Nellie

As it stands EL averages issue 9: Andersen -8.15 Howarth -4.83 Fisher -5.85 Hansen -5.83 Harris -6.61 Total - 31.27 It would give you 6.58 to replace Fisher, or 0.02 less for Hansen, but there aren't too many choices. Walesek and Kolodziej both fit but aren't likely, Zengota's on 6.15 but I'm not sure how popular he was. You could always try Michael Jepsen Jensen (6.54), but then you'd have to put up with his superfan

The trouble is, how long do you wait before the chances of the play-offs slip away? Fricke will be a great addition for someone, and while I don't think swapping Dak now is particularly fair, in his three meetings he is averaging 3.27. He's a better rider than that, especially when you take into account who he's up against. Klindt for example, averaged five in his five meetings and he still got binned. That's a pretty good point about Gustafsson, he should be far better than the 4.5 he's achieved this season. Fricke has averaged 5.8 (without BPs) in the PL riding at no 3, although it's 7.5 (without BPs) for his two Cov appearances.

Don't be rude, it's not necessary. Yes, the trophy that resides with the reigning champions until they have to give it back at the end of the following season. Surely, the winners hold the trophy for a year and in that period they are the champions, otherwise the implication is that the team who hold the trophy aren't the champions. That sounds nonsensical to me. The trophy clearly pertains to the previous season, but are you really suggesting that there are never any reigning champions?

Quite, but until the 2014 champions are decided, Poole remain the reigning EL champions. This could be a close meeting. Bech will be a handful, even at heat leader, Watt has had a great night tonight and Lawson has been really good all year. Lakeside also have stronger reserves with Newman only just coming back from injury. I fancy Lakeside to get really close.

Renat Gafurov might be a bit surprised to learn that he's Polish.

After Monday's meeting, his EL average will go to north of 5, notwithstanding a Lewis Kerr on Sky type evening. Obviously around nine is a very high converted average, but equally 3 is awfully low. I suspect a reasonable figure would be somewhere between the two, which he would still outscore happily.

At least you'll be alright if it rains.

Crikey, how old are you SCB, you can't have forgotten already?!? Exams in my school are starting on Monday and last until late June. Whilst I agree he should definitely be riding in the PL, I can't see how he'd be available to anyone on a three point average. His assessed average, when converted, is 5. As of Monday, he will get a new EL average, which will be 5.43 (currently) or 4.75 if he runs 4 lasts. That converts at 9.05 (7.92 with 0 points at Belle Vue). There is no way he should, or will, be allowed in on a three. He's far better than that, and if Somerset had tried this, I suspect there would be pages of protests.

Piotr got 4+2 from 4 rides at Lakeside in the 2012 play-offs. I think he'll be good for about his average there tonight. He should get an average after today. Several people, including me, thought that his assessed average this year was too much of a gamble. It turns out it wasn't, so well done to the assessor, and to Wolverhampton for taking a chance on him (although ideally he needs to learn English soon to impress Peter Adams).

Top casting fella, I wonder what you'll catch...

Not yet. I'd be surprised if he does, as both Pawlickis strike me as being quite quiet. He certainly isn't a prolific tweeter.

Cook implied on Twitter that Pawlicki took a dive as opposed to being fenced, but didn't have the balls to include him in his tweet (which would have ensured Pawlicki seeing it). Darcy replied by tagging in Pawlicki, so that it would alert him to Cook's tweet.

17.6 FACILITIES a) Absent Rider (1 – 5) G or ARR “No Facility” for Absent 1-5 PL G (PL MA of 6.00 or less) c) Absent #6 or #7 G (FTDP Rider only) It does make sense, hence why it's so confusing that it's been adopted.

I think because the reserves are now a bit weaker, it's been changed to a guest facility or R/R in the 1-5.

Best wishes to Bjerre for a speedy recovery, hopefully it's not as bad as expected. I think replacements are all bar Holder and Zagar (and Woffinden away).

Really big greyhounds.

It says "Chris Holder, Josh Grajczonek, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Vaclav Milik, Maciej Janowski ©, Kyle Newman, GUEST TBC" There's only six riders mentioned, so the TBC must be for Smart. I agree with you though, I think he'll be there.

Smart and Charles Wright are listed for tomorrow on the Poole website, Newman and TBC on the Belle Vue one. Newman isn't riding, so would probably err towards the Poole being accurate.

Yep, 3.48. I would have thought he'd be perfect as a number two somewhere, inflating his average against the reserves and capable of beating second strings and the occasional heat leader. I mentioned Katajisto on the Swindon thread, who would be on 3. He's been flying for Plymouth and also worth a shout. Well done to Jason Doyle, he looks good to put another point on his average this year.

Kyle only signed for Workington on a full transfer just before Christmas, so I can't imagine they'd be too keen to sell him and lose preference over fixtures.

I know it might be a bit early to be thinking of changes, but if you wait too long it could be too late to make a difference. Would it be worth swapping the two second strings for possibly Katajisto and someone like Ulamek? I know Seb wasn't at his best last year, but if he gates he'll do ok even against the better riders. A 6.5ish rider would also protect Nick Morris a bit, as he wouldn't be a heat leader anymore. Katajisto (I think) would be on a three and he should beat the reserves and a few second strings, which would be his only job.

Well, yes it it ok. If you looked a bit harder, then you'd have seen him right there, between Adam Ellis and Stefan Nielsen. http://www.speedwaygb.co/14issues/el_issue4.pdf

I wonder if his brother will guest if not?

Why is there no facepalm emoticon on the forum??

Watt's averaging 8.67 without and 9.33 with bonus points this year. Granted some of the opposition hasn't been great, but I'm sure that's a pretty decent increase in average in a tougher format. It appears Lakeside will make an official complaint about Adam Ellis being withdrawn from the meeting. It left Lakeside without a rider in heat nine, effectively causing them to lose a league point. http://www.lakesidehammers.co/content/?p=7252