torpointfanatic22

Cook is Edinburgh bound. Just because he doesn't like the track doesn't mean he can't ride the place, I'd welcome a retrun of the Fish. Woodward would come in on 9.28 and I'm not convinced he'd maintain that so I'd not be too happy with him. Cook would be amazing but he is off to Edinburgh I highly doubt he'd maintain his starting average so I'd rather not myself.

I think all the riders came out with great credit following last years debacle. I just think Cory has found his level. He's been plugging away in the PL for sometime now and despite one stand out year at Somerset has always been around 6-7 in the PL. He'd be a steady middle order man which is never a bad thing and I would assume if he returns he'd keep the captaincy. But if Cory returns we'd need three additional heat leaders where as someone like North I believe could develop into a heat leader in his own right. Plus if we go with the number one I think we will then we will need improvement in the middle order.

Quite like that! Cook would be my first choice at number one, sadly I can't see that happening though. Of the rest I can't see North coming although I'd prefer him to Gathercole as he has far more potential.

Fair comment Roger, I'll agree to disagree reference Newman but certainly agree that the Somerset team of last year was better balanced than this. More to the point lets hope for some team news of our own soon.

Are you sure Dave, Perry is 3.53 and they have 3.36 for their last rider or are you talking about Plymouth!? It's been a long day! lol As for the Somerset team, since it's being discussed I think their heatleader trio is excellent. It's quite right that having 3 big hitters doesn't leave a lot to play with but in the case of Somerset they have got riders who are all on the upward curve, it's no guarantee that they'll perform every week but lets not forget Newman scored a few points in the EL last season. We've had a habit of signing 'filler' riders who are on the way down and don't improve their averages. It's a bit of a risk for the Rebels with their second strings and reserves but they'll be fine at home and will do OK away. Not sure they'll be top 3 like last season mind. Yep but at least they have three heatleaders, last year we only had two! It's all about getting riders that can improve and I think Somerset's will. I'd have loved Doyle and Morris as our top 2.

I think that's a long tail that the Rebels have this year. All capable of improving but not guaranteed. (didn't realise Davies had such a high average). Cracking top 3 though!

If the price is right and not what the College have been talking then there is every possibility that during this lease extension the Promotion will try and buy the land but who knows.

That's nothing more than rumour regarding Plymouth and I personally would doubt a fully fledged Argentine (other than Sanchez is on their way).

Quite right, North and Poole are still very talented young riders on reasonable averages, that said I don't see either at Plymouth next year (unless they are riding against us).

As much as I like Cory I thought he had a poor year last season and wouldn't be too gutted if he moved on. I'm not saying I don't want him back but I'd be hoping for improvement from him especially away from home.

Well then it's Somerset or Plymouth if rumours are to be true. I'm with Lewy, this one has Somerset written all over it but like him I'd love to be wrong!

So my starting 7 would be if possible... Fisher Sweetman Wells Gathercole Morris Kurtz Nielsen I'd also consider throwing in Lemon for Morris and replace Sweetman with Sanchez. Both teams would fit and I reckon potential for improvement across the board.

Doyle would definitely be in my 7 but Barker would be at 1.

Would come in on just over 9, interesting. Wouldn't mins seeing at least one Brit though! Kennett would be 10.00

Like the idea of Kurtz being our lowest averaged rider but not keen on Hawkins. I've never rated him and for me would only go one way! Aspegren would be nice too, he's impressed me every time I've seen him as has Mellgren although he has already signed for Rye

He was someone I totally forgot about actually, good shout. Converting his EL average I get 6.35 so he could easily slot into the middle order. Perhaps take Roynon out (who is riding for Coventry on Fridays anyway) from the above team I posted and put in Kling. I think he'd still fit if you took out Morris and went for Fisher too. More importantly who is going to be the new announcer with Bowden no longer around!?

In fairness Roger, Ippo have already re-signed Lanham and have compensated having Ben at number 1 by signing a 3 point rider at reserve. Whether that will work out only time will tell. The reason no-one wanted Fisher was because he wanted too much money rather than his high average. Fisher has been a part of championship winning teams in the PL on a high-ish starting average and I have to say I'm gutted Ben won't be back at Plymouth regardless of his average. I totally get your point (I think) though. When signing a rider on 9.87 or on that kind of average it's not often a team is successful, that's no fault of Ben's though as he can only get 15 each meeting. It does mean there is huge pressure on the management to go out and find a solid supporting cast whom can improve whilst the huge number one maintains his average. Rye House this year will have the same problem with Olly Allen on 9.5+ and he isn't the rider Barker is in my opinion. But that is where promoters earn their money finding riders who can improve their averages especially at the bottom end sadly ours over the years hasn't managed to do that. Signing Fish with Barker was great for entertainment but that was highly unlikely to warrant good results as the rest of the team weren't good enough as a collective. I still maintain had we got the right supporting cast behind Barker and Fisher we could have had a good season and the points were there to do it but Bowden built the team poorly. On the other side of the coin look at Sheffield of last year, they had no out and out number one and struggled nearly as badly as we did so it is a fine balance but like a few above have said we must have a rider that you can put your faith in to win almost any race on any track and that is what a Barker, Doyle or Fisher can do. Don't get me wrong every now and again a team will surprise us and riders will improve their averages by a couple of points (ala Doyle a few years ago) but it's about finding those riders. For me I'd be looking at something like this if we can't get Fisher back... 1. Morris - 8.00 2. Sanchez - 6.20 3. Wells - 6.47 4. Gathercole - 6.33 5. Roynon 7.07 6. Kurtz - 4.38 7. Glanz - 3.69 Now whilst I'm not suggesting for one minute this is my proposed line up, this is how I'd like to see the team built as far as average split go.

I really hope we don't have Anderson, he's no more than an average reserve, I'd take Glanz over him every day or for that matter I'd go for Stefan Nielsen if we need a 3 pointer.

So let the team building commence! Whilst I'm just delighted the Devils are going to be at the tapes come March I'm sure we all have ideas about who we'd like to see in the Devils bib for next season. I'd like to think the new consortium will have seen the past disasters with top heavy teams and will go for a more all round strength in depth approach. Of last year's finishing septet Barker has gone and Ksiezak has retired. Leaving Fish, Cory, Todd, Jake and Jimmy. I can't see the latter two returning myself but Cory and Todd could well be back me thinks. If that did happen Todd has to be at reserve and Cory needs a much better season than last. As for the Fish well he's on a far more attractive average of 8.78 but I'm hearing he's already signed for three different PL clubs so who knows on that one. I'd love him to return though! As for the rest of the team well I'd love to see Nick Morris personally, I think he could well improve on his 8.00 starting figure. Given his connections to Spargo, I wouldn't be surprised to see Emiliano Sanchez in Devils colours next year either. I'd welcome a return for Glanz as he's only on 3.69 and lots of improvement in him in my opinion and he's a Devils asset. All interesting and I can't wait to see who actually dons the bib for next year.

Oh it's on!

It's well and good saying go back to the way it was but sadly times have changed, people want more for less so giving 2 less races would be a bad idea in my book. Although people talk about this north / south divide as a way of cutting costs which clearly it would, seeing the same team over and over visiting your track would get quite tiresome in my view. I think tracks need to start to impose some kind of deadline as to when to call off a meeting for teams having to travel a considerable distance (ie northern tracks to southern tracks) which would save an incredible amount of money. Yes we know the weather can be unpredictable and the forecasts aren't always right but we have to trust them or get track covers! As for the smaller tracks, I wont disagree with that one, the best racing I've seen has been at smaller tracks where its all very close quarters and becomes more about track guile than out and out speed.

Come on Roger move to the 2013 thread it's far more optimistic than this one

So Plymouth provisionally included in the PL for next season on the premise that a new lease can be agreed by Friday. Fingers crossed that Godfrey and the Consortium can sort out a deal by then!

Since I'm not actually in Plymouth right now can someone who is, kindly bash on the door on Monday morning to ensure these beggers talk!

Perhaps the College have stated to those involved that their reasoning for wanting a higher price was because they are a Catholic School. Not sure what difference it would make but perhaps they feel it makes a difference.