Boys should have headed for the dirt

THE MARK LORAM COLUMN

FRUSTRATED and disappointed. I think those two words easily sum up Monday night's home defeat to Swindon Robins.

The track conditions were obviously a great leveller, but quite honestly there can be few excuses from the boys because they had the meeting in the bag, I felt.

Swindon started so poorly it almost seemed to galvanise them and as the dirt line moved out towards the fence they gained more confidence.

It was really dodgy to be out there two feet from the fence with the dirt thick, but those who have been to Blunsdon know that Swindon's track requires you to head towards the fence on the second bend.

The difference between Blunsdon and Foxhall though is that the Wiltshire track is that much bigger.

My only criticism of the Witches boys is that they didn't head out towards that dirt.

I know it's easier said than done and being a foot or so from the fence it was never going to be fun, but that was the only line to take.

A few things went against the Witches and of course Tobi fell off when in second place. That wasn't clever on his part, although I think Jarek at the front could have perhaps have helped him more.

I don't know whether Bob our trackman would have been able to scrape some of that thick dirt in a bit from the fence.

Bob is always very co-operative with the team. But did anyone ask him?

I don't know, but if they didn't and Bob could have helped, then it is something to learn from.

IT'S early days in the Elite League and as yet I'm still not sure whether scrapping the bonus point is a good or bad thing.

One thing is for sure though, the Witches can't afford to lose another home meeting and they will need to nick one or two away if we are to make the play-offs.

At Swindon tonight and Peterborough on Monday, the concentration has got to be fully focused on a win. Narrow away defeats count for nothing now.

The attendance at Foxhall on Monday night was really low because of Sky's presence.

It's strange because Ipswich appears to be one of those tracks that really gets affected by Sky showing the meeting live. At places like Poole, it doesn't seem to bother the public, they still flock in.

Of course everyone has the right to stay at home with a beer and watch it on television and save their money because they are paying their Sky subscription.

But it does look a bit bleak on the terraces at Ipswich when Sky come, which is a shame.

I WENT to the Ipswich/Norwich derby game on Sunday.

Weren't Norwich shocking? And weren't Town excellent?

I have to say that quietly in my house because my missus Flo is a big Norwich fan and season ticket holder.

She hasn't been to Carrow Road much this season because of the baby, but I enjoyed watching Ipswich because I thought they were great.

And after Wolves losing at home on Tuesday night, they have a great chance of making the play-offs now.

LOTS of people have asked me about my former manager and mechanic Norrie Allen.

We still keep in touch a lot and Norrie is again helping Chris Harris as he strives to make more GP progress.

I think he's doing plenty of driving to and from Poland helping the 'Bomber'.

So he's keeping well busy.

AS TOLD TO MIKE BACON