcastle thread. God help us.

Hope Ned is feeling fully fit and raring to go because he will have plenty of work to do. Huge test of man and machine and how he copes with it could be the key to the Diamonds chances against a very decent Somerset pair. He surely can't be expected to take 7 rides in every meeting so Paul Starke (assuming he guests) will have to ride well.

Interesting. Leicester was a given but I think with Howarth back and Edinburgh's strong home form plus the hammering we took up there in the league, perhaps the riders were more comfortable with Somerset. We normally go quite well down there and maybe they think they have more chance of a point there than they would at Worky or Edinburgh. Somerset will start as favourites though.

I would think Newcastle will definitely go for Leicester and then whoever is left between Edinburgh and Workington as it's safe to assume Scunny won't pick Somerset first. Personally i hope we are left with Workington as Edinburgh are very strong at home and that would worry me particularly with Cook back.

Well done to the Diamonds for finishing top of the league. Fantastic achievement considering we lost the best reserve pairing in the league half-way through the season. Will be tough to win the play-offs but hope we can do it as we deserve it. Anyone know how the play-off selection works? I would like to see us in a group with Leicester & Workington.

Haven't read all of the posts but isn't it true that promoters have to pay some sort of licence fee to the BSPA (someone mentioned as much as 30 grand) and wouldn't get it back if the track closed? If there's any truth in that you would think he'd be desperate to sell not close.

Not a great meeting. Lovely, smooth track but not a lot of passing. Tully highlighted this by making one good start and winning by a straight but not doing much else. At the moment our top two at Brough are Lindgren and Henry and again both were impressive. Ned offered good support, one poor ride apart which didn't seem to amuse George although he answered that in great style. Again some good rides from Robbo and Lemo but some average rides as well. How good would we have been this year had both been at their best, regardless of the Worrall injuries? On to Plymouth then with a draw or win needed to finish top. Ned should score well there at reserve against a very average home pair so the key will be having riders who can compete and take points from Barker, Fisher & Gathercole. Step forward Robbo & Lemo......

Would have taken a point before the start but disappointing having led by 2 with just 2 heats left. As TS says that's happened to us a few times this season (Leicester & Somerset spring to mind) and for me it's because our top 2 have just not fired on the road this season for whatever reason. They've been good at home but it's less of an issue at home as Lindgren and Henry are so good around Brough any poor scores don't stand out. But on the road they are both exposed more and neither has won enough races. To be fair Lemo has had a number of bad crashes but the feeling remains that both are in the latter stages of their careers and may struggle to get back to the form we know they are both capable of. Again though the form of the others kept us in the match and because of that we still have a chance on the play-offs and the cup matches as we've remained very competitive in most away matches.

Anyway, moving swiftly on.... Monarchs will have a guest for Cook and Tabaka might not be such a miss around Brough so I expect a tough match but the Diamonds should do enough to pick up the 3 points. Hard to judge Edindburgh though. Deek will be solid, Wethers has been pretty woeful around here since that famous 21 point max and Pjiper and Tully have had average and brilliant meetings here. 51-42.

Newcastle haven't really had top end strength away from home. Lemo and to a lesser extent Robbo have been fairly poor away from Brough this year, it's been the second strings and reserves that have been our strength on the road but the injuries to the Worrall's has put a big hole in that. Ipswich should win this comfortably unless Ned has a blinder at reserve. He was fairly poor at Sheffield & Berwick.

That wonderful heat 9 aside not a meeting that will live long in the memory mainly due to a Plymouth side which in all honesty, Fisher and Gathercole apart was National League standard. I accept that at this stage of the season rider replacement and guests are common place but no excuse for not fielding a guest for an injured number 1 when they could have picked anyone available. Frustrating to watch Rene Bach standing in the pits when he could have been on the track. Don't know what's going on at Plymouth but not good enough imo. Easy points for the Diamonds and we still have a chance of finishing top, although realistically we'll need to win one of the final two away matches. Ipswich without Ludvig doesn't seem likely so perhaps the return match at Plymouth is our best chance. Anyone know if there's any chance of either Steve or Richie riding again this season?

Diamonds would have won this fairly easily with Barker but without him I would't be surprised to see 60+ particularly if they are using r/r. Why no guest? Not for the first time Plymouth look very weak.