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On paper the Scunny team looks decent. 2 x 5 point reserves, the Kennedy's & Harrison putting points on their averages. If they want to go with stronger heat leaders, will suffer at 6 & 7. Then who will they sign? Redcar can't find a replacement for Riss, Berwick have 7+ available to replace Hume but haven't got anyone. Until Nicholls made his return, Champ sides could only bring in second strings & reserves. Apart from MPT & it seemed most Scunny fans were happy to see him go (from what I can remember).

I agree there's a risk, but Redcar's reserves will only get 9 rides between them, using r/r they'd get 10 or 11 (depending if Mulford took a r/r outing before dropping out). While I'd recommend taking a number 8, Redcar wouldn't have needed to use him.

Poole & Glasgow look certain for a top 4 spot, after that the last 2 spots are very open. Wouldn't rule anyone out.

I don't blame Redcar for not getting a stronger guest than Etheridge (maybe no-one else was available), my only question is, once no stronger option were available should they still use a guest over r/r. As for "another away defeat" Glasgow are one of the strongest teams in the league, wouldn't be a shock of they won all of their remaining home league fixtures. Redcar look good for a top 4 place, but will want to pick up an away win somewhere.

What do Redcar fans think of Etheridge guesting? I think r/r would be the better option: King, Edwards, Mulford & Pijper or Scott. Two riders stronger, 2 riders weaker (although Mulford isn't a lot weaker).

One thing that confuses me, so Rob Lyon wanted to use Harrison in heat 15 for his 3rd ride, so why not just use him in heat 13 instead? It would be against the same 2 Ipswich riders? Why would using Harrison in 15 be any more beneficial than in 13? Either way allows Klindt in 12 & 14! Even if the argument was to not take a ride away from Lawson in heat 13, you could just give him heat 15 instead.

Berwick could make the play-offs if they strengthen up. Don't know who's available, but I don't think either of the riders you've mentioned would make the difference they need!

Are there really enough tracks in Britain to turn anyone down?

Great performance by Lynn. Couple more performances like that on the league & play-off fight would've been on.

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, that may be the most rediculous thing I've ever read on the forum!

I thought it was a well known rule, riders needing to take 3 rides in the first 14 heats (unless injured) how would the ref (& team manager) not know that rule by heart?

Should McDiarmid have gotten more rides? Scored better than Palovaara & Killeen!

If that was true why would Doyle & Sayfutdinov routinely miss out on heat 15 (unless the match depends on it)? Unless scoring more points earns them more than a guarantee, would it not make sense to give them more rides?

Totally agree, Plymouth team looks far stronger both in the heat leader position & at reserve.

Is Jenkins going to be fit and why haven't they picked Drew Kemp?

I would have thought the opposite. Poole needing thier top riders to carry the scoring? Scunthorpe riding at home being the one match where you'd expect very little from away reserves?

Whoops, lol!

Good idea. Kurtz vs Bewley at both tracks would be awesome!

The problem is, if someone commenting on the meeting says "this proves Foord is better than Starke" people are going to want to give an opinion in this, which naturally involves who Poole started the season with. If someone replied to a message on this thread on the Poole thread, people wouldn't understand the reply. I agree with what you are saying in principle, but meeting threads can expand into other subjects without that being planned.

Great guess. Hopefully Gladiator Phil will send an apology for his responses!

The only team I could see him strengthening would be Berwick in place of Wood?

If that was the case. I'd presume they preferred Starke & Foord was never in their plans? Can't see them planning to build a team over 1.5 below the limit by putting Foord in the top 5. Can't imagine they'd sign anyone other than a temp 2.00 number 7 if they were saving a spot for Cairns?

Brilliant post

Makes a big difference to the Plymouth team. A second big hitter, which they've been missing, plus a strong reserve, which they've not had since Fredriksen moved into the top 5. Bowtell should score well. Not sure they'll be able to make a play-off push, but much better chance of avoiding the wooden spoon now. Big weekend coming up with a couple of "winnable" away matches. Two wins then all of a sudden they're chasing a top 4 spot. Can they do it?

Even if Nicholls did miss some Saturdays (Plymouth don't race every Saturday & there isn't a GP every Saturday either) a 75% guest & Butcher would still be an improvement on a 4.00 guest & Cluff imo. But apparently he's not got GP commitments anyway.