Leicester V Lakeside 2nd April

[stevebrum]

Leicester have one of the strongest reserve pairings in the league as well

Didn't they BOTH top score tonight as well?

Dear oh dear.

[40-38]

Didn't they BOTH top score tonight as well?

Dear oh dear.

Yes Auty 9+2 and Starke 6, Hougaard and Klindt got 5 each and Walaszek and Wozniak got 4 each, Ulamek got a big fat 0.

[Mr Bump]

And they both were picked to ride in heat 15. Seriously

[speedy bill]

Leicester in big trouble only reserves came out with there heads held high,the rest are a joke might make a decent premier team ,send the over the hill poles home give more help to the brits like vans ect and take a punt on some swedes who look good Oliver Berntoz ,Bring in some russan riders and hope they hit it off,better than the poles who dont look interested. God help them at Belle Vue next friday

[Mike.Butler]

I was there tonight. Reasonable crowd in but silent from the off as if they knew what was coming. A number of people left well before the end.

I cannot see that a team this weak is doing the EL as a whole any favours at all. It would seem to me that it is only the false averages that are now being used due to the race format that prevents us from easily comparing the real strength of this side against the other sides in the top tier. I recall when clubs were thrown out of leagues unless they reached a certain minimum strength, and Leicester on this showing will do well to win a single match the whole season with the current line-up. Having been to Wimborne Road already this year I can't quite decide whether any Lion would actually beat any Pirate round there, so conceding 70 points on their travels seems highly likely to me.

I agree the track was better than on my last visit but to keep the crowd coming they will surely need a No.1.

Btw it was 5 years to the day since they re-opened against Sheffield. Perhaps the PL is where they naturally belong.....

The two reserves contesting heat 15 says it all really..

Edited April 2, 2016 by Mike.Butler

[robert72]

Very poor crowd and many left early as it was that bad.

 

As for the lions team it's clear other than the reserves that changes are needed, most of them didn't look that bothered tonight, at £21 fans need to see riders giving it 100% but far from it tonight.

 

Is the manager not getting the best from them or are they not good enough ?

[usernamealreadytaken]

I have no problems with Leicester setting up with a team of so called 'gaters' but there is nothing worse than watching somebody who misses the gate apparently not trying then retiring before the race is complete. I thought the atmosphere reflected this last night with the crowd only really getting behind the racing of Auty and Starke. The whole meeting seemed very flat with the announcers asking the crowd not to go quiet on him. The idea of giving out free posters so that people can help advertise around the County may work but it is ultimately the product on show that will get people coming to watch and on last nights evidence its going to be a hard sell.

[cityrebel]

I was there tonight. Reasonable crowd in but silent from the off as if they knew what was coming. A number of people left well before the end.I cannot see that a team this weak is doing the EL as a whole any favours at all. It would seem to me that it is only the false averages that are now being used due to the race format that prevents us from easily comparing the real strength of this side against the other sides in the top tier. I recall when clubs were thrown out of leagues unless they reached a certain minimum strength, and Leicester on this showing will do well to win a single match the whole season with the current line-up. Having been to Wimborne Road already this year I can't quite decide whether any Lion would actually beat any Pirate round there, so conceding 70 points on their travels seems highly likely to me.I agree the track was better than on my last visit but to keep the crowd coming they will surely need a No.1.Btw it was 5 years to the day since they re-opened against Sheffield. Perhaps the PL is where they naturally belong.....The two reserves contesting heat 15 says it all really..

it was the same at lakeside on Friday mike. Poor crowd, flat atmosphere and awful opposition. I left the meeting thinking how can they charge this much for such a crap product, and more fool me for paying it!

[Glennylion]

An utterly embarrassing night for the Lions. The gulf in quality between the two top fives that was apparent in Friday night was further confirmed. Without immediate changes that will happen frequently both home and away.

 

Such a missed opportunity when we have the reserves we have.

 

Crowd was poor and will no doubt get poorer. Can't believe that DH believes that a Doyle lead competitive mid week team would have more of a negative effect on attendance than that poorly constructed team.

[marko]

Whilst DH should be commended for bringing the sport back to the City of Leicester part of me wonders if his attitude is holding both himself and his club back, first he refused to change the track despite everyone telling him it needed doing, he relented and hopefully racing will improve, however his pride then turned to only wanting to race Saturday nights, leading to them struggling to complete a team yet alone a competitive one, hopefully he will have a change of heart again, a team like that does no one no favours least of all the Leicester fans themselves who without which DH does not have a business.

[Mimmo]

It's obviously going to be a tough year for you all at Leicester this season, with little prospect of things improving with the current rider shortage.

 

I just hope upon hope, that attendances don't drop away to much, which could cause the ultimate closure of the club. You all waited a long time to get speedway back in your city, and it would be unbearable to see you lose it again.

 

We're not the strongest at King's Lynn this year ourselves, but obviously not quite as weak as yourselves. We have punters that are not happy, but at least most seem to be sticking with the club, and I sincerely hope they do with you.

 

I wish you good luck, and hope that if any riders become available, that would improve your situation, then providing we don't need them here in West Norfolk, that they finish up in the colours of Red & Yellow.

 

Keep supporting your club, they need you.

[SteveLyric2]

Can any Lions fans explain what it is with Ulamek and Walasek in particular? Is it mechanical (are they using their own bikes?) or is it attitude or a mixture of both plus anything else like injuries for example?!

 

If the reserves can do it then there must be some serious reasons why the heatleaders can't?

Edited April 3, 2016 by Skidder1

[sommelier]

I thought it was a better meeting than the score suggests!

[The Voice Of Reason]

Must admit that I didn't think it was too bad a crowd - bear in mind the kids are off school, it's the weekend after Easter and people may still be away on hols, short of dosh, etc. I also didn't notice many people walking out - albeit I didn't stop to listen to the interviews as it began raining.

 

Thought it was a very good meeting - my first fix this year so long-awaited. Clearly, Leicester Supporters must be hurting after that performance - wow, how you need Doyley back.

 

Track changes seem to have worked - to be fair, The Hammers were finding overtaking lines on the bends and straights - so it can be achieved.

 

Seb Ulamek looks so completely off the pace - sad to see a former speedway star just so out of touch. Then again, we had this with PK and he came back firing. However, you have to wonder whether Seb should have just hung up his kevlars or gone PL.

 

Greg & Simon show a lot of promise - couldn't fault their commitment although they need to get dialled in to the 4th bend if they are going to keep taking it at full pelt. Otherwise, you'll be replacing air bags before your number 5.

 

Paddy was down for a long time after his spill with Swidders - and is a competent rider, along with Klindt, at this level. However, consistency is key and clearly Nicolai needs to get some bike problems sorted pretty sharpish. However, looks a steal on a 3.53 average.

 

Starkey and Auty - really gave it everything for the cause and worth every point. Two very strong reserves (at the moment) who are going to be key riders for you at home.

 

Lakeside - Mearo apart (who was so far behind it was embarrassing) rode like a side possessed. Sublime riding from AJ and backed up with a very powerful looking Lawson and Nilsson. Swidders clearly used his knowledge of Beaumont Park to his advantage (particularly finding the fastest line coming out of bend 2). Bridger delivered what was asked - but his riding style now looks 'wobbly' (literally). Lewis Kerr chipped in with a useful 5 rides and, most importantly not a last place - which is possibly all that you can ask of your Number 7 away from home. In fact, our only three last places all night were Rob. He's a real worry if I'm honest - just looks so off the pace at this level. AJ is AJ and is worth his weight in gold to us. But I have to say that both Richard and Kim (even Swidders) looked just as fast last night.

 

Best of luck to Leicester for the rest of the season. Nice fans, excellent facilities and superb viewpoints from around the stadium. Looking forward to my return visit on 28th May. Might even come to a few other meetings this season given its only a half hour drive.

 

Keep the faith!

[flagrag]

It was so disappointing to be at Leicester last night I have never seen so many fans leaving before the end of the meeting along with so many people saying what a waste of money that was.

 

All 3 Polish riders were very poor Ullamek and Walasek really do not seem bothered with the latter giving up if he doesn't make the gate. Wozniak just does not seem the rider he was last season probably due to have more pressure on him as no top end support at the top of the team.

 

Klindt did what was expected and would have had another race win in ht1 if Swidders had not taken out Paddy.

 

It is even more obvious now that this team is not competitive and changes need to be made but who is there out there ? Last night people kept mentioning PL riders doubling up like Stead,Lasse and Summers but far too many fixture clashes I think when I looked Stead would miss 12 matches and Bjerre around 15. I know for a fact that Glasgow would not be happy to have Summers at Leicester every Saturday as too much pressure on man and machine.

 

Could the club settle their differences with Bjarne Pederson or tempt Kenneth Bjerre to do some Saturday nights ? The options do seem very limited but something has to happen before more fans walk away

[SteveLyric2]

There would need to be loads of financial and contractual differences sorted with Bjarne before he would ever consider coming back!!!!

Edited April 3, 2016 by Skidder1

[beckettlion]

Pedersen took the proverbial out of us last year! Wouldn't go back to him with our tail between the legs. Wonder if something could be sorted with Zengota? He always gave his all and would at least put the effort in our fans want to see. Would probably take a bit too much money for the likely return he'd give us though I imagine

[NickRushbrook]

I feel sorry for the Lions fans and genuinely hope things improve.

 

It reminds me of Lakesides (Arena Essex) team of 2006. Michael Max, Steve Johnson, Leigh Lanham, Joonas Kylmakorpi (the one shining light who was injured moat of the time), Henning Bager, Brent Werner and Paul Hurry.

 

Just a miserable season with no changes being made. Nearly killed my interest off for good.

 

There does seem to be a project going on at Leicester though and I would suspect that things will work out eventually.

[sommelier]

It was so disappointing to be at Leicester last night I have never seen so many fans leaving before the end of the meeting along with so many people saying what a waste of money that was.

 

All 3 Polish riders were very poor Ullamek and Walasek really do not seem bothered with the latter giving up if he doesn't make the gate. Wozniak just does not seem the rider he was last season probably due to have more pressure on him as no top end support at the top of the team.

 

Klindt did what was expected and would have had another race win in ht1 if Swidders had not taken out Paddy.

 

It is even more obvious now that this team is not competitive and changes need to be made but who is there out there ? Last night people kept mentioning PL riders doubling up like Stead,Lasse and Summers but far too many fixture clashes I think when I looked Stead would miss 12 matches and Bjerre around 15. I know for a fact that Glasgow would not be happy to have Summers at Leicester every Saturday as too much pressure on man and machine.

 

Could the club settle their differences with Bjarne Pederson or tempt Kenneth Bjerre to do some Saturday nights ? The options do seem very limited but something has to happen before more fans walk away

Yes agree if you could get Summers he would give is all

[E I Addio]

Can any Lions fans explain what it is with Ulamek and Walasek in particular? Is it mechanical (are they using their own bikes?) or is it attitude or a mixture of both plus anything else like injuries for example?!

 

If the reserves can do it then there must be some serious reasons why the heatleaders can't?

Ulamek was dire at Lakeside in 2013. The few points he did score was because Swiderski was shepherding him home. He is a real nice guy but sadly 4years past his sell by date for British Speedwáy.

 

Walasek has a history of not bothering if he doesn't feel like. His performance at Lakeside last Friday and last season was diabolical, just pulling off the track after less than a lap in every single race, then driving back to the pits with no sign of mechanical failure.

 

One has to look at the Leicester management. Norrie Allan is not the easiest person to get along with and seems to have a talent for rubbing people the wrong way. Look at Swiderski, dropped around two, nearly three points off his average at Leicester last year, then last nigh he was back as an away rider and took 8 points off his old club. Same rider,same bike, different frame of mind.

 

I very much hope some team strengthening can take place, for the sake of the fans and the sake of Speedwáy