21st century heathen Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 It's felt like a long time coming that we can start to talk about racing but it's just a week away now. And what a way to kick off the season. Though a lower level it's the renewal of one of the sports' great rivalries. Gone may be the days that Olsen and Gundersen led the teams in front of 10,000+ screaming fans but this fixture will still matter a great deal to those in red, white and green. I just hope that Will & Nigel can convey to our current riders just how much it means to win a local derby no matter what outsiders may consider its importance. So what are everyone's thoughts? I have a feeling this could be a very close meeting. With few riders having had much track time it could easily come down to staying upright and keeping the motor running I think. I'll take a stab in the dark and go for 47-43. I'll edit this post with the line-ups when the clubs confirm them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builderbob Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 56-34 dudley win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) 56-34 dudley win I trust you are joking, its not April 1st yet or is it, and remember Royno, is Coventry full time, Tom Pom, Byron and Daryl ride for Dudley South. This has to be close, i will go for 46 - 44. Its The Heathens uncertain middle order & The Storms unproven reserves, which will decide the meeting. Edited March 15, 2013 by greyhoundp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtony Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 I would like to ask Dudley fans will the departure of Jan O make any difference to the performance of Dudley north ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davebeagle Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 We all love Jan O but there are plenty of experienced professionals associated with Dudley to cover his absence. Time will tell. Can't wait for Friday-Heathens v Coventry once more! Ommer 'Um lads!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builderbob Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 tom will be a miss, but you have blackbird and starke in place of becker and ritchings. much to strong for the storm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunty Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Absoultely gutted im missing this...working friday night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) tom will be a miss, but you have blackbird and starke in place of becker and ritchings. much to strong for the storm Royno, hasnt been replaced, indeed he is ireplacable, Tom hasnt been replaced, Blackbird for Bekker may well be like for like, Ritchings was at reserve for most of the season, so Max replaces Dazza, which basically leaves Gareth Isherwood and Paul Starke replacing Royno and Tom pom. I still think it will be closer than you think. Olly Greenwood, Sarj and JJ are more than a match for our Top 3, they could even have the edge on us, at reserve i confidently predict The Heathens will have the edge, its that middle order im not so sure about, in Dan Greenwood and Paul Starke they both have the ability, but its there unpredictability and its the same for Gareth Isherwood, whereas with the Storm, its going to be a make or break year for BJ, since he won the Under 18,s down at Zummerset his career has stalled, and with Richard Franklin you have a lovely lad, who is now a dad apparently, and he will always chip in with 5 or 6, usually at the difficult No2 spot when he was at Dudley, to summerise Top 3 Coventry edge it, 2nd strings depends which Brendon turns up, same for the Heathens, which Gareth and Daniel, and reserve The Heathens for sure. Absoultely gutted im missing this...working friday night! and ? juggle things around a bit,Im sure you can do it. Edited March 17, 2013 by greyhoundp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 The above is where so many Heathens fans have it so wrong in my opinion. This season's starting line-up cannot and should not be compared with the team that ended last season. Taking the two starting line-ups in direct comparison there's nothing much to choose between them on paper. Forget 2012. Our 2013 line-up is not competing against it. Our concern is beating the 2013 line-ups other teams have. On paper IOW appear to have more potential improvement and Kent will have too if they have got Lambert in the team. We are the equal or better than the rest in terms of potential improvement. Morris should average over 9, Blackbird should be around 8+, Greenwood may suffer second season syndrome but could improve a little, Starke has been a 7/8 point man just a couple of years ago and by his own admission is keen to put last year behind him on a track he feels suits his style better (and we know how much just feeling confident can improve a rider), Isherwood has shown some signs of very respectable form and could easily improve a little, Clegg had a very good first season and could easily challenge for a place in the 1-5 which will spur Isherwood on too (though I acknowledge second season syndrome here too) and Greaves should make an impact and justify being thrown straight into the league as soon as he was old enough. I agree in general with the like-for-like analysis of the Cov and Heathens teams. I'm sure JJ will take to Brandon quickly, Sarj has got more laps around there than most tracks and I'm sure Greenwood will be a match for his namesake (though ours has some experience around there from last season's MDL). At reserve there's a bit of an unknown element but I do favour us the stronger. If Max can make some starts I'd fancy him to settle in good point-scoring positions. Greaves has lots of practice laps around there last year and as long as he stays upright on turns 1/2 ( ) he should be able to put that practice to good use. The second-strings could be quite evenly matched. Johnson will be keen to put his P&P day and U21 experience to bed and could prove very useful back up to the top 3 and Franklin, like Sarj, has got a lot of laps around Brandon to call on, though could be rusty from his time away last year. Does anyone know how Greaves is after his falls on Saturday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Im not going to do a prediction as i dont know much about the NL but i m looking forward to watching the Storms first ever meeting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Im not going to do a prediction as i dont know much about the NL but i m looking forward to watching the Storms first ever meeting. Looking forward to this meeting - hope the weather doesn't get the better of this first fixture for the Storm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richspeedway Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Cannot wait for the season to start after last Friday's washout hopefully fingers crossed it is not deja vu this Friday! Last few seasons I have gone to see Dudley and Stoke ride in the NL and some people moan about the racing on here at this level but I really enjoy it though be fair I will watch any level of Speedway! I hope the Bees fans get behind the Storm and show Mick it is a great idea to have a team at this level and to carry it on for the future. Will there be a second half with the Storm meetings? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellioth4 Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 (edited) I will be updating this meeting , I will post the link to the thread later today. Any news on confirmed team line-ups please post below. http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=covst&action=display&thread=11987 Edited March 20, 2013 by Elliot Hunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTB Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 From what I can gather I don't think the weather will be on our side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee 26 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Think it could be snowed off looking at the latest weather forecast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beesboybert Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Weather and being up against an England Football game doesn't bode well for a big crowd sadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Main Man Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 speedway or football??? speedway every time!! You can watch the highlights of the match later ---probably better doing that anyway!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Football doesn't worry me - much rather see these young lads racing any day but the weather does concern me! Hope I am wrong! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilWatson Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 I will be updating this meeting , I will post the link to the thread later today. Any news on confirmed team line-ups please post below. http://speedwayupdat...ay&thread=11987 COVENTRY STORM: Joe Jacobs, Richard Franklin, Oliver Greenwood, Brendan Johnson, James Sarjeant, Trevor Heath, Martin Knuckey. DUDLEY: Ashley Morris, Gareth Isherwood, Paul Starke, Dan Greenwood, Lewis Blackbird, Max Clegg, Nathan Greaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Cant see many staying away because of the England game more like the weather. Im hoping its on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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