Turner: We have nothing to lose!
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Brian Turner has told his “Heat Floors” Tigers side to “have fun” on their bikes and “ride with nothing to lose” ahead of the side’s trip to the National Speedway Stadium today to take on the Belle Vue Colts with tapes up at 1pm in Manchester.
The Tigers currently sit second bottom of the table with the battle against the Colts pitting them against the side that sit bottom of the table. The Tigers have three points from six matches with today’s hosts yet to get off the mark from their five meetings.
Turner, in his debut year as team boss, has stressed the importance of enjoying the rest of the WSRA National Development League season. Turner said, “ We have got nothing to lose so it’s all about the boys going out there having fun on their bikes and staying injury free.”
The former rider turned team manager is excited to see what the club’s new signings, Elliot Kelly and Charlie Southwick can do in Middlesbrough colours. Turner said, “ I’m excited to see them in Tigers’ colours and it will be good to see what they have to offer.”
Despite the side’s recent run (two home defeats in a row), Turner believes his side can do damage in Manchester. Turner said, “ Ace (Pijper) has already told me that his aim is to get the better of Will Cairns and Freddy Hodder. Ace also mentioned that his brother Stene had success against Hodder at Belle Vue last season which should make things interesting!”
The energetic Tigers chief also reserved praise for Kai Ward who moves back into the reserve berth for today’s clash. Turner said, “ Kai has had a little bit of an up and down year but he now seems to have found that form again, and if you compare our reserves to their reserves, that could be a game changer for us but you never know what will happen.”
Despite sitting second bottom of the table, Turner believes his side have been “close” to much more throughout the campaign. Turner said “ Apart from the match against Leicester, we have been close in every other match, we have just been on the wrong side of the results.”
Middlesbrough hand debuts to the aforementioned Elliot Kelly and Charlie Southwick whilst Belle Vue’s William Cairns will look to lead from the front and help his side register their first points of their league campaign.
Belle Vue Colts
- William Cairns
- Jack Shimelt
- Jack Kingston
- Mason Watson
- Freddy Hodder
- Harry Fletcher
- Billy Budd
Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers Powered by “STS”
- Ace Pijper
- Elliot Kelly
- Stene Pijper
- Jamie Halder
- Tom Spencer
- Kai Ward
- Charlie Southwick