gazzac

Agree, think he's also been a bit unlucky with a couple of ref's decisions and last week was in a pile up because of a mistake by Wood in front of him.

I suppose if it did leave us with Powell as our senior reserve when Tom goes up would weaken us there, but would have a cracking top 5. Also the likes of Jenkins etc will also be going up to the main body so he would by no means be the worst reserve . Who we get on a 3 though is the big question. Also I wonder if there's anyway a deal can be done to get Kelsey back to the IOW if he was to go. Back to the match, it almost seemed as though we were trying to gift Mildenhall the point. Did see the remaining fixtures in the NT mean Mildenhall play Kent home and away before we play Kent. If Mildenhall win home and away which seems a possibility they're through whatever, could see the Kent /Eastie ties not happening then.

Really Brummie, sounds like an early season I'll look clever if I'm right but will be happy if as I really think we'll win!

I did say it tongue in cheek but the replies are quite interesting! I suppose at the moment we don't know the full extent of Kelsey's injuries. If he has broken his other thumb and scaphoid I imagine he'll be out quite some time in which case replacing him would be the best option. Again its all down to points.

Try to engineer Bates average to be lower than Kelsey's by the time the first averages come out, he'd go to reserve and do r/r at 2. With Mattie's mechanical issues at the moment may not be too difficult!

Fairly good chance of progressing to that point, will be some tough ties for some of the other fancied teams I suppose.

It did seem a bit odd seeing a strength in depth team last night, having had Ellis, Knight and Perks last year. But I suppose league wise the plan is working and Connor and Martin must be pleased as the team is winning without them all fireing together at the moment apart from Tom who should get better and better as the season goes on. If BV are as good as they appear think it would be difficult to win a playoff against them as like last year would always have a chance at home but likely to get hammered away. Still think it's possible for the playoffs though, need a bit of luck with the draw in the ko cup to retain it though.

Ok, but why would he want to go to see Brighton, what have they done this year!!!

On track did ok and at the moment strength in depth working at home,although it was dustier than usual, but what's happened to the presentation. Couldn't hear it, and had no idea what was going on, we're we in an interval etc. Don't know if it's a one off, but need to sort it out, if I'd have been a newbie would have had no chance of picking up what it was about. I know we can't go back to the heady days of Kevin Coombes, but surely we can do better than tonight.

We need to up our game, and this Saturday against Cradley will probably show if Mildenhall was a one off or we're on that path. I do think Mildenhall are as good as they'll be all season , very good guests who would have probably outscored Mountain. Again though shows how unpredictable this season is likely to be.

Maybe, but no room for error or engine failures and puts more pressure on the whole team. Also Kelsey is normally pretty good around Arlington.

Apart from Tom Brennen the only other positive was it was a Trophy match and not a league one. The top end will have to up their game Saturday against Cradley, otherwise a first home league defeat will happen.

Rumour going that Jake Knight broke his ankle doing moto x, not sure it's true but would wipe out that plan.

Hadn't seen that, great news, and a great guest.

Says on the club website he was taken as a precaution as he couldn't feel his toes after banging his back. Hopefully just a temporary thing, but a bit worrying for him . Speedy recovery and hope he's back soon fit and well as he's been a revelation really considering his previous lay off.

Think some of the Lakeside fans are realising what we found at Eastie that it takes a few meetings to adjust to NL racing and the club to get their head around it. I nearly gave up after the first one but went again and could see everything starting to improve. Hopefully you can find another Tom Brennen or the like, looking forward to the next few seasons watching him grow into our No 1. There will be some boring meetings, but certainly no more than in the EL as was.

Always thought once JPB got his season going will quickly rise to be an out and out no 1. If that does prove to be the case, Brum will be there for the playoffs again with every chance this season of going all the way again.

I know a lot of people don't like the size and shape of Eastie's track, but very rarely is it dry dusty and slick. Not being a track curator cannot say for sure, but when you arrive for a meeting especially in the evening the track always looks damp even wet at times and has a thick layer of 'shale'. Makes it difficult for some riders because of the grip, but generally gives better racing without getting covered in dust. Surely it's a case of getting more dirt and unless rain is due watering it to the point of being wet . There must be a cost in this, but not as much as a dwindling crowd base. As regards getting the meeting through, unless there's any bad crashes, even with an interval should be totally possible to get it done inside 2 hours which I think is acceptable, any longer is bad management, refereeing.

Just shows if possible every speedway meeting in all leagues should be run in the evening. Very few can produce a decent track in the day. I'm sure Eastbourne would prefer Sunday afternoon, but even they struggle with the track and the racing is so much better Saturday evening.

At last a positive Hammer!

Wow !!!

I've noticed more or less every post summing up the first matches has had comments like great top end but reserves a problem or like Eastie great strength in depth but a bit nervous when our heat leaders come up against the likes of Morley and Zach. I think this is great for the NL and still unsure who's got it right yet, although at the moment I'm pleased with the Eastie team make up. With a 39 points limit was always going to be 2 ways of building a team,should be an interesting season to see who's got it right as it unfolds.

Terrific return after injury, and unexpected by most of us. Perhaps Plymouth had doubts on his recovery?