Blair Scott has slapped in a shock transfer request citing criticism from the promotion. Blair was not happy about being omitted from the team for the away Premier League match at Arena Essex to accommodate new signing Will Beveridge. Blair was back in the team a few day later when the new averages came in.
It was criticism after a very poor show at Newcastle that provoked his request. With Christian Henry struggling with a wrist injury, it was hoped that Blair would exploit the obvious weaknesses in the home reserve pairing. Blair did win heat 2 but failed to score thereafter. Blair was not given an expected extra ride replacing the half fit Christian Henry in heat 14.
Blair admitted that Brough Park was his least favourite track. He was also singled out after a bad match at Newcastle last year when he was beaten several times by Neil Painter.
Blair Scott, speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, said that he's 'had enough' and was looking to join another team:
"I have handed in a transfer request which has been accepted by the club. I was blamed for our defeat at Newcastle. I felt that was unfair because I wasn't the only rider who failed to produce the goods on the night. I did ride badly, but Newcastle is the worst track in the world, I hate it."
"I wouldn't have minded if I had been pulled aside, but I was criticised publicly in front of the pits area."
Blair will carry on for the next month while the transfer application is processed.
"I will still continue to give 100% effort for the team, which I made clear in my transfer letter. I could easily have sat out the next month. But the supporters have been brilliant towards me and I don't want to leave Edinburgh. We'll have to see what happens at the end of the month. If I do leave I hope another club picks me up."
Monarchs' director Mike Hunter said:.
"We hope Blair will withdraw his transfer request. We wish him to remain at the club for the rest of the season.
Certainly a mid-season move would not be helpful to either the club or Blair himself. There is no obvious berth in a local team. His average is far too high to replace his injured former sparring partner Barry Campbell at Workington. His average is too low to act as a temporary replacement for Scott Smith or Scott Lamb at Berwick. Should a position emerge the danger is that Blair might be selected simply because his average happened to fit. That can result in being shown the door when further changes are needed. That happened to Will Beveridge at Newcastle after he was left out by Glasgow and to numerous others.
There is no doubt that most supporters would echo the view of Mike Hunter and hope that this issue can be resolved and Blair stay on until the end of the season. If then he decides a move will be in his interest, it can be arranged in the close season.
There has been a deal of criticism of Blair on the terraces. Many think that his fitness leaves much to be desired. It is not unknown for him to be battling for the lead around the boards in the first two laps but to drop back and end up last. It is also the case that he has failed to make the progress that he should have given his talent and experience.
Maybe the impact of this will be to bring the best out of Blair.