szkocjasid Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 1 hour ago, Hilly said: How long can we continue without changes? Ipswich home and away next, could be some unwanted records coming up 😢 I would normally suggest it's far too early to be thinking about changes, although Oxford dropped Klindt after only 3 matches last season. Mind you, that was to get Riss into the team, who seems to be Schroeck's golden boy. Normally you'd drop a lower averaged rider to strengthen up, but Gusts has started well & there's no chance Schroeck would drop Riss. Who would be willing to come over that would be a stronger rider than one of the top 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilly Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Well done to the Spires on yesterday's win in the Championship pairs 😂 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilly Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Absolutely dreadful effort at Ipswich last night, although I wasn't expecting anything else really 😟 Tungate has been woeful so far. Janowski still appears to have no speed, even after last year. I like Killeen but it looks a step too far at this stage, is Gilkes still on the RS list? Gusts is putting the others to shame with his efforts, especially being new to UK racing. When you have the weakest team, you need everyone on their game to try and be competitive, neither of which is happening so far. The danger is a drop off in crowds, once people stop going, we all know it can be difficult to get them back. We are in danger of creating all sorts of records this season 😢 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 19 minutes ago, Hilly said: Absolutely dreadful effort at Ipswich last night, although I wasn't expecting anything else really 😟 Tungate has been woeful so far. Janowski still appears to have no speed, even after last year. I like Killeen but it looks a step too far at this stage, is Gilkes still on the RS list? Gusts is putting the others to shame with his efforts, especially being new to UK racing. When you have the weakest team, you need everyone on their game to try and be competitive, neither of which is happening so far. The danger is a drop off in crowds, once people stop going, we all know it can be difficult to get them back. We are in danger of creating all sorts of records this season 😢 Yes Gilkes still qualifies as a "rising star" but I can't see Schroeck swapping them over tbh. Given that they could've picked Jenkins, Flint or Gilkes to start the season but preferred secure Killeen rather than go through the "ranking order" shows how highly they rate Killeen. I agree he could be a star if the future, but wouldn't use him if he's not the nest option available now. Last year they basically dropped Kerr for Kemp, then Kemp for Killeen. Being able to "secure" Killeen as the RS for 2025 apparently more important than winning matches - as no one could convince me that move was made to improve the team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilly Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 1 minute ago, szkocjasid said: Yes Gilkes still qualifies as a "rising star" but I can't see Schroeck swapping them over tbh. Given that they could've picked Jenkins, Flint or Gilkes to start the season but preferred secure Killeen rather than go through the "ranking order" shows how highly they rate Killeen. I agree he could be a star if the future, but wouldn't use him if he's not the nest option available now. Last year they basically dropped Kerr for Kemp, then Kemp for Killeen. Being able to "secure" Killeen as the RS for 2025 apparently more important than winning matches - as no one could convince me that move was made to improve the team. Technically correct but we all know the 'ranking order' is a load of tosh. With Gilkes in the Cheetahs team, it's a move that would make sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 8 minutes ago, Hilly said: Technically correct but we all know the 'ranking order' is a load of tosh. With Gilkes in the Cheetahs team, it's a move that would make sense. If I was running a team that finished below Ipswich, I would want it announced that the "ranking order" was no more & riders could go where they choose. I wouldn't want fans thinking I had a clueless team manager or that my club wasn't trying it's best to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 42 minutes ago, Hilly said: Absolutely dreadful effort at Ipswich last night, although I wasn't expecting anything else really 😟 Tungate has been woeful so far. Janowski still appears to have no speed, even after last year. I like Killeen but it looks a step too far at this stage, is Gilkes still on the RS list? Gusts is putting the others to shame with his efforts, especially being new to UK racing. When you have the weakest team, you need everyone on their game to try and be competitive, neither of which is happening so far. The danger is a drop off in crowds, once people stop going, we all know it can be difficult to get them back. We are in danger of creating all sorts of records this season 😢 As you say, was always going to be tough at Ipswich and everyone else will likely struggle there also. But the Oxford team were a bit undercooked with Riss missing (he’d have been good for a decent points haul around a track he knows well) and then losing Kildermand didn’t help either. Ok, he may not have had a huge impact on the meeting, but running rider replacement for a team missing riders and struggling a bit is never ideal. The result wouldn’t have been in doubt, but there were definitely mitigating circumstances to the scale of the defeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 If Gilkes is still on the rising star list it would be a no-brainer to get him in the team. If Jenkins is supposedly the best rising star in the league, then Gilkes would be just as good - if not better. He looked superb against Scunthorpe, better than Jenkins, and was even team riding him at one point. Get him in the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilly Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 18 minutes ago, szkocjasid said: If I was running a team that finished below Ipswich, I would want it announced that the "ranking order" was no more & riders could go where they choose. I wouldn't want fans thinking I had a clueless team manager or that my club wasn't trying it's best to win. That will be every team team this season then 😂 Is it realistic to think that Flint was last choice? Didn't Rob Lyon state beforehand they wanted Jenkins? It's clearly all bull, riders and teams decide independently, regardless of any press releases and whatever teams may say. Out team manager, I'll leave that with you but I don't think there's much room for any doubt 🤣 I'm happy if we are keeping within budget to remain viable, if that means we can't field a competitive team, don't try it and put yourself at risk. We were already a well supported and competitive team at Championship level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 31 minutes ago, Hilly said: That will be every team team this season then 😂 Is it realistic to think that Flint was last choice? Didn't Rob Lyon state beforehand they wanted Jenkins? It's clearly all bull, riders and teams decide independently, regardless of any press releases and whatever teams may say.🤣 I don’t understand what they’d be hoping to achieve by this though? If they would have just said every team needs a rising star and compiled a list for them all to choose from, nobody would have batted an eyelid. Doesn’t make any sense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 6 hours ago, Arch Stanton said: I don’t understand what they’d be hoping to achieve by this though? If they would have just said every team needs a rising star and compiled a list for them all to choose from, nobody would have batted an eyelid. Doesn’t make any sense. My thoughts totally. Either some managers are just awful at choosing riders based on their ability (Killeen better than Jenkins) or Chris Louis keeps lying about Ipswich being fortunate that Jenkins wasn't chosen by anyone & was available when it came to their pick. What possible harm would it have done to say the "ranking system" is no longer, riders can go where they want? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 If they arent going to take the top league seriously they might as well not bother tbh, they gave upon the play offs mid season in 24 when well placed, nobody knows whether it was financial but it could have been. Janowski is just not the same rider away from poland but if your going to team build under strength your going to struggle. Shining light seems to be francis gusts who looks a combative bold rider capable of mixing it . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebee Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 (edited) This is clearly a side that is not competitive in this league, particularly when compared with Belle Vue and Ipswich. If resources have been spread too thinly - and Oxford are the only disorganization three teams - then it would be better to concentrate on just two. Attendances will inevitably suffer with a very poor team. If the Spires go then perhaps we can look forward to a four team Premiership next year as I can't see Birmingham surviving after another poor season either. Whatever happens, I would hate to see the revival of speedway at Oxford put in jeopardy through running noncompetitive teams. I hope the management response to the early results is rapid enough to benefit the club! Oops forgot about Kings Lynn. Hope they have a good season. Edited April 15 by bluebee Addition 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilly Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 Only 2 heat winners at Belle Vue ( 1 from the guest, great effort by Thompson all night, who was our best performer alongside Wright ). You can't win meetings like that, or stay competitive. Top heat leaders are required. We may well put up some spirited efforts but I'm struggling to see where a win may come from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackInTheDHSS Posted April 16 Report Share Posted April 16 (edited) On 4/15/2025 at 10:55 AM, bluebee said: This is clearly a side that is not competitive in this league, particularly when compared with Belle Vue and Ipswich. If resources have been spread too thinly - and Oxford are the only disorganization three teams - then it would be better to concentrate on just two. Attendances will inevitably suffer with a very poor team. If the Spires go then perhaps we can look forward to a four team Premiership next year as I can't see Birmingham surviving after another poor season either. Whatever happens, I would hate to see the revival of speedway at Oxford put in jeopardy through running noncompetitive teams. I hope the management response to the early results is rapid enough to benefit the club! Oops forgot about Kings Lynn. Hope they have a good season. Oxford are certainly not suffering financially, quite the opposite in fact. The finances are very healthy. The problem comes from incredibly poor team building - and loyalty to riders that could arguably be replaced with far better alternatives. Courtney and Schroek put their eggs in certain baskets (Madsen in the Premiership and Nicholls in the Championship) only for it comes back and bite them hard when neither of them ended up being available. Lots of last minute scrambling around to then try and build teams. If crowds do drop, which they probably will without changes, there are contingency plans for that. They would have to fall considerably for the club to start making a loss. There's no danger of he club being at risk - only danger is them thinking it might not be viable to do all three leagues in 2026. Edited April 16 by BackInTheDHSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petecc Posted April 16 Report Share Posted April 16 3 hours ago, BackInTheDHSS said: Oxford are certainly not suffering financially, quite the opposite in fact. The finances are very healthy. The problem comes from incredibly poor team building - and loyalty to riders that could arguably be replaced with far better alternatives. Courtney and Schroek put their eggs in certain baskets (Madsen in the Premiership and Nicholls in the Championship) only for it comes back and bite them hard when neither of them ended up being available. Lots of last minute scrambling around to then try and build teams. If crowds do drop, which they probably will without changes, there are contingency plans for that. They would have to fall considerably for the club to start making a loss. There's no danger of he club being at risk - only danger is them thinking it might not be viable to do all three leagues in 2026. Will there be 3 leagues in 2026? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 On 4/15/2025 at 10:55 AM, bluebee said: I can't see Birmingham surviving after another poor season either. Perhaps Birmingham fans will confirm but I believe this is the last season the club can run at the stadium anyway? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted Friday at 08:30 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 08:30 AM I'm coming down for 2 points this Easter Monday (😂), thinking of parking on the Tesco car park, any comments? Is there the usual 4 hour restriction, The store is open from 8-6... Every Little Helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted Friday at 09:23 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 09:23 AM 52 minutes ago, IainB said: I'm coming down for 2 points this Easter Monday (😂), thinking of parking on the Tesco car park, any comments? Is there the usual 4 hour restriction, The store is open from 8-6... Every Little Helps! 3 hours i believe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Najjer Posted Friday at 09:34 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 09:34 AM Looking forward to my first visit on Monday - hoping that the weather holds off. Oxford look in real trouble with their team and I’d imagine changes must be on the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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