Steve0

A few people have mentioned replacing Doyle with Morris at Somerset. They are not a like for like swap - Doyle has an extra point on his average and has the experience of riding as a number 1 and being one if the top averaged riders in the league.

I have to disagree - BVs top 3 is not as strong as Poole's and KLs probably is but they are weaker in the second string department whereas Poole are not. Poole look like a good balanced team with top-end strength and strength in depth so for me they are the team to beat to this year.

Oh dear - not good if true.

They won the play-offs because they were the best team in them and upped their game as a team when it mattered.

Breaking news... SS is not the devil incarnate (apparently)!! He tries hard to be though or does it just come naturally?

Gavan - you say many good things (and some things is don't agree with) but if you get into a t*t for tat with the resident troll, you can come across as banging the same drum and I think that's why the others join in like a pack of wolves Can I suggest that you don't feed the troll because he clearly enjoys winding you up and then maybe he will get bored (I doubt it but I live in hope)

You are entitled to your opinion but in my opinion that team is about exciting as watching a game of chess

His avatar suggests differently

Have to agree with Incognito - too much of a gamble on that average. He's had one great season in eons - any team would have been daft to include him. If you say it's true that he had offers for this year then I believe you - still very surprised that anyone would take the risk. I wish him well in the GPs but fully expect him to finish bottom of the pile and Harris will be there to keep him company. Now a lot of people expected that of Tai last year and look where he finished up - however I don't see that happening for either Smoli or Harris.

I find that very hard to believe. Who would be stupid enough to take a 4-5 point rider on a 7 point average? Unless they want a wooden spoon that is. I'm not saying he is a bad rider but his average just makes him an unattractive team proposition

Ok - Brum vs Swindon it is then!!

You think? I can't see a weaker declared team in the league. Danny (can't stay on for four laps) King as a number 1 will get smoked against other number 1s, Barker and Kennett didn't do great as second strings last year so what makes anyone think that they will do better as heat leaders - especially against a top heavy team like Kings Lynn. Skornicki could be a trump card and may find himself at number 1 before too long - and who would sign Skornicki as a number 1? The strength in depth obviously worked last year but not with this team - who is going to be a revelation like Smoli (going from reserve to number 1) - the same Smoli that made himself unemployable with that average! Can't see anything but a season of struggle to avoid the wooden spoon.

Except Swindon of course - in which case he would be a DOUBLING DOWN rider

Why's that then? Last time I looked he wasn't in the SGPs and reserves are usually selected locally

Not if you're a Swindon fan

Oh dear! Barker and Kennett as heat leaders - really?!

I think you'll find I was having a pop at some Poole fans I am a big fan of Darcy's and he has the talent to be a multiple world champion but he simply isn't there yet - he needs to work on the full package and not just rely on his raw talent

Don't forget - Darcy was injured - or he would have conquered the world :rofl:

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'm not saying he was right or wrong but who would be a sports manager? It's a thankless task a large part of the time - especially when a team isn't winning. We can't expect too much with the current state of British speedway - we just don't have enough quality world class riders - I would even be bold to say that we only have one on his form of last year which landed him the world champion crown - he needs to sustain that this year and beyond.

Cheers Aleksander

GB is NOT England! Congratulations to Rosco - tough time ahead!

Yes but what you haven't connected is that if you water down the league the old assessed average is effectively invalid and needs to be reviewed. Just looking for consistency

The thing about watering down the league is that it takes a while for the ramifications of that action to be addressed. On last year's rules, 4 may have been fair (although I agree that all new foreigners should come in on a minimum of 5) but this year it will give any team that signs such a rider a distinct advantage - although there is a risk that he might not do well at British tracks.

How many more people can you upset in a single post: 1. Some people will find your avatar offensive 2. Scottish people - being Scottish myself I would say that I don't hate the English (just you ) 3. Coventry fans - while they may hate Poole, I don't think they were the ones withholding fireworks and and champagne in 2010 (success and all that). In the past few days you have posted a number of trolling, inflammatory posts with the sole intention of winding people up. Business must be slow!

It was tongue in cheek - hence the emoticons. No need to get defensive - the evidence is on this site that for the past 2 years Coventry fans have been moaning rather a lot. This year it is great to see most Bees fans being positive about the upcoming season - long may it continue and good luck for the new season. Don't know why you felt the need to bring Swindon into the discussion as offence isn't usually the best defence.