Edinburgh 2023

[cinderfella]

32 minutes ago, Nickinho said:

If it is then Paco has to do more than just turn up in heat 14. 

The top two of Pickering and Cook would be better than Glasgow's of Basso and Harris. If Kye can make the next step up then he can be just as good as Tom Brennan in that number 3 role and it has the makings of a good team.

Yeah but there are more teams than just Glasgow to worry about.

Pickering could be the difference: Harris and Cook cancel each other out age and experience wise while Basso, Brennan and Thomson are all at the same stage progess wise of their careers so Josh experience and ability could be the difference between the match ups.

But then again the other 4 in each side are going to be as important as the top three.

The Bickley v Pjiper battles should be interesting.

[xvcjk]

21 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

Personally don't think it looks strong, but need more complete teams to compare it to. However also look good enough to be title challengers (only need to finish 6th out of 9).

I think that it’s a very solid 1-7 with a lot of potential. Josh and Cookie will be as dominant a top 2 as any. Kye was really developing into that third heat leader last season until his crash against Redcar. Paco looked unbeatable around Armadale when he made the gate, he just needs to find some consistency. Lasse showed that he is capable of winning races at this level and really impressed away at Redcar and Scunthorpe. Jacob progressed as the season went on and he should really kick on with a full season under his belt. Kyle really shouldn’t be under any pressure at all which should benefit him massively.

We will be underrated as always but I reckon this team could mix it with anyone over 2 legs.

[Jaizer]

Don't think it's a bad side. If cookie gets back to being 9.5 plus rider and hook and lasse can kick on after a season of learning then could be challengers (by that I mean to win it don't need the standard "they only need to finish 6th of 9" response).

Of what's been announced/ assumed I'd say better than Berwick, Oxford and scunny and about on par with Redcar and Glasgow. 

[Bagpuss]

2 hours ago, Jaizer said:

Don't think it's a bad side. If cookie gets back to being 9.5 plus rider and hook and lasse can kick on after a season of learning then could be challengers (by that I mean to win it don't need the standard "they only need to finish 6th of 9" response).

Of what's been announced/ assumed I'd say better than Berwick, Oxford and scunny and about on par with Redcar and Glasgow. 

Early impressions for me from announced and suggested teams would be a top four of Glasgow, Poole, Redcar and Oxford; a bottom two of Berwick & Brum with Edinburgh, Plymouth and Scunny scrapping it out for last two Play Off spots. Just my opinion of course, no jumping up and down or getting upset folks, I'm usually wrong  

Edited December 12, 2022 by Bagpuss

[Fromafar]

22 minutes ago, Jaizer said:

Don't think it's a bad side. If cookie gets back to being 9.5 plus rider and hook and lasse can kick on after a season of learning then could be challengers (by that I mean to win it don't need the standard "they only need to finish 6th of 9" response).

Of what's been announced/ assumed I'd say better than Berwick, Oxford and scunny and about on par with Redcar and Glasgow. 

Would disagree ,good home Team BUT so are Berwick IMO.Berwick more strength in depth IMO.Everybody seeming to righting  off that Berwick Team but there could be a couple of improves in it IMO.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Fromafar

[Jaizer]

2 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

Would disagree ,good home Team BUT so are Berwick IMO.Berwick more strength in depth IMO.

Yeah I agree, but my struggle with Berwick is TJ on an average 1.5-2 points above what it should be so in my head your team is built lower. That and will the rooboy come back the same rider as was at Poole?

I know you could maybe say they same for Edinburgh that lasse and hooks true averages would bring them down as well. But imo they'll at least achieve those averages this season whereas almost impossible for TJ to hit his.

[Fromafar]

8 minutes ago, Jaizer said:

Yeah I agree, but my struggle with Berwick is TJ on an average 1.5-2 points above what it should be so in my head your team is built lower. That and will the rooboy come back the same rider as was at Poole?

I know you could maybe say they same for Edinburgh that lasse and hooks true averages would bring them down as well. But imo they'll at least achieve those averages this season whereas almost impossible for TJ to hit his.

TJ is not a bargain average but he is a decent Heat leader in  a weakened Championship IMO will do a job IMO. averages are not everything. Schlein is await and see job,but is a marmite signing with the fans.Think Harris will struggle to replicate last seasons Average with Ashfield as his home track.

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Fromafar

[Jaizer]

4 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

TJ is not a bargain average but he is a decent Heat leader in  a weakened Championship IMO will do a job IMO. averages are not everything. Schlein is await and see job,but is a marmite signing with the fans.Think Harris will struggle to replicate last seasons Average with Ashfield as his home track.

 

I'm sure he'll probably do better than the 7.10 he achieved in his last full season at champ level but anything over 8 will probably be successful.

Absolutely agree about Harris, won't have the home advantage he had at Berwick. I assume the theory is Ben will be more the home no.1 and Harris will be better away. Hope it comes off as seems a gamble in my eyes

[szkocjasid]

45 minutes ago, Jaizer said:

Don't think it's a bad side. If cookie gets back to being 9.5 plus rider and hook and lasse can kick on after a season of learning then could be challengers (by that I mean to win it don't need the standard "they only need to finish 6th of 9" response).

Of what's been announced/ assumed I'd say better than Berwick, Oxford and scunny and about on par with Redcar and Glasgow. 

This year's play-offs are different in that 2nd is no better than 6th as the winning team picks their two opponents. So technically teams should either aim for 1st or top 6, there's nothing in between!

[cinderfella]

57 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

....... in  a weakened Championship

 

Why the hell are we,the paying fans, putting up with our sport being diluted by those who actually run it and yet will probably expect us to pay more?

I am honestly having a serious think about which meeting I will attend next season and although only a single individual whose presence won't be missed at least I know I'm voting with my feet (and wallet)

Maybe if more fans did the same in an organised manner promoters may come to respect fans and their income?

Edited December 12, 2022 by cinderfella
Grammar

[Fromafar]

1 minute ago, cinderfella said:

Why the hell are we,the paying fans, putting up with our sport being diluted by those who actually run it and yet will probably expect us to pay more?

I am honestly having a serious think about which meeting I will attend next season and although only a single individual whose presence won't be missed at least I know I'm voting with my feet (and wallet)

Maybe if more fans did the same in an organised manner promoters may come to respect fans and their income?

I have the same feelings.I know others who are in the same boat.We’re just “ forum fannies” though they don’t need our cash.They will be telling us they are having to turn people away next no doubt.

[SlicktrackSandy]

2 hours ago, cinderfella said:

Why the hell are we,the paying fans, putting up with our sport being diluted by those who actually run it and yet will probably expect us to pay more?

I am honestly having a serious think about which meeting I will attend next season and although only a single individual whose presence won't be missed at least I know I'm voting with my feet (and wallet)

Maybe if more fans did the same in an organised manner promoters may come to respect fans and their income?

It may well be diluted and at present some say poorly run or run with self interest in mind.  However it is still with us and those who chose are able to do so whether in person or streaming.  In 1980 there were 20 teams in the equivalent of the CL and now it looks as if we are down to 9 so we are not exactly in the golden age for Speedway  - but we are still here.  There are clearly a huge number of factors involved in how we have arrived  at where we are.  At present there appear to be only temporary sticking plaster solutions to keep us jogging along until someone comes up with a grand plan to turn things around. Debatable if that will be possible  and even less likely if support further diminishes so it is vital to hold on to and consolidate what we are working with at present. 

Some say costs are too high and  poor value @ £20 or whatever for 90 minutes stood outside and only 15 minutes racing, but that is what Speedway has always been - except delete 20 and insert applicable substitute.  Anyone old enough to remember the early 60's may recall that kids got in for the equivalent of 7.5p and adults about 12.5 p and riders could well have been on 50p a point if they were lucky ( Alan Weeks on BBC TV once mentioned that Barry Briggs got 10 bob ( 50 p ) a point ).  Point being this is 2022 and it costs what it costs to run a Speedway meeting  and keep a club afloat.  Where are we now - max. £90 a point "capped" - suggests one heck of an income required to keep in business.  Have never been a great subscriber to this "value" argument.  Everything's relative on that score i.e. some ( not all ) may easily spend £20 on an evening and p**s it all against a wall never giving it another thought - it's all down to personal choice and rightly so,  Only saying !

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by SlicktrackSandy

[phillipsr]

Scunny look stronger than most especially if as rumoured the last 2 named are Allen and Douglas!!! Strongest reserve named so far in Kennedy and a Number 1 as good as any! 

[TheGuvnor]

2 hours ago, cinderfella said:

Why the hell are we,the paying fans, putting up with our sport being diluted by those who actually run it and yet will probably expect us to pay more?

I am honestly having a serious think about which meeting I will attend next season and although only a single individual whose presence won't be missed at least I know I'm voting with my feet (and wallet)

Maybe if more fans did the same in an organised manner promoters may come to respect fans and their income?

Sadly the hardcore seem to be the happy clappers who will gobble up whatever is served and roll out the “keyboard warriors” or “people always moan” lines when challenged. All the while digging deeper in their own pockets to pay a silly amount for a worse product year on year. 

A protest of sorts may make an impact but I’m sure the aforementioned fans would never back it. Then the crowds wouldn’t suffer much at all because the fans who’d vote with their feet largely already have done so. 

[mc131]

46 minutes ago, phillipsr said:

Scunny look stronger than most especially if as rumoured the last 2 named are Allen and Douglas!!! Strongest reserve named so far in Kennedy and a Number 1 as good as any! 

A good strength in depth side 

[gmarsbar2]

1 hour ago, phillipsr said:

Scunny look stronger than most especially if as rumoured the last 2 named are Allen and Douglas!!! Strongest reserve named so far in Kennedy and a Number 1 as good as any! 

And they'll still be rubbish on the road. 

[scunny1]

23 minutes ago, gmarsbar2 said:

And they'll still be rubbish on the road. 

We will always savour 2019 when we won 37-53 at  Ashfield though.

[gmarsbar2]

On 12/11/2022 at 8:56 PM, SlicktrackSandy said:

Most would be happy with that team I would have thought.  Doubt if we could have done much better without a major upheaval which nobody would have wanted. If Lasse gets himself a bit more comfortable with the Armadale turns next year we could do o.k.  He looked really fast at Redcar.   Almost certainly good enough for top 6  and maybe even go at least as far as this year.  

Think it did need major surgery, your talking about a team that's built to almost half a point under the points limit and includes to returning assessed 4 point riders who failed to reach that average in 2022. There's loads of 4-5 point riders without a team.

No idea why you'd want Paco Castagna back, signed to be your third heat leader and ended with a 4.93 rolling average. Like someone said, seemed to wait until heat 14 before performing.

Lasse Fredricksen averaged 3.50 in 2022, although he was riding at No2.

Jacob Hook averaged 2.78 at reserve, although he did show in flashes there was potential, so I can see why you would bring him back

 No interest in bringing Drew Kemp back? Looks like no one wants him.

 

[ruffdiamond]

4 hours ago, cinderfella said:

Why the hell are we,the paying fans, putting up with our sport being diluted by those who actually run it and yet will probably expect us to pay more?

I am honestly having a serious think about which meeting I will attend next season and although only a single individual whose presence won't be missed at least I know I'm voting with my feet (and wallet)

Maybe if more fans did the same in an organised manner promoters may come to respect fans and their income?

Yeah,,, well spare a thoughts for those that will turn up for all meetings. 

They'll probably end up paying even more the following season, cos the likes of you that carn't be arsed!!! 

Edited December 12, 2022 by ruffdiamond

[Mr Blobby]

5 minutes ago, gmarsbar2 said:

Think it did need major surgery, your talking about a team that's built to almost half a point under the points limit and includes to returning assessed 4 point riders who failed to reach that average in 2022. There's loads of 4-5 point riders without a team.

No idea why you'd want Paco Castagna back, signed to be your third heat leader and ended with a 4.93 rolling average. Like someone said, seemed to wait until heat 14 before performing.

Lasse Fredricksen averaged 3.50 in 2022, although he was riding at No2.

Jacob Hook averaged 2.78 at reserve, although he did show in flashes there was potential, so I can see why you would bring him back

 No interest in bringing Drew Kemp back? Looks like no one wants him.

 

Paco was signed for the middle order was never signed to be 3rd heat leader. That job is for Kye.