Poole v Coventry (EL) - 15.04.09

[admin]

In spite of all the guff on various forums, perhaps even here also, Matt Ford has never been a "chop and change at the drop of a hat merchant", although somehow he has managed to gain that reputation. Everyone waited and waited for changes in 2005, but they didn't come until Sullivan's illness took him out of the team and "play-off" desperation took hold.
He made changes last season, but they were as a result of injury to Bjarne Pedersen (the short-lived Kasprzak interlude), Karol Zabik and Zbigniew Suchecki. The changes took Poole to the championship, but they resulted from injuries, not Matt Ford being ruthless.
Again, this season, his changes have been as the result of injuries to Doyle and Legault.

[admin]

Apr 15, 2009 21:40:33 GMT Genghis said:

Wrong year. It was average manipulation in 2004, when Poole had already done enough to top the table prior to the play-offs and then lost by around 35 points at Oxford and by around 40 points at Belle Vue. That team was good enough, it won the league and KOC that year.

It's not the wrong year at all - if you could go back to the BSF in 2005 you'd find that every single poor Poole result was down to "average manipulation". Remember, 2005 was the year of the "famous five" and - like this season - a couple of hopeless reserves. I kept pointing out, time and time again, that the "famous five" were maintaining their averages and that if Ford wanted to change he'd have to hit the top five.
In 2004 the cry was that Poole had manipulated averages in meaningless fixtures at the end of the season with an eye on the next season's team.

[Genghis]

Apr 15, 2009 21:48:30 GMT admin said:

In 2004 the cry was that Poole had manipulated averages in meaningless fixtures at the end of the season with an eye on the next season's team.

That actually happened. And we were warned about it two days in advance, due to Mr. Shovlar being unable to keep his mouth shut.

[Deleted]

To be fair, all clubs have taken part in a bit of tweaking over the years. I seem to remember there was a spreadsheet in circulation several years back that calculated averages on a race by race basis which eminated from a certain Midlands club. To deny that this goes on at clubs to allow certain riders in is simply sticking your head in the sand.

As for this defeat...well, it'd be a risky game to play at home and whilst immediate instinct screams 'average dropping', I'm really not sure that is what happpened last night. Fans (albeit fickle in my view) are already saying they won't return until things turn around and in these troulbed times, we need everyone we can get through the gate. Shame as it was a very good crowd there last night. Trouble is, many of the Poole fans are so used to success, that this run of results doesn't sit easily with many. Me, I just enjoy the racing and don't give a stuff about titles these days, so whilst it was embarassing to watch last night, I can't say it affects my interest.

I'm just not sure really what changes we can make. The riders willing to commit to UK meetings just aren't out there, a fact that sadly fans of other teams will come to realise when the season really gets going and replacements need to be found. The joys of lowering the team averages has meant a severe lack of mid-range riders other than the uncommitted and over-rated. There is talk of Lindback, but i'm still unsure there's any credence to it more than the usual terrace Chinese Whispers.

[Deleted]

I couldn't say whether the Pirates were up to some skullduggery or not last night, just like can't be sure if Jesper Jensen was falling off on purpose, but what i will say is that whilst the sport continues with its policy of 'fantasy speedway averages' there will always be the suggestion that cheating is taking place.

League speedway certainly won't be benefiting from any of my money for the forseeable future.

The rules are a farce.

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2009 21:05:24 GMT admin said:

Well, I wouldn't believe it. It all just makes Matt Ford look clever every time Poole take a spanking. It's never because they were crap, it's some devious plan cooked up by Matt Ford. But why would anyone think he'd do it at home, with the prospect that the "glory hunters" won't turn up next week?
Lukasz Jankowski never looked a clever signing and nor did Carl Stonehewer or Joe Screen. Yes, Screen started well, but our Belle Vue chap has been saying all along he's heard the "turned over a new leaf" story from Screen over the years. Poole are Holder and the Dullard and that's about it. If Holder and the Dullard flop, Poole are exposed to tonkings.

Hear hear, that is one of the worst team-sheets I have ever seen in any league and any side containing Daniel Davidsson in the main-body will always be massacred immediately.

[Genghis]

Apr 16, 2009 8:38:33 GMT @hatcham said:

League speedway certainly won't be benefiting from any of my money for the forseeable future.

The rules are a farce.

Hatcham - excuse me, but didn't you tell me that stupid rules did not stop people from going to speedway?

[admin]

The Dullard offers no excuses (well, okay, one or two might've slipped out accidentally) and no apology for last night's debacle:

www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4293936.Bjarne___Pirates_riders_hold_crisis_meeting/

It's interesting stuff, don't you agree? Far more interesting than watching the Dullard ride. No excuses, but "if we could make a few changes to the track for next week’s home match hopefully it will turn out good for everyone."
Okay, I'll buy that, except that the Dullard goes on: "I’m not saying anything bad about John [track curator John Hector]. He did it how we wanted it, but it has just not worked for us, so we want to change it around. I don’t want to make excuses because the track was the same for everyone, but no one feels confident on our home track, and that [our track] is the biggest advantage we can have for us."
So, this guy Hector prepares the track the way the Poole riders ask for it to be prepared and they don't feel confident on it? That doesn't exactly fill one with confidence, does it? They don't actually know what sort of track they want, is that it? Oh dear. What's Hector supposed to do when he leaves his house, prepare any old track and hope for the best - track preparation for the home side by trial and error? And how many times will it be wrong before they hit on the magic formula that suits the Poole riders?
And will gate four still be as much use as Viagra in a convent?
The Dullard also wants “our team, every time they go out on the track, to have a good feeling", so maybe a certain Poole supporter could provide a couple of "fluffers" to be in the Poole pits to get the riders feeling good before they hit the track?

[Deleted]

;D ;D ;D You're on good form today Sub

[admin]

Apr 16, 2009 13:32:47 GMT @munners said:

;D ;D ;D You're on good form today Sub

I've always said the Dullard isn't a genuine No 1 - he's proving to not even be a No 1 in this weakened Elite League. A true, genuine No 1 doesn't start the season like General McClellan on a military campaign, he starts it like a General Robert E Lee, or even one or two old Mongol commanders.
Last season it was okay, the Craven Shields absorbed the Dullard's traditional "poor start" and then he injured himself at the start of the league programme, so Kasprzak came in. This season the Dullard's poor start is impacting on the serious business of the Elite League. That's a disaster for the Pirates.

[Deleted]

This is interesting to me, because Bjarne has never been a top-notch rider anywhere but Poole, (except for the swedish play-offs in 2005), where somehow he's exceeded all expectations. Is that now starting to go away aswell?

[Deleted]

Sube, I think you're allowing your dislike of Bjarne to cloud your judgement here. We have a team with several new members, all of whom will want the track done to their own requirements. I see nothing wrong with those riders asking for it to be prepared a certain way if it will help them get the best out of their performances. That obviously hasn't worked and thankfully it looks like the riders also agree it needs to be addressed. I'm hoping for a return to a nice slick track, a blue groove and a dirt line on the outside. That is how it works best for the home boys anyway.

As for comments on Bjarne's start to the season, what's that tired old cliché about a season being a marathon not a sprint? Can be certain that Bjarne will finish the season in the top 5 averaged riders in the EL, no shadow of a doubt.

The one point I do agree on is the need for an apology. Although I'd like to see that from the management as much as anything. I think also that the nature of the defeat and subsequent comments have detracted slightly from a strong Coventry performance. Much as some of their fans are as annoying as some of ours, I can't take that away from them.

[Genghis]

Sub, why is Bjarne Pedersen the dullard?

He's not that dull to watch - for instance I can remember a spectacular overtake on Nicki P in the penultimate race in the 2005 Craven Shield Final at Oxford.

But he's yet another rider on your "hate list" for some reason.

[admin]

Apr 16, 2009 15:27:11 GMT Genghis said:

Sub, why is Bjarne Pedersen the dullard?

Because he's dull, except when he's trying to stuff his team mates into the fence at Wimborne Road. He's dull to watch, he's dull to listen to, he's just dull. And one alleged pass isn't going to change my opinion.
He needs to take lessons from His Holiness the Weirdity, then he wouldn't be dull.

[Genghis]

Apr 16, 2009 15:43:38 GMT admin said:

Apr 16, 2009 15:27:11 GMT Genghis said:

Sub, why is Bjarne Pedersen the dullard?

Because he's dull, except when he's trying to stuff his team mates into the fence at Wimborne Road. He's dull to watch, he's dull to listen to, he's just dull. And one alleged pass isn't going to change my opinion.
He needs to take lessons from His Holiness the Weirdity, then he wouldn't be dull.

But surely with his scoring this season, Bjarne is well on his way is becoming as crap useless overated by Sub completely bollocks erratic as the Weirdity.