Kelvin Tatum - Sky Sports Expert

Wimbourne winners

Kelvin Tatum brings the curtain down on the Elite League title race

Posted: 10th October 2008 13:14

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Chris Holder Poole Pirates PIC CREDIT LES AUBREY

Pirates: finished top
(c) Les Aubrey

Poole were highly motivated, they weren't intimidated and they came mentally prepared to take on the challenge of the Lakeside circuit.

Kelvin Tatum
Quotes of the week

ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FINAL - 2ND LEG
Poole v Lakeside
7.30pm, Mon, Sky Sports 2 & HD2

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I predicted that Lakeside needed at least a ten-point cushion if they were to have any chance against Poole at Wimborne Road but that the fact they ended up losing on their home patch was - quite literally - a hammer blow.

Time finally caught up with the Hammers after all the patching up they've had to do. Despite their long-term injury problems, they managed to keep the ball rolling in their final few league fixtures.

But Jon Cook summed it up when he said that coming through against some of the lesser teams was a very different kettle of fish to facing a Poole side full of confidence and, crucially, at full strength.

The track at Arena Essex was always going to play a big part, and so it transpired. It had been super slick - including at the start line - against Swindon in the semi-final but bad weather over the weekend left it very soft in some places, which generated more grip.

Psychological blow

That helped the Poole riders and dealt Lakeside a psychological blow because it wasn't what they expected to encounter.

The home side drafted in Polish rider Krzysztof Jablonski in place of Lubos Tomicek but it was a real long shot.

Lakeside were restricted on who they could bring in but Jablonski struggled. Bringing someone in at the 11th hour - in a strange country, on a strange track, riding strange equipment - to such a tough meeting just didn't work out on the night.

They needed one of their reserve riders to really come good. Unfortunately Ricky Kling also struggled.

But we also saw the reasons we Poole were the favourites going into the Grand Final.

They were highly motivated, they weren't intimidated by the fact that the track was going to be difficult, they came mentally prepared to take on the challenge of the Lakeside circuit and they got of to a terrific start right from heat one, when Chris Holder set the tone for the night.

And Bjarne Pedersen, who is a terrific professional; a terrific servant for Poole, now has the chance to pick up an amazing eighth trophy in seven season with the Pirates.

How do you motivate your side if you're Jon Cook? Well, of course it won't be easy. All he can do is tell his men, "Look, we've got nothing to lose and everything to gain".

He will hope that with everyone writing them off, his riders will relax and maybe produce an inspirational performance or two.

But they need to get some points on the board early and hope they catch a slightly jittery Poole in the opening races to get some belief and confidence. If they don't, it will all be over.

KELVIN'S KEY MAN - POOLE
Chris Holder - he will be desperate to finish on a high at his home track, in front of the home fans, especially because he was a little bit up and down in the first leg.

KELVIN'S KEY MAN - LAKESIDE
Andreas Jonsson- would have been disappointed with his performance because he dropped a few points unexpectedly at Arena Essex. I'm sure he'll want to go to Wimborne Road to show the Poole fans that he's the real deal.

KELVIN'S CALL...
Poole win - No shocks here, I'm afraid. With Lakeside's injuries and Poole's strength, particularly at home - they've beaten teams by 20 points at times at Wimborne Road - the Pirates will run out comfortable winners and, deservedly, be crowned Elite League champions.

Comments

Steve Lee says...

It was a shame about the GP at the weekend, it seemed very un-german that the track was not good enough to ride on as they are so meticulous usually. I agree with the comment before as holding it in Poland would be a distinct advantage to Gollop and it would not be fair on the other riders. Perhaps Speedways ruling body should come up with better plans for the future and also look at the referring which in this years GP's has been awful. But nevermind, being a Poole fan I will be at Wimbourne Road tonight watching the pirates lift the Elite league trophy!

Posted 13:52 13th October 2008

Roger Webster says...

Although I understand the reason for cancelling the German Speedway Grand Prix, I abhore the decision to take it to Poland and the possibility of a Golob benefit on his home track. Only a hic up in the last race stopped him winning the recent GP there. After a hard season a party for the poles, no exactly "fair play on an even playing field". I feel for the other competitors. Germany would have been more fair to all. Can better contingency plans be made for the future?

Posted 10:48 12th October 2008

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