Wolverhampton 2016

[Tommy Sweetman]

Interesting use of words in the OS report of Woffinden's win. 'Brilliant British.....' Not 'former Wolves rider' or 'Wolves asset' which for as long as I can remember are phrases they have always used for successes by anyone with a connection to the club. Reflected glory and all that. Something and nothing or....... Come to think of it maybe I was blind and/or drunk, or most probably blind drunk, but I didn't clock Adams in his pit last night???

 

http://www.wolverhamptonwolves.co/news.php?extend.2382

In the Mail on Sunday he was refered to as Scunthorpe,s Tai Woffinden.

 

Adams was there last night.Sitting in the corner(as someone else described him)as looking like the Churchilian dog.

Not sure if he was there last week though.

[Fourentee]

Billy Hamill increased his average when he signed for Wolves in 2006 from a false 2005 average at Oxford due to injury. You can sign an old guy on a false average if they can increase and get better.

Good point well made. Hamill had a very good 2006 and actually by no means a bad 2007, despite injuries finally catching up with him. Always excellent in the pits too; the kind of rider who enthuses his teammates.

Wolves 2006 were a fascinating team, a "very nearly" side. PK had an imperious season, Hamill was classy and Lindgren beginning to emerge. It really needed just one from the second strings/reserves to come through a little more and it could have been quite something.

Mind you, without going all nostalgic, there were some tremendous riders around in other sides then as well. Ten years on the whole British speedway product is looking rather devalued, but that's another story for another thread.

[robert72]

In the Mail on Sunday he was refered to as Scunthorpe,s Tai Woffinden.

 

Adams was there last night.Sitting in the corner(as someone else described him)as looking like the Churchilian dog.

Not sure if he was there last week though.

 

Yes I saw he was classed as Scunthorpe tai woffinden, seems his time at wolves is forgotten

[sandking072]

Yes I saw he was classed as Scunthorpe tai woffinden, seems his time at wolves is forgotten

Tai who?

[Wolfsbane]

Yes I saw he was classed as Scunthorpe tai woffinden, seems his time at wolves is forgotten

But not his form for the club in 2014

[magnificentseven]

Yes I saw he was classed as Scunthorpe tai woffinden, seems his time at wolves is forgotten

 

He has been forgotton by most Wolves fans - don't think you will find many who still think of him as a Wolves rider.

 

Wolfie

[Tommy Sweetman]

He has been forgotton by most Wolves fans - don't think you will find many who still think of him as a Wolves rider.

 

Wolfie

Trouble is Wolfie,Tai doesnt think so.

 

Hes going on the recepetion he got when he won the British final,and said when interviewed "Look at these amazing fans,they are just awesome"

 

Not sure who would win if you took a straw poll amongst Wolves fans,Woffy back or Pawlicki back.

[magnificentseven]

Trouble is Wolfie,Tai doesnt think so.

 

Hes going on the recepetion he got when he won the British final,and said when interviewed "Look at these amazing fans,they are just awesome"

 

Not sure who would win if you took a straw poll amongst Wolves fans,Woffy back or Pawlicki back.

 

I'm not sure Wolves fans would be falling over themselves to have either back

 

It would also be interesting to know what proportion of the crowd at the British Final that were cheering Tai were Wolves fans - I know a lot of Wolves fans who didn't go to the meeting.

 

Tai might be popular with British fans but personally I don't think there are many Wolves fans amongst them.

 

As you say TS I think Tai still thinks that everything is rosey with the Wolves fans and him which is very unfortunate - but then I don't think he would be that bothered - much in line with his 2014 performances

 

Wolfie

[BWitcher]

Wolves fans deserve all they get with the attitude they show at times.

 

I prefer to remember Woffinden over a 6 year period, not just 1 poor year.

 

I hope we get to see him riding for the club again in the future too.

Edited October 7, 2015 by BWitcher

[R87]

 

I'm not sure Wolves fans would be falling over themselves to have either back

 

It would also be interesting to know what proportion of the crowd at the British Final that were cheering Tai were Wolves fans - I know a lot of Wolves fans who didn't go to the meeting.

 

Tai might be popular with British fans but personally I don't think there are many Wolves fans amongst them.

 

As you say TS I think Tai still thinks that everything is rosey with the Wolves fans and him which is very unfortunate - but then I don't think he would be that bothered - much in line with his 2014 performances

 

Wolfie

I didn't go to the British final, mainly due to the fact that it always drags on for too long.

 

However, I was certainly supporting Tai from home watching the meeting and would have no problem with him coming back. Dont see it happening in the next 2 or 3 seasons at least though.

[MrwulfAndrew]

Im with Bwitcher on this one. 1 bad season doesnt spoil everything. I still want him to do well and see him as a wolf. Dont think he will be back for a good while though as his schedule suits him well now.

[magnificentseven]

Wolves fans deserve all they get with the attitude they show at times.

 

I prefer to remember Woffinden over a 6 year period, not just 1 poor year.

 

I hope we get to see him riding for the club again in the future too.

 

Being one of the very few fans who now follow the team home and away, and the amount of time, energy and hard earned money I put into watching the team each year I feel I am entitled to express an opinion on here.

 

There is nothing wrong with my attitude towards the team, unlike a certain rider from 2014 who treated both the team and the fans with contempt.

 

I have heard a few stories from that year concerning that rider in particular from reliable sources which bear out his poor attitude - but they are best kept off here.

 

If he decides he wants to give the correct amount of dedication and show the proper attitude towards the team he would be a welcome addition - but that seems to be a way off as he clearly shows his dedication is elsewhere and not interested in Wolves.

 

I want a team of riders who want to ride for Wolves and put everything into riding for Wolves.

 

We had a very poor 2015, and it is hard to see what is going to change in 2016 unless the riders we already have show a resurgence in form - because there are very few riders about that are better than them that are likely to sign for us.

 

Realistically, we shouldn't keep either Wells or Thorsell as they have averages that are too high for their ability in the team.

 

Freddie and PK are options on their averages but since they have shown they can't cope in the heat leader roles which they are likely to occupy again in 2016, do we keep them?

 

Musielak is obviously way out of his class.

 

Bates has been a disappointment really.

 

Having said all that and torn the team apart where do the realistic replacements come from?

 

We are in a real mess if the EL stays as it is.

 

Wolfie

[stevebrum]

I'd welcome Woffy and Piotr back in a heartbeat if they were committed to the EL and Wolves.

Can't see either back any time soon unless we try and save an ailing league structure by making the radical changes it needs.

[SteveEvans]

Tai Woffinden was fabulous for most of his Wolves career. 2009 he was the biggest riser in our last Championship winning team. He also made the play offs with us in two of his next four seasons.

 

2014 was a bust. It was inexplicable that the world champion would end up with an average under 7. Deja vu this year for Freddie.

 

Tai admitted when interviewed Saturday he wasn't ready for 2014 and well prepared. He took on another league as well as charity and much PR work. He won a title at just 23 and I think he genuinely thought he was indestructible and it hit him, and us, hard in the teeth. I do not believe he did it intentionally, I believe it was naivity in a still young man he thought he could do it all.

 

You add into that the new race format has generally lowered the average of most every heatleader. Those down are form have a brutal time. Tai and Freddie's woes were magnified.

 

From a top riders perspective, when you reach a high level you simply don't need the EL anymore. The quality and pace of doing Sweden and Poland and GPs gives you a predictable schedule.

 

I also think the BSPA needs to do everything it can to temp Tai to race in the UK in 2016 to raise the sport over here. I doubt they will even try.

 

I only wear an administration hat with Team USA but World Cup week is frankly brutal. Workload, early starts, travel. I only have this for 7 days a year so I couldn't imagine it for 8 months when you ride a motorcycle at 70mph up to 6 days a week, which is harder work than I will ever do.

 

I remember Tai for 2009 and his great work for Wolves through 2013. We helped make a World Champion who could well become one of the very best all time. My wolf pride is proud we laid the foundation whether we ever see him ride for us or not!

 

As far as Wolves 2016 it needs to be built around a couple of riders who are not currently Wolves riders who are signed and acquired. From that we can fit in perhaps a couple from this year on attractive averages but a clear out is needed. If we base our team on current assets and fit in around them we truly have become the new Eastbourne!

Edited October 8, 2015 by SteveEvans

[FAST GATER]

Tai Woffinden was fabulous for most of his Wolves career. 2009 he was the biggest riser in our last Championship winning team. He also made the play offs with us in two of his next four seasons.

 

2014 was a bust. It was inexplicable that the world champion would end up with an average under 7. Deja vu this year for Freddie.

 

Tai admitted when interviewed Saturday he wasn't ready for 2014 and well prepared. He took on another league as well as charity and much PR work. He won a title at just 23 and I think he genuinely thought he was indestructible and it hit him, and us, hard in the teeth. I do not believe he did it intentionally, I believe it was naivity in a still young man he thought he could do it all.

 

You add into that the new race format has generally lowered the average of most every heatleader. Those down are form have a brutal time. Tai and Freddie's woes were magnified.

 

From a top riders perspective, when you reach a high level you simply don't need the EL anymore. The quality and pace of doing Sweden and Poland and GPs gives you a predictable schedule.

 

I also think the BSPA needs to do everything it can to temp Tai to race in the UK in 2016 to raise the sport over here. I doubt they will even try.

 

I only wear an administration hat with Team USA but World Cup week is frankly brutal. Workload, early starts, travel. I only have this for 7 days a year so I couldn't imagine it for 8 months when you ride a motorcycle at 70mph up to 6 days a week, which is harder work than I will ever do.

 

I remember Tai for 2009 and his great work for Wolves through 2013. We helped make a World Champion who could well become one of the very best all time. My wolf pride is proud we laid the foundation whether we ever see him ride for us or not!

 

As far as Wolves 2016 it needs to be built around a couple of riders who are not currently Wolves riders who are signed and acquired. From that we can fit in perhaps a couple from this year on attractive averages but a clear out is needed. If we base our team on current assets and fit in around them we truly have become the new Eastbourne!

Some good points and I take on board the work load but have little sympathy IMO speedway is a short career 15 yrs being an average I would have thought therefore riders need to make hay while the sun shines .Many people would give their right arm fo half of what Tai has and if you don't like bullets don't become a "gun fighter" he did not fall into this sport but had been honed from a very early age .I am thrilled he has won a second title and truely hope many more will follow but don't moan or make excuses for the work as you are lucky enough to be paid for something you love doing which more than can be said for many of us .

[Wolfsbane]

All Woffinden had to do in 2014 was put his hands up early doors and say 'I've took on too much here, I'm not doing myself or the team any good, I need a break from the UK for the rest of the year' and people, including myself, would have been disappointed but ultimately would have understood his dilemma.

 

Instead of which he carried on with a workload that he couldn't cope with with the resultant ridiculous drop in his average in the UK.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Wolfsbane

[BWitcher]

All Woffinden had to do in 2014 was put his hands up early doors and say 'I've took on too much here, I'm not doing myself or the team any good, I need a break from the UK for the rest of the year' and people, including myself, would have been disappointed but ultimately would have understood his dilemma.

 

Instead of which he carried on with a workload that he couldn't cope with with the resultant ridiculous drop in his average in the UK.

 

Really??

 

You honestly believe that?

 

He'd have been slaughtered!

 

Let's not forget, it was riding for Wolves at Eastbourne that Tai ploughed through the fence picking up an injury which pretty much cost him at least a medal in the World Championships.

 

The 'ridiculous' drop in his average was compounded by the race format. Another year he'd still have been around the 9 mark.

 

Chris Holder went through similar this year.

[clambo71]

BWitcher, on 08 Oct 2015 - 11:34 AM, said:

 

Really??

 

You honestly believe that?

 

He'd have been slaughtered!

 

Let's not forget, it was riding for Wolves at Eastbourne that Tai ploughed through the fence picking up an injury which pretty much cost him at least a medal in the World Championships.

 

The 'ridiculous' drop in his average was compounded by the race format. Another year he'd still have been around the 9 mark.

 

Chris Holder went through similar this year.

Agreed some of his drop in average was compounded by the race format but completely disagree that in any other year he would have been around a 9. I watched in dismay as match after match he showed absolute disinterest during his time on the track.

[BWitcher]

Agreed some of his drop in average was compounded by the race format but completely disagree that in any other year he would have been around a 9. I watched in dismay as match after match he showed absolute disinterest during his time on the track.

 

It all adds up, the old format, easy race comes along that you win and your confidence and interest levels pick up again.

 

It's similar to the old system when a rider dropped to reserve and suddenly he could beat riders he couldn't get near to before..

 

Or now, when a rider drops to second string he'll suddenly start beating the heat leaders he was clueless against previously.

 

Momentum, confidence etc should never be underestimated.

[SteveEvans]

Some good points and I take on board the work load but have little sympathy IMO speedway is a short career 15 yrs being an average I would have thought therefore riders need to make hay while the sun shines .Many people would give their right arm fo half of what Tai has and if you don't like bullets don't become a "gun fighter" he did not fall into this sport but had been honed from a very early age .I am thrilled he has won a second title and truely hope many more will follow but don't moan or make excuses for the work as you are lucky enough to be paid for something you love doing which more than can be said for many of us .

It's his right as a rider to take on the work he does, or not.

 

Look at the EL 2006 - majority of the top riders raced here, 40 league matches, plus cup, plus Craven Shield and that's only UK, not Sweden or Poland or GPs.

 

2008 the league introduced a 3 year plan based off a tanked economy and damage done by some short term here today gone tomorrow promoters who spent more than they could.

 

In 2008 the league essentially cut ties with many of its stars. It may have been a short term smart move to save money, but add In that and the winter debacle of 2011 and you have the two prime changes that have cut us back to a league much poorer in quality and much lighter in fixtures.

 

The league has the same name but lets be honest, its unrecognizable and the lower number on the terraces show the fans have noticed!

 

If the EL was as attractive and challenging it would attract more riders. The fact that so many turn it down mean he isn't all about the money or he'd be making whatever top riders make these days 28 times a year.