So far this season the Witches seem unable to cast a spell on the league and find that elusive first win. Six meetings in and only one draw to celebrate for the Foxhall faithful.

However there has been some hope in the cup, a convincing 52-38 home win over Oxford then a brilliant draw in the second leg secured the Witches place in the second round.

But the team failed to follow this up in the league and found themselves on the end of two hammerings in two days, and quite rightly the supporters are asking questions of the management team.

Many are wanting more money to be spent on the team.

For me this would not bring about an instant fix, we have a very new and youthful team this season, one that will take time to gel and ride as a team. Just because you bring in a top name does not mean that you will start winning gaining points.

What is missing from the team is a quality team rider, who can look after the team and produce some inspiration.

That is not to say that none of the team are capable of doing this, because they are, Chris Louis brings that this to the team, but he can not do it all, especially with his other commitments to the club

We are clearly missing the experience of Mark Loram, who has ‘been there and done it all.’ There will not be a situation that Loram has not been in, including the current problems that face the team.

Loram knows every track, every quirk and most of all knows his machine, he also has the knowledge and experience to get the best out of the team.

Fans are also singling out the performances of David Norris in his role as guest. Some see the Eastbourne rider as not giving is all for the Witches, and the reason the club find themselves propping up the league.

But in the three meetings that he has rode for Ipswich he has scored 23 points, that’s only 1 less than he has scored for Eastbourne in his last three meetings.

Lets give him the benefit of the doubt, and put it down to early season form. So the next time that he comes to Foxhall for as a Witches guest lets get behind him and his form is sure to improve, otherwise when Eastbourne visit at the end of May, we could find the true quality of Norris against us.

Looking at our next few fixtures you have to really believe that we can pick up some points.

Wolverhampton Wolves are next up at Foxhall and this is a fixture that is certainly winnable. Wolves have failed to record a single victory on the road this season and in their last away fixture they were hammered by Eastbourne who, like the Witches, are struggling to gain any momentum in this years speedway Campaign.

A win, by what ever margin would give the team a huge boost and confidence going into the away fixture Wolverhampton, and kick start the rest of the season with a the visit of Peterborough and a trek to Belle Vue on the horizon.

Away from domestic matters the Speedway grand prix season starts this weekend in Italy, with Great Britain being represented by former Witch Scott Nicholls and Coventry star Chris Harris.

Nicholls needs to have a good year in the series this time around if he is show the sport that one day he will be a serious contender for the world championship.

Scott has started the domestic campaign well and hopefully can carry that form into Saturday. In his 13 meetings for all teams this season, Nicholls has picked up 151 points with 33 first places. If things go right for him, Nicholls can maybe pick up a win.

Britain’s other representative is Chris ‘bomber’ Harris. Perhaps a surprise package in this year’s grand prix, he has the potential to cause a few surprises and cause one or two upsets. He too has started the season well, having picked up 122 points in his first 13 meetings of the season.

However, neither of these two will the World Championship, that title surly will go back to Jason Crump. The Australian is looking to win the title for the third time and with no Tony Rickardsson, there is no one that looks like getting close to him.

Its going to be a busy month and a true indicator for the rest of the season!

 

NB: Isaac is not officially connected to the Promotion at Ipswich Speedway and therefore his views are entirely independent of the Promotion.