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Post by schumi on May 12, 2008 21:06:25 GMT
I’m troubled. I have to admit to never having been Scott Nicholls’ biggest fan, I can’t abide rudeness (long story), his Polish and Swedish results haven’t been the best, and his GP performances have been poor, at best, but I must admit I’m developing a new-found respect for him when it comes to domestic racing. Scott seems to be the glue that keeps Eastbourne together, and he’s clearly a committed rider who gives 100% to his team, putting in some brilliant scores, and always trying his hardest. I can’t fault him on that, honestly. But I have to ask why he seems to step up a notch at home, then falter outside of the British leagues. Should he consider giving the GPs a miss, or has he taken on too many commitments elsewhere? Is it just a blip that he’ll recover from (he was outstanding for Hammarby in 2007 until the play-offs), and why is his home form superior to when he rides anywhere else? Shouldn’t someone of his experience be more consistent around the globe, or is it a testament to him that he seems to save his best form for home? Help me, I’m struggling with this one.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2008 21:32:48 GMT
I'm sorry Schumi but I can't agree that he was "excellent" for Hammarby last year. He was decent. Only in one meeting did he put in a telling and decisive performance last year, and that was away to Motala where he had a good meeting and also won the run-off against Sullivan for the bonus point.
We expect around 10 points from him per meeting, and most of the time that's what we get.
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Post by schumi on May 12, 2008 21:36:14 GMT
No need to apologise, erik - you're entitled to your opinion as much as me. I just think that 10 points is a decent showing when you consider his GP performances. But he had Nicki to back him up, and the two of them, with Gapinski, are what propelled Hammarby into the play-offs, in my opinion.
I suppose my main query is why he can consistently beat the top riders in the British EL, but doesn't seem able when it comes to GPs.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2008 21:41:45 GMT
Just trying to be polite Schumi  I would say that Nicki, Jensen and Gapinski where our best riders last year with Nicholls in fourth. This season it looks like he'll be behind Dobrucki, Zagar, Gapinski and maybe Monberg aswell - although his form is also a bit dodgy. But ofcourse it's not bad to average around 10 points per meeting, it's just that we would like to see him win a few more when it really matters - but he almost never does. The previously mentioned run-off in Motala the glorious exception. |
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Post by schumi on May 12, 2008 21:50:42 GMT
I suppose that depends on how well you rate him, and I, personally, didn't. Perhaps you guys expected more of him, but, to me, he's never been up with the likes of Pedersen and Gapinski in the Swedish league, and probably even Dobrucki when he was with Rzeszow in Poland. If you look at Nicholls as a world beater, then look at his results you'd be disappointed, but I never did - there were always so many riders better than he was. I'm surprised at his form in his home league, I guess. He's proving me wrong - and I don't like it.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2008 21:56:58 GMT
Well, certainly no one was expecting him to be on par with Nicki. But many thought he would be Hammarby's number 2 behind him, rather than number 4 behind the likes of Jensen and Gapinski who aren't GP-riders. Still I don't complain about him, it's just a shame that he always bottles it when it matters most. But he seems to lose most ht 15's in the BEL aswell. Dobrucki by the way is a giant, and I'm not only talking about his height |
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Post by admin on May 12, 2008 22:13:41 GMT
The former British champion has never been as impressive in the leagues away from Britain, but you really can't fault his efforts in the Elite League. There seems little doubt that he was a driving force, perhaps the main driving force, behind Coventry's successes over recent years. And he does appear to be holding Eastbourne together, as the good ship Dugard has hit the rocks recently.
But he's never really been the same overseas. He should be Rzeszow's "main fiddle" this season, but he's just not performing and it appears to be a similar case for Hammarby. He failed to win a single race in Gorzow yesterday.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2008 23:12:10 GMT
Talking about expectations, I think Nicholls has raced in the swedish league for ten years soon, or at least thereabouts. And his CMA is 7.01 - and it's always been around that mark, (I think it went up to around 8 for a few years maybe, but that was in the beginning of his swedish career and the league was weaker). So why people expect him to better that every year I really don't know. I guess we're fooled by his GP-status.
To say something positive about Scott I really like his commitment in every race, he certainly never gives up or fails for lack of trying.
Tomorrow night in Avesta I expect him to do quite well, because it's usually a very thick track with lots of grip - something that should suit him.
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Post by admin on May 12, 2008 23:16:42 GMT
He had about eight years with Smederna at Eskilstuna, did he not?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2008 23:25:49 GMT
He had about eight years with Smederna at Eskilstuna, did he not? Yes, he rode for Smederna for nine seasons between '98 and '06 before he signed for Hammarby ahead of the 2007 season. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2008 11:31:46 GMT
Scotty has been simply fantastic, quite a few people questioned whether he would be able to fill the gap left by Nicki P, and he has filled the gap and more. We have never seen so much team riding from a number 1, it's great even if Mr Bridger sometimes has other ideas.
I still don't understand why he is not captain, other than Richardson being the promoters pet.
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Post by nobbyclark on May 13, 2008 16:28:01 GMT
Scotty has been simply fantastic, quite a few people questioned whether he would be able to fill the gap left by Nicki P, and he has filled the gap and more. We have never seen so much team riding from a number 1, it's great even if Mr Bridger sometimes has other ideas. I still don't understand why he is not captain, other than Richardson being the promoters pet. I have to agree with you there!  I am not overly keen on Snotty - but domestically in the UK he is an excellent servant to the UK scene. Yes he would be my captain every time. 100% effort. Rico!  Nice guy - but I just don't get it ! - must be something to do with his father and Middlo!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2008 16:43:24 GMT
Rico! Nice guy - but I just don't get it ! - must be something to do with his father and Middlo! What he's their love child  Seriously though, most people are aware that Snottie left Ipswich under a cloud, and things were said in the heat of the moment, so not a lot of love lost round Foxhall TBH. However although in his last year as Captain at Ipswich he was terrible, this "thing" he had about Hans really clouded his judgement to the exclusion of all else, and IMO due to his lackadaisical attitude in the play off against Wolves, we didn't reach the final (anyway I digress  ) The thing is the move to Coventry was the very best thing for Snottie and for Coventry, and his true potential as a Captain was realised.I'm sure although Rico is named as Captain, it is Snottie who is actually helping the team out. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2008 20:21:56 GMT
Thank you Scott, two crucial heat wins tonight at the end when it mattered most! |
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2008 10:02:09 GMT
Schumi can you go back to disliking him please, he hasn't been his usual self this week |
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Nice guy - but I just don't get it ! - must be something to do with his father and Middlo! 
)