Najjer

... and I thought I was cynical at times Anyway, you can't give a facility for someone who hasn't ridden a meeting yet - so something has to give somewhere

Lets say Barker gets injured, and their rider who has no interest in the EL.. all of a sudden, then has to ride in the EL - I can't see it happening

I was - I have gone to Somerset every year since the club has been running. Whilst Somerset's track last season was far from being it's usual high standard, it was still reasonably good and far greater than the majority of tracks in the League. If you did your research too, there has been a massive amount of track work done at Somerset so far this winter, with a new track curator brought in at the tail end of last year the Oak Tree is desting for greatness once again. If you enjoy banger racing, maybe. Seen as you seemed to be completely oblivous as to what the Somerset promotion has done through the changing hands of promotions, I will list them: - State of the art clubhouse facilities, which includes bar area, quite probably the best catering facilities out of all Speedway tracks in the whole of the UK, and also provides live feeds into the clubhouse amongst other goings on. - Brand new terracing on the home straight. - Brand new medical centres, which I'm no expert in, but I'm led to believe again, one of the best in the Country. - Brand new pit area. - New backstraight banking put in place, to increase the viewing oppertunities. - There is work ongoing now redoing the backstraight viewing and removing the backstraight stands. - New and improved lighting. I'm sure there are many other things too which I have missed, however, it looks like you've missed alot more than what I have. As you said, hardly Wembley but never do you get the feeling of embaressment when entering the Arena... oh yeah, which has now been redone for this season and located in more extensive work to improve the OTA, in case you missed that too Why would anyone, for example, say Palm-Toft sign to double up when he knows he isn't going to get a ride? Thus, ruling him out potentially signing for anyone else in the League? Lets face it, if Sedgmen and Worrall can get a gig in the Elite League then I'm sitting by the phone myself in case I get called up shortly The difference being in Lynn's case, and Poole, they know after a couple of meetings they are going to be released. By signing as Barker's double upper, they have just ruled themselves out of a ride in the Elite League all season.

The Plymouth set up sums up everything that is wrong with the Speedway image. It's one of them places where if you took a mate who has never been to Speedway in his life, you would be totally embaressed to 'show off' that "This is Speedway". Vile rotten yellow and red open topped steps/seats, broken down bus parked in the corner and a fire engine circulating the track that is probaby more ancient than my grandad. Then you have to answer "Why don't they finish on the start/finish line?" - "Ah well... the track is too small for Premier League regulations."

TBF as has been said - he was rubbish even for Glasgow. Couldn't believe it was the same rider who rode for Birmingham last year, when he came to the OTA last year and scored 0 from 3 rides for Glasgow.

Signing someone on that average mid season will prove more difficult than expected - running the even one or two meetings with a NL rider, and not using R/R could cost Brum big style.

Barker gets injured, and they are left with a National League rider to take the role? Can't see that going down too well with Brum fans.

If Birmingham don't find a doubling up partner, he won't be doubling up with anyone - Whose going to want to double up with him when they already know Ben won't miss any fixtures?

Barker out? It's well known Birmingham are strugggling to find a doubling up partner for him.

Whooooooooosh.

To make it worse, he is superb around the Oak Tree too.

What, you mean Bowden isn't that well liked by fellow promotors? Really? TBF Bowden is right on the money in the Press Release regarding Ashworth if true though - fair play to him.

They could have Jason Crump and Nicki Pedersen, with Holder, Cockle and Werner, and even Boxall depending if he turns up or not, they will reach mid table at best.

Who said Speedway isn't classy? Did they present Ricky with one of them vile Berwick wulfsport coats at the local Burger King?

Well it must be true then

Come off it - You don't get given a good reputation over night, you have to earn it. You only have to look at the World of Football to see the hurls of abuse that get thrown around after a bad performance or few. Steve Kean at Blackburn has been slated like no tomorrow, do you believe he'd lose any sleep over a dozen people calling him 'crap'? No, it just spurs him on as proven with their results yesterday. If he (or any professional sportsman) can't take criticism or the like for poor performance past or present, they shouldn't be a sportsman.

Holder at no4? Jeez, I hope you don't put Werner at no3 It's a shame really for James as he will never be a World Champion or get remotely close, and has to constantly live in his younger brother's shadow - and it seems Plymouth have already fallen for the 'Chris Holder is his brother' trick, so James must be really good... mounting the pressure on him right from the get-go.

Never a dull moment, never a dull moment

Don't you remember Vasey and co messed it all up at Stoke that year? Taylor Poole's average mid season being the most memorable.

Over the past few years, its been common knowledge a whole host of clubs have tried to sign him in the PL - but Im led to believe his wage demands were far greater than his ability.

Aye, superb race, and a superb ride. Shame that was about the only ride that he scored any points in for us, before retiring after a hand full of meetings after averaging about 2.00.

My favourite speedway quote this is, always brings a smile to my face. James Holder Plymouth bound too? He fits that bill.

No it doesn't at all - It reveals 6 of the riders being spoken to with a view to a team place. Franchetti has just said he wants to return. Any rider without a team place would be daft to not ring around a few teams and put his name about. He could have said that to every team in the league for all we know.

In that newspaper report, it says nothing of the sort that Gino Franchetti may be signing. He says the rider himself has expressed an interested to return to the team. What, like Mildenhall 2008?

What a bizarre, and somewhat inept comment that is.