CardinalSin

You're probably missing that none of us have a clue what the team total is going to be yet.

I may well be adding 2+2 and coming up with 9, but i immediately thought Dakota North when i read this.

Hart is ruled out Baldyman as Heeps and Tungate have been named as the two reserves.

I agree actually about the reserves, neither are proven at this level so it remains to be seen how they perform. They both clearly have talent so hopes are high. Pete Simmons has tweeted that the full line up will be announced by middle of next week so not long to wait.

Not sure about Gathercole Lovey, definitely not for me. North yes, but if the other predicted three return, will leave us a near point and a half under the limit. We know from the bloke down Redcar way with a mouth as big as the Dartford tunnel, that Matt Tresarrieu is returning. And one would assume that Risager is odds on to avoid an uneasy atmosphere in the Louis household, and the article posted on the Witches forum claims Tungate will join his fellow Aussies Doolan, Heeps and poole. So 7.18 remaining. Looking at the averages of all those remaining who haven't been confirmed elsewhere yet, nothing really jumps out as a potential good signing. Chris Louis said "exciting" team news next week, so we'll see. Interestingly, Chris Louis is quoted as saying Bjerre was their first name down on the teamsheet on a potential line up, but on 7.80, i wonder who else would have made way.

When you look at league champions from either league though, most if not all have a big hitting number 1. I'm sure Bjerre would have kicked on to be good number 1 next season but he's moved on and really needs to be replaced. I'm not sure any of Doolan, Poole, Matt T or Risager can fill that roll. Lets see who's unveiled next week we may be pleasantly surprised

Must admit I am too. We'll see.

Crumbs both Somerset and Leicester look to have awesome top ends. If Doolan has another season similar to this one, then we'll need a really strong heatleader to avoid getting bullied by these teams in 13 and 15. Chris Louis says on the official website that exciting team news will be revealed in middle of next week. You'd think they've got something up their sleeves. Maybe a newcomer on a 7.00, or maybe another Elite rider on a converted average? Pleasantly surprised Matt T looks like returning, thrilled the fans even more than Bjerre IMO last season. Just hope he doesn't miss too many meeting although the way we've started team building with those two reserves, maybe we won't be as hard hit as last year. Looking forward to next week.

Yes i noticed that too. Strange!

I agree best of luck to him wherever he ends up he was a joy to watch this season. Looking around, I'm not quite sure where the heatleader support to Kevin Doolan is going to come from. Bjerre will be a big miss.

Wouldn't surprise me. Bjerre named Leicester as his favourite track a few weeks back. Would be a fantastic signing for Leicester if it happens.

Think we can safely cross Lasse Bjerre off the list. Signed for Peterborough. I don't think they would have signed him if he was going to miss all their Thursday home meetings.

Yes I thought that too when I read it. Some Elite fans are already putting Heeps in their starting line ups as a double upper reserve. Too early for that, but if these lads fulfil their potential, how long before they're wanting to move up? Hopefully when they're ready, we will be too.

The side looks extremely poor to me and I'd be amazed if that side reached the play offs.

So, Rohan Tungate signs as a full Ipswich asset and Joins Cameron Heeps in a potentially explosive reserve partnership

I would treat whats written on there with extreme caution. I still remember a certain Darcy Ward inked in as a "confirmed starter" on a 3.00 point average a few season's ago, and he was there for months right up until the eve of the season, despite the fact it was made clear very early on that he was never eligible!

6.00 would be a disaster to our hopes though Badge. He's very talented of course he is, but the plan was to ease him in at reserve. At 6.00, he could well be third heatleader That would also put paid to any plans the promotion had to sign up Tungate. Heeps and Tungate both in the main body with a couple of lower averaged reserves behind them would be crazy. Hopefully some clarification from our end will come soon enough.

So is Heeps 3 or 6?

There's been a fair few fans of other clubs who put Doolan in their potential teams for next year. It seems the Ipswich promotion have more options for a Witches septet than most with apparently many riders calling them to offer their services, and yet Doolan is once again one of the first names on the team sheet. Chris Louis isn't daft.

Very predictable i think we all expected him back but very sensible. Terrific captain and with the team looking like it will be a youthful one, his experience and leadership qualities will be needed. Good to hear he's ordered new engines for next season too.

I'm really looking forward to getting next weekend's AGM out the way so we can start to see the signings flow. It sounds like we won't have to wait too long to find out who will make up the Witches septet judging by Pete's comments. With his tweet this week saying one or two new names are now in the frame, maybe there will be a surprise or two.

The part i quoted was only a small part of the article that was of interest to me personally. He does generally speak very positively about this season in the Premier league though. Probably best to read the whole article for a more balanced look http://www.lovespeedway24.co.uk/teams/ipswich-witches/pride_back_in_the_witches_a_season_s_review_1_1117766

I must admit this part of Mike Bacon's review in the Evening star of the Witches season jumped out at me... "Of course not everything in the garden has been rosy. Some of the riders in the Premier League are distinctively average. And Witches fans will have to currently live with the fact the Lasse Bjerres, Taylor Pooles and Cameron Heeps of this world, are only using the club as a stepping stone to greater things. Not a nice thought. The Witches need to be back in the big time one day." He's right. The Witches do need to be back in the top flight at some point. That has to be the ambition. But as has been said, the drop down a division was a necessity and not a choice. But my personal view is by the time the likes of Cameron Heeps and possibly Tungate if rumours are to be believed, are ready to move up, we're in a position to move up with them.

Aljack there wasn't any other option about dropping to the Premier league it HAD to be done as the club had lost too much money last season. They played their part to the full in that though it has to be said. Taking the fans for granted and putting together such an appalling team in terms of both entertainment and ability, proved in the end to be a mistake and we ALL nearly paid a heavy price! I like what they are trying to do at the moment though. Building to a hopefully bright future by signing up the like of Heeps and maybe one or two others is a positive step. I know one or two on here hope the club is in the Premier league to stay, but personally i hope they're building the club up to return to the top flight in the not too distant future and be in a much better position to have an entertaining and competitive Elite league side. Until that time, i'm quite happy to support the club in the Premier league.

This EL Vs PL thing is tedious and pointless. Whether you prefer either league doesn't matter here the fact is for next season at least Ipswich are riding Premier league speedway. I'm personally looking forward to getting next weekends AGM out of the way so we can start the team building and discuss who we HAVE signed rather than who's Auntie's Brother in law's goldfish has heard we MIGHT sign. Oh and i full expect the Witches line up to be all an all singing all dancing spectacular septet of the best up and coming talent we've "cherry picked" with all this "silly money" the club have stashed away in the Foxhall office safe!!