foreverblue 6,114 Posted December 6, 2023 (edited) 39 minutes ago, ProudtobeaBrummie said: Ipswich Finished 4th out of 7 with virtually the same team 1/2 marginal changes ... With this seasons opposition now a lot stronger why does everyone think Ipswich are suddenly going to win the league ??? Not marginal changes, if he comes back to anything like he is capable of, Ellis is a massive improvement on Riss and Jenkins is improving all the time and Hume was disappointing last season and Rew will improve alot next season too. Edited December 6, 2023 by foreverblue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aries 449 Posted December 6, 2023 (edited) 44 minutes ago, ProudtobeaBrummie said: Ipswich Finished 4th out of 7 with virtually the same team 1/2 marginal changes ... With this seasons opposition now a lot stronger why does everyone think Ipswich are suddenly going to win the league ??? They’re more than just “marginal” changes and Ipswich finishing fourth is a bit deceiving. The issues with Erik Riss are well documented, Ellis is a huge upgrade. Jenkins isn’t as big an upgrade on Hume but still an upgrade all the same. And there’s a third factor here and that’s the Rising Star. Over 10 meetings last season Joe Thompson had a GSA of 1.18. His string of zeros were a big factor in Ipswich’ poor form early on along with Riss’ struggles. When Ipswich finally got a rising star in that made a contribution in Dan Thompson, the narrow defeats turned in to victories and they were probably THE form team by the end of the season which coincided with them winning the cup and narrowly missing out on the title. It would be interesting to see a league table from the moment Dan Thompson joined. Starting next year with Ellis Jenkins and Dan Thompson instead of a struggling Riss, Hume and Joe Thompson isn’t marginal improvement, it’s huge. Belle Vue for example look to be weaker than last year whilst Ipswich have strengthened. Ipswich will rightly start as one of the favourites IMO. Edited December 6, 2023 by Aries 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BluTiger 21,712 Posted December 6, 2023 59 minutes ago, ProudtobeaBrummie said: Ipswich Finished 4th out of 7 with virtually the same team 1/2 marginal changes ... With this seasons opposition now a lot stronger why does everyone think Ipswich are suddenly going to win the league ??? Not everyone does... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foreverblue 6,114 Posted December 6, 2023 Just now, BluPanther said: Not everyone does... No most think they are play off material and these days it doesn't matter if you win the league, it is only about making the play offs. Any team with their top two must have a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BluTiger 21,712 Posted December 6, 2023 1 minute ago, foreverblue said: No most think they are play off material and these days it doesn't matter if you win the league, it is only about making the play offs. Any team with their top two must have a chance. Very true, plus of course we might see 'play-off Lambert' rocking up again for someone else on his bargain average... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foreverblue 6,114 Posted December 6, 2023 41 minutes ago, BluPanther said: Very true, plus of course we might see 'play-off Lambert' rocking up again for someone else on his bargain average... I sincerely hope not, it is terrible how this could be allowed to happen twice and still on a assessed average. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
szkocjasid 3,123 Posted December 8, 2023 Guess I can update my predictions (based on announced riders) 1. Oxford 2. Ipswich 3. Sheffield 4. King's Lynn 5. Belle Vue 6. Leicester 7. Birmingham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StarBoy 170 Posted December 9, 2023 1 hour ago, szkocjasid said: Guess I can update my predictions (based on announced riders) 1. Oxford 2. Ipswich 3. Sheffield 4. King's Lynn 5. Belle Vue 6. Leicester 7. Birmingham Still think BV will reach the playoffs. Their top 3 can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league and should be enough to sneak a place. Although on paper Sheffield probably look the strongest 1-7 I'm starting to think they might be the ones that miss out. My revised predictions: 1. Ipswich 2. Oxford 3. Belle Vue 4. King's Lynn 5. Sheffield 6. Leicester 7. Birmingham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedwayfan8 3 Posted December 9, 2023 1 Sheffield 2 Ipswich 3 Oxford 4 Leicester 5 Belle Vue 6 Kings Lynn 7 Birmingham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Call me wolfie 677 Posted December 9, 2023 On 12/6/2023 at 10:59 AM, ProudtobeaBrummie said: Ipswich Finished 4th out of 7 with virtually the same team 1/2 marginal changes ... With this seasons opposition now a lot stronger why does everyone think Ipswich are suddenly going to win the league ??? Because once they got going they were incredibly strong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Call me wolfie 677 Posted December 9, 2023 1 hour ago, speedwayfan8 said: 1 Sheffield 2 Ipswich 3 Oxford 4 Leicester 5 Belle Vue 6 Kings Lynn 7 Birmingham Don’t worry Brummies fans, I seem to remember everyone predicting Wolves for the wooden spoon last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishersGate 532 Posted December 9, 2023 I would have waited for Birmingham to finish there side but I predict it won't be strong enough anyways to make a big impression. These predictions are based on if every rider stays fit (un likely I know) 1. Sheffield - 9/10 side. Super strong top 3 at home and real hard chargers in Howarth and Pickering.. Good reserves with room improvement also. Can Chris Holder do the business away from home though? Not so sure. Still a great team though. 2. Ipswich - Best two riders in the league plus plenty of room for improvement with Ellis, Thompson, Jenkins and Rew. Great side and will annoy everyone in heats 13 and 15. 3. Leicester - Basically have 5 heat leaders at home. Fricke, Lawson, Masters, Douglas are track specialists. Abit like Oxford we have arguably the best 2 and 4 in the league. Weaker at reserve but Thompson will have plenty of practice in the NDL. Becker is the secret weapon here. Like wolves team last year which everyone rote off they still finished in the play offs. 4. Oxford - Set up like Leicesters but with a stronger number 6. Just lacks a little quality to support Majec. But it's super solid with smart signings like Bomber, Wright and Klindt. Like this side a lot. 5. Belle Vue - Could easily have put this side in third and will probably will regret it. Great heat leader trio but can't see Blodorn and Cook improving much on those averages. Home form is crucial for the aces. I'm torn on this side and il keep changing my mind. 6. Kings Lynn - Much better than last year, but still not enough. Great number 1 and will be strong at reserve all year. But there's too many inconsident riders in this side for me. Outside chance of the play offs but won't win enough away from home. 7. Birmingham - Unless Lingren signs they don't stand a chance. Based on previous seasons Tolley doesn't know how to build a good side. Flint, Brennan and Worrall are good riders but that's it really. God I hope they pull off a surprise signing but I doubt it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manifesto 46 Posted December 9, 2023 (edited) 1. Sheffield - such a strong 7 for Owlerton I just can’t see them losing out on any bonus point. 2. BV - Young team who I can see really clicking together, Ben Cook very good signing. Bailey could put 2 points on his average. 3. Oxford - solid team. If Janowski rides like a number 1 they will be up there 4. Ipswich - slightly better team than last season, Emil and Doyle will see them comfy at home. Ellis is the key rider. 5. KL - much improved on last year, Tobi is a proper number 1 and they look good enough to win at home, away might be struggling. 6. Leicester - Wolves riders will not fair as well as they did last year. Similar to the stars can see them getting a pasting away. 7. Brum - could be lacking some serious firepower at the top end of the team. Big signing is needed Edited December 9, 2023 by Manifesto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
szkocjasid 3,123 Posted December 9, 2023 3 hours ago, FishersGate said: I would have waited for Birmingham to finish there side but I predict it won't be strong enough anyways to make a big impression. These predictions are based on if every rider stays fit (un likely I know) 1. Sheffield - 9/10 side. Super strong top 3 at home and real hard chargers in Howarth and Pickering.. Good reserves with room improvement also. Can Chris Holder do the business away from home though? Not so sure. Still a great team though. 2. Ipswich - Best two riders in the league plus plenty of room for improvement with Ellis, Thompson, Jenkins and Rew. Great side and will annoy everyone in heats 13 and 15. 3. Leicester - Basically have 5 heat leaders at home. Fricke, Lawson, Masters, Douglas are track specialists. Abit like Oxford we have arguably the best 2 and 4 in the league. Weaker at reserve but Thompson will have plenty of practice in the NDL. Becker is the secret weapon here. Like wolves team last year which everyone rote off they still finished in the play offs. 4. Oxford - Set up like Leicesters but with a stronger number 6. Just lacks a little quality to support Majec. But it's super solid with smart signings like Bomber, Wright and Klindt. Like this side a lot. 5. Belle Vue - Could easily have put this side in third and will probably will regret it. Great heat leader trio but can't see Blodorn and Cook improving much on those averages. Home form is crucial for the aces. I'm torn on this side and il keep changing my mind. 6. Kings Lynn - Much better than last year, but still not enough. Great number 1 and will be strong at reserve all year. But there's too many inconsident riders in this side for me. Outside chance of the play offs but won't win enough away from home. 7. Birmingham - Unless Lingren signs they don't stand a chance. Based on previous seasons Tolley doesn't know how to build a good side. Flint, Brennan and Worrall are good riders but that's it really. God I hope they pull off a surprise signing but I doubt it. Think you are rating the Sheffield reserves a bit too highly. For example 4 teams have rising stars stronger than Sheffield's number 6. Edwards is promising but as a number 6, gives them a weak reserve pairing imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishersGate 532 Posted December 9, 2023 13 minutes ago, szkocjasid said: Think you are rating the Sheffield reserves a bit too highly. For example 4 teams have rising stars stronger than Sheffield's number 6. Edwards is promising but as a number 6, gives them a weak reserve pairing imo. There decent not established ofcourse but better than a few of sides put together imo. They can improve on those averages Share this post Link to post Share on other sites