Baldyman Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Nothing unlucky about it, just not good enough against the weakened Scorpions..Also if you ain't racing on the fastest lines, good luck or bad luck ain't gonna make any difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerite Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) The only sadness was the attendance, which didn't look good. Rob Godfrey puts on an excellent show - with cracking racing, limited delays and quality presentation - and if he can't attract gates then there is genuine cause to fear for the future of the sport. Let's hope there's a promotion on for the Sheffield/Buxton dead meetings on the 12th or they'll be hardly anyone there. Edited October 3, 2014 by Tigerite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC Rides Again Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Let's hope there's a promotion on for the Sheffield/Buxton dead meetings on the 12th or they'll be hardly anyone there. The prospect of a possible first win for the Stags will see me there. Poor attendances are, and always have been, an ever-present problem for Scunthorpe. You just have to look at the troubled history of the Quibbell Park/Ashbyville years back in the day. Rob and his team do minor miracles to keep the ship afloat. I am certainly grateful that they do. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arson fire Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 The only sadness was the attendance, which didn't look good. Rob Godfrey puts on an excellent show - with cracking racing, limited delays and quality presentation - and if he can't attract gates then there is genuine cause to fear for the future of the sport. no no!!! Playoffs are big money spinners....arnt they?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC Rides Again Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 no no!!! Playoffs are big money spinners....arnt they?? Flawed system having the "mini-groups". Dead rubber for Scunthorpe tonight and Berwick/Worky have two similar meetings to run next week. Straight knock-out would be better. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Flawed system having the "mini-groups". Dead rubber for Scunthorpe tonight and Berwick/Worky have two similar meetings to run next week. Straight knock-out would be better. Straight Knock-out is the obvious answer,be interesting to see if anything changes next season .(doubt it though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerite Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) Flawed system having the "mini-groups". Dead rubber for Scunthorpe tonight and Berwick/Worky have two similar meetings to run next week. Straight knock-out would be better. Agree top 4 (2 semis then final) than top 6 would be better. Our Semi Final meetings with Kings Lynn in 2007 had excellent attendances. Edited October 3, 2014 by Tigerite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC Rides Again Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'd go with the Swedish Elitsieren model of 3rd to 6th a couple of two-legged knock-out matches and the winners joining top two in 2-legged semi finals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyH Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Here's a new idea - why don't we declare the team at the top of the league at the end of the season as Champions? Ludicrous that a team finishing 6th could hit a purple patch and be called champions. Before I get slated for being a Monarch who may not win the PL despite finishing at least 10 points clear, I said last year at this time that it was right that Somerset beat us in the play-off final. I would have loved Monarchs to win it but could never have considered us True champions as we were in 2003, 2008 and 2010. Run the league to end September then have a Young Trophy again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Great night of racing, especially Heats 13 & 15.... Scunny showed what might have been, while Ipswich really should have taken a point at the very minimum. Ipswich seem quite a poor team, who are only doing any good in the play-offs because of injuries to other sides. I think the Witches will be found out at Somerset next Friday. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Don't we know it, we will get totally thrashed good and proper next Friday, like we normally do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalSin Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Great night of racing, especially Heats 13 & 15.... Scunny showed what might have been, while Ipswich really should have taken a point at the very minimum. Ipswich seem quite a poor team, who are only doing any good in the play-offs because of injuries to other sides. I think the Witches will be found out at Somerset next Friday. All the best Rob We finished 3rd in the PL table, currently two places and 10 points ahead of Scunthorpe over a league season. If we're a "poor team", it doesn't say an awful lot for Scunthorpe and the 9 others who finished below us this season does it? You seem a tad bitter towards Ipswich recently for some reason.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whowasthatberntpersson Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Hats off to the Scorpions, Ipswich had everything to race for whilst the Scorps just had pride. At football they sing "Top of the league and you F--ked it up" Very much suitable to Ipswich here... Have to agree with Scunthorpe being a nightmare to get to on a Friday. Sunday afternoon would suit travelling fans much more, its a good place to watch speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 (edited) Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest where Tungate is concerned. Earlier in the season he actually admitted (stupidly) that he turns up to some away meetings with a half ar$ed attitude and struggles for motivation. I was very surprised to see the latest greensheets have Tungate's average now above the 8 point mark, I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole next year on that figure. It would surprise me greatly. While there's no excuse for jacking in, there's a significant difference about doing it in a heat when the match is dead and buried and doing it in a play off match when a place in the PL final and a possible PL championship at stake. Tungate certainly put it in in heat 15 and it would be quite incredible if a team manager chose him for that when he had simply given up in a race two heats earlier. According to green sheets his average has improved more than any other Ipswich rider (Hawkins is the same) this season. To not 'touch with a barge pole' a rider like that for next season seems to me to be a little foolish. The crowd did seem down somewhat tonight, not surprising really given our injuries and our dead play off situation... I actually didn't think the crowd was that bad tonight, I expected worse to be honest. Out of contention in the play-offs, nothing at stake for the home fans, it was simply a case of 'stay at home and save your money' time'.. Shame cos those that did stay away missed a cracker. I think that's fair point - I am sure that if Scunny had something to go for it would have been different. I have to say, though, that throughout the season they have not been as good as the standard of meetings at EWR (and that's the whole package, not just the racing) definitely deserve. Used to love going to Scunthorpe on a Sunday afternoon and that's the problem now with it being run on a Friday night, traffic a nightmare on M1/M18/M180 which puts me off! If Scunthorpe ran their meetings on a Sunday afternoon like they did with NL then I would be a regular visitor, but Friday nights is a no go for me I do M62/M18/M180 and on the latter two I have never encountered any problems (to be fair, that's coming from the north). I set off at 5pm last week and arrived at 6.15 because there was so little traffic on the M62 (to my surprise). no no!!! Playoffs are big money spinners....arnt they?? Not using the present system when meetings are dead, even if that is just one club. I think Tigerite (and others) are correct in that 4 teams only is better. Great night of racing, especially Heats 13 & 15.... Scunny showed what might have been, while Ipswich really should have taken a point at the very minimum. Ipswich seem quite a poor team, who are only doing any good in the play-offs because of injuries to other sides. I think the Witches will be found out at Somerset next Friday. All the best Rob Bit harsh, Rob. They wouldn't have got in to the play offs in the first place if they were a poor team and that takes away some of the credit from a quite brilliant backs to the wall performance from Scorpions. This wasn't just about Ipswich throwing it away. Edited October 4, 2014 by Halifaxtiger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Bit harsh, Rob. They wouldn't have got in to the play offs in the first place if they were a poor team and that takes away some of the credit from a quite brilliant backs to the wall performance from Scorpions. This wasn't just about Ipswich throwing it away. Maybe it was a bit harsh, and yes you're right, it was a superb performance from Scunny. Josh Auty's ride in Heat 13, in particular was quite brilliant. He really was feeling below the weather, he spent his time between heats slumped in a chair in the pits. To go out and dash from last to first while feeling like that really shows commitment. And David Howe was masterful, considering he had to do much of the work from the back. Add in a highly competitive outing from Tommy The Gun (he so much deserved a point for his efforts in that blockbuster Heat 15) plus the guests all chipping in - although it seems strange to call Mattie Orange a guest, he's one or our lads - and we just had too much. As for Ipswich, yes you're right "poor" is not the word to describe that team. But they have been found wanting at the most crucial part of the season. Maybe "unable to lift themselves at crucial times" is a fairer description. With the way this play-off group has played out, the final place was theirs for the taking. Maybe they'll prove me wrong, but I think a heavy defeat awaits them next Friday, leaving the Witches to then dwell on what could have been. Scunny have the excuse of being decimated by injury. With a full side I'm convinced we could have taken a point at Ippo (we were doing OK there until Nicolai crashed out, even without any firepower at reserve due to Ash's absence), and also taken all three points from Somerset last Friday. If so, we'd have 7 points and be on the brink on the final. But what's Ipswich's excuse? They've had almost a full team for the play-offs. They looked unconvincing early doors against Scunny, failed to take full advantage of Somerset's problems at Foxhall, and then lost to a Scunny side with only three of its declared 1-7, one of whom was ill. Ipswich should be in the final by now. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffeboy Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Ipswich need to lose by less than six points to go through on points difference. Easy!!! given that some Somerset fans claim that they have no home advantage even though they regularly rack up 60+ points I know of only one rider ( James grieves ) who has stated that he does not like the OTA and he won the Pairs with Screen. We have been doing very well at our place this year because we have been better than anyone else. Have a look at Statman's excellent descriptions of races on the updates site to how many times the Rebels win races from behind. It's not over until the fat lady sings, anything can happen on the night as it did to Scunny at our place and us at Ippo. Here's a new idea - why don't we declare the team at the top of the league at the end of the season as Champions? Ludicrous that a team finishing 6th could hit a purple patch and be called champions. Before I get slated for being a Monarch who may not win the PL despite finishing at least 10 points clear, I said last year at this time that it was right that Somerset beat us in the play-off final. I would have loved Monarchs to win it but could never have considered us True champions as we were in 2003, 2008 and 2010. Run the league to end September then have a Young Trophy again. Agree totally, Edinburgh champs for me whoever wins the play offs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric i Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 What was Godfrey's comment about not being back next year, I hope there is nothing in this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Have to agree with earlier posts, some good racing and much-depleted Scunny were too strong for ipswich. On paying an all too rare visit to Scunny, I'm not sure about the comments on the crowd being low. We 3 arrived at 7ish and drove round the car park for 5 minutes searching for a parking spot, we finished up near the big yellow Tonka trucks. Speaking to one of the turnstile ladies I was informed "it seems like half of Ipswich are in town to see if their side can make the play offs". Plenty of fans in both stands, the middle rows of seats, the 1st turn cover, the bar platform and a good few on the back straight. The car park seemed pretty much full and though the Tonka toys and pile of shale take up room I'm not sure how many more cars could have been accomodated.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSpecialOne Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Maybe it was a bit harsh, and yes you're right, it was a superb performance from Scunny. As for Ipswich, yes you're right "poor" is not the word to describe that team. But they have been found wanting at the most crucial part of the season. Maybe "unable to lift themselves at crucial times" is a fairer description. With the way this play-off group has played out, the final place was theirs for the taking. Maybe they'll prove me wrong, but I think a heavy defeat awaits them next Friday, leaving the Witches to then dwell on what could have been. Scunny have the excuse of being decimated by injury. With a full side I'm convinced we could have taken a point at Ippo (we were doing OK there until Nicolai crashed out, even without any firepower at reserve due to Ash's absence), and also taken all three points from Somerset last Friday. If so, we'd have 7 points and be on the brink on the final. But what's Ipswich's excuse? They've had almost a full team for the play-offs. They looked unconvincing early doors against Scunny, failed to take full advantage of Somerset's problems at Foxhall, and then lost to a Scunny side with only three of its declared 1-7, one of whom was ill. Ipswich should be in the final by now. All the best Rob For a club official and even worse somebody responsible for writing words on behalf of the club you don't half talk some tosh. Basically in this play off group all matches have gone to form. Somerset will win the group due to beating both other teams out of site at the OTA and by virtue of the point they gained at Scunthorpe a feat and score line repeated from earlier in the season. Ipswich stuffed both teams at home, again as per the form of earlier in the season. The scoreline in the Somerset match a virtual repeat. Yes they could have and should have won by more but that makes no difference given the point Somerset gained at Scunthorpe. It could be argued that the only result to go against form is the much better scoreline Ipswich achieved second time round at the EWR. Somerset advance to the final due to them being, as the table suggests, the best team in the group. Ipswich and Scunthorpe good at home but not good enough away from home. Time to lose that chip/sack of spuds on your shoulder. All the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalSin Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 It would surprise me greatly. While there's no excuse for jacking in, there's a significant difference about doing it in a heat when the match is dead and buried and doing it in a play off match when a place in the PL final and a possible PL championship at stake. Tungate certainly put it in in heat 15 and it would be quite incredible if a team manager chose him for that when he had simply given up in a race two heats earlier. According to green sheets his average has improved more than any other Ipswich rider (Hawkins is the same) this season. To not 'touch with a barge pole' a rider like that for next season seems to me to be a little foolish. Im with Catch22 here I wouldn't touch him either on that average it looks pretty expensive to me. I wouldn't be happy going in to next season with Tungate our Number 1 and main man. Having watched him regularly now for 3 years he isn't a rider to lead a team or trust to pull you through meetings when the going gets tough. I was another who was totally hacked off with his comments earlier this season about lacking motivation and basically not trying in some away meetings. When you consider someone like Danny King is available for half a point more, it shows even more there are better options out there to lead the team. Just my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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