Leicester Lions vs Birmingham Brummies - KO Cup ¼ final 2nd leg - 27th March 2025

[Teromaafan]

3 minutes ago, 40-38 said:

Who else is left on the RS list? I don't remember Joe Thompson being particularly better than Hagon in his last spell so not sure that swap would be any better.

I didn’t say that Joe would be any better, but when Hagon struggles to score anything, you cannot just do nothing and watch the lad’s confidence evaporate.

[40-38]

7 minutes ago, Teromaafan said:

I didn’t say that Joe would be any better, but when Hagon struggles to score anything, you cannot just do nothing and watch the lad’s confidence evaporate.

I agree, but that's what happened to JT as well last year, his confidence was shot and he was well adrift. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's either of them.

[Sir Sidney]

4 minutes ago, 40-38 said:

I agree, but that's what happened to JT as well last year, his confidence was shot and he was well adrift. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's either of them.

Dan Gilkes would do a good job. 

[Teromaafan]

3 minutes ago, 40-38 said:

I agree, but that's what happened to JT as well last year, his confidence was shot and he was well adrift. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's either of them.

Fair comment. B*gger, what do we do then? I’m too old to be a RS, how are you fixed? I’ll buy you a bike 😂

[szkocjasid]

1 hour ago, Teromaafan said:

Change of subject, but how long will Dickson persevere with Hagon? The RS priority is to outscore your opposite number at home. When he gates he’s easily passed. If he doesn’t, he’s not capable of passing. Was Dickson put under pressure to retain him from last year?  Regardless of any politics, the lad must be on borrowed time. There might not be obvious better replacements out there, but when you struggle to score anything, who else would be worse? The likes of Craig Cook and Drew Kemp have had more than one chance under Dickson, so why couldn’t Joe Thompson have another shot, unless those bridges have been burnt.

 

 

1 hour ago, 40-38 said:

Who else is left on the RS list? I don't remember Joe Thompson being particularly better than Hagon in his last spell so not sure that swap would be any better.

Firstly I think it's too early to think of changes, but they may eventually look to replace Hagon. It doesn't seem like Leicester is his best track, thought he may be better off at Belle Vue, but given Leicester "protected" him as their rising star, they must rate him, it wasn't like he was the best of what was left?

As for Joe T he's a better rider now than he was when dropped last year, so I'd consider him if Hagon doesn't up his scores after a month or two.

If Nathan Ablitt had a Champ team he's be an option, but racing in the third tier only, wouldn't be so keen on using him in the Prem.

[SteelShoe]

8 hours ago, Elmo said:

Better meeting tonight than any last season, some great passing mainly by the Brummies and some quality team riding by the Lions.

Are we really sure it was Zagar in those kevlars?

 

The Comets promotion did some off season track work at Leicester, could that have helped the quality of racing ?

[arnieg]

9 hours ago, Elmo said:

Better meeting tonight than any last season, some great passing mainly by the Brummies and some quality team riding by the Lions.

Are we really sure it was Zagar in those kevlars?

 

Birmingham were lucky there wasn't a Croatian Championship meeting tonight. 😉

[SaddlebowRoad]

11 hours ago, IainB said:

 

I wonder why Zagar didn't appear in 15? Would have done them good to nick am away win so early in the season especially after the spanking they took at home on Monday. 

i mean to be fair they did use their their number one who slso had 9 and their top scorer but yes youd have expected zagar and the bike is the most likely reason

all in all though thats a pretty good response from brum after monday 

[IainB]

Thought it was quite a disappointing crowd last night, especially as it was the first home team outing of the season, it also looked quite low at Belle Vue on Monday, maybe not helped by some of the riders referring to it as "only" the knockout cup, which I have heard a few say. I'm not sure why as it used to be quite a prestigious thing to win and is only 1 of 2 bits of silverware on offer.

Listening to Drew Kemp after the meeting you would have thought he'd failed to score, could this be why he's not making the progress that he clearly should be, he scored 7+2, a score he's only managed to better twice in the top league around the Hydroscand Arena! Maybe a visit to a sports psychologist should be in order.

Also, this maybe pedantic, but it's what I'm here for, I noticed that when Mr Dickson was being interviewed after the match the sponsor board in the background was still showing Eurosport & Pidcock Motorcycles... neither of which exist anymore unfortunately. Add into this the lack of a 2 minute clock and the possible non use of automated starts (they weren't being used at Dougy's testimonial) you have to wonder what they've been doing over the winter.

And before @W9 Lion comes on to answer that, I do know what they've been doing over the winter and that is making adjustments to the track and if what we saw last night is a sign of things to come then that's a big thumbs up 👍. Last nights racing was probably the best I've seen around BP and far better than anything I've seen from the first 2 meetings at BV... bring the SGP to Leicester!

[GiveusaB]

I bet Sheffield are quaking in their boots after last night's performance!

I fancy a win next Thursday!

[FishersGate]

Didn't go to the meeting last night, which for me is rare. Mostly because of financial commitments and I saw this almost as a dead rubber. Sounded like a great meeting with some decent action. Fair play to the brummies for not just turning up and being rolled over, sounded like they really wanted to send a message to the rest of the league.  I'm not surprised by the scoreline at all, Lions do tend to start slow, Fricke also never gets going until the summer officially arrives. So I can't really make too much of an assumption yet on how Leicester will get on this year. I still think Birmingham will struggle, but I would love to be proved wrong.

Edited Friday at 09:43 AM by FishersGate
Spelling

[IainB]

19 minutes ago, GiveusaB said:

I bet Sheffield are quaking in their boots after last night's performance!

I fancy a win next Thursday!

It'll be Sheffield's first outing won't it? And Brummies 3rd, you could catch 'em cold

[W9 Lion]

2 hours ago, arnieg said:

Birmingham were lucky there wasn't a Croatian Championship meeting tonight. 😉

He was very complementary about the track last night to Stewart to the point he said he can not understand why he hated riding it in the past.

[W9 Lion]

14 hours ago, IainB said:

16th of July 1969: Humanity puts the first man on the moon. 🚀👩‍🚀🌜

27th of March 2025: Leicester Speedway unable to put a 2 minute clock on the centre green ⏰️

25th March 2025: Automated start working fine

27th March 2025: Automated start shorted out. Same issue apparently as Kings Lynn and Kent have had. This also wipes out the 2 minute clock. Its a new system for this season and it looks like its very hit and miss. I would be having a word with the QC department at the manufacturer.

[szkocjasid]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

Thought it was quite a disappointing crowd last night, especially as it was the first home team outing of the season, it also looked quite low at Belle Vue on Monday, maybe not helped by some of the riders referring to it as "only" the knockout cup, which I have heard a few say. I'm not sure why as it used to be quite a prestigious thing to win and is only 1 of 2 bits of silverware on offer.

I've never understood this, when promoters, riders or team managers belittle any competition that isn't the league, sometimes they'll even suggest the league isn't that important until you get to the play-offs. Even if they believe that, do they not realise how these comments could affect the crowd?

As a fan, I'd want my team to win every competition. Certainly put in the same effort each time, after all fans aren't given a discount because it's "only" the KOC or a challenge match etc & I'm sure riders won't get paid less.

[IainB]

8 minutes ago, W9 Lion said:

25th March 2025: Automated start working fine

27th March 2025: Automated start shorted out. Same issue apparently as Kings Lynn and Kent have had. This also wipes out the 2 minute clock. Its a new system for this season and it looks like its very hit and miss. I would be having a word with the QC department at the manufacturer.

Buy cheap, buy twice?

[W9 Lion]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

Thought it was quite a disappointing crowd last night, especially as it was the first home team outing of the season, it also looked quite low at Belle Vue on Monday, maybe not helped by some of the riders referring to it as "only" the knockout cup, which I have heard a few say. I'm not sure why as it used to be quite a prestigious thing to win and is only 1 of 2 bits of silverware on offer.

Listening to Drew Kemp after the meeting you would have thought he'd failed to score, could this be why he's not making the progress that he clearly should be, he scored 7+2, a score he's only managed to better twice in the top league around the Hydroscand Arena! Maybe a visit to a sports psychologist should be in order.

Also, this maybe pedantic, but it's what I'm here for, I noticed that when Mr Dickson was being interviewed after the match the sponsor board in the background was still showing Eurosport & Pidcock Motorcycles... neither of which exist anymore unfortunately. Add into this the lack of a 2 minute clock and the possible non use of automated starts (they weren't being used at Dougy's testimonial) you have to wonder what they've been doing over the winter.

And before @W9 Lion comes on to answer that, I do know what they've been doing over the winter and that is making adjustments to the track and if what we saw last night is a sign of things to come then that's a big thumbs up 👍. Last nights racing was probably the best I've seen around BP and far better than anything I've seen from the first 2 meetings at BV... bring the SGP to Leicester!

Only Me!

Right I have answere the 2 minute clock earlier. With regards to the signage the interview board and pits signage is supplied "centrally" to all clubs. So it has not arrive yet. The rest of the signage in the stadium is provided by Europress who are the best in the business, high qualityh, delivered in time and understand the requirements of the club.

[W9 Lion]

2 minutes ago, IainB said:

Buy cheap, buy twice?

Totally agree. We all have to use the same supplier and installer.

Suspect trying to fix it will be Jen's number one priority before the next meeting.

[Bear_Bottom]

[SPEEDY69]

Well done Birmingham, shame you couldn't nick the win but sounds like the crowd were the winners.