E I Addio Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) Looks like the final team place goes to Kim: http://www.lakesidehammers.co/content/?p=8946 Not all that surprising or exciting as team announcements go, but he does have the potential to up his average, particularly riding with AJ this season, and at least we'll have another club asset on board. To be honest I think we might struggle at #3 throughout the season - but as the riders move up and down from that third heatleader spot we should have 2 very solid second strings which might make up for it to some extent, especially with a strong top 2. It's looking like plenty of other teams might struggle to have 3 genuine heat leaders anyway. A lot depends on Kim improving and Eddie hitting some good form this season I think. Beat me to it I agree. They come in almost a point under the limit with no absolutely genuine second heatleader , although Biech will hopefully grow into that role. In a way taking a big gamble on several riders making big improvement but having said that, the potential is definitely there and if you don't take a gamble sometimes you don't normally win anything in speedway. At least it's new faces and a fresh approach. So, I would say, not exactly the strongest side in the League and not exactly nailed on for the play offs but the potential is there. Personally I like Kim and not disappointed with the choice. He has upped his average every time he has ridden for Lakeside. He and Ed Kennett will be pretty crucial players though. Edited January 9, 2015 by E I Addio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiseguy Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Same feelings here, Kim is a good rider, But after the announcement of the first 2 riders, it seems like a bit of an anti climax one solid, outstanding, heat leader and four second strings, maybe I'm being a bit harsh there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Lakeside will do ok but may struggle away from home and with that 3rd heatleader role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packerman Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 You might struggle at the start of the season but in theory AJ's ave might come down to enable you to strengthen the team later on. Although not a Hammers fan glad to see AJ back 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyderd Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I thought it was great to see AJ back in the UK and he is almost unbeatable round Purfleet, M Bech was a good second signing after that I can't see where your match winners will come from especially away from home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I still have trouble accepting a team in Purfleet being called "Hammers"!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I thought it was great to see AJ back in the UK and he is almost unbeatable round Purfleet, M Bech was a good second signing after that I can't see where your match winners will come from especially away from home. None of us have a crystal ball of course but Kim and Richard have both top scored on away tracks on more than on one occasion. Lawson in particular has gone to Poole and beaten Darcy Ward twice, so the potential is there, but whether or not it materialises remains to be seen. Personally I don't think away wins is always about good riders but more about getting all the team to fire at the same time on tracks they should be able to ride well. This has been part of Lakesides problem in the past. Logically the best place to expect to win would be Eastbourne, and sometimes they did but more often there seemed to be someone or other that had an off night. I still have trouble accepting a team in Purfleet being called "Hammers"!. It could be worse. They could be called the "Hawks" and then you would really have something to complain about ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 None of us have a crystal ball of course but Kim and Richard have both top scored on away tracks on more than on one occasion. Lawson in particular has gone to Poole and beaten Darcy Ward twice, so the potential is there, but whether or not it materialises remains to be seen. Personally I don't think away wins is always about good riders but more about getting all the team to fire at the same time on tracks they should be able to ride well. This has been part of Lakesides problem in the past. Logically the best place to expect to win would be Eastbourne, and sometimes they did but more often there seemed to be someone or other that had an off night. It could be worse. They could be called the "Hawks" and then you would really have something to complain about ! Lakeside Hawks...it has a certain cachet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmc82 Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Could be proven wrong but don't feel there is enough heat leaders esp when the reserve pairing looks one of the weaker in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INCOGNITO Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Kylmakorpi would have been a better signing if he is up for the job while Nilsson showed in patches what he could do. Will he be at #2 or #4 as Kennett obviously be the other second string and it depends which one is best suited to being with AJ. Good looking team at home but away ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Exciting looking side in my opinion. Lakeside teams in recent years have not got the paying public's juices flowing when they have ridden away from home (especially at Swindon). This team is definitely different. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Same feelings here, Kim is a good rider, But after the announcement of the first 2 riders, it seems like a bit of an anti climax one solid, outstanding, heat leader and four second strings, maybe I'm being a bit harsh there I can only agree, AJ and Bech were a good start though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy The Rebel Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Very good start from lakeside,no 3rd heatleader will cost them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Exciting looking side in my opinion. Lakeside teams in recent years have not got the paying public's juices flowing when they have ridden away from home (especially at Swindon). This team is definitely different. No it's not - same old, same old. Lakeside, Eastbourne and BV haven't been crowd pullers at Swindon for a number of years because, apart from a couple of freak results, they usually get mashed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Kylmakorpi would have been a better signing if he is up for the job while Nilsson showed in patches what he could do. Will he be at #2 or #4 as Kennett obviously be the other second string and it depends which one is best suited to being with AJ. Good looking team at home but away ? I don't think many Lakeside fans would want Kylmo back but Kim is pretty popular with the crowd. Kim and AJ ride together in Sweden so it it would be logical to,put them together over here. Kennett should be a good partner to Lawson as they are both team players, and likely to help,each other . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Entertainment first and results second is what counts so I like this team, the nature of modern day speedway and the play offs mean it's often more about the destination than the journey though :-( 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjolnir Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 (edited) Kylmakorpi would have been a better signing if he is up for the job while Nilsson showed in patches what he could do. Will he be at #2 or #4 as Kennett obviously be the other second string and it depends which one is best suited to being with AJ. Kim will almost definitely ride at #2 with AJ. No it's not - same old, same old. Lakeside, Eastbourne and BV haven't been crowd pullers at Swindon for a number of years because, apart from a couple of freak results, they usually get mashed! I'm not sure I agree - I think we might travel better this season. For starters we have a true #1 in AJ, who will score and entertain wherever he goes. Bech is an incredibly talented young rider who scored well at plenty of tracks last season (particularly in the second half of meetings) so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does now that he's seen the tracks before. Nilsson is definitely a home track specialist so I can see your point there, but both Lawson and Kennett should do fairly well away - Lawson was always a big track rider before he had to master Arena (and we've see what he can do at Poole), and Kennett has enough experience at other clubs that he should be able to perform on the road as well as at home (assuming he's on form). Even Birks and Ellis are used to bigger tracks, and Ellis was often as good if not better away than at home last season. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts though Steve0. Edited January 10, 2015 by Mjolnir 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Kim will almost definitely ride at #2 with AJ. I'm not sure I agree - I think we might travel better this season. For starters we have a true #1 in AJ, who will score and entertain wherever he goes. Bech is an incredibly talented young rider who scored well at plenty of tracks last season (particularly in the second half of meetings) so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does now that he's seen the tracks before. Nilsson is definitely a home track specialist so I can see your point there, but both Lawson and Kennett should do fairly well away - Lawson was always a big track rider before he had to master Arena (and we've see what he can do at Poole), and Kennett has enough experience at other clubs that he should be able to perform on the road as well as at home (assuming he's on form). Even Birks and Ellis are used to bigger tracks, and Ellis was often as good if not better away than at home last season. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts though Steve0. You don't have to agree and you have made some good points. I remember BV teams with Crump at #1 - he scored the majority of the points in matches and the rest limped home in 3rd or 4th. AJ will do well in this year's league - as he hasn't really got to try hard has he? Bech is continuing to grow but not really a heat leader (although other teams will be in the same position). Nilsson has been around for a while and never the first name in team declarations (usually the last) - I wonder why that is? Lawson is a great rider - made good progress last year and always liked watching his dad at Glasgow too. Kennett is an enigma - hence the reason why he is the annual journeyman - he can be great and can be woeful - Lakeside's season will depend on which one turns up most often - at Swindon, he had a good home average but was dreadful away and I can't see that changing. From the hype around Ellis I expected him to be in the FTR group A but he didn't have a great season so needs to recapture past promise and I like Birks and he should do well as your senior reserve - I wish he was back at Swindon but it's not to be. So a pretty average looking team which should finish outside the playoffs again - definitely won't be bottom though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjolnir Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 You don't have to agree and you have made some good points. I remember BV teams with Crump at #1 - he scored the majority of the points in matches and the rest limped home in 3rd or 4th. AJ will do well in this year's league - as he hasn't really got to try hard has he? Bech is continuing to grow but not really a heat leader (although other teams will be in the same position). Nilsson has been around for a while and never the first name in team declarations (usually the last) - I wonder why that is? Lawson is a great rider - made good progress last year and always liked watching his dad at Glasgow too. Kennett is an enigma - hence the reason why he is the annual journeyman - he can be great and can be woeful - Lakeside's season will depend on which one turns up most often - at Swindon, he had a good home average but was dreadful away and I can't see that changing. From the hype around Ellis I expected him to be in the FTR group A but he didn't have a great season so needs to recapture past promise and I like Birks and he should do well as your senior reserve - I wish he was back at Swindon but it's not to be. So a pretty average looking team which should finish outside the playoffs again - definitely won't be bottom though! Some good points there too. I absolutely agree that a lot depends on Eddie getting on form and staying there, as well as Kim continuing to improve, ideally to the standard that he was in Sweden last year. I'm very confident that Bech will be a genuine heat leader next year too. I think Ellis will have a better season - his confidence really seemed to dip last year after some hard falls, but he was looking much better again towards the end of the season and riding for Birmingham this year should give him a boost. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Birks - he was one of grade A riders that I had hoped for. I think we've taken a gamble, and if it pays off I genuinely think we could do very well. That 3rd heat leader spot will be our problem at times. As others have said though, I think it'll be an entertaining team to watch and a great team to cheer for at Arena each week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 This civilised manner of debate will never catch on 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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