Reliant Robin

Completely agree, and the same could be said of all 3 leagues. The issue stems from those who wish to push the levels higher and higher within the lower leagues as they can afford to, but do not want/cannot sustain a higher level. I'm certainly not saying any Club should be forced up anywhere along the line, but they should be restricted in how strong they can go and have some distance put between each league so that each one can serve their purpose.

I'd say that Eastbourne & Kent should be comfortable in a sustainable 2nd tier with the crowds that they get. It is made unsustainable by the more affluent or bigger backed 2nd tier Clubs signing higher end riders that really shouldn't be at that level. So the solution becomes for Eastbourne and Kent to drop back down and become the more affluent at a lower level, with the knock on effect being felt by those lower down as the 3rd tier gets stronger and more competetive. Speedway is a sport, and so should be competetive, but the problem is not just one of the NL being made too weak, there is a fundamental issue with the structure right the way through the leagues, and how that structure is voted/brought in

Exactly this......and at present, moving up to the Premiership means same product as the Championship just paying higher overheads. So until the structure can be amended to make the Premiership, or whatever they want to call it, the tier Clubs want to race at, there's absolutely no point being there. All Clubs may as well accept that they should all just run at the 'Old NDL' level...but then you run out of riders again and around it goes. By the lower leagues wanting to remain stronger to keep their product attractive, it makes a mockery of the tiered structure currently in place, with the Premiership being nothing of the sort. No simple answers, but there's no structure and extremely blurred lines within the 3 tiers at present. I do hope there's some positive news to come from Eastbourne, always enjoyed my trips down there over the years.

Doing what it was set up to do then, no? A development league to develop and bring through new blood

Anybody?

This game takes me back! If anyone can PM me where I might be able to get hold of the game that would be great and really appreciated!

Doyle and Batchelor

What threat does having a solid sustainable product at semi affordable prices, using UK only riders, pose to the other leagues? It's the breeding ground for up and coming talent, and I doubt Promoters in other leagues are that short sighted (whilst you may believe so) to purposefully dismantle this out of jealousy/spite? Especially when it offers a level to drop to for struggling Clubs, and a level to start at for emerging Clubs. Who do you class as the top money promotions making the decisions?

Is there a reason why people think those making the decisions would be looking to deliberately put a spanner in the works of development leagues? Or just cynicism for the sake of it? Genuinely curious

So, strong reserves all year round is the key, but we won the league with reserves that couldn't hack it? Perfect sense

Doyle - 8.96 Stewart - 4.00 Jensen - 7.86 Ellis - 6.33 (2.5% discount applied) Batchelor - 8.82 Perks - 3.49 (2.5% discount applied) Rowe - 3.00 Total - 42.46

Another possible for what? I'm sure I read elsewhere you'd said he was unconvincing as a Championship reserve? Another one with plenty of potential, but he'd be on a 4 point average in the Premiership so would start in our main body. I guess we'll wait and see

I tend to agree, but hope that it pans out ok for Anders, he's got the ability but possibly a year too soon. Perhaps a slightly increased points limit should have been considered

Someone that would know 100%. He won't be starting the season in England

Musielak isn't likely to improve his average as he won't be racing in the UK this season

Absolutely, people are free to interpret and form opinions based on fact. It's when some (not you) state their opinion as a factual matter that it causes confusion. Here's another couple for you. Fact one - prior to the Playoff Final, Swindon lost just 2 home meetings all season. Both before Musielak had been signed (that's where the discussion started in Musielak not being a turning point for the season). Fact two, just over one month before the final, Swindon won convincingly at home to Wolves by 12 points with Tero Aarnio and Alfie Botwell in the Swindon line up.

Facts can usually be proven. Fact is, we won the title that year, a year that was turned around when Tobiasz Musielak signed. The proof of that fact is undeniable, whilst what you propose as fact is merely opinion

Yeah, you're probably right. 16 wins in a row and top of the table heading into the Playoffs, thoroughly undeserved title that one Joker

As the fans are a big part of the business, surely bringing back the 'fans voted rider of the year' makes perfect sense from a business perspective? And when you say it won't happen again...do you mean signing the right rider at the right time? Kind of like Musielak in 2017. Surely lightning can't strike twice? Or would that make it three times? Hopefully it won't need to happen again, as if it can be a Stewart type signing in there then I think we'll be ok

Logic - a particular way of thinking, especially one that is reasonable and based on good judgment: I think the logic is in the continuity of a double winning team and giving us fans as much of what we want as is possible within team building limits

I wouldn't stress too much Sidney, DC2 isn't the oracle on all things Swindon/Speedway as he'd like to think

Why would it need to be Guy Nicholls' toy for this to happen? Sign Holder or Bjerre at No.1 and this could be a potential line up for 2020? Or am I missing something?

Got to think it will be Brady Kurtz at Belle Vue now Holder has signed for Sheffield?

Exciting times for Sheffield, loving the signings so far. Fair play to the management, they're backing up what they said about not being in it to make up the numbers

Delighted to have Jensen back, superb last season and entertained us no end! To me this signals Musielak giving the UK a miss as I expect Adam Ellis to be back next season. So, looks like we're going top heavy, and I'm happy with that. Not necessarily a proven road to success, but I'm happy that there looks to be some good continuity in the team and that a good chunk of the double winning team is being retained despite having to cut back to 42.5 again. To me, it shows riders are happy riding for the Club and those returning are crowd favourites. A cheeky 4 pointer in there at 2 and then it'll be a Rowe or Kemp signing to partner Ellis Perks at reserve. Perks form at the tail end of the season suggests he can push on further as well. Not sure what 4 pointers are out there but Jeppesen seems highly rated if a possibility. If not then possibly a Stewart or Pickering signing (I've not looked too closely at averages) and I think there will be a feel good factor continuing.