Bagpuss

Why? The Danes do it every year, why can't we? Rob Lyon managed to do it pre-season when he was in charge a few years back. You seem to concentrate on things which are negative and can't be done, how about a bit of positive and practical thinking?

How about Scunthorpe, or the track where the SWC will be held, Lynn? Both can be hired on a variety of days throughout the season. The biggest problem will be getting all of the riders together during the season at the same time but perhaps it can be done over a couple of sessions. And certainly a few days in early March before the season starts can be arranged. Its no longer acceptable for everybody to rock up on the day of a Test match or SWC round and expect things to just happen IMO.

Woffy & Freddie?

Pedersen & Dryml for Eastbourne?

Cook with either Zorro or Wolbert for BV?

If we beat them both under Rosco that will answer the question.

So are you saying that those two nations have better riders than us?

But I'm still expecting us to beat Latvia & USA under Rosco, however far behind the top nations we are.

Apparently Cook tried to get rides in Sweden and Poland but was unsuccessful, partly due to his EL average.

You are right, but there are tracks like Eastbourne and both Ipswich & Poole prior to being widened which are just too narrow to provide much passing, however well prepared they are.

Something that needs to start happening again is the squad practice session at Lynn, for me Cook hadn't done enough laps at the NA going into last years event and a couple of days of solid testing and practice would have held him in much better stead. Plus there are the benefits to team spirit and togetherness which come from getting together.

I don't think Cook has reached his level yet but he probably won't until he broadens his horizons beyond the two tight circuits he rides on. King deserves a go on big tracks which will suit him but Nicholls would be a backward step and I expect Cook to be outscoring him at BV anyway.

Barker was never going to do any better than Cook in Prague and won't ever improve now. Cook was deprived of some invaluable experience by being dropped.....at the time I could kind of see why the change was made but in hindsight it was a mistake.

Should have stuck with him though.

Congrats to Rosco, and I'll put money on him doing better this year than Middlo did last.

Craven Park, Hull.......for the view from the Grandstand if not the racing.

That is fantastic value for watching speedway at arguably the best circuit in the UK.

Ipswich P'boro Workington Newcastle Somerset Redcar

Good signing.

Seems a bit daft to me though that some riders will be racing in the top and bottom tiers but not the middle one. The idea of the EL draft (putting aside the cost cutting argument) is to give our youngsters a great opportunity to progress and to do that while racing in the NL but not the PL is a contradiction IMO. Riders like Stefan, Josh Bates, Max Clegg and Joe Jacobs should be guaranteed PL spots somehow and those who aren't interested in the PL really shouldn't be in the EL draft. Of course the ideal if the rider is able to do it is to ride in all three tiers. Really looking forward to seeing how Lewis Rose progresses this season in those circumstances.

Indeed, was referring to those who weren't going the last time Panthers were PL really (1998?)

I think any Panthers fans unhappy with the prospect of PL speedway may be pleasantly suprised if they go with an open mind and give it a chance. From my experience with Lynn over the last ten years or so the racing probably is'nt quite as good in home meetings compared to EL and there will be one or two away riders who turn up unwilling/unable to ride the track but you'll get a bit more variety in terms of opposition and your riders will tend to be a bit more supporter friendly and more interactive. The basis is there for a decent side which will help no end, hopefully the crowds will be healthy and the venture proves to be a success.

Ignoring the daft 'my league is better than yours' comments this is excellent news, really pleased for everybody involved and I look forward to popping over to the EoES next season for some PL action.

Can't really disagree with to much of that, I guess when all is said and done it depends on whether you (one) believe(s) more in fairness or making things more interesting for the spectator. To that end it's probably not fair that the team finishing top of the league doesn't end up as champions but most of the time it enhances the entertainment on offer. Personally I'd make it twelve or fourteen points in arrears before a TR can be used, it's a bit much to turn a ten point lead into three IMO. 12 and then 14 would be better. And not quite so galvanising / demoralising

I don't think it's as easy to say that 'without the TR(s) team x would have beaten team y by z points' because IMO an 8-1 can have a big psychological effect on both teams and lead to a significant swing in the meeting's momentum. An 8-1 can galvanise a team who has been down and out and put the wind up a side who had been cruising. I agree that it's not always fair on non top heavy sides and appreciate why many dislike it but if it was designed to keep some meetings closer than they would be otherwise then a I'd have to say that it works quite well.