Dudley The Underdogs ?

[greyhoundp]

Should we now be considering The Heathens as the underdogs now that Mildenhall have won the pairs and 4,s so far this season ?. In my opinion we should say that we are, Yes we have won some silverware, but for me none of the serious stuff, those are the KO Cup and League Titles of which Mildenhall are holders of one of them from last year, so currently out of the BIG four of, Fours, Pairs, KO Cup and League Title, Mildenhall have won 3 albeit one from last year. So Heathens fans WE are The Official underdogs to win either the KO Cup and/or the League Title, some people have said that we are to strong for this League but the facts dont bear this out, indeed since we have been back we have not won either The League or KO Cup, and for me, those are the 2 pieces of Silverware that success is judged on. We will i am sure be going all out to stop Mildenhall from completing a clean sweep of Trophies, and i for one will be urging OUR Team on to this end.

 

Ommer Um The Heathens.

[Heathen1984]

After todays good performance by midly, i think we have to admit midly look favourites. All in form aswell by looks of it

[adz_mft]

I think both teams look fairly even still.Could go either way.Can't really say we are favourites after the pairs and 4s as they are based on only 4 riders max.It's the whole 1-7 that the league and koc is based on.Certainly going to be an exciting end to the season.Can't wait.

[Thehitman]

I think both teams look fairly even still.Could go either way.Can't really say we are favourites after the pairs and 4s as they are based on only 4 riders max.It's the whole 1-7 that the league and koc is based on.Certainly going to be an exciting end to the season.Can't wait.

 

Not sure how you can say the teams are even as mildenhalls two reserve are are in their first ever seasons while all of dudleys riders have experience So Dudley are still the favourites

[neil3065]

With the top four (Roynon, Morris, Perry, Bekker) that Dudley have got, then they remain favourites, IMO. They have, after all only lost one league meeting, whereas Mildenhall have lost two and been held to a draw in another.

 

Stoke losing Lambert is obviously a big blow for them, and although, IMO, they were marginal second favourites after winning at Mildenhall, that has now changed.

 

However, Dudley remain favourites, IMO, with Mildenhall just behind. However, Mildenhall have shown that they are able to give Dudley's top riders some real competition on their day.

[Dekker]

Should we now be considering The Heathens as the underdogs now that Mildenhall have won the pairs and 4,s so far this season ?. In my opinion we should say that we are, Yes we have won some silverware, but for me none of the serious stuff, those are the KO Cup and League Titles of which Mildenhall are holders of one of them from last year, so currently out of the BIG four of, Fours, Pairs, KO Cup and League Title, Mildenhall have won 3 albeit one from last year. So Heathens fans WE are The Official underdogs to win either the KO Cup and/or the League Title, some people have said that we are to strong for this League but the facts dont bear this out, indeed since we have been back we have not won either The League or KO Cup, and for me, those are the 2 pieces of Silverware that success is judged on. We will i am sure be going all out to stop Mildenhall from completing a clean sweep of Trophies, and i for one will be urging OUR Team on to this end.

 

Ommer Um The Heathens.

 

Can't get more smug than that.... well maybe the other occupants of Monmore can when they're doing well.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Dekker

[PhilK]

D

With the top four (Roynon, Morris, Perry, Bekker) that Dudley have got, then they remain favourites, IMO. They have, after all only lost one league meeting, whereas Mildenhall have lost two and been held to a draw in another.

 

Stoke losing Lambert is obviously a big blow for them, and although, IMO, they were marginal second favourites after winning at Mildenhall, that has now changed.

 

However, Dudley remain favourites, IMO, with Mildenhall just behind. However, Mildenhall have shown that they are able to give Dudley's top riders some real competition on their day.

 

Agree with that Neil, would add Dudley look stronger at reserve at the moment as well imho

[Heathen1984]

Well whoever is stronger its gona be some close meeting between two good teams. Put the past behind us now and get on with some good meetings ahead

[Halifaxtiger]

D

 

 

Agree with that Neil, would add Dudley look stronger at reserve at the moment as well imho

 

Sure you are being modest, Phil, but I think Mildenhall are a better side overall. With Heeps and Stoneman, I'd say they would have been odds on to win a straight two legged contest between the teams.

 

Jacobs is riding as well (if not better) than ever, Nielsen is simply brilliant and Blackbird is a true heat leader as this level, capable of beating anyone, anywhere. Halsey is inconsistent and the number 6 is a bit of a concern, but Bates is the best novice I have seen this season. A lot will depend on who replaces Heeps, because I got told yesterday he won't ride again this season.

 

Roynon is the best rider in the NL and Perry must be one of the most popular, a terrific young prospect. However, I don't rate Bekker or White Williams (never have) get Morris away from the white line and he isn't half the rider and Greenwood & Ritchings are inconsistent.

 

Mildenhall always seem far more fired up too.

 

If I was a betting man, my money would be on the Fen Tigers.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Halifaxtiger

[PhilK]

Sure you are being modest, Phil, but I think Mildenhall are a better side overall. With Heeps and Stoneman, I'd say they would have been odds on to win a straight two legged contest between the teams.

 

Jacobs is riding as well (if not better) than ever, Nielsen is simply brilliant and Blackbird is a true heat leader as this level, capable of beating anyone, anywhere. Halsey is inconsistent and the number 6 is a bit of a concern, but Bates is the best novice I have seen this season. A lot will depend on who replaces Heeps, because I got told yesterday he won't ride again this season.

 

Roynon is the best rider in the NL and Perry must be one of the most popular, a terrific young prospect. However, I don't rate Bekker or White Williams (never have) get Morris away from the white line and he isn't half the rider and Greenwood & Ritchings are inconsistent.

 

Mildenhall always seem far more fired up too.

 

If I was a betting man, my money would be on the Fen Tigers.

 

 

Maybe I am HT?

 

If it does end up a Dudley v Mildenhall final in the League and Cup, and I say if as Stoke and whoever finish fourth in the league will have plenty to say about that, they will certainly be cracking meetings.

 

If Nathan Stoneman hadn't been injured I would have said we are the best side in the League. Nathan looked on his way to becoming the best new rider in 2012 before sadly injury curtailed what was turning out to be an excellent first season. Bates too is a fine prospect but I stand by what I say about the reserves but will be happy to be proved wrong.

 

As a top five contest it is very close - Roynon, Morris, Perry, Bekker and Ritchings versus Heeps, Nielsen, Blackbird, Jacobs and Halsey!! Not alot between them but you may be right there.

 

Whatever lets hope all the riders mentioned stay fit and injury free and we have a conclusion to the 2012 season as good as the end of the 2011 one!

[vog]

Dudley, for me, are massive favourites. Their top 3 of Roynon, Perry and Morris are better than Heeps, Nielsen and Blackbird. Bekker and Greenwood probably lose out to Halsey and Jacobs, but then JWW and Ritchings are better than Bates and Graver/Terry-Daley.

 

This league is Dudleys to lose.

[greyhoundp]

Dudley, for me, are massive favourites. Their top 3 of Roynon, Perry and Morris are better than Heeps, Nielsen and Blackbird. Bekker and Greenwood probably lose out to Halsey and Jacobs, but then JWW and Ritchings are better than Bates and Graver/Terry-Daley.

 

This league is Dudleys to lose.

 

Some will disagree Vog, in fact i am one of them. remember The Fat Lady.

Edited August 27, 2012 by greyhoundp

[21st century heathen]

I don't think there is a favourite to be honest. It's too close to call. Mildenhall have proven so far that their top end can more than match ours as they've taken the two major trophies on offer, but I would accept an argument that we may have a slight edge at reserve. It's only a slight one though as JWW is not in good form and needs to turn it around quickly. If I remember rightly the two recent league meetings resulted in a one point aggregate advantage to Mildenhall. I know neither team had their first choice 7 (let's not open that can of worms again) but it's still representative of how closely matched the teams are. Comparing like-for-like through the teams from 1-7 there's nothing in it.

 

Perhaps where people might see the Heathens as favourite is by looking at some of huge scores recorded at times, but that doesn't take into account that Mildenhall are far superior to those teams we beat comfortably.

[MrMungo]

At the start of the season, I thought there was very little in it.

You could go through the sides and say X is better than X, and so on, but over 2 legs, I'd have expected it to go down to the wire.

Both sides have the right idea. Having someone experiened on hand to advise the youngsters, and to help develop them into fine riders.

That for me is why they are the best 2 sides in the league by a country mile. Both Jan O and the trio of Lee, Louis & Jolly (sounds like a group of accountants to me) have done excellent jobs and have set the bar for other clubs to follow.

The one difference though has been the injuries. Dudley have done remarkably well to remain pretty much injury-free all season long.

Mildenhall, on the other hand, have not been so lucky having lost Stoneman already and with Bates and Heeps also likely to be out for the season.

If Mildenhall can get some decent replacements, it could be close again, but as things stand, Dudley are huge favourites in my eyes, and have shown very few weaknesses all season long.

[greyhoundp]

With Adam being injured, Mildenhalls,Stefan 1st and JJ 3rd, in the Under 19,s, The Heathens Ashley 2nd & Tom 4th, I think this confirms just what a difficult task The Heathens will have to beat Favourites Mildenhall in the KO Cup and possibly the Play Offs. Young Mister Nielsen when he gates, and he does so very reguarly is more than a match for anyone in this league, and could be the No1 rider in the NL come 2013, JJ is riding better than i have ever seen him ride, Cameron is due back from injury anytime now, IMO those three just shade The Heathens present Top three, mainly due to there gating ability. For the Heathens a big responsibility lies on the shoulders of the next 3; Byron Becker a vastly experienced NL campaigner, Dan Greenwood who seems to be coming to terms with his elevation to the main body of the Team, and Daryll Ritchings, who for me has had a season of consolidation, rather than the break through that i expected from him, this has been proven by him spending most of the season down at reserve. The No7,s here The Heathens may just have the edge with JWW another eperienced NL campaigner, who has reached his level, but is able to win a race or two, but is just as likely to get beat by one of the younger opponents, such as Connor Coles, even on his home Track.

 

So i have NO reason to change my original opinion of Mildenhall being favourites, and Mr M,s belief of The Heathens being huge favourites, is i think wide of the mark.

Edited September 13, 2012 by greyhoundp

[Shadders]

With Adam being injured, Mildenhalls,Stefan 1st and JJ 3rd, in the Under 19,s, The Heathens Ashley 2nd & Tom 4th, I think this confirms just what a difficult task The Heathens will have to beat Favourites Mildenhall in the KO Cup and possibly the Play Offs.

Underplaying your chances. I ain't buying it

[greyhoundp]

Underplaying your chances. I ain't buying it

 

Seriously Shadders, we do have some weaknesses, and i have an horrible feeling, I just hope it is wrong, You know Stefan and JJ will both be feeling very confident, that they can beat our Heat Leaders, especially after the Under 19 result. We have chances obviously, some of our supporters think we only have to turn up to win, myself i am far from of that opinion.

[Heathen1984]

Nah aint avin that, u19, tom and ash were the best riders untill the final but with perrys bike goin bang in last heat, you could tell he didn't get it sorted in the final, one of those things. Ash rode well all night aswell. Not much difference in the top 3, bottom end of the teams are where it could be won

[builderbob]

its dudleys to lose

[villiers210]

Nah aint avin that, u19, tom and ash were the best riders untill the final but with perrys bike goin bang in last heat, you could tell he didn't get it sorted in the final, one of those things. Ash rode well all night aswell. Not much difference in the top 3, bottom end of the teams are where it could be won

Hate to say it but Tom only dropped a primary chain in the last of his 5 rides. Excellent nights racing though and will make the play offs very interesting.