Plymouth 2015

[BBSC]

He will be made very welcome at berwick

[Graham Warren]

I can see what you mean jenga. I was disgusted when Birmingham signed him but have changed my mind completely and when there was talk of raising the money to buy his contract from Coventry I would have contributed. As a rider he always gives 100% but on top of this he always has time for the supporters especially the disabled ones. He also visited one supporter in his care home and on another occasion took 100 Easter Eggs he bought himself to the Birmingham Children's Hospital. These things had no publicity and have only leaked out since. I believe he and his family are travelling to Birmingham Saturday for the Brummies Christmas Party. He's furiously British and unlike so many foreign riders, is totally committed to the team and always looked out for his team mate in a race. Oh, and I've never met him! Perhaps your experience is different. I certainly changed my view of him. A good rider and solid team man. Good luck to Plymouth in 2015. Looks like Birmingham have been saved although only National League for the moment.

[jenga]

yes, i am see what you mean. we all have different views on riders, some good,some bad. but as yet i dont see any other view that will change my mind, other than a crimbo prezzie from him. but thats life. love him or hate him, he is a trier but the one thing that sticks in my mind will always be there, unless something changes..

[ancient mariner]

Barker is expensive and the Devils promotion has already stated that current spending is not sustainable. He interacts well with the fans and is always up front with charitable works.

 

However (and this is a personal point of view) after the loss of the Brummies his riding deteriorated to the point of desperate. He appeared to completely ignore the needs of his fellow Devils and rode only for himself - and this from a rider who has in the past has provided some of the finest team riding ever likely to be seen at the SBA.

 

As a Devils supporter and given their current situation I would be uncertain that Barker would actually be an advantage, leaving the Devils vulnerable at the lower reaches of the side - I would prefer a team less top heavy and more balanced throughout. That said, there are plenty that might disagree ...

[torpointfanatic22]

Why is Ben Barker seemingly unpopular at Plymouth? He is in the top three in the PL averages and hugely popular at Birmingham for his riding and rapport with the fans.

 

Don't think there is anything against the guy at all. The fans in general still love Barker but in my opinion he's found his level and bringing someone into the team with an average as high as his means the bottom end could suffer.

 

I'd take Richie Worrall over him every day of the week!

[Halifaxtiger]

Barker is expensive and the Devils promotion has already stated that current spending is not sustainable. He interacts well with the fans and is always up front with charitable works.

 

However (and this is a personal point of view) after the loss of the Brummies his riding deteriorated to the point of desperate. He appeared to completely ignore the needs of his fellow Devils and rode only for himself - and this from a rider who has in the past has provided some of the finest team riding ever likely to be seen at the SBA.

 

As a Devils supporter and given their current situation I would be uncertain that Barker would actually be an advantage, leaving the Devils vulnerable at the lower reaches of the side - I would prefer a team less top heavy and more balanced throughout. That said, there are plenty that might disagree ...

 

It might be a personal point of view but from what I heard (and saw) at SBA you are far from the only person who has it. Indeed, I'd say that is more or less accepted.

 

I think whether Barker is retained may swing on the way he rides. At the end of the day, he is still one of the top riders in the PL and with Benko in on a 3.00 average I think he can be fitted in without damaging the balance of the side too much.

 

If he goes back to the rider from the first couple of seasons I doubt there are many that wouldn't want him in the team.

[EnglishRoundabout]

It might be a personal point of view but from what I heard (and saw) at SBA you are far from the only person who has it. Indeed, I'd say that is more or less accepted.

 

I think whether Barker is retained may swing on the way he rides. At the end of the day, he is still one of the top riders in the PL and with Benko in on a 3.00 average I think he can be fitted in without damaging the balance of the side too much.

 

If he goes back to the rider from the first couple of seasons I doubt there are many that wouldn't want him in the team.

Love it when he comes to Somerset. The pantomime villain. Always controversial and good entertainment.

[ancient mariner]

It might be a personal point of view but from what I heard (and saw) at SBA you are far from the only person who has it. Indeed, I'd say that is more or less accepted.

 

I think whether Barker is retained may swing on the way he rides. At the end of the day, he is still one of the top riders in the PL and with Benko in on a 3.00 average I think he can be fitted in without damaging the balance of the side too much.

 

If he goes back to the rider from the first couple of seasons I doubt there are many that wouldn't want him in the team.

On that basis HT, I'd take him in an instant. He brought an art to team riding that is sadly only too rarely seen nowadays. Heat 15s were always something to be anticipated and frequently savoured when Ben conjured a 5-1 out of next to nothing; breath taking stuff worth the entrance money on its own. Which makes the way he rode towards the latter stages of last season all the more sad in my view.

[CardinalSin]

Barker's team riding was evident in his season at Foxhall too. There were times he would shut off on a bend and virtually stop, to wait for his team mate to catch up and then team ride him home.

[Former devil]

On that basis HT, I'd take him in an instant. He brought an art to team riding that is sadly only too rarely seen nowadays. Heat 15s were always something to be anticipated and frequently savoured when Ben conjured a 5-1 out of next to nothing; breath taking stuff worth the entrance money on its own. Which makes the way he rode towards the latter stages of last season all the more sad in my view.

I was never a fan of Ben until he joined Plymouth and i witnessed for myself, week after week, what an amazing team rider he is. Like you say it is not often we witness that in this day and age. The heats with Ricky Wells and Ryan Fisher, in particular spring to mind.

 

It was evident that Ben was less willing to team ride after the demise of Birmingham. However, i can understand the change in his riding style. With only 1 wage coming in and an extra mouth to feed in his household, he was obviously less inclined to take changes to protect his team mates if it was likely to result in him losing out on points money if they failed to perform accordingly.

 

Although it was sad to see the change in his riding style, i have to say and said at the S.B.A on many occasions last year that there wasnt any rider in that team capable of team riding. Time after time the Plymouth riders failed to look for their partner and it was often mentioned on the updates site that the Plymouth riders were getting in each others way, so how can we have expected Ben to put his trust in them?

Edited November 25, 2014 by Former devil

[Robinh88]

Barker I thought would have averaged over 9 last season just gone

[skippy]

I feel Ostergaard will be numero uno in 2015

 

he will be at Peterborough if they run is my guess

[CardinalSin]

Risager is available and he's superb around Plymouth.

 

He'd definitely help you be competitive at home at least.

[bigcatdiary]

I feel Ostergaard will be numero uno in 2015

You could be right but not at Plymouth

[lewy]

Plymouth struggling to put a decent side together

How do you know! Just because they havent announced any signings yet it doesnt mean they are struggling to put a decent side together

[TheScotsman]

Plymouth struggling to put a decent side together

 

Really??

 

I suppose Somerset, Peterborough, Berwick, and almost as bad - Edinburgh and Newcastle, must also be struggling.

Only 2 riders named between them.

[coomie]

rebels team should be know on Thursday,May know what's left by then !

[CaptainAudi]

Really??

 

I suppose Somerset, Peterborough, Berwick, and almost as bad - Edinburgh and Newcastle, must also be struggling.

Only 2 riders named between them.

14 riders from edinburgh and Somerset 2014, and how many are already signed up with teams for 2015?

 

Think it's just 2? So there is still 11 good riders who reached the PL final up for grabs (obviously Deek retired)

Edited November 29, 2014 by MonarchsMitchy

[Robinh88]

 

Really??

 

I suppose Somerset, Peterborough, Berwick, and almost as bad - Edinburgh and Newcastle, must also be struggling.

Only 2 riders named between them.

Maybe don't assume....

[torpointfanatic22]

Plymouth struggling to put a decent side together

 

A tad too early to say that imo although I am a tad concerned we are 'waiting' to see whats left rather than competing with other teams to sign top riders. As others have said though there are still plenty of riders out there and I really hope we are looking at options that don't include the likes of Wright and Franc.

 

Somerset announce their side on Thursday night so it will be very interesting to see who they name.

 

The thing for me is that we've heard nothing since the AGM from the promotion, granted if there is no news then fair enough but it would be good to hear something even if it''s ruling riders out of a return!