RoundTheBoards 271 Posted December 9, 2023 1 hour ago, hyderd said: I thought the full team was being announced. Is there a surprise or shock waiting in the wings. Over to you Phil the ace You want more than 7 in the team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishersGate 522 Posted December 9, 2023 Great side but was always gonna be weaker than last year. Will be strong at home but weaker away. I'd still be happy with that side Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob B 1,256 Posted December 9, 2023 4 hours ago, foreverblue said: Ipswich look stronger, this team doesnt look good to me, Mountain will be a massive weak link. Because Ipswich finished on 39.16 so they could get stronger!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orion 7,615 Posted December 9, 2023 4 hours ago, bigcatdiary said: Don’t underestimate Ben Cook, he was very impressive last year after settling down Ben Cook is the real improver .And Belle Vue are going to need him to be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.V 72 1,054 Posted December 9, 2023 (edited) 17 hours ago, mikebv said: They have to start the season on a lower team average than they ended last year with, so they were bound to be weaker.. Unless they could have got a "four point superstar" on an obviously false assessed average.. Personally I would have gone for a weaker No6 and replaced Blodorn with Charles Wright, as "the tail" looks too long if the Aces want to be title contenders... Thy don't look like they have that "4th Heat Leader" that they had with Wright, and, instead have two clear Second Strings and two clear reserves.. Could have had the top 3 +Wright Cook and Mountain and Bailey stronger imo. Edited December 9, 2023 by B.V 72 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DazS 430 Posted December 9, 2023 `what's happened to Mulford he was improving before his accident? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,821 Posted December 9, 2023 Obviously weaker on paper but looks decent but has a few question marks about the 2024 version. Lidsey will need to keep the improvement but won’t add the same amount on his average of 2023 which was a real ringer of an average. Blodorn into the main body of the team has a bigger task as well. Has plenty of time on his side, is decent at the NSS however its away he will need to improve. Doesnt hit the way that Sheffield, Ipswich and now Leicester do on paper for me. Teams looking good all around tho of those announced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foreverblue 6,096 Posted December 9, 2023 4 hours ago, Rob B said: Because Ipswich finished on 39.16 so they could get stronger!!!!!! Good management from Ipswich then! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Col 854 Posted December 9, 2023 13 hours ago, Daniel Smith said: Under the current team average, I'd argue there's only 1 heatleader & 4 2nd strings. Only the top averaged rider has a fixed position in the team. Well .. the idea of a 'heat leader' is surely to be the best rider for the team in a heat, whatever that heat is. Until heat #12 that's the case if #1, #3 & #5 are the heat leaders... ignoring heat #2 & #8. There is a valid argument for putting a teams 3rd best rider at #4 rather than #3. The terms are historical. Modern day...#1 & #5 - Big hitters, #2, #3, #4 & #6 Engine room, #7 Rising star are more appropriate. It was more interesting when team managers had a job that required craft and they could put any rider in the top 5 where they wanted. Bring that back!!! I'd always want my teams best rider at #5 & my teams best gater at #2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyderd 1,216 Posted December 10, 2023 19 hours ago, RoundTheBoards said: You want more than 7 in the team? When I asked the question the full team had NOT been announced. No need to get smart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
szkocjasid 3,027 Posted December 10, 2023 17 hours ago, DazS said: `what's happened to Mulford he was improving before his accident? He's not as good as Mountain or Bailey so no place for him in the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
szkocjasid 3,027 Posted December 10, 2023 The Belle Vue team doesn't look bad at all, but so far all 6 completed sides look decent, so hopefully it'll be a very close league. On paper I'd say Belle Vue don't look a "top 4" team, but if they can get lots of bonus points - can make it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
szkocjasid 3,027 Posted December 10, 2023 Bit of a lopsided fixture list, 4 matches in April, but only 1 in June & 2 in July. At least there's 5 NL fixtures to fit in to plug the gaps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.V 72 1,054 Posted December 10, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, szkocjasid said: Bit of a lopsided fixture list, 4 matches in April, but only 1 in June & 2 in July. At least there's 5 NL fixtures to fit in to plug the gaps. There are 4 speedway of nations meetings to plug the gaps in July. Edited December 10, 2023 by B.V 72 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob B 1,256 Posted December 10, 2023 5 hours ago, hyderd said: When I asked the question the full team had NOT been announced. No need to get smart. It was, you asked that question Saturday morning, the full team was announced Friday evening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
