Who's Got The Best Reserve?

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

The point is Bates is higher up the draft than Lee Smart so should not be allowed to replace him. If Poole want Bates all the teams above them in the 2nd round of the draft (so all except Coventry and Lynn) should have to agree to it as they may want him. Would be interesting if Swindon decided they wanted him

Agree with this.If Bates is returned to the list then all teams that could've drafted him after Swindon should have the opportunity to change their pick in order before any team is allowed to use him.

[stevebrum]

 

 

Poole should be booed wherever they go for their appalling attitude to the sport and the EL

 

 

I just assumed they already were!

[SCB]

Only by opinion. They were both B grade picks, Smart could have been chosen first by anyone and Bates left out. Bates couldn't do 2 Thursday tracks and rightly chose the PL.

 

People shouting we should be encouraging these boys then in the same breath saying another should be banned. No logic

Not by opinion. The BSPA gave every rider a ranking for the grading. Bates was higher than Smart. Swindon with there low first round pick had first pick and chose Bates. As in effect Swindon didn't now pick him, he was available to 2nd choice in the 2nd round, thats Leicester, so what if they wanted him but could as Swindon had picked him? But now as Swindon don't have him Leicester can have him. Only if Leicester don't want him should Birmingham be offered him and if they don't want him then Wolves, if Wolves don't want him then Lakeside should be offered him, followed by BV, then Eastbounre and finally if none of them clubs want him then Poole get him.

 

If Poole can sign Bates what is stopping Coventry from getting Kyle Newman to quit Poole and then because he's available signing him?

 

TBH,I think Bates should be banned from the draft, banned from any Team GB meetings and shared events. He's basically backed out after agreeing to ride, if other did this it would be anarchy. I actually feel rally sorry for Swindon in all this.

Edited March 5, 2014 by SCB

[A ORLOV]

Maybe having clear and concise rules and regulations in place prior to making a major change (often referred to as risk analysis), would reduce the knock on knock on knock on effect. You could see it a mile off but some don't want to hear it, it'll be alright on the night.

It does seem to be something the authorities do not do. It would not get it right every time but it would help reducing the loopholes that seem to be there after changes take place.

[Daniel Smith]

The logic is in the integrity of the competition. Without an absolutely level playing field the competition is compromised and therefore pretty worthless, the integrity of the competition HAS to come before everything else. No ifs, no buts.

Of course we want to encourage these lads, and Bates would no doubt get some guest outings throughout the season through fixture clashes and injuries. Plus Oliver Greenwood would probably get the Poole job and he fits the criteria perfectly.

I agree and up to this point nobody has actually done anything wrong. Ford's big gob and Bates not having an EL ride people have put 2 & 2 together.

 

We have to be careful here as I said earlier. Smart might screw it on and blow all out the water or he might not. Bates might replace ANother and be complete sh!yte. But, If a rider feels they need to quit they should be allowed. The last thing I want to see is under performing riders forced to continue.

 

This is after all about development. Forcing riders to stay, keeping crap riders or not allowing others to take up a chance to ridefif one arises is all counterproductive.

[Ben91]

So why weren't Swindon as bothered by Sheffield wanting to sign Josh Bates as they were when they allegedly went for Nick Morris?

 

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/10919382.Robins_react_to_alleged_approach_for_Morris/

 

The issue is that Bates had his EL spot before his PL spot as far as I can see, it's not as if Swindon drafted a Sheffield rider.

[Bagpuss]

I agree with the majority of what you say screamer, but if a rider opts out of a team place for whatever reason then while there are others on the list who haven't been picked he shouldn't get another chance until next season. Otherwise its unfair on other teams in the draft.

 

We were told that there were a list of conditions which had to be met by these draft riders which whittled the original list of thirty down to 23. One of those was agreeing to ride where allocated , and whatever the circumstances Bates would be changing teams if he signs for Poole.

 

It would be nice for once to have rules which are properly administered meaning all teams are treated equally.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Bagpuss

[Daniel Smith]

Thing is, there's only 3 left from the original list and there will be more than 3 battered up by the end of the season. It would be harsh to exclude Bates from the extended list.

 

Regarding rules, I'm sure it was mentioned that if a rider gets injured they don't get replaced, existing reserve picks and the one's on the list come in as guests

[Bagpuss]

No problem with Bates guesting during the season for somebody with higher PL & NL averages than himself.

[B.V 72]

Not by opinion. The BSPA gave every rider a ranking for the grading. Bates was higher than Smart. Swindon with there low first round pick had first pick and chose Bates. As in effect Swindon didn't now pick him, he was available to 2nd choice in the 2nd round, thats Leicester, so what if they wanted him but could as Swindon had picked him? But now as Swindon don't have him Leicester can have him. Only if Leicester don't want him should Birmingham be offered him and if they don't want him then Wolves, if Wolves don't want him then Lakeside should be offered him, followed by BV, then Eastbounre and finally if none of them clubs want him then Poole get him.

 

If Poole can sign Bates what is stopping Coventry from getting Kyle Newman to quit Poole and then because he's available signing him?

 

TBH,I think Bates should be banned from the draft, banned from any Team GB meetings and shared events. He's basically backed out after agreeing to ride, if other did this it would be anarchy. I actually feel rally sorry for Swindon in all this.

Sorry but to keep the debate fair i just checked the list.Smart was no 13 and Bates was no 15 so the list ranked Smart as the better rider so if Poole did want to and were allowed to do a swap according to the list they would be getting a lower rated rider.

[SCB]

No problem with Bates guesting during the season for somebody with higher PL & NL averages than himself.

He's quit draft as I see it. So I disagree, he should not be allowed to guest. It's possible if there 2 of 3 injuries Bates could be guesting 2 or 3 times a week, hardly fair.

[SteveLyric2]

I think any young British rider who is seeking an EL reserve place should be applauded for having the balls to ring round any EL clubs - that don't have fixture clashes with their PL meetings - to offer their services!!!

 

For those who seem to want to have a go at Poole on this issue, there's an excellent and encouraging article on Lee Smart in the local Bournemouth Echo today!!

 

(ps. and Smart's kevlars have been ordered I understand )

[foamfence]

Thing is, there's only 3 left from the original list and there will be more than 3 battered up by the end of the season. It would be harsh to exclude Bates from the extended list.

 

Regarding rules, I'm sure it was mentioned that if a rider gets injured they don't get replaced, existing reserve picks and the one's on the list come in as guests

The list was to be 30 names, the only reason that it wasn't 30 at the selection was because some riders declined to be on it for a variety of reasons.

[Bagpuss]

I think any young British rider who is seeking an EL reserve place should be applauded for having the balls to ring round any EL clubs - that don't have fixture clashes with their PL meetings - to offer their services!!!

 

For those who seem to want to have a go at Poole on this issue, there's an excellent and encouraging article on Lee Smart in the local Bournemouth Echo today!!

 

(ps. and Smart's kevlars have been ordered I understand )

That's good to hear. I'll be really pleased if I've jumped the gun on this one and would take back the Poole based comments I've made.

 

I'm not fussed if its Poole, Lynn or whoever if somebody signs Bates, I just want to see the sport run fairly. If Bates has been on the blower trying to get a reserve spot then good for him, that is to be admired but its not really fair on Greenwood et al if he jumps the queue having opted out.

[Poole Quay 7]

I was going to put this in the Poole 2014 thread but it seems appropriate in here at the moment and it's good to hear from Lee Smart himself. Good luck Lee.

 

 

 

LEE Smart has given his backing to new rules designed to allow promising British riders to become established competitors at Elite Leaguelevel and beyond.

The 25-year-old was recruited by Pirates under a new draft system in December and will operate in the bottom two alongside Kyle Newman.

Smart is one of the individuals the British Speedway Promoters' Association hopes will profit from a revamped race format in which reserves will race each other twice in a meeting.

Reserves will also avoid an opposing side's top three in any of their programmed rides.

Swindon-born Smart told the Daily Echo: “I think the new rules will be alright. It obviously gives the reserves more chance to score points, but then again racing against the top boys would have been quite nice as well.

“It's swings and roundabouts. We needed to do something and it's trial and error at this stage. They seem to have done something and let's hope it works.

“I support it. I think something did need to be done because British speedway was getting left behind. The trouble is that you don't get enough track time in Britain, so hopefully it will help.

“Once we've got a month or two into the season we'll find out whether it is working or not.

“Fingers crossed it will because I know people have put a lot of time and effort into it.”

Article From Daily Echo continues.... http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/speedway/piratesnews/11054924.Speedway__Smart_gives_backing_to_new_rules/

[Steve Shovlar]

Bad nasty Poole stealing riders from other clubs. Let's boo them wherever they got fords big gob etc etc etc. cheating scum etc etc etc.....

 

Er, what have Poole done exactly? Where does it say Bates is replacing Smart? I have either missed a press release from Wimborne Road, or, some people on here are full of crap and spend their time making things up.

 

I believe it's the latter. Sad gits.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Steve Shovlar

[Bagpuss]

The issue is with a rider changing clubs and therefore compromising the whole draft system, which wouldn't be fair. Poole have a record as long as your arm for rule bending but IF on this occasion the matter is without foundation I apologise and take back my negative comments.

 

The principle remains however, and the bulk of the discussion has been about the issue in general by people who care about the sport as a whole above the fortunes if their own team.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Bagpuss

[Steve Shovlar]

But Poole would be well within their rights regardless as bates was further down the pick than Smart anyway. It's not as though we are trying to get a rider higher up the draft which would seem unfair.

[stevebrum]

But Poole would be well within their rights regardless as bates was further down the pick than Smart anyway. It's not as though we are trying to get a rider higher up the draft which would seem unfair.

 

A Poole fan taking the moral high ground, who would have thought.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

But Poole would be well within their rights regardless as bates was further down the pick than Smart anyway. It's not as though we are trying to get a rider higher up the draft which would seem unfair.

His position in the draft and whether its Poole who may be looking to use him are both irrelevant IMO.

 

The fact that he opted out of his draft pick should mean he is not on the available list this year. To allow that would undermine the whole pick system.

 

As has been pointed out had Bates not been drafted by Swindon in the original pick others couldve chosen him. A choice that has been denied them in this scenario.

 

Also IF it is true Bates has been phoning offering his services (to date there is no confirnation) then this is very wrong. A draft is (or should be) a controlled process and as such not a negotiation between just 2 parties.

 

As and when any team needs to switch a rider theyshould be requesting from the organiser a list of who they can pick from not suggesting "we are signing Mr X"