Somerset 2017

[Najjer]

I think it's fair to say Somerset are testing the waters on their first season in the top tier, and quite simply, why not?! They've stuck to the majority of the title winning side from last year which is a rare occurance itself in Speedway to show such loyalty. It's a shame we haven't got a 'big' name at the top of the riding order as someone like Kildemand would of been great to watch at the Oak Tree but hey ho. People who never came to the Oak Tree last year probably won't appreciate just how good Tungate is here now. He is mighty quick and could probably beat just about anyone at any level around here.

 

All of these comparisons against Poole are abit unrealistic. I don't think anybody expected us to go up a league and walk that too. I'm excited about seeing some new teams, slightly different riders and a whole new challenge. We had won just about everything the old PL had to offer so time to take the plunge. I think we might get some trouncings away from home (I also made that prediction last year!) but will more than hold our own at home - which is what 95% of fans ask for. To be entertained and win your home meetings.

 

Jake Allen has the potential to kick on big styley so won't be at reserve for too long, so having Wright, Starke or Allen at reserve all season is far from being a bad thing.

[ray c]

Unfortunately one or two poole fan's it's paramount to win I'm afraid most of us are OK just listen to Gary interview say's it as it is

[Najjer]

Unfortunately one or two poole fan's it's paramount to win I'm afraid most of us are OK just listen to Gary interview say's it as it is

Unfortunately I can't listen to it at work - can anybody summarise what he says?

[wjm]

I am very much of the belief that the Somerset promotion have validated their team building ability through the years. They have credit in the bank when it comes to that particular skill set. They also have a trend of building sides that tend to surpass expectations, albeit that might be skewed slightly this season as the expectation set is likely to be lower, and naturally so given they are the new boys.

 

That is a side that fans of the club can identify with, and that fans will afford time to due to their achievements in the season just gone – that will ultimately be more important than a Peterborough (maybe, probably, who knows) and an Ipswich fan (Poole loather) partaking in dick swinging contents and on a forum.

 

As an aside, it humours me slightly seeing how many people still cannot get their head around the fact that next season is not the Elite League, that product is dead. I am seeing observations where Graversen is being mocked as a signing, and don’t get me wrong any other season he should be, but when the mocking is coming from sides with reserves the standard of Shanes it comes across a bit like people living in glass houses who shouldn’t be throwing stones (that is not meant as a slight on Shanes).

Edited December 6, 2016 by Minor Interest

[Gavan]

Not exactly have an objective opinion do you Gavan? I like to see the teams come up do well. Maybe I just expected too much from Somerset. Thought it would be better tbh.

i have an opinion same as everyone and that is that Somerset will do well at home even against the stronger side like Poole , Rye House and Wolves.

 

What i dont like is the resident Poole trolls like Monster Daz going on every thread to mock every other team

I am very much of the belief that the Somerset promotion have validate their team building ability through the years. They have credit in the bank when it comes to that particular skill set. They also have a trend of building sides that tend to surpass expectations, albeit they might be skewed slightly this season as the expectation set is likely to be lower, and naturally so given they are the new boys.

 

That is a side that fans of the club can identify with, and that fans will afford time to due to their achievements in the season just gone – that will ultimately be more important than a Peterborough (maybe, probably, who knows) and an Ipswich fan (Poole loather) partaking in dick swinging contents and on a forum.

 

As an aside, it humours me slightly seeing how many people still cannot get their head around the fact that next season is not the Elite League, that product is dead. I am seeing observations where Graversen is being mocked as a signing, and don’t get me wrong any other season he should be, but when the mocking is coming from sides with reserves the standard of Shanes it comes across a bit like people living in glass houses who shouldn’t be throwing stones (that is not meant as a slight on Shanes).

lovely phrasing.

 

i have an opinion on Somersets team and applaud them for what they are doing. Unlike some who are happy just to bash them and yes does tend to be Poole fans who do this far more than any other club

[ruckerroo]

May said he couldnt build a side round holder, had kildemand but it fell thru and ended up going with most of last yrs side instead

[Sings4Speedway]

I think its fair to say that success for Premiership clubs this season will be measured at differing levels. Whilst Poole & Rye House for example have been built to win overall Somerset could consider a mid table finish in their maiden season a success.

I would say the main priorities are maintaining their fan base (using familiar riders will help this), winning home matches or at least being very competitive during them (team assembled capable of this) & most importantly ensuring the future of Somerset Speedway for years to come.

[waiheke1]

it's hardly an inspiring team, but its also not a terrible team.

Josh G, Tungate and Hougaard are all solid 3rd HL in this league, the issue is they don't have a genuine number 1, can see plenty of heat 15 5-1s against them away from home.

Starke and Wright are decent 2nd strings, though neither is anywhere near HL ability (whereas at Rye, Watt could be a 4th HL, at Poole Klindt could be etc. )

the reserves pair is solid, though unlikely to dominate, and you have to wonder if a weaker 7 and genuine 1 was the way to go.

At home they will be tough to beat, though I expect Poole and Wolves will beat them. that should be enough to keep the crowds coming in. away i expect they will cop some thumpings.

bttom end of the table, but maybe not wooden spooners.

as a kiwi disappointed BWD didnt get a slot, and as an Aces fan disappointed that Hougarrd did, as had hoped he would be our 3rd HL.

[foreverblue]

i have an opinion same as everyone and that is that Somerset will do well at home even against the stronger side like Poole , Rye House and Wolves.

 

What i dont like is the resident Poole trolls like Monster Daz going on every thread to mock every other team

lovely phrasing.

 

i have an opinion on Somersets team and applaud them for what they are doing. Unlike some who are happy just to bash them and yes does tend to be Poole fans who do this far more than any other club

I think you will find Monster Daz may have supported Peterborough in the past so not exactly a one team kind of guy!

 

As for Somerset's team they will do ok at home but i would not have thought it is the sort of track to have massive home advantage so there could be one or two losses at home. Jake Allen seems to be an up and coming star so expect good things from him, Josh G, Hougaard and Tungate are solid, Starke is improving but Wright and Graversen could struggle.

Overall a team of good riders but no really top riders so may struggle against some teams especially away from home.

[Lukas]

Wilson-Dean has signed for Peterborough along with Starke

Realy...where's that been announced then?

[The Cheese]

Hougaard is a decent signing but Graversen makes no sense at all unless someone is lined up to replace him when the averages drop. Disappointing side overall tbh but it's not as bad as some are saying. Sure it will take some heavy defeats away but at home the top 3 are capable of beating any rider in the league and Allen will be one of the strongest reserves around.

In hindsight the use of last years PL averages hasn't helped. Tungate, Grajczonek, Wright and Starke have ended up with much higher averages and there is no 'bargain' such as Klindt, Newman, Kurtz, K Bjerre etc to level it out. It probably would have been best to lose a combination of Tungate/Grajczonek, Wright/Starke and Graversen, gone with a 2.00, Kim Nilsson/Kylmakorpi and whatever is left.

[Buttons]

I think its fair to say that success for Premiership clubs this season will be measured at differing levels. Whilst Poole & Rye House for example have been built to win overall Somerset could consider a mid table finish in their maiden season a success.

I would say the main priorities are maintaining their fan base (using familiar riders will help this), winning home matches or at least being very competitive during them (team assembled capable of this) & most importantly ensuring the future of Somerset Speedway for years to come.

The Promotion have been very sensible in their choices which will insure the future of the club.

[RebelDan]

Hougaard is a decent signing but Graversen makes no sense at all unless someone is lined up to replace him when the averages drop. Disappointing side overall tbh but it's not as bad as some are saying. Sure it will take some heavy defeats away but at home the top 3 are capable of beating any rider in the league and Allen will be one of the strongest reserves around.

In hindsight the use of last years PL averages hasn't helped. Tungate, Grajczonek, Wright and Starke have ended up with much higher averages and there is no 'bargain' such as Klindt, Newman, Kurtz, K Bjerre etc to level it out. It probably would have been best to lose a combination of Tungate/Grajczonek, Wright/Starke and Graversen, gone with a 2.00, Kim Nilsson/Kylmakorpi and whatever is left.

 

I think BWD could replace Graveson after 8 meetings when averages are recalculated

[waiheke1]

I think BWD could replace Graveson after 8 meetings when averages are recalculated

Some big away defeats could leave them points to play with, even to a 42 point limit.

[oldtimer]

This is definitely not Elite League as it used to be a few years ago, Rohan would never have been a top league number 1, it's a Premier League under a new name but with fewer teams. Will fans get fed up seeing the same teams visiting. Unfortunately the gap between the few top riders and the former Premier riders is bigger and may give more processional racing and false averages. Hope it's a success but the old Premier was better with more variety and riders more evenly matched, team should win at home but may struggle away, how ever Gary not afraid to make changes.

Edited December 6, 2016 by oldtimer

[LisaColette]

i have an opinion same as everyone and that is that Somerset will do well at home even against the stronger side like Poole , Rye House and Wolves.

 

What i dont like is the resident Poole trolls like Monster Daz going on every thread to mock every other team

 

lovely phrasing.

 

i have an opinion on Somersets team and applaud them for what they are doing. Unlike some who are happy just to bash them and yes does tend to be Poole fans who do this far more than any other club

Yes, but you are just as biased as Starman just against and not for Poole. Just ignore anyone who is trolling. I just roll my eyes and scroll down to the next post(and yes, i do roll my eyes at a lot of your posts! )It's not worth the energy tbh. Edited December 6, 2016 by lisa-colette

[SteveLyric2]

If Somerset couldn't agree afford terms with KK or PK what makes people think they can get Chris Holder?! ;-)

 

Not far out was I?? But a good team assembled within their budget so good news for sustainable Speedway in Somerset.

[Najjer]

This is definitely not Elite League as it used to be a few years ago, Rohan would never have been a top league number 1, it's a Premier League under a new name but with fewer teams. Will fans get fed up seeing the same teams visiting. Unfortunately the gap between the few top riders and the former Premier riders is bigger and may give more processional racing and false averages. Hope it's a success but the old Premier was better with more variety and riders more evenly matched, team should win at home but may struggle away, how ever Gary not afraid to make changes.

Who said this was anything like the Elite League? I could understand the outcries of horror if the previous Elite league was such a success... But it wasn't really was it? Belle Vue, Leicester, Eastbourne, Lakeside and Birmingham all pushed to breaking point in recent seasons in the previous Elite League format. Sustainable speedway has to be the way to go and if that means losing the top riders in the world and Grand Prix riders then so be it quite frankly!

[Bagpuss]

As for Somerset's team they will do ok at home but i would not have thought it is the sort of track to have massive home advantage so there could be one or two losses at home.

Have a look at their home results over the past few seasons and see how difficult it is for away riders to score points at the OTA. Somerset ride their own track very well indeed as it's a unique shape and they've retained five riders from last year so they will be hard work at home for anybody.

[topaz325]

Ouch could we be all wrong again , looks like a poor side...... so title winners!!