SCB Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 He could get his facts right. Barker DIDN'T fail. Bridger did and was replaced - like Cook now. Part of me thinks, "silly boy" but actually, I'd prefer him to be upset and annoyed than just go, "ah well", shows he actually cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 The following sourced from scotsman.co.uk CRAIG COOK today said Team GB can “kiss my backside” after the Edinburgh Monarchs speedway star was swiftly axed from their World Cup team after flopping in last night’s encounter against Denmark, Sweden, and the United States at the Norfolk Arena in King’s Lynn. Cook scored four points in what was his World Cup debut and while this wasn’t enough to help Team GB stop a strong Danish squad from winning the meeting outright and qualifying for the final, they did finish second and go through to Thursday’s race-off in Prague against Australia, Latvia and the US, who clinched third place on the night. Cook was hugely disappointed with his performance and told the Evening News: “ I just couldn’t get my bike to work, nor was it fast enough, I tried hard but there was nothing I could do. I had felt good during practice in the morning and was really quick, but the track conditions changed quite dramatically come the evening. You win some, you lose some, and I didn’t ride the way I know I can ride.” Team GB boss Neil Middleditch also gave the chop to Edward Kennett who only scored one point and in an effort to clinch the one place up for grabs in Prague to reach the final, he has drafted in Lewis Bridger and Ben Barker to give them the best possible chance of success. Cook angrily responded: “To be replaced by Barker and Bridger, who have been there and done it, and were useless, is a bit of a joke. Team GB is supposed to help riders develop for the future. I just feel like saying kiss my backside Great Britian, it’s a farce really.” Cook added: “This blow has in no way knocked my confidence, it will in fact make me stronger as a rider. I’m up at the top now and if I want something I go out and get it, I will take some good from all of this.” Monarchs director Mike Hunter commented: “Craig will be so disappointed at the way he rode and so will all Monarchs fans who know just how well he can ride, he just did not look comfortable at all, it was such a pity.” Eurosport pundit Kelvin Tatum said Cook should have been retained for the Prague showdown, observing: “Team GB are not going to win the World Cup and guys like Craig need to be given the experience for the future.” But your not Craig, your only half way up the mountain.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) He could get his facts right. Barker DIDN'T fail. Bridger did and was replaced - like Cook now. Part of me thinks, "silly boy" but actually, I'd prefer him to be upset and annoyed than just go, "ah well", shows he actually cares. I understand what you mean, you can do that, without the 'kiss my backside' comments etc. Shows a sign of immaturity which unfortunately seems to be a recurring theme with the British riders. The most worrying part is his comment of "I'm up at the top now".. he is nowhere near yet as last night showed. Edited July 16, 2013 by BWitcher 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Barker and Bridger have had only one chance before, Barker impressed Bridger didnt. Cook should see it as experience and try and improve so its difficult to leave him out next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) I think the main reason Cook failed last night was his unfamiliarity with the Lynn circuit and the set ups required. He hasn't ridden there this year yet and has only appeared twice in the last three seasons. He's never really looked comfortable there apart from in his NL days. Would have liked to see him ride on Thursday for the experience as he will be a star in the future but we need to go for the win as the Race Off is pretty open with no Noddy involved. Edited July 16, 2013 by Bagpuss 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Top of the Premier League is not the TOP in Speedway,someone should remind him.Still lets see how far he goes in the sport with that attitude.He wasn't an automatic choice IMO .Best of a mediocre bunch was nearer the mark.Cook,Barker and Bridger the best you could expect was a good night out on the P#ss. Don't believe everything that is spouted in the press... After all its only a National newspaper !!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 IF they are his direct quotes then he has been badly advised but, remember, I doubt the lad has much experience dealing with the media and tempering his language. However, agree with SCB here. Glad to see the lad showing some anger and being annoyed at being left out rather than just shrugging his shoulders as some have done. Also would have liked to see him in Prague. Think the track there might actually suit him a little better and the experience would have been invaluable. He is undoubtedly one for the future. The USA team even had a fifth rider at KL, a 16-year-old they brought over with them for experience, and he had some laps on the track during practice. He could also sink in the atmosphere of an international event and store it in his memory bank. Team GB might at least have had Ritchie Worrell there for the same reasons. Missed opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 No, you're right, Phil. All those wild card opportunities have nothing to do with favouritism, Harris got them all through merit… Out of interest, IF Kennett fails to qualify and Harris inevitably picks up the Wild Card slot in the Grand Prix Challenge, will you still stand by your 'pathetic nonsense' statement above? Granted a rider may be given one, two, or even three golden opportunities in his career, but any more, and you've got to suspect a hint of bias, right? Incidentally, Harris would be my second pick for the World Cup side. But I do find it odd that a rider who was so willing to give up riding for his country, if he didn't get a Wild Card, has been given the captaincy without any mention of last years tantrum. JT. BSI are a business. To them what matters is who puts bums on seats. Their decision was that Harris's inclusion was best for business. And lets face it how many would Bridger or Kennett have put on the gate? The deal was done as far back as last November, a fact only disguised by the BSPA remaining silent about the issue and feigning relevance and credibility to the British Championships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) I think the main reason Cook failed last night was his unfamiliarity with the Lynn circuit and the set ups required. He hasn't ridden there this year yet and has only appeared twice in the last three seasons. He's never really looked comfortable there apart from in his NL days. Would have liked to see him ride on Thursday for the experience as he will be a star in the future but we need to go for the win as the Race Off is pretty open with no Noddy involved. Again for me the situation should of been explained to Craig before the meeting,was it i dont know.?That if he did poorly that he could make way and not to take it as a slur.A strange decision for me though,i would of stuck with him what has Bridger done to deserve a chance. Done ok in Europe and i may be wrong but i think his highest away score is 9( at Eastie) in the EL most of his scoring has been at the massive homer track in Lakeside.If Lewis does well great as i want GB to do well i hope Cooky comes back a lot stronger as i think he will no doubt. Edited July 16, 2013 by sidney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Barker and Bridger have had only one chance before, Barker impressed Bridger didnt. Cook should see it as experience and try and improve so its difficult to leave him out next year. What Cook should realise fron the inclusion of Kennett and Bridger this year is that there is endless forgiveness built into the Team GB setup. You can be a cheat and be forgiven and you can be crap in the SWC and be forgiven. The latter point should offer hope to him if he sticks at it and seeks to improve and gain experience by riding on the continent instead of in Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 BSI are a business. To them what matters is who puts bums on seats. Their decision was that Harris's inclusion was best for business. And lets face it how many would Bridger or Kennett have put on the gate? The deal was done as far back as last November, a fact only disguised by the BSPA remaining silent about the issue and feigning relevance and credibility to the British Championships. TO keep the record straight ... BSI informed the BSPA in November that the winner of the British Final would not automatically get the wild card pick for Cardiff but the decision to give it to Chris Harris was not determined until very near the event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffeboy Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 The following sourced from scotsman.co.uk CRAIG COOK today said Team GB can “kiss my backside” after the Edinburgh Monarchs speedway star was swiftly axed from their World Cup team after flopping in last night’s encounter against Denmark, Sweden, and the United States at the Norfolk Arena in King’s Lynn. Cook scored four points in what was his World Cup debut and while this wasn’t enough to help Team GB stop a strong Danish squad from winning the meeting outright and qualifying for the final, they did finish second and go through to Thursday’s race-off in Prague against Australia, Latvia and the US, who clinched third place on the night. Cook was hugely disappointed with his performance and told the Evening News: “ I just couldn’t get my bike to work, nor was it fast enough, I tried hard but there was nothing I could do. I had felt good during practice in the morning and was really quick, but the track conditions changed quite dramatically come the evening. You win some, you lose some, and I didn’t ride the way I know I can ride.” Team GB boss Neil Middleditch also gave the chop to Edward Kennett who only scored one point and in an effort to clinch the one place up for grabs in Prague to reach the final, he has drafted in Lewis Bridger and Ben Barker to give them the best possible chance of success. Cook angrily responded: “To be replaced by Barker and Bridger, who have been there and done it, and were useless, is a bit of a joke. Team GB is supposed to help riders develop for the future. I just feel like saying kiss my backside Great Britian, it’s a farce really.” Cook added: “This blow has in no way knocked my confidence, it will in fact make me stronger as a rider. I’m up at the top now and if I want something I go out and get it, I will take some good from all of this.” Monarchs director Mike Hunter commented: “Craig will be so disappointed at the way he rode and so will all Monarchs fans who know just how well he can ride, he just did not look comfortable at all, it was such a pity.” Eurosport pundit Kelvin Tatum said Cook should have been retained for the Prague showdown, observing: “Team GB are not going to win the World Cup and guys like Craig need to be given the experience for the future.” Oh dear,what a disappointing reaction from Craig. He must have realized that going from top gun in the Prem to the fiercely competitive World Cup was going to be a hell of a jump. Speedway is all about results mate, and you were poor last night, if you were included again and were poor again,the knives would be out. You are still learning this game and have come a long way in a short time to your credit , however it did seem like a step to far for you last night. If you carry on improving in the way that you have you will definitely be a fixture in this event in the future. Also it`s Team GB not Team Craig Cook, who are you to start running potential team mates down who have been in a similar situation to you i.e. didn`t perform and were dropped. If both these lads score well and they are both young, then surely the manager is vindicated. Keep doing what you are doing Craig cos I think you have the ability to go far in this sport, but keep it zipped, nobody likes a big head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADGER69 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 The original four riders selected were not the best Britian has to offer SURELY THE SELECTOR SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME PICKING RIDERS LOW ON CONFIDENCE is not the way its done. Then to drop two is even worse Take responsibility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCookie Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 What a pathetic reaction. Cook was useless and it's time he realised that instead of criticising other riders, who are as good as, if not better than him anyway. As for being at the top, where of exactly? PL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 The original four riders selected were not the best Britian has to offer SURELY THE SELECTOR SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME PICKING RIDERS LOW ON CONFIDENCE is not the way its done. Then to drop two is even worse Take responsibility So who's our best four riders then?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 So who's our best four riders then?? Chris Harris Tai Woffinden Danny King Robert Lambert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) So who's our best four riders then?? On averages i suppose you have to say - Woffy, Harris, king and Nicholls - without Nicholls its Barker. Edited July 16, 2013 by stevebrum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 What a pathetic reaction. Cook was useless and it's time he realised that instead of criticising other riders, who are as good as, if not better than him anyway. As for being at the top, where of exactly? PL? EL snobbery at work here IMO,Cook has been excellent in both EL & PL this season for his clubs,and fully deserved his shot in the SWC.IMO he let nobody down and was well in most of his races,maybe just lacking that bit of experience at times.If the likes of Cook is the future of Team GB then just what Cook is expected to learn sitting at home watching the Play-Offs sat at home. So Barker & Bridger get their go on Thursday,Barker has had plenty to say on the subject,especially at the 4s last sunday so lets see if Barker can walk the walk as well as talking the talk.As for Bridger,well he has a big opinion of himself and will be found out as in previous big meetings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Cook didnt really engage his brain did he? Its quite possible that one rider could have a poor meeting on Thursday and GB still make the final which could have given a chance for Cook. Oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 EL snobbery at work here IMO,Cook has been excellent in both EL & PL this season for his clubs,and fully deserved his shot in the SWC.IMO he let nobody down and was well in most of his races,maybe just lacking that bit of experience at times.If the likes of Cook is the future of Team GB then just what Cook is expected to learn sitting at home watching the Play-Offs sat at home. So Barker & Bridger get their go on Thursday,Barker has had plenty to say on the subject,especially at the 4s last sunday so lets see if Barker can walk the walk as well as talking the talk.As for Bridger,well he has a big opinion of himself and will be found out as in previous big meetings. No EL snobbery at all. Once again a PL fan invents 'the snobbery' line when the only snobbery is coming from them. As you quite correctly point out, Barker and Bridger have 'attitudes' and not necessarily good ones. No Elite League fan has ever denied that. It was hoped that Cook wouldn't go down that route, but his comments appear to now put him in a similar bracket. All 3 of them should take a look at what Tai has done. This season he has displayed a much more mature attitude, concentrated on his racing and done everything possible to ensure he is at the top of his game. The results speak for themselves. I am impressed with Bridger in that he has gone out and secured team places abroad. This is the ONLY way they are going to improve and take that next step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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