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Ignoring any pressure put on young riders, if there is any, these riders also need to be sensible about how long to stay in the NL/NT or when to move up to Champ / Prem. Would Boughen have faired better of he stayed in the NL for another season & didn't become a RS as a 16 year old? Honed his skills more at a power level? I'm a bit surprised so many seem to think Cairns will be Belle Vue's RS as soon as he reaches 16, yes he's a very promising rider, but surely not better than Mulford just yet? Even pre-season most weren't saying, Cairns may get a chance if Mulford doesn't improve, more like Cairns will get the RS spot on his birthday.

A couple of thoughts from Cami Brown's match report on Tigers FB page “I knew it would be tough tonight. Victor Palovaara at reserve is ridiculous, let’s be honest. He’s not a reserve, he’s miles better than that." Firstly why is Palovaara at reserve rediculous? Edinburgh were clever enough to build a team where he started at reserve. Remember when Glasgow signed Tarasenko on a 5.00 Champ ave, despite him also being on a 5.00 Prem ave which was about to go up to 6.45 (meaning a converted 9.5+ Champ ave) did Cami say that was ridiculous at the time? Glasgow just used the rules, which were available to all the clubs, just like Edinburgh have done this year. Secondly, no mention of Boughen not competing 3 rides. If he was ill, you'd think Glasgow would announce they are putting in a complaint that he wasn't signed off, not allowing a reserve to come in. If he just didn't fancy it, should Glasgow not say they are dissapointed with what happened & are dealing with it behind closed doors? Do Glasgow not owe it to their fans who paid to watch / for the stream for some honesty about the situation?

Surely that's the clubs fault then? If they pay riders high amounts regardless of their scores, clubs can only blame themselves imo

Boughen didn't ride NDL last year, so would be on his converted Champ ave. I'd day there's zero chance they would reassess a rider unless he's been away from Speedway for years. Ideally he should've had a NDL & Champ season in 2024, with a view of a RS spot in 2025. To me he took a risk turning his back on Oxford to go to Glasgow, like Poole they are a club who are ruthless when they want to improve the team. Not saying that's a bad thing, but other clubs who are perhaps not so used to winning will give riders more time.

I mean Boughen would have a 10.54 NL average, can't see how clubs would fit him in, especially with the points limit being 38. But as his average is above 4, don't think he could double up anyway (still has a team spot with Lynn)?

Average is too high, will never happen. Perhaps he moved up too soon. Leaving the NL behind & going to the Prem as a RS when he was 16 I believe. Kinda hope Cairns doesn't follow suit & takes his time to move up the leagues, take a sensible approach like Luke Harrison does.

Of course there's no shame, they want to win the league. Just like there was no shame when Belle Vue dropped a Brit for an Aussie last year, or Glasgow dropped a Brit for a Slovenian or when Plymouth dropped a Brit for a Dane, I could go on!

Feel Glasgow will be the happier of the two sides. Monarchs had a chance to put one foot in the next round, but dropped too many points to Tigers reserves especially. Also don't understand how Castagna can do so well in a harder league, but not replicate that in the Champ?

For your first point, I think most teams use r/r at 2 out of habit rather than planning, I'd totally agree with it if it was a second string missing not the second best rider. Anyway we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, not really a situation where someone can say I told you so. If Sayfutdinov wins heat 8 for me that doesn't prove it worked, as others may have won that heat too lol!

Fair point, can't disagree with that logic

I don't quite get that argument, Kvech could have 7 rides, Sayfutdinov can't cover all of them? Anyway Kvech may not be in heat 8 if Kildemand is going well as Boughen can't be replaced. My thinking is that as there are 6 third heat leaders / second strings in the Lynn team, there will be 12 races when 2 of them are out together, I'd want Sayfutdinov racing in those heats, not a race where he's guaranteed to only meet one of these stronger riders. If Sayfutdinov is good enough to score a maximum, which I believe he is, it benefits Ipswich for him to have the toughest races, let his teammates pick up points in the "easier" races.

Cairns for Starke leaves Poole 0.44 below the limit. The only person Cook could replace is Lawson!

But what happens if the Champ goes 2H & 2A like many want? With 4 Friday clubs, there wouldn't be regular Friday's even with more matches! Of course one answer is to run a NL/NT team on blank Fridays.

I'd personally put r/r at 5 before using at 2. As for the argument against using it at 3 or 4, "you are weakening that position if the other rider isn’t going well" but wouldn't that happen anyway, if Brennan or Ellis doesn't go well they've weakened the 3/4 pairing without moving r/r there? I personally look at who the riders would meet in their "extra" ride, Sayfutdinov is the last rider I'd want in heat 8, if you expect every Ipswich top 5 rider to beat Boughen, then that's only a point gained if Sayfutdinov beats the second string. Out of curiosity what do you think of King being put at 5 to pair with a reserve in 3 of his rides?

Looking at the two teams, really should be Witches biggest defeat of the season!

I don't understand r/r @2. Means Sayfutdinov gets his extra ride in heat against Boughen, is that really the best use of your top rider?

It's very easy to find a rider, the Champ is full of riders who'd want a Prem place, much harder to find a strong rider. While Brummies could use a 75% guest (5.50) there's not much point in that. Of the riders currently riding in GB, Victor Palovaara would probably be the best bet.

Poole will be 1.26 over the limit in June. So Cairns for Starke wouldn't give them much to play with to strengthen elsewhere (if they wanted to).

Well Mark Parker is still in the team, despite you saying he was only in for the Workington matches! Does that mean my pound (point) is relevant now? I've said it before & I'll say it again, there has to be someone stronger than Parker willing to ride at reserve for the Monarchs. Especially now they're meeting 2 x 2.00 reserves against Glasgow! Marson, McGurk, Spencer? They've announced MPT, but sticking with Parker at the moment!

Was probably the worst time to have a postponed meeting, with an away win in the morning, would that have increased the attendance in the evening? Fans who were fed up of losing, deciding to give it another go?

Soon to be their number one!

I don't think it has, top 4 still seems finalised (baring injuries).

Totally agree.

Looking at the June averages Connor Coles would fit as a temp replacement for Wood, as would Adam Roynon. In a way Wood is lucky he's carrying his low 2023 scores in his rolling average, keeps his figure at 2.00 for longer. Will also help him get a team place next year if he doesn't race the full 20 meetings for Berwick this year.