Kester

And how many clubs can afford that? British speedway has gone way beyond the point that simply raising the points limit will lead to superstar teams and massive crowds. By the same token simply lowering the limit may make teams more affordable in the short term but won't in itself bring any more punters through the door.

Speaking as a cyclist who went head first through a car window at 30mph through no fault of my own I can say with confidence that I'm glad I wore a helmet. There are arguments about the injuries they may possibly cause but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible risks. Many car manufacturers argued that seatbelts were more dangerous in the 60's. I have metal plates in my body, skin grafts and quite a few scars, but I'm still here.

Me too, that's three.

I'm sure I've seen it on display at the Tate Modern.

Well, it's easy to pick up La Liga because they pick up coverage from another broadcaster.

They don't ride for him, they ride for the money. You've been asked in threads before to name riders that Middlo has improved, you're best effort was to name Ward and Holder.

What has that got to do with him? Does he sign the riders? He didn't even know who Dennis Andersson was.

So you'd prefer a cosy character who doesn't get the best out of his riders then? It's pointed out to you regularly that Middlo has no track record of improving riders, or even getting the best of them, whatsoever. I suggest you get your head out of Middlo's backside as he must be finding sitting down tricky.

Usual Pedersen. Tries to lean on Gollob, doesn't pay off, goes down deliberately and just lies there. Cheating idiot.

Cardiff has been worse before, and so has Gothenburg. I'm not defending it, it clearly wasn't good, but those on here claiming it was the worst ever are forgetting a few others. The track at Cardiff has broken up late on in the meeting pretty much every year, it's only in the last couple of years they've got it right. It was much worse in 2009 or 10 (can't remember which), when it broke up pretty much from the start, and there were falls aplenty.

And pigs will fly before any of that happens. Too much self-interest and blind ignorance.

And this sums it up really doesn't it. Personally speaking, if a t/r is used against Birmingham I think it's a shambolic rule, giving the dirty, cheating opposition an opportunity to benefit despite being rubbish. If Birmingham benefit from one it's an excellent rule, ensuring that meetings are closer and more exciting.

I agree, I'm quite enjoying their chatting, far more informative and entertaining than Keith Huewen drawing blindingly obvious comments out of the likes of Ermelenko and Nicholls.

So people should keep on paying up each week to watch speedway that isn't entertaining? If a new chip shop opened in my town (where none previously existed) should I keep buying them even if they taste horrible? The reality is that if Leicester closed next week would it be missed as a speedway venue? Yes, it's very good indeed and has the potential to be great. Would it be missed as a place to watch entertaining speedway? No, not at all.

Coventry are serial offenders, and starting at 8 you'd think they'd want to get on with it.

Wolverhampton is nothing at all like BP, Monmore is way shorter and has a flow to it. As has been stated lots of times the track shape at BP is fundamentally wrong, it reminds me a little of Oxford but with longer straights.

Oh no, not again. The riders may have been better (subjective), but please don't use averages to back this up as it's been shown to be a nonsense before. Sidney should remember as we had about 30 pages of people demonstrating why he was wrong before.

And that's the whole point, none of us are on about just the drug aspect. That's what makes this serious.

How many of them have also done a runner on a bike (illegally). Or been involved in punch ups on the street. Or been charged with sexual offences. Oh, not many of us actually. It all adds up to a picture of someone who isn't really living his life in the right way don't you think? Or maybe you think to act in any of these ways is absolutely fine, each to his own I suppose. If Matt Ford is prepared to make the statement he has, and let's face it he knows the lad an awful lot better than you or me, then something is clearly up.

Middlo may well be a lovely guy but that hasn't got anything to do with this. He is in a position of power (Manager of Poole/GB) With power comes responsibility. If asked to give a quote about an issue involving drugs and other illegal activity it's really best to think through what you're going to say. He's blundered very badly, and rather than coming out with a lame 'misquoted' line should say something a little more believable, such as he wasn't in full possession of the facts (I don't know if he was or wasn't).

I agree Chris. I personally doubt that Middlo has been misquoted. I'm struggling to think of any context where what he said would be anything other than daft at best, unbelievably stupid at worst. As you say there is no reason for the Echo, which is nothing but glowing at everything Poole Speedway, would try and make mischief. More likely is that that Lord Ford read the comments, was not happy, which led to the predictable 'I was misquoted' angle (a catch-all excuse after caught saying something stupid beloved of politicians the world over).

You would think that, from a marketing point of view, if they're using photos of PL riders then that would be the top level of riders they're looking at. I wouldn't use a photo of Simon Lambert to advertise a meeting with Gollob in it. No offence to Mr Lambert but you see my point.

Agreed, it's a more laughable conspiracy theory than the Moon landings not taking place and aliens living under Denver Airport (This one is really out there - type it into a search engine and find out what some deranged US citizens think is real) .

Looks a competitive team, all things being equal should be up there you'd think.

You accuse me of talking pish - what on earth is this? Brum had already agreed to go up, replacing Ipswich who came down. King's Lynn were hardly forced, they were just offered massive sums of cash to go up after the situation had been botched and the EL was short of clubs.