szkocjasid

Well 36 is considered to be a low limit, but Oxford have built their team to 34. On paper looks an incredibly weak team, based on last year, 1 heat leader, 2/3 second strings, 3/4 reserves. But it's obvious they've not built a team to win the league but to develop riders, so can't blame them for that!

Oxford have a stronger top 2, but Poole's 3&4 are far far better than Oxford's, which is why I've rated them higher. Both teams have potential at 6&7. Redcar's top 2 on a par with Poole, but once again Poole's 3/4 is a fair bit stronger than Redcar's. Similar reserves, but think Poole's have more potential for improvement. Redcar's biggest gain is Edwards vs Thomsen. As for Glasgow, you could argue they've got 4 reserves, whereas Poole only have 3 lol!

Who would be a better signing then?

Two thoughts: I think Thomsen is a poor signing. Of the 5 completed teams, I think Poole look the strongest.

I'm not sure I understand the arguments against Roynon i.e "a shadow of his former self" or "past his best" etc - of course these statements are true, you'd be signing him as a reserve! If he wasn't "past his best" he wouldn't fit in under the points limit. I think I made a similar comment about Iversen at Lynn, people saying he's not a top rider any more & I'm thinking "but you're signing him as a 3rd heat leader / second string" I suppose it would carry more weight if people suggested stronger alternatives? It's very easy to say he's no good without suggesting who'd be better.

Who's better out there on Roynon's average?

Would be a good signing imo, my "dream team" of Cook, Palm-Toft, Vissing, Vuolas, Zischke, Kennedy & McGurk comes to 38.04, would fit if Kennedy gets a reduction for missing a season due to injury?

Personally think he'd be a terrible choice, signing a 2.7 rider on a 4.1 average. I'd personally pick: Borke, Proctor, MacDonald, Roynon or Nielsen before Clegg.

For the people who don't want Sedgmen, what about Wolbert? Edinburgh Josh Pickering 8.63 Kevin Wolbert 8.00 Kye Thompson 6.48 Paco Castagna 5.30 Lasse Fredriksen 4.57 Connor Coles 2.63 Max James 2.00 Total 37.61

Reading his interview in the Speedway Star, sounds like Paco is definitely riding in the Champ, so Edinburgh seems the most likely destination by far?

That's true, for the "development" of the riders, surely another season in the NL would be more needed by Max than Joe?

Only Glasgow & Oxford have higher averaged number ones, so Edinburgh shouldn't have any worries there. But I do seem to remember him losing quite a few 5-1s at home.

I'm really pleased these new rules for the NL have encouraged Leicester to drop 32 year old Max Perry, who after 6 seasons in the NL is unlikely to make the grade at Champ level or above & replace him with 16 year old Luke Crang with only 2 years experience in the NL & looking for a doubling up spot in the Champ! *Spot the deliberate mistake

At least give him till April lol!

I think that's what needs to happen to keep Birmingham competitive, hope it happens.

You're entitled to your opinion, but my slightly less negative view is Worrall is better than Tungate, Brennan is better than Ellis & Z.Cook is better than Rew. Could change if the opposing 3 can bring their European form to GB.

He'd only get a proper average if it goes up, then they'd be happy he's exceeded expectations, otherwise it stays at 4.00.

100% past his best, but may still be the best rider available on a 4.00 average.

Now Rew has a 4.00 Prem ave, he'd have a 6.00 converted ave for the Champ.

For a few years, since the bad weather has caused play-offs to have been ridden in terrible weather in October / November, there's been some calls for teams to start with the league then run "extra" competitions after. I think the jubilee league has shown how that would not work! You can be sure teams would make far more effort to put on a play-off final than a jubilee league etc final. Worse comes to worse, can do what the NL may have done & declare top of the "qualifying" league as champions. At least the BSN trophy, has been shown more respect than the jubilee league was, clubs not wanting to bite the hand that feeds them!

MacDonald hasn't impressed me, didn't reach his 4.00 average at Scunny & had a horrendous time at Oxford, granted he had injury issues. However he'd be at reserve, so against 2.00 riders could be ok. Personally I'd pick Proctor ahead of him.

Lambert is a fantastic signing for Scunny after his form last year, he could be in a par with Cook & better than some 3rd heat leaders too.

Looked fine when I saw him this year (first appearance) plus riding there every week would help him. I'd be happy with his signing.

Unless Scunny sign a higher averaged rider I can only assume Allen will be their 2nd heat leader (I never said number 5) even so Riss has a lower average than Justin, plus if Schlein, Barker & B.Cook are all better riders, why do they have lower averages? They may be better in the Prem, but not in the Champ. I agree they may appear better riders, but Sedgy didn't get a 7.69 average by being poor, he even did that riding at number 5 in what was a tougher league last year (compared to this). I don't necessarily believe Sedgmen would be a great signing, but don't understand how people think he'll be a terrible signing?

Not bottom of the rankings for me, don't think Brummies second strings are any worse than Belle Vue or Ipswich's imo The other 4 teams do look stronger.