szkocjasid

I think the r/r rules should be. 2 above & 2 below missing rider. If r/r is for 2nd in the averages then one rider can get 2 x r/r If r/r is for 1st in the averages then two riders can get 2 x r/r

I think he was guesting as a RS previously. I'm not even sure if riders need an actual (not assessed) average to guest. If a team had a reserve break down & had a local NL junior available, surely they'd be able to use him instead of 3 rider races.

Clever riding if he did so, even if it didn't work out.

He has an average now

This wasn't an anti Schroeck comment, as you say lots of managers automatically use r/r at 2. If a second string was missing, I'd totally agree with r/r at 2, as the reserves taking r/r outings are "protected" riding with the number one. As it was the second heat leader missing, I don't see the need for the remaining top 5 riders to be "protected" alongside Masters on their extra heat, as they don't need this protection in their programmed rides? Personally I don't think I'd ever plan to use your top rider in heat 8, but I think it was worse in this situation as it meant the top rider in the league getting an extra outing against the weakest second string in the league (no offence to Sam Hagon), I'd have said the same against Redcar if Jody Scott was at 2. Maybe if Oxford were racing a team with a strong number 2 (Edinburgh/Glasgow) I could understand it as Oxford may not expect their second strings to win heat 8. But I certainly wouldn't move r/r to number 2 automatically regardless of who is missing / who the opponents are.

I agree, think Cairns (this season) & Rushen (next season) would be wise not to jump into an RS spot too soon.

The Fox Cubs look a lot stronger now. Freddy Hodder & Jordy Loftus signed in place of Sonny Springer & Caydin Martin. Won't catch King's Lynn at the top of the table, but should help them get away from bottom spot. No changes yet for the Lion Cubs, although Springer has a lower average so won't have the same options. Calum Mitchell of King's Lynn looks the best option. There's not a lot of NDT riders without a NDL team spot.

Oxford didn't have an obvious "number 2" after Masters the others could really have filled any position from 2-5. Pre match I would've favoured them to have the beating of Hagon in heat 8, whoever went in position 2. Masters is the only one I wouldn't have put in that heat. If they worry was a weaker Oxford rider wouldn't win in heat 8, put McDiarmid at 2 maybe?

Both, if I bore you that much, just mute me. If I replied to the post saying "I don't agree with you" without giving any context / reasoning, what would be the point of that? So I pointed out his away average has actually gone up. Then @Woke23 sent a sensible reply with his reasons for his comments. Both of us gave an opinion, it would be boring if everyone agreed all the time, there was no insults or name calling, I'd say that's what the forum is for. Obviously I like stats, if others don't that's fine too. But I don't see why I should stop using them.

Looking at the make up of the two teams, a big home win, shouldn't be a surprise. But Scunny should have had the beating of the Glasgow reserves. Well done to Hodder especially, but for Scunny, won't be easy to avoid the wooden spoon.

No they wouldn't.

Looking at Knudsen's score, strange he didn't get more rides. I'd have put him in heat 12 instead of Grahn. Luckily for Oxford it didn't cost them.

I just think it's a negative tactic, something I'd use if I expected to lose heavily, but wanted to limit the damage. Not something I'd do if I needed a win to make the play-offs.

Vuolas has actually upped his away average. Last year was 4.00 (4.32), currently 5.68 (6.53), which is actually the highest Workington away average, with or without bonus points.

But lower chance of 3 points for other r/r options. If Masters can win any heat, why put him in the easiest heat? Obviously an ef means he didn't win heat 8 anyway.

If Glasgow finish top, they'd be meeting Edinburgh or Poole on the final (most likely). Either way should be a big crowd, motivation for the Tigers to finish top.

Klindt should 100% get a ban for withholding his services, it shouldn't matter that Plymouth don't seem to mind & are happy to use a 75% guest. Maybe the prospect of losing 4 weeks of matches for both Lynn & Plymouth would see him make more of an effort to turn up?

Can see Oxford doing well with their strong reserve pairing. Morris needs to ride like Cook (when he's there) for Berwick to win imo.

So Masters will take his r/r outing against Hagon & a reserve! Don't understand why managers do this, doesn't seem the best use of the leagues top rider!

That's a brave prediction, personally can't see any change to the top 4 clubs. Even if Sheffield are weaker, can't see them losing again & again at home.

I don't think Cairns would take lightly (is that the correct term) to being told to "take it easy" to lower his average. Especially as he obviously went to Poole as they were the best club to help him progress in his career, right? After all look at how much effort Poole put into development league speedway 🫢

Too late, Poole have passed the cut-off % for changes

Yeah I meant Zaine. Same principle, I can understand wanting to use your top 2 in heat 15, but once they lost a 5-1, think you'd go for your unbeaten rider? We'll never know of it would've made a difference, but do know, sticking to the same pair didn't work.

Sorry Scunny fans, but I did have a giggle. Losing a 5-1 in heat 15 & putting the same riders out for the superheat, despite Harrison riding unbeaten! Deary me!

On paper you wouldn't expect any of Berwick's bottom 3 to beat any of Edinburgh's top 6. It's Berwick's top 4 that need to get the points to get a result imo