Fourentee

Not much in it and the extra room on the averages helps Poole lower down the order. I've always felt, rightly or wrongly, with KK that as goes the first ride so goes the rest of the night -- he seems to be a rider more boosted/affected by the early tone of a meeting. He should have a decent season in what appears a pretty strong line-up. Just in passing, I've seen a theory aired on here to the effect that Kasprzak always goes better for Poole. A quick look at the historical averages on the BSPA site appears to indicate that his high-water marks, average-wise, were in 2007 and 2010 with Arena Essex and Coventry respectively. I'm assuming those to be misprints.

Sorry Col but it's same old, same old from you on this one. At least you're consistent!

Ward staff are, quite rightly, very guarded about what they say to non-family members. Having just rung, Bryn is currently "stable" and, in the words of the member of staff to whom I spoke, "no worse than when he came in". It's something to cling to, but equally Bryn is patently not well and it would be wrong to pretend otherwise. Wish I could be more encouraging, but there you are.

Perhaps we could sit down one day and discuss the difference between "an iota of dissatisfaction" and "real dissatisfaction". You miss the point there, deliberately or merely obtusely. Otherwise, fair enough. In passing, on Woffinden, of course he made a difference. It's a question of degree. There was such an outpouring of woe at the time that anyone would think he'd reeled off five-ride maximums in every match. I think the general thrust from Wolves fans has been yes, he contributed to a level above that of Kylmakorpi but not perhaps to the extent that supporters of other clubs appeared to indicate. There is, of course, the psychological impact of fielding a world champion, to which others have alluded. No doubt SCB's quarter of a point advantage in all the heat 15s were also crucial, particularly the two in the play-ofs in which he did not feature.

I see where you're going, but IMHO you're getting perilously close to Col's way of thinking -- picking a rider (in his case Manzares to put Klindt at reserve)-- more on the basis of the numbers and its effect on the team order rather than the actual ability of the man in question. For the record, I am continuing to use my one and only account of some 10 years' standing -- a point I feel constrained to make in response to your earlier inaccurate and offensive assertion.

Thanks, card is written.

There was much hilarity in the visitors' pits a year or two back when Freddie Lindgren pulled in after a somewhat ineffectual effort and was seen to be walking like the late John Wayne, having taken a sizeable one amidships. He was crimson from the neck up (and, doubtless, purple from the waist down although nobody offered to check).

You were going well until the last paragraph. It's precisely that emotional attachment that repeatedly colours your opinion of the Poole line-up, year after year. Of course, more seasons than not Poole put a strong side into the fray. But I don't ever recall you expressing an iota of dissatisfaction with the selection before tapes up (though stand to be corrected!).

Well, you've had nine and a half hours. Crack on, then!

There may come a time, hopefully before the sun burns out, when you accept that riders have thrown off their shackles sufficiently to decide for themselves where they seek employment. Yes, Klindt would have been a good signing; yes, he's an asset; yes, when you look at the initial team building it appeared that he was a piece in the puzzle which would have fitted neatly. The hiatus before announcing the remainder of the line-up would suggest that there was something of an enforced re-think. But all this 'Wolves should have' is just howling at the moon if the rider would prefer to be somewhere else.

Come on Bryn, let's have you. Tapes up in March! Very best wishes and stay strong. Edit: Any indication of which hospital or how to get in touch? VV, tried to send you a message to this effect but suspect your inbox is full.

That would seem a reasonable assumption and form a solid base on which to build a team; potential improvement in all four. To a certain extent (and do hear me out on this one), building a title-winning side isn't really the issue for the Aces this season. It's all about getting a competitive seven, erasing the uncertainty and worries from the previous campaign (as noted in your phrase 'If BV run') and hopefully taking the initial steps towards establishing a viable, long-term presence at the NSS. Good luck and I hope it goes well.

Klindt, seemingly with an element of compulsion! See numerous earlier posts...

I take your point, Steve, but I would imagine for anxious Leicester fans "wasn't really in doubt" may not have been the first phrase to spring to mind. As you say, great news. Fingers crossed now for fellow fans at Coventry and Manchester.

Nothing wrong with combining the two great passions in life!

Yeah, like you haven't already done that! Fooling nobody!

Congratulations. On a forum which arguably sees more than its fair share of fabrication, you have just raised the bar to new heights.

Thanks, I just did. Among a string of posts commenting favourably on the line-up there is one negative comment about Greaves and one observation that he did not kick on much from the previous season. If you want to have a pop at a rider off your own bat, fine. If you want to make spurious assertions and then attempt to cover your back by referring to other posts then perhaps you should read them first. Oh, and happy Christmas.

Perhaps outofdarkness was commenting on your cogent and reasoned analysis of Nathan Greaves' prospects?

I believe Hans Nielsen's first meeting for Wolves went much the same way. He did pick up a bit afterwards, mind...

Good. Best wishes to him.

Hmm. I understand that young whippersnapper Lindgren has ridden a lap or two... Fitness would be the worry for Schlein. Were it to be he, one would hope that there is a Plan B back-up should the need arise.

Indeed not, but I'm not exactly losing sleep on that one. To think of it, accused of being a second account for Poole fan foreverblue! I don't know which of the two of us felt more insulted...

A post not without its own underlying sense of irony on at least two counts.

They don't come more ordinary than me, but I did get an email.