szkocjasid

You do realise why Poole have not made changes in the last couple of seasons - because they've had successful teams, not because they're taking a moral stance. Glasgow have actually don't the exact same thing as Poole, replaced one rider in two seasons due to injury (Roynon) or unavailability (Nowak).

I'll go Poole 50-40 Scunthorpe

Last year Glasgow always had 2 good reserves, lowest averaged riders were Hume (5.83) & Bailey (4.63). With a lower points limit decided to keep the string top end, but don't think you can say the reserves are always their achillies heel. Just because they haven't won the league, doesn't mean they've not been a good team. As for Bailey his home / away split was 6.31 vs 3.53, so I can wee why they let him go. It seems whatever team building Glasgow do, they'll always be a strong team, but not win the big events!

I'll go Oxford 47-43 Glasgow

Tbh if he stopped clubs racing on Fridays so he could have a better choice of guests he deserves to be ridiculed for as long as people remember it imo

Scunthorpe are not a bad side, but still can't see past Poole winning the group. Does Nathan have anything to prove? Poole dropped him because he averaged less than 2.00 & they wanted strength in depth. He's upped his average to 3, so well done to him for that, but that's still lower than Poole's number 7, so whatever he scores, their tactics have been proved right. Scunthorpe could certainly win at home, but don't see them getting an aggregate win, would certainly make the group more interesting of they could though.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own option, but I feel it would carry more weight if you suggested a rider who you think will do better than Schlein? Sedgmen, Batchelor, Andersen, Flint? Howarth could only guest at home! Of course Redcar will have more options for the KOC semi finals.

Richie's version could still be accurate, asks for a coke, gets a vodka & coke by accident. Fails a test on Tuesday, passes a test on Wednesday. However despite his claims of being innocent & paying for his own test, only the one taken on Tuesday matters.

I would suggest foreign riders start on 5.00 aves in Prem & can't drop below 4.00. Start on 6.00 aves in Champ, can't drop below 5.00. Would help stop the likes of Dan T, Kemp, Rowe & Bailey who didn't have team spots initially missing out after increasing their averages. I'm not saying don't allow foreign riders, just don't continuously sign new Aussies in the hope of finding the next Darcy Ward over Brits. If Poland can look after their future, why can't we?

That's a great rule imo, why would you want promoters to fly in an Aussie who only averages 2.5, rather than give a 2.0 Brit a chance?

Rory Schlein looks the best pick imo, he could be busy 4 matches for Edinburgh & 4 for Redcar (providing fixtures don't clash). Just looked he could ride in 7 fixtures.

I understood why they picked him, to allow Borke to sign, but not why they haven't looked to strengthen up, with a stronger 2.00 rider

For me Wroclaw need Laguta a hell of a lot more than he needs them, Woffinden, Wright, Janowski all picking up injuries. What if Laguta said to Wroclaw "I've signed a contract to ride for Peterborough & I'm going to honour that contract" what can they do? Fine him, ban him from riding here (is that legal?) Then what if Laguta replies with "screw you, I won't race in the final for you then" would Wroclaw really throw away a chance at the league title - hell no! I know top riders will pretty much do whatever the Polish clubs tell them due to the wages they are getting, but what's to stop them even "bluffing" that he won't ride for them if he can't ride for Peterborough? Even if he 100% plans to ride for Wroclaw anyway - they won't know that!

On paper I think Belle Vue & Sheffield looked the strongest teams. With injuries it makes the play-offs far more open, of course I don't want any rider to pick up injuries, but sadly that's just a part of sport.

Would Killeen be happy with that? Potentially no rides as a number 8 vs 3 guaranteed rides guesting for the opposition.

The rule you suggested wouldn't stop Boughen stepping up, if it was reach a 5.00 NL ave to step up for example? Bewley on the other hand signed for Edinburgh before racing NL, so he shows how that wouldn't work. In theory clubs should be singing the best 2.00 riders available, which would avoid rider stepping up too soon & potentially being a danger to others (not saying Wood is), but why Edinburgh picked & stuck with a NL reserve confuses me?

There are downsides to such a rule, it means one club is building to a higher limit than others, plus any clubs stepping up could really struggle to find riders. Another (perhaps unlikely) scenario could mean a rider demanding 2 or 3 times his current pay because he knows his team want to keep the same 7 riders? For example Belle Vue are averaging 42.66, let's say Connor Bailey wants more money, if they don't agree they have to drop 3.66 to fit with a new team! Works the same with Bewley, he could say sign me on my Polish wages or replace me with a 4.34 rider?

No offence to the lad, but his return weakens Edinburgh. So I guess you could say his presence is key, as it makes a very minimal chance even harder! No wanting to slag of Dayle, he's doing exactly what is expected of a NL reserve at Champ level.

I know they do, but any extra points they gain are getting lost by Brennan at 5 (no longer a problem). I honestly believe Basso would score the same at 3 or 5, but Brennan would score extra at 3.

Sensible points being made by you, makes me wonder why Glasgow's team manager didn't realise too & move Brennan away from number 5 earlier?

I agree, Schlein the best option imo

You could have, before his average changed & before the transfer cut-off date

Now the Lions season is over, you'd think the Lion Cubs would have been quicker to announce their remaining 2 league fixtures, especially as they've got the KOC final & are 99% in the play-off final, plus need a free date for the jubilee cup

I reckon about 75% of double headers don't last the full 30 heats

Scenario 1, could be so easily avoided, just by saying riders can't guest for clubs in their own group. Teams would still have 6 out of the 8 clubs to find guests for. For the last part, I feel of you wanna be Champions, you have to be able to beat any club over 2 legs, can't plan for an easier final. I think more restrictions on guests would be good, not just in the play-offs though!