szkocjasid

Yeah my (pre-season) Atkins suggestion was based on him being a 4+ Champ rider last year, so statistically the strongest non RS available. As he started the season poorly (till last night) don't see him getting a chance now.

I said pre-season start with Atkins, then if Boughen is outperforming him in the Champ, give him a chance. It's a big step up from less than half a season in the Champ to the Prem.

The Starke situation is an odd one, started with a 4.00 average (4.10 before reduction) has ridden 2 matches for a 5.00 average, yet his green sheets have dropped to 3.52. I think he may have been carrying some high scoring meetings from 2021, which were dropped off once he rode his first 2024 match, so his average has shot down, despite scoring above it. Even last year he rode better for Plymouth in matches that didn't count for the averages (BSN, KOC), but poorer for Birmingham when they did (league).

As much as I love Speedway the attitude from the BSPL towards the NDL leaves me losing interest in it. The first match if this season for example, Leicester allowed a guest for Max James as he was due at Edinburgh's pre-season practice. If the powers that be have decided that is considered more important than a NDL fixture, it doesn't exactly encourage me to attend NDL matches.

While people may not be saying this exactly, at times it looks like they are waiting for Cook to miss matches due to mental health so they can say "I told you so". Do people really get pleasure in suggesting something will go wrong for Craig? Because that appears to be the case at times.

Boughen, Killeen, Hodder, Scott not riding (unless abroad) certainly hope Glasgow wouldn't ask Pijper to ride when not fit & even moreso hope Ace wouldn't agree if not fit.

Managers can, but rarely do from what I've seen

Well I called that wrong, Oxfords second strings & 1 reserve did far better than all season. Glasgow's bottom 4 not doing enough. Well done Oxford. Delighted Glasgow got knocked out lol!

I think I'd do the opposite, as they are chasing a 14 point win, better to have both reserves scoring. If McGurk has the better of Trigger, then leave Starke Tu beat the second strings? But I think they'll do a straight swap & put Starke at 7.

You won't need to drop Wright for a top rider, their averages will be so low, could probably replace their number 6 for a top rider. Don't see Oxford doing that tbh, can see them running with 5/6 "second strings" & Boughen. Can't agree re the RS system, just because it's not even. Whatever the system it won't be even, look at the points limit - otherwise Birmingham would be the same strength as Sheffield & Ipswich. As for Boughen, I don't think that's an issue with the RS system, more Oxford picking a rider too inexperienced. Same happened last year, people said the RS system didn't work with Mulford & Joe T out of their depth, but that was only because Kemp, Rowe & Bailey were overlooked. Not so much strength in depth this year, but there's still 3+ Champ riders Hagon, Pijper, Atkins, Mulford waiting in the wings. If NL second strings were being forced in the RS spots, I'd agree it's not working.

Wright would probably be the last rider I would drop. Harris too has to stay. Simple answer is drop the lowest averaged rider. This is where the RS system works, 5 years ago the option would be to bring Kerr back in place of Boughen.

That made me laugh lol!

Oxford are 2.33 below the limit, with Janowski due to drop about 2.5 off his starting average. They could make wholesale changes, that is if they can find more top class heat leaders who want to race in GB.

Has the SCB conducted an investigation into this call-off?

100% agree. The Championship needs Mildenhall a hell of a lot more than Mildenhall need the Championship imo. Racing on a Sunday is a disaster due to Poland, just ask Newcastle!

How is calling off a match they're favourites to win, due to poor weather forecast a "dodgy call-off"

Glasgow massive favourites to go through imo. Think Oxford will win, but can't see them getting 51/52 points.

I've read (not anywhere officially) that Ace won't be fit for the Oxford away match but will return Friday. This confuses me, if you have an injured wrist, how can you say on a Monday "I won't be fit for Wednesday, but I will be for Friday"? I'd assume a rider would say "I won't be fit for Wednesday, that's too soon, but I'll see how the wrist feels on Thursday & make a decision for Friday then"?

A thought provoking idea, then put r/r at 5, use Doyle in heat 13 so Doyle & Sayfutdinov get 5 races together? But I wouldn't want to use Doyle in heat 8, as any Witch should have the beating of Joe T.

Not a chance he'll go back to number 1.

Put Dan T at 2 with r/r at 4, then you could add Doyle to heat 14!

With Milik at reserve, on his former track I believe, Birmingham could win this.

I don't understand the point you are making? I said I think it's a waste of a rider of Jason Doyle's calibre to meet a reserve twice (as I think he has the beating of all the Leicester riders) but you replied with you think the Ipswich reserves can beat the Leicester reserves? Wether I agree with that or not, not sure how it effects Doyle not riding at 5? I will say, if Ipswich expect to lose against Leicester & the plan is damage limitation to get the bonus point, then I can agree with Ellis at 5.

Lampart's new average is just above Milik's new average, so Milik at reserve till June. Should score well from there.

Who's gonna go at number 5 now? No obvious "second heat leader". I might've put Lampart there, to leave Worrall, Brennan & Z.Cook where they will score points? Mind you Lampart will be replacing Milik at 6 very soon anyway.