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Oxford are over 2 points above the limit, wouldn't be easy to fit Nicholls back in. Who would they drop Jenkins (injured), Knudsen (misses matches)? Jody Scott would've been useful on a 2, but he's not available now. Sam Masters 10.29 Scott Nicholls 8.53 Cameron Heeps 6.51 Mitchell McDiarmid 5.71 Luke Killeen 4.23 Darryl Ritchings 2.35 Max James / Tom Spencer 2.00 Total 39.62 Sam Masters 10.29 Scott Nicholls 8.53 Mitchell McDiarmid 5.71 James Pearson 5.51 Luke Killeen 4.23 Ben Trigger 3.34 Darry Ritchings 2.35 Total 39.96

What's happened to Ashton Vale? With 2 divisions meaning more rides for the development riders, you'd think they'd be less likely to call it a day? While no one likes guests, at least it's development riders getting extra fixtures.

I thought the rule was Poland gets priority if a match was rained off & rearranged for a Thursday, when did it become Poland gets priority no matter what?

Glasgow vs Oxford is off. Neither club has a fixture on the 11th, should be a simple one to rearrange. Oxford certainly don't mind using guests when they only have half a team.

Would Edinburgh be better off putting Sedgmen at 5 at home?

I see Fredriksen is guesting for Oxford at Glasgow. If Plymouth are serious about a play-offs push then Oxford are their direct rivals for a play-off spot (Glasgow are secure imo). While I don't expect Oxford to pick up points at Glasgow, if they do then Lasse's hurting Plymouth's chances I'd say. Edit: I don't think Plymouth will get anywhere near 4th, so no harm in him guesting for their "play-offs rivals"

Would be no surprise to see Sheffield hit 60 points

Guesting or team change?

It's very easy to say a 2 pointer isn't doing well enough, but much harder to suggest a replacement who will do better. Which you've shown by suggesting a 5 point rider to replace him lol!

Hardly terrible team building. Glasgow are still in the BSN, KOC & favourites to make the play-offs. Before tonights match had won all 3 away league matches. Yes they have weak reserves, they must have known that pre-season, so need their top 5 to win matches for them!

Even if he hadn't ridden, I think it would be a 75% guest not a NL guest. But as others have said, he's already ridden a match for Glasgow.

I wouldn't go as far as that, but I think dropped riders should get some form of compensation. For example if Trigger wanted to leave Plymouth he'd get a 28 day ban, so if Plymouth drop Trigger pay him (his average) for any Plymouth matches in the next 28 days (unless he gets signed elsewhere)?

Very good post. I wonder of Belle Vie will replace Zischke this year, they've been patient with him, but really need a stronger reserve to challenge for the title imo. For Brennan, has he stalled in Britain this year because he's in such a good team he doesn't have to go well to win, compared to last year, when he needed to be amazing to avoid heavy defeats. Maybe a lack of pressure isn't working for him? For the last paragraph, that's the problem with the play-offs, Ipswich & Belle Vue clashing, doesn't excite me, it's what happens in the play-offs that matters. For that reason I found Birmingham vs King's Lynn the match with more riding on it.

All very good points, would be happy with that. Far far better than the current system.

Whoever King's Lynn don't pick as their RS, Sheffield could ask the other to guest?

I keep reading Lynn commenting about having a "5 man team" which is a gross exaggeration. They had ONE heat without both riders, if a rider had won that heat, they still would've lost. Yes they had riders struggling on a rough track, but that's not really racing with a "5 man team" by all means they could honestly say, they only finished with 5 fit riders.

I think what he said was perfectly fair. When you make a daft prediction, people are quick to point it out, but rarely happens the other way. So naturally you'll want to pat yourself on the back. Nought wrong with that.

I'll go for: Belle Vue 44-46 Ipswich On paper Ipswich better than that, but 5-1s to Belle Vue in heats 13&15, plus an extra ride for Bewley or Kurtz will keep it closer. But not enough for a home win imo

I'll go for: Birmingham 40-50 King's Lynn

Can't see Belle Vue winning this at all, Belle Vue reserves having to take 11 rides between them against a very strong Ipswich reserve pairing, so even if Bewley & Kurtz go unbeaten, still fancy an Ipswich win.

Should be top 2 at 1+5, then rest of top 5 as they please imo.

He's got a better average than many Brits at reserve. Unfortunately for him, he's riding in a weak team that has lots of points to spare. There are weaker reserves still with team spots due to the points limit.

Cluff would be the next to go if they found a stronger rider imo.

It could simply be Plymouth think Klima is better than Trigger & he's the best rider willing to ride for them? Ideally they should've signed an 8.00 rider, putting Bowtell to reserve, but dropping a 3.5 rider for a 4.0 rider isn't pointless. I'm sure Plymouth will be hoping Klima is better than a 4.0 rider anyway.

No special allowance for Lynn, obviously the rules allow clubs to redeclare their RS every match of they so want to. So far only Lynn have done it. Lynn aren't using a facility to replace a rider quitting. Just signed a new rising star (which they keep swapping).